The Confident Podcast

Confidence doesn’t show up on command...it is the training that goes on behind the scenes through preparation, risk, and relentless attention to detail. 

In this episode, I sit down with Cathy George, head coach and Mike Gawlik, associate head coach of the Grand Rapids Rise, a women's professional indoor volleyball team to unpack how pros build confidence, why team energy can swing matches, and what it takes to grow a startup franchise into a contender. 

We explore mental versus physical demands at the elite level, what separates consistent pros from talented prospects, and the staff chemistry that matters. 

If you lead teams, on the court or in the office, you’ll walk away with practical mantras, smarter practice ideas, and a renewed respect for the small actions that compound into big wins.

Chapters

• 7:03: Mike’s Path From Volunteer To Head Coach
• 9:18: Earning Roles and Initiative Over Titles
• 13:39: How Coaches Build Real Confidence
• 18:49: Preparation, Practice and Risk
• 21:20: Team Energy, Culture and Film
• 24:06: Professional Growth and Staff Chemistry
• 27:05: Mentors and Support
• 29:06: Quick Hits: Confidence, The Game, And Growth

More than just a podcast: 

• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel 
• Subscribe to our Newsletter 
• Apply to be coached by Lisa and receive a free call 
• Sponsor Athletic Greens, click to order and receive a free gift!
  
  

What if growth finally clicked the moment you stopped gripping the wheel? I sit down with Sarah Fechter, owner of Sarah Fechter Fitness, a global online coaching and premium in-person training business to unpack how real change happens. Throughout this episode, we get honest about the parts of leadership most folks skip: learning to lead humans, not tasks; investing in mentors earlier; and helping teammates see their vision inside yours. We share practical tools you can use today like always measure backwards to see progress, ask curious questions instead of assuming, and set boundaries that are real, not avoidance in disguise. We also dig into delayed gratification, why multitasking steals presence, and how your body signals misalignment with tightness, racing thoughts, and a quickening pulse.

Hit play, then tell us the pivot you’re making this year. If this conversation helped, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find it.

Chapters:

• 9:40: Introducing Guest Sarah Fechter
• 10:05: Origin Story: Grief To Fitness Mission
• 14:05: Building A Gym And Pandemic Identity Shock
• 18:15: Mentors, Leadership, And People Skills
• 22:35: Presence, Assumptions, And Delayed Gratification
• 26:05: Measuring Backwards And Taming Overwhelm
• 29:15: Boundaries, Control, And Letting Go
• 33:05: Rock Bottom, Identity Shifts, And Lasting Change
• 38:20: Play, Flow, And Attracting Opportunities
• 41:10: Rapid-Fire: Zone Of Genius And Life Lessons
• 45:08: Closing Takeaways And Listener Invite

More than just a podcast: 

• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel 
• Subscribe to our Newsletter 
• Apply to be coached by Lisa and receive a free call 
• Sponsor Athletic Greens, click to order and receive a free gift!
  
  

Ready to trade performative hustle for focused power? We kick off 2026 by unpacking six hard-won leadership lessons drawn from Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour—then translating them into simple moves you can use this week. From truly operating in your zone of genius to leading with emotional clarity, this conversation is a practical blueprint for confidence that compounds.

We start with alignment: why the Year of the Horse energy—boldness, flow, freedom—matters, and how a short holiday reset changed my eyes-under-bags reality. Then we get tactical. You’ll hear how staying in your lane elevates the whole team, why EQ beats emotional suppression, and how the real magic happens in rehearsal, not the spotlight. We dive into culture design too: setting clear goals, sharing the upside with meaningful bonuses, and building rituals that recognize people who rarely touch the mic.

Pressure will come, so we map out calm responses: scenario planning, clear roles, and the “respond, don’t react” first five minutes. Finally, we talk about being fully yourself without using authenticity as an excuse to stop growing. Expect reflection questions you can use with your team, your calendar, and your next big decision, plus a peek at what’s new: a fresh set, logo, website, and a lineup of guests we can’t wait to share.

If you’re aiming for higher performance with less friction—more clarity, cleaner systems, deeper confidence—this is your start line. Hit play, save your favorite takeaway, and send it to a friend who’s ready to lead with courage. And if this resonated, subscribe, leave a quick review, and join the newsletter at podcast.lisatarkington.com so you don’t miss what’s next.

Chapters: 

• 0:00: Welcome And New Year Energy
• 1:07: Year Of The Horse: Boldness And Flow
• 3:15: Rest, Renewal, And Fresh Direction
• 6:38: Why Study Taylor Swift
• 7:50: Lesson 1
• 13:21: Lesson 2
• 16:35: Lesson 3
• 19:02: Lesson 4
• 24:06: Lesson 5
• 26:40: Lesson 6

More than just a podcast: 

• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel 
• Subscribe to our Newsletter 
• Apply to be coached by Lisa and receive a free call 
• Sponsor Athletic Greens, click to order and receive a free gift!
  
  

Most people talk about coaching like it’s a luxury or a nice-to-have. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what actually changes when you work with a coach. The before-and-after that happens internally, strategically, and professionally.

If you’ve ever wondered:
 “Why do successful people have coaches?”
 “Is coaching really worth the investment?”
 “Will it actually help me grow?”
 …this is the episode you needed.

I’m sharing:

•  The real reasons leaders stay stuck — even high achievers
•  The hidden patterns holding people back in their careers and businesses
•  What it’s actually like to work with a leadership and business coach
•  Real client stories, including 500% organizational growth, major promotions, team alignment, and leaders who finally stopped drowning
• The four core shifts that coaching creates in every successful client
•  The promise I make to every single person I work with

You’ll walk away understanding exactly why coaching works when books, podcasts, and conferences don’t create lasting change — and how coaching helps you think, lead, and operate at a level you’ve never hit on your own.

If you are tired of reacting, overwhelmed by constant pivots, or craving clarity, confidence, and strategic direction… this episode will show you the path forward.

Ready to lead differently?
Apply for coaching at lisatarkington.com/coaching. 

More than just a podcast: 

• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel 
• Subscribe to our Newsletter 
• Apply to be coached by Lisa and receive a free call 
• Sponsor Athletic Greens, click to order and receive a free gift!
  
  

In this episode, Lisa Tarkington breaks down one of the most underrated skills: perspective. She shares a personal story that reveals how quickly our minds create narratives, why perspective influences everything—from our reactions to our relationships—and what happens when we don’t have it.

You’ll learn how perspective impacts problem-solving, emotional regulation, confidence, communication, and growth, plus the frustration of having perspective when others around you don’t.

If you’ve ever spiraled, assumed the worst, or reacted from emotion instead of clarity, this episode will help you shift the story, stay grounded, and lead with intention.

More than just a podcast: 

• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel 
• Subscribe to our Newsletter 
• Apply to be coached by Lisa and receive a free call 
• Sponsor Athletic Greens, click to order and receive a free gift!
  
  

Let’s be honest, everyone says they want feedback until they actually get it. In this episode, I’m diving into why feedback feels so personal, how to take it without getting defensive, and how to give it in a way that builds trust instead of tension.

We’ll talk about:

•  Why feedback triggers us (and what it’s really reflecting back)
•  The difference between opinions and growth-centered feedback
•  What accountability actually looks like when the mirror turns toward you

If you’ve ever struggled with giving or receiving feedback or you’ve worked with someone who can dish it but not take it, this one’s for you. Because real leadership isn’t about who talks the loudest about accountability… it’s about who actually lives it.

More than just a podcast: 

• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel 
• Subscribe to our Newsletter 
• Apply to be coached by Lisa and receive a free call 
• Sponsor Athletic Greens, click to order and receive a free gift!
  
  

Lisa dives into one of her favorite topics, growth through learning. From the books that have shaped her leadership to the insights that have stretched her mindset, she shares her personal takeaways from some of today’s most powerful reads.

Lisa opens up about her own evolution from post-college burnout to becoming a lifelong learner and how reading, coaching, and continuous development have fueled both her personal and professional success. You’ll hear about the titles that shifted her thinking on time, visibility, leadership, confidence, and even faith.

Featured Books & Insights:

• Traction by Gino Wickman — Vision is nothing without execution.
• Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell — Redefining time freedom and delegation.
• Be Seen by Jen Gottlieb — The courage to show up authentically.
• The 5 Types of Wealth by Sahil Bloom — Expanding the definition of true wealth.
• The 4 Disciplines of Execution by Chris McChesney — Turning strategy into measurable results.
• The Genius Zone by Gay Hendricks — Staying in your flow and creative energy.
• Jesus, CEO by Laurie Beth Jones — Leading from presence, not hustle.
• The Confidence Code by Katty Kay & Claire Shipman — Confidence as a skill, not a trait.

Lisa also shares what’s next on her reading list from The Let Them Theory to The Energy Bus and challenges listeners to take one step toward growth this week: read, reflect, apply, and share what you learn.

Because as Lisa reminds us, the best leaders never stop learning and when you stop learning, you stop leading.

More than just a podcast: 

• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel 
• Subscribe to our Newsletter 
• Apply to be coached by Lisa and receive a free call 
• Sponsor Athletic Greens, click to order and receive a free gift!
  
  

Have you ever been at the edge, heart pounding, palms sweaty, knowing you have to go first? In this episode of The Confident Podcast, host Lisa Tarkington takes you on a journey through some of her most defining adventures from bungee jumping in New Zealand, skydiving at 14,000 feet, hiking solo, and even navigating life’s quieter challenges like tough conversations and major life changes.

Through each story, Lisa reveals what these moments taught her about leadership, courage, and confidence, the kind that isn’t built by having the map, but by trusting the rope and taking the leap.

If you’ve ever stood on the edge of something new—personally or professionally—this episode will remind you that the leap may be scary, but it’s also where transformation begins.

Tune in to learn:

• How fear and courage can coexist in leadership
• Why confidence comes from action, not certainty
• How to trust yourself (and your team) when the path ahead isn’t clear

Because sometimes the bravest thing you can do is take the next step even when you can’t see the whole trail.

More than just a podcast: 

• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel 
• Subscribe to our Newsletter 
• Apply to be coached by Lisa and receive a free call 
• Sponsor Athletic Greens, click to order and receive a free gift!
  
  

What if the reason you’re tired, overworked, or stuck has nothing to do with how hard you’re working and everything to do with where you’re working from?

In this episode, Lisa introduces a brand-new method she created to help leaders and high achievers find clarity, protect their energy, and finally move forward with purpose. It’s the framework that changed how she works, coaches, and leads and it might just do the same for you.

You’ll walk away with fresh insights, honest reflection, and a tool that can realign the way you show up every single day.

Click here to take the Zone of Genius Quiz. 

More than just a podcast: 

• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel 
• Subscribe to our Newsletter 
• Apply to be coached by Lisa and receive a free call 
• Sponsor Athletic Greens, click to order and receive a free gift!
  
  

After a season away from the mic to welcome their son into the world, Lisa returns to The Confident Podcast with a very special guest her husband, Marc. Together, they open up about one of life’s biggest transitions: becoming parents for the first time.

In this heartfelt conversation, Lisa and Marc share the highs and lows of pregnancy, birth, and navigating those first months of parenthood while juggling careers, emotions, and a brand-new rhythm of life. From private choices during pregnancy to walks that kept them grounded, they talk candidly about what confidence looked like in a season full of unknowns.

You’ll hear:

• Why they chose to keep parts of their journey private
• The surprising emotions that came before and after Lucas’s arrival
• How they balanced busy careers with sleepless nights
• What actually helped and what didn’t during this transition
• Their honest reflections on teamwork, identity, and growth as new parents

Whether you’re a parent, hope to be one someday, or just want a behind-the-scenes glimpse into real life change, this episode is a reminder that confidence isn’t about having it all figured out, it’s about being willing to grow, together.

If this resonates, share it with a new parent or anyone stepping into a new season of life. And if you’re ready for support in your own journey, you’ll also hear how to connect with Lisa for coaching and resources.

More than just a podcast: 

• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel 
• Subscribe to our Newsletter 
• Apply to be coached by Lisa and receive a free call 
• Sponsor Athletic Greens, click to order and receive a free gift!