Mastering Coaching Skills

What if growing your coaching business isn't about getting it right the first time, but about being willing to try something, pay attention, and adjust? This conversation offers an honest way to think about building a business that actually fits your life. In this episode, I'm joined by Mary Okon, a life and wellness coach and one of my clients, who shares how she approaches her business through what she is actively learning and applying in her own life. We talk about experimenting and evaluating in your coaching business, along with how she uses mindset, self-care, visual ways of thinking, and other simple practices. If you've been questioning what is working or what to try next, this episode will give you a different way to approach it. For full show notes and transcript, go to: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/284 Learn more about The Complete Coach here: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/the-complete-coach Follow along over on Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaydotzlaf

How much transparency is too much in coaching? In this episode, I dive into the role of vulnerability and authenticity in coaching and why it's an important question to consider. I share my own reflections on navigating transparency in coaching and how to balance being authentic without oversharing. If you've wondered about boundaries and vulnerability in your practice, this episode will spark some important thoughts. For full show notes and transcript, go to: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/283 Sign up for my weekly newsletter, Full Disclosure: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/newsletter Follow along over on Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaydotzlaf

As coaches, we spend so much of our time focusing on the well-being of our clients that it's easy to forget about our own mental health. But what happens when we don't prioritize ourselves? In this episode, my incredible friend, client, and fellow coach Maggie Reyes shares why taking care of our own mental health is essential for both personal and professional success. Maggie opens up about her mental health journey and how prioritizing her own mental well-being has allowed her to show up more fully in her coaching business. For full show notes and transcript, go to: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/282 Learn more about The Complete Coach here: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/the-complete-coach Follow along over on Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaydotzlaf

Showing up consistently in your coaching business is not always about trying harder. Sometimes your nervous system is playing a bigger role than you realize. In this episode, I talk with one of my clients, Dorit Wright, about the connection between the nervous system and showing up as a coach, and how understanding these patterns can help coaches move out of the cycle of going all in and then pulling back in their business. For full show notes and transcript, go to: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/281 Learn more about The Complete Coach here: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/the-complete-coach Follow along over on Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaydotzlaf

Many coaches assume that the people running successful coaching businesses always feel confident and certain about their path. But the truth is that doubt shows up for almost everyone along the way, even for the coaches who eventually build meaningful and impactful work. In this episode, I talk with one of my amazing clients, Kyle Miller, about his personal journey into coaching and the moments of uncertainty that shaped how he shows up as a coach today. We explore how his mission developed, the doubts he had to work through, and the role that finding the right coaching support played in helping him keep moving forward. For full show notes and transcript, go to: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/280 Learn more about The Complete Coach here: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/the-complete-coach Follow along over on Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaydotzlaf

What separates coaches who feel constantly drained from those who genuinely love running their business? After several months of running my new membership, The Complete Coach, I've been watching some patterns emerge that might challenge what you think it takes to build a coaching practice. In this episode, I'm sharing three patterns I'm seeing in thriving coaching businesses right now. If you've ever wondered whether there's a more sustainable, aligned way to grow your coaching business without burning out or forcing strategies that don't fit, this conversation will give you a new lens to consider what thriving in community actually looks like. For full show notes and transcript, go to: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/279 Learn more about The Complete Coach here: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/the-complete-coach Follow along over on Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaydotzlaf

I have a successful coaching business, and there are still plenty of messy, human moments happening behind the scenes. Success does not mean perfection. In this episode, I'm sharing 10 behind-the-scenes confessions of a successful coach so you can see what real life in a working business actually looks like. For full show notes and transcript, go to: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/278 Learn more about The Complete Coach here: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/the-complete-coach Follow along over on Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaydotzlaf

It is easy to treat enjoyment as a reward you earn only after your business is successful. But postponing enjoyment often creates more pressure, not more progress. In this episode, I explain why enjoyment is a business strategy and how bringing it into your decisions can create more sustainable growth, momentum, and clarity in your coaching business. For full show notes, transcript, and to take the business archetype quiz, go to: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/277 Learn more about The Complete Coach here: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/the-complete-coach Follow along over on Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaydotzlaf

Marketing can feel surprisingly good when you understand how you are naturally wired to show up in your business. Instead of forcing strategies that drain you, knowing your coaching archetype helps you recognize which approaches feel more natural, sustainable, and even enjoyable. In this episode, I share the five coaching archetypes and how they can bring clarity and ease back into your marketing by helping you choose strategies that actually fit you. When marketing aligns with who you are, it stops feeling like a chore and starts feeling like a meaningful extension of your work. For full show notes, transcript, and to take the coaching archetype quiz, go to: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/276 Learn more about The Complete Coach here: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/the-complete-coach Follow along over on Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaydotzlaf

Best practices are often presented as the answer to growing your coaching business, but they can also create more confusion and pressure. In this episode, I explain why I am allergic to coaching best practices and what happens when you stop trying to force yourself into strategies that do not fit you. If you have been following advice that feels off or wondering why the "right way" is not working, this episode will help you rethink how you make decisions in your business. For full show notes, transcript, and more information, go to: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/275 Learn more about The Complete Coach here: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/the-complete-coach Follow along over on Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaydotzlaf

Self-coaching is one of the most talked-about tools in the coaching industry, but it's also one of the most misunderstood. For a lot of coaches, it quietly turns into something that feels heavy, performative, or even punishing instead of supportive. In this episode, I walk you through how I actually coach myself and just as importantly, when I don't. If self-coaching has ever felt confusing, ineffective, or exhausting, this episode will help you rethink what it's for and find ways to approach it that actually feel supportive and personal to you. For full show notes, transcript, and more information, go to: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/274 Learn more about The Complete Coach here: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/the-complete-coach Follow along over on Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaydotzlaf

That pressured, spinning energy of "I just need to figure this out" is something most coaches know all too well. In this episode, I'm sharing a simple but powerful reframe that can shift how you approach your coaching goals and help you move forward without self-judgment. If you've been judging yourself for not having things figured out yet, this episode will help you let go of that pressure and find your next step. For full show notes, transcript, and more information, go to: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/273 Learn more about The Complete Coach here: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/the-complete-coach Follow along over on Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaydotzlaf

Have you ever looked around and thought everyone else has it together except you? In this episode, I'm sharing a personal moment that reminded me what actually creates value in coaching. If you've ever questioned whether you're doing enough or worried that your own struggles disqualify you from helping others, this episode will shift how you think about your role as a coach and show you why you don't have to have it all together to offer something deeply meaningful. For full show notes, transcript, and more information, go to: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/272 Learn more about The Complete Coach here: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/the-complete-coach Follow along over on Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaydotzlaf

As a coach, you might be waiting for someone to give you permission to build your business your way. In this episode, I'm offering something different than the typical New Year goal-setting advice. Instead of helping you make another plan or choose a word of the year, I'm giving you what you might need even more: explicit permission granted to create the business you actually want to run. For full show notes, transcript, and more information, go to: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/271 Learn more about The Complete Coach here: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/the-complete-coach Follow along over on Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaydotzlaf/

As the year comes to a close, it's easy to judge your success based on whether you hit your goals. In this episode, I offer a different perspective. I share why enjoying your business matters more than reaching any single milestone, and how shifting the way you think about goals can help you create a business that feels sustainable, fulfilling, and worth showing up for every day. For full show notes, transcript, and more information, go to: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/270 Learn more about The Complete Coach here: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/the-complete-coach Follow along over on Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaydotzlaf/

Have you ever felt like you're supposed to follow all the "rules" of coaching, the ones everyone seems to agree on, but that don't always feel right for you? Well, sometimes, in order to grow your coaching business, you have to get a little unconventional. In this episode, I'm sharing nine pieces of advice that most business coaches won't tell you. These are the real, practical insights that have shaped my own coaching journey and the success of countless coaches I've worked with. Each one challenges conventional wisdom in ways that might surprise you. For full show notes, transcript, and more information, go to: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/269 Learn more about The Complete Coach here: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/the-complete-coach Follow along over on Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaydotzlaf/

Do you ever feel like you're holding parts of yourself back in your coaching? In today's episode, I'm joined by one of my incredible clients, Zadra Rose Ibañez, who shares how she brings her whole self into her coaching practice. Zadra, a coach for sustainability professionals and non-profit leaders, walks us through her journey of integrating personal values with her work and why embracing your full self is essential to truly thriving as a coach. If you're looking to step into your own version of a successful, whole coach, this episode will leave you feeling inspired and ready to take action. For full show notes, transcript, and more information, go to: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/268 Learn more about The Complete Coach here: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/the-complete-coach Follow along over on Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaydotzlaf/

Feeling "not ready" is one of the biggest things that keeps coaches stuck. In this episode, I'll show you why readiness isn't required, and the one powerful question that actually moves you forward. You'll learn how to shift from waiting for confidence or certainty to taking action with willingness, and how to help your clients do the same. For full show notes, transcript, and more information, go to: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/267 Learn more about The Complete Coach here: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/the-complete-coach Follow along over on Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaydotzlaf/

If you feel pressure to hit your coaching goals faster, you're not alone. In this episode, I'm sharing a personal story that will help you rethink that urge to rush and show you why sustainable growth always beats frantic timelines. You'll learn how to slow down, focus on the next right step, and create momentum that actually supports your coaching business. For full show notes, transcript, and more information, go to: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/266 Learn more about The Complete Coach here: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/the-complete-coach Follow along over on Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaydotzlaf/

You know that feeling when you look at the calendar and realize you're not where you thought you'd be with your goals? That knot in your stomach that tells you you're falling behind? This is especially common as we head towards the end of the year. In this episode, I'm showing you how to recalibrate your goals without the shame and stress that often comes with feeling behind. You'll learn three key questions to help you refocus, create a clear plan, and avoid the trap of frantic hustle or giving up. This shift in perspective will transform the way you approach your goals and help you guide your clients through similar challenges. For full show notes, transcript, and more information, go to: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/265 Learn more about The Complete Coach here: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/the-complete-coach Follow along over on Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaydotzlaf/

If you've ever tried to "fix" your marketing by doing everything at once (daily emails, constant posting, five platforms at the same time) you already know how that story ends. Two weeks later, you're overwhelmed, behind, and wondering why you can't seem to stay consistent no matter how much you want to. There's an easier way, and one that actually works. In this episode, I walk you through my simple strategy that helps you create real consistency without the burnout. If you've been craving a way to finally follow through, this episode will show you exactly where to start. For full show notes, transcript, and more information, go to: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/264 Learn more about The Complete Coach here: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/the-complete-coach Follow along over on Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaydotzlaf/

Coaching can often feel like you're juggling a million things, unsure of where to focus next. I've been there, and I know how overwhelming it can feel when things aren't clicking into place. But understanding where you are in your growth journey can help you focus your energy in the right spots. In this episode, I'm giving you a sneak peek into one of the videos from The Complete Coach membership, where I walk members through the 4 stages of coaching growth and help them decide where to focus. So even if you're not considering joining the membership, you'll this episode is packed with valuable insights you can apply to your coaching practice. Learn more about The Complete Coach here: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/the-complete-coach Follow along over on Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaydotzlaf/

Coaching can feel like building a puzzle without seeing the picture on the box. You collect pieces from everywhere, skills, strategies, and advice, hoping they'll fit together, but they end up scattered and hard to sustain. In this episode, I'm introducing The Complete Coach, my new membership that integrates coaching skills, business strategy, and life balance into one clear framework. If you're ready for real community, sustainable methods, and a business that truly fits you, this is where it all comes together. Learn more about The Complete Coach here: https://lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/the-complete-coach Follow along over on Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaydotzlaf/

Closing something you love is never easy. When I sat down to tell my Coach Lab members about its evolution, I found myself frozen at my computer, unable to push record. After 4½ years and 500 members, I'm closing The Coach Lab to launch something new. In this episode, I'm sharing what it really feels like to evolve your coaching business, the ache of letting go, the beauty of growth, and the difference between relief and grief when something ends. You'll learn why the heaviness of closing a program you love isn't a mistake but a sign that you built something meaningful. If you're facing your own business transition as a coach, this conversation will remind you that growth can feel both hard and right, and that's exactly how it's supposed to. Follow along over on Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaydotzlaf/

Sometimes you wake up and everything feels hard. The business you've been building suddenly feels impossible, your confidence wavers, and that little voice in your head starts questioning everything. This morning was one of those mornings for me, and it got me thinking about all the coaches out there who might be feeling the same way right now. In this episode, I'm sharing 10 real strategies that have helped me reset when doubting myself as a coach. Whether you need a quick win to boost your confidence or a complete mental shift to get out of your own head, you'll find something here that works for you. Follow along over on Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaydotzlaf/

Community isn't just a "nice-to-have" for coaches. It's essential. It shapes how we grow, learn, and sustain ourselves in this wild world of coaching. That's why I'm so excited to announce The Complete Coach, a membership program launching soon that combines coaching skills, business strategy, and personal integration, all built around cultivating meaningful community. In this episode, I'll share five (plus a bonus!) ways a great community transforms your coaching. Whether it's practicing skills in a safe space, getting fresh perspectives, or just not having to figure everything out alone, community isn't just support, it's a game-changer. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/259 Learn more about The Coach Lab here: https://lindsaydotzlaf.kartra.com/page/the-coach-lab Follow along over on Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaydotzlaf/

Running a business is a constant cycle of making educated guesses, testing those guesses, implementing new strategies, evaluating what works and what doesn't, and then doing it all over again. This reality catches many coaches off guard - they expect to find one right answer that works forever, but that's simply not how business operates. In this third part of my Launch Secrets series, I'm breaking down the decision-making framework that helped me turn two failed launches into a completely full program. You'll learn how to create strategic questions that actually move you forward instead of keeping you stuck in fear-based thinking. I share my exact 48-hour pivot timeline, the backup plan strategy that makes me braver with decisions, and why moving fast once you have clarity is crucial for momentum. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/258 Learn more about Reimagine here: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/reimagine-mastermind-2025/ Follow along over on Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaydotzlaf/

When your launch doesn't go as planned, your brain immediately starts creating stories. Stories about why no one wants your offer, why you're not cut out for this, why the price must be wrong. These stories feel true in the moment, but they're rarely based on actual evidence. They're based on fear. In Part 2 of this series, you'll hear my exact framework for identifying where things are going wrong and how to form hypotheses based on real data rather than fear-based assumptions. Discover which specific data points to track (and which ones to ignore) based on your business goals, and the reason finishing your full launch plan matters more than immediate results. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/257 Learn more about Reimagine here: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/reimagine-mastermind-2025/ Follow along over on Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaydotzlaf/

This episode kicks off a three-part series on launching, but it's not about logistics. Instead, I'm diving into the foundation that makes everything else work: relationships. Whether you're a business, health, or relationship coach, the principles I'm sharing apply to how you sell your coaching, whether through formal launches or everyday conversations. You'll learn how unprocessed emotions can show up physically, why acknowledging failures is key for clear decisions, and how appropriate vulnerability builds genuine connections. I share how transparency (without trauma dumping) led to invaluable feedback and why consistency outweighs perfection when building trust. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/256 Learn more about Coach Unfiltered here: lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/coach-unfiltered Follow along over on Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaydotzlaf/

Launching an offer and watching it fail isn't just disappointing, it's a full-body experience that can leave you questioning everything about your business. After ten years of running a successful coaching business and filling countless groups, I found myself staring at the results of not one, but two failed launches of my Reimagine Mastermind. This episode takes you through every messy detail of how I navigated these back-to-back launch failures and the complete pivot that followed. I'm sharing the exact data I collected, the emotional spiral I went through, and the scary decision to completely restructure my offer just days before it was supposed to start. Listen in to learn how I turned my launch failures into market research and launch success. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/255

This disconnect between how we think clients should behave and how they actually show up is something I see coaches struggle with constantly - whether they're brand new or have been coaching for years. We create these unspoken rules and expectations for our clients, then feel disappointed when they don't follow them. The truth is, your clients' behavior isn't about you - it's about them being human. And the good news? You have way more influence over how your clients show up than you think. Through the four simple strategies I share in this episode, you can help your clients become better at being clients while also examining your own patterns and assumptions. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/254