Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephen Lovegrove.
Hi Stephen, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My story began in a fundamentalist cult in the southeastern United States. Think a combination of the town from Footloose and the kind of scary cults you watch documentaries about… It would have been a tough world to grow up in for any kid, but even more difficult for me as a gay child. I got kicked out of the house at 18 years old and had to start over. Suddenly, I found myself facing the big questions that many people don’t begin asking until decades later. Besides the process of coming out as a gay man, I also needed to figure out: What did I believe? What was true for me? What did I want to do with my life? In the process of doing that work, I discovered the world of personal development and the power of life coaching, specifically. One day, a mentor suggested to me that I should consider going into that field myself if it spoke to me, and I took those words to heart. I’ve been coaching entrepreneurs and entertainers from all around the world for the past seven years, and I absolutely love what I do!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Growing a business initially was a challenging experience for me because as any business owner learns over time, you cannot be in business without selling, and at the beginning I didn’t want to sell to anyone! I had to learn, of course, that it wasn’t enough to be a great coach (though I value that tremendously and am always working to improve my skills.) A successful business was going to require sales and marketing, and I had to embrace that part of the journey as well. — One personal challenge that I specifically want to mention here was that of building traction and momentum when I first got to LA. I once heard someone say, “LA is a city where nobody gives a sh*t, for better and worse,” and I laugh at that quote now. As someone who grew up in an unhealthy small town bubble, I certainly appreciated the freedom I felt immediately living in LA to be whoever I wanted to be and create exactly what I wanted to contribute to the world. But that west coast independence also felt a little lonely at first. I remember walking through the grocery store one night the week I moved, just feeling the gravity of knowing hardly anyone in such a vast, spread out city.
It definitely took time to find my people in LA as well as to find my favorite spots all over the city, but I am so thankful that I stuck it out and leaned into the magic that this city has to offer. Not only is LA an exciting place to live (and one of the best food cities in America, if not the #1)… it’s full of wonderful people who are making beautiful art, building impactful businesses, and fighting for causes that matter. I’m grateful to be an Angeleno now and I can’t see myself living anywhere else. – There have been many unexpected client conversations and business obstacles to work through over the years, but my trust in my own ability to navigate the unknown has grown through it all. Marie Forleo likes to say, “Everything is figure-out-able,” and that line has always stuck with me over the years. I know there will still be new situations up ahead that I’ve never faced before, but I will meet each one with the skillset and the intuition that has gotten me this far, along with the counsel of my own coach. I am not just a coach myself but a believer in the power of coaching for myself! I would not be where I am today without the best coach I know – Danielle Randall – supporting me in so many challenging moments along the way.
As you know, we’re big fans of America’s Life Coach. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I help people get what they want in the fastest and easiest way possible. My specialty is the deep inner work that stops people from self-sabotaging, keeps them on track towards their goals, and helps them clear what has been standing in the way of their vision coming to life. I believe that every leader deserves extraordinary support for all the moments of life – including the heights of celebration as well as the lows of challenges and loss. My clients get to work on themselves every week with an hour dedicated just to their growth and transformation, but they also get support on demand from me throughout the week – making sure they are never stuck in a difficult moment and always have someone to turn to when they need some guidance, clarity, or encouragement. The work I do with people is not specifically “business coaching,” but the work I do almost always makes my clients a lot more money. When you choose to fully embrace and embody everything that you are, you receive everything that is meant to be yours, and it all gets to be created from the inside out. That is the process I get to walk my clients through, and it is a deeply rewarding and fulfilling one. When you’re ready to live your destiny and have a more fun, fulfilling, and joyful experience along the way, you call me.
Any big plans?
One focus I have this year is doing more television than ever. While I can’t reveal too many details due yet, there are a number of projects that I’m very excited about! I love both the talk show genre and the reality space. Ultimately, I would like to bring inspiring and entertaining conversations to mainstream platforms for years to come. I believe that when we come together in conversation, minds and hearts can be changed, and when that happens, we change the world. See you on TV!
Contact Info:
- Website: stephenlovegrove.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlovegrove/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephenlovegrove
Image Credits:
Professional photos from Andrew Reed
