Maria Pau - Model Coach International

Modeling is not what you think it is. Modeling is more than just looks.


Maria Pau is an international model coach and so much more. She is an extraordinary and highly confident person. In person she is just as beautiful as she is in her photos; strong, knowledgeable, and creative.

I had only four questions for her since time was limited. She has been coordinating a huge modeling event that will take place March 8 - 9 at the Oregon State Fairgrounds in their Columbia Hall. The grand event begins 12 noon. You can buy tickets to the event on their website http://www.modelcoachinternational.com/ and in stores at Lancaster Mall and Salem Center.

Modeling has many obvious benefits like clothing, getting your hair and make-up professionally done, but when asked what she loved most about modeling Maria Pau extraordinaire undoubtedly answered, "Traveling." She pulls out her passport, "I love to travel. I have been everywhere. " She flips through the many stamped pages in her passport book. I was in awe. After all, I've never been anywhere but California. She also mentioned that this was her second passport. Can you imagine traveling to so many places that you fill up two passport books?

Maria Pau started modeling when she was 16 years old. At the time she lived in Australia. As soon as a modeling scout spotted her, they signed the young beauty on the spot. My next question was if she was nervous when she first started her career in modeling. At the time she was signed, no formal model training schools where offered to her and she was basically thrown into one modeling job after another. Her response was, "... you don't have time to be nervous. That's how they train."

Over at least 15 years of experience, Maria Pau is now semi-retired as a model. She was hesitant to reveal her true age but I must say she looked to be in her late 20's rather than her 30's. So how did Maria Pau get into model coaching? Well she is more then just a model or a modeling scout; she is a life coach. She is completing her fifth degree and speaks five different languages, and she loves to read self-help books. She recommneded a book by Robert Hargrove, Masterful Coaching.

Maria Pau is definitely a knowledgeable person. She noticed that the modeling industry had gaps in it. "What do you mean gaps?" I was intrigued. Maria Pau answered, "Drugs, girls not eating and being too skinny, and the lifestyle associated with modeling." After hearing this I was impressed by her. She wants to help improve the image of the modeling industry. At the interview she had me read the International Coach Federation (ICF) code of ethics which is what she goes by. I've included Part 1 and 2 of it below:

Part One: The ICF Philosophy of Coaching

The International Coach Federation adheres to a form of coaching that honors the client as the expert in his/her life and work and believes that every client is creative, resourceful, and whole. Standing on this foundation, the coach's responsibility is to:

- Discover, clarify, and align with what the client wants to achieve
- Encourage client self-discovery
- Elicit client-generated solutions and strategies
- Hold the client responsible and accountable

Part Two: The ICF Definition of Coaching

Professional Coaching is an ongoing professional relationship that helps people produce extraordinary results in their lives, careers, businesses or organizations. Through the process of coaching, clients deepen their learning, improve their performance, and enhance their quality of life.

In each meeting, the client chooses the focus of conversation, while the coach listens and contributes observations and questions. This interaction creates clarity and moves the client into action. Coaching accelerates the client's progress by providing greater focus and awareness of choice. Coaching concentrates on where clients are now and what they are willing to do to get where they want to be in the future. ICF member coaches and ICF credentialed coaches recognize that results are a matter of the client's intentions, choices and actions, supported by the coach's efforts and application of the coaching process.

For more information on the ICF code of ethics visit www.coachfederation.org .