Have you ever felt confused by seemingly conflicting messages in your coaching journey?

Whether you’re training to become a coach, have been in practice for years, or are simply curious about coaching, you’ve probably come across contradictions that make you pause and wonder: Is this right? Or is it wrong? Or… could it be both?

In this episode we dive into some of the most common contradictions that coaches face, especially during training and development. We reflect on the nuances we encounter as coach trainers and practitioners, unpicking the complexities of coaching goals, non-directiveness, sharing of self, professional boundaries, and the role of structure versus fluidity.

This episode was such a joy to record because it gave us space to validate the “messy middle” where so many coaches find themselves. That tension between learning the rules and evolving beyond them. It reminded me of how deeply coaching is rooted in conscious choice, relationship, and reflection.

From the irony of learning rigid frameworks only to outgrow them, to the beauty of coaching mastery as an art of flow and discernment, this episode is all about embracing paradox. If you're someone who finds themselves craving clarity while swimming in contradiction, you’ll likely feel seen here.

We also talk about the journey of personal growth alongside professional development, how who we are as people directly influences who we become as coaches. There are no hard and fast rules, and that’s both liberating and confronting.

We hope this conversation helps you feel a little more grounded in the uncertainty, and even a little more curious.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: Why contradictions in coaching matter
01:00 – The goals paradox: clarity at the start… or at the end?
05:15 – Is coaching really non-directive?
08:35 – When and how to share your own experience as a coach
13:25 – What clients actually need and how this impacts your role
16:00 – Coaching bodies and different competency frameworks
17:40 – The craving for models: structure, freedom, and finding your style
22:00 – What coaching mastery really looks like
23:45 – Clients bring contradictions too
24:40 – Final reflections and invitation to explore coaching further

Key Lessons Learned:

• Goals aren’t always clear at the start and sometimes clarity is the goal.
• Non-directiveness is a principle, not a rule; conscious choice is the key.
• Self-disclosure can build connection when used with intention and care.
• Frameworks and models are useful, until they become restrictive.
• Mastery lies in flexibility, knowing when to hold structure and when to release it.
• Clients themselves live in contradiction, and your role is to help them make sense of that tension.
• Coaching isn’t just future-focused, it often invites reflection on the past.
• There are many paths to being a great coach and none of them are identical.

Keywords:

coaching contradictions, non-directive coaching, coaching goals, coaching frameworks, coaching training UK, becoming a coach, coaching vs mentoring, emotional coaching, self-disclosure in coaching, coaching mastery,

Links & Resources:

• mycoachingcourse.com – Take the quiz and explore our coaching training programmes

• https://igcompany.co.uk/

Have you ever found yourself wondering why so many people are suddenly becoming coaches? What’s drawing them in, and what are they finding once they’re there?

In this episode we reflect on a question we’re often asked: “Why is everyone training to be a coach?” And the truth is, it’s a powerful question with many deeply personal and professional answers.

This is a warm, grounded, and honest discussion between the two of us as co-hosts, coaching trainers, and long-time practitioners. We unpack the inner and outer reasons why coaching is booming, from the “life hack” of increased self-awareness to the ripple effect it has on careers, relationships, and wellbeing.

We share our own stories and insights about:

• Why coaching is becoming more than just a career path, it's a form of self-expression, healing, and contribution
• How coaching training creates a sense of community and deep human connection
• The irreplaceable power of coaching in a world increasingly dominated by AI and automation
• How people are discovering peace, confidence, and clarity through coaching training
• The difference between facilitated and self-guided programmes and why that matters

We also explore the soulful, spiritual side of coaching, what it means to be attuned to yourself and others, how it lights people up from the inside, and why so many of our trainees say they’ve “found what they’ve been looking for.”

Whether you’re considering becoming a coach yourself or you’re just curious about what’s fuelling this global movement, we hope this conversation offers insight, clarity, and maybe even a spark of inspiration.

Timestamps:

• 00:47 – The ‘life hack’ of coach training and why people tell everyone about it.

• 02:14 – How coaching strengthens career prospects and relationships at work.

• 03:37 – Surprising personal benefits, even in dating and family life.

• 05:22 – Coaching as a decision-making and confidence-building tool.

• 06:49 – Why coaching is an essential skill in an AI-driven world.

• 09:34 – When coach training becomes a route to healing and self-discovery

• 12:15 – “AI for the soul” and other powerful reflections on the heart of coaching.

Key Lessons Learned

• Coaching training is a powerful gateway to personal transformation, not just professional development
• Deep self-awareness, boundary-setting, and emotional clarity are common outcomes of coach training
• Coaching prepares leaders for a future shaped by AI by amplifying essential human skills
• The sense of community and shared purpose in a coaching cohort is deeply nourishing
• People are drawn to coaching because it helps them find meaning, peace, and a way to contribute to others

Keywords:

train to be a coach, coaching training programmes, become a coach UK, why become a coach, coaching and self-awareness, coaching for leaders, AI and coaching, coaching for wellbeing, personal growth through coaching, human connection in coaching

Links & Resources:

• Take the Quiz to Discover Your Coaching Pathway
• The Coaching Crowd Website

Ever wondered what it really looks like to hold safe, structured, and powerful space for emotions in a coaching session?

In this episode we did something we’ve not done in a long time on the podcast, we brought you inside a real-life coaching demonstration, using one of the techniques from our Emotions Coaching Practitioner Programme.

The session is a genuine conversation between us, non-scripted, not rehearsed. Just Jo as the coachee, working through a very real, emotionally loaded decision: whether or not to say yes to buying a new home.

We use the EMOTION coaching model, a semi-structured framework that walks through:

• E — Engaging the emotional coaching contract
• M — Making contact (somatic/emotional awareness)
• O — Exploring the opportunity
• T — Connecting with thoughts
• I — Exploring intuition
• O — Outcomes
• N — What’s needed now

This demo is about more than just the house. It’s a window into how emotion-based coaching can support real-life decision-making, personal growth, and clarity, without pressure or prescription.

If you found this demo insightful, whether as a coach or as someone exploring their own emotions check out our Emotions Coaching Practitioner Programme. You’ll learn how to safely support clients through deep, meaningful conversations, using structure without script.

https://igcompany.co.uk/emotionsdemo

We’d love to hear what insights this brought up for you. Let us know!

Key Lessons Learned:

1. Emotions are never “too much”, they’re powerful sources of insight when held safely.
2. Coaching doesn’t need to fix, it needs to create space.
3. Body wisdom holds emotional truth, pay attention to sensations.
4. A structured model can support emotional freedom, not restrict it.
5. You don’t need a solution, just clarity and the ability to feel.
6. Trust your intuition, it’s more grounded than we realise.
7. Coaching demos are powerful tools for learning, both as a coach and a coachee.

Keywords:

emotions coaching demo, how to coach emotions, coaching demonstrations, EMOTION coaching model, emotions coaching practitioner training, live coaching example, decision-making in coaching, emotional regulation in coaching, somatic coaching techniques, emotion-focused coaching skills,

Links:

Watch another emotions coaching demo:
https://igcompany.co.uk/emotionsdemo

Are you a coach who secretly wonders if you’re “doing it right”? You’re not alone, and this episode is for you.

In this episode we unpack a topic that nearly every coach wrestles with at some point: CONFIDENCE.

Whether you're just starting out or years into your practice, it's normal to question yourself, "Am I doing this right?" "Could I be better?" We see it time and again in our training rooms and our own journeys, that shaky moment when you step into the coaching seat and doubt creeps in.

In this episode we cover:

1. Confidence is fluid: It changes over time and across clients; uncertainty may stem from the coaching dynamic, not just your ability.
2. Lean on trusted peers: Having another coach to talk to is invaluable, especially when supervision isn't immediately available.
3. Acknowledge competence gaps: Confidence and competence go hand in hand; recognise where you need to grow your skills and take action.
4. Choose aligned training programmes: Confidence flourishes in learning environments that align with your values, energy, and coaching style.
5. Know and own your coaching style: Understanding your natural style helps reduce comparison and builds authentic confidence.
6. Stretch yourself with CPD and variety: Try different coaching formats, durations, and approaches to expand your ability and confidence.
7. Seek intentional feedback: Ask for meaningful, specific feedback to grow in areas where you feel uncertain.

This episode is full of lived experience, reassurance, and practical steps. Confidence doesn’t arrive all at once, it’s grown, session by session, conversation by conversation.

If you're feeling unsure or stuck in self-doubt, you're not alone. Confidence is something we build through the work, not before it. Whether you need CPD, supervision, peer support, or just a community of coaches who get it, we’re here for you.

Explore more at https://igcompany.co.uk

And if this episode helped, drop us a message. We love hearing from you.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 — Introduction: Why confidence matters for coaches
• 02:10 — Feeling confident with some clients but not others
• 06:15 — The power of coaching peers and quick support
• 09:20 — Contracts, competence, and admin: the hidden confidence killers
• 13:35 — The importance of choosing coach training aligned with your values
• 20:50 — Stop comparing: Know and own your coaching style
• 24:10 — CPD, supervision, play, and expanding your skills
• 30:35 — Intentional feedback and how to ask for it

Keywords:

how to grow confidence as a coach, coaching confidence tips, building coaching skills, coaching supervision for new coaches, choosing the right coach training, peer support for coaches, reflective practice coaching. coaching style self-awareness, CPD for coaches, coaching feedback techniques

Links:

• All coaching programmes mentioned (Emotions Coaching, Neurodivergent Inclusive Coaching, CPD, Foundations to Masters):
  https://igcompany.co.uk

Have you ever wondered what truly makes coaching one of the most rewarding careers you could pursue?

In this episode we take a heartfelt wander through what we believe are the very best things about being a coach. Spoiler alert: we didn’t stop at five!

This conversation is all about celebrating coaching, not just as a profession, but as a way of living that aligns with our values, passions, and purpose.

The 5 things we believe makes coaching the best profession:

1. Combining passion and talent
2. Meeting incredible people and joining a supportive coaching community
3. Flexibility and autonomy in designing your own hours and environment
4. Authenticity; being your own kind of coach
5. The human connection and deep fulfilment coaching brings

This episode is a celebration of everything coaching can be. And if you’re new to coaching or wondering if it’s “your thing,” we hope this opens a door for you.

If you’re new to coaching or rediscovering your purpose as a coach, this episode is for you. If it sparked something in you, let us know! We love hearing how the podcast lands, what it catalyses, and what you'd love us to talk about next.

Explore our coach training programmes at https://igcompany.co.uk or simply get in touch and say hello.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 — Why celebrate coaching?
• 01:10 — #1: Combining passion and talent
• 03:15 — #2: Meeting amazing people around the world
• 06:40 — #3: Flexibility, autonomy, and designing your own life
• 10:20 — #4: Being your authentic coaching self
• 13:30 — #5: A humbling, deeply human profession
• 17:50 — Parallel process, systemic thinking, and intergenerational insight
• 21:15 — Broader impact: on family, life, and values
• 24:30 — Working outdoors and location freedom
• 27:40 — Coaching as personal choice and alignment
• 30:00 — Final thoughts: Coaching gives us joy, meaning, and community

Key Lessons Learned

1. Coaching is not just a job, it’s a calling.
2. You can align your work life with your values through coaching.
3. Coaching offers flexibility, autonomy, and location independence.
4. The coaching community is warm, supportive, and collaborative.
5. You get to be yourself, and support others in being themselves.
6. Coaching teaches you about the world, humanity, and your place in it.
7. The ripple effect of coaching touches your clients, family, and future.

Keywords:

Best things about coaching, Why become a coach, Benefits of coaching as a career, Coaching flexibility, Coaching community, Coaching lifestyle, Coaching impact on family, Coaching self-employment, Working as a coach, Life as a professional coach,

Links:

• All coaching programmes mentioned (Emotions Coaching, Neurodivergent Inclusive Coaching, CPD, Foundations to Masters):
  https://igcompany.co.uk

NDI Coaching Programme & Resources https://igcompany.co.uk/ND

Is kindness enough when it comes to creating inclusive coaching spaces, or do we need something more intentional, informed, and powerful?

In this episode we explore something that sits deeply in our hearts and runs through our work: neurodivergent inclusive coaching.

As coaches, we often say we're inclusive. We’re empathic. We care deeply. But as we discovered through both personal experience and professional insight, good intentions aren’t always enough. Kindness can’t replace knowledge and inclusion doesn’t happen by accident.

Many of our clients are neurodivergent. Some know it. Some don’t. But all of them deserve a coaching space where they can be who they are, without masking, adjusting, or feeling “too much.” That’s the space we’re committed to helping others build.

We talk about how neurodivergent inclusive coaching isn’t just about working with those who are autistic or have ADHD. It’s about setting a tone in our language, our websites, our chemistry calls, and our sessions that says; “You are safe here.”

We break down why language matters so much. For instance, referring to someone as “a person with autism” versus “an autistic person” may seem like a detail, but it can reflect respect or a lack of understanding. These nuances define how welcoming our spaces feel.

We dive into strength-based coaching, trauma-informed practice, sensory sensitivity awareness, communication differences, and how to adapt your coaching rather than expecting clients to conform.

So often, neurodivergent clients have lived through trauma, especially from workplaces or education systems that weren’t built with their needs in mind. These layers show up in coaching, and we need the skills to recognise, honour, and support that.

From eye contact and body language to executive functioning and stimming, we explore practical ways to create a truly inclusive space, and challenge the assumption that neutrality equals inclusivity. It doesn’t.

Creating neurodivergent inclusive coaching isn’t optional if you care about inclusion. It’s not just about adding a string to your bow. It’s about making your coaching safer, deeper, and more human.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 — Why this topic matters so much to us
• 01:30 — What it means to be neurodivergent inclusive
• 03:50 — The power of language and identity
• 06:15 — Strength-based coaching, masking, and belonging
• 10:00 — Trauma and internalised neuro-negativity
• 13:50 — Creating space for unmasking and authentic presence
• 17:30 — Sensory sensitivity, communication preferences & micro-adjustments
• 23:40 — Why inclusion must be intentional, not assumed
• 27:00 — What’s in the NDI Coaching Programme and how to join

Key Lessons Learned:

1. Inclusion isn’t passive: it requires education, intention, and effort.
2. Neurodivergent clients have often experienced trauma: understanding that changes the way we coach.
3. Language and labels matter: small shifts can build or break trust.
4. Masking is exhausting: coaching should be the space where people can unmask safely.
5. Strength-based approaches honour neurodivergence instead of trying to “fix” it.
6. Your job as a coach is to adapt: not to expect your client to adjust to you.
7. Kindness is not enough: inclusion takes ongoing learning and humility.

Keywords:

Neurodivergent inclusive coaching, Coaching for neurodivergent clients, Inclusive coaching environments, Trauma-informed coaching, Coaching and masking, ADHD coaching strategies, Autism friendly coaching, Neurodiversity in coaching, Strength-based coaching, Sensory sensitivity in coaching,

Links:

• NDI Coaching Programme & Resources
  https://igcompany.co.uk/ND
• All coaching programmes mentioned (Emotions Coaching, Neurodivergent Inclusive Coaching, CPD, Foundations to Masters):
  https://igcompany.co.uk

FREE ACCESS to Introduction to Group and Team Coaching – Group & Team Coaching: https://igcompany.co.uk/GTC

Have you ever wondered if coaching could be the missing piece to thriving and not just surviving in your HR role?

In this episode we take a heartfelt look back at our own HR roots and how those experiences eventually led us to embrace coaching not just as a skill, but as a calling.

Back when we were in HR, we wore every hat going. One minute we were leading disciplinary meetings, the next we were guiding people through career development plans, followed by workforce planning and trying to boost team morale, all while being the go-to for engagement and wellbeing. Sound familiar?

We talk about how HR professionals are often expected to magically facilitate group dynamics or support complex team conversations, not because they've been trained to do so, but because they're "good with people." And while those talents are real, the demand can feel overwhelming without the right tools.

That’s where coaching started to show up in our world, quietly, in feedback calls, tricky line manager conversations, or wellbeing chats that left us emotionally drained. We didn’t know it yet, but we were already coaching, we just didn’t have the language or training for it.

The emotional demands of HR can be enormous especially when you're holding space for others while secretly needing someone to hold space for you. When we trained as coaches, not only did it sharpen our skillset, it also gave us community, clarity, and confidence.

Coaching also helps you step back and de-personalise what can feel like daily emotional battles in HR. It rounds your edges, helps you reflect, and puts your professional growth into perspective.

And sometimes, coaching isn’t just an enhancement, it’s a doorway. A path out of corporate life into consultancy, freedom, creativity and impact. That was our journey, and maybe, just maybe, it could be yours too.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 — Our personal journey from HR to coaching
• 01:50 — The unrealistic expectations placed on HR professionals
• 03:15 — The hidden coaching already embedded in HR roles
• 04:40 — Coaching skills HR people already have (and can enhance)
• 07:24 — Holding space for others when you're depleted
• 11:06 — Why training in coaching helps you lead better in HR
• 14:23 — Depersonalising the emotional weight of HR
• 20:00 — The creative and freeing side of coaching careers

Key Lessons Learned:

1. HR professionals are natural coaches; they just don’t always realise it.
2. Coaching enhances confidence, resilience, and relational skills in emotionally intense roles.
3. Holding space for others is valuable; but you must also be held.
4. Developing coaching skills isn’t just for coaches, it benefits every HR decision and conversation.
5. Personal development and professional growth go hand-in-hand in HR.
6. Coaching can be both a career evolution and an exit strategy.

Keywords:

Coaching for HR professionals, HR coaching skills, Career change from HR to coaching, How to become a coach from HR, Building a coaching culture in organisations, Emotional intelligence in HR, Leadership development HR, Group and team coaching, Neurodiversity and inclusive coaching, Personal development for HR teams,

Links:

• Free Intro Lesson – Group & Team Coaching:
  https://igcompany.co.uk/GTC
• All coaching programmes mentioned (Emotions Coaching, Neurodivergent Inclusive Coaching, CPD, Foundations to Masters):
  https://igcompany.co.uk