Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashton Cantou.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Ashton. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Have you ever been your own worst enemy? What about engaged in self-sabotage? For nearly a decade of my life, I lived this way. I had such potential but for some reason, I just kept getting in my own way. I would go from thriving for a few months or a year only to find a way to demolish my progress with my health goals, my career, spending habits, or relationships. I found myself making choices that nowhere near aligned with my goals. I was so good at finding distractions or even talking myself out of great opportunities because I didn’t feel worthy.
The funny thing is, you would have never known. I held it all together with a well polished professional persona. Wearing the mask of miss independent, a young strong successful woman who had it “all together.”
The truth was deep down, I was hurting, deep down, I was lost, deep down I didn’t really know who I was or love the person that I saw looking back at me in the mirror. I carried so much shame, guilt, and resentment about my past choices and my negative experiences growing up. There came a point when I had nearly given up on myself.
It was at that point that I had a choice to make, I could continue to be a victim of my circumstances or I could become the heroine of my own story. After waking up to the fact that I was the only one responsible for my life; I dove head first into transformational studies. I started small with books, at home study, small church groups, etc.
The next thing I knew I was leading those groups, mentoring, and running philanthropic events. When I figured out I was onto something (my life purpose), I cashed out 10k in mutual funds and enrolled in Life Mastery Institute to do a 2-year transformational program and become a certified life coach. I had A LOT of skin the game at this point and it forced me to get serious about “the work”. Shortly after radically shifting the results (still evolving) in my life I decided to pursue my calling for coaching.
During this time I hired some of the worlds most renowned transformational mentors Mary Morrisey and Alexi Panos. The collective knowledge, wisdom, toolsets, & formulas that I’ve gathered include some of the most transformative and results-producing practices throughout history. I fell so in love with the work I even furthered my education by getting my second certification in Leadership Coaching for High Performance.
I myself have overcome what most would call ” failures”, traumas, self-sabotage, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and toxic/abusive relationships.Being told I would never make it to college and that I would end up one of three places, jail, institutions, or death I am a true survivor of myself.
I am a success story of how your life and all your results can be transformed by two things: the decision to show up for yourself (over and over again) and the power of renewing your mind. Talking aligned committed action and using failure as my stepping stone to success is how I continue to elevate my practice and step into higher calling in this work.
Today, I am happily living out my passions and purpose and living in more peace and alignment than ever before. No doubt, life still throws us all curve balls from time to time and the lessons continue. I am a student for life!
Yet, now living life from my CEO (compassionate, empowered, observer) perspective, I am able to take on life with a renewed sense of power, passion, and purpose. I know consider myself to be a servant leader that thrives on supporting others in living out their highest potential and best life.
Qualifications:
2 Black Belts, One in Success One in Failure
10 Years Experience In Education, Mentoring, Coaching & Philanthropy.
Owner at Intrinsic Motivation, LLC
Founder of Intrinsic Beauty Program For Women
Degree’s & Certifications:
B.S & Master’s in Education
Certified Transformational Life Coach, Life Mastery Institute
Certified Leadership Coach for High Performance, Results Coaching Global
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
As I mentioned, I can definitely check all the drama boxes! I talked about living with anxiety, overcoming depression, drug abuse as a teen, and walking away from abusive/toxic relationships, etc. Although, leaving the abusive relationship, starting my life completely over, living out of my car for a week, and working 7 days a week for the next 6 months was extremely challenging it was anything compared to the work to come!
Reframing the way I thought about myself, releasing past failures, and leveling up my sense of worthiness became my work. This was NOT easy and I have found that these are actually common challenges for most people!
Yet in this, I found that I had more power than I realized, that I was really the one who was responsible for my life and my healing. I was so empowered when I saw that I actually could change my results. Still “the work” was tough – it made me face off with a lot of my own BS. Even more, learning to forgive myself, those who had hurt me, and love/accept myself unconditionally is a constant green growing edge and the growing pains are real ya’ll, but so worth it! Why? Because on the other end I found freedom, joy, and peace.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Intrinsic Motivation – what should we know?
I have a multifaceted coaching practice where I offer a variety of 1:1 or group coaching services for men or women. In short, I partner with humans and support them in owning their power, gaining confidence, clarity, and an action plan to create a life that lights them up.
This often manifests in the forms of dream building, results-driven laser coaching, leadership coaching, or business startup. For others, it’s simply about improving their relationships, wellness, and/or creating authentic happiness. That being said, my clients land all over the board. I’ve coached realtors, lawyers, corporate account managers, entrepreneurs, influencers, educators, people in the fitness industry ect.
Speaking is also a big part of my work and I LOVE it. I currently serve as a guest speaker for several local organizations, as an event host/emcee, and run my own workshops.
I am known for being highly inspiring, radically honest, a catalyst for change, a safe/trustworthy place to land, and of course, getting RESULTS.
As far as what I am most proud of, that would be the authenticity of my brand and the continued investment in my growth. I show up transparently and will never stop growing and learning so that I can support my clients on an even higher level! The investments I continue to make in order to elevate my knowledge, wisdom, toolsets continue to take my practice and clients to the next level.
Offerings include:
Results Driven Laser Coaching, goal setting, action-planning, and accountability.
Leadership Mentoring for coaches, influencers, and leaders.
12-week Dreambuilder Program which is a 90 Proven System to jump-start the results in any area of your life. The Dream Builder Coaching Program (Spiritual Based) is a PROVEN, 90-day process, which will take you from wherever you are now — stuck, frustrated, scared, unhappy — too confident and fulfilled as you learn exactly how to define your true dream and how to develop a concrete plan for achieving it.
8 Week Intrinsic Beauty for my ladies who are ready to gain the confidence and clarity to get what they want out of life. It was designed for ladies who are ready to stop settling for less than they deserve and to start loving themselves enough to get what they do deserve!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I have firm faith in my higher power and believe that without tapping into and aligning with that power has allowed me to be sprit led. I would not be where I am today without this divine connection!
Big shout out to Mary Morrissey, the founder of Life Mastery Institute where I was certified and started my journey. Alexi Panos, for being a BOSS business mentor teaching me about sales and marketing/the power of the pivot! Elli Ritcher, my holistic life coach who has taught me so much about self-love and self-acceptance.
I’ve also got a global tribe of rockstar coaches, friends, and loved ones cheering me on and supporting me along the way. I’m so glad I gave up my lone wolf mentality and get to thrive on this journey with these amazing humans! Thanks for taking the time to read about my journey today! Do not hesitate to reach out if you are considering making your goals and dreams become a reality, I would love to partner with you!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/ashtoncantou
- Phone: 3174963258
- Email: ashtoncantou@gmail.com
- Instagram: ashtoncantou
- Facebook: ashtoncantou
Image Credit:
Ashley Byrd & Adaleephotography
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
