Secrets From a Coach - Debbie Green & Laura Thomson's Podcast

272. Getting Into High Performance Mode

Send us a textHow do we motivate ourselves in a healthy, sustainable way: and is pushing harder really the answer?In this final episode of our Fresh Starts mini-series, we’re joined by sports scientist Danielle Peters, who shares insights from working with amateur and professional athletes, people in rehabilitation, and those seeking better all-round health through understanding their bodies.Danielle challenges the myth that high performance means pushing through at all costs. Instead, she reminds us that true high performance is about listening, adjusting, and choosing what supports us for the long run.Together, we explore the powerful parallels between sport and everyday performance at work - from the role of rest and recovery, to managing stress, setting boundaries, and understanding the difference between intentions and goals. We also unpack why all-or-nothing thinking can quietly derail performance and lead to burnout.As always, take what’s useful and leave what isn’t; and remember, there’s no perfect time for a fresh start. Just the one that feels right for you.A reassuring and practical listen for anyone who’s flagging, or leading a team that’s dragging  - and looking for a healthier, more humane alternative to cracking the whip.

271. Defining the Give and the Get - Creating the Life/Work Balance You Want

Send us a textWhat does balance really look like when life feels busy, full and always 'on'? In this third episode of our Fresh Starts mini-series, we reframe work–life balance as life–work balance: because life comes first. Using the reality of our finite 168 hours a week, we explore how time and energy are limited resources, and why constant stretch is often a sign that the give has outweighed the get for too long.We share practical coaching tools including the Jar of Life and the Wheel of Life to help you spot where imbalance is creeping in and what may need to shift. We explore identifying your non-negotiable 'rocks' (e.g. health, family and wellbeing) and how over-giving through habit, expectation or guilt can quietly disconnect us from ourselves. One powerful question sits at the heart of the episode: “When do you feel most like yourself?”We also look at how this shows up in real working lives, especially in roles that demand constant emotional responsibility. Through small resets, clear boundaries and guilt-free protection of what matters, this episode offers a grounding reminder: self-care isn’t indulgent - it’s essential. If your energy mattered as much as your output, what might change?An ideal listen if you are looking for practical ways to achieve the life–work balance for you, or if you want to run a session/share at a meeting tips for energy, boundaries, giving and receiving, self-leadership and making fresh starts

270. From Chaos to Calm: Creating Space for What Matters

Send us a textIn the second episode of our 4-part Fresh Starts mini-series, we explore how to navigate the setbacks, incidents, challenges and never-ending task lists that can, at times, tip us into overwhelm and reactivity.We share simple but powerful principles for restoring calm: learning to pause, shrinking your horizon when everything feels too much, and grounding yourself in your body rather than getting swept up in the story and drama of the moment.Debs offers practical guidance on how managers can help a team member shift from overwhelm to clarity, using a thoughtful 'go-to' question bank. Drawing inspiration from courtrooms - where questions must not lead the witness,  we explore how the same principle can be used for good in leadership conversations, helping others think clearly rather than feel pushed or fixed.Laura introduces the STEADY framework for creating space for what truly matters; a practical tool for self-regulation that’s equally powerful to share with a colleague or friend who might be spinning out with life's demands. A calm, reassuring episode for anyone craving a little more space, steadiness and perspective when life feels loud and the workload is building. 

269. Set Intentions, Not Resolutions: Get Vision-Ready for What’s Next

Send us a textWelcome to Part 1 of our four-part Fresh Start mini-series -  a companion episode to Ep. 268 where we invite you to get vision-ready with us.Whether you’re stepping into a new year, a new team, a new financial reality, a new role, or a whole new life chapter - or it simply feels like time to turn over a fresh page, this episode is about setting your intent for the phase ahead.Rather than making promises that can add pressure or create quiet guilt, we explore a mindset reset: progress over perfection. When we focus on direction rather than demands, energy and momentum follow.We unpack psychologist Julian Rotter’s work on Internal vs External Locus of Control, and why seeing yourself as the agent (not the victim) of events is linked to stronger wellbeing, clearer decision-making, and better personal and commercial outcomes.Finally, we share our brand-new FRESH intention-setting tool:  a simple, team-friendly way to galvanise focus and momentum. It’s ideal for meetings where you want people to leave feeling Focused, Realistic, Empowered, Strategic and Happy about the task-load ahead.A calm, motivating listen for anyone ready to reset their lens and move forward with purpose - no matter our age, stage or background. As Maria Robinson reminds us: “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”

268. Reflect, Reset, Renew: Step-by-Step Your Year in Review

Send us a textAs the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect moment to pause, breathe and take stock. In this reflective, “get reviewing with me” style episode, we walk you through a simple, compassionate, step-by-step process to look back over your year with clarity, courage and kindness.We explore why intentional pauses matter, how rest becomes a radical act of resilience, and how reviewing the highs, lows, lessons and notable highlights can help you reconnect to what truly matters. We share our own reflections, invite you to scan your year with curiosity, and offer practical prompts around values, purpose and emotional wellbeing.We also discuss how journaling, technology and a sprinkle of AI can broaden your perspective and support future planning - including the Safe Hands exercise and the Six Box Method to shape a flexible, energising year ahead. Both tools work brilliantly as team activities too, making this a practical episode for anyone looking to refresh a team review session.Whether your year has been full, messy, brilliant or challenging, this episode helps you honour your experiences, celebrate your successes and reset your mindset with intention.Key themes: reflection, emotional resilience, intentional pausing, values, purpose, self-care, notable highlights, future planning, personal growth, compassionA grounding, inspiring listen to help you close the year well and step into the next one with confidence and calm energy. Taking just 10 minutes to look back over the past 12 months gives you the chance to notice and savour your successes;  boosting your courage and optimism for the year ahead.We are taking 2 weeks off until the next year when we will return on Fri 9th Jan 2026! With love and thanks, Debs and Lau xx