The Courageous Coach Podcast

What Courageous Coaches Learned: A Season of Grounded Confidence with Melissa Hague

In this season finale of the Courageous Coach Podcast, host Melissa Hague steps back for a solo reflection on the core theme of the past series: Grounded Confidence. Moving away from high-energy finales, this episode offers a slower, deeper exploration of what it means to come back to your own ground rather than constantly reaching for something new. Melissa weaves together the insights shared by her season guests, exploring how values, emotional agility, mindfulness, and embodiment all intersect to create a practice of courage in coaching and life. Key Takeaways * Defining Grounded Confidence: Drawing on Brené Brown’s definition, Melissa describes it not as posturing or arrogance, but as a state built on self-awareness, courage, and the "quiet joy of mastery" * Values as Anchors: A look back at the conversation with Jane Gilham on how values steady us during times of grief and uncertainty, acting as directions rather than rigid directives. * Practical Emotional Agility: Melissa reflects on her experience with Susan David’s work and a conversation with Donna Ward Higgs, highlighting the importance of noticing when we are "hooked" by stories and learning to open up the space between stimulus and response. * Micro-Mindfulness: Inspired by guest Emily Young, Melissa discusses building the "mindfulness muscle" through ordinary moments—like boiling a kettle—rather than relying solely on formal, hour-long practices. * The Myth of the Mastery Endpoint: A reflection on the episode with Claire Norman regarding the professional pressure of accreditation. Mastery is reframed as a "forever practice" and a devotion to one's craft rather than a final destination. Reflective Questions for the Listener * "What do you return to when things feel difficult?"  * "Where could mindfulness be made smaller and more livable for you?"  * "Where am I practicing rather than performing?"  * "What does grounded confidence look like for me right now, in this moment?"  Grounded confidence isn't a badge to be claimed; it is something lived through patience, compassion, and staying connected to oneself. Thank you for walking through Season 3 with us—we look forward to continuing the journey in Season 4. Go Deeper with The Courageous Coach Program If these conversations are resonating, you might be ready to go deeper. The Courageous Coach program is designed for qualified coaches in the early years of building their independent practice. If you want to coach with more courage, clarity, and humanity and grow a business that truly reflects who you are, this is for you. You can find all the details here: https://www.melissahague.com/courageous-coaches [https://www.melissahague.com/courageous-coaches] Connect with Melissa Come and find Melissa on LinkedIn. Whether you have questions about the program, want to share what resonated from this episode, or just fancy a chat, she'd love to connect. Support the Podcast: * Follow & Subscribe: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next. * Share with a fellow coach: Know someone who could use a little courage boost? Pass this episode on—courage is contagious, after all. Thanks again for listening. Until next time, stay curious, stay human and keep choosing courage.

The Long Game: How Mastery and Discipline Shape Grounded Confidence with Clare Norman

About the Guest Clare Norman is a Master Certified Coach (MCC) with the International Coaching Federation, possessing over 20 years of coaching experience. She is dedicated to enabling people to feel truly seen for who they are and empowers individuals to find their authentic voice. In addition to her work challenging leaders to prioritise people alongside profits, Clare specialises in mentor coaching and coaching supervision to help fellow coaches sharpen their edge and stay safe and sane. A prolific writer, speaker, and thought leader, Clare has authored several books, including Mentor Coaching: A Practical Guide, The Transformational Coach, Cultivating Coachability, and her latest, Love as a Revolutionary Coaching Practice, due for publication in October 2026. She lives in the New Forest, Hampshire, with her husband and bloodhound. You can connect with Clare here: * Email: clare@clarenormancoachingassociates.com  * Website: https://www.clarenormancoachingassociates.com [https://www.clarenormancoachingassociates.com]  * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-norman-mcc [https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-norman-mcc] About the Episode Welcome to Episode 32 of the Courageous Coach podcast! In this episode, host Melissa Haigh is joined by Master Certified Coach Clare Norman to explore the profound, elusive, and continuous journey of mastery in coaching. Together, Melissa and Clare unpack why mastery isn't a final destination or a simple tick-box exercise, but rather an "amorphous blob" that shifts as we grow. They discuss the exhausting yet joyful reality of doing the inner work, and why true development requires us to step outside of our coaching bubbles to embrace our full, messy humanity. Key topics explored in this episode include: * Beyond Competencies: Why coaches must learn their tools and frameworks well, but ultimately transcend them to bring humanity, love, and soul-to-soul connection into the coaching space. * Who We Are is How We Coach: Exploring Edna Murdoch's philosophy and understanding why integrating therapy, such as Gestalt or shadow work, is crucial for getting our own blocks out of the way. * Unconventional Development: How unexpected hobbies profoundly shape our coaching presence—from watercolour painting (learning to let go of control) and choir singing (practising harmonious partnership) to weightlifting (building postural strength) and line dancing (embracing courage and playfulness). * Vertical vs. Horizontal Growth: Why the journey to mastery isn't just about accumulating more tools or taking another content-heavy course (horizontal growth), but rather diving into the sometimes uncomfortable depths of self-awareness (vertical growth). * Deliberate Development: The importance of intentionally planning your personal evolution each year rather than just checking off required continuing education hours, and why this challenging path of mastery is one you should never walk alone. If you've ever felt boxed in by coaching rules or exhausted by the endless pursuit of getting it "right," this conversation is a much-needed breath of fresh air. It is a powerful reminder that committing to mastery is about embracing your glorious humanity, finding joy in the practice, and trusting the process. Tune in to discover why sharpening your edge might just look like picking up a paintbrush or putting on your dancing shoes! Go Deeper with The Courageous Coach Program If these conversations are resonating, you might be ready to go deeper. The Courageous Coach program is designed for qualified coaches in the early years of building their independent practice. If you want to coach with more courage, clarity, and humanity and grow a business that truly reflects who you are, this is for you. You can find all the details here: https://www.melissahague.com/courageous-coaches [https://www.melissahague.com/courageous-coaches] Connect with Melissa Come and find Melissa on LinkedIn. Whether you have questions about the program, want to share what resonated from this episode, or just fancy a chat, she'd love to connect. Support the Podcast: * Follow & Subscribe: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next. * Share with a fellow coach: Know someone who could use a little courage boost? Pass this episode on—courage is contagious, after all. Thanks again for listening. Until next time, stay curious, stay human and keep choosing courage.

Slowing Down to Show Up: Mindfulness Practices for Courageous Coaching with Emily Young

About The Guest: Emily Young is a Coach with over 20 years of experience, having begun her life-coaching journey two decades ago. Today, Emily specialises in anxiety and wellbeing coaching, splitting her time between her private practice and working with a local hospice, where she supports the wellbeing of staff and volunteers. Passionate about all things human, Emily is deeply interested in helping people understand themselves - including how their brain and physiology work - so that individuals can learn to work with themselves. Her coaching approach supports balance, peace, and a deeper realisation of an individual’s unique self. You can connect with Emily here: * LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mylifecoaching [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.linkedin.com/in/mylifecoaching]  * Instagram: @anxietybustingwithemily  * Facebook: www.facebook.com/anxietybustingwithemily [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.facebook.com/anxietybustingwithemily]  * Website: www.mylifecoaching.co.uk  * Email: Emily.young@mylifecoaching.co.uk About the Episode: In this episode, host Melissa Haig sits down with Emily Young to explore the vital role of mindfulness in coaching and how it helps us cultivate grounded confidence. Together, they delve into the importance of slowing down to show up at our best, and how being truly present can transform our coaching practice. Key topics explored in this episode include: * Redefining Mindfulness: Emily breaks down the myth that mindfulness is about emptying the mind, explaining that it is not the absence of thinking, but rather the presence of awareness and paying attention non-judgmentally. * The Neuroscience of Presence: How over-thinking activates our stress response, and how dropping into a mindful state helps dial down the emotional brain so our rational brain can make magical, creative connections with our clients. * Habit Stacking: Practical advice on how to integrate mindfulness into your everyday routine - like washing the dishes or brushing your teeth - so that your brain easily remembers the pathway to a calm state when you actually need it. * The Power of the Breath: Why simply noticing your breath, particularly focusing on a longer out-breath, is an incredible "hack" to signal safety to your nervous system and instantly regulate your state. * Soaking in the "Glimmers": The importance of taking a mindful moment after a coaching session to intentionally focus on what went well, counteracting our evolutionary negativity bias and actively building self-trust. * Observer Mode: How doing a quick physical check-in allows you to observe your thoughts and bodily tension without judgment, freeing you from believing unhelpful narratives and fostering deep self-compassion. If you've ever felt caught in a relentless cycle of "thinking, thinking, thinking" before or during your coaching sessions, Emily's compassionate and deeply practical approach is the perfect antidote. Whether you are making your morning coffee, brushing your teeth, or just taking a deep breath, this episode will inspire you to weave small, powerful moments of mindfulness into your everyday routine. Tune in to discover how simply "checking in" can transform not just your coaching practice, but your entire way of being. Go Deeper with The Courageous Coach Program If these conversations are resonating, you might be ready to go deeper. The Courageous Coach program is designed for qualified coaches in the early years of building their independent practice. If you want to coach with more courage, clarity, and humanity and grow a business that truly reflects who you are, this is for you. You can find all the details here: https://www.melissahague.com/courageous-coaches [https://www.melissahague.com/courageous-coaches] Connect with Melissa Come and find Melissa on LinkedIn. Whether you have questions about the program, want to share what resonated from this episode, or just fancy a chat, she'd love to connect. Support the Podcast: * Follow & Subscribe: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next. * Share with a fellow coach: Know someone who could use a little courage boost? Pass this episode on—courage is contagious, after all. Thanks again for listening. Until next time, stay curious, stay human and keep choosing courage.

How Curiosity Strengthens Coaching Presence and Grounded Confidence with Alison Roberts

About the Guest Alison Roberts is a qualified executive coach, senior Learning and Development professional, and the founder of Comms Lab. Throughout her diverse career, which spans roles from Sales Director to Founder to Trainer, she has focused on cultivating the essential "human skills that AI can never replicate," such as intuition, listening, empathy, and connection. Her deep-seated curiosity and desire to understand the multiple levels of human communication have been a guiding force in her life. About the Episode In this episode, Melissa is joined by Alison Roberts to explore the transformative power of curiosity in coaching and developing grounded confidence. If you've ever been told you "need to be more curious" or "ask better questions"—and wondered how to actually do that—this episode is for you. Melissa and Alison discuss how curiosity isn't just a coaching tool, but a courageous way of living that requires us to unlearn the corporate conditioning that rewards being a "knower" rather than a "learner". Key topics explored in this episode include: * The "Say-Do" Gap: Why simply telling someone to "be more curious" is a meaningless instruction without actionable steps. * Re-framing Vulnerability: How focusing on being in service to your client can help bypass the discomfort of vulnerability, allowing you to ask the difficult questions. * The Link Between Playfulness and Curiosity: The importance of being fascinated by the world around you and embracing a childlike state of free play. * Unlearning the "Knower" Mindset: The struggle of transitioning from a corporate environment that praises expertise to a coaching space that requires you to sit with not knowing. * Sitting with Discomfort: Why coaches must practice sitting with discomfort in all areas of their lives, and how stepping out of your comfort zone builds true agility. * Beating to Your Own Drum: Embracing the intention to live authentically and asking yourself, "Will I regret this if I don't do it?". Whether you are seeking to deepen your coaching practice or find new ways to connect authentically in your business and life, this conversation offers an inspiring look at the courage it takes to remain curious. Find Alison Online: https://alisonroberts.my.canva.site/leading-with-connection [https://alisonroberts.my.canva.site/leading-with-connection] https://comms-lab.com/ [https://comms-lab.com/] https://tidycal.com/commslab/30-minute-meeting [https://tidycal.com/commslab/30-minute-meeting]   Go Deeper with The Courageous Coach Program If these conversations are resonating, you might be ready to go deeper. The Courageous Coach program is designed for qualified coaches in the early years of building their independent practice. If you want to coach with more courage, clarity, and humanity and grow a business that truly reflects who you are, this is for you. You can find all the details here: https://www.melissahague.com/courageous-coaches [https://www.melissahague.com/courageous-coaches] Connect with Melissa Come and find Melissa on LinkedIn. Whether you have questions about the program, want to share what resonated from this episode, or just fancy a chat, she'd love to connect. Support the Podcast: * Follow & Subscribe: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next. * Share with a fellow coach: Know someone who could use a little courage boost? Pass this episode on—courage is contagious, after all. Thanks again for listening. Until next time, stay curious, stay human and keep choosing courage.

Coaching from the Inside Out: The Power of Embodiment in Courageous Coaching with Glyn Bottrell

About  the Guest: What if all leaders and organisations oriented towards positive social impact and serving life?If we emphasised connection and being, not separation and doing? What gifts and potential are we not accessing?   Glyn offers compassionate guidance and companionship as people step into the questions and conversations that are urgently needed. A space to slow down, sort through mess, question conditioning and habits, be vulnerable. To explore the living systems within and around us, and the unseen energy, processes and blocks which shape behaviour.   Exploring different ways of sensing, being and knowing through body and mind, Glyn invites people to expand space and ease constriction. Space where we feel and see more clearly, where possibility and potential flow, where we can step into purposeful, life-affirming action.   The joy of life, nature, belief in human potential and the wounds of lived experience (organisations, life burnout, multiple life transformations) inform Glyn’s work, which evolves as he integrates new learning and experience.   Glyn brings over 10 years’ as an international coach, facilitator, mediator, organisation development consultant and charity board member. This builds on a diverse 20-year international career in leadership, strategy, change and operations, including over a decade as a diplomat.   He is based between Hamburg and Devon.   Always open to a chat to explore life, contact Glyn at: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/glynbottrell/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/glynbottrell/] Email: curious@glynbottrell.com [curious@glynbottrell.com] About the Episode: In this episode, host Melissa is joined by Glyn Bottrell to explore the concept of embodiment and why it is a crucial element in fostering courageous coaching and developing grounded confidence. Melissa and Glyn have a candid and curious conversation about the modern trap of living entirely in our heads, often ignoring the early warning signals our bodies send us. They delve into the ongoing journey of integrating embodiment into daily coaching practices and the absolute necessity of staying present and connected during client sessions. Key topics explored in this episode include: * Knowledge vs. Embodied Wisdom: The critical difference between learning a coaching tool intellectually and truly practising it as a "way of being". * The Body's Truth: Acknowledging that while the head is quick to create false stories and interpretations, the body can only signal the truth of our present physical experience. * Early Warning Signals: How to tune into subtle physiological cues to catch old, unhelpful patterns before they take over your reactions. * Developing Granularity: Expanding emotional literacy by slowing down to feel the exact physical location and temperature of an emotion, rather than just throwing it into a broad bucket like "angry". * Accessible Grounding: Simple, immediate practices for regulating yourself mid-session—such as feeling your feet on the floor, your bum in the chair, and connecting with your breath—without needing to step away to meditate. * Tracking Your Energy: Using physical sensations to determine if your coaching is serving the client or your own ego, specifically noting if you feel grounded in your belly versus anxious and "fizzy" in your head. Go Deeper with The Courageous Coach Program If these conversations are resonating, you might be ready to go deeper. The Courageous Coach program is designed for qualified coaches in the early years of building their independent practice. If you want to coach with more courage, clarity, and humanity and grow a business that truly reflects who you are, this is for you. You can find all the details here: https://www.melissahague.com/courageous-coaches [https://www.melissahague.com/courageous-coaches] Connect with Melissa Come and find Melissa on LinkedIn. Whether you have questions about the program, want to share what resonated from this episode, or just fancy a chat, she'd love to connect. Support the Podcast: * Follow & Subscribe: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next. * Share with a fellow coach: Know someone who could use a little courage boost? Pass this episode on—courage is contagious, after all. Thanks again for listening. Until next time, stay curious, stay human and keep choosing courage.