The Coach's Journey - build a coaching business with integrity

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Jun 2026

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Coach’s Journey founder Robbie Swale and a team of hosts interview coaches about how they created a successful business and how they create impact for their clients. Through these conversations, you can learn how each coach came to coaching, grew their coaching practice and found their way to the successful business they have today. Each interview, like each journey, is different. But each is also packed with insights, tips, suggestions and ideas to grow your coaching business and have even greater impact creating change in the lives of your clients. Past guests include life coaches, business coaches, executive coaches, career coaches, leadership coaches and more. Some are household names; some are coaches you’ve never heard of. All of them share ideas on the key topics for creating a coaching business: money, fees, impact with clients, training and more. About Robbie: Robbie Swale is a leadership coach, podcaster and the author of four books. He has trained with masters in the field of coaching and building coaching businesses, including Rich Litvin, Robert Holden and guests on the podcast like Katie Harvey and Myles Downey. He is the creator of The Coaching Business Flywheel, which attempts to boil down everything he has learned from many years supporting coaches to grow their businesses and interviewing amazing coaches on this podcast, into one simple, actionable model. Subscribe and read more about the podcast, The Coach’s Journey Community and get the free ebook An Introduction to The Coaching Business Flywheel at www.thecoachsjourney.com

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June 3, 2026Episode 1222 hr 4 min

#122: Jenny Rogers – Why You Shouldn’t Be Afraid of Getting Coaching Wrong

Throughout a career spanning roles as a teacher, BBC television producer, coach and prolific author, Jenny Rogers has never been afraid of getting things wrong.In this episode of The Coach’s Journey Podcast, the executive coach, supervisor, trainer and author of coaching titles such as Are You Listening? tells host Neil Mackinnon about the vital importance of experimentation and of embracing our mistakes in order to benefit from a lifetime of learning experiences that make us better coaches and ground us in our humanity.Jenny flies the flag for a whole-life perspective in coaching, eschewing narrow approaches in favour of a style that acknowledges the way our personal and working lives are inextricably intertwined, and makes room for all the parts of us.A deep interest in psychotherapy has enriched Jenny’s coaching practice and she highlights the modalities that fascinate her the most, as well as the key therapeutic ideas and techniques that are readily transferrable to any coaching practice.Jenny also discusses her latest books, which address important questions about navigating boundaries as a new coach and working through the challenges many women face in midlife.This episode is full of sage advice drawn from a wonderfully diverse, rich career in coaching and creativity, shared by a practitioner whose dauntless spirit of curiosity and passion for understanding human relationships is as infectious as it is inspiring.Jenny and Neil also talk about:-      The relationship between trauma-aware coaching and psychodynamic therapy-      Nurturing a healthy writing practice and overcoming creative blocks-      How we accumulate rigid ways of thinking, and why it is hard to make change on your own-     The art of embodying a place of non-judgement, and offering challenge with compassionTHINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN:- Jenny Rogers https://www.jennyrogers.com- BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk- Delia Smith https://www.deliaonline.com- Madhur Jaffrey https://www.madhurjaffrey.com- BBC Two https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctwo- BBC Books https://www.penguin.co.uk/company/publishers/bbc-books- Columbia University https://www.columbia.edu- Management Futures https://www.managementfutures.co.uk- Are You Listening (book) https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/111/1115931/are-you-listening/9780241973986.html- Julia Vaughan-Smith https://www.juliavaughansmith.com- Nscience https://nscience.uk- Franz Ruppert https://www.franz-ruppert.de/en/- Irvin Yalom https://www.yalom.com- The Gift of Therapy (book) https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-gift-of-therapy-irvin-d-yalom- Carl Rogers https://www.britannica.com/biography/Carl-Rogers- Gabor Mate https://www.upaya.org/person/dr-gabor-mate- University College Hospital London https://www.uclh.nhs.uk- Guildhall School of Music & Drama https://www.gsmd.ac.uk- How Not to Be a Doctor, by John Launer https://www.duckworthbooks.co.uk/book/how-not-to-be-a-doctor/- Barbican Centre https://www.barbican.org.uk- City of London Corporation https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk- EMCC Global https://www.emccglobal.org- ILM https://www.institutelm.com- Coaches Training Institute (Co-Active) https://coactive.comBIOGRAPHY FROM JENNYI am an executive coach, coach trainer and supervisor, and accreditation assessor for APECS, the premier coaching accreditation body of the UK. Along with these roles, I am a writer, textile artist, cook, grandmother and keen walker. Thirty five years ago, I was an early entrant to the world of coaching, after earlier careers in teaching, television production and publishing. Typically, my clients are facing a major transition in their lives and find that a coaching perspective is the key to finding solutions that work. As a coach I work with senior clients in the law, medicine, finance, healthcare, performing arts and media along with volunteer roles for severely disadvantaged women. I consider myself to be a leader in a new approach to coaching which combines insights from psychotherapy with the pragmatic emphasis on change that distinguishes the best coaching traditions.I was honoured to win the Henley Business School Award for Outstanding Contribution to Coaching in 2019. My books include Are You Listening? a book of coaching stories published by Penguin Random House in 2021. I have written 9 other books on coaching, including Coaching Skills: the definitive guide to being a coach. A fifth edition, much updated, was published in 2024. My latest book, Fearless Coaching, will be published in 2026 and a book for women in mid-life (title TBD) in early 2027 by Octopus Books.

May 21, 2026Episode 1211 hr 10 min

#121: Myles Downey - The Sessions and Why Genius is Dangerous

Myles Downey’s new book, The Sessions, marks a transition, a metamorphosis in his influential body of work. And that becomes the theme of this, his third appearance on The Coach’s Journey Podcast.What happens when it is no longer sustainable to remain what you have been? What is it like to have an idea - like Myles did with The Sessions more than 30 years ago - and not be able to let it go? And for Padraig, the protagonist of The Sessions, what is it like for someone to step into their own shoes, becoming a leader, becoming oneself as a leader? That is just the start, though, in a wide-ranging conversation about Myles’ work, his new book, and what he has coming up next as part of what has already been an incredibly influential and impactful career, which started working closely with Sir John Whitmore in the early days of coaching in the UK and passed through The School of Coaching, his bestselling book Effective Modern Coaching and his powerful work on genius, which culminated in the book, Enabling Genius.In particular, we talk about: Whether it is our duty and responsibility to express ourselves. Poetry, prose, fiction, non-fiction, and Myles’ relationship to reading and writing (and what this has to do with coaching).Myles’ passion for human nature, creativity and how human beings should be more of themselves, not less of themselves. The close relationship between genius and being seen as mad, and why some leaders and CEOs see genius as dangerous. One of the most powerful coaching exercises Myles did with Robbie when he was Robbie’s coach. And at the end, Myles tells a moving story about the influence of his wife, Jo, on The Sessions and his wider work, and gives a tantalising trailer for what might be his next book: The Inner Game of Leadership - what it takes to express oneself, configured around the notion of leadership. To listen to Myles’ first appearance on The Coach’s Journey Podcast, visit https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-31-myles-downeyTo listen to his second appearance on the show, visit: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/69-myles-downey-what-is-effective-coaching-performance-coaching-when-to-be-directive-changing-clients-maps-of-reality-and-moreFor more information about Myles, visit www.mylesdowney.com or find him on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/mylesdowneyFor more information about Robbie Swale, visit 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/4KmeQUcTbeE31uFynHQLQgTo support the Coach's Journey, visit www.patreon.com/thecoachsjourney and to join the Coach's Journey Community visit www.thecoachsjourney.com/community. Things and people we mentioned (that you might be interested in):Myles' previous appearances on The Coach's Journey Podcast: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-31-myles-downeyhttps://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/69-myles-downey-what-is-effective-coaching-performance-coaching-when-to-be-directive-changing-clients-maps-of-reality-and-moreThe Sessions by Myles Downey: https://thesessions.online/ and https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sessions-tale-leadership-Dublin-pubs-ebook/dp/B0GKCWPD4B/The Inner Game of Tennis by Timothy Gallwey: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inner-Game-Tennis-ultimate-performance/dp/1447288505/Myles’ books: Effective Modern Coaching, The Enabling Manager, Enabling Genius: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Effective-Modern-Coaching-principles-successful/dp/191595116X/The fantasy novels where Robbie learned why poetry matters was The Long Price Quartet by Daniel Abraham: https://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Long-Price-Quartet/dp/B074CFZ29BJoseph Campbell: http://robbieswale.com/the-12-minute-blog/2024/10/9/the-insecure-way-is-really-the-secure-wayStrong Ground by Brene Brown: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Strong-Ground-Leadership-Tenacity-Vermilion/dp/178504320XRoberto Assagioli: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_AssagioliBIOGRAPHY FROM MYLESMyles Downey is a recognized authority on Performance, Coaching and Leadership and the author of three classics in the coaching and performance arena: ‘Effective Modern Coaching’, (330,00+ books sold); ‘Enabling Genius – a mindset for success in the 21st Century’; ‘The Enabling Manager – how to get the best out of your team’.  Myles is one of the leading executive performance coaches in Europe, with global experience (Europe, North and South America, Asia-Pacific, UAE). He has worked across the C-suite in many prestigious organisations over the past 35 years, in a wide variety of industries, including Banking and Financial Services, Manufacturing, Oil and Gas, Professional Services, Tech, the Public Sector and Sports.Myles was the founder of The School of Coaching (1996 to 2012), at the time the premier institution for coach training in Europe.Myles has deployed his performance coaching programs with the Senior Coaches of the England Rugby Team and with the New Zealand Elite Rugby Coaches.Myles has been a speaker at many leadership conferences, including the BBC’s Conference for its top 400 senior executives, the McKinsey Global Partners Conference in Singapore and the ICF Global Conference in Malmo, to name a few. After 33 years living in London, Myles now lives in Norfolk, England. He was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1959.  Myles plays for Norfolk Veterans Tennis and competes occasionally on the ITF Masters Tour.

May 7, 2026Episode 1201 hr 53 min

#120: Mel Sims – Neurodivergent Coaching, and How to be Unpolished, Scuffed and Brilliant

When Mel Sims discovered coaching, she was adamant that nobody could understand her life. Her journey into coaching allowed her to put down the mask, harness her strengths, and re-emerge into the world as a neurodivergent emotional coach.Mel trained as a coach while learning about herself through the lens of an ADHD diagnosis. As well as offering her a pathway of personal growth, these experiences helped Mel find her niche through the realisation that neurodivergent people need a particular coaching approach.In this episode of The Coach’s Journey Podcast, Mel speaks to host Joey Owen about different styles of emotional communication, and the many ways in which people can be misunderstood. She talks about how being an “unpolished” coach enables her to offer a space where people can let go of their need hide their feelings and be guided by an authentic intuition.Mel offers several brilliant metaphors and visualisation techniques that illuminate this episode, such as the idea of wearing a colander on your head as a way to filter information, and thinking of neurodivergent minds as stars that have become more visible in our world of modern telescopes and greater understanding.The challenges of time management, rest and staying grounded are explored in this episode as Mel describes how she tailors coaching to people who might need alternative approaches to scheduling, flexibility, communication and depth.Mel and Joey also talk about:The intuitive, bordering-on-magical connection that neurodivergent people share having navigated shared challengesHow to make space for emotional outpourings that can have a transformative impact in coaching sessionsA psychological technique that enables a kinder, more compassionate approach to self-coachingHow to own your weak spots and set healthy expectationsMel also explains why she starts some of her inspirational coaching talks wearing a snorkel, a diving mask and a pair of flippers!For more information about Mel, visit: https://melsimslifecoach.co.uk or @theadhdhummingbird on Facebook and InstagramFor more information about host Joey Owen, visit http://www.joeyowencoaching.com/ Read more about The Coach's Journey at www.thecoachsjourney.comMusic by My Good Man William: listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KmeQUcTbeE31uFynHQLQgTo 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:- Robbie Swale’s 12-Minute Method books https://www.robbieswale.com/the-12minute-books - Ruth Kudzi https://www.ruthkudzi.com/- ICF https://coachingfederation.org/- John Demartini https://drdemartini.com/- Calendly https://calendly.com/- Meta Business Suite https://www.facebook.com/business/tools/meta-business-suite- Inside Our Minds with Chris Packham https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0bbnh47- Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) https://emdrassociation.org.uk/- Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) https://www.additudemag.com/rejection-sensitive-dysphoria-and-adhd/- Transactional Analysis https://www.simplypsychology.org/transactional-analysis-eric-berne.html- Episode #116 of The Coach’s Journey Podcast, on the importance of having your own coach https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/116-why-hiring-a-coach-is-the-most-important-investment-youll-make-in-your-coaching-business- Patience https://www.channel4.com/programmes/patience LINKS FROM MEL:- My favourite ‘emotions in individuals’ viewing https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0b8kmch/couples-therapy - Shame and ADHD https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002c6bb - Being different and anxious as an Autistic person - https://www.channel4.com/programmes/are-you-autistic Free additional training for coaches with Positive Intelligence (do the test first to see what your Sabateurs are) https://www.positiveintelligence.com/saboteurs/ - Discovering your values quiz (I realised my ad agency days and working with under 5’s was all about loving helping people) https://drdemartini.com/pl/play?url=%2Fwhat-are-values%2F - Great book on RSD (hating people being cross with you) https://atlantic-books.co.uk/book/the-courage-to-be-disliked/ - And another one written by a brilliant ADHD podcast host https://www.sheldonpress.co.uk/titles/alex-partridge/why-does-everybody-hate-me/9781399827843/‍ ‍

April 2, 2026Episode 1191 hr 16 min

#119: Dorie Clark – Fear Not, Coaches! Dorie is Your Colleague, not Your Competitor

If coaching was a competition, Dorie Clark would be a truly fearsome competitor. A university graduate at the age of 18, she has since embarked on a unique career spanning journalism, politics, writing, coaching, consultancy, education and community building. And that’s without mentioning her musicals, stand-up comedy, TED talks and conferences!Thankfully, Dorie is with us on this episode of The Coach’s Journey Podcast to insist that coaching is not a competition. On the contrary, she says we all need each other and must find a community of practitioners who can support us in our goals as we navigate an ever-changing coaching landscape.Dorie launched her first consulting and coaching practice in 2006, before rising to the very top of her profession. She was named the world’s #1 communication coach in the Marshall Goldsmith Leading Global Coaches Awards, and is the bestselling author of books like The Long Game, Entrepreneurial You, and Stand Out, which was named the #1 Leadership Book of the Year by Inc. magazine.In conversation with Alex Swallow, Dorie draws on her vast and varied experience as she shares personal and professional insights about overcoming barriers to success in coaching, debunking commonly held myths and barriers to personal development that keep many of us from fulfilling our potential.She offers an invaluable perspective on what coaches can do to future-proof themselves in the age of AI, and shares learning from her Trajectory Mastermind thought-leadership group and her Recognized Expert reputational development course.Dorie also speaks about her long-term goal to be US ambassador to a foreign country, and reveals an exciting announcement she is about to make that will be important for coaches everywhere to pay attention to!Dorie and Alex also talk about:- The challenge of being a beginner and how to cultivate an authentic, confident stance- Where to find the roots of our self esteem and how to strengthen it- Handling knockbacks and rejection in a way that actually drives you and your business forward- How to spot structural risks in your coaching business and how to protect yourself against the winds of fortuneTHINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN:- Cheryl Richardson https://cherylrichardson.com/ - Recognized Expert https://learn.dorieclark.com/courses/expert - Dorie’s work in Harvard Business Review https://hbr.org/2011/03/reinventing-your-personal-brand - Dorie’s podcasts https://dorieclark.com/resources/podcasts/ - Dorie’s TED Talks https://www.ted.com/speakers/dorie_clark - Dorie’s LinkedIn newsletter https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/dorie-clark-newsletter-6640647216497209344/ - Jim Rohn, You are the Average of the Five People You Spend the Most Time With https://www.jimrohn.com/wisdom/articles/average-of-five-people-you-spend-time-with - Dorie’s musicals https://dorieclark.com/musicals/ - RExCon/REx Summit conference for Recognized Expert https://learn.dorieclark.com/courses/rexsummit - Marshall Goldsmith https://www.marshallgoldsmith.com/ - Dorie’s books https://dorieclark.com/books/ - dorieclark.com/subscribe - Dorie’s course on Writing for High Profile Organisations https://learn.dorieclark.com/courses/highprofile - Trajectory Mastermind https://learn.dorieclark.com/courses/mm

March 5, 2026Episode 1182 hr 15 min

#118: Anise Frost – How to Craft Presence and Ask Magic Questions

By studying Plato and Socrates for more than a decade, Anise Frost learned the art of asking questions that unlock the hidden parts of people.Her mastery of that skill has forged relationships of trust with brands and organisations who turn to her for team coaching and consultancy. In return she helps them explore deeply and unearth new pathways for development.Anise was a maths teacher when she discovered coaching, and her years in the classroom gave her relational skills, resilience and an ability to hold space that would be difficult to develop in the same way in any other setting.In this episode of The Coach’s Journey Podcast, Anise describes how team coaching allows her to bring “all the magic” of teaching, coaching, and neuro-linguistic programming together to enhance collaboration, make group dynamics visible, and instill purpose in the teams she works with. In conversation with host Alex Whitton, Anise describes how she curates coaching spaces in which men can be vulnerable, as well as spaces where women in leadership can accelerate their development. She also speaks about the Executive Round Table discussions she facilitates for her LinkedIn contacts, offering a space where people from divergent industries can reflect on resonant themes and topics.Anise and Alex also talk about:Having the confidence to not only sit with uncertainty but flex in response to itHow to keep your cup full and avoid the common pitfall of compassion fatigueWhat happens when we focus too much on asking the right question and not enough on being curiousHow to stop working against the grain of your own preferences when building your coaching businessAnise also shares the story of meeting with one of the world’s biggest brands and explains how she side-stepped her imposter syndrome to allow her expertise and brilliance to shine undimmed.THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN:-  The Coaching Academy https://www.the-coaching-academy.com/ - More Happi https://morehappi.com/ - Women in Business Network https://wibn.co.uk/- Sam Isaacson on The Coach’s Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/112-sam-isaacson-the-challenges-facing-coaching-in-the-age-of-ai - Claire Pedrick on The Coach’s Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-44-claire-pedrick-cutting-through-complexity-and-simplifying-coaching - NLP https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuro-linguistic_programming- Rich Litvin https://richlitvin.com/ - Nicky Davies https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicky-j-davies-executivecoach/- Patrick Lencioni, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Five_Dysfunctions_of_a_Team

February 5, 2026Episode 1171 hr 8 min

#117 - When Your Coaching Business Feels Too Hard (Part 2): Self-Doubt, Money, and Staying in the Game

When your coaching business feels too hard, it’s rarely just about strategy.In this conversation (a follow-up to Episode #115), Ruth Saville, Alex Whitton and Robbie Swale explore three of the biggest pressure-points coaches face as they try to stay in the work for the long game: self-doubt, money, and the quiet temptation to question everything when things feel wobbly.Together, we talk about:Self-doubt: how it shows up, why it’s so persistent, and what helps you stay grounded (including building your own evidence bank of impact)Tactics and alignment: the difference between “hard because it’s growth” and “hard because it’s avoidable suffering”Money pressure: why financial scarcity affects how we think, and how simple, practical actions can bring steadiness backStaying in the game: creating systems that help you keep moving even when you’re tired, overwhelmed, or questioning your pathThis is an episode for coaches who want to keep going - without pretending it’s easy, and without needing to take themselves quite so seriously along the way.And if you’d like support with all of this - building the business and staying human while you do it - you can explore The Coach’s Journey Community here: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/communityListen to Part 1 of this conversation: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/115-what-do-you-do-when-your-coaching-business-feels-too-hardDownload 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/4KmeQUcTbeE31uFynHQLQgTo 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 INFree Ebook: An Introduction to the Coaching Business Flywheel: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheelThe Coach’s Journey Community: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/community 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 Part 1 – What Do You Do When Your Coaching Business Feels Too Hard https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/115-what-do-you-do-when-your-coaching-business-feels-too-hard The Power to Choose by Robbie Swale: https://geni.us/powertochoose The Power to Choose in conversation on The Coach’s Journey: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-114-robbie-swale-the-power-to-choose-calm-complexity-and-the-courage-to-be-fully-yourself The Coach’s Journey – Writing: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/writing The Coach’s Journey – Videos: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/videos Joseph Campbell quote from the Power of Myth and Alex’s blog on it: https://www.exploregrowbe.com/blog/what-are-the-rules-we-hold-ourselves-to-where-did-they-come-from-and-how-are-they-serving-us-nownbsp Campbell and Bill Moyers talking about Myth, Sacrifice and Bliss: https://billmoyers.com/content/ep-4-joseph-campbell-and-the-power-of-myth-sacrifice-and-bliss-audio/ Philosophise this - Silence, Obedience and Joy https://www.philosophizethis.org/podcast/episode-158-the-creation-of-meaning-nietzsche-the-ascetic-ideal-f8k5h-k8xfx Ashana Crichton on The Coach’s Journey: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/98-ashana-crichton-the-potential-for-true-partnership-if-we-pay-attention-to-power Chloe Garland on The Coach’s Journey: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-65-chloe-garland-the-jam-donut-principle-quarter-life-crises-and-the-philosophy-of-coaching Jenny Bird on The Coach’s Journey: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/109-jenny-bird-the-joy-of-sparkly-new-things The ICF’s Global Coaching Study report - https://coachingfederation.org/resources/research/global-coaching-study/ Patrick Quinton-Smith on The Coach’s Journey: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/107-patrick-quinton-smith-clarity-is-revealed-in-momentum-so-build-momentum-and-clarity-will-come Henrietta Nelson on The Coach’s Journey: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-46-henrietta-nelson-nobody-else-can-put-a-feeling-in-you Rebecca Norton  on The Coach’s Journey: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/96-rebecca-norton-how-coaching-walks-can-guide-us-to-new-pathways-through-life Robbie’s book How to Keep Going When You Want to Give Up: https://geni.us/justdoit Dan Pink – “When” (timing & energy rhythms) https://www.danpink.com/books/when/ Elizabeth Gilbert - Big Magic - https://www.elizabethgilbert.com/books/big-magic/Ellie Scarf on The Coach’s Journey: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/102-ellie-scarf-our-stories-and-scars-can-be-points-of-connection Ellie Scarf’s podcast episode, The Funds are in the Follow Up - https://www.elliescarf.com/podcasts/the-business-of-executive-coaching/episodes/2148989827James Clear, Atomic Habits - https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habitsAtomic Habits – Business appendix (PDF) https://s3.amazonaws.com/jamesclear/Atomic%2BHabits/Business%2BAppendix.pdf The Art of Possibility (Zander & Zander) https://www.benjaminzander.org/the-art-of-possibility/ Robbie’s Zone of Genius blog - https://www.robbieswale.com/the-12-minute-blog/2022/2/3/the-zone-of-genius-the-most-powerful-thought-experiment-for-personal-transformation The Prosperous Coach (Rich Litvin & Steve Chandler) - https://richlitvin.com/book/

January 1, 2026Episode 11628 min

#116 - Why Hiring a Coach Is the Most Important Investment You’ll Make in Your Coaching Business

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 decisionHow working with different coaches shaped his values, style, and way of leading conversationsWhy hiring a coach accelerates your development as a coach - not by copying, but by trusting your own styleHow being coached helps untangle money stories, pricing doubts, and questions of worthWhat it’s like to experience the middle of a coaching journey as a client - including doubt, fear, and the urge to quitWhy being coached deepens your belief in coaching in a way nothing else canHow having a coach helps you stay on the path when the work - and the business - gets hardAt 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-businessIf you like this episode, you’ll love Robbie’s ebook, An Introduction toThe Coaching Business Flywheel,visit https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheelFor 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/4KmeQUcTbeE31uFynHQLQgTo 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

December 18, 2025Episode 1151 hr 9 min

#115: What Do You Do When Your Coaching Business Feels Too Hard?

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 timeComparison, LinkedIn spirals, and the relief of remembering other coaches struggle tooCancellations, no-shows, reschedules - and how to respond without collapsing insideThe very personal nature of coaching, and how easily confidence gets entangled with identityWhy ‘you have everything you need’ is easier to say to clients than to ourselvesHow to navigate hard seasons with more steadiness, self-respect and perspectiveWhat we each reach for when we hit the ‘break glass’ momentWhy the challenging parts of the journey are often where the growth isThis 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/4KmeQUcTbeE31uFynHQLQgTo 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 INFree Ebook: An Introduction to the Coaching Business Flywheel: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheelGet 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-difficultyAlex’s blog post on what feelings of inadequacy may be telling us - https://www.exploregrowbe.com/blog/what-can-inadequacy-tell-usnbspThe 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-youRobbie’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-coachingJames 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-foundersThe 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-smartPolyvagal 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

December 4, 2025Episode 1141 hr 42 min

#114: Robbie Swale - The Power to Choose: Calm, Complexity, and the Courage to Be Fully Yourself

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/powertochooseFor 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-flywheelMusic by My Good Man William: listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KmeQUcTbeE31uFynHQLQgTo 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-productivityAn 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_GemmellHow to Start When You’re Stuck (12-Minute Method Book 1) https://geni.us/startwhenyourestuck

November 20, 2025Episode 1132 hr 7 min

#113: Gareth Davies – Making Celebrities Shine (and What Coaches Can Learn!)

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 wayThe concept of hustle and the benefits of going the long way roundHow to leverage the power of Instagram to build your audience and grow your businessPresentation skills, tips and approaches that can help you communicate with authenticity and impactGareth 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/