Harnessing Personal Struggles: Scofray Nana Yaw Yeboah’s Approach to Development and Social Change

Dear Dreamers,

Join me on a journey of resilience and transformation with Scofray Nana Yaw Yeboah. His experiences of overcoming adversity and low self-esteem have uniquely shaped his approach to personal development and social change. His resilience in the face of personal struggles is truly inspiring and offers valuable insights into living with purpose for individuals and communities.

In addition to his remarkable journey, Scofray Nana Yaw Yeboah is notable for being the first Ghanaian to become the world’s first Black professional mBIT(multiple Brain Integration Techniques) Trainer in Africa. His groundbreaking achievements in this field not only underscore his commitment to advancing human potential and leadership but also serve as a beacon of inspiration for others.

Beatrice: Nana. Could you start by sharing your background and some key influences that shaped your journey toward becoming a leader in personal development and social transformation?

Nana:  Thank you for having me. I was born and raised in a suburb called Adweso in Koforidua, the regional capital of the Eastern Region of Ghana.  I come from a very challenging financial background, and there are others you can think of. My mother didn’t have a stable job, and my father struggled to provide for us.. The poverty level was so dire that complementary study books and materials were a luxury in junior and senior high school. Life was unbearable, so I skipped school for many days and weeks to fend for myself by engaging in menial jobs, running errands for people, etc. But I can acknowledge the support some of my teachers gave me, noticing my challenges.

Despite being more than an average student, the circumstances of my family often made it difficult to excel academically. My mother couldn’t read or write, and my father was a middle school leaver, which offered me little academic support at home. These challenges, however, were instrumental in shaping my resilience and determination, and ultimately, my personal growth. My journey is a testament to the fact that no obstacle is insurmountable, and every challenge is an opportunity for growth.

Beatrice: It sounds like you faced many obstacles growing up. How did your background influence the person you are today?

Nana:  My background gave me a broader perspective on life. As an ontological executive coach with a background in neuroscience through mBIT or mBraining, I understand the significance of our environment and upbringing as contributing factors to generational trauma through epigenetics, where the phenotype of our DNA goes through some markings. My upbringing greatly affected my self-esteem and confidence, but overcoming these challenges strengthened me. I’ve seen many friends lose their lives or end up in jail due to substance abuse and criminal activities. My experiences motivated me to avoid these pitfalls. Like David in the wilderness, my upbringing was a training ground that shaped me into who I am today.

In 2001, i had the rare opportunity to participate in a transformational training nine-month training called Life Design in Begoro, Fanteakwa North District. That was the journey to overcome my low self-esteem, low self-love, low self-confidence etc. The program’s design helped me embody positive affirmations and shed the negative influences from my past. This experience underscored the power of coaching, training and investing in self/personal development to inspire, empower and impact.

Beatrice: Can you elaborate on how you overcame your low self-esteem and how it influenced your current work?

Nana: This program was designed to be holistic and embodied, not just cognitive. Internalizing positive perceptions, confessions, affirmations, etc through varied practical exercises aided me in continuously working on myself, I was able to peel away the negative influences from my past to aid me unearth my quest for human capital development ie coaching, training and consulting as my purpose and meaning to life

My personal development and social transformation work is deeply rooted in these experiences. I focus on human capital development, integrating training, coaching, leadership, and management. By understanding the science of our environment and the impact of upbringing through epigenetics, I help people realize their potential.

Beatrice: You mentioned enrolling in university in 2018. How has formal education contributed to your journey?

Nana: I formally enrolled into university in 2018 after my wife completed her master’s program. I pursued an advanced diploma in Leadership studies and a graduate diploma in Management studies. Before that, I had undergone training and certification as a professional corporate trainer and a healing of memories practitioner in South Africa. These were to hone and enhance my skills, knowledge and qualifications. I furthered my professionalism to later pursue ontological-mindfulness-ecological executive coaching. From there,I jumped into mbraining to obtain my certification as an mBIT Master Coach and mBIT Trainer. Despite the late start, I knew I was exceptional in my field and sought to formalize my expertise.

Beatrice: How do you integrate your personal experiences into your professional work?

Nana: My personal experiences significantly influence my professional work. I ensure all my pieces of training are transformational, practical and holistic, aiming to impact individuals' lives beyond just cognitive learning but grounded in philosophy, research, industry best practices, emerging insights, neuroscience, neuro-linguistic programming, mbraining, etc By understanding the science of our environment and the impact of upbringing through epigenetics, I help people realize their potential.

What I do is more than a profession—it's a calling. My journey from poverty to becoming a catalyst for human capital development allows me to inspire and support others in overcoming their challenges and achieving their full potential.

Beatrice: You’ve spoken about the importance of personal development and transformation. What strategies would you recommend as a coach for those struggling to find their purpose or direction in life?

Nana: Purpose and passion are often misunderstood or misused. Many people wait for a dramatic event or a significant shift to find their purpose, but that’s not always necessary. I recommend focusing on what you do with ease to the point that you will still do such things with ease and dexterity when you are called out of your sleep. People should also embrace the spirit of service, which is foundational in coaching. True purpose emerges when individuals align their actions with their core values, meaning to life and passions. It’s about living authentically and making meaningful contributions rather than seeking validation from external achievements.

Beatrice: Given our current era dominated by social media and digital distractions, what advice would you offer young people on maintaining focus and discipline?

Nana: Digital distractions are a significant challenge, especially with the prevalence of social media. Balancing screen time and engaging in activities that promote mental and physical well-being is crucial. I encourage setting boundaries for digital use and focusing on quality content that supports personal growth. Young people should cultivate a routine that includes time for self-reflection, learning, and real-world interactions. Avoiding excessive consumption of entertainment and gossip and prioritizing educational and inspirational content can help maintain focus and discipline.

 

Beatrice: You mentioned the challenge of balancing personal life with professional commitments earlier. How do you manage this balance?

Nana: The concept of work-life balance can be misleading. Life is holistic, and the challenge is not balancing but integrating and aligning your life’s purpose with your professional commitments. I ensure that everything I do aligns with my core values and purpose.

I view my roles not as separate entities but as interconnected aspects of my mission. This integration means I don’t need to strive for a traditional balance but rather focus on being consistent with my purpose across all areas of my life.

Beatrice: Looking into the future, what are your aspirations for developing leadership and personal growth in Ghana and across Africa?

Nana: I aspire to contribute to leadership and personal growth by harnessing and polishing my expertise to meet global standards. I aim to focus on executive and leadership coaching, as Africa’s hierarchical structure means that change often starts from the top. I hope to drive significant, positive change throughout the continent.

Beatrice: Lastly, what legacy do you hope to leave behind, personally and professionally?

Nana:  My legacy is not about numbers or titles but the quality of lives I touch. I have coached extensively and seen transformations in individuals' lives through personal coaching, corporate training, consulting and even public speaking. I hope people can reflect on their encounters with me and recognize that their lives have improved because of our interaction. It’s about creating meaningful impacts and helping others live their best lives. My offer is a 360-degree shift and life-altering through transformational executive leadership coaching and experiential training. One can reach out via all my social media accounts or visit www.coachscofray.com

Beatrice:  Thank you for sharing your inspiring journey and insights, Nana. Your story is a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of living with purpose.

Nana: Thank you, Beatrice. It’s been a pleasure sharing my story with you.