Why is it that so many coaches support others to grow… but hesitate to invest in support for themselves? In this episode, Robbie reflects on a simple but powerful belief: if there’s one thing that consistently makes the biggest difference to the success and sustainability of a coaching business, it’s having a coach of your own. Drawing on his own experience - including working with many coaches over the years - Robbie explores what really changes when you stop trying to do this alone and allow yourself to be supported… And how it has surprisingly wide-reaching impacts on your business. This isn’t a pitch. It’s an honest account of what happens when a coach becomes a client. Robbie shares: What you learn about enrolling clients by being on the other side of the decision How working with different coaches shaped his values, style, and way of leading conversations Why hiring a coach accelerates your development as a coach - not by copying, but by trusting your own style How being coached helps untangle money stories, pricing doubts, and questions of worth What it’s like to experience the middle of a coaching journey as a client - including doubt, fear, and the urge to quit Why being coached deepens your belief in coaching in a way nothing else can How having a coach helps you stay on the path when the work - and the business - gets hard At its heart, this episode is about commitment: to coaching, to your own development, and to the long game of building a practice that can sustain you. If you’re serious about coaching as a livelihood - and as a way of contributing to the world - this conversation offers a grounded, human reflection on why investing in yourself may be the most important move you make. For the transcript of the episode and loads of links, visit: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/writing/6-reasons-why-hiring-a-coach-is-the-most-important-thing-for-you-to-do-if-you-want-a-successful-coaching-business If you like this episode, you’ll love Robbie’s ebook, An Introduction to The Coaching Business Flywheel, visit https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel For more information about Robbie, visit https://www.robbieswale.com/ Read more about The Coach's Journey at www.thecoachsjourney.com. Music by My Good Man William: listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KmeQUcTbeE31uFynHQLQg To support the Coach's Journey, visit www.patreon.com/thecoachsjourney and to join the Coach's Journey Community visit www.thecoachsjourney.com/community. THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: The Coach’s Journey Community: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/community The Coaching Business Flywheel Booster Pack: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel-booster-pack The writing section of The Coach’s Journey: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/writing My interview on the Coach Write Podcast: https://coachwrite.co.uk/robbie-swale-the-12-minute-method-series/ The full transcript of the episode, including lots more links: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/writing/6-reasons-why-hiring-a-coach-is-the-most-important-thing-for-you-to-do-if-you-want-a-successful-coaching-business

What do you do in the moments - or seasons - when your coaching business feels too hard? In this episode, Ruth Saville, Alex Whitton, and Robbie Swale explore the emotional reality behind building a coaching business: the doubt, comparison, financial pressure, cancellations, unpredictability… and the unexpected beauty that sits alongside all of it. This episode began with a simple observation: every coach goes through periods when the business feels heavy. From there, the three of us look at what helps, what doesn’t, and what it means to keep going in a work we care deeply about. Together we talk about: The many moments that make coaching feel hard - and why they surprise us every time Comparison, LinkedIn spirals, and the relief of remembering other coaches struggle too Cancellations, no-shows, reschedules - and how to respond without collapsing inside The very personal nature of coaching, and how easily confidence gets entangled with identity Why ‘you have everything you need’ is easier to say to clients than to ourselves How to navigate hard seasons with more steadiness, self-respect and perspective What we each reach for when we hit the ‘break glass’ moment Why the challenging parts of the journey are often where the growth is This is an episode for coaches at every stage - whether you’re right in the middle of a difficult moment now, or you want to feel more resourced the next time you hit a wobble. As always, we hope it helps you feel less alone and more grounded in your own path as a coach. Oh, and if you like this, there’s a Part II coming in the new year. Download Robbie’s ebook, An Introduction to The Coaching Business Flywheel, here. For more information about Ruth, visit https://www.ruthsaville.co.uk/ For more information about Alex , visit http://www.exploregrowbe.com/ For more information about Robbie, visit https://www.robbieswale.com/ Read more about The Coach's Journey at www.thecoachsjourney.com. Music by My Good Man William: listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KmeQUcTbeE31uFynHQLQg To support the Coach's Journey, visit www.patreon.com/thecoachsjourney and to join the Coach's Journey Community visit www.thecoachsjourney.com/community. THINGS WE MENTIONED THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN Free Ebook: An Introduction to the Coaching Business Flywheel: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel Get to know Ruth better: Robbie’s interview with Ruth on The Coach’s Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-66-ruth-saville-how-to-be-a-rebel-misbehave-more-and-set-your-sights-on-being-a-master-coach Get to know Alex better: Robbie’s interview with Alex on The Coach’s Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-64-alex-whitton-balancing-the-being-and-the-doing Robbie’s Subject–Object Move Blog https://www.robbieswale.com/the-12-minute-blog/2025/4/25/the-subject-object-move-how-we-grow Alex’s blog post on the impact of how we see difficulty - https://www.exploregrowbe.com/blog/what-is-the-impact-of-when-and-how-we-see-difficulty Alex’s blog post on what feelings of inadequacy may be telling us - https://www.exploregrowbe.com/blog/what-can-inadequacy-tell-usnbsp The article Robbie wrote when someone cancelled on him - How I Became a Full-Time Coach Less Than Two Years After Starting My Training: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/writing/how-i-became-a-full-time-coach-less-than-two-years-after-starting-my-training The same article as a podcast episode: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/100-how-i-became-a-full-time-coach-less-than-two-years-after-starting-my-training The Coaching Business Flywheel Booster Pack https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel-booster-pack Jordan Peterson’s book 12 Rules For Life, and a blog Robbie wrote about it: https://www.robbieswale.com/the-12-minute-blog/2022/4/8/failure-is-relative-and-heres-how-to-deal-with-that Robbie’s blog: No One Can Compete With You at Being You: https://www.robbieswale.com/writing/2024/9/22/authentic-personal-branding-no-one-can-compete-with-you-at-being-you Robbie’s new book, The Power to Choose: Finding Calm and Connection in a Complex World: https://geni.us/powertochoose The video series Robbie mentioned on Mastering Your Personal Brand: https://www.robbieswale.com/mastering-your-personal-brand Joel Monk on The Coach’s Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-6-joel-monk-conversations-at-the-cutting-edge-of-coaching James Clear – Atomic Habits https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_Habits Phil Bolton on The Coach’s Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-2-phil-bolton-from-forensic-accountant-to-the-go-to-career-coach-in-london-and-on-to-work-with-ceos-mds-and-founders The Coach’s Journey Intensive is part of The Coach’s Journey Community – learn more here: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/community Julie Starr on The Coach’s Journey Podcast: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-58-julie-starr-the-world-works-from-the-inside-out TCJ Short: Jennifer Garvey Berger on Comparison: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/93-how-comparison-sets-us-up-to-feel-awful-about-ourselves-tcj-short-with-jennifer-garvey-berger The Coach’s Journey Podcast episode #99, where Joey stumps Robbie with his own question: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/99-robbie-swale-the-secrets-of-meaningful-productivity-honourable-leadership-and-tilting-the-world-towards-heaven Joey Owen on The Coach’s Journey Podcast: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-59-joey-owen-you-never-know-when-the-value-of-a-coaching-session-ends Sydney Banks https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Principles_Psychology The 3 Principles feature in this episode with Jamie Smart on The Coach’s Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-16-jamie-smart Polyvagal Theory: https://www.robbieswale.com/the-12-minute-blog/2022/9/2/are-you-above-or-below-the-line Robbie’s article about creating a steady stream of clients https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/writing/the-step-by-step-guide-to-finding-coaching-clients-without-feeling-icky Joseph Cambell’s Hero’s Journey: https://www.robbieswale.com/the-12-minute-blog/2021/12/17/the-heros-journey-of-growth Patrick Quinton Smith on The Coach’s Journey Podcast: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/107-patrick-quinton-smith-clarity-is-revealed-in-momentum-so-build-momentum-and-clarity-will-come

In this special episode, Alex Whitton and Alex Swallow take the reins to interview Robbie about the release of his new book, The Power to Choose: Finding Calm and Connection in a Complex World. What unfolds is a warm, honest and surprisingly vulnerable exploration of choice, mindset, relationships, and the inner work that helps us meet complexity with more skill and less fear. Across the conversation, Robbie shares the nine-year journey behind the book - from a powerful coaching question asked by Joel Monk in 2016 through to the resistance, the rewrites, and the emotional cost of releasing something deeply personal into the world. Together, the three of them explore themes at the heart of both the book and coaching itself. In this episode they explore: Why in almost every moment, there’s more choice available than we think. The idea of the Higher Self - and why we all have moments where we forget it. How curiosity becomes an antidote to reactivity and contraction. What really happens when we assume others are doing their best. Why connection and calm matter so much in a complex world. How writing a book becomes its own developmental journey. The castle metaphor for working with shadow parts of ourselves. The stories that shape us - and the ones we get to rewrite. Why none of this work is ever really finished. Robbie also shares two stories that bring these ideas to life in very human ways: a tense exchange with a neighbour, and a moment on a crowded train that turned into a masterclass in choosing calm rather than escalating conflict. This episode is thoughtful, grounded and full of practical wisdom - for coaches, and for anyone navigating the complexity of modern life. For more information about Robbie, visit https://www.robbieswale.com/ To buy The Power to Choose, visit http://geni.us/powertochoose For more information about Alex Whitton, visit http://www.exploregrowbe.com/ For more information about Alex Swallow, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexswallow/ Read more about The Coach's Journey at www.thecoachsjourney.com. Get Robbie’s ebook for coaches, An Introduction to The Coach’s Journey Flywheel at https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel Music by My Good Man William: listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KmeQUcTbeE31uFynHQLQg To support the Coach's Journey, visit www.patreon.com/thecoachsjourney and to join the Coach's Journey Community visit www.thecoachsjourney.com/community. THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: The Power to Choose: Finding Calm and Connection in a Complex World http://geni.us/powertochoose Joel Monk on The Coach’s Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-6-joel-monk-conversations-at-the-cutting-edge-of-coaching Gay Hendricks’ idea, The Zone of Genius https://www.robbieswale.com/the-12-minute-blog/2022/2/3/the-zone-of-genius-the-most-powerful-thought-experiment-for-personal-transformation Robbie interviewing Alex Swallow on The Coach’s Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-62-alex-swallow-life-is-better-when-we-choose Jennifer Garvey Berger on The Coach’s Journey Podcasthttps://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-42-jennifer-garvey-berger-the-answer-to-either-or-is-both Philip Crocker on The Coach’s Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/88-philip-crocker-coaching-is-the-most-natural-thing-in-the-world Minor Arias on The Coach’s Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-3-minor-arias-living-by-design-glz56 Robbie on Neil Mackinnon’s podcast, Creative Practice https://creative-practice.net/2021/01/29/robbie-swale-coach/ Rising Strong — Brené Brown (referenced re: “everyone is doing their best”) https://brenebrown.com/book/rising-strong/ Man’s Search for Meaning — Viktor Frankl https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/1033737/man-s-search-for-meaning Useful Not True — Derek Sivers (idea referenced about beliefs & utility) https://sive.rs/useful Robbie’s article about Harry Kane https://www.robbieswale.com/the-12-minute-blog/2021/12/15/sometimes-it-doesnt-matter-if-what-you-believe-is-true-it-matters-whether-it-is-useful Meaningful Productivity Blueprint (Robbie’s framework mentioned in the conversation) https://www.robbieswale.com/meaningful-productivity An Introduction to The Coach’s Journey Flywheel https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel “It’s Not About the Chicken” — Fred Kofman story referenced in the episodehttps://www.robbieswale.com/the-12-minute-blog/2023/2/3/its-not-about-the-chicken-harry-its-about-the-last-20-years The early Choose Your Own Adventure reference https://www.cyoa.com/ David Gemmell (author referenced) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Gemmell How to Start When You’re Stuck (12-Minute Method Book 1) https://geni.us/startwhenyourestuck

What can coaches and leaders learn from the people who have mastered the art of appearing on stage and screen? And what can coaching give back to the creative industries? Answering these questions through his work at the intersection of coaching, corporate leadership and on-screen presentation skills is Gareth Davies, renowned executive television producer of shows like Strictly Come Dancing and Top of the Pops, who is now one of the industry’s leading presenter coaches. Gareth co-founded The Presenter Studio with fellow executive producer Leon Campbell in 2013, and since then the company has honed and nurtured talent at every level of the TV and film industry, working with the likes of Hugh Grant and Madonna, all the way through to aspiring actors and presenters just starting their careers. In this episode of The Coach’s Journey Podcast, Gareth shares insights from a glamorous world that he believes has everything to gain from a coaching approach, and he reflects on what it takes to help people embody their authentic selves and communicate to audiences of all sizes. With media skills being something every business needs in an era dominated by screens, Gareth works with corporate businesses to help them find their voice, and he can still be found practising what he preaches in his ongoing work as a presenter and public speaker. Gareth and episode host Alex Swallow also talk about: How to identify the aspects of your personality that reflect who you are in a relatable, interesting way The concept of hustle and the benefits of going the long way round How to leverage the power of Instagram to build your audience and grow your business Presentation skills, tips and approaches that can help you communicate with authenticity and impact Gareth reveals the huge gaps that exist in creative industries, highlighting the opportunities there are for coaches to help nurture skills and develop talent. THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: -  The MOE Foundation coaching programme https://moefoundation.com/certified-coach-training-course/ - The Presenter Studio http://www.presenterstudio.com/ - The Presenter Studio on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepresenterstudio - Gareth’s LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/in/garethdavies2408/ - Gareth’s business partner, Leon Campbell https://www.linkedin.com/in/leon-campbell-58bb583/

Sam Isaacson saw the rise of artificial intelligence coming, and he was ready for it. With his background in managing technology risk and change, he could see the impact that rapid AI development would have on his current profession as a coach, and in this episode of The Coach’s Journey Podcast he addresses some of the most pressing issues facing coaches all over the world. Very few people are as well placed as Sam to speak about the threats and the benefits AI holds for human coaches. After all, he has developed his own AI coaching product, AICoach.chat, which provides its clients with a “distraction-free space for thinking, challenging and reframing, not reacting”. In conversation with episode host Neil Mackinnon, Sam addresses questions of ethics, efficacy and economy that have been brought to bear on the coaching industry by the rise of products like his. The coach, author and founder of The Coachtech Collective offers his perspective on the qualitative difference between being coached by a human and an AI, and the crucial question of what role relationship plays in successful coaching engagements. Sam, who was the first person to ever coach people in virtual reality, describes this and many other remarkable achievements in vivid detail, painting a picture of the limitless possibilities held by emergent technologies. Sam and Neil also talk about: The AI-enabled coaching products and facilities that are available now The work Sam has done to align the world of coaching with the world of apprenticeships The pros and cons of content creation as a coach The coaching conferences Sam recommends (including his own!) In this deep-dive into cutting edge coaching technology, Sam picks out the products that can be of most benefit to your coaching practice right now, and explains the transformative impact they can have. THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: - Transforming Coaching with AI and Technology with Sam Isaacson – Delenta podcast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa3q3KqXzhc - Myers Briggs https://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/myers-briggs-overview/  - Sam Isaacson – Coach, author, founder of The Coachtech Collective https://isaacson.uk/ - The Coachtech Collective – community exploring coaching + tech https://isaacson.uk/buy/the-coachtech-collective/ - EMCC – European Mentoring and Coaching Council https://www.emccglobal.org/ - ILM – Institute of Leadership & Management https://www.institutelm.com/ - Apprenticeship Trailblazer (UK coaching apprenticeship framework) https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/ - Patrick Lencioni – The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, founder of The Table Group https://www.tablegroup.com/ - Challenging Coaching by Blakey & Day https://www.amazon.co.uk/Challenging-Coaching-Transforming-Performance-Organisations/dp/1857885753 - “High Support, High Challenge” https://www.maier.co.uk/insights/high_support_high_challenge/ - Toku McCree – Coach, author of “Love on the End of a Sword” https://coachingmba.co/about/ - John Whitmore – Coaching for Performance, GROW modelhttps://www.performanceconsultants.com/grow-model - Nancy Kline – Time to Think model https://www.timetothink.com/ - Nicholas Janni – Leader as Healer https://www.nicholasjanni.com/book-leader-as-healer/ - Video session by Nicholas Janni (theme: presence-based coaching) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuXDCUcDsu4 - WBX / Coaching.com Summit – Global coaching & leadership summit https://www.coaching.com/summit/ - Coaching.com – Coaching management platform https://www.coaching.com/ - Alex Pascal – Founder of Coaching.com (in memoriam) https://www.coaching.com/about/ - Coach Is Rising – Coaching organisation & training platform https://www.coachisrising.com/ - Digital & AI Coaches’ Conference (founded by Sam Isaacson) https://isaacson.uk/digital-and-ai-coaches-conference/ - Jonathan Passmore – Coaching psychologist, author, academic https://www.henley.ac.uk/people/dr-jonathan-passmore - Sandra Diller – Editor / academic in coaching and leadership (co-editor with Passmore & Isaacson) (No central site; academic publications: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8793-1946) - Max Blumberg / Max Brantle (likely Max Blumberg, co-editor of coaching texts) https://www.maxblumberg.com/ - Joel Monk – Host of Coaches Rising podcast (sometimes written as Munch in transcripts) https://www.coachesrising.com/podcast/ - Robbie Swale – Coach & author (How to Start When You’re Stuck) https://robbieswale.com/ - The World Humanoid Robot Games https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cvg3mv3rz60o - AICoach.chat – Sam’s AI coaching product https://www.aicoach.chat/ - Make.com https://www.make.com/en - The CoachTech Collective http://coachtech.uk/ BIOGRAPHY FROM SAM Sam Isaacson is a coaching thought leader and consultant whose work leans into technology as an enabler for revolutionising coaching strategies and approaches. He has been writing about cutting-edge technologies, including AI, blockchain and the metaverse, for many years and now works with organisations and coaches around the world on their use of technology. Sam's books include several on the impact of technology on the coaching profession, and others on the use of coaching as a strategic tool within organisations. He has regularly contributed to Choice magazine and Coaching at Work, and frequently speaks at respected coaching conferences. Sam lives in West London in the UK, in a home made noisy by his four sons. In his spare time he is deeply involved in the world of tabletop miniature wargaming, where he co-hosts a podcast.

What does the future of coaching look like… and what can we learn from those who helped build it? Ruth Rochelle returns to The Coach’s Journey Podcast to reflect on how the coaching world has evolved over the past four decades and where it might be heading next. Prompted by a listener’s question, Ruth shares stories from the early days of coaching - when it was more movement than industry - through the professionalisation of the 1990s to today’s fast-changing, tech-enabled landscape. Alongside the history, she offers her vision for what’s emerging now: deeper work, greater humanity, and a renewed sense of trust. Ruth and Joey explore how coaching has shifted from performance to presence, from achievement to wholeness, and from certainty to curiosity. They discuss scepticism in the early days (and now), the rise of coaching bodies such as the ICF and EMCC, the impact of technology and AI, and why compassion and simplicity remain at the heart of great coaching. In this episode, Ruth talks about: Why the earliest coaching approaches focused on the inner game and self-belief How the field grew from informal practice to global profession The evolution from performance and achievement to whole-person coaching Why trust, compassion, and presence still matter most for coaches today Ruth also invites every coach to listen inwardly and lead the way forward for the profession. If you’ve ever wondered how the coaching profession began - or where it’s going next - this conversation offers wisdom, warmth, and hope for coaches building meaningful, sustainable practices in a fast-changing world. For more information about Ruth, visit https://www.ruthrochelle.com/ For more information about host Joey Owen, visit http://www.joeyowencoaching.com/ Read more about The Coach's Journey at www.thecoachsjourney.com. Music by My Good Man William: listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KmeQUcTbeE31uFynHQLQg To support the Coach's Journey, visit www.patreon.com/thecoachsjourney and to join the Coach's Journey Community visit www.thecoachsjourney.com/community. THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: FREE Ebook: An Introduction to The Coaching Business Flywheel: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/thecoachingbusinessflywheel Ruth Rochelle on The Coach’s Journey Podcast (previous episode) https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/78-ruth-rochelle-insight-seminars-systems-theory-and-the-path-to-our-current-truth International Coaching Federation (ICF) https://coachingfederation.org/ European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) https://www.emccglobal.org/ Tim Gallwey – The Inner Game of Tennis https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inner-Game-Tennis-Classic-Performance/dp/1447288505 Robert Kegan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Kegan Suzanne Cook-Greuter https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanne-cook-greuter-60056322b/ Bill Torbert https://gla.global/team_member/professor-bill-torbert/ For more on Adult Development on The Coach’s Journey, see our interview with Jennifer Garvey Berger https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-42-jennifer-garvey-berger-the-answer-to-either-or-is-both Sir John Whitmore – Coaching for Performance https://www.amazon.co.uk/Coaching-Performance-Principles-Personal-Professional/dp/1473658128 The Coach’s Journey Podcast with Ruth Rochelle and Joey (video version) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kby9-D_5JwA BIOGRAPHY FROM RUTH For more than 25 years Ruth has been a coach – an executive and team coach, workshop facilitator, transformational coach and coach supervisor – with private clients and with organisations. Ruth is an Accredited Master Executive Coach with APECS, an IFS (Internal Family Systems) Practitioner with the IFS Institute and a Coaching Constellations Practitioner, and her clients have included creative professionals, start-up founders, senior managers, young emerging leaders, celebrities, coaches, and many more. Ruth supports her clients to create and achieve their visions, enrich their relationships, navigate changing circumstances, embark on new life directions, start and grow businesses, address specific challenges, experience greater wellbeing and connect to a meaningful purpose.

What if almost every coaching challenge you face in your practice could be solved with better coaching contracts and clearer agreements? That’s what Robbie dives into in this short episode. Drawing on his own coaching practice, experiences in supervision, and lessons learned from mentors and peers, Robbie explains why contracting with clients is one of the most important skills a coach can develop… and how better contracting could have solved almost every challenge he’s ever brought to supervision. He shares how he builds contracting into every part of his work: from the very first client conversation, through re-contracting midway, to closing an engagement with clarity. Robbie explores the written coaching agreements he uses, the questions he asks clients, how he contracts with stakeholders while keeping confidentiality intact, and why he has stopped sending written coaching notes. Along the way, he also reflects on ICF ethics, the role of supervision, and what really matters for coaches who want to build a meaningful, sustainable business. In this episode, Robbie talks about: Why most coaching challenges come back to contracting and agreements The questions he asks to set up effective coaching contracts How he re-contracts with coaching clients partway through an engagement The importance of private goals when coaching within organisations Why he stopped sending coaching session notes and what he does instead How ethics, supervision, and simplicity shape his coaching practice If you’ve ever wondered how to contract in a way that supports your clients, strengthens your coaching practice, and makes your work more impactful, this episode offers plenty to take away. Download Robbie’s ebook, An Introduction to The Coaching Business Flywheel, here. Buy The Coaching Business Flywheel Booster Pack - including all the emails Robbie sends to his clients at every stage of his business, plus a flowchart, coaching agreements and his favourite emails for creating clients. For more information about Robbie, visit https://www.robbieswale.com/ Read more about The Coach's Journey at www.thecoachsjourney.com. Music by My Good Man William: listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KmeQUcTbeE31uFynHQLQg To support the Coach's Journey, visit www.patreon.com/thecoachsjourney and to join the Coach's Journey Community visit www.thecoachsjourney.com/community. THINGS ROBBIE MENTIONED THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN The Coaching Business Flywheel: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel Robbie’s article about starting coaching sessions well: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/writing/how-to-start-your-coaching-sessions-so-they-practically-run-themselves The Coaching Business Flywheel Booster Pack: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel-booster-pack Robbie’s Meaningful Productivity workshops: https://www.robbieswale.com/meaningful-productivity-workshop-series The video version of this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhjuhKWx9iA Episode #8, containing this and lots more nuts and bolts of coaching: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/robbie-on-structure-first-conversations-marketing-price Simon Feldman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonfeldman/ Robbie’s video with ways of talking about coaching: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/106-how-to-lead-a-powerful-first-conversation-with-a-potential-coaching-client Robbie’s video about endings and reflecting on coaching: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/91-how-to-create-a-powerful-ending-to-a-coaching-engagement Miles Downey – Effective Modern Coaching - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Effective-Modern-Coaching-Developing-Professionals/dp/1441186102 Robbie’s conversation with Miles Downey on The Coach’s Journey Podcast - https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/ep-14-myles-downey BetterUp https://www.betterup.com/ 64 Million Artists https://64millionartists.com/ The ideas of Zone of Genius and Zone of Excellence: https://www.robbieswale.com/the-12-minute-blog/2022/2/3/the-zone-of-genius-the-most-powerful-thought-experiment-for-personal-transformation Mike Toller on The Coach’s Journey Podcast: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-32-mike-toller International Coaching Federation (ICF) Code of Ethics https://coachingfederation.org/ethics Free Ethics Training from the ICF https://learning.coachingfederation.org/products/ethics-training

Ever since she was a child, working in her father’s clothes shop in Derbyshire and standing on a box to see over the counter, Jenny Bird has spent her life being interested in people. She drew upon the principles of communication honed during those formative years as she blossomed into one of the United Kingdom’s very first master coaches, going on to co-author renowned coaching titles such as The Art of Coaching: A Handbook of Tips and Tools, and How to Work with People... and Enjoy It! In this episode of The Coach’s Journey Podcast, Jenny describes the experience of leaving community education and training to be a coach at the turn of the century, when stacks of materials were posted across the Atlantic and she joined conference calls with coach trainers located all over the world. Throughout her training and her early forays into coaching at global corporations and in the NHS, Jenny surveyed the landscape of personal and development for those who do things differently, describing her “joy for sparkly new things”. By consistently forging relationships with innovators and brilliant thinkers throughout the field, Jenny has enriched her career. She shares invaluable wisdom accumulated across her career through her books and in her role as co-founder of Coach Continuum, which provides CPD, networking and supervision to help coaches flourish. Jenny and host Joey Owen also talk about: • The benefits of being a risk taker • How to barter your way to getting what you want • Partnering generously and being paid what you are worth • How to tend to your LinkedIn garden • Bringing poetry and creativity into coaching to cut through to the emotion Jenny also shares some invaluable advice to new coaches, outlining the mindset, behaviours and conditions that form the essential foundations of a successful business. THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: - Ruchi Shah-Mehta https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruchi-coach/ - Coach Continuum https://coachcontinuum.com/ - CoachU https://www.coachu.com/home/ - Thomas Leonard, The Portable Coach https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=L0IVLyDUQ14C&printsec=copyright&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false - EMCC https://www.emccglobal.org/accreditation/ - ICF https://coachingfederation.org/ - The Clean Sweep Questionnaire https://www.lifecoach.com/free-quizzes/clean-sweep-quiz/ - Common factors theory https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_factors_theory - AoEC https://www.aoec.com/ - Sarah Gornall https://peopleuntapped.com/ourglobalteam/sarah-gornall/ - The Art of Coaching https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=9OuPCgAAQBAJ&printsec=copyright&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false - Coaching Development https://www.coachingdevelopment.com/ - Business Network International https://www.bni.com/ - Quotes from golfer Gary Player https://www.yourgolftravel.com/19th-hole/gary-player-quotes-from-the-black-knight/ - Animas https://www.animascoaching.com/ - Erik de Haan http://www.erikdehaan.com/

Shruti Sonthalia says purpose is her superpower. A strong sense of purpose helped Shruti to demolish seemingly insurmountable barriers to becoming a Master Certified Coach and a globally renowned industry figure, and in this episode of The Coach’s Journey Podcast, she implores all coaches to find their ‘why’. Shruti began her journey without coaches around her to learn from, living and working in a culture that assumed expertise was the preserve of men with white hair. Believing it was her purpose to create sacred spaces in the workplace, Shruti grafted with steadfast resolve to defy the gatekeepers and doubters who stood in her way. By taking the path less travelled and proving herself time and again, Shruti developed a work ethic that took her to the top of her profession, empowering leaders across global markets to embody a coaching mindset. She pays forward her expertise in the training curricula she devises and delivers to the next generation of coaches, founding her structured, evidence-based approach on the values and principles she speaks about in this episode. In this conversation, Shruti invites us all to ask: which parts of our journeys do we struggle to own? And how might addressing them enable changes within us that ripple out to the ecosystems we operate within? Shruti and host Neil Mackinnon also talk about: - Whether coaching has the same effectiveness in different areas, geographies, and realities - Accessibility of supervision as a vital aspect of coaching’s growth and integrity - The learning we can take from our own procrastination - How a coaching mindset can help us embody shared power - The principle that says that which you focus on expands, and how to harness it THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: - AoEC - Academy of Executive Coaching https://www.aoec.com/ - ICF - International Coaching Federation https://coachingfederation.org/ - ICF Foundation https://foundationoficf.org/ - Shruti's paper on effectiveness of coaching in emerging markets https://radar.brookes.ac.uk/radar/file/08d2850c-51fe-42ab-aeea-e7ec829bc5a9/1/IJEBCM%2022_1_10.pdf - London School of Economics https://www.lse.ac.uk/ - Yannick Jacob on The Coach's Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/97-yannick-jacob-going-beyond-blueprints-to-challenge-the-status-quo-of-coaching - Richard Layard https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Layard,_Baron_Layard - Viktor Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4069.Man_s_Search_for_Meaning - Martin Seligman https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Seligman - David Foster Wallace, This Is Water https://fs.blog/david-foster-wallace-this-is-water/ - Theory U by Otto Sharma https://www.amazon.co.uk/Theory-Learning-Emerges-Futures-Business/dp/1576757633 - Robbie Swale’s writing on resistance https://www.robbieswale.com/the-12-minute-blog/2025/3/28/the-more-resistance-we-feel-towards-a-call-or-action-the-more-important-that-call-or-action-is-to-our-souls-evolution - The War of Art by Steven Pressfield https://www.amazon.co.uk/War-Art-Through-Creative-Battles/dp/1936891026 - IFS, parts work, what’s in the way is the way https://matthewharwood.uk/ifs/ - RUHCO https://ruhco.org/

A commitment to “directional correctness” has helped Patrick Quinton-Smith solve existential questions on the way to becoming the co-founder of a multigenerational coaching consultancy, Gen Z Coach. In his fast-paced career, Patrick has overcome huge challenges by remaining true to his philosophy of maintaining a steady direction – even when sidewinds threaten to blow him off course. When rapid success in the energy sector failed to bring Patrick fulfilment he took a bold step towards coaching, giving up one day per week to build his business. Just three years on, he works full time at the head of a consultancy that coaches young people while helping businesses to lead multigenerational teams more effectively. Patrick speaks about the importance of the power of a clear and deep purpose and mission. He also explains the role of breathwork and emotional awareness in becoming a skilled navigator along his particular journey, which has taught him valuable lessons about the roots of his self-worth and the nature of what drives him forward. This episode offers a refreshingly frank account of just how hard it can be to overcome fear, doubt, adversity and the deeply personal challenges that we all face as we seek to grow and live in accordance with our values. Patrick and host Alex Whitton also talk about: • The number of times you might have to receive a “no” before achieving your goals • The benefits of having a niche, and how to let your niche find you • How to weather the storm of lean spells and hold onto the bigger picture while building a business • What we can learn from the challenges that scare us • The relationship between adventure and growth THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: - General Assembly – Seven Career Coaching https://sevencareercoaching.co.uk/career-and-life-coaching-blog/seven-x-general-assembly-future-proof-your-career-in-2019-beyond - Bulb Energy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulb_Energy - Derek Appau - http://linkedin.com/in/dereka/?originalSubdomain=uk - Mindset by Carol Dweck https://fs.blog/carol-dweck-mindset/ - Coaching for Business course, City University https://www.citystgeorges.ac.uk/prospective-students/courses/short-courses/coaching-for-business - International Coaching Federation https://coachingfederation.org/ - Gillian McMichael, Full Circle Global https://fullcircleglobal.com/ - Joel Burgess https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachjoelburgess/?originalSubdomain=uk - 16 'no's video/post https://www.linkedin.com/posts/maya-raichoora_getting-nos-and-rejections-used-to-crush-activity-7351498362937901057-teIC/ - Diary of a CEO, “roll the dice” https://www.tiktok.com/@steven/video/7504384000891391254 - The Coaching business flywheel - https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel 

In this episode, Robbie walks you step‑by‑step through how he leads the first conversation with a potential coaching client - with authenticity, honour and integrity, and without being salesy or pushy. Packed with clear guidance and real‑world examples, you'll learn how to: Prepare clients in advance and set expectations before the call Model leadership in the first conversation to build credibility and trust Guide the conversation through contracting, coaching, and honesty Lead naturally toward a decision: no pressure, just clarity about what comes next If you’re tired of ‘discovery calls’ or ‘coffees’ that feel awkward or wind down without clarity… this episode is for you. Download Robbie’s ebook, An Introduction to The Coaching Business Flywheel, here. Buy The Coaching Business Flywheel Booster Pack - including all the emails Robbie sends to his clients at every stage of his business, plus a flowchart, coaching agreements and his favourite emails for creating clients. For more information about Robbie, visit https://www.robbieswale.com/ Read more about The Coach's Journey at www.thecoachsjourney.com. Music by My Good Man William: listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KmeQUcTbeE31uFynHQLQg To support the Coach's Journey, visit www.patreon.com/thecoachsjourney and to join the Coach's Journey Community visit www.thecoachsjourney.com/community. THINGS ROBBIE MENTIONED THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN The Coaching Business Flywheel: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel The Coaching Business Flywheel Booster Pack: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel-booster-pack The video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/ub_gFNZ8bsY Episode #8, containing this and lots more nuts and bolts of coaching: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/robbie-on-structure-first-conversations-marketing-price My video about contracting as a coach: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhjuhKWx9iA Phil Bolton on The Coach’s Journey Podcast: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-2-phil-bolton-from-forensic-accountant-to-the-go-to-career-coach-in-london-and-on-to-work-with-ceos-mds-and-founders Rich Litvin: How To Coach Someone You Don't Yet Know - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1mBCDWOX-I Jamie Smart on The Coach’s Journey Podcast: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-16-jamie-smart Giovanna Capozza on The Coach’s Journey Podcast: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-20-giovanna-capozza Rich Litvin: The Art of the Proposal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjwzfLIA8w0

What does it really look like to take your coaching practice on the road? In this short episode, Robbie and Alex Swallow get together to explore the possibilities and challenges of coaching as a digital nomad — or simply working remotely and flexibly as a coach. They talk about their experience working from Costa Rica, Dar es Salaam, cafés in the UK, and the practical and emotional realities of taking coaching work on the move. This conversation is filled with candid reflections, personal stories, and valuable tips for coaches curious about location-independent work. Together, Robbie and Alex discuss: What it’s really like to coach while travelling The difference between remote work and being on holiday The impact of environment on coaching conversations Energy management, internet mishaps, and time zone headaches Why solo digital nomad life might not be as dreamy as it sounds The power of experiments — like working from a different UK city — to test what works How being in new places can boost creativity and reflection If you're a coach who’s ever dreamed of working remotely, coaching from anywhere, or building a location-independent coaching business, this episode offers encouragement, perspective, and a few gentle warnings… Download Robbie’s ebook, An Introduction to The Coaching Business Flywheel, here. For more information about Robbie, visit https://www.robbieswale.com/ For more information about Alex, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexswallow/ Read more about The Coach's Journey at www.thecoachsjourney.com. Music by My Good Man William: listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KmeQUcTbeE31uFynHQLQg To support the Coach's Journey, visit www.patreon.com/thecoachsjourney and to join the Coach's Journey Community visit www.thecoachsjourney.com/community.

What if the way you sell your coaching is getting in the way of the coaching itself? In this solo episode, Robbie shares how his thinking and practice around selling coaching packages has evolved — from charging by the session, to selling time-bound coaching engagements that prioritise impact, flexibility and real transformation. This candid, behind-the-scenes reflection covers everything from awkward money conversations to powerful client breakthroughs — and invites coaches to rethink how they price and package their work. Drawing from his own business journey, the coaching he’s received, and the coaches he's supported, Robbie lays out a compelling case for selling periods of time, not sessions. Whether you’re new to coaching or looking to grow a more sustainable, generous practice, this episode will help you: Reflect on how your current engagements are serving you — and your clients Explore how time-based engagements can build trust, accountability and transformation Set ambitious goals with clients in ways that feel natural and expansive Avoid the session-counting mindset that can limit both coach and client See how changing the way you package your coaching can change the value clients see in it. Embrace the idea of being a companion on your client’s journey — not just a service provider With honesty and nuance, Robbie invites you to experiment with what works for you — and to create coaching offers that feel both nourishing and powerful. Download Robbie’s ebook, An Introduction to The Coaching Business Flywheel, here. For more information about Robbie, visit https://www.robbieswale.com/ Read more about The Coach's Journey at www.thecoachsjourney.com. Music by My Good Man William: listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KmeQUcTbeE31uFynHQLQg To support the Coach's Journey, visit www.patreon.com/thecoachsjourney and to join the Coach's Journey Community visit www.thecoachsjourney.com/community. THINGS ROBBIE MENTIONED THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN The video version of this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzeyK2yvWOI Episode #8, containing this and lots more nuts and bolts of coaching: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/robbie-on-structure-first-conversations-marketing-price Joel Monk on The Coach’s Journey Podcast: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-6-joel-monk-conversations-at-the-cutting-edge-of-coaching

Every village and every community throughout human history has relied upon people who can facilitate conversations, allowing sacred truths to be passed along generations. In a modern world gripped by a process of massive transformation, this vital, ancient work now falls to coaches. That is the view of Bob Singha, a master coach who has spent 28 years helping people connect the day-to-day reality of their lives with the eternal teachings of their ancestral heritage. In conversation with Alex Swallow, Bob reflects on his evolution as a coach and as an elder, which he sees as a process of remembering rather than one of learning. Across decades of work with young people around the world, facing lives blighted by trauma and violence, Bob has found that communities everywhere face similar problems, and that the solutions to them lie in the deep wisdom of our ancestral memories. Using stories as medicine and as conveyors of wisdom, Bob helps people to remember something about themselves. In this conversation, Bob and Alex acknowledge the call being sounded for coaches who don’t feel at home in the standard business models that commodify and separate us. They also illustrate the remarkable role coaches can play in connecting communities with the intelligence that gave birth to them. In this episode, Bob and Alex also talk about: • How studying something as if you’re going to teach it leads to accelerated learning • Our connection with the sages, the rishis, the sadhus and fakirs who throughout history have integrated spiritual wisdom and worldly responsibilities • The power of the question: what are the whispers of your ancestors saying in this moment? • The relationship between the way we play games and the way we live our lives • A hilarious story that revealed to Bob at a young age the importance of language, and how we can use it to speak to both the temporary and the eternal. THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: - Timothy Gallwey https://theinnergame.com/ - John Whitmore https://www.performanceconsultants.com/about-us/sir-john-whitmore/ - Tony Robbins https://www.tonyrobbins.com/ - Stephen Covey on interdependence https://challengingcoaching.co.uk/stephen-covey-interdependence-the-deeper-facts/ - Spark Inside https://www.sparkinside.org/ - The Coaching Inn https://thecoachinginn.podbean.com/ - It Takes A Village https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llpz6bADkZU - Gladeana McMahon http://gladeanamcmahon.com/ - Anthony Eldridge Rogers https://uk.linkedin.com/in/anthonyeldridgerogers

How do we keep working when tragedy shakes our lives? If seismic events disrupt our foundations, is it possible to build something new with confidence? For Ellie Scarf, suffering a heartbreaking loss led to profound changes that have moved her from her zone of excellence into her zone of genius, where she draws upon her experiences to offer her coaching clients an approach and a service that is uniquely her own. In this episode of The Coach’s Journey Podcast, Ellie recounts the steps that took her from working as a lawyer in top tier legal firms to becoming a national sales coach for a billion dollar company. She describes how her coaching work was in the midst of a booming resurgence after the COVID-19 pandemic when tragedy struck. In conversation with host Ruth Saville, Ellie explains how she integrated her profound emotional experiences into a new way of working, turning her pain into a point of connection that deepened her client relationships. Now, alongside the client work that brings her joy every day, she also runs the Corporate To Coach Accelerator, building foundations for people on the runway to launching a business, and supporting coaches who are pivoting to leverage their skills in new ways. She is also CEO of Lucent Global coaching consultancy, which supports leaders and companies through significant periods of transition. She also has her own podcast, The Business of Executive Coaching Podcast, where she is just as inspiring a host as she is a guest in this episode. In this episode, Ellie and Ruth also talk about: • A brilliant strategy to solve the problem of building business development into your schedule • How to meet your clients where they’re at on their particular developmental journey • What happens when non-directive coaching comes into conflict with a knowledge gap • How many coaching programmes selling quick pathways to success prey on people’s fears Ellie also shares one crucial tip for anyone coach who is struggling to bring in business at the moment, offering a tried and tested way to make progress during lean times. Things and people we mentioned (that you might be interested in): - Tony Grant https://www.sydney.edu.au/science/news-and-events/news/2020/02/07/vale-professor-anthony-grant.html - Dr. Suzy Green https://instituteofcoaching.org/suzy-green - Masters course in Coaching Psychology at the University of Sydney https://www.sydney.edu.au/handbooks/science-pg/coursework/psychology-coaching.html#:~:text=The%20Master%20of%20Science%20in,working%20with%20non%2Dclinical%20populations. - The Positivity Institute https://thepositivityinstitute.com.au/ - The Positivity Prescription https://thepositivityinstitute.com.au/product/the-positivity-prescription/ - Dr. Susanne Cook-Greuter https://instituteofcoaching.org/author/cook-greuter-susanne - Robert Kegan’s theory of adult development https://aliveandthriving.substack.com/p/kegans-theory-of-development-framework - Bill Torbert’s development theory https://developingleadership.net/bill-torbert - The GROW model https://www.performanceconsultants.com/resources/the-grow-model - The House of Change model https://www.thevirtualtrainingteam.com/articles/change-management-models-the-change-house/ - Dr. Louise Kovacs https://au.linkedin.com/in/louise-kovacs-9ba55a - Myers Briggs overview https://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/myers-briggs-overview/ - Dr. Saba Hasanie https://www.linkedin.com/in/saba-hasanie-dprof-mcc-icf-1747572?originalSubdomain=sg - The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-big-leap-gay-hendricks?variant=32205677625378 - Lucent Global https://www.lucentorg.com/about - Corporate to Coach Accelerator https://www.elliescarf.com/cca - The Coaching Business Flywheel https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel - Ellie’s podcast episode on metrics for coaches https://www.elliescarf.com/podcasts/the-business-of-executive-coaching/episodes/2148566834 - Tim Ferriss’ billboard question https://medium.com/@podclips/the-top-25-answers-to-tim-ferriss-famous-billboard-question-3f19fba1a49c - The upper limit problem https://melodywilding.com/are-you-unconsciously-afraid-of-being-happy-why-we-self-sabotage-with-the-upper-limit-problem/

The question that new coaches ask most often: do I need a niche and how do I choose one? We don’t know why that idea is so pervasive among new coaches, but it is, so when Robbie got a question about it from a subscriber recently, he thought he’d make a short episode about it. Excuse the audio - he recorded on his phone - and see below for links to a few things he mentions in the episode. For more information about Robbie Swale, visit https://www.robbieswale.com/ Read more about The Coach's Journey at www.thecoachsjourney.com. Music by My Good Man William: listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KmeQUcTbeE31uFynHQLQg To support the Coach's Journey, visit www.patreon.com/thecoachsjourney and to join the Coach's Journey Community visit www.thecoachsjourney.com/community. HERE ARE LINKS TO SOME OF THE THINGS WE MENTIONED: Katie Harvey (a coach with no niche) on The Coach’s Journey Podcast: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-1-katie-harvey-14000-hours-of-coaching-being-part-of-the-uk-coaching-vanguard-and-being-a-generalist-coach The Coaching Business Flywheel: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/thecoachingbusinessflywheel The Coaching Business Flywheel Booster Pack: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel-booster-pack

To celebrate the 100th episode of The Coach’s Journey Podcast, Robbie takes us back to where the whole Coach’s Journey adventure began: the story of how he grew his coaching business so it could support him full time, less than two years after he started training as a coach. As you’ll hear him say in the introduction, coming back to this story - which forms the basis of Robbie’s most-read piece of writing about coaching - reminded him how, when it comes to the fundamentals, little has changed in how he thinks about and works on his business. Indeed, much of what you’ll hear Robbie talk about in this episode maps onto The Coaching Business Flywheel, brought to life through the eyes of a new coach, fresh from experiencing the successes, failures, glory and mistakes of the first two years of his business. In particular, Robbie gets into: The principles of invitation and referral as a way to build a coaching business. How to find shortcuts to the client critical mass. Why you MUST keep coaching. How if you aren’t making space for your business to grow, you may not be serious about coaching. We hope you take as much inspiration from this story as thousands of coaches have over the years. And thanks for being with us on this amazing journey - we hope you’ll be with us for the next 100 episodes! For the transcript of the episode and loads of links, visit: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/writing/how-i-became-a-full-time-coach-less-than-two-years-after-starting-my-training If you like this episode, you’ll love Robbie’s ebook, An Introduction to The Coaching Business Flywheel, visit https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel For more information about Robbie, visit https://www.robbieswale.com/ Read more about The Coach's Journey at www.thecoachsjourney.com. Music by My Good Man William: listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KmeQUcTbeE31uFynHQLQg To support the Coach's Journey, visit www.patreon.com/thecoachsjourney and to join the Coach's Journey Community visit www.thecoachsjourney.com/community. THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: The first episode in our series giving an overview of The Coaching Business Flywheel: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/75-how-to-grow-your-coaching-business-coaching-business-fundamentals The second episode in the series, focusing on Connecting with People: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/77-how-to-make-connections-who-become-clients-coaching-business-fundamentals The third, focusing on offering people the opportunity to experience you more, is here: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/80-dont-wait-for-coaching-clients-create-them-coaching-business-fundamentals The fourth, focusing on creating insight for people, is here: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/82-want-more-clients-create-more-insight-coaching-business-fundamentals The fifth, focusing on talking about how you work and how much it costs, is here: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/83-if-you-want-to-make-more-money-talk-about-money-more-coaching-business-fundamentals The sixth, focusing on working with clients and generating referrals, is here: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/85-get-more-referrals-for-your-coaching-business-coaching-business-fundamentals A diagram of The Coaching Business Flywheel: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel Katie Harvey on The Coach’s Journey: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-1-katie-harvey-14000-hours-of-coaching-being-part-of-the-uk-coaching-vanguard-and-being-a-generalist-coach Phil Bolton on The Coach’s Journey: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-2-phil-bolton-from-forensic-accountant-to-the-go-to-career-coach-in-london-and-on-to-work-with-ceos-mds-and-founders Joel Monk on the Coach’s Journey: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-6-joel-monk-conversations-at-the-cutting-edge-of-coaching Mike Toller on The Coach’s Journey: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-32-mike-toller Catriona Horey on The Coach’s Journey: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-4-catriona-horey-too-far-away-from-the-joy How to choose a coaching training programme: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/89-how-to-choose-a-coaching-training-programme- The Coach’s Journey Community: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/community The Coaching Business Flywheel Booster Pack: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel-booster-pack The full transcript of the episode, including lots more links: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/writing/how-i-became-a-full-time-coach-less-than-two-years-after-starting-my-training

In a world so focused on productivity, Coach’s Journey founder and host Robbie Swale is interrogating what this word really means. His work on the concept of meaningful productivity explores up questions like: “What do I need to do in order to be at peace with myself?” And: “Do I want to be more productive or simply not feel like I’m failing all the time?” In this episode of The Coach’s Journey Podcast, Robbie joins Joey Owen for a conversation that gets to the very heart of Robbie’s work as a leadership and careers coach with over 2000 hours’ experience, and as an author whose decade-long writing practice has led to valuable contributions to the field, such as The 12-Minute Method and The Coaching Business Flywheel.  Robbie and Joey tackle fundamentally important questions about how coaches can make a difference in a world ravaged by conflict and division, how to stay humble in our work, and how to ensure we feel at peace with ourselves. You will hear Robbie and Joey speak about the importance of living and working with a code of honour, about learning to trust the strange and unexpected things that arise in coaching sessions, and how to integrate spiritual practices into your life through the rituals, hobbies, passions and habits you already do. If you would like to be doing more of what really matters to you, feeling better about the work you are doing, and living a rich life regardless of your financial situation, this episode is for you. Robbie and Joey also talk about: - How to cultivate a practice of trust that conversations happen at the right time - Not lying to ourselves about what we “have” to do - The places in our lives where we can practise presence and connection - How to manage your focus, attention and attitude in order to actively work towards the goals that matter most to you - The power of telling a story twice to embed an idea in your memory They also explore practical ways to keep yourself in the energy possibility, and Robbie shares the story of how “crashing and burning” while running a coaching event taught him powerful lessons about group dynamics, scapegoating and the importance of contracting. THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: - Episode 45 of The Coach’s Journey Podcast, with Raquel Ark https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-45-doing-the-right-thing-even-when-its-hard-raquel-ark-interviews-robbie - Rich Litvin https://richlitvin.com/ - The 12-Minute Method https://www.robbieswale.com/the12minutemethod - Workshop with Robbie and Claire Pedrick https://www.3dcoaching.com/artful-coach-soulful-business/ - Robbie’s article about leading with honour (A Man Got to Have a Code) https://www.robbieswale.com/writing/2024/10/11/a-man-got-to-have-a-code-leading-with-honour-iii - The Meaningful Productivity Blueprint https://www.robbieswale.com/meaningful-productivity-blueprint-download-page - Gay Hendricks, Zone of Genius https://www.robbieswale.com/the-12-minute-blog/2022/2/3/the-zone-of-genius-the-most-powerful-thought-experiment-for-personal-transformation - Robert Holden, questions about purpose https://www.robertholden.com/blog/9-questions-help-find-purpose/ - A Warren Buffet story about how he helped the pilot of his private jet prioritise more https://passionateaboutoss.com/the-story-of-mike-flint - Seth Godin on setting fees https://seths.blog/2024/11/understanding-pricing/ - Parkinson’s law https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson%27s_law - Douglas Hoffstatter’s law https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hofstadter%27s_law - Ramit Sethi’s podcast https://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/podcast/ - Ffelyn Uchaf https://www.felinwales.org/ - Jim Dethmer and Joel Monk on Coaching from Sourcehttps://www.coachesrising.com/podcast/jim-dethmer-coaching-from-source/ - Frank Turner, The Way I Tend to Be https://frank-turner.com/tracks/the-way-i-tend-to-be/ - Frank Turner, The Gathering https://frank-turner.com/tracks/the-gathering/ - Frank Turner, Journey of the Magi https://frank-turner.com/tracks/journey-of-the-magi/ - Internal Family Systems (IFS) drama triangle https://www.stroudtherapy.com/news/2024/02/25/dramatriangleifs - David Gemmell https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Gemmell - The Wheel of Time novel series https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wheel_of_Time - The ‘Yes, And’ teambuilding exercise https://openpracticelibrary.com/practice/yes-and/ https://www.radicalagreement.com/post/yes-and-and-improv-teamwork - David Deida https://deida.info/ - Freedom to Learn https://freedomtolearn.org.uk/ - An Introduction to The Coach’s Journey Flywheel https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel

Being made redundant 18 months after moving to America transformed Ashana Crichton’s life because, in her own words, when you take away the security blanket you have to leap into something new. In this episode of The Coach’s Journey Podcast, Ashana fondly recalls having the rug pulled from under her feet, because it set her on the path to becoming a certified Master Executive Coach and the founder of Arc Growth, which cultivates spaces of shared belonging for influential leaders and under-represented mid-career professionals. Having returned to her native London after five years abroad, Ashana issues a plea to remove the stigma around the term ‘life coaching’ in the UK, which she sees as a barrier to inclusivity and accessibility, and she shares reflections from her groundbreaking work with the Diverse Executive Coaches Network. Ashana delivers coaching and consultancy to businesses wishing to progress diversity, equity and inclusion, and here she offers crucial insights on the way biases and power imbalances can impact coaching relationships, along with practical guidance on how to address them. This episode is a manifesto for the power of working in true partnership with our clients, as Ashana illuminates the vast potential of knowledge, experience and inspiration that can be shared when we create the conditions for coaching’s unique value exchange. In this episode, Ashana and host Alex Whitton also talk about: • How to allow time for context to emerge before asking questions that can overwhelm our clients • Unexpected responses and how to harness them in supervision • The benefits of doing a lot of things and not expecting anything from them! • Reverse-mentoring programmes, where leaders are signed up to be mentored by a team member with a different lived experience Towards the end of this episode, Ashana shares the tools, skills and approaches she uses to continually further her personal and professional development, and expand her already broad horizons. THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: - The Association for Coaching https://www.associationforcoaching.com/ - Alex Whitton on the Coach’s Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-64-alex-whitton-balancing-the-being-and-the-doing - The Bridging Project https://www.thebridgingproject.co.uk/ - The Diverse Executive coaches network https://diverseexecutivecoaches.co.uk/ - Hay, J (2007) Reflective Practice and Supervision for Coaches. Open University Press https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=lV-wefs6JoUC

Growing up with a father and brother who were “never wrong” left Yannick Jacob seeking a life that wasn’t about right answers. That led him to coaching, and more specifically to existential coaching, a space where humanity’s oldest and most profound questions – and the plethora of answers to them – can be explored at a deeper level. Yannick is an existential life and leadership coach, a positive psychologist, and the programme director of the Accredited Certificate in Integrative Coaching (ACIC) at the School of Positive Transformation. In this episode of The Coach’s Journey, he shares what he learned about himself in order to hear his calling and live his truth as someone driven to explore the whole spectrum of what life has to offer. Host Neil Mackinnon helps Yannick to illuminate the links between his many passions, such as existential philosphy and DJing, and to demonstrate how integrating his variety of interests enriches his all areas of his work. Yannick also discusses his groundbreaking Coaching Lab, which offers the chance to witness highly experienced coaches live at work, and Rocket Supervision, which provides coaches with the support they need to practice at the top of their game. This episode will resonate with anyone who wants to feel empowered to shake up traditional coaching paradigms and create a practice that feels authentic and energising, as Yannick brings his remarkable breadth of experience and expertise to bear on some of the most fundamental questions we face as coaches and as human beings. In this episode, Yannick and Neil Mackinnon also talk about: Courageous choices, and how embracing discomfort can help to build meaning Enlarging your sphere of influence to enable people to connect with you The power of being financially committed to something, and the benefits to your clients of raising your fees When we should be brave enough to challenge the traditional frame and share more of ourselves with our clients Yannick issues a rallying cry to everyone in the coaching space to frame their space, sculpt the approach that works for them, and lean into their passion for their own way of doing things. THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: Rocket Supervision www.RocketSupervision.com  Coaching Lab www.GoCoachingLab.com  Yannick’s Nuggets (mailing list) https://gocoachinglab.com/nuggets Dr Nash Popovich https://www.personalwellbeingcentre.org/nash-popovic Martin Seligman https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Seligman RS Lazarus on the Positive Psychology movement https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232977091_Does_the_Positive_Psychology_Movement_Have_Legs Soren Kierkegaard https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%B8ren_Kierkegaard Jean-Paul Sartre https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Paul_Sartre New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling https://nspc.org.uk/ Christopher Neubert https://human-edge.com/team/christian-neubert/ The Academy of Executive Coaching https://www.aoec.com/ An Introduction to Existential Coaching: How Philosophy Can Help Your Clients https://www.aoec.com/ Yannick’s book, An Introduction to Existential Coaching: How Philosophy Can Help Your Clients Live with Greater Awareness, Courage and Ownership https://www.amazon.co.uk/Introduction-Existential-Coaching-Philosophy-Awareness/dp/0367139995 Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory https://www.simplypsychology.org/bandura.html Coaching Starter Kit https://rocketsupervision.com/coaching-starter-kit/ Erik de Haan http://www.erikdehaan.com/ Peter Hawkins https://thoughtleadership.org/staff-member/peter-hawkins/ Montessori https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montessori_education The Coach’s Journey Flywheel https://www.animascoaching.com/about-animas/our-team/nick-bolton/ Nick Bolton, Animas https://www.animascoaching.com/about-animas/our-team/nick-bolton/ Heron’s six categories of intervention https://challengingcoaching.co.uk/herons-six-categories-of-intervention/ Nancy Kline https://www.timetothink.com/nancy-kline/ ICF https://coachingfederation.org/