Meet ashton cantou: Transformational Life Coach, Leadership Coach, & Speaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with ashton cantou and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi ashton, how do you think about risk?
This is a big deal for me! I think taking risks is a key ingredient in elevation. Without risk, we don’t stretch beyond the comfort zone. Without risk, we don’t stretch beyond our limiting beliefs. Taking a risk enables self-trust and self-trust is everything. When you risk you are saying, “I am taking this leap…it may or may not work out and that’s okay because I trust myself to clean up any mess I make or bounce back from any failure.” For me, I have risked investing a lot of money in myself banking on the fact that I would grow. I have risked speaking my truth online and being seen in a very transparent and authentic light. In doing so, you risk rejection and judgment. Yet, being your authentic self is always worth the risk. By far quitting my full-time job to pursue coaching and speaking full time was my biggest risk yet, but I know that risk is the name of the game in entrepreneurship and I’m willing to risk it all for my dream and my purpose.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Well, my business/ brand is me. I am Ashton Cantou and I am a transformational life coach, a leadership coach for high performers, and a speaker. I love the work I do and I am most proud of my clients! I get to partner with other epic humans in creating a life they love, a life that not only looks good on the outside but feels good on the inside. This work wasn’t easy to step into. It requires a lot of transparency and authenticity. It requires you to show up no matter what, leadership has no off days. What is beautiful about my service is that I’ve walked through the fire to serve in the way I do. I have come from a checkered past full of extreme anxiety, guilt, shame, family resentments, and low self-worth. I have written my vision and then bring it to life. To have been able to heal the past, own my worth, and build my dreams has paved the path for me to teach others how to do the same. I have learned that failure is a stepping stone to success and that the worst betrayal is self-betrayal. Another powerful takeaway from this journey so far is that when you get in touch with your authentic self, love yourself, and get a clear vision for the future your entire life begins to reflect these new beliefs. Then, when you put aligned committed action behind clarity and add accountability… anything is possible!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would love to take my friend to the Dallas Arboretum, it’s just beautiful scenery. Katy Trail is also a fun place to go be active and the Rustic is nearby if we want to go listen to live music. For dinner, maybe something simple like Moxie’s, it’s got a chill atmosphere, the steak salad is delicious and so is the wine. The Virgin hotel has the most epic views and such a good pool vibe. It’s the perfect place for a Saturday brunch followed by some pool time. If we opened it up to the DFW area, I’d love to take her through Grapevine for a Texas feel, West Legacy for good eats and shopping, and possibly even Fort Worth to grabs some good boots!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shout out my mentors! I’ve had several over the years and I am so grateful for Alexi Panos my first business mentor. Right now, Joel Brown and Suzy Batiz are very present in my life right now and continue to call me forward, allow me to see what is possible, and help me rise. I have become a more powerful leader because of them and I am so grateful.