Coach Spotlight: Amber Burrell

Amber is one of our superstar coaches in Charlotte, and the experience she brings to our LifeClients is unbelievable. From her wisdom as a mother, to her background as a vocational coach, and even her true-grit experiences as an obstacle course racer, she has the ability to impart invaluable knowledge, all while uplifting and empowering LifeClients from a holistic standpoint. Read our interview with Amber below to find out what makes her a stellar coach and mentor.

Where are you from? How long have you been in town? What do you love about Charlotte?

I am originally from the beautiful northwest lower peninsula of Michigan. I grew up in a little lake town known as “Bear Lake.” I was an active member of international leadership summits, a basketball player at the whopping stature of 5’3”, spent a lot of time up in trees bird-watching or reading books, and had an indescribable connection to the Lake Michigan sunsets. I have been living in North Carolina now for around 11 years. Charlotte has been a great place for finding unique cuisine, feeling a sense of adventure with the mountains within driving distance, and my ability to easily take my son “scooting” around the city.

What is your vocational and educational background? 

I have spent years being educated within the helping fields of psychology and counseling, graduating with my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Wayne State University, and having pursued my Masters of Arts in Professional Counseling through Liberty University. I have worked with troubled youth, those on the autistic spectrum, families trying to come back together in hard times through equine-assisted therapy volunteer work (I love horses); spent time as an intern counseling victims of abuse, those who struggle with anxiety, ADHD and various other challenges, as well assisting with family dynamics; working form a holistic perspective. I have also worked with people from all walks of life in coaching them toward finding gainful employment, including activity building for those in the deaf population. I am educated as a mother to an incredible son, having been able to work in classrooms as a “room parent,” and growing daily from raising another beautiful human being. My son’s name is Maverick and he is a wonderful soul. He calls me a fossil, and we laugh abundantly. I have even had the pleasure of working as a DJ/MC for proms and weddings, and what a wonder it is to create energy for such special events. I have spent plenty of time in the service industry, working as a manager helping to not only create a phenomenal environment, but to grow those around me.

What drew you to work with LifeTutors? How long have you been with LT?

I saw “Mental Health Coach” I thought “yes please!” The light I felt with my first conversation with Lyndsay helped me to know this is where I belong. I adore the age group we work with. I have always had an interest in working with youth, young adults, etc. so this sparked that passion in me to come into this calling. I have been with LifeTutors for approximately half a year, and I am looking forward to my future with our amazing team.

What are some of your skills and specialties you bring to families at LifeTutors? 

Outside of being a great dancer(haha), I bring connection. I have been through a lot in my time going around the sun, so I would say I bring my story that I have been resilient through it all. I have seen people close to me suffer from addiction, I have walked through the fire of life and held my head up, and pushed through. I have watched things fall apart, come together, and everything in between. I have been equipped by an imperfect life that has made me resilient. I study holistic health within my education, so I strive to focus on the mind/body/spirit connection. I specialize in focusing on the individual, meeting them where they are, and motivating them through relationship, and creativity, while doing so from a place of empathy, and genuine interaction.

What makes you motivated to wake up and go to work? 

What I love about doing this work is knowing that it provides hope! I know that on any given day there is new possibility and promise to provide that spark to someone; and that is fuel to the soul. So it is two-sided, not only do you get to help with growth, help people fall in love with who they are as an individual so they can thrive, and take life on with curiosity and gratitude; that wonderful pursuit builds you at the same time. We walk together with others helping them believe in themselves, and then one day we realize along the way, our joy is increasing from filling up the lives of others with everything we’ve got.

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

Most people don’t know that I ran the World Championships in London for OCR (Obstacle Course Racing). I stood at the starting line amongst a strong group of women from all over, Italy, Germany, you name it. To look at me it is not something someone might guess about me; but being underestimated has it’s perks.

Who is your ideal client?

My ideal client is any human being. I don’t believe it is my place to judge a person’s journey, only to enhance it, be a part of it, and hopefully help that humanoid realize the purpose in how special their role is on this earth, through self actualization. If there is a human out there that needs someone to make them laugh through this process, then I believe I am your lady.

What has been your biggest accomplishment(s) with persons of service at LT?

I believe my biggest accomplishment has been growing trust and confidence building. While it rocks a coach’s world to see one of their clients hit the goal of getting the job they’re after or making several new friends, the most important thing that stands out to me is when a client readily knows they can have faith and trust in your presence. As a coach, you get to see clients walk towards love for themselves that was maybe snuffed out by a difficult path. What a beautiful feeling it is to see someone embrace themselves, while trusting you through the process.

Want to meet the rest of our staff? Check out the team that makes the magic happen here!

Does your young adult need a helping hand gaining independence and creating a fulfilling life of their own?

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