We sat down for an intimate, one-on-one conversation with Amy Applebaum, the founder and CEO of Bootcamp for Your Mind.

Was there some particular life event that pushed you towards coaching?
It may sound strange, but I truly feel I was born to be a coach.  I was the oldest child of divorced parents, so I had to take on a high level of responsibility with my siblings.  I had a lot of opportunities to boss people around and I guess I developed a taste for it (laughs).  But seriously though, my father was an entrepreneur and I guess I got the bug from him.  He taught me how to run a business, and I use many of the principals he taught me to run Bootcamp for Your Mind.

How does your coaching method differ from others in your field?
Without sounding like I’m patting myself on the back, I really think there’s no other coach like me out there.  I focus more on actions than other coaches do.  I feel like everyone comes to their problems a different way, so you could drive yourself crazy trying to figure out why people have come to this less-than-perfect point in their life. When I coach, I crumple all that up and toss it aside – and just get people moving towards their goals.  It’s aggressive and caring at the same time – and to my knowledge, no other coach does it quite like I do.

Have you seen your coaching methods or philosophies change or evolve since you first started out? 
Absolutely!  The steps I am using are the same – I believe in them fully.  But certain aspects of how I deliver those steps have changed.   After working with hundreds of different people, I’ve discovered that not everybody needs the same amount or same type of coaching.  I am always improving and tweaking my delivery and where I place emphasis with my clients.

What are the some of the most common issues your clients bring to you?
I’ve heard just about everything you can imagine, but some of the most common concerns I hear are “I have no purpose in life,” “I’m not happy in my relationship,” “I don’t feel good about my health,” “I don’t like my body,” “I’m not making enough money,” “I want to have a better sex life”.

What was it like the first time you stepped back and said “Wow, I really helped that person?”   
It was awesome!  A genuinely emotional and life-changing experience for me.  Her name was Mona and seeing her accomplish the tasks I assigned her, AND getting the benefits from those accomplishments was truly overwhelming.    She’s doing great now.  We still keep in touch – it’s like an addiction to me, I just can’t get enough of hearing great news about the people I’ve helped!

Who inspires you, and why?
My Mom for her strength and courage.  My Dad for teaching me about entrepreneurship and loyalty to family.  Donald Trump for his unwavering character and creativity.  Rachael Ray for developing such an incredible, beneficial brand.  Madonna for thinking outside of the box.  My brothers and sisters for their humor, fun and love!

The home page of your website says “Stop Talking and Start Doing.”  So are you saying that everybody knows the right things they need to do, but it is really a question of implementing them?
Many people have great plans, great ideas, great dreams…but have absolutely no idea how to make them happen.  They talk about how they’re going to achieve these things, but then…nothing.  I take my clients from that point and move them past the obstacles and on to great things.  With me, you aren’t going to do a lot of talking, instead you are going to start “doing” the life you say you want.

Why Boot Camp for Your Mind?  That conjures up images of push-ups and military drills.  Is the experience going to be that intense?
Well, I’m not going to make anyone “drop and give me twenty”, and there won’t been any spinning involved, but it is going to be a mental workout!   Boot camps are all about getting you in shape so that you’re built to handle ANY situation that comes along.  That’s what I’m doing here.  I want to give people a skill set that will help them overcome any obstacle, and achieve anything they set their minds to.

What are your feelings about the current state of the coaching industry?  
It is obviously gaining a lot of popularity. In a sense, it is becoming the psychology of today.  I have several opinions about the state of this very new industry.  On the one hand I wish it was more regulated because there are many unqualified people going through a weekend certification program and calling themselves a life coach.  That being said, regulation can keep the industry from really finding its own way.   My recommendation for anyone who is thinking about working with a coach is to make sure they are qualified, get references and make sure the “fit” is right for you. 

Where do you see yourself in five or ten years? 
I really want Bootcamp for Your Mind to be contributing to the world on a grand scale.  I believe everyone should have the opportunity to move past their obstacles and achieve the life they want.  So, building my brand via group bootcamps, books, the web and television are going to be a natural extension of the global reach we intend to have.  Basically, I’m not settling for anything less than going global!

If you could send one message to people who are struggling to achieve success and happiness in their lives, what would it be?
My message would be:  find a great coach who is going to help you get a plan in place and stay on top of you until you accomplish everything you set out to do!  If you’re feeling good about where you are in life, remember, a coach can take you from good to GREAT.

If you could see your clients again five or ten years from now, what would make you happiest to have seen them achieve?
I would like each and every one of them have settled for nothing less than an amazing life!