Every Friday I am going to feature a woman that I adore. They exude all the qualities of an Alpha Female and I want to dig into their lives to get some nuggets of knowledge to help us all live happier, healthier lives balancing life & work.
Definition of an Alpha Female
An Alpha Female is a powerful and assertive woman. Her confidence is due to being an intelligent and intellectual problem-solver. Being an Alpha Female is a State of Mind based on choosing ambition and being proud of it. She strives for a happy and healthy work/life harmony.
She is the brightest star in her constellation. When an Alpha Female stays true to their authentic selves and their missions they shine. An Alpha Female puts herself first because she deserves self-care and love. She knows that work/life harmony is found by staying true to your priorities and what makes you happy. She is never complacent about striving for better and nurtures relationships with all the people in her life.
Meet Sophie Coulthard!
Sophie Coulthard is the founder of V is for Values and works within her family’s business, The Judgment Index. She was inspired to launch her business whilst working with a corporate client who commented that the assessment tool being used “The Judgment Index” should be made available to the individual as well as within the corporate world. The tool is used by businesses to measure capacity for good, but crucially it also spots barriers, including stress, energy, self-esteem, self-criticism, and self-care. Having witnessed first-hand how these areas can impact on the working world, and with a little encouragement from the Alpha Female Podcast, she changed her life in 2016, quit her corporate sales job and began working with the Judgment Index and now V is for Values, striving for that all important work/life harmony.
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What do you think of the definition and how are you an Alpha Female?
I really identify with the definition and love how it’s changed and developed over time. I am an Alpha because I’m ambitious but I haven’t been afraid to change my plans and bounce back when I’ve needed to. When I used to ask my dad for advice when I was younger he would say “what would Madonna do” and that, I believe has really had an impact on my journey through life.
What does work/life harmony look like for you?
For me, work life harmony is about not working for the sake of it, or because you’re expected to be sat in an office until late for appearances. I’m happy to work long hours now because I know it’s for me, but wellness is so important and I make sure I take time out, whether that’s just some fresh air in the middle of the day or finishing early to go and catch up with friends.
Share with us a time when work/life balance was out of whack? What was your aha moment that taught you it was ok to take care of yourself first?
It was around the time I started listening to this podcast! I was commuting across London to a corporate sales job and just felt I had taken a huge step backwards. I was working long hours, not working out and doing far too much corporate drinks and dinners. I just questioned what I was doing and where I was in life and I realised I needed to break free and go it alone. The Alpha Female podcast was a huge inspiration to me because I was listening to so many women who had been in my position and done the same.
What are you most passionate about?
I’m so passionate about people discovering and nurturing their values. I help people understand their capacity for making good judgements and quite often, women especially are very hard on themselves, very self-critical and that can be impacting on their self-esteem, so the realisation of all the good they can do is a fantastic experience to witness. The assessment also highlights stress, which is the biggest “blocker” of good performance, and while most people are aware if they have stress, sometimes having it presented in front of them is the wake up call they need to do something about it. We really emphasis wellness because you will always get more out of your working life, if you have a solid foundation
How do you nourish yourself?
I don’t subscribe to a particular way of eating, but I avoid anything processed or packaged and I’m a good home cook so most of my meals are cooked fresh. My boyfriend is a professional chef and I’d be in trouble if I was fussy about food, but we both try to eat locally sourced, in season food as much
as possible. I also collect cookery books and I’m a huge fan of Madeleine Shaw and her easy, fresh but tasty recipes. I also love to go and explore a different country and just soak up everything, the food, the culture, the language and definitely the sun. Ibiza is a place I visit every year because there’s such a spirituality and energy to the island I always feel refreshed when I return. Music is also very important to me and I find music can flip your mood, energise you when you need it to, relax you, inspire you, and I love putting on music from around the world because almost not knowing or understanding the lyrics helps let it just soak in.
What is your weekly fitness routine like?
I have to commit to exercise being such a foodie, and I feel much better when I have a routine. I take 3-4 classes at the gym per week, whatever fits into my schedule, but I prefer the energetic ones with weights or kettlebells. I like classes because I don’t have to think or plan what I’m going to do, I don’t even have to be motivated I can just turn up and the instructor will deliver the motivation. I also like to run, just to switch off and clear my head, and if I want to dance there’s a great class called Jungle Body which is like a modern aerobics with hip hop music and lots of twerking! I also try to cycle as much as possible in London because it’s a great way to see the city.
What are your daily habits for winding down at night and reducing stress?
I am a big fan of putting my phone on silent in the evening and I think that really helps. Even hearing a text message sound can drive anxiety so my phone is on silent as much as possible. I love a turmeric tea, an Epsom salt bath and getting in to bed early. Music, again is key for unwinding, it’s so easy to pick something to alter your mood.
What are some pain points of being an Alpha Female that you have to problem solve for? (Whether it be how people perceive your personality, or managing ourselves – for example the amount of things we do, etc)
This might sound strange but I sometimes struggle with the fact that I look and sound quite young, and I feel I have to prove my credibility very quickly to people. I also struggle with patience, which is something I’m sure a lot of Alphas will identify with. I find my mind works so quickly and I can get frustrated when people can’t keep up with me, I’m working on it, but those closest to me will often call me out on my impatience.
What is your definition of happiness?
For me, if I think of happiness, it is sat with my family in the sunshine somewhere near the beach, with fresh food and a nice glass of wine. It’s always when I’m at my happiest when there’s lots of conversation and music playing in the background.