The fastest way to change might be the last thing most high-achievers want to hear: stop trying to fix yourself for a moment and let yourself be loved. We sit down with master certified coach and Awaken Coach Institute founder Christi Byerly to talk about her Choice Magazine article, “The Loving Gaze,” and the lived reality behind it: what happens when a coach meets a client in the now with compassion instead of performance.
We unpack the Jung paradox, the tension between goal-focused coaching and the subtle message of “you aren’t enough yet.” Christi shares why resistance often shows up when we lean too hard on outcomes, and how returning to rapport, witnessing, and unconditional positive regard can make change feel almost effortless. We also talk about the pressure many coaches carry to be more healed than the people they serve, and how being imperfect, honest, and present can deepen trust rather than weaken it.
You’ll hear a vivid origin story from Nairobi where three simple coaching questions created a breakthrough, plus a thoughtful look at spirituality in coaching, the difference between organized religion and spiritual direction, and why “presence” can be understood as a boundless awareness that holds both coach and client. If you’re searching for practical tools to strengthen coach presence, build a more trauma-informed coaching stance, and reconnect with the heart of professional coaching, this conversation is for you.
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