Edinburgh’s Best Life Coach – Kat Shearer

This month we’re celebrating the talents of Edinburgh’s best life coach – Kat Shearer.

Before becoming a coach Kat had a successful 15 year career, leading Corporate Sponsorships and Partnerships for the world famous Edinburgh Arts Festivals. We’ve got to declare a little bias, because Kat’s first proper job was at Dickins! Many years ago, in the dim and distant past, Kat spent two years working with Louise as her right hand woman over the summer for The Edinburgh Festivals. It was a work hard and play hard period let’s just say (!), with the candle being burnt at both ends and so much laughter shared along the way and brilliant memories made. We are so proud to see Kat go from strength to strength and delighted that she’s taken the plunge to go solo. Kat has a brilliant energy – a positive life force, which all her clients are sure to benefit from.  

Kat champions the bold and the brave, those willing to unlock imaginative and unconventional pathways and ideas, those who dare forge innovative trails in business and creativity. With a heart-led intuitive approach and seasoned business acumen, Kat provides a nurturing space for BIG ideas to flourish and innovation to thrive. Bring it on, we say!

We think you’re Edinburgh’s best life coach. What do you enjoy most about what you do?

I love witnessing people live their best lives! We all have beliefs that might hold us back from doing THE THING — whether that’s going for the promotion, leaving an unhappy relationship, starting that business idea, or revealing that creative project to the world. We aren’t meant to do this all on our own. The power of having someone who sees what you’re capable of and can cut through the BS is pure magic!

Kat Shearer at home

You’ve recently gone solo and set up your own business. Why did the time feel right and what inspired you to do that?

In a nutshell, there’s no better time than now. After I trained as a coach, I started working as the lead coach and head of sales for a coaching business, coaching hundreds of clients and seeing first-hand what works in this relatively new (in the UK anyway) industry. Then the opportunity came to build my own business alongside that work, and I just took the leap. Before becoming a coach, I had a successful career with the Edinburgh Festivals in sponsorship and partnerships. Now, I’m bringing all those skills of creativity, business acumen, brand expertise, coaching, and collaboration together. It’s terrifying (I’m not going to lie), but I’m choosing to follow my highest excitement and see where it leads me.

Have you got a great life coach tip for us?

It can be as simple as one question: “What do you want?” When was the last time someone asked you that? My guess is never, or at least, not often enough. Especially as women, we can be so many things to so many people that sometimes we lose the connection to ourselves. I love helping people connect to what they truly desire in life and uncovering what they’re not saying.

When was the last time you asked yourself the all important question, what do you want?

How long have you lived in Edinburgh and what does the city mean to you?

I’ve lived in Edinburgh for 20 years now, moving here right after university. I’ve called Stockbridge, the New Town, Bruntsfield, and now Morningside home. It’s one of those rare cities that feel like home almost instantly. It still takes my breath away every time I walk out of Waverley Station and see the stunning view of the castle and the incredible architecture. You’d struggle to find a city with as many green spaces. Living in Morningside, I’m just 5 minutes from The Hermitage and can see the Pentland Hills from my street. A quick bus ride takes me right into the bustle of Princes Street. I wouldn’t live anywhere else!

What would your perfect Edinburgh day entail?

There’s no better place to be in the world during August than Edinburgh. The downside of working in the Festivals was that it was hard to really indulge in the city since I was always so busy. Now, I’m loving my Augusts in Edinburgh again. A perfect day would include a mix of theatre, comedy, and a wild card show, plus an Aperol Spritz in George Square Gardens, followed by pizza from Civerinos and then some more drinks while soaking up the buzz!

Are there any restaurants, cafes or bars you’re currently loving?

I have to shout out some of my local haunts – Humus on Morningside Road is the best vegan Lebanese café, and I’m addicted to their falafel wraps. I love a coffee and a cinnamon bun from Pop, and Decanter in Bruntsfield has a cosy speakeasy vibe with the best cocktails, wine, and nibbles in the evening.

What do you enjoy doing on a day off?

My parents live in North Berwick, and we love going there for the day; it always feels like a little holiday. As soon as I set foot on the beach, I feel revived—it feeds my soul. You can’t beat eating chips in the sunshine followed by an ice cream… bliss!

There’s nothing better for Kat than being by the seaside in her home town of North Berwick.

What does home mean to you?

Home is a feeling for me. It’s a place where I feel the freedom to be myself, where I feel safe and loved. It’s a place to be nurtured and to nurture others. The word home also makes me feel very grateful for the home I have created for my daughter and I, the memories that we have and the familiarity and security that brings.

We hope that you are feeling inspired by the story of Edinburgh’s Best Life coach – Kat Shearer. If you want to find out more here’s a link to her website

If you know an Edinburgh’s Best, please let us know so that we can do some research ourselves.