What I Choose to Do.
I am the Director of Training for the Courageous Living Coach Certification.
I teach people how to create better habits, stop getting stuck in the stress that is caused by fear-based habits, and cultivate discipline. I do this through primarily through writing articles, books and coaching and the Your Courageous Life podcast.
You can also meditate with me (completely for free) on Insight Timer .
For companies, I design and facilitate leadership development programs for improving workplace culture and creating workplaces people actually want to belong to.
I’ve spoken at conferences and lunch and learns on topics such as resilience against stress, creating better habits, developing future leaders, and supporting managers to create better teams, workplaces, and lives.
FAQs
“Can I interview Kate for my podcast or as a source for a story I’m writing, or invite Kate speak at my event?”
Yes. I’ve been a source for several news stories and a guest on multiple podcasts, and I’ve spoken at virtual and in-person conferences. Please reach out to support =at= yourcourageouslife =dot= com with the necessary information: topics, timing/deadlines.
A note: While I will share the articles, projects and events with which I participate, I never agree to obligatory promotion requirements (eg, promoting to my list X number of times or on social media in specific ways) as a condition of participation.
Head to my Media page for more information on reaching out.
“Do you accept guest posts for publication on your website?”
No. All of the writing is done by me.
“Do you still take on life coaching clients for personal leadership coaching?” Yes. If you want to learn more about what I do, head to my life coaching page.
“Is ‘Courageous’ really your last name?”
Nope! My last name is Swoboda. But I do have "courageous" tattooed on my right shoulder, in sanskrit.
“Why did the chicken cross the road?”
Because it was the courageous thing to do, obviously.
“What’s your background/degree/training?”
I’ve been a coach since 2006. I have a B.A. in Sociology with a minor in women’s studies, and my M.A. in Psychology with an emphasis on educational psychology. I also hold a PCC credential from the International Coaching Federation, and an instructional design certificate from Duke University.
Additional coursework: theory of personality, research methods and design, lifespan development, abnormal psychology, clinical diagnosis, group counseling. I've regularly attended workshops or self-educated on issues surrounding race, sexism and gender inequality, the effect of neo-capitalist and US-backed imperialist practices on disadvantaged countries, and other topics related to equity and anti-oppression.
I Believe (For Now, Anyway…)
I believe in a biopsychosocial model--meaning, that it's a mix of our individual biochemistry, psychology, and then the external/social world we live in--that influences our beliefs and behaviors.
I believe in neuroplasticity. I loved reading The Brain that Changes Itself by Doidge. I love learning about all the ways that we tell ourselves that we were born a certain way or it’s “just who I am” are false—that we are in fact the navigators of our lives in so many ways.
I believe that it’s always helpful to bring a dose of your own critical thinking to what you consume on the internet. It’s helpful to remember that of course, nothing I say on any subject could possibly encapsulate all of the details and nuances. Therefore, what you read in one of my blog posts or on social media is likely not to be 100% inclusive or applicable to all 9 billion-ish people who exist on the planet. Take what you like, and leave the rest.
I believe that for humans to have optimal functioning they need to: exercise 5+ times a week, meditate daily, do whatever it takes to get enough sleep, reframe thoughts, eat healthy food, put down the devices, find something to learn about or some outlet for creative expression, find time for solitude, and connect with others.
I believe that discipline is an essential part of knowing ourselves and being human; doubling down on discipline is the best thing I have ever done for my physical and mental health.
I believe in having a process with how we think and behave, one that encapsulates room for both contemplation and action, and time to truly integrate change. At the same time, I believe there is no time to waste and that a lived practice of integrity requires us to be honest with ourselves about when we’re wasting time, spinning our wheels.
Throughout my work, I frequently refer to empowering women’s voices and ideas because I’m called to speak specifically to women’s issues, and I am speaking to all women and women-identified people. I think the patterns of privilege and patriarchy are replicated in every “ism” that exists, and that doing well by women means creating a better world for us all.
I believe in educating myself around and supporting, volunteering for, and putting my dollars behind movements that expand equity of opportunity to resources such as healthcare and mental health support. I encourage this in every space I occupy.
Writing for the human experience.
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