The Coaching Life

What happens when doors behind you are closed? When you realise you simply must move forward, the only other option is a price too high? In this episode Monica talks about how her one-woman show led to building a successful coaching practice, and how living an un-oppressed life is inspiring others to do the same. Here’s a little more about Monica: Monica Day is many things. Writer, artist, performer. Producer, muse, entrepreneur. Coach and overall instigator of aliveness. Her innovative individual and group programs cover topics from sensuality to creativity to business to larger social issues of race and oppression (often in the same session). By forging powerful links between the private self to the public self, clients eventually realize an unprecedented feeling of wholeness that is life-changing. Her performance credits include: a one-woman show titled Song of the Sacred Whore, a collaborative cabaret entitled The Secret Order of the Libertines: An Intimate Revolution, and numerous appearances at the Erotic Literary Salon and other spoken word and storytelling venues in NYC and Philadelphia. Her business credits include working with start-up companies, such as Odwalla and The Republic of Tea, dozens of businesses and nonprofits as a consultant, and thousands of hours with groups and individuals to build skills in the areas of diversity, communication, and collective decision-making. “If there is one thing I’ve learned, through this diverse and complicated path I’ve chosen, it is this: Our best self is our whole self. Our unfiltered self. The authentic person we are when we are not trying to fit into tiny boxes and roles and stereotypes. Ultimately, that’s both what I do, and who I am: an advocate and instigator of embodied, integrated, activated, be your whole fucking self, live your biggest life, always. I think that’s what changes the world.” http://monicaday.com/

Whenever I think of John I think of professionalism, integrity and love, particularly his love for his wife. In this episode, recorded on their 31st wedding anniversary, John reveals his fun side too. He is one of many coaches out there who are running a successful coaching business without any of the endless selling and sharing we often see on social media. John demonstrates how you do not need to have funnels, groups, community, content and celebrity status, having built his practice through personal connection and dedication to service. This is a goldmine conversation, with some great distinctions that will be of use to all coaches. Enjoy! Here’s a little more about John John Wittry, Executive Coach and Master Facilitator John has a passion for unraveling challenges so that things work. Applying this to relationships, leadership development, high performing team development and/or facilitating crucial conversations is his area of expertise. He believes that when things work, greater focus and energy can be spent on creating. Wittry is described as a thoughtful leader, powerful coach and master facilitator with a gift for uncovering the heart of the matter. He leads his clients through a discovery process to identify what they want, what’s in the way and creating clear action plans toward attainment. With him, it isn’t just about the outcome or goal but what learning is obtained along the way and how it can be leveraged in every area of life. Wittry is often heard saying “learning is everything”. An experienced follower and leader, he has served as an executive in research, pharmaceutical and design/marketing industries. As a coach and master facilitator for over 15 years, Wittry has worked with senior level executives and their teams in some of the most recognizable, global corporations as well as private individuals and small businesses. Wittry is committed to reinvention. When faced with an ever-changing landscape, individuals, teams and organizations must continually reinvent themselves to remain relevant, engaged and experience ever greater results. Reinvention requires a willingness to be introspective and embrace change. It is people with these qualities who most inspire Wittry and he relishes the opportunity to work with them on this journey. http://www.hptconsultinggroup.com/

Having seen her wonderfully real, open and honest v-logs with her husband, Angus, I was delighted to talk with Rohini and to learn more about her journey into coaching, and was curious about how those videos came about. Rohini also reveals her one guiding principle that has helped her through life and to build a successful coaching business. It’s something we all have and can all use. Here’s a little more about Rohini Rohini Ross is passionate about helping people wake up to their true nature. She is a psychotherapist, a transformative coach, and author of the forthcoming Soul-Centered Series. She helps individuals, couples, and professionals embrace all of who they are so they can experience greater levels of wellbeing, resiliency, and success. She also co-facilitates The Space Mastermind for Solopreneurs (http://thespaceglobalmastermind.com/) with Barb Patterson. You can follow Rohini on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/RohiniLRoss/), watch her Vlogs (http://www.rohiniross.com/category/video-and-audio/) with her husband, Angus Ross, and subscribe to her weekly blog on her website, www.rohiniross.com.

How does someone turn fixing computers into a successful coaching practice? And how can being part of a particular community almost kill that coaching practice? Pete, who’s been coaching for around 12 years, tells all in this episode. With so much experience in both the private and public sector in the UK, he also shares some incredibly useful wisdom around the business aspect of coaching. Here’s a little more about Pete Pete Bryceland runs a 3 Principles coaching and consultancy business. He has worked for the last 10 years successfully providing therapeutic services to clients suffering from symptoms of Stress, Anxiety and Depression, who want a permanent, sustainable approach to overcoming these problems. In addition, Pete coaches Business Owners, Executives and Managers, at all levels within organisations, who are feeling lonely, harassed, and burdened. They may be feeling overwhelmed and under constant pressure to perform. Caught in a psychological quicksand, the more they try the worse it gets. Pete's approach allows you to see through the illusion of your circumstances and allows you to operate at a greater degree of clarity. More recently, Pete has been helping new or struggling coaches to build a more sustainable business. He firmly believes that this understanding is vital to the world and needs skilled and professional coaches to bring about a societal change in understanding. This will happen much more quickly if those coaches are skilled business owners and spend less time stressing about money and business issues and more time doing what they love: Transformational coaching. You can find out more about Pete at www.bryceland.co.uk

Susan is a very experienced executive and performance coach, and I’d seen her around the coaching community and was fascinated by the absence of the typical ‘marketing’ posts on social media we often see. How was she running a coaching practice, I wondered? Well, the answer is natural connection, rather than intellectual selling, which is just one of the distinctions that come up in this wonderful conversation. Here’s a little more about Susan. Susan Andrewes is the founder and director of Susan Andrewes Consulting Ltd, a New Zealand-based consultancy dedicated to creating a better world through a clearer understanding of the mind. An experienced executive and performance coach, in 2011 Susan was introduced to a profound new understanding of the principles behind the human experience and was incredibly impacted by the transformations in her clients’ lives and work. Susan has since trained with many of the pioneers in this field and is one of the Asia-Pacific region’s foremost specialists in this work. She now partners with leaders and change-makers interested in re-defining what is possible for themselves, for their communities, for their organisations and for the world. Susan is also a professionally-trained conference interpreter (simultaneous and consecutive) and translator. She has ten years’ experience in interpreting at high-level international meetings in Brussels and throughout Europe. She speaks French, German, Spanish and Hungarian and spent 17 years living in France, Germany, Belgium, Hungary and the UK before returning to New Zealand in 2015 with her endlessly patient and supportive husband and their two small boys. https://www.susanandrewes.com/ https://www.facebook.com/susan.andrewes

In this episode Tripp talks very openly about shifting from dicking around to being all-in, the importance of getting support, getting your head out of your ass, and what he looks for in his dream clients. He also has an important message for coaches running away from their pasts, and reveals who has impacted his coaching the most. Here’s a little more about Tripp: The host of The New Man Podcast: Beyond the Macho Jerk and the New Age Wimp which — for almost a decade — has been downloaded millions of times. He coaches entrepreneurs around the world to get out of the shallow end of the pool, redefine success, and align their work with what they were put on this Earth to do. Over the years he’s designed several businesses to support a simple lifestyle focused on freedom, ease, and fun. As a host, he’s interviewed experts and authors from all walks of life including: Tim Ferriss (The 4 Hour Workweek, The 4 Hour Body, The 4 Hour Chef) Laird Hamilton (Big wave surfing legend) Ken Wilber (A Brief History of Everything, A Theory of Everything) Dan Millman (Way of the Peaceful Warrior) Steven Pressfield (The War of Art, Turning Pro) Robert Greene (48 Laws of Power, Mastery) Steven Kotler (The Rise of Superman, Bold) AJ Jacobs (Esquire Magazine, The Year of Living Biblically, My Experimental Life) Chip Conley (Founder of Joie de Vivre Hotels, Peak: How Great Companies Get Their Mojo from Maslow) Dr. Robert Glover (No More Mr Nice Guy) Ret. Navy SEAL Mark Divine (Unbeatable Mind, The Way of the SEAL) Neil Strauss (The Game, The Truth) The New Man Podcast reaches tens of thousands of people in over 110 countries and regularly finds its home on the iTunes Self Help Top 10 list. TL-family As a creative entrepreneur, Tripp created one of the first digital video post-production companies in the Southeast. For over twelve years, Tripp crafted TV shows and commercials for national and regional clients. Other contributions include working with Ken Wilber as Co-Director of Integral Institute’s Art Center. On the artistic front, Tripp has written, performed and produced albums with his own rock groups, Hank Madison and Screaming Witness. He’s also co-produced Stuart Davis and frequently humiliated himself on Stu’s Sex God Rock n Roll TV Show on HDNet. Tripp is married to therapist/relationship coach Alyson Lanier and has the best daughter in the whole wide world. They live near the ocean and where he spends much of his time surfing, playing music really loud, and laughing his ass off. http://www.tripplanier.com/ http://www.thenewmanpodcast.com/

In this episode Amir talks very openly about how he discovered his coaching business did not need to look like he thought it did, and is certainly not the place to find happiness. He also shares how his realisations around coaching and clients have helped him feel liberated to love and enjoy life, and reveals his big secret to handling feeling desperate down & lost, the simplicity of which may surprise you. Amir is all about doing what you enjoy and enjoying what you do. I’m sure you’ll all enjoy this episode! Here’s a little more about Amir: Amir Karkouti is a transformative coach, owner of a San Diego based chain of restaurants, author of numerous titles, including Do NOTHING To Get EVERYTHING, Lessons From My Coach, and Happiness Formula. He has spent over ten years as an adviser, mentor, and coach to Fortune 500 CEO's, military men/women, and people who want to get more out of themselves and their lives. From his personal and professional experiences working with a range of clients, he has discovered that we all have the capacity for innate well-being. He lives in Carlsbad, and can be found spending time with his beautiful wife, French Bulldog, and the world's smallest and cutest coach; his daughter, Aria. http://www.amirkarkouti.com/ amir@amirkarkouti.com

In this episode Kimberley reveals her very detailed strategy for building a very successful coaching practice whilst navigating some major changes and challenges in her personal life. Okay, it is not particularly detailed, in fact it contains one step and one principle, but it’s simplicity may just help to liberate you from all that prevents you from building the kind of coaching practice you desire. Here’s a little more about Kim: Kim Kaase is a leader of leaders. As a professional business coach, consultant and transformational trainer she supports her clients by working with them to craft a clear personal vision while creating results that are important to them. She uses her background as a designer to creatively solve problems and approach challenges as a coach from a very unique perspective. Kim's experience in creating breakthrough sales results as well as executing company vision and goals melds perfectly with her coaching career. As a dealer principal, Kim led sales and sales support teams to grow the dealership from $14mm in 2003 to $38mm in just 4 years while industry trends were going in the opposite direction. Kim graduated from the University of Houston in 1990 with a BFA in Interior Design and a certification in Transformative Coaching. Her career has included work with a vast array of professional services firms and successful entrepreneurs.. She is the Principal at her firm, LEAP Business Coaching. In her free time she enjoys transformational work, bird watching, cooking and creating memories with her son, Rex. Kim’s vision includes creating a world where everyone leads lives that they absolutely love! http://www.life-leap.com/ kim@life-leap.com

Jason really needs no introduction. If you like to be entertained, like to laugh, and have any kind of interest in the coaching profession, you need read no more - just go listen to this episode! Jason is one of my favourite people on the planet, his immense enthusiasm for life and fun is extremely contagious, and any conversation with him is so often a wonderful cocktail of laughter, fun, innuendo, laced with a generous splash of wisdom. There’s lots in the episode for coaches, and a bunch of laughs for all of us. Enjoy! Jason has kindly agreed to provide a free copy of his fabulous book Prison Break, in ebook form, and paperback for anyone in the US, using this link. http://www.thejasongoldberg.com/phil/ Here’s a little more about Jason: What does an award-winning entrepreneur, a TEDx Speaker, a bacon-atarian (thats a vegetarian who still eats bacon), a funky sock lover, a former rapper (who opened for the Wu-Tang Clan - YES, really!) and a previously 332lb man (who has since lost over 130lbs despite his affinity for bacon) have in common? They are all the same guy! Jason Goldberg (JG for short) is a geek, turned entrepreneur, international speaker, Edu-tainer, creator of the “Playful Prosperity” Program and author of the #1 International Best-Seller on (SELF) Leadership: “Prison Break: Vanquish the Victim, Own Your Obstacles, and Lead Your Life” JG blends his love of personal growth, comedy (and sometimes even rap music), with his speaking, training and workshops to help people open their minds, transform their lives and businesses and pee their pants from laughter (...okay maybe not literally on that last one, but no judgment if it happens). thejasongoldberg.com

When I met Lian at a coaching intensive a few years ago, like many there she was exploring building a one-on-one coaching practice. I wanted to interview her for The Coaching Life because what she is up to now looks quite different from most people’s coaching practices, and by following her heart she seems to be having a whole lot of fun whilst being of wonderful service to others, despite a few subtle changes in direction. Lian reveals here how she allows her creativity to flow freely and is still able to follow a plan, the secret to why she’s doing what she’s doing, and the business benefits of the wonderful podcast - The Primal Happiness Show. Oh, and you’ll hear her dog make a guest appearance :) Here’s a little more about Lian: Lian is a co-founder of the education platform Primal Happiness and the host of the weekly top 10 ranked iTunes happiness podcast The Primal Happiness Show. Lian was lucky to have had an amazingly happy upbringing, bursting with love and adventure. And she was attacked which resulted in chronic facial pain, massive panic attacks and anxiety. That started a 15 year search for relief from her emotional and physical pain... she tried traditional medicine and then most types of self-help and woo that you can think of. Nothing helped. Until she discovered the true nature of happiness and then in an instant, her anxiety, fears, limitations, and even the chronic pain dropped away! Her life is now ridiculously happy and her mission is to share the fundamentals behind reclaiming happiness and thriving in all areas of life… with the world! Lian lives in cottage in England, with her husband, their two young children, and a triple helping of ginger goodness: their cat Beatle and their two Hungarian Vizsla dogs Laszlo and Mabel. Her passions are baking, writing, hosting parties, making and drinking cocktails, and watching wonderful people wake up to a life without limits. Links: Primal Happiness: http://primalhappiness.co/ The Primal Happiness Show: http://primalhappiness.co/podcast_list/