What I Got Out of NYC Climate Week

Almost a week has passed since NYC Climate Week and I’m still feeling energized, inspired, and motivated. I attended 16 events in total, one of which I hosted, one co-hosted, one panel participation, one panel facilitation, and one guest speaking role. And all of those were fun and meaningful, but my favorite part was meeting and connecting with likeminded women and the sense of community and support that we forged for the week.

Even as I confidently lead discussions on preparing for NYC Climate Week with Women and Climate and my own coaching business, I’ll admit that I myself was feeling unprepared. I told clients and friends that while it’s best practice to have a concise response to the question “so what do you do?” it’s also totally ok to be honest about not knowing what you do or want to do. Yet behind the scenes I was scrambling to have certainty and confidence around that answer myself.

While I’ve known since certifying as a life coach that I wanted to use my new skills in the sustainability space somehow, I struggled to find the right fit. Lest I use this doubt as an excuse to not start coaching, I soon launched my business as a general life coach. A year later, I thought I had it figured out: I would be a climate action coach. Within a few months of that not sticking, I was inspired to focus on eco-anxiety, and doubled-down to develop, launch, and promote that offer.

As much as it felt necessary to be talking about the anxiety of the climate crisis, it wasn’t resonating with me. I struggled to write content or connect with clients, and I was worried about crossing the line between coaching and counseling given some people with eco-anxiety may not be functioning in their daily lives and therefore best be served by a licensed therapist.

During NYC Climate Week 2022, I had the fortune of finding Women and Climate (WAC). Joining that community renewed my sense of identity and pride in my climate work at NYC DOT as well as my broader dedication to the cause. My return to participating and organizing in women-only spaces reminded me why I was drawn to the type of life coaching I practice to begin with: it is a “feminist mindset revolution”. And who better to equip with a powerful feminist mindset to solve problems, make decisions, and get sh*t done than women in climate?

By serving women in climate, I’ve found my calling. But being passionate about (and really good at) something doesn’t mean you know how to talk about well! I’ve been in my current role at NYC DOT since 2016 and I still don’t know how to explain it very well!

Knowing how important first impressions are and that I’d be making a lot of them during NYC Climate week, and that I didnt want to short change my climate work at NYC DOT, my coaching business, nor my City Lead role with WAC, I decided to get serious about (ie spend money on) effectively communicated about what I do. But, long story short, I didn’t nail my elevator pitch (or any pitch).

Ends up, that was ok. Because my goal for the week was to create and participate in community for women in climate, to have interesting and engaging conversations on subjects of importance to me, and to have fun. And by that measurement, my week was wildly successful.

By letting go of needing to tell people what I offer, I was able to better listen to what people need help with. And I heard loud and clear that people are feeling nervous, overwhelmed, and/or intimidated in their efforts to navigate the climate space. I’m constantly job hunting. I dont know enough. I want to have more impact. My skills don’t translate. Am I doing it right? From fresh out of undergrad and intimidated by the jargon and insecure about their lack of experience, to climate veterans struggling with burnout or bad bosses. It was clear that folks are struggling to find their place within the sustainability space.

While I’ve been aiming to launch a digital course with a group coaching element to do just that in January, I was just too damn inspired by everyone I met at NYC Climate week that I want to start now.

So now that offer is on the table, through the form of a small group coaching program for women navigating into or within the climate space. You can learn more and sign up here.