About me

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Who I Am

My name is Gilles. I am a professor of biochemistry at Claude Bernard University Lyon 1 and a certified professional coach. I have been teaching in higher education for over 25 years.

I spent ten years as a lecturer at the École Normale Supérieure de Lyon before being appointed professor in 2022. I currently teach at the Faculty of Medicine in Lyon, at ENS, and serve on various national selection committees.

Over time, I developed a deep passion for coaching.

Today, I combine my academic experience with powerful coaching tools to support students, researchers, faculty, and academic leaders in finding greater clarity, balance, and purpose.

My Background

I have taught thousands of students in science and medicine, and personally coached dozens of candidates aiming for highly selective programs.

I have worked with:

Students preparing for medical entrance exams or Grandes Écoles (ENS, Polytechnique, Centrale, Agro, etc.)
PhD candidates and researchers facing publication pressure, funding challenges, or burnout
Academic colleagues in transition, seeking clarity, or looking for a fresh start

I know from the inside the high standards – and the vulnerabilities – of academic life. And I understand how difficult it can be to find sustainable balance without the right support.

My Coaching Training

I chose rigorous, recognized, and transformative coach training programs:

Certified through Martha Beck’s Wayfinder program, focused on mind-body alignment and navigating life transitions
Four years of advanced training with The Life Coach School (LCS), focused on mental clarity, emotional regulation, and intentional living
Currently pursuing certification with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) – the global standard for professional coaching (expected in summer 2025)

I chose these paths for their seriousness, depth, and concrete impact.

They share a common philosophy: no quick fixes, no empty positivity – just thoughtful work on thoughts, emotions, and decisions.

Why I Became a Coach

I have seen too many brilliant students, passionate researchers, and dedicated professors suffer in silence – not from a lack of skill, but from a lack of support, clarity, or space to think differently.

That’s what led me to coaching.

For students: I bring structure, strategy, and confidence to help them progress without burning out
For faculty: I offer a space to breathe, clarify priorities, and reconnect with the meaning of their work

And yes — I have a coach myself. Because it matters.

What is a life coach?

Not a therapist
Not a friend who agrees with everything you say
Not a mentor offering their own model

A coach is someone who helps you:

See clearly your thoughts, decisions, and beliefs
Identify what is holding you back (often unconsciously)
Reclaim agency over your life, one decision at a time
Act with greater awareness and intention

Coaching is not about rewriting the past. It brings you back to the present – and to what you’re ready to create now.

It’s practical. It’s demanding. And it’s often transformative.

Beyond the University

I’m deeply interested in:

Rigorous personal development
Minimalism (in life, design, and thought)
Living with intention and alignment

These values shape my coaching style: clarifying what matters, letting go of the rest, and moving forward with both lightness and depth.

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