MEET THE TEAM
Our Story
Mark & Abigail both started their careers in the 'Armed Forces Family' and are the husband / wife founders of Athena Coaching Solutions Ltd. You can probably imagine the ‘banter’ with Abigail being an ex RAF Officer and Mark ex Army SNCO!
They met prior to the COVID19 Pandemic; both having set the same goal to find someone with whom to share the next chapter(s) in their story.
Between them they have six grown up children and three grandchildren.
During the first national lockdown they formulated and executed their plan for the future, including designing and building a 35 ton, 70ft long, wide-beam canal barge, which they now call home and also work from.
Being the positive people they are, and understanding that there are always options, they also managed to plan their wedding in Iceland and made it happen around the challenges of lockdown and the travel restrictions imposed at the time.
In the summer of 2021, the couple kayaked 100 miles over 4 days on the River Wye, raising £6k for Parkinson's UK.
One of their 2022 goals they set was recently completed when they challenged themselves to climb Mt Toubkal (4,167m) in Morocco, North Africa's Tallest Mountain. Their first (definitely not last) climb incorporating altitude.
When it comes to goal setting we all have the ability to reach for the sky!
ABIGAIL HELEY BSc (Hons)
Abigail graduated from university in 1990 with a BSc (Hons) in Psychology. Her coaching & training career path started in 1991 when she passed officer selection to become a commissioned officer in the Royal Air Force (RAF). There she was given the prominent position of training officer. In that role she coached and mentored RAF specialists. This was a critical role in which she excelled and for which she was given formal recognition. Her role included the responsibility for 100 personnel, overseeing matters of a sensitive nature and advising on the support required.
As a mother of three, now grown up, children, she continued her passion to help personal development by working as a resettlement advisor and work skills tutor. She is a fully qualified Science & English teacher, holding a PGCE (Science), RSA C/TEFLA and NVQ Level 4 in Further and Adult Education.
Over the years Abigail has worked for several large global organisations, managing the performance and development of their national sales teams. The key function of her managerial roles has been to lead on the formulation of appropriate coaching & training strategies and subsequent delivery of programmes, either remotely or face to face. She has been a key influencer in leading, coaching and mentoring teams through periods of change during restructure.
In 2021 she became a Certified Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), a Certified NLP Coach, and a Certified Timeline Therapy Practitioner. She achieves great outcomes by utilising these additional skills and techniques in conjunction with her various agile strategies and experience.
Abigail now offers her years of experience and skills, and is following her passion for the development of people through the coaching and training of both individuals and small groups. She does this by introducing strategies to help progress quickly through any limiting beliefs holding them back from achieving focused goals.
"You are far more than you think you are at any one time"
MARK HELEY MC MBA
Mark brings with him skills and experiences gained from a distinguished military career spanning over 20 years, predominantly with the British Airborne Forces. During his time in the Army, Mark proved to be a strong proactive leader, empowering soldiers to take ownership, providing coaching, mentoring, and training in a variety of, sometimes, very tough situations, spanning career decisions, setting goals and personal life ambitions.
Prior to leaving the British Army in 2004, Mark was awarded the Military Cross by HM Queen Elizabeth II for gallantry during conflict. Post Iraq invasion (2003).
Mark has worked all over the world with exposure to various industries as a risk manager, honing his managerial, coaching and mentoring skills with employees and clients during difficult times, in some extremely challenging environments.
In 2012 he was introduced to Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), an approach to communication and development created by Richard Bandler & John Grindler in the 1970’s. Over the years he has used this newfound skill successfully with various clients and co-workers. This has enabled them to implement the required strategies and has allowed them to move forwards both professionally and in their personal lives.
Mark holds various instructor training qualifications as well as an MBA. In 2021 he became a Certified Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), a Certified NLP Coach, and a Certified Timeline Therapy Practitioner.
Mark now offers his skills and life experience to help individuals, giving them the confidence to achieve goals and to develop a growth mindset.
"The distance between your dreams and reality is called action"