The InnerFight Podcast

#1008: The InnerFight Coaches: Part 2 — What makes a great coach?

What makes a great coach, teacher, or mentor?In Part 2 of the InnerFight Coach Series, Marcus dives deeper into the art of coaching by exploring how we guide, support, and impact others not just in sport, but in everyday life.Featuring conversations with InnerFight coaches Dan, Tom, Sarah, Rob J, and Andy, this episode unpacks the philosophies, behaviors, and mindset behind truly effective coaching.From leading with empathy and listening first, to building long-term progress and creating meaningful human connection—this is a powerful reflection on what it really means to coach.🎙 In this episode:Coaching philosophy and long-term developmentThe role of empathy, honesty, and patienceBuilding consistency and motivationCoaching beyond the gym—into life, relationships, and mindset#InnerFight #Coaching #Mindset #PersonalGrowth #DubaiGym #Dubai #Coaching

#1007: The InnerFight Coaches: Part 1

Training programs can be effective, but real life doesn’t always follow a plan.In this episode, Marcus opens up the conversation around the role of coaching in a world full of structured programs, using real-life examples to highlight how unpredictable life can be.This also marks the start of a new series featuring the InnerFight coaches.Over the coming weeks, Marcus sits down with each coach to explore who they are, how they think, and how they approach helping people become better, not just in training, but in life.The best coaching is more than just the training program, it’s about what happens when life doesn’t go to plan, as it rarely does!

#1006: Systems, standards and great coaching.

What actually makes a great coach?In this episode, Marcus Smith explores the qualities that define great coaching and why the most valuable thing a coach can offer an human isn’t motivation or encouragement, but honesty.Marcus reflects on the foundations of strong coaching relationships and how trust is built through clarity, consistency and accountability over time.In this conversation he discusses:Why honesty is one of the most powerful tools in coachingHow trust develops between coaches and athletesWhy great coaching focuses on systems rather than trendsThe responsibility coaches carry when guiding athletes toward big goalsThe standards that define an InnerFight coachMarcus also shares insights from the InnerFight endurance coaching team on what truly separates good coaching from great coaching.This episode goes beyond sport and explores leadership, performance and helping people become the best version of themselves.

#1005: What actually makes a good week?

In Episode 1005, Marcus reflects on a phrase he has said hundreds of times on the show: “I hope you had a good week.”But what actually makes a week good?Marcus explores why judging weeks purely on emotion can be misleading and why progress in life, work, and training rarely happens evenly across every area at once. He explains the importance of prioritisation, understanding capacity, and aligning expectations across the different silos of life.The episode dives into practical ways to structure weeks intentionally, planning ahead, managing your calendar effectively, and approaching challenges with the mindset of a coach rather than reacting emotionally. Marcus also discusses why the idea of being “1% better every day at everything” is unrealistic for most people, and how focusing on the right things at the right time leads to more consistent progress.

#1004: You don't need help with your food

In this episode, Marcus challenges the idea that you need help with your food. He explains why most people already know what’s healthy and why the real issue is stress, sleep, structure, and the behaviours that quietly drive daily choices.Key points:Why food isn’t the real problem but your behaviour may be.How stress, poor sleep, and long workdays fuel bad decisions.The traps of restriction, meal plans, macro obsession, and “cheat days.”A practical 7-day behaviour audit to uncover what’s really driving your eating.