An Interview With a Certified High-Performance Coach| Nina M. Luppino, MPH

So you just plunged into a new phase in your life, completely unaware of where and how to start or ways to handle it. Well, you are not the only one experiencing such a challenge. Although changes are evident, dealing with them can take up a big amount of your life and energy. In such situations, the best coaches know how to train clients to be adaptive, flexible, and optimistic to reach positive outcomes. 

When I met Nina M. Luppino, MPH, Principal of Azira Coaching, LLC and a Certified High-Performance CoachTM, I knew she was one such coach who knew how the changes in my life were an opportunity to create a new empowered life. Named as a “Top 20 Female Entrepreneur Disrupting their Industry in 2021” by Disruptors Magazine and one of the “Top 30 Inspiring Women of 2021” by The NYC Journal, Nina discussed how challenges create opportunities to uncover the 'good' during bumpy rides. Nina coaches with very organized teaching principles, allowing clients to learn and apply what she learned the hard way. However, what intrigued me the most was her authentic coaching approach and positive attitude. Another interesting fact is that Nina is a golfer, the sport that she says best emulates life and business. 

Nina combines the intersection of different industries and learning concepts into her coaching practices. I had a chance to catch a glimpse of her life experiences, working style, and aims as a coach. Here's what I learned about her practice, powerful approaches, and coaching goals. 

1) What are the roots of your coaching? 

My success is not a coincidence; it was a decision and a result of consistent efforts over time. As a long-term advocate for helping others, my coaching background is complemented by 15-years of experience working in the healthcare industry with world-renowned surgeons, senior executives, and a multitude of diverse individuals at the top health systems in New York City and the metropolitan area. Unlike most coaches, I train clients with actionable strategies cultivated by working alongside leading experts. Furthermore, I leverage my academic background, including a Master’s in healthcare management, Lean Six Sigma certifications, and my coaching credential as a Certified High-Performance Coach™. 

A few years ago, during NYC’s largest hospital merger, I successfully led marketing projects and relationship building across six hospitals. It was an incredibly unique experience, with the underlying theme being to unite the different cultures from each hospital. To achieve this feat, there were specific skills sets that I demonstrated, including; tenacity, emotional intelligence, adaptability, time management, and empathy. Today, the Ernst & Young CEO Imperative Study found that 75% of CEOs believe that empathy and soft skills will become key management capabilities in the next five years. 

Drawing upon my professional and life experiences, I have created a personalized coaching brand. When creating my brand, I chose the name “azira” which means “a rising star” - a trailblazer, motivator, and leader. The meaning of azira captured my vision of helping clients “rise up to their highest potential.” My mission is to help clients gain clarity, congruence, alignment, and development of skill sets through the Certified High-Performance Coaching™ program. In addition, clients have access to my wealth of experience and insights. 

My approach is to work with clients 1:1 through the Certified High-Performance Coaching™ curriculum. In the process, clients will discover their strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for growth - all areas that will pivot clients towards their true direction. In addition, I am developing workshops and coaching programs for teams. 

Outside of coaching, I am a golfer. I encourage clients to learn the game of golf to develop personally and professionally. Golf is the only sport in which you keep your own score. By learning to play golf, you learn how to become more disciplined, focused, patient, and strategic. There will be days when you win and other days when you lose; such is life and business. If you are consistent and show up with a positive attitude, you will achieve results. 

2) Can you tell us a bit about your coaching approaches and how it can benefit someone planning to jump on the bandwagon? 

My coaching style is to emulate what I teach my clients, which is “to become anything that you desire, it takes focused time, energy, discipline and faith to transform your life.” You will find my coaching practices to be unique since there is a trifecta; Certified High-Performance Coaching™ curriculum, a perspective from both work and life experiences, and a mindful approach to help clients uncover what really matters in their lives.

I will save clients time, maybe even years of trial and error since I’ve either been where they are now in their journey or my experience has made me wise to see the signs that will help them navigate roadblocks. At the end of the day, my goal as a coach is to equip clients with high-performance habits and other relevant skill sets that will champion them to make better decisions. 

By training clients through the Certified High-Performance Coaching™ curriculum, they will discover clarity, congruence, and alignment in their lives. Clients who engage in a coaching partnership will be farther ahead today than they would have been on their own. Through our collaboration, clients will create a metaphorical map and tap into their inner compass that will guide them through their journey. 

3) While working with your clients, what would you say is the most rewarding part of your coaching process? 

As a coach, I engage in a collaborative partnership with clients to establish and clarify their goals - then we create an action plan to achieve those goals. Coaching is all about self-directed learning; “give someone a fish and they eat for a day; teach them to fish, and they eat for a lifetime.” 

4) How would you explain the importance of Certified High-Performance CoachingTMto someone? 

It’s truly amazing! Created through the High-Performance Institute, Certified High-Performance CoachingTMis the gold standard in the personal development coaching industry. It’s the only coaching method with a science-backed approach tested through 70,000 coaching sessions. 

By enrolling in Certified High-Performance Coaching™, clients learn proven methods that will increase productivity, congruence, accountability, and many other valuable tools to gain ownership of their lives. Clients learn “High-Performance Habits” that create positive change, personal growth, and better relationships over the long term.

High Performance = “Succeeding beyond standard norms over the long term, while maintaining positive well-being and relationships.” 

The Certified High-Performance Coaching™ framework is based upon the 6 Pillars of High Performance: 

● Psychology 

● Productivity 

● Presence 

● Physiology 

● Persuasion 

● Purpose 

5) Please give us a little detail about your coaching practice and what kind of clients you usually work with. 

If coaching is an algorithm, then the input is a dedication to personal growth and the output is the transformation. 

When clients work with me, they are being coached by a coach who walks the walk. My work has garnered recognition as a “Top 20 Female Entrepreneur Disrupting their Industry in 2021” by Disruptors Magazine and as one of the “Top 30 Inspiring Women of 2021” by The NYC Journal. I am humbled to be named in these features and it’s a true testament to motivate clients to reach for their goals. 

My coaching business has a global reach at a local level. I work with clients who are seeking to transform their lives and are ready to commit to their personal growth. Clients include colleagues from golf, businesswomen, healthcare professionals, early careerists, and non-profit organizations to name a few. I enjoy coaching individuals from different backgrounds. This past summer, I partnered with a top financial institution and introduced my coaching services through their business women’s golf outings.

6) Lastly, what would your coaching look like in the coming days? Do you have any major goals in the works? 

Given the current status of the world, this is the best time possible for individuals to focus on personal and professional development. Individuals are experiencing stress, frustration and uncertainty at an all-time high. The next 6-12 months are crucial for individuals to uplevel their skill sets to learn how to adapt and thrive. The time is now to change and evolve. I’m here to serve as a personal coach, accountability partner, and support system. 

Over the next year, I’ll continue to grow my portfolio of clients and align them with resources to help them reach their goals. I will continue to give back to nonprofits and individuals. In addition, I’m reviewing new types of collaborations and I welcome prospects to contact me to see if there are synergies. Exciting opportunities are in the works...stay tuned for more!