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

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

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

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) ht

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

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-w