Karla Thompson

My name is Karla Thompson and I live in Windsor Mill, Maryland. I am 39 years old. My husband and I have been married for almost 10 years (in October, 2005) and I am the proud mother of two incredible and beautiful children, ages 6 and 4. I operate an early childhood training and development company, and my background is in early childhood special education.

I was first introduced to Total Success Institute in June of 2004 by D’Lisa Worthy, and I started the TSI Basic 101 Course in August 2004 with Cliff Stockamp and Dee Peterson as my coaches. From there, I enrolled in the Intermediate 201 course in October 2004 with Cliff Stockamp and Gavin Allinson as coaches, and I started the Advanced 301 course in January 2005 with Cliff Stockamp as my coach. From my very first introductory call with Gavin Allinson, I consistently experienced a high level of support, integrity, and honesty with the coaches and staff of TSI. When I received the enrollment confirmation call that my first class was set to begin that August night at 8pm, I was very reluctant and fearful of the coaching process and classes. However today is a much different day, and now I want to share with you what has happened in my life as a result of taking the TSI courses.

Career: Bringing my vision to life – what else do I say! Since 1997, I have worked as a special education consultant and trainer for different agencies and organizations, and have taught as an adjunct faculty member. These contracts were my proving ground and I gained valuable skills. However, I always felt limited by the scope of the contracting agency. I had my own ideas and vision of what I wanted to offer as an educator and trainer, but I lacked the belief and confidence that a market existed for the services I can provide. A seed, my vision of a training company, was planted and began to take root in the 201 class; it sprouted and was nurtured through the 301 class, until it bloomed in April 2005 when I launched my company and began to market The Indigo Garden. I had a life altering conversation in my Intermediate 201 class. During an individual coaching call with Cliff Stockamp, he told me to dust off my bookshelf because I already had what I needed. I was letting my own ideas gather dust in my basement – I was literally taking advantage of myself. So I dusted myself off in the Advanced 301 class and successfully created my company website and promotional literature to market myself and services available through The Indigo Garden.

Family: Through my experience with TSI, I have developed an entirely new sense of self: self-respect, self-esteem, and self-worth. Taking action to support and value myself has in turn allowed me to extend more support and value in my significant family relationships with my husband and children. Being comfortable enough to speak my truth with confidence is creating more honest communication within our family. One of my most valuable lessons through TSI has been finding the courage to release my own guilt through the powerful act of forgiveness. Taking action to forgive my father has created a more genuine relationship for us, and has empowered me to expand and grow instead of shrink and hide in my social interactions. The actions I have taken are directly correlated with new levels of integrity, compassion, and confidence within my relationships with family and friends. And I am proud to say that my mother committed to her own personal growth (at the tender age of 69) by joining a Basic 101 class in May 2005.

Social: The coaching environment of TSI has supported me in breaking down barriers and opening new doors within my social relationships. I have re-established two significantly close friendships and enjoy regular social outings with these friends. I have also volunteered for a leadership role with the PTA at my son’s school.

Physically: I am taking an honest assessment of my physical health, understanding that Peter Pan may not grow up, but I am. I committed to a regular exercise regimen during my Advanced 301 class by joining Curvesin March 2005. I exercise a minimum of three times a week – I have lost 22 pounds as I continue to move toward my goal weight by July 2005. I drink 64oz of water daily, take my supplements, and monitor my blood pressure regularly. I have curbed my late night snacking (for chocolate in particular) and have gained more energy, stamina, and confidence as a result of my dietary changes and increased levels of exercise.

Financial: I have gained the courage and confidence to ask for what I am worth through my experience with TSI. I have successfully negotiated three training contracts in a six week period with earnings of $4500. In one weekend my earnings for a training quadrupled – I was offered $300 and was paid $1200 after negotiations.

I have spent many years and many dollars in self-improvement, priding myself on my understanding of what I have read in books or heard in a lecture. Through TSI I have learned that genuine understanding comes through active participation. TSI offered me a safe environment while holding me accountable for results, growth and development.

In taking action, I created results in all key areas of my life and discovered my life’s mission – to live my best life each day, in full support of myself, while extending support into the lives of others.

During my classes with TSI, my 6 year old son offered me this pearl of wisdom – Trust yourself and you will make the right choices. If you are considering taking this course, I offer you the same - extend yourself, take action and create the life you want and deserve.