PERSONAL GROWTH COACH KURTIS VANDERPOOL
Helping you build confidence, direction, and balance one step at a time.
Hey, I’m Kurtis — founder and lead coach of a personal growth coaching practice that supports college students and young adults through life’s big transitions.
For more than 15 years, I’ve worked alongside students and young adults who are in the middle of life’s messiest seasons: starting college, finishing college, or trying to shake the feeling that they’re somehow falling behind. Over time, I realized that the kind of support people need in these moments works best when it’s consistent, personalized, and not limited to one person’s calendar — which is why this practice is built as a team.
My coaching philosophy is simple: lasting change doesn’t come from pressure or perfection. It comes from clarity, compassion, and small, consistent action. That philosophy guides everything we do — from how we coach to how we match clients with the right support.
Whether you’re a freshman trying to get your feet under you, a recent grad wondering what’s next, or a parent hoping your student finds their rhythm, our coaching team helps people slow down, breathe, and build a life that actually fits who they are — with my leadership and oversight guiding the process every step of the way.
Our Approach
Here’s how our coaching model works:
As Founder and Lead Coach, I shape the coaching framework, train our team, and oversee every client’s progress — ensuring quality, consistency, and alignment with real goals. But you won’t have to wait for openings on my calendar to make progress.
Instead, once you join one of our programs, we’ll match you with one of our highly trained coaches — someone who fits your personality, goals, and schedule — so you can start moving forward right away.
You’ll still benefit from:
- My framework and coaching philosophy
- Strategic oversight on your coaching plan
- Periodic progress reviews and alignment when needed
- A coach who’s committed to your success
This team-based approach gives you the best of both worlds: availability + personalized attention + strategic leadership.
WHO WE WORK WITH
College Students
who want to succeed academically and personally.
Recent graduates
trying to figure out their life, purpose, and direction after school.
Young adults
who feel stuck, lost, or ready for change but don’t know where to start.
Parents
who want to support their students or young adults without doing everything for them.
IF YOU ARE A PARENT
If you’re a parent reading this, you probably see your son or daughter struggling — even if they don’t always show it. Maybe they’re homesick, unmotivated, anxious, or unsure of themselves, and you’re trying to figure out how to help without hovering, nagging, or saying the wrong thing.
That’s exactly why we work with parents, too.
As the founder and lead coach, I’ve spent years supporting families through this stage of life. I know how hard it is to watch your student stumble through challenges you know they could handle with the right mindset, structure, and support — and how exhausting it can feel to carry that weight on your own.
Our coaching model gives your student space to grow while ensuring they’re supported by a trained coach who isn’t mom or dad. That outside perspective often makes all the difference. With guidance coming from someone else, students are more open, more accountable, and more willing to take ownership of their choices.
When parents partner with our coaching team, here’s what typically happens:
- Confidence and independence grow because the guidance isn’t coming from you
- Communication improves as your student begins to reflect, speak up, and take responsibility
- Stress decreases for everyone because there’s a trusted, experienced coach in your child’s corner
Sometimes I’ll connect with parents at the beginning to align goals and expectations, then we focus the ongoing coaching directly on the student or young adult. You stay informed and supported, while your child stays empowered to do the work themselves.
You don’t have to carry the full weight of helping your student succeed.
Our personal growth coach team allows you to step back without stepping away — knowing there’s structure, support, and leadership guiding the process.
My Background
I’ve spent over 15 years as a personal growth coach in non-profits, businesses, and higher education, including 5 years as a university life coach helping students adjust to college life, discover their strengths, and find purpose.
I’m also a certified professional coach (PCC with the International Coaching Federation) and a licensed counselor-associate, so my approach blends the best of both worlds: coaching for motivation and action, and counseling-level insight into mindset and emotional health.
My style is casual, real, and full of “aha” moments that stick. I’m not here to lecture you; I’m here to walk with you.
What It’s Like Working With a Personal Growth Coach
It’s less “sit down and get fixed,” and more “let’s figure this out together.”
You can expect:
- Honest, non-judgmental conversations
- Practical tools and accountability
- A mix of encouragement and gentle challenge
- Plenty of humor and perspective along the way
You don’t have to be in crisis to benefit from a personal growth coach. Sometimes the best time to start is when you finally realize you’re ready for more.
Meet Our Coaches
Jayc Waller, M.S.
- ACC - International Coaching Federation
- Gallup Certified Strengths Coach
Life has a way of piling up. When it does, it’s easy to get stuck in patterns of thinking that feel heavy, negative, or hard to break. My goal in coaching is that you leave each session feeling lighter, clearer, and with a bit more hope than when you walked in.
I’m Jayc. I come to coaching with a wide mix of experiences and a genuine love for connecting with people from all walks of life. I joke that I have more degrees than a thermometer—commercial music, a bachelor’s in microbiology, and a master’s in microbiology—but what matters most to me is understanding how people think, adapt, and grow through change.
My coaching style is fun, thoughtful, and encouraging. I’m not here to rush you or force answers. Instead, we slow things down, untangle what’s been weighing on you, and work toward ways of thinking and living that feel more sustainable and true to who you are, all while getting done what is important to you right now.
Outside of sessions, you’ll probably find me going into far too much detail about things like Japanese green tea, lawns, biohacking, fermentation projects, or Passionflower vines—or unwinding by watching movies and TV shows with my wife.
If you’re feeling stuck, mentally exhausted, or just ready for things to feel a little lighter, I’d be glad to work with you.
Special focus: mindset, perspective shifts, stress, and getting unstuck
Ever find yourself weighed down by what others expect—or stuck comparing yourself to everyone else?
Yeah, I’ve been there. For the longest time, I wasn’t sure who I was, what I really wanted, or how to stop saying yes just to make others happy.
I’m Krystal. These days, I coach young adults to build real confidence and go after what matters to them—without having to apologize for being themselves.
After 15 years as a mental health nurse, I was ready for something different. Everything changed when I took a chance on myself and went to a life coaching retreat in 2016. Suddenly, I saw just how much was actually possible for me and I haven’t looked back since.
My style is relaxed and encouraging, but I always keep it honest. If you’re ready for someone who’ll cheer you on—and keep you accountable—I’m here to help you win.
I love working with young adults figuring out their next move, especially if you’ve got big dreams and the audacity to chase them.
Fun fact: If I didn’t love coaching this much, I’d be wandering the world as a travel blogger, fixing up spaces, and writing books just for fun.
Special focus: mindset, identity and transitions
Krystal Deschamps, M.S.
- ACC - International Coaching Federation
- Gallup Certified Strengths Coach
FAQs: Common Questions
What’s the difference between life coaching and counseling?
Good question — they often overlap. Counseling tends to focus more on healing, processing the past, and managing mental health symptoms.
Coaching is more about clarity, growth, and action — helping you figure out where you want to go and how to get there.
Because I’m trained in both, I can tailor our conversations based on what you need most.
Who is coaching for?
If you’re a college student, a young adult, or someone who just feels stuck, coaching is for you.
It’s for people who are tired of trying to figure everything out on their own — but don’t need a “fix,” just a guide and a plan.
If you are ready for change and willing to do the work, you are the perfect candidate for coaching.
How long does coaching take?
Most people work with me for 3–6 months, though you’ll start seeing clarity and confidence within the first few sessions.
Growth takes time, but it also happens faster than you think when you’ve got structure and support.
Do you work with teens?
Yes I do!
I work with upperclassmen in high school preparing for the transition to college. The more work we do before they are in the throes of college life, the better they will perform in class and in their young adult life!
However, if you are looking for a quality coach who works exclusively with teens 13-17, I HIGHLY recommend Andrew Petrillo Life Coaching for Teens. I have worked with Andrew personally and seen the value he brings to teenagers’ journey and could not recommend anyone more highly than his team!
Do you work with parents?
Yes — many parents reach out first when they see their college student struggling.
I often meet with parents once to set expectations and then focus coaching sessions directly on the student so they can take ownership of their growth.
However, these seasons of transition are hard for the parents as well as their children. If you yourself would benefit from working with a personal growth coach, I would love to coach you too to help you learn how to best support your kids while also growing in your own life, so the whole family finds peace and purpose in this season.
Will my student work directly with Kurtis?
Kurtis serves as the Founder and Lead Coach, which means he oversees the coaching framework, trains the coaching team, and stays involved in guiding each client’s progress. For ongoing sessions, students are matched with the coach who best fits their personality, goals, and schedule so they receive consistent support and momentum.
This team-based approach allows students to move forward without long wait times while still benefiting from Kurtis’s leadership and oversight throughout the process.
How is my student’s coach chosen?
We don’t assign coaches randomly. Each student is thoughtfully matched based on their needs, communication style, goals, and the type of support that will help them grow best.
The goal is to create a strong coaching relationship from the start — and if something doesn’t feel like the right fit, we adjust. Progress matters more than forcing a match.
Will I be kept informed as a parent?
Yes — with healthy boundaries. When appropriate, we may connect with parents at the beginning to align expectations and goals. Ongoing coaching is focused on empowering the student or young adult to take ownership of their growth, while parents have peace of mind knowing there’s a trusted team supporting them.
This balance helps students gain independence without parents feeling shut out of the process.
What if I’m not sure I can afford it?
Totally fair. Coaching is an investment — but one that pays off in better habits, more confidence, and less stress.
We’ll talk through your goals and options in a free consultation before you ever commit to anything.
No pressure. No surprise invoices. Just clarity.
How do I get started?
Easy — click below to book a free consultation.
We’ll talk through your goals, your challenges, and whether working with a personal growth coach like me is the right next step.
“After graduating, I felt completely lost. Everyone around me seemed to have a plan, and I was just… stuck. My coach helped me slow down, figure out what actually mattered to me, and take small steps that built momentum.”
“We could tell our son was struggling with motivation and confidence in his first year of college, but nothing we said seemed to help. Working with his coach gave him the space to open up, set goals, and actually follow through.”
“In college, my coach helped me get organized, manage my stress, and remember that I’m not the only one figuring this out. Now I actually feel confident walking into class instead of panicking all the time.”