Episode 13: The Stories We Tell Ourselves

Episode 13: The Stories We Tell Ourselves

Bad news is inevitable. The part we rarely get taught is how to stop it becoming a story that wrecks our confidence and drives panic-led choices. We’re talking about reframing: the skill of separating what happened from what you’re telling yourself it means, especially when life throws a proper spanner in the works. We get personal about redundancy, the uncertainty of a consultation period, and that stomach-drop moment when the decision becomes real. We talk honestly about the pressure of income, mortgages and family life, and why even “it’s not a reflection on your performance” can still feel like a hit. From there we move into practical resilience tools that help us come back to centre: giving ourselves time to process, going for a walk, talking it through, journalling, and shifting attention to the circle of control so we can act instead of spiral. Then we share the turning point: taking a proactive stance, exploring options, and stepping into freelancing even with the “can I actually do this?” doubts. To make it usable for you, we end with three questions we lean on when things go sideways, including how to challenge the first story your mind offers and how to look for what the situation might make possible. If you’re navigating redundancy, job loss, career change, mindset work or just a season of uncertainty, this one will give you language and structure to move forward. Subscribe, share it with someone who needs a reset, and leave us a review with the reframe you’re working on right now.

Episode 12: A Coaching Practice For Men At A Crossroads

That quiet thought of “Is this it?” can hit even when life looks successful on paper. We’re back after a chaotic patch of work, parenting, and illness, and we share a big update: Anthony has launched his own arm of the business and started coaching men who feel stuck, lost, or like they’ve been coasting for years. We talk honestly about what “purpose” actually means for men at a crossroads, especially when the old blueprints no longer fit modern life. Chasing money and job titles can bring comfort and options, but it can also lead to burnout and a strange emptiness. We explore the difference between external motivators and internal motivators, why wealth has diminishing returns for happiness, and how building a purpose-driven life can steady your confidence, career direction, and relationships. Anth explains what a free discovery call looks like, how he approaches support without pressure, and why this work feels like his real purpose after years in psychology, learning and development, and instructional design. You’ll also hear a practical mindset tool we love: the “ghost race” idea, where you stop competing with everyone else and start measuring progress against your past self. We finish with a plug for Men Walking and Talking, a simple weekly walking group that creates space for men’s mental health support through conversation, banter, or even silence. If this resonates, please subscribe, share the show, and leave us a review. We very much appreciate the support. Reach Anth via: Instagram (Anth_expansionscoaching) LinkedIn (Anthony Knott) Email (anthony@expansionscoaching.co.uk)

Episode 11: Resilience Without The Mask

Resilience looks heroic from the outside and chaotic from the inside. In this episode, we unpack what resilience actually feels like: shaky hands before a career-defining pitch, spiralling thoughts after bad news, and the decision to take one small step forward anyway. We challenge the myth that resilience is something you’re born with. It isn’t a fixed trait. It’s a trainable response. From early experiences that build balance and grit to the uncomfortable adult moments that stretch confidence, we explore how uneven ground prepares you for uneven seasons. We also break down the difference between proactive resilience (seeking stretch deliberately) and reactive resilience (responding when life blindsides you), and why both matter for long-term mental strength. Drawing on practical psychology and Stoic thinking, we reframe obstacles not as detours but as part of the path. When you focus on what’s within your control, pressure becomes a training ground rather than a threat. You’ll also learn our simple three-step RUN framework for building resilience in real time: • R – Reality Check: Separate facts from the stories stress creates. • U – Unstuck: Choose one small, useful action to regain momentum. • N – Nail Consistency: Return to the basics after disruption. Progress over perfection. We share honest stories from career pivots, business building, and health challenges, alongside a look at comparison culture, burnout myths, and why resilience isn’t toxic positivity. It’s emotional honesty paired with intentional action. If you want practical tools for building mental resilience, confidence under pressure, and sustainable personal growth, this episode is for you. Subscribe, share with someone who needs it, and let us know your next small step.

Episode 10: Why Self-Care Isn’t Selfish And How To Make It Work

Feeling guilty for wanting time to yourself? We challenge the myth that self-care is selfish and show how prioritising your needs is the most reliable way to create a calmer home, clearer mind, and more resilient life. From the pressure many women feel to carry everything to the hidden cost of “being fine,” we explore the stories that keep people stuck in burnout and offer a clearer path out. We get practical fast: redefining self-care as maintenance, not indulgence; swapping the “no time” script for honest priorities; and building tiny systems that make healthy choices easier than scrolling. You’ll hear how we map needs together—early quiet time, planned runs, simple routines—and why micro-changes beat all-or-nothing resolutions. We dig into journaling as awareness training, how to spot what truly nourishes you, and why consistency creates confidence. We also talk therapy without the stigma, using it proactively to unstick patterns like rejection sensitivity before they wreck momentum. Enjoyed the conversation? Please like, share, and subscribe—and drop us a note with the one small habit you’re committing to this week. For more content, check out the YouTube channel at Expansions Coach.

Episode 9: What If Confidence Is Just Evidence You Collect About Yourself?

Ready to stop waiting for confidence to arrive and start building it for real? We kick off the year by unpacking what confidence truly is, why the loudest person in the room isn’t always the most self-assured, and how to grow unshakable belief through action, not affirmation. From first reels that took hours to record, to saying yes to speaking gigs, to jumping on the DJ decks, we share the honest steps that change how you see yourself. We look at the hidden cost of comparison and the validation trap of social media. 'Likes' will spike and crash; identity shouldn’t. You’ll hear why aligning effort with a clear why stabilises nerves, how “evidence stacking” turns small wins into durable self-trust, and why authentic voice beats performance every time. Confidence becomes less about image and more about integrity: doing the thing you care about, even when your hands shake. You’ll leave with practical steps you can use today: define your reason, choose tiny stretches that build tolerance, welcome feedback without tying it to your worth, and train kinder, more truthful self-talk. We also talk about scaling courage — how the skills you build in a room of 20 translate to a room of 1,000 — and why quiet confidence is often the strongest kind. If you’re ready to move from “I’ll be confident when…” to “I’m building confidence now,” this one’s for you. Listen, take one small action, and tell us what evidence you’ll collect this week. If the show helps, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find it.