"If you were to drop dead, who would continue your teachings?" my coach asked me last month. Instantly, my mind raced to find the answer; I could not. I left the coaching session feeling blank, my thoughts swirling. At the same time, I was finalising my current research proposal, 'The Outcome and Long-term Impact of an Islamic-Based Coaching Model on the Emotional Resilience of Maldivian Women Coachees.' The supervisor kept asking, 'What is the significance of this research?' These two seemingly unrelated questions converged to illuminate a profound truth: the importance of legacy, of ensuring that the knowledge and skills I've acquired are passed on and that the seeds I've planted continue to flourish even if I am no longer there to nurture them.
This realisation brought me back to the beginning of my journey, to the moment when, at 29, with two broken vertebrae, two kids, and a broken heart, I hit rock bottom. But even in that darkness, a spark ignited. A seed, planted by Allah SWT, took root in my heart: 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒂 𝑪𝒐𝒂𝒄𝒉, 𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒓, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒓. It seemed ludicrous, impossible. I had no resources, no support, just the sheer force of my will and the unwavering belief in Allah and realising that this was my calling. "Rock bottom isn't the end; it's the fertile ground where dreams take root," I often say now, reflecting on that time. "It's where you discover the woman of substance you were always meant to be." This seed, this dream, became my anchor in the storm, a beacon of hope in a sea of despair.
I clung to that dream like a lifeline, fueled by the words I cherished as a teenager, from Barbara Taylor Bradford's "A Woman of Substance" and "Hold the Dream." Those powerful heroines, their resilience, their unwavering belief in themselves, whispered to me, "Hold the dream. You are a woman of substance." And I held onto it, just as the Quran reminds us: "And never give up hope of Allah's soothing mercy: truly no one despairs of Allah's soothing mercy except those who have no faith." (Quran 12:87)
Each small step, each "breadcrumb," marked my progress. A training program, an NGO, a move to Male—all fueled by the belief that "Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear." The journey was long, filled with setbacks and self-doubt. But I held on, trusting in Allah's plan, knowing that "Verily, with every difficulty, there is relief."
Early Steps and Unwavering Faith
My first breadcrumb, small but significant, was completing a 15-day life-skills trainer program in 2011. My enthusiasm was met with a disheartening setback: "You cannot serve us because you are not certified." The certificate never arrived. But this rejection, though painful, fueled my determination. I registered an NGO, the Career Vitamin Society (now the Professional Coaching and Mentoring Association of Maldives - PCOMA), and continued serving those in need, finding fulfilment in making a difference, even without formal recognition.
Years passed, filled with the daily grind of raising my children, working tirelessly, and nurturing the dream that still burned brightly within me. My two sons have grown up alongside my dream. They've witnessed the struggles and the triumphs, and they've learned the value of perseverance and faith. They are my inspiration, and I am incredibly proud of the young men they are becoming.
Balancing motherhood, multiple jobs, and chronic pain, I learned the true meaning of resilience. I clung to my faith, trusting in Allah's plan. I worked 18-hour days, juggling multiple jobs while battling the physical and emotional pain of my injuries. I remember one night, collapsing at my desk, exhausted. My eldest son, then just a young boy, woke me up, his little face etched with worry, asking if I was okay. I wanted to crumble, to give in to despair, but I knew I had to be strong for him, for both of my boys. So I straightened my shoulders, plastered a smile on my face, and kept going, trusting in Allah's plan, as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him say good or remain silent" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6136).
Leaps of Faith and Finding My Voice
Then, in 2017, I took a leap of faith. Seeking opportunities to further my education and finally become a certified coach, I moved to Male'. It was a daunting move, leaving behind the familiar for the unknown, but it was a crucial breadcrumb on my path. While pursuing my Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the Maldives National University, I enrolled in a "Managers as Coaches" program and signed up for official coach training, my heart filled with hope and anticipation. It was during this time that I had a profound realisation: my 20-year career as an accountant wasn't aligned with my life purpose. With newfound clarity, I decided to go all in as a Coach.
2019 was a whirlwind. I became a Certified Professional Coach (CPC) and a member of the International Association of Coaching (IAC). But my journey was far from over. The concept of coaching was still relatively unknown in the Maldives, and I faced scepticism and even mockery. "Are you a football or basketball coach?" people would ask, their voices laced with amusement. It was disheartening, but I refused to be discouraged. I knew the power of coaching and the transformative impact it could have on individuals and communities. To upskill myself, I also became a Certified Executive and Team Coach from Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centred Coaching (MGSCC).
Darkness, Resilience, and the Dawn
In 2020, darkness descended again. My second marriage crumbled, leaving me heartbroken and reeling. As if that wasn't enough, the world plunged into the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a year of profound darkness for me, my children, and the entire world. Though still flickering, the dream felt distant, almost extinguished.
But I refused to let it go. I remembered the lessons from those books I had read as a teenager, the stories of women who held onto their dreams despite overwhelming odds. I clung to the belief that this darkness, too, would pass, that the dawn would eventually break. "Doubt nears breakthrough," I whispered to myself, my hands trembling. "Hold the dream." And I held onto Allah's promise: "Verily, with every difficulty, there is relief." (Quran 94:6)
The Power of Purpose and the Ripple Effect
Obstacles are inevitable on the path to any dream. But as I learned from "A Woman of Substance," "Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal." I kept my eyes fixed on my goal, on the dream that Allah had planted in my heart, knowing that "Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear" (Quran 2:286).
And so, I continued to gather my breadcrumbs. Launching my coaching studio in 2020, a small space filled with big dreams, was a moment of immense pride. It was a haven where I could nurture my own aspirations and help others find their own breadcrumbs. The initial mockery and confusion surrounding the concept of coaching in the Maldives were disheartening but also fuelled my fire. I became an advocate, educating people about the transformative power of coaching. "Breadcrumbs mark resilience," I believe now. "Each one paves your path to purpose."
Ma Sha Allah! The launch of the 𝑫𝒆𝒘𝒅𝒓𝒐𝒑 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝑪𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒆𝒅 𝑪𝒐𝒂𝒄𝒉 (DLCC) program, the first of its kind in the Maldives, was a dream come true. Seeing my students blossom and witnessing their confidence grow filled me with indescribable joy. The 𝑭𝒂𝒋𝒓𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒊: 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒍 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑫𝒆𝒘𝒅𝒓𝒐𝒑 program, where hundreds experienced healing and transformation, was a profound reminder of the impact of my work. Simultaneously, the 𝑮𝒍𝒐𝒃𝒂𝒍 𝑪𝒐𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑺𝒚𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒖𝒎 (GCSS), provided a platform for promoting coaching and speaking in the Maldives, a testament to the growing acceptance of the profession. Building on this momentum, for the last nine months, I've been testing a fresh approach with 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒊𝒏𝒅𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒖𝒓 program. This program helps employees transition smoothly into entrepreneurship, providing hands-on guidance to earn their first $5,000 in six months. I'll be guiding the 𝑷𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒓 𝑪𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒔 with the exact formula that helped me earn $27,000 in forty-five days. Ma Sha Allah, May Allah bless me more!
This journey, though arduous, has been filled with moments of profound grace and gratitude. Gratitude for the seed that was planted, for the guidance I received, and for the unwavering belief that I could, indeed, hold the dream. "Coaching ignites potential," I've come to realise. "Empowering others to find their way."
It was Allah who planted the seed, and it was Allah who guided me every step of the way through moments of triumph and despair. Now, we see the shoot emerging and feel the roots growing strong. The coaching industry in the Maldives is still young, but it's taking hold. It's vital that we nurture these roots and uphold the values of integrity, compassion, and service, ensuring that the dream continues to flourish and that the positive impact of coaching reaches all corners of our community. My heart's calling has become a shared calling, a movement of transformation, and I am humbled to be a part of it.
I am grateful that I am teaching the knowledge Allah gave me to a group of coachees, and the certified students are licensed to teach two of my programs. Therefore, the graduates of the 𝑫𝒆𝒘𝒅𝒓𝒐𝒑 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝑪𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒆𝒅 𝑪𝒐𝒂𝒄𝒉 program will, In Sha Allah, continue my legacy. For me, all I have to do is act on the breadcrumbs, plant the seed in the right soil (the environment), do focused work, weed and clear pests, trust Allah SWT for the outcome and detach myself from the results. Surely, the ripple effect of gratitude is visible. Finally, the significance of my research is to create empirical evidence for my work and prove that it provides tangible results, giving my graduates the confidence to use it and build their own legacies.
What dream is burning in your heart? Are you an executive or business owner seeking to unlock your potential and achieve greater success? Connect with me to explore how coaching can help you reach your goals. Share your aspirations in the comments below!
Let's inspire each other to find our breadcrumbs and create our own empires of dreams.
