Meet Beverly

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Fit for Life Coaching

Beverly Ford is ideally suited to be your life coach because she combines lived experience, academic rigor, and professional versatility with a heartfelt mission to uplift others. Whether helping someone overcome personal setbacks, pursue a fulfilling career, or navigate family challenges, she brings a rare depth of understanding and a proven ability to facilitate change. Her focus on underserved populations, particularly people with disabilities with her spiritual perspective adds a distinctive layer of inspiration. Clients working with Beverly can expect a compassionate, skilled, and purpose-driven guide who not only understands their struggles but has walked a similar path to success..

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Personal Experience:

A Foundation of Empathy and Resilience

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Beverly’s life story is a powerful testament to overcoming layers of adversity, which equips her to connect deeply with clients facing their own challenges. Raised in a single-parent household  with extended family support she battled insecurities, severe asthma, and bullying, which impacted her confidence and academics. Despite these struggles, from second to 7th grade she maintained above average  GPA and was enrolled in an outstanding students enrichment program and later transformed her life with the help of vocation and career orientation. This pivotal intervention not only saved her from a toxic work environment but also inspired her career shift into social work. Her personal journey from isolation and health struggles to purpose-driven achievement mirrors the transformation she aims to facilitate in her clients. This lived experience allows her to offer authentic empathy, relatability, and a proven roadmap for reinvention, making her a compelling guide for those seeking to overcome barriers.

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Educational Background:

A Strong Academic Base

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Beverly’s academic credentials provide a robust foundation for her coaching practice. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan (2006), with specializations in Children and Family Practice, school social work, interpersonal practice, and social work law, complemented by a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Eastern Michigan University (2004). In 2022, she became a certified international life coach through the International Association of Professions Career College. This blend of formal education and specialized training equips her with theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and a professional framework to address diverse client needs, from emotional resilience to career planning.

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Professional Experience:

Diverse and Impactful Roles

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With more than two decades in social services, Beverly has cultivated a versatile skill set across multiple roles, all of which enhance her effectiveness as a life coach:

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• Psychotherapist (Joyce Alexander and Associates): Beverly provided outreach therapy to at-risk children and families, addressing issues like abuse, neglect, behavioral problems, and trauma. This role honed her ability to assess needs, develop treatment plans, and foster emotional growth with key skills for coaching clients through personal struggles.

• Employment Specialist (Development Centers): She guided adults with severe mental illnesses toward career and educational goals, building expertise in career coaching, barrier identification, and empowerment. Her personal experience with disability further strengthened her advocacy for clients facing similar challenges.

• Employment Network Provider (National Disability Institute): Working with the Ticket to Work Program, Beverly empowered Social Security beneficiaries with disabilities to secure meaningful employment. Her success in placing 60% of clients into long term employment and careers, matching their skills demonstrates her ability to create actionable plans and achieve tangible outcomes critical for coaching clients toward career reinvention.

• Personal Shopper (Dress for Success): Beverly conducted personalized intake assessments to understand clients’ career aspirations and service needs, curating professional attire to enhance their confidence and presentation. This role sharpened her ability to empower individuals, particularly women, to step into their desired careers with self-assurance which are skills she applies to help coaching clients project their best selves.

• Special Education Support Team Member (Ann Arbor Public Schools): Currently, she still actively supports students with severe trauma and learning disabilities, refining her skills in behavior management, emotional support, and collaboration with families and educators. This experience enhances her capacity to coach parents, youth, and individuals with special needs.

• Additional Ongoing Roles: As a Registered Behavioral Technician and vendor for Michigan Rehabilitation Services’ Pre-ETS program, she developes curricula and workshops to promote disability awareness, self-advocacy, and life skills among teens.skills directly applicable to coaching diverse populations.​

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Spiritual and Purpose-Driven Approach:

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Beverly’s founding of Reinventing Yourself, LLC in 2016 as a spiritual-based coaching service reflects her faith-inspired mission, rooted in Jeremiah 29:11 (“plans to prosper you and not harm you”). This approach resonates with clients seeking meaning and hope, offering a unique blend of practical strategies and spiritual encouragement. Her ability to integrate her personal faith with professional expertise creates a holistic coaching style that appeals to those navigating life’s transitions.

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Key Strengths for Life Coaching

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• Empathy and Relatability: Her own struggles with health, isolation, and reinvention allow her to connect authentically with clients.

• Expertise in Disability and Employment: Her personal disability and specialized experience makes her a go-to coach for individuals with disabilities or those seeking career shifts.

• Versatility: She can support a wide range of clients including youth, adults, families, and professionals due to her broad professional background.

• Results-Oriented: Her track record of empowering clients (e.g., job placements, improved quality of life) shows she can deliver measurable progress.

• Passion and Purpose: Her commitment to equity and transformation, fueled by personal and professional growth, inspires trust and motivation in clients.

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