The Confident Coaching Podcast

The coaching alliance matters more than what you know... In this episode: What the coaching alliance actually is and why it matters for client results What it looks like when the alliance is weak- clients holding back, coaching that feels like pulling teeth, ghosting Why positioning yourself as "the expert" or "the savior" can undermine client autonomy Two sides to listening be...

This episode is a peek into my new private podcast series to help coaches develop the most important skillset a coach can have... communication. In this episode, you'll hear the first mistake in the podcast series, and if you'd like to access the other four communication mistakes + fixes (plus a bonus episode) ⬇️ Get the private podcast series here: https://bitesize.kit.com/lit   Connect w...

In this episode, Gillian breaks down why the "tell it like it is" approach to coaching tends to backfire, what's really going on when a client says they want tough love, and what to do instead when a client is frustrated with their lack of progress. In this episode: Why tough love produces short-term behavior change at best, and shame at worst What it usually signals when a coach fee...

In this episode, I’m breaking down what structure really looks like in a one-on-one coaching setting... and why trying to force week-by-week curriculum into personalized coaching can create friction in the coaching relationship. Structure in 1:1 coaching isn’t about rigid timelines or delivering new education every week. It’s about creating systems, touchpoints, and flow that allow you to be respo...

Almost every coach I've ever mentored has had the thought "am I doing enough?" pop up... and in this episode we're going to talk about what that actually means and if you are truly doing enough... or not. In this episode, I cover: Why the “I’m not doing enough” feeling is so common in coaches How traditional coaching models reinforce over-delivering Why giving more plans, tools,...

Caring about helping other people is often why we get into coaching in the first place, but without emotional regulation and structure, it can lead to burnout, anxiety, and feeling like coaching is taking over your life. In this episode, I break down what’s missing and how to support your clients without sacrificing your own well-being. In this episode, we cover: Why caring more doesn’t always mak...

Many coaches come to me because they've reached a point where selling fat loss no longer feels aligned… but they also aren’t sure how to clearly communicate what their coaching actually helps clients achieve. In this episode, we break down the concept of a program promise and why it’s the missing link between your coaching philosophy and your marketing message. In this episode, we cover: • Wha...

“Just message people who watch your stories.” I've gotten this business advice before, and it always felt forced and icky. In this Q+A episode Gillian shares her philosophy on DM outreach, creating connections, and thinking about creating conversations in a different way. In this episode, Gillian covers: Why DM outreach might drive clients to be LESS ready for coaching The importance of permis...

In this episode, I’m talking about how to support clients authentically without slipping into the therapist role, trauma-dumping, or feeling like you need to “fix it.” You’ll hear: Why clients bringing “life stuff” into nutrition coaching is a good thing (and how you can prepare for it) How a strong coach-client relationship impacts engagement, retention, and outcomes What to do with your own emot...

I’m recording from a contact nap, reflecting on what makes a coaching business last (I'm in my 10th year!) After a decade in business, I’ve learned that burnout doesn’t usually come from coaching itself. It comes from building a business that doesn’t align with who you are... doing things you hate because someone told you that’s the “right” way to grow or scale. In this episode, I break down the t...

A full, practical walkthrough of The Confident Coaching Pathway —my 12-week hybrid mentorship that helps nutrition coaches build (or rebuild) a repeatable, client-centered 1:1 program. We cover: the structure-meets-flexibility sweet spot for 1:1 coaching intentional eating skills that help you guide clients without over-relying on tracking coaching communication that actually moves clients forward...

Struggling to decide if you need a mentor or a business coach? Today we get clear on timing, what great mentorship looks like, and what to avoid. You’ll walk away knowing exactly what you need next in your coaching development. We cover Mentor vs. business coach (and why mentorship often comes first) when in your coaching journey do you need a mentor vs. a biz coach what you absolutely need to loo...

Macro tracking is one of the most popular ways coaches help their clients change how they eat, but often tracking comes with problems- obsessing over numbers, fixating on the scale, or inconsistent eating behavior. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s possible to use macros without contributing to food obsession or disordered eating, this episode is for you. I’m breaking down what it actually look...

Feeling stuck with a “difficult” client? In this episode I unpack what I call the Four Horsemen of Coaching Roadblocks —Ambivalence, Resistance, Discord, and Disengagement—and give you practical language to identify and work through each one. You’ll learn how to use reflective listening, spot change talk, align asks to the Stage of Change, and address discord directly (without burning the relation...

If you're thinking of running a 7-day or 30-day challenge to bring in cash and new clients, I want you to pause and think about  why  you’re offering it — and whether it’s actually going to move your business forward. In this episode, we’ll talk about: Why “quick cash” challenges rarely create lasting results (for you  or  your clients) The real purpose of a challenge (this is IMPORTANT) What...

Great nutrition coaches know that coaching is so much less about energy pathways and grams of protein than our certs made us believe... it's about how well you can communicate with the people you support. In today’s episode, I’m breaking down the single most powerful communication skill every coach should use daily:  reflective listening . In this episode: Why reflective listening is the found...

Today’s episode gives you a straightforward, ethical checklist you can use to guide your process bringing on new coaching clients.... without over-relying on macro plans or 30 page onboarding PDFs. You'll hear: my WOSP Onboarding Framework the philosophy behind a true "discovery" call application questions that actually help (and the ones to retire) how to handle contracts and paymen...

In this episode, I share exactly how I prepared for maternity leave as an online nutrition coach and mentor: the mindset work, the offers I gave current clients (and why), and how I communicated everything clearly and compassionately. You’ll hear: The three options I offered nutrition clients and what I offered mentoring clients How I set myself up for income during time off Communicating timeline...

👉 From Tracking to Trust workshop live on September 23: ⁠https://bitesize.kit.com/ft2t ⁠ Can you ethically coach intentional fat loss and a healthy relationship with food at the same time? In this episode, Gillian breaks down when fat loss emerges as a by-product of food relationship work - versus when a push for intentional weight loss can pull clients away from flexibility, permission, and self...

In this episode, I’ll show you how to create content that speaks to your clients’ non-aesthetic goals and why that’s often more powerful than before-and-after posts. You’ll learn: Why emotional, non-aesthetic content connects more deeply with your ideal client How to pull post ideas directly from client conversations, intake forms, and DMs A simple process to bridge the gap between “that could nev...

Your client started out well, but they've begun skipping check ins and you're not sure why... In this episode, I’m sharing the 3 most common reasons clients stop filling in check-ins and how to shift your coaching strategy to get them back on board without chasing, pressuring, or overloading them. You’ll learn: How to make your check-ins more reflective and growth-oriented Why less data mi...

If you're tired of feeling like every client conversation starts with "I just want to lose 15 pounds," this episode will help you go deeper without dismissing your client’s desires. Gillian walks you through how to: Start with empathy instead of resistance Use open-ended + hypothetical questions to explore what’s underneath aesthetic goals Create space for conversations that highligh...

When a client starts freaking out about their lack of progress, it’s rarely about the progress. It’s about what they’re making it mean. In this episode, we’ll cover: Why clients spiral even when they “know it’ll take time” The real reason adjusting macros or reminding them of consistency isn’t working How to validate emotion without getting stuck in emotional reasoning What empathy actually looks...

In this Q&A episode, I’m breaking down exactly how I run discovery calls—without pushing, convincing, or overcoming objections. You’ll learn: The 4 phases I follow from Motivational Interviewing (Engage, Focus, Evoke, Plan) How I build trust and let potential clients explore change What I do instead of adding urgency or handling objections Why ethical, client-centered discovery calls actually...

How to coach clients who sabotage themselves with extreme goals Why “simple habits” don’t always feel good to all-or-nothing thinkers What to say when clients reject coaching advice The deeper fears behind wanting something more “advanced” A new way to approach resistance with all or nothing clients Why logical advice won’t work unless you address emotional needs How to coach clients back into tru...