Born in Egypt, I have started mentoring and coaching others since I was a teenager. I have worked within developmental initiatives, and created programmes, to support individuals and groups to grow, and to live fully. As I started coaching individuals from several countries, I realised that, while everyone is unique, the social context has a deep impact on the individual’s development and choices. I studied the phenomenon of oppression, how it becomes internalised, and how it denies a person or a group their humanity. I learned about approaches that aim to help individuals liberate themselves, from fields like education, psychotherapy, theatre, social work, and others, and developed the framework of coaching for emancipation (CFE) as part of my PhD in human development.

As a coach, I believe in my coachees, I trust them, and I dare to say I love them, because many of them are living proof of hope. Despite all odds, they find meaning in their lives, and embark on journeys to find what society has once wasted, their human gene. I think coaching can offer great support to anyone’s journey. You would still have to direct your ship, but there would be someone holding a light, helping you to see the path, and avoid rocks.