The Solo Coach Podcast

The Solo Coach Podcast

By The Solo Coach (David Garwood)EducationSelf-Improvement
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The Solo Coach Podcast episodes

  • E17 - How to Become a Better Speaker with Chris Wilson

    In this inspiring episode, I’m joined by Chris Wilson, founder of Speak and Serve and a passionate advocate for authentic communication. We explore how speaking with impact can transform both your business and your confidence, why connection trumps automation in a digital world, and how to embrace failure as a path to personal growth.

    We cover:

    • Why every great speaker starts with listening
    • How to overcome fear of failure and rejection
    • The 4 A’s of impactful communication: Attention, Attraction, Aspiration, Action
    • The role of ego and self-awareness in your coaching or business journey
    • Why picking up the phone beats 100 unread emails


    Chris shares his journey from hotel general manager to speaker coach, including a pivotal “line in the sand” moment that changed everything. We delve into ego, resilience, and the importance of listening — not just to others, but to yourself. If you've ever doubted your path or feared putting yourself out there, this episode is a must-listen!

    Connect with Chris - https://speaktoserveandsell.co.uk/

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

    53 min
  • E16 - Building a Business (and Life) on Your Terms with Karen Cooke

    In this episode, I’m joined by Karen Cooke — website creator, business setup adviser, homeschooling parent, and proud van-lifer — to talk about building a business that aligns with your values, not just your bank balance.

    Karen shares her story of leaving behind the corporate world of London finance and creating a slower, more meaningful life on the road with her family. From simplifying websites for new business owners to slow-travelling across Europe in an American RV, Karen offers a refreshing take on success, sustainability, and starting small. We talk about:

    • Making the leap from conventional careers to unconventional lifestyles
    • Why she teaches her clients to do it themselves (even if it means less recurring work)
    • The fears and realities of selling up and hitting the road
    • How grief and loss shaped her decision to live more boldly
    • What to consider when launching a simple, purpose-led business


    This conversation is full of honesty, warmth, and wisdom — whether you're a solopreneur in startup mode, a freedom-seeker, or someone wondering if there's more to life than 9–5.

    Contact Karen - https://www.kogdigital.com/schedule-a-meeting

    Contact David - https://www.thesolocoach.co.uk/contact

    56 min
  • E15 - Letting Go of The Past to Make Room for The Future

    In this week's solo episode, I’m sensitively exploring the powerful (and often emotional) process of letting go — and how it can help us move forward in life with more clarity, energy, and purpose.

    I’ll be sharing five areas where this has shown up in my own journey, including:

    • Letting go of regret to create space for joy
    • Releasing physical clutter to invite in fresh energy
    • Saying goodbye to old projects, goals and identities that no longer serve us
    • Allowing ourselves to 'grieve the loss', in order to grow.


    This isn’t about quick fixes or radical reinvention — it’s about small, meaningful shifts that can lead to real freedom.

  • As always, I’m not offering advice — just ideas, stories, and reflections that might support you wherever you're at.

    Thanks for listening, and as always, take good care of yourself.

    Find out more: https://thesolocoach.co.uk

    42 min
  • E14 - The True Value of Working With a Coach

    In this episode, I’m opening up about my own journey as a coaching client — and why working with a coach has genuinely changed my life.

    Over the past six years, I’ve worked with three amazing coaches. Each one has helped me in ways I couldn't have imagined when I first started out — from listening deeply when I needed it most, to helping me spot the ways I was holding myself back without even realising it.

    I’m sharing the five main reasons why having a coach in your corner can make all the difference — not just in business, but in life too.And honestly, it’s not about quick wins or silver bullets... it’s about having someone who believes in you, even on the days when you’re struggling to believe in yourself.

    If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to work with a coach — or if you’re feeling a bit stuck right now — this one's for you. Thanks for listening!

    #PersonalDevelopment #Coaching #MindsetMatters #TheSoloCoachPodcast

    Find out more on https://thesolocoach.co.uk/blog

    34 min
  • E13 - What Holds Us Back? The 6 Invisible Forces and How To Get Unstuck

    Ever felt stuck — in a job, a routine, or even a way of thinking?

    From fear and uncertainty to self-doubt and old stories we tell ourselves, this episode explores why we hesitate, how we limit ourselves, and what to do about it.

    I'll be sharing real-life experiences — from travelling solo in New Zealand, to delivering my first public speech, and injecting antibiotics into a Highland cow — to illustrate how capable we truly are when we push past fear and take action.

    In this episode:

    • The 6 core reasons we stay stuck
    • Why fear of change, failure, or judgement runs deeper than we think
    • How to stop "kidding yourself" and change your life
    • The power of personal growth through discomfort
    • Why you can have it all — success, wealth, happiness, love and fulfilment

  • This is a powerful reminder that your story is still being written — and you are the author. Tune in for a motivational nudge that might just be the turning point you didn’t know you needed.

    Find out more at The Solo Coach blog and follow us on Instagram and Facebook!

    #TheSoloCoach #PersonalGrowth #SelfDevelopment #EmbraceTheFear #PersonalDevelopment

    49 min
  • E12 - From Stethoscope to Signposts: Matt Leonard’s Journey from Doctor to Mortgage Advisor

    In this inspiring episode of The Solo Coach Podcast, I have the pleasure of interviewing Matt Leonard, a former NHS doctor who courageously swapped scrubs for spreadsheets to become a Mortgage and Protection Advisor.

    Matt shares his powerful story of realising he was on the wrong path during the pandemic and how he channelled his medical skills into a mission to support people through one of life’s biggest decisions—buying a home.

    This conversation dives deep into:

    • What it’s really like to leave a stable career and start again
    • How Matt uses his NHS experience to offer personalised, values-led advice
    • The misunderstood world of mortgages and protection
    • Practical tips for first-time buyers (and their parents!)
    • Why your earning potential might be your greatest asset


    Whether you're a solo pathfinder contemplating a career pivot, or someone navigating the home-buying maze, this episode offers clarity, comfort, and courage. Connect with Matt on Facebook and find out more about The Solo Coach here.

    1 hr
  • E11 - The Value of Working Backwards

    Feeling stuck or overwhelmed with your next move? In this episode, I explore the powerful mindset shift of working backwards—starting with the end in mind and reverse engineering your way forward. I’ll share practical tools to help you get clear on your values, navigate problems from new perspectives, and take aligned action without the pressure of getting it all perfect.


    Find out:

    ➡️ Why your biggest frustrations point to your deepest values

    ➡️ How to replace overwhelm with clarity using reverse thinking

    ➡️ The “problem-less problem solving” approach to stuck situations

    ➡️ A fun mindset shift: how to guarantee failure (and do the opposite)Reframing failure, fear, and self-doubt through a solo lens


    When you work backwards from what really matters, you’ll find the courage to take your next step forward—calmly, clearly, and completely on your own terms. #solopreneur #mindsetshift #clarity #TheSoloCoach #personalgrowth #podcast

    36 min
  • E10 - Jamie's Life Lessons from over 3 Years on the Road

    What’s it really like to spend 42 months travelling solo across the world? 🌍

    In this episode of The Solo Coach Podcast, I sit down with my good friend Jamie, the Solo Travel Aficionado, who has spent the last 3 years on the road, exploring 5 continents and meeting thousands of people. We first crossed paths in Malaysia in 2023, and today, we’re diving into the realities of long-term solo travel—the highs, the struggles, and the lessons that only a life of adventure can teach.

    ✨ What we cover:✅ The truth about solo travel – beyond the Instagram highlights✅ How long-term travel reshapes your identity & mindset✅ The struggles no one talks about – burnout, loneliness, and constant goodbyes✅ Why even full-time travellers crave stability and deeper connections✅ The importance of mental rest and how to truly recharge while on the move

    Solo travel isn’t just about exploring new places—it’s about discovering who you are when no one is watching. Whether you’re considering your first solo trip or just curious about life on the road, this episode is full of insights, laughter, and raw authenticity.

    #SoloTravel #TravelLessons #FindingYourself #TheSoloCoach #NewPodcast #Identity #MentalRest #LifeOnTheRoad

    1 hr 1 min
  • E9 - "Help! I'm Stuck in a Rut" — How to Find Clarity & Move Forward

    If you’re feeling unfulfilled in your current job or lifestyle but don’t yet know what would light you up, this episode is for you. I break down five powerful questions (plus a bonus!) that helped me uncover my purpose—and they might just do the same for you.

    We’ll explore:🔎 What truly interests you? (Hint: The clues are already around you!)🗣 What topics light you up in conversation?🌟 Who do you admire—and what does that say about you?💭 What dreams have you been ignoring?🚀 Who could help you get unstuck?This is your treasure map to clarity, built from my own experience of finding direction after years of feeling lost.🎧 Tune in now and take the first step towards a future you’re excited about!📢 Let me know in the comments: Which question resonated most with you?#StuckInARut #LifePurpose #FindYourPath #PersonalGrowth #CareerChange #EntrepreneurMindset #SolopreneurSuccess #TheSoloCoach #NewPodcast

    25 min
  • E8 - The Power of Gratitude with Zoë Bishop

    What if the secret to success and happiness was as simple as gratitude? In this episode, I chat with Zoë Bishop—wellbeing advocate, community leader, and founder of the ‘Blessed Before You’re Dressed’ movement.

    We talk about how gratitude rewires the brain, how encouragement can change the course of someone’s life, and why showing up for yourself is the key to thriving as a solopreneur.

    We also dive into parenting, faith, and the small daily habits that lead to a more fulfilled life. Tune in for a heartfelt, inspiring and extremely valuable conversation!


    Get in touch with Zoë: https://blessedbeforedressed.co.uk

    The Solo Coach: https://thesolocoach.co.uk

    #TheSoloCoach #GratitudeMatters #BBYD

    56 min

About The Solo Coach Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to The Solo Coach Podcast! Join me, David Garwood, as I explore the journeys of solopreneurs, explorers, and changemakers who are navigating life on their own terms. Each episode uncovers…