Meet Courtney Rioux of The Whole Artist in Lincoln Square

Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Rioux.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Courtney. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I act for a living and like many creative careers, there is a lot of uncertainty: when you’ll have your next job; how much money you’ll make; if you’re any good at what you do when you’re not working; if you’ll ever work again when you are working, etc. At some point, that uncertainty got the best of me, and I became a hot mess. I disliked the business of acting, and I lost my confidence. I didn’t know who I’d be without the title, “actor.” Luckily, I found a coach to help me see things differently, gain my confidence back, figure out who I was (with or without acting), and find a new passion. I thought, “I feel amazing! I have to pay it forward!” I had always thought I’d like to go into psychology or be a life coach, and my coach inspired me to take action on that desire.

After we worked on me, we started working on the next steps to being a coach for others. So, I took a year to get a certification, learn, and practice, and then I opened up my coaching business. It’s been over six years since I made that decision, and it’s not only changed my life in many beautiful ways, but I know it’s changed the lives of so many of my clients as well.

My acting career has thrived since I became a coach. I make a full-time living as an actor at this moment, and I choose to coach on the side because it fulfills me. It’s my way of contributing to others, and it’s self-care for me! I learn about myself through my clients’ discoveries about themselves.

If you want to learn something, teach it to someone else!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
How would we know what a smooth road felt like without the struggles along the way?
There were and are many struggles:
1. I struggled with a changing identity. I didn’t know if I wanted to be an actor, a coach, or an actor and a coach.
2. I struggled with the fear of how others would perceive me. Would they think I failed? Gave up?
3. I struggled with the fear of charging for my services and marketing myself.
4. I always struggle with branding myself!
5. I struggle with juggling a busy schedule as an actor, teacher, coach, wife, and friend. How do people with kids and a full-time job do it?!
6. I struggle with putting out enough content or content that is “good enough”.

We all have struggles, and the more open and honest we are about them, the more we realize we are not alone. The less shame we have around our struggles, the easier it will be to deal with them!

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The Whole Artist story. Tell us more about the business.
As a coach with The Whole artist, I help actors and other creatives shift from stuck and unhappy to empowered and joyful. I help them cultivate a healthy relationship with the gremlin in their head that tells them they’re not enough so they can take inspired action toward their goals. You can feel fear and doubt, and still move forward!

I’m most proud of my clients’ accomplishments and changes they’ve made in their lives, relationships, careers, and mindset. I’ve been told by many of my client’s that I’m better than their therapist or that they’ve quit their therapist when seeing me. In no way do I recommend quitting your therapist. I think therapy is great, and everyone can use it! And, I think it’s a huge compliment that my clients feel that I’ve helped them change their lives!

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I feel so fortunate to have success in both acting and coaching. I feel very privileged that I came from a middle-class family, with a great education, supportive parents, and zero school debt. I know that I come from privilege, and I consider that lucky. Through great education and health care, which should be a human right, not a human privilege, I’ve been fortunate in my life.

I also believe that you can help your luck by continually working on your own personal and career development. I take classes, get coaching, and write down my goals and gratitude as much as possible. I do what is in my control to improve my chances in my wildly uncertain career.

Contact Info:

• Website: thewholeartist.com
• Email: wholeartistcourtney@gmail.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/courtneyrioux
• Facebook: facebook.com/thewholeartist
• Twitter: twitter.com/courtneyrioux

Image Credit:
Headshot and jumping photo: Gretchen Kelley

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