Meet Tony Francisco | Board-Certified Coach & Performance Specialist

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

Hi Tony, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
I consider myself a coach first before anything else. I can also be called a trainer, consultant, or advisor, but the term coach and the industry of coaching is what describes what I do best. Since so many people call themselves a coach and the term is also associated with a sports coach, many people do not quite understand the difference between what I do when compared to a trainer, consultant, or advisor. Simply put, a coach is defined as a partner that helps co-create the outcome you desire by asking powerful, life altering questions. Don’t get me wrong, many coaches have industry specific expertise and have been successful in their own right, but the best coaches listen first and then ask questions second. Many people hire coaches to tell them what to do or to share a certain system or process. Although this may work for a certain time, it does not address the root cause of any issue. Having spent time developing my skills as a coach in the fitness industry, giving people a perfect workout program or creating the optimal meal plan does little to change their attitudes, behaviors, and actions. A good coach listens first, then asks questions. When done correctly, the coaching process unlocks something within the client. The International Coaching Federation has attempted to define this as previously untapped sources of imagination, creativity, and leadership, but I have found it is also empowering for a client to finally start taking control of the outcome of their life. I see this happen often in the personal realm through fitness and nutrition coaching, however, the same process occurs professionally through executive and leadership coaching.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career till this point has been defined by the pursuit of personal and professional development. I am a transitioning military officer with 12 years serving as an Active Duty Army Engineer that has spent the past couple of years fine tuning my skillset for the next phase of my career. Although it may look choppy to an outsider, since I’ve been working as a fitness and nutrition coach, graduate teaching assistant, and performance specialist for a sports performance company, while also writing and blogging almost everyday, the process has made perfect sense to me. My career transition started a few years ago when I started seeking ways to get better everyday. A voracious reading habit would lead to me seminars and talks at the college I was working at, and then industry specific events that would open my mind to the world of personal improvement and the budding industry of learning, talent, and leader development. I started to ask a simple question that has led me to this point in my career as a doctoral student, performance specialist, and board-certified coach, “why do some people succeed when it appears they shouldn’t, whereas some people fail when it appears they should succeed?” Although I am still working on my dissertation around mental skills training in the workplace, I built a brand around coaching others to get better.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I grew up in a small island in the Pacific ocean, so it is no wonder that I enjoy attending sporting events, walking around exploring city spots, and going to concerts of every genre. If my friend were in town for a week long trip, we would be checking out the local professional and semi professional sport scene, walking around Deep Ellum in search of live music, and sampling many of the local breweries and restaurants. Although I have been in Dallas area since 2019, I am still fairly new since much of my time here has been impacted the pandemic. I would take this opportunity to hit up some new spots and explore more of the art district and downtown scene.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My doctoral advisor Dr. Catherine Oleksiw from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology has been instrumental in my career transition and professional development.

Website: www.trainoutwork.com

Instagram: outworkchief

Linkedin: tonyufrancisco

Twitter: outworkchief