Hey friends, it’s Shelby here 👋 and today’s episode is a little different… because it’s as much for me and Laura as it is for you.

We’ve been in the trenches lately—cleaning up messes, making hard calls, doing deep reflection—and as we got to talking, we realized: We need a pep talk. So we hit record.

This is an honest, unfiltered conversation about what it really means to stay in this game long-term. It’s not always sexy or aligned or inspirational. Sometimes it’s hard and gritty and quiet and you just… keep going anyway.

We share the three truths that have kept us grounded (and humbled) over the past few months, and we hold nothing back.

Here’s what we talk about:

• 💥 Why you’re not the exception to the rule—and why that’s actually a good thing
• 🧠 The difference between motivation and commitment (and why you can’t rely on the former)
• 😅 How to keep going when it feels like everything is falling apart
• 📆 Why your mood isn’t a board member in your business
• ⏳ And a reminder that time will pass no matter what—so you might as well spend it building something meaningful

If you’re in a low season, this episode is a hand on your back.

If you’re ready to quit, this episode is a flashlight in the dark.

And if you’re flying high, tuck this one away. You’ll need it again.

We recorded this from the middle, not the finish line—and I think that’s what makes it potent.

Come listen. Cry if you need to. And let’s get back to it, together.

🧡 With love and resilience,

Shelby

Connect with us:

• Instagram: @successfulnursecoaches
• Website: www.thesuccessfulnursecoaches.com
• Join the conversation in our Facebook group: The Successful Nurse Coach Community

If you loved this episode…

Please take 30 seconds to subscribe, rate, and leave a review — it helps more nurses find this work and fall in love with the boring parts too. 💕

Mentioned in this episode:

Deep Coaching Experience

https://www.thesuccessfulnursecoaches.com/workshops

In this episode of the Successful Nurse Coach Podcast, I dive into the role fear plays in our personal growth and decision-making—especially for nurses who are thinking about becoming coaches.

Fear is sneaky. It often shows up wearing the mask of logic or "just being practical." But what’s really happening under the surface is a set of deeply ingrained cognitive biases that keep us small. I unpack how those patterns show up, how they distort reality, and how to begin shifting them.

I also talk about the importance of self-compassion on this journey—because you can’t bully yourself into transformation. And I share why embracing imperfection is a courageous and necessary step if you want to move forward with purpose and clarity.

Ultimately, my hope is that this episode gives you the language and insight to name your fear, honor it, and then choose growth anyway.

Let’s go there together.

Connect with us:

• Instagram: @successfulnursecoaches
• Website: www.thesuccessfulnursecoaches.com
• Join the conversation in our Facebook group: The Successful Nurse Coach Community

If you loved this episode…

Please take 30 seconds to subscribe, rate, and leave a review — it helps more nurses find this work and fall in love with the boring parts too. 💕

Mentioned in this episode:

Deep Coaching Experience

https://www.thesuccessfulnursecoaches.com/workshops

In this solo episode, I’m breaking down a topic that’s long overdue—how to sell nurse coaching in a way that feels aligned, ethical, and powerful.

If you’ve ever felt “salesy,” unsure how to price your offer, or wondered why someone would pay to work with you, this episode is for you. I share personal stories (both as a coach and a client) and walk you through how to guide your potential clients toward their own vision—not by selling yourself, but by helping them get clear on the future they want and what’s standing in the way.

Inside, I cover:

• Why you are not the product—your client is
• How to help clients paint a compelling vision for their future
• The role of emotional connection in the sales process
• How to identify the “gap” between where they are and where they want to be
• How to position coaching as the bridge to get there
• What to say when it’s time to propose your offer

This episode will help you reframe the entire sales conversation—from performance to presence. Let’s normalize selling with integrity, heart, and confidence.

Connect with us:

• Instagram: @successfulnursecoaches
• Website: www.thesuccessfulnursecoaches.com
• Join the conversation in our Facebook group: The Successful Nurse Coach Community

If you loved this episode…

Please take 30 seconds to subscribe, rate, and leave a review — it helps more nurses find this work and fall in love with the boring parts too. 💕

Mentioned in this episode:

Deep Coaching Experience

https://www.thesuccessfulnursecoaches.com/workshops

Let’s be real — private practice isn’t always glamorous. In this episode, we're unpacking the unsexy truth that success often comes down to doing the same simple things over and over... and learning to love it.

We’ll talk about why boredom is a sign of growth, how to reframe repetitive tasks as rituals of success, and why gamifying the grind might be your best strategy to stay motivated, creative, and consistent.

Whether you're losing steam, avoiding your to-do list, or craving that early-day excitement again — this episode will help you fall back in love with the work that actually moves the needle.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why boredom is normal — and necessary — in private practice
• How nurse entrepreneurs sabotage momentum by chasing novelty
• The mindset shift from “I’m bored” to “I’m building”
• Easy ways to gamify the boring parts of business
• Real-life examples of turning repetition into results
• Why loving the boring stuff is what actually leads to big growth

Challenge of the Week:

Pick one “boring” task in your business — follow-ups, systems, admin, content batching — and gamify it. Add points, create a visual tracker, or reward yourself for showing up. DM me what you picked!

Connect with us:

• Instagram: @successfulnursecoaches
• Website: www.thesuccessfulnursecoaches.com
• Join the conversation in our Facebook group: The Successful Nurse Coach Community

If you loved this episode…

Please take 30 seconds to subscribe, rate, and leave a review — it helps more nurses find this work and fall in love with the boring parts too. 💕

Mentioned in this episode:

Deep Coaching Experience

https://www.thesuccessfulnursecoaches.com/workshops

In this episode of the Successful Nurse Coach Podcast, I’m talking directly to nursing students and aspiring nurse coaches—especially those of you in the middle of certification.

It’s such a tender (and confusing) chapter. You're excited, but also wondering, “Am I ready?” or “What should I focus on next?”

My answer: Focus on coaching first.

Not branding. Not a website. Not trying to turn yourself into a marketing expert overnight.

This episode is a pep talk and a reality check. I share what I’ve seen work—time and time again—for our most successful grads. I tell real stories of what happens when you slow down, practice your coaching, and build real confidence before rushing into business logistics.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure of what your next step should be, I made this one for you.

Tune in and let’s get grounded in what actually matters during this season.

Shelby 🤍

• Join our free Facebook community:
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesuccessfulnursecoach
• Follow us on Instagram:
• @thesuccessfulnursecoaches

Mentioned in this episode:

Deep Coaching Experience

https://www.thesuccessfulnursecoaches.com/workshops

In this episode, Shelby and Laura get real about one of the most awkward questions for new nurse coaches: “What do you do?” They unpack why this question can trigger so much internal resistance, how to move through early identity wobble, and what makes a response truly land. Through honest stories, practical tips, and encouragement, they help you feel more grounded and confident in your unique nurse coaching journey.

Key Takeaways:

• You’re not alone—it’s easier with a partner in the journey.
• The early days of being a nurse coach can feel confusing and vulnerable.
• Ditch the credentials; lead with who you help and how.
• Make your answer compelling enough to invite curiosity.
• Practice saying it out loud until it feels natural.
• Networking isn’t about impressing—it’s about connecting.
• Awkward convos are part of the process. Embrace the cringe.
• Stay open to “divine appointments”—you never know who’s listening.

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction and the Value of Collaboration

02:01 – Navigating the Challenges of Being a New Nurse Coach

07:11 – Crafting Your Response: What Not to Do

13:34 – How to Answer 'What Do You Do?' with Clarity and Curiosity

19:02 – Building Confidence in Your Coaching Identity

21:20 – Facing the Discomfort of Networking

24:49 – Why Volume of Conversations Matters

26:12 – Practice Makes Peaceful

30:23 – Normalizing the Cringe

32:28 – Divine Appointments and Meaningful Conversations

36:06 – Taking the Focus Off Yourself

Mentioned in this episode:

Deep Coaching Experience

https://www.thesuccessfulnursecoaches.com/workshops

In this episode, Shelby dives deep into one of the most common struggles new nurse coaches face: the fixer reflex. As nurses, we're trained to assess, intervene, and help—but in coaching, that instinct to rescue can actually hinder transformation.

Shelby explores:

• Why fixing your clients does more harm than good
• How giving advice too soon steals their breakthrough
• The subtle (and selfish) ways fixing helps you feel better, not them
• 3 practical tools to coach powerfully without solving their problems

With stories, real-life examples, and Shelby’s signature blend of truth and heart, this episode is a must-listen for any nurse coach learning to hold space in a deeper, more empowering way.

Transformation happens in the tension—not in your tidy solutions.

Tune in and learn how to stop rescuing and start truly coaching.

Mentioned in this episode:

Deep Coaching Experience

https://www.thesuccessfulnursecoaches.com/workshops

In this solo episode, Laura shares powerful updates from Nurse Life Coach Academy, including enrolling 150 students in just 10 months and why the movement of nurse coaching is gaining major traction in healthcare, organizations, and private practice.

You’ll hear why NLCA grads are standing out from the crowd, what transformational coaching really looks like, and how this path is not just about transactional health goals—but deep personal change. Laura also names the five most common barriers holding nurses back from taking the leap and how to overcome them.

Whether you're curious about becoming a nurse coach, already in the field, or simply craving inspiration and clarity, this episode will light a fire in you.

• An inside look at NLCA’s growth: 150 students in under a year
• Why our grads are getting clients—and getting hired
• The difference between learning coaching and becoming a coach
• Laura’s “three-ingredient chicken soup” metaphor for early coaching success
• Why nurse coaching is more than weight loss or health goals
• The holistic power of listening, love, and curiosity in transformation
• Coaching in health, finances, and trauma without being the expert
• Why nurse coaching is a professional and spiritual growth path
• The 5 major barriers holding nurses back—and how to overcome each
• A raw personal story about imposter syndrome, money, and self-belief
• How to get free coaching or connect with the NLCA team

“You don’t need to be perfect to be powerful. You need to be present.”

“You’ll be surprised what a damn good cheese pizza of a coaching session can do.”

“Who are you not to become a nurse coach?”

“Nurse coaching is not a trend. It’s a movement—and we’re leading it.”

1. Fear of the Unknown
2. Impaired Money Mindset
3. Over-identification with Being a “Good Nurse”
4. Waiting for the Perfect Time
5. Lack of Belief in Themselves

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🤝 Book a Free Call with Laura or Shelby

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📩 Got questions? Email us at support@thesuccessfulnursecoaches.com

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Mentioned in this episode:

Deep Coaching Experience

https://www.thesuccessfulnursecoaches.com/workshops