The Leonie Dawson Show

220: Coaching Myths Busted! Red Flags To Watch Out For


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Not every season of business needs a coach—and some “must-hire” advice is straight-up nonsense. In this fiery, funny, double-blunt chat, Leonie and Tam unpack when coaching is actually worth it, the red flags to avoid, and smarter (often cheaper) alternatives that get real results—especially for neurodivergent, values-driven women running online businesses.


Who it’s for: Online business women who want strategic growth without guru-worship, bro marketing, or 70-hour weeks.


Top Takeaways

  • “Should I hire a coach?” isn’t the first question. Start with: What problem am I solving right now? Accountability? Systems? Marketing? ADHD-friendly productivity?

  • Pick by fit, not hype. Know your learning style (step-by-step system vs. options menu; strategy vs. energetics—or a blend).

  • Cost ≠ ROI. A $50k package when you’re under $100k revenue is rarely wise. Do the math, not the mantra.

  • Don’t stack mentors you can’t implement. Learning ≠ doing. Implementation wins.

  • Vet for longevity, ethics, and lifestyle match. Can you (and do you want to) run your business the way they run theirs?

  • Be a powerful mentee. Keep sovereignty. You own decisions, actions, and results.


Red Flags (Buyer Beware)

  • Meteoric “8-figure in 2 years” with zero long-term track record.

  • Follower spikes that smell like bots.

  • Income claims without ad spend transparency.

  • One-true-way formulas that punish deviation.

  • Values misalignment (politics/ethics you can’t stomach).

  • Hustle-glorification incompatible with your life, health, or spoons.


Smart Alternatives to Long Coaching Containers


  • Body doubling/accountability rooms for execution.

  • VIP Day / “Done in a Day” for systems or a 6-month plan.

  • Low-stakes test drive: a book, short course, or workshop before going deep.


Timestamped Guide


  • 00:00Welcome back! Why this episode might surprise you.

  • 01:12 — The real first question: do you need a coach—or something else?

  • 03:05 — Picking style: accountability buddy, productivity, ADHD, intuitive + strategy, or “menu of options.”

  • 06:18 — Tam’s calendar kryptonite: when “just go do it” isn’t helpful (and what to ask for instead).

  • 09:40 — Body doubling > procrastination: simple ways to get sh*t done.

  • 11:02 — Spectrum check: manifest girlies ↔ pure strategy (and how to choose).

  • 14:30 — VIP Days & Website-In-A-Day: fast, focused outcomes without a 6-month saga.

  • 16:15 — Time cost reality: hours to watch, think, and implement—do you have them?

  • 18:04 — Money talk: when big-ticket coaching is a bad investment.

  • 20:32 — The “3 masterminds at once” myth—and why implementation capacity is the limiter.

  • 23:10 — Sunk-cost honesty: permission to stop when the fit is wrong (and forgive yourself).

  • 25:26 — Due diligence: longevity, follower audits, income claims, and ad spend.

  • 28:05 — Vibe & values: try a low-cost offer first; check ethics before you commit.

  • 30:48 — Lifestyle fit matters: rejecting 5:30am–10pm hustle culture (spoons, parenting, health).

  • 33:12 — How to be a powerful mentee: sovereignty, responsibility, and doing the work.

  • 35:20 — Don’t pedestal your coach: keep what works, discard the rest.

  • 37:45 — The sales-page mistake: why a “video + buy button” flopped (missing funnel context).

  • 40:11 — Balance inner vs outer work: keep learning to ~10–20% of your week.

  • 42:05 — Right relationship as a coach: no gurus, no dependence—just partnership.

  • 44:00 — Wrap + how to share your “good mentee” growth edges.


If this helped, rate 5★ and send it to a business bestie who’s coach-curious but hype-hunted. Got topic requests? Email [email protected].


#WomenInBusiness #OnlineBusiness #BusinessCoach #Mastermind #ADHDBusiness #NeurodivergentEntrepreneurs #Productivity #BodyDoubling #EthicalMarketing #FeministBusiness #ValuesBasedBusiness #SpoonieBusiness #CreativeEntrepreneur #AustralianBusiness #ImplementationOverInspiration

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The Leonie Dawson ShowBy Leonie Dawson

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