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

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

Three coaches unpack why building a coaching business can feel so heavy: persistent self-doubt, money pressure and the urge to question everything. They talk practical ways to gather evidence of impact, choose tactics that fit your values, and create tiny systems that keep you moving. Expect candid chat about scarcity, joyful marketing choices, and small habits that sustain long-term momentum.

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

Feeling overwhelmed in coaching is more common than you think! The hosts delve into emotional challenges like doubt, cancellations, and comparison. They discuss how to handle no-shows and turn disappointments into learning opportunities. Tips on setting boundaries and practicing self-care are shared to help maintain resilience through tough times. Plus, they encourage reconnecting with your purpose to keep motivation high. Explore the beauty that accompanies the struggle and realize you're not alone on this journey!

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

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/

In this engaging discussion, Sam Isaacson—coach, author, and founder of Coachtech Collective—dives into the intersecting worlds of coaching and technology. He shares insights on the ethical and practical implications of AI in coaching. Sam also reveals his groundbreaking experience with virtual reality coaching and highlights the importance of the human relationship in coaching. He discusses how AI can democratize access to coaching while maintaining the essence of human touch. Tune in for a fascinating glimpse into the future of coaching!

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-beliefHow the field grew from informal practice to global professionThe evolution from performance and achievement to whole-person coachingWhy trust, compassion, and presence still matter most for coaches todayRuth 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/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: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 RUTHFor 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.

Explore how effective coaching contracts can resolve many common challenges in the coaching world. Robbie discusses the importance of clear agreements, the key questions to ask clients, and strategies for re-contracting throughout engagements. He highlights the balance between stakeholder transparency and client confidentiality, as well as the ethical considerations that shape his practice. Learn why simplifying session notes has allowed him to focus on high-impact coaching, ultimately empowering his clients and enhancing their experiences.

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 takerHow to barter your way to getting what you wantPartnering generously and being paid what you are worthHow to tend to your LinkedIn gardenBringing poetry and creativity into coaching to cut through to the emotionJenny 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/