Alina Buffiere (assistant teacher)
“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something – your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.” – Steve Jobs
What inspires you to be an assistant teacher?
Assisting with classes is a way to remain connected and engaged with the coaching community, which I really enjoy. It is also a means of giving back. During the programme, many people have contributed their time, energy and insights to my personal journey. Now I feel excited to do my part in evoking change and growth in other coach/counsellors.
About me
You could say that I enjoy a fresh start. The Netherlands is the seventh country I call home, while exploring my third and fourth career paths. A chemical engineer becoming an artist, then Apple Genius and now a coach is quite a conversation starter.
Why have you chosen the ACC and what did the training bring you?
Being a full time artist at the time, I joined the ACC with an ambition to become a coach for other creatives. Two years in, I know myself better, truly enjoy working with (creative) clients, and feel more and more confident as a coach. The training programme has changed the way I see myself, allowed me to pivot in my career, and provided useful tools that I use with clients as well as in everyday life.
Who is my hero and why?
I don’t really connect with the idea of having a hero, but feel endlessly inspired by people around me – friends, colleagues, clients. People showing resilience in the face of life’s challenges, combined with optimism for the future, leave me in particular awe.