The Coaching Podcast

What does it really mean to "know your player"? In this episode of The Coaching Podcast, Coach EM sits down with former ATP professional, Olympic coach, and LTP Academy Co-Director Mike Sell to explore why great coaching begins with understanding the individual. Mike shares practical insights on tailoring development to each player's needs, creating purposeful practice with no wasted repetitions, preparing to win, and remaining calm under pressure—like the flight attendant during turbulence. They also discuss the value of having a second set of eyes on your coaching, the dangers of over-coaching, the importance of asking great questions and listening deeply, and why the best leaders know that coaching is about people, not position. Whether you're coaching athletes, leading a team, or raising children, this conversation is packed with simple yet powerful ideas to help you develop people with greater intention.

About Mike Sell

Mike Sell is Co-Director of LTP (Live to Play) Academy and Director of the LTP Pro Program. A former ATP Tour professional, Mike reached career-high rankings of World No. 136 in singles and No. 83 in doubles before building an outstanding coaching career at every level of the game. He has coached some of tennis's biggest names, including Serena Williams, John Isner, Tommy Paul, Reilly Opelka, Donald Young, and Monica Seles, and served as Lead National Coach for the USTA and Assistant Coach for the U.S. Olympic Team at the 2012 London Games, where Team USA won three gold medals and one bronze. A four-time All-American at the University of Georgia and recipient of the Arthur Ashe Sportsmanship and Leadership Award, Mike is passionate about developing players and coaches alike, with a coaching philosophy centered on knowing the person before coaching the player.

Learn more: 

https://ltpchs.com/team/michael-sell-ltp-pro-program/

Coach EM Gem — Are You Speaking the Same Language?

A Vistage Chair recently sent me this note after one of my workshops:

"I reckon you’re an absolute legend—your energy had the whole room stoked! Fair dinkum, your custom approach was spot-on for the crew’s skillset. And crikey, you nailed it—coaching’s a ripper topic that’s not talked about enough. I’ll be spreading the word like a kangaroo on the hop. No worries, I’ve got zero suggestions—you’re already smashing it!"

Needless to say, my American friends found it hilarious.

It reminded me of a point I often make in leadership:

Never assume people are speaking the same language.

In a California workshop, I shared this classic Aussie sentence:

"So next arvo, we're gonna head down to the park for a barbie. I'll bring the chooks and snags if you could bring an eski of stubbies. Hopefully this time you won't get crook. Be sure and bring your cossie and your togs since it should be a nice day and it's totally fine to be in your thongs..."

The room had absolutely no idea what I was talking about.

The lesson?

Communication is not about what you say.

Communication is about what the other person understands.

As leaders, coaches, parents, and teammates, we often assume our message is clear because it makes sense to us.

But clarity lives with the listener, not the speaker.

Before moving on, ask:

"What did you hear?"
"What does that mean to you?"
"Can you tell me that back in your own words?"

Because effective communication isn't what you say.

It's what they hear.

• Live inspired
• Practice improving
• Lead with Impact

Communication isn't just a leadership skill - it's leadership itself. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Erina Reddan, a former foreign correspondent, award-winning journalist, and communication coach, to explore why great leaders don't just share information - they create meaning. We unpack the power of storytelling, why our brains are wired to connect through stories, how to communicate with both logical and emotional clarity, and why every conversation should begin with the problem before jumping to the solution. Erina also shares powerful lessons from reporting in crisis zones, revealing how leaders can stay human under pressure, take the heat out of difficult conversations, and navigate uncertainty with confidence. One of my favourite takeaways: AI is a tool, don't let it be you!

About Erina Reddan

Dr Erina Reddan is a Walkley Award-winning (which is Australia’s equivalent to the Pulitzer prize if you need this) former foreign correspondent, television and radio presenter, author, and communication coach who has built a career at the intersection of storytelling, leadership, and impact. With a PhD in story-telling and a background in crisis communication, Erina focuses on the power of story, leadership in uncertain times, building resilience, and how communication can shift culture and transform outcomes. Her unique blend of real-world experience, from the frontlines of global reporting to the boardrooms of Australia’s most influential organisations means she equips you with practical tools and powerful insights to communicate with clarity, lead with confidence, and become more impactful as coaches and leaders.

Connect with Erina:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-erina-reddan-b327034/ 
Website: https://www.redriver.net.au/ 

Coach EM Gem - Do You Want to Go to the Next Level?

Many people say:

"I want to go to the next level."

That's a good start.

But a better question is:

"How can I grow to the next level?"

Wanting is intention.

Growing requires action.

The key is not making a giant leap. The key is making the first step so small and so easy that you can't talk yourself out of it.

Growth happens when action follows intention.

So instead of focusing on the next level, focus on the next step.

Because every level you've ever reached started with one simple action.

• Live inspired
• Practice improving
• Lead with Impact

In this episode, I sit down with Isaac McBroom, Education Manager for the PTR and author of A Constraints-Led Approach to Coaching Tennis. We explore why great coaching is less about giving instructions and more about creating environments where people can learn, adapt, and discover solutions for themselves. From Theory of Mind and Ecological Dynamics to leadership, autonomy, and decision-making, Isaac shares why coaching is ultimately a collaborative dance between the learner, their environment, and the coach.

About Isaac McBroom

Isaac McBroom is the Education Manager for the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR), a coach developer, educator, and former ATP/WTA tour coach with more than a decade of experience in high-performance tennis. Known for bridging the gap between coaching science and practice, Isaac has played a leading role in modernizing coach education through ecological dynamics and the constraints-led approach. He is the author of A Constraints-Led Approach to Coaching Tennis and works with coaches around the world to design learning environments that develop adaptable, creative, and resilient athletes.

Connect with Issac
Website: https://ptrtennis.org/
Insta: Isaac.mcbroom
Buy Issac's book on Amazon

Bonus Viewing:
Sir John Whitmore's famous golf lesson demonstrating the difference between "Ask" versus "Tell":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ncb1jjRZyNU

Coach EM Gems 💎

How often do we say:

“I just need to get through this week… this season… this stage of life.”

Lately, I’ve been reminded how quickly time moves and how easy it is to wish parts of our lives away while waiting for the next thing.

This Coach EM Gem is a reminder to slow down, be present, and find the gift in the season you are in – even the difficult ones.

Today’s Coach EM Gem is powered by Sam – the AI tool built for the coaching world. Coaches, spend less time marketing and more time coaching. Clients, find your perfect match – without the romance. Visit www.TrySam.ai

• Live inspired
• Practice improving
• Lead with Impact

Everything starts in the mind – and in this episode of The Coaching Podcast, I sit down with Jaquie Scammell to explore what that really means for leaders navigating a fast-moving, AI-driven world. This is a conversation about perspective, presence, and performance – from how we manage our thoughts and energy in the micro-moments, to how we show up for others through feedback, coaching, and everyday service. We dive into the difference between being interested versus committed, why feedback is one of the greatest gifts you can give, and how leadership is ultimately about creating the conditions for people to thrive.

Jaquie Scammell is the CEO and Founder of ServiceQ and one of the leading voices in service leadership today, known for helping organisations strengthen human connection in a world that is moving faster, becoming more automated, and asking more of its people.

Her work sits at the intersection of leadership, culture and customer experience, where she partners with senior leaders to turn service from something people perform into something people live – embedded in behaviour, decision-making and the everyday moments that shape reputation.

As the architect behind Service Habits™ and 5D Service Leadership™, Jaquie has developed practical operating systems that help organisations build cultures of consistency, ownership and care – not as concepts, but as capabilities that drive performance.

She has worked across industries including aviation, banking, infrastructure and resources, with organisations such as BHP, Westpac, Melbourne Airport and Virgin Australia. A published, award-winning author, Jaquie is known for her ability to translate complex human dynamics into clear, actionable leadership.

In the room, she brings both edge and empathy, creating environments where leaders are challenged to think differently, take ownership, and step forward with clarity.

Website: https://serviceq.co/ 
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jaquiescammell 
Company: https://au.linkedin.com/company/serviceq 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaquiescammellofficial/

Coach EM Turbo Tip: From the Wall to the Floor - Reflection Tool

Shout-out to the company CIMET (team India) for running an all-company "AS ONE" team-strengthening day, bringing their values from the "wall to the floor".

Here is one of the reflection tools that we used to bring their values to life:

LBW - think cricket! But we don't want you to go out - so think BLW:

B = Behaviour — What did you see? What was observed?
L = Learn — What did you learn or discover?
W = Wonder — What are you wondering as it relates to bringing this behaviour to life at work?

Simple. Practical. Powerful.

• Live inspired
• Practice improving
• Lead with Impact

Featured partner:
Today’s Turbo Tip with Coach EM is brought to you by trysam.ai — your match-making AI tool for people looking for a coach and coaches wanting the ideal client.

In this special Legacy Episode of The Coaching Podcast, Coach EM honours the life and work of Jim Loehr — world-renowned performance psychologist, bestselling author, and co-founder of the Human Performance Institute. Dr. Loehr sadly passed away on April 20, 2026, at the age of 83, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy that shaped athletes, coaches, leaders, and performers across the globe. From coaching 17 world number one athletes to transforming the way we think about energy, character, purpose, and performance, Jim’s work went far beyond winning. As he famously said, “It’s not about making a living, it’s about making a life.”

About Dr Jim Loehr 

Dr. Jim Loehr was one of the world’s leading performance psychologists and the co-founder of the Human Performance Institute (HPI), the pioneering organization behind the science of energy management and sustained high performance. Over a career spanning more than three decades, his groundbreaking work influenced elite performers across sport, business, medicine, and law enforcement. Jim worked with 17 world number one athletes across sports including tennis, golf, basketball, football, hockey, boxing, motor racing, and the Olympics, while also advising Fortune 500 companies, FBI Hostage Rescue Teams, and military Special Forces.

A New York Times bestselling author of 17 books, including The Power of Full Engagement and Leading with Character, Jim believed that true performance was built from the inside out. His work focused not only on mental toughness, but on emotional strength, purpose, character, and energy management. Featured in publications including Harvard Business Review, Fortune, Time, Newsweek, and on programs such as Oprah, Today, and Nightline, Jim’s legacy continues to shape coaches, leaders, athletes, and high performers around the world.

Pure gold for leadership coaching — especially the ownership-before-accountability philosophy that shaped so much of Coach EM’s work.

The Power of Story
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_0NnqkmVM4 

Dr. Jim Loehr | X’s & O’s of Building Character
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjRysxeyJPk&t=16s 

Coach EM Turbo Tip: Feedback is the breakfast of champions. Clarity is kindness.

#1 driver of enhanced performance is: Fair. Frequent. Factual.

Start here:
Who is the person in front of you?

Then choose your conversation framework.

For a Socializer style, try Start / Stop / Steer:

1️⃣ What will you start doing?
2️⃣ What will you stop doing?
3️⃣ Where do you need to steer your energy this week/month?

Featured partner:
Today’s Turbo Tip with Coach EM is brought to you by trysam.ai — your match-making AI tool for people looking for a coach and coaches wanting the ideal client.