Maria Amtmann Chavez, the founder of
Capuyo Parenting, is a shining example of how passion and dedication can turn into a rewarding career. Based in Mexico City, Maria's journey as a parenting coach began when she graduated from the Jai Institute in December 2020. Her story is a testament to the power of personal parental transformation and the impact of helping others achieve the same.
Maria’s journey into parent coaching was born out of her own challenges as a mother. With three children aged 11, 9, and 7, she faced the chaos of early parenthood with three young children. “When I first heard about
conscious parenting, I had three babies. They were like four, two, and a newborn. I was having a really hard time with my older one,” she recalls.
It was during this tumultuous period that Maria was introduced to the concept of conscious parenting. The idea that parenting challenges are often reflections of our inner conflicts resonated deeply with her. This realization became the cornerstone of her approach to parenting and coaching. “It's about looking yourself in the mirror and seeing what's bringing the conflict with your children. That’s what we work on,” Maria explains.
Maria’s enthusiasm for her newfound knowledge was contagious. In the beginning, she passionately shared her experiences with everyone she met, whether at parties, baby showers, or business events. “Every time I went to a party, to a baby shower, to a business event with my husband, wherever I would go, there’s always this question: ‘What do you do?’ I would talk about my journey and how my own parenting was transformed,” she says.
This relentless enthusiasm paid off. Word of mouth became a powerful tool for Maria, helping her to attract clients who were intrigued by her story and eager to experience similar transformations in their own families. “Sometimes I get calls like, ‘Hi, do you remember two years ago you told me about what you’re doing? I’m in a crisis. I need your help.’ It’s been amazing,” she shares.
Maria didn’t stop at word of mouth. She knew the importance of building a professional brand. She enlisted the help of a friend, a designer she admired, to create a name and logo for her business. Another friend, who had started her own boutique marketing company, gifted Maria with a website. “I just trusted the process and went with the flow,” Maria recalls.
One significant moment in Maria’s journey was when her former business partner insisted on becoming her first paying client. This gesture reinforced the value of Maria’s work and the importance of charging for her services. “She told me, ‘I want to be your first client, and you’re going to charge.’ It was such a powerful thing. I followed the Jai Institute’s advice for growing my parent coaching business: charge a quarter of the price for the first two clients, then half, and so on until I reached full price,” Maria explains.
Like many new coaches, Maria faced imposter syndrome. She questioned her ability to help others when she still faced her own parenting challenges. “There were days I thought, ‘If I don’t know what to do with my child’s tantrum, how am I supposed to teach others?’” she admits.
Maria learned to embrace imperfections, both in herself and in her clients. “It’s about making mistakes freely without the pressure of being perfect. Embracing the chaos and imperfections leads to the most growth,” she says. This mindset shift allowed Maria to focus on guiding her clients through their own journeys rather than striving for an unattainable ideal.
One of Maria’s favorite client stories involves a single mother who felt disconnected from her child. Through the program, this mother experienced profound moments of connection that transformed her relationship with her son. “She texted me saying something magical happened.
Her son did something that showed their bond had strengthened because of our work together. It’s such an evident result of the work I do,” Maria shares.
These moments are a source of immense pride for Maria. Knowing she has helped to transform lives and strengthen families is deeply fulfilling. “I feel honored to guide my clients through this process,” she says.
Today, Maria’s business primarily involves one-on-one coaching, with a growing number of couples sessions. She recently completed a group coaching program to feel more confident in guiding groups and plans to expand her practice in that direction. “I want to localize the content to fit Mexican culture better and design a tailor-made program for my clients,” she explains.
Maria also emphasizes the importance of balancing professional growth with personal life. She has learned to open and close her heart to clients based on her family’s needs, trusting that clients will come when she is ready. “When I open my heart for clients, they come. It’s amazing,” she says.
Maria offers valuable advice for those
considering a career in parenting coaching. She stresses the importance of believing in one’s capacity to make a difference. “Think about all the children in need of connecting with their caregivers and how powerful that is,” she says. She also encourages aspiring coaches to embrace imperfection and focus on the journey rather than the outcome.
“Just get out there and start doing it, however it looks. Make adjustments, and don’t apologize for your mistakes. Each experience is unique, and we are the guides, not responsible for what happens in their lives,” Maria advises.
Maria Amtmann Chavez’s journey from struggling mother to successful parenting coach is a testament to the power of Jai’s
transformational parenting method and the impact of helping others. Through
Capuyo Parenting, she continues to make a significant difference in the lives of families, one coaching session at a time. Her story is an inspiration for anyone considering turning their passion for parenting into a rewarding career.
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