This week I’m putting my money where my mouth is — and offering you a backstage pass to a real coaching session.

What you’ll hear is not a performance, not entertainment, and not scripted.

It’s a genuine coaching conversation between myself (David Garwood, The Solo Coach) and my client, Angela Christine Cooper.

If you’ve ever wondered:

• Will my coach just tell me what to do?
• How is coaching different from counselling or mentoring?
• What actually makes coaching so valuable?

…then this episode may just give you the answers.

Tune in, sit back and experience how clarity emerges, priorities shift, and transformation begins inside a safe, supportive conversation.

Thanks for listening — and if you’d like to find out more, visit ⁠https://www.thesolocoach.co.uk/⁠

Persistence doesn’t always come naturally - in fact, I’ll admit, giving up has often felt easier to me. But some of the most meaningful moments in my life and business have come from choosing to keep going, even when it was uncomfortable, messy, or far from perfect.

In this episode, I share my own journey with persistence: from working on cars that felt beyond repair, to launching The Solo Coach Podcast, to stepping onto the stage at Toastmasters for the first time.

Along the way, I talk about:

• Why persistence is like a muscle you can train
• The small, incremental “marginal gains” that compound over time (shout-out to Dave Brailsford)
• My public speaking journey and what it’s teaching me about personal growth
• Five powerful questions to ask yourself when you’re on the verge of giving up

Whether you’re feeling stuck, tired, or ready to throw in the towel, this episode will remind you that the rewards of persistence often outweigh the pain of the present moment and that sometimes, all you need is a pause, a perspective shift, or the right support.

I'd love to hear your thoughts, comments and feedback. Feel free to reach out to me [email protected] or @thesolocoach - Thanks for your listen!

This week I’m joined by the fabulous Alexandra Thornton – High Performance Leadership Expert, Head of Human Alchemy, and author of Intuitive Thinking: 7 Steps to Transform Your Life Forever.

In our energising conversation, Alex shares her journey from archaeologist to leadership coach, and how her fascination with people and behaviour shaped her career. Together, we explore:

• What outstanding leadership looks like today – and how it can be developed at every level.
• How intuition can be harnessed as a powerful tool for decision-making and growth.
• The role of travel and solo experiences in building self-awareness and resilience.
• The opportunities and challenges AI presents for today’s leaders and organisations.
• Why speaking up, being authentic, and finding “your people” matters more than ever.

This episode left me with hairs standing on the back of my neck – and I think you’ll feel the same. Alex’s energy, passion and wisdom shine through in every moment. Settle in and enjoy this one – it’s a corker.

Connect with Alex - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-thornton-ha/

Connect with David - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwgarwood/

Email Alex - [email protected]

Email David - [email protected]

This week I’m pulling back the curtain on my first 15 months as The Solo Coach.

It’s been a journey of high highs, low lows, and plenty of messy middle ground. In this episode, I share the confessions and celebrations of a newly qualified coach building his solo venture — warts and all.

We’ll explore:

• Why your identity shapes your results (and what to do about it)
• The financial watchouts I wish I’d spotted earlier
• Why “burning the boats” might not be the bold move it seems
• How incredible it feels when you sign the client
• And much more…

If you’re thinking of starting your own business — or are already deep in the adventure — I hope my lessons, mistakes, and small wins spark some reflection of your own. Here’s to your journey, your growth, and your success.

Thank you, as always, for listening and for being part of The Solo Coach community!

Contact me and find out more at ⁠https://www.thesolocoach.co.uk/ ⁠

In this episode, I sit down with Emily Airey, who made the bold leap from senior project manager to self-employed Virtual Assistant earlier this year. Her journey is inspiring for anyone who feels unfulfilled in their career or knows something’s missing.

We explore:

• What led Emily to make this change
• The challenges and lessons along the way
• How coaching helped her find clarity and courage
• The real value a Virtual Assistant brings to business owners
• Emily’s take on AI and the future of her industry

It’s a conversation full of honesty, encouragement, and practical insight for solopreneurs at any stage.

Get in touch with Emily: ⁠https://www.pink-spaghetti.co.uk/contact-us/virtual-assistant-leeds/⁠

Connect with David: ⁠https://www.thesolocoach.co.uk/contact⁠

What if you knew exactly where you were heading in life — and had the tools to get there? In this episode of The Solo Coach Podcast, we’ll uncover the power of vision: what it really is, why it matters, and how to use it as your roadmap to a more meaningful, fulfilling future.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• What a vision really is (and why it’s more than just a goal)
• Four powerful questions to help you define your future
• How to move from vision to action — and actually get results
• Why visualisation works, and how to make it part of your toolkit

Think of it like plotting your course before setting sail — without it, you’re drifting; with it, you’re unstoppable. Grab a notebook and pen, because by the end of this episode, you won’t just see your vision… you’ll know how to start living it.

Find out more at ⁠thesolocoach.co.uk/blog/vision⁠

In this inspiring episode, I’m joined by former primary school teacher turned financial advisor, Nicola Reynolds. Nicola shares her courageous journey from feeling trapped in a career that no longer lit her up to building a business she loves—helping people make confident, informed financial decisions.

We talk about:

• The turning point that pushed her to leave teaching after a decade
• How she retrained from scratch in a completely new field
• The challenges and lessons of starting a business with no client base
• Why standing out and doing things differently matters (including her Yorkshire Tea inspired business card)
• The vital financial skills schools should be teaching children—and how parents can start those conversations at home

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to reinvent yourself and build something meaningful from the ground up, Nicola’s story will leave you inspired, encouraged, and ready to take action. It did, for me!

Find out more about Nicola here: https://partnership.sjp.co.uk/partner/nicolareynolds

Find out more about David here: https://www.thesolocoach.co.uk/

And if you liked the episode, please leave us a review, subscribe and comment on the episode. Thank you for your support! #FinancialFreedom #PersonalDevelopment #PathLessFollowed #TheSoloCoach

In this episode of The Solo Coach Podcast, I’m sharing something deeply personal: the nine books that have had the most profound influence on my life, mindset, and coaching journey. These aren’t just “recommendations” — they’re the books that found me when I needed them most, shaping the way I think, feel, and show up in the world.

From timeless classics like How to Win Friends and Influence People to modern powerhouses like The Power of One More, each book comes with a story, three key takeaways, and a moment in time that changed everything for me. Expect laughs, reflections, and a big dollop of inspiration. Whether you're a coach, solopreneur or solo pathfinder, these reads may just speak to you in the same way they spoke to me.

We’ll cover:

• Why the right book always seems to arrive at the right time
• How books have helped me overcome fear, build confidence, and take action
• The single book I rate higher than any other (spoiler: it’s not on Amazon)
• What we can all learn from stories of hardship, resilience and reinvention
• Why reading is one of the most powerful tools for personal transformation

Plus, stick around to the end for my surprise bonus book — one that sparked some beautiful family conversations and helped me see life a little differently. If you liked this episode, please like, subscribe and rate the show!

And if you're keen to find out how we can work together, check out https://www.thesolocoach.co.uk/ for further details.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Gareth Allen — Business Performance Coach, commercial funding specialist, endurance athlete, and the founder of GAP Coaching.

What starts as a conversation about coaching solopreneurs quickly evolves into a deeper exploration of men’s mental health, the pressures of high performance, and the power of showing up authentically.

Gareth shares openly about his transition from bank manager to self-employed business coach, the story behind his community group Launchpad, and how completing a back-to-back 5x Ironman event became both a physical milestone and a personal wake-up call.

Together we explore:

• What solopreneurs really need to sleep better at night
• How systems (not hustle) can restore balance and boost performance
• The difference between growing a business vs being busy in one
• The value of honesty, vulnerability and admitting "I don't know" as a coach
• Gareth’s reflections on addiction, endurance, and the fine line between drive and avoidance
• The unseen pressures many men face — and how connection can help

Whether you're a solopreneur, a coach, a high performer, or someone just trying to find more balance — this conversation will leave you feeling seen, heard, and hopefully, a little less alone.

Connect with Gareth - https://www.gapcoaching.co.uk/

Connect with David - https://www.thesolocoach.co.uk/

When was the last time you had to talk about money? Negotiated your salary? Quoted for your services? Did it feel awkward? Embarrassing? Did you rush through it, only to walk away thinking, “That didn’t feel quite right…”?

You’re not alone — and in this episode, I’m sharing 5 powerful actions that can help you break the cycle of undercharging, overgiving, and feeling undervalued.

We'll cover:

• How to research what the going rate really is
• How to factor in the full value of you — your story, strengths and unique gifts
• Why pricing isn't just about numbers, it's also about how it feels
• What your everyday actions say about your self-worth (and how to shift them)
• How to upgrade your self-worth, take action, and start asking for what you deserve

Whether you’re a coach, creative, freelancer or professional who struggles to “name your price” — there's value here for you.

You ARE worth it. Now let’s get you owning it.