We're so glad you're here.
Big Self School was started by us, Drs. Chad and Shelley Prevost. We are here to help your organization reach its full potential.
Why we started Big Self School
At Big Self School, we recognize a fundamental distinction between two aspects of the self: the Big Self and the Little Self.
The Big Self represents clarity, purpose, and untapped potential—the part of you that operates from wisdom, truth, and deep alignment rather than fear or ego.
The Little Self is the identity we construct—our roles, titles, demographics, and conditioned behaviors. It’s the part of us that reacts, defends, and resists change.
Most professionals and leaders unknowingly operate from their Little Self, caught in cycles of overachievement, fear, and self-limiting patterns that keep them stuck. They optimize for external success while feeling disconnected from their true potential.
Breaking this cycle requires self-awareness, courage, and intentional growth—the ability to see beyond surface-level strategies and cultivate the psychological skills needed to lead effectively.
We use terms like soul, true self, alignment, and higher consciousness to describe this process—not because they are universal, but because they distill the truths we’ve seen time and again in our work with leaders, teams, and high performers. The pursuit of your Big Self is not just personal—it’s a strategic advantage. When you operate from this place, you lead with impact, communicate with clarity, and navigate change with confidence.
Big Self School Founders
Meet Dr. Shelley Prevost
Shelley is a licensed therapist, executive coach, angel investor, and TEDx speaker who left private practice in 2010 to dive into the startup world. Since then, she’s mentored or invested in nearly 100 early-stage companies—witnessing both extraordinary success and the heavy cost of burnout.
In 2014, she launched a tech company and led it until hitting a wall of profound exhaustion that changed everything. What followed was a deep journey into healing, purpose, and reconnecting with her true self.
In 2019, she co-founded Big Self School to turn those lessons into a powerful framework for growth. Today, she helps high achievers reset, build emotional resilience, and align their lives with who they truly are.
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Meet Dr. Chad Prevost
Chad spent a decade teaching writing and literature at universities before pivoting into the world of publishing, journalism, and startups—working as a freelance writer, analyst, and broadcast specialist.
Throughout these roles, one thread remained constant: a desire to use his skills in service of others. That calling led him to become an executive coach, where he now helps leaders navigate complexity with clarity and self-awareness.
Chad is a certified Enneagram practitioner through three schools. He also holds an ACC coaching certification from the International Coaching Federation.
His latest book, Shock Point: The Enneagram in Burnout and Stress, offers both a personal investigation and a practical guide for using the Enneagram to move through high-pressure moments with purpose.
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How We Coach Leaders
To help you flourish in your work and create more meaning in your life.
01
Awareness
Wage truth with yourself. Big Self work starts with radical self-inquiry that leads to next level self-awareness. You can't change what you're not aware of.
02
Connection
Wage truth with yourself. Big Self work starts with radical self-inquiry that leads to next level self-awareness. You can't change what you're not aware of.
03
Action
Wage truth with yourself. Big Self work starts with radical self-inquiry that leads to next level self-awareness. You can't change what you're not aware of.
04
Wellness
Wage truth with yourself. Big Self work starts with radical self-inquiry that leads to next level self-awareness. You can't change what you're not aware of.