Season One Finale

In this heartfelt season finale, host Melissa Hague reflects on the journey of the Courageous Coach podcast's first season. She revisits key insights from her conversations with remarkable coaches who shared their personal experiences with courage in coaching.

Episode Highlights:

• Different Faces of Courage: Jessie Buscombe revealed that courage often feels like discomfort rather than bravery, and sometimes others recognize your courage before you do
• The Power of Vulnerability: Mark Townsend emphasized that "the courage to not know" and exploring answers together with clients can be transformative
• Authenticity in Coaching: Jane Gilham stressed that showing up as our whole selves creates safety for clients to do the same
• Small Acts of Courage: June Hogan defined courageous coaching as "bringing my whole self into the space—not just my coach self, my human self"
• The Ripple Effect: Gayle Tong shared how "when I see someone else taking a courageous step, I think, if they can do that, why not me?"
• Beyond Models: Kerry Laker-Fry observed that coaching maturity isn't about collecting more tools but "trusting yourself enough to put them down and just be present"

Listener Challenge:

Melissa invites listeners to reflect on how their courage has grown throughout the season and identify where they might still be playing small. She encourages everyone to take one courageous action this week, reminding us that "courage grows with practice."

What's Next:

• Connect with Melissa on LinkedIn or via email at melissa@melissahague.com
• Coming in autumn 2025: The Courageous Coach Program, for coaches ready to go beyond techniques and embody courage in their work
• Season Two is in development and will bring more conversations about courage in coaching

"This isn't goodbye. It's just a pause. And I can't wait to bring you more conversations, more insights and more courage when we return for season two."

About the Jane Gilham:

Jane is an experienced HR leader and coach, who is passionate about people, understands how they drive business performance and most importantly what support they need to thrive.

Working at board level for 20+ years in Human Resourcing, her support of C-suite and leadership teams to achieve rapid business growth through MBO and PE investment has been a significant feature of her career to date, underpinned by leading, establishing, and growing HR teams to develop and implement the People Strategy.

She combines her skills as a consultant, interim and coach to nurture growth with individuals or team, and at the heart of her coaching practice is ability to work with others to have meaningful and hard conversations, that drives growth and have a lasting impact in the personal and professional lives. She is also a volunteer youth coach.

Jane is CIPD certified, a member of the Association of Coaching, Dare to Lead™ Trained and part of the Henley School for Coaching Alumni.

Links:

www.awarenesscoachinghr.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-gilham-8765a32b/

About the episode:

In this conversation, Melissa and Jane explore the themes of courageous coaching, the importance of vulnerability, active listening, self-care, and the ongoing journey of personal growth. Jane shares her experiences transitioning from a corporate HR career to coaching, emphasizing the significance of being authentic and present with clients.

They discuss the challenges of self-compassion, the emotional aspects of coaching, and the process of rebranding and redefining identity in the coaching space. In this conversation, Jane Gilham shares her journey of self-discovery, courage, and personal growth. She discusses the importance of finding purpose, the challenges of transitioning from a corporate career, and the value of reflection and journaling.

Jane emphasizes the significance of courageous conversations in both personal and professional relationships, and how embracing vulnerability has led to a more meaningful life. The discussion highlights the transformative power of courage and the impact it can have on coaching and personal connections.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction and Background

05:51 - The Importance of Active Listening

12:00 - Facing Change: Rebranding and Identity

15:00 - The Ongoing Journey of Courage Building

22:40 - Finding Purpose and Value in Life

29:32 - The Power of Reflection and Journaling

36:11 - Courageous Conversations and Relationships

39:04 - Embracing Vulnerability and Meaningful Living

You can find out more about the work I do to help coaches be more courageous with their clients, their business and their lives by:

Visiting my website - https://www.melissahague.com/courageous-coaches

Connect with me on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/melissa-hague

Sign up to my mailing list here - https://mailinglistsignup.melissahague.com/landing-page-8347

Or, If you’d like chat about all thing’s courage, then you can book a chat with me here - https://calendly.com/melissahague/let-s-talk

About the Mark Townsend:

I help leaders step into their full potential with courage, clarity, and confidence.

With over 25 years of experience in the education sector, I specialise in empowering professionals to lead with authenticity, navigate challenges with resilience, and create lasting impact in their organisations. I have worked closely with many head teachers, deputy head teachers, SENCOs, Phase Leaders, Heads of Year, and class teachers, as well as professionals from other industries.

As an Executive Coach, I take a client-centred, non-directive, and non-judgmental approach, ensuring that your unique journey remains at the heart of our conversations.

I truly believe that people are capable of incredible growth, and nothing excites me more than being a part of that transformation. I am also Dare to LeadTM trained—an experience that was both transformative and life-changing. Inspired by Brené Brown’s work on courage and vulnerability in leadership, I integrate these powerful principles into my coaching, helping clients build confidence, foster meaningful connections, and lead with integrity.

Whether you're an aspiring leader looking to elevate your career or a seasoned executive seeking a fresh perspective, I provide a space for deep reflection, strategi action, and transformational growth.

Links:

Website - https://marktownsendcoaching.com/

About the episode:

In this episode of the Courageous Coach podcast, Melissa and Mark Townsend explore the themes of courageous coaching, vulnerability, self-awareness, and self-love. Mark shares his journey from being a primary school teacher to a leadership development coach, emphasizing the importance of embracing vulnerability in coaching.

They discuss the difference between transformational and transactional coaching, the significance of self-compassion, and the challenges of leaning into discomfort. Mark reflects on his personal growth and the courage it takes to navigate change in both his professional and personal life. In this conversation, Mark Townsend discusses his journey of navigating change in his professional life, emphasizing the importance of support systems and the courage to ask for help.

He reflects on the transformative learning experiences he has had in building courage, setting boundaries, and extending generosity towards others. The dialogue highlights the significance of continuous growth and self-awareness in both personal and professional contexts, ultimately fostering resilience and connection.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction to Courageous Coaching

02:51 - Mark's Journey in Education and Coaching

08:47 - The Power of Self-Awareness and Self-Love

12:03 - Transformational vs. Transactional Coaching

14:49 - The Importance of Self-Compassion

21:00 - Mark's Call to Courage and Embracing Change

28:07 - The Power of Support and Connection

31:30 - The Courage to Ask for Help

39:08 - Living Big: Boundaries, Integrity, and Generosity

You can find out more about the work I do to help coaches be more courageous with their clients, their business and their lives by:

Visiting my website - https://www.melissahague.com/courageous-coaches

Connect with me on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/melissa-hague

Sign up to my mailing list here - https://mailinglistsignup.melissahague.com/landing-page-8347

Or, If you’d like chat about all thing’s courage, then you can book a chat with me here - https://calendly.com/melissahague/let-s-talk

About the Jessie Buscombe:

Jessie is a former Senior Civil Servant who is now a team and leadership coach. Since establishing her coaching practice in 2020, Jessie has worked with leaders in central, regional and local government organisations, where she is passionate about helping individuals and teams find joy in their work whilst enhancing their performance.

Through her work, Jessie has focused on how she can support organisations to create (and maintain) leadership teams that deliver better outcomes for citizens. She has also written widely on what individual leaders can learn from their career change and transition.

In addition to her coaching practice, Jessie is a policy consultant focusing on skills and economic growth. Jessie has authorised reports, advised governments on future skills policy, and led projects to increase collaboration between businesses and government.

She currently chairs the City of Westminster’s Education, Employment, and Skills Board, which brings partners across the borough to help Westminster residents achieve their potential and assist employers in recruiting local talent.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessie-buscombe/ to learn more about Jessie’s work or connect with her.

About the episode:

In this episode of the Courageous Coach podcast, Melissa and Jessie Buscombe explore the themes of courage, discomfort, and authenticity in coaching. Jessie shares her journey from a civil service career to becoming a coach, discussing the challenges and benefits of this transition.

They delve into the nature of courage, emphasizing that it often involves discomfort and vulnerability, and how recognizing this can empower individuals to embrace their true selves in their coaching practice. The conversation highlights the importance of safety, choice, and belonging in the coaching profession, encouraging coaches to lean into their individuality while maintaining core values.

In this conversation, Melissa and Jessie explore the essential themes of authenticity, resilience, and self-assessment in the coaching profession. They discuss the importance of connecting with clients on a personal level, the challenges of dealing with rejection, and the need for coaches to redefine success in a self-employed context. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of self-reflection and the power of feedback, ultimately highlighting that courage is a fundamental aspect of effective coaching.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction to Courageous Coaching

03:05 - Jessie's Journey from Civil Service to Coaching

05:47 - Understanding Courage in Coaching

11:54 - Courage vs. Comfort: A Choice

17:59 - Embracing Authenticity in Coaching

20:53 - Finding Belonging in the Coaching Profession

30:25 - Navigating Rejection and Building Resilience

40:15 - The Power of Self-Assessment and Feedback

You can find out more about the work I do to help coaches be more courageous with their clients, their business and their lives by:

Visiting my website - https://www.melissahague.com/courageous-coaches

Connect with me on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/melissa-hague

Sign up to my mailing list here - https://mailinglistsignup.melissahague.com/landing-page-8347

Or, If you’d like chat about all thing’s courage, then you can book a chat with me here - https://calendly.com/melissahague/let-s-talk

About the Donna Higgs-Ward:

I am Donna, a coach, mentor, facilitator and trainer and I love designing, developing and leading impactful learning experiences that achieve tangible results.

I’ve experienced the good, the bad and the ugly of workplace leadership and management, I truly understand the impact it has for everyone involved. That’s why I am so passionate about developing emotionally intelligent leaders, teams and workplaces. When we build our awareness about who we are, how we show up, and the impact we have on those around us, we open up choices to build on our strengths, embrace our challenges, and achieve our aspirations.

I think humans are pretty awesome – it’s probably why I have always been passionate about people development throughout my 25yr+ career – we have this super power we can tap into at will; the ability to learn. Through our learning superpowers we can grow, develop, achieve and succeed in even the most challenging of situations. That’s exactly what I help you to unlock!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-ward-higgs-miol-mcmi-8194a969/

Website: https://learningpartnersolutions.com/

About the episode:
In this episode of the Courageous Coach podcast, Melissa and Donna Ward-Higgs explore the themes of learning, personal development, and the courage it takes to build meaningful connections in the coaching profession. They discuss the importance of emotional intelligence, the role of personal growth in professional success, and how their shared experiences have shaped their coaching journeys.

The conversation emphasizes the significance of self-awareness and the impact of one's presence in the coaching space, ultimately highlighting the transformative power of courage in both personal and professional realms. In this engaging conversation, Melissa and Donna explore the intricate balance between coaching and supervision, emphasizing the importance of personal development for coaches.

They discuss the evolving landscape of coaching in the context of AI and the significance of humanity in the profession. The dialogue delves into the continuous journey of courage, the role of intentionality and awareness, and how curiosity and vulnerability are essential components of courageous acts. Ultimately, they highlight that courage is not an inherent trait but something that can be cultivated through awareness and choice.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction to Courageous Coaching

05:00 - The Power of Learning and Development

15:02 - The Role of Personal Development in Coaching

20:01 - Evolving as a Coach: From Theory to Practice

25:49 - The Importance of Personal Development in Coaching

27:41 - The Impact of AI on Coaching and Humanity

30:54 - Courage: A Continuous Journey

38:31 - Curiosity and Vulnerability as Courageous Acts

45:56 - Recognizing and Cultivating Inner Courage

You can find out more about the work I do to help coaches be more courageous with their clients, their business and their lives by:

Visiting my website - https://www.melissahague.com/courageous-coaches

Connect with me on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/melissa-hague

Sign up to my mailing list here - https://mailinglistsignup.melissahague.com/landing-page-8347

Or, If you’d like chat about all thing’s courage, then you can book a chat with me here - https://calendly.com/melissahague/let-s-talk

About the Gayle Tong:

With my roots in retail, it’s the 20 years’ experience working in a retail environment that has made me the pragmatic, realistic coach I am today.

I’ve been a qualified coach since 2017, along with this, my background in learning & development, means I love understanding what makes people tick.

My style of coaching is informal, it’s conversational and it’s all about you. I’m not all about models and theory, although I do believe they have their time & place.

I’m a big believer in taking small courageous actions that move you forward to achieving your goals. And as your coach, I will always encourage you to be more courageous, to pull up your big pants to take action, because without action nothing changes.

Overall, where confidence building is concerned, I love to have an impact on those beliefs you have about what you think you can & cannot do, so that you can become the best confident, authentic version of you.

Links:

• https://www.enrichmentcoaching.co.uk/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/gayletong/
• https://www.instagram.com/enrichment_coaching/

About the episode:
In this episode of the Courageous Coach podcast, host Melissa engages with Gail Tong, a confidence-building coach, to explore the themes of authenticity, courage, and personal development in coaching. Gail shares her journey from retail to coaching, emphasizing the importance of understanding oneself to build confidence.

The conversation delves into the concept of courageous coaching, the significance of finding one's coaching style, and the ongoing journey of learning and growth in the coaching profession. They discuss the interplay between courage and vulnerability, and how these elements shape the coaching experience for both the coach and the client. In this conversation, Gayle and Melissa explore the themes of vulnerability, courage, self-compassion, and the realities of running a coaching business. They discuss the importance of support systems, the practice of self-compassion, and the continuous journey of building confidence.

The dialogue emphasizes the significance of authenticity in coaching relationships and the necessity of leaning into courage during both peaks and troughs in business. They also touch on the value of mentoring and the shared experiences that enrich these relationships, ultimately highlighting that everyday courage is essential for both coaches and clients.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction to Confidence Coaching

02:55 - The Journey to Confidence Building

05:49 - Courageous Coaching: Stretching Beyond Comfort

14:58 - The Role of Courage in Coaching

25:54 - The Power of Vulnerability in Courage

27:30 - Self-Compassion as a Practice

31:20 - The Importance of Authenticity in Coaching

42:30 - Everyday Courage in Coaching

You can find out more about the work I do to help coaches be more courageous with their clients, their business and their lives by:

Visiting my website - https://www.melissahague.com/courageous-coaches

Connect with me on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/melissa-hague

Sign up to my mailing list here - https://mailinglistsignup.melissahague.com/landing-page-8347

Or, If you’d like chat about all thing’s courage, then you can book a chat with me here - https://calendly.com/melissahague/let-s-talk

About the Michelle Gooding:

Michelle is an experienced former GP turned Coach. She is a coach for the Joyful Doctor, a national Coaching organisation specialising in doctors' wellbeing and has her own coaching business, The GP Coach. Michelle now coaches and supports overworked and overstretched doctors helping them avoid burnout and do the work they love. She also works with doctors who are recovering from burnout, helping them to transform their experience of burnout into sustainable wellbeing

Website: www.thegpcoach.co.uk

The ‘Blob Tree’ tool: https://www.blobtree.com/

About the episode:

In this episode of the Courageous Coaching podcast, Melissa and Michelle discuss the journey of transitioning from a GP to a coach specializing in doctors' wellbeing. They explore the importance of courage in coaching, the challenges of marketing oneself, and the creative techniques that can enhance the coaching experience. Michelle shares her insights on personal development, intuition, and the ripple effect of courage in both her life and the lives of her clients. The conversation emphasizes the ongoing nature of courage-building and the human connection that is central to effective coaching.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction to Courageous Coaching

02:53 - The Journey from GP to Coaching

06:00 - Courageous Marketing and Visibility

08:57 - The Role of Courage in Personal Development

12:01 - Intuition and Courage in Coaching

14:52 - Creative Techniques in Coaching

18:08 - The Impact of Courage on Coaching Style

21:04 - Looking Forward: Future Courageous Steps

24:09 - The Ripple Effect of Courage

27:00 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

You can find out more about the work I do to help coaches be more courageous with their clients, their business and their lives by:

Visiting my website - https://www.melissahague.com/courageous-coaches

Connect with me on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/melissa-hague

Sign up to my mailing list here - https://mailinglistsignup.melissahague.com/landing-page-8347

Or, If you’d like chat about all thing’s courage, then you can book a chat with me here - https://calendly.com/melissahague/let-s-talk

About the Kerry Laker-Frry:

Kerry Laker-Fry is a Learning & Development professional and the founder of SHE: The Success Coach, a company aimed at helping women develop the confidence and capability they need for career success.

Kerry supports people to achieve career goals and organisations to grow talent. Her mission – to challenge people’s thinking and inspire action one conversation at a time – has seen her create learning communities, publish work celebrating women's stories, and share her own ‘hero and zero’ moments to normalise the learning process. A self-confessed collector of ideas and enthusiastic list maker, you can find Kerry on LinkedIn for career development ideas and inspiration.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-laker-fry

About the episode:

In this episode of the Courageous Coach podcast, Melissa interviews Kerry Laker-Fry, a coach with a decade of experience in both corporate and personal coaching. Kerry shares her journey of embracing courage in coaching, the importance of authenticity, and her passion for empowering women.

They discuss the challenges of transitioning from internal to external coaching, the impact of historical perceptions on women's capabilities, and the courage it takes to write a book. The conversation emphasizes the significance of staying true to one's path and the discomfort that often accompanies growth and learning.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction to Kerry Laker-Fry

02:23 - Courageous Coaching: A Personal Journey

07:49 - Bringing Authenticity to Coaching

12:14 - Navigating Internal vs. External Coaching

21:00 - Empowering Women: The Mission Behind Coaching

24:09 - The Impact of History on Women's Perception

27:29 - The Courage to Write a Book

34:40 - Staying in Your Lane: The Courage of Comparison

38:43 - Final Thoughts on Courage in Coaching

You can find out more about the work I do to help coaches be more courageous with their clients, their business and their lives by:

Visiting my website - https://www.melissahague.com/courageous-coaches

Connect with me on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/melissa-hague

Sign up to my mailing list here - https://mailinglistsignup.melissahague.com/landing-page-8347

Or, If you’d like chat about all thing’s courage, then you can book a chat with me here - https://calendly.com/melissahague/let-s-talk