Exclusive Interviews with Master Coaches, Linda McLoughlin, The Hopeful Voyager [S.1-E.52/44]

Senem Anataca: Most master coaches wear multiple hats, and you are no exception. To start, among all these roles you play, how do you define yourself at your core?

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Linda McLoughlin: Well, first of all, thank you, Senem, for the invitation to be part of this podcast. I love this opening question—it’s simple yet so profound.

When I think about who I am, the first thing that comes to mind is my deep connection to others. I identify as a mother, a wife, a grandmother, a sister, an aunt, a friend, and a colleague to the amazing people I interact with every day. The longer I live, the more I realize that my identity is shaped not just by ‘me’ but by ‘we.’ My relationships define me just as much as my personal and professional roles.

On a professional level, I am a global master and team coach, an award-winning coach educator, and a mentor coach. I’ve had the privilege of working with incredible clients across five continents, and throughout my career, I’ve embraced change and new opportunities with an open mind. Reinvention has been a constant theme in my life.

Coaching wasn’t my first career—I came into it about 14 years ago, following a series of successful careers in academia, executive education, tourism development, and management consulting. Each of these experiences has strengthened my coaching muscle, allowing me to support others in their own growth and adaptation.

And, of course, I should also mention that I am a proud Irish woman—but at the same time, I consider myself a citizen of the world.

Senem Anataca: Fantastic. Thank you for sharing that! I’m curious—having been part of many podcasts and interviews before, is there something special about you that isn’t widely known? Something you haven’t shared often but would be willing to reveal for us?

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Linda McLoughlin: Another lovely question, Senem. Thank you!

One thing people may not know about me is that I have a very spiritual and soulful side. I’m deeply curious about the meaning of life and the dimensions beyond the physical world we live in. Right now, I’m completing a transpersonal coaching program with a depth coach, and it has been a fascinating journey of self-discovery. As coaches, I believe we should regularly put ourselves in the client’s seat, and this experience has allowed me to explore how I integrate my spirituality into my business and personal life—creating a true sense of wholeness.

Something else that might surprise people is that I’ve been a Reiki Master for over 20 years. I’m very attuned to energy work, maintaining chakra health, and I make time for yoga, mindfulness, sound baths, and gratitude practices. These rituals keep me grounded and balanced, both personally and professionally.

And on a completely different note—I have an absolute passion for travel! As of today, I’ve visited 89 countries, and my goal is to reach 100 within the next 12 months. Travel fuels my curiosity and deepens my understanding of different cultures, perspectives, and experiences. So right now, I’m busy planning my next adventures!

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Senem Anataca: Thank you for sharing that—it sounds truly fascinating! I’m curious, what has been your biggest ‘aha’ moment in your own self-discovery journey? That one realization that shifted everything for you?

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Linda McLoughlin: You know, when I reflect on trends in personal growth and development today, I notice that so much of the conversation revolves around creating the 'perfect' life or the 'perfect' career.

However, now that I’m in my 60s, looking back on what has been a truly full life, I recognize the natural cycles—the ups and downs, the moments of joy and the moments of deep challenge. And my biggest aha moment has been realizing that life itself is a cycle. There will be good days and not-so-good days, and maybe the idea of a perfect life is just an illusion. What truly matters is that whether we win or lose at any given moment, we are always learning and growing.

A big shift for me has been learning not to be too attached to current struggles or situations—to keep my eyes on the future rather than being consumed by the present moment’s difficulties. That perspective has shaped my resilience and sense of contentment over the years.

And if I can share a deeply personal example—one of the hardest moments in my life was losing my first husband to cancer when I was in my 40s. We had three young children, and the loss was devastating…

Senem Anataca: I am so sorry for your loss, Linda. That must have been an incredibly difficult time for you and your family.

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Linda McLoughlin: It was devastating, Senem. Losing my husband while trying to keep the show on the road—balancing family life and work—was incredibly challenging.

But life has a way of surprising us. Twelve years later, in a chance moment, I met another love of my life. I remarried, and suddenly, color returned to my world. That was also when I moved to the UAE and completely reinvented both my career and my life. By then, my children had flown the nest, and it felt like the right time to embrace something new.

I share this because I truly believe in accepting life’s cycles—the highs and the lows. Once you embrace that reality and keep hope alive in your heart, you find a way to move forward. That’s my biggest ‘aha’ moment—understanding that resilience is about trusting life’s flow, even in the darkest times.

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Senem Anataca: That is such a rich and sincere perspective, and I truly appreciate you sharing it. Now, I’d love to dive into your core values and life purpose. What are the values that guide you, and how do they connect with your work as a coach?

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Linda McLoughlin: When I thought about this question, I realized my values might seem a bit old-fashioned. Maybe that’s because they reflect my upbringing—growing up in Ireland in the ’60s and ’70s, a time when things were quite traditional.

If I had to pick five, they would be:

First, hard work. I believe in getting stuck in. Nothing in life is handed to us—we have to create our own luck. My mother always told us as children, ‘Just do your best.’ That became my mantra. I don’t have to be the best at everything, but I need to know I’ve put in the effort. And honestly, I don’t see work as a burden—I find joy in it.

Second, continuous learning and growth. I believe we are never fully formed. No matter how old we are, there’s always something new to learn. Being open to feedback, taking risks, and learning from mistakes has been key in my life.

Third, kindness and courtesy. This one comes straight from my mother. She always said, ‘It costs nothing to be nice.’ And I really believe that. Maybe it’s old-fashioned, but I think kindness and respect go a long way. They’ve helped me build relationships, navigate difficult situations, and avoid unnecessary conflict. When you lead with kindness, it often dissolves negativity before it even takes hold.

Fourth, reliability. This ties back to hard work. If I say I will do something, you can be sure I will deliver. And if for some reason I can’t, I will always have a backup plan. My family, friends, and clients know they can count on me. I think reliability is at the heart of trust, and trust creates psychological safety for people.

And lastly, speaking my truth. Over the years, I’ve found myself in situations where I saw things that didn’t align with my values. And while it wasn’t always the most political move, I felt a responsibility to speak up. I think I have a way of doing it with tact, but I don’t shy away from it. I’m not someone who can just smile and stay silent when something feels wrong.

How have these values served me? Well, my career spans four decades, and I believe they’ve brought me fulfillment, success, and recognition—not because I chased those things, but because they naturally followed.

And in coaching, these values align perfectly. Coaching is about serving others, showing empathy, being consistent, and building trust—all things that matter deeply to me. Whether I’m coaching, mentoring, or educating other coaches, these values guide how I show up in the world.

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Senem Anataca: If you were to capture your life purpose in a statement or a metaphor that reflects your core values, what would it be?

Linda McLoughlin: It’s such an interesting question because I don’t think we have just one life purpose. When I look back over my lifetime, I realize that I’ve had multiple purposes at different stages of my life. Each one was important in its own time, and I see life as a journey of constantly moving forward—taking action each day toward what is meaningful in that moment.

The metaphor I would choose to describe my life purpose is the spiral – the spiral represents the concept of?rebirth and the eternal cycle of life.? The red thread running through my spiral has been development – development of people; organizations; communities; & systems – this is my passion.

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Senem Anataca: Thank you very much for sharing that. I have a belief that most coaches don’t start with coaching as a business—they begin by searching for something, looking for answers to their own questions, and along the way, they find themselves becoming a coach.

With that assumption in mind, was this the case for you? What was the question you were seeking an answer to that ultimately led you to coaching?

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Linda McLoughlin: As I mentioned earlier, I’m a very spiritual person, and I’ve always been drawn to the big questions—Why are we here? What is our purpose? Those questions have been deeply important to me. But what actually led me to coaching was something slightly different.

I’ve always been fascinated by how people grow and develop. That’s a core question for me. Throughout my career, I’ve worn many hats—high school teacher, university professor, leadership development specialist, HR consultant—but the common thread in all of them has been education and learning. How do people learn? What truly helps them evolve? That has always intrigued me.

Interestingly, I came into coaching by accident. As part of my leadership development work, I started offering one-on-one sessions with senior executives, providing 360-degree feedback, and that was when I saw firsthand how powerful a coaching style approach could be even though we didn’t have a name for it!

I realized that in a safe, one-on-one environment, people could truly take ownership of their development. They weren’t just being taught or advised—they were driving their own growth. And that really hooked me. From there, I went on to formally train as a coach, earn my credentials, and develop myself up to master level.

At the heart of it all, my question has always been: ‘What is the best way to help people grow?’ And coaching, more than anything else I’ve done—whether working with students, postgraduates, senior executives, early school leavers, women, or people with disabilities—has proven to be the most powerful modality for transformation.

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Senem Anataca: Thank you for sharing that. In Co-Active Coaching, we call them Tada moments—those moments when we celebrate what we might have previously seen as mistakes or failures. We shift the perspective and celebrate them for the lessons they bring, helping us grow.

So, with that in mind, what has been your biggest Tada moment in coaching? A moment where you learned from a challenge or a failure, and how did you overcome it?

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Linda McLoughlin: Let me just take a moment to think about that... I think one of my biggest Tada moments came many years ago when I was doing team coaching with a senior management team. The team was very fractured, with a lot of systemic and interpersonal issues. Looking back, I realize I rushed into it a bit—I didn’t create the right boundaries, and that’s where things started to get complicated.

Individuals from the team started inviting me to coach them one-on-one outside the group setting, and I began to see how the ethical dynamics could get very messy. It became clear that I hadn’t fully set up the right agreements and frameworks to protect the integrity of the coaching environment.

I had to really pull back, reevaluate, and go back to basics—recreate the agreements with the team and start afresh. That was a huge learning moment for me, and the biggest takeaway is that now I don’t take on any new assignment without dedicating extensive time to contracting and ensuring clear agreements are in place. Protecting the ethical aspects of the process is non-negotiable, and I’ve learned to always prioritize that from the start.

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Senem Anataca: Among the coaching cases where you have written consent from your clients, what has been your most unforgettable experience? A case that really stands out and has stayed with you.

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Linda McLoughlin: My most memorable coaching case didn’t happen in a one-on-one setting. It happened during one of my coach training programs, specifically the level 1 program, which has been a launching pad for so many wonderful alumni who inspire me in how they have contributed to the profession. But one individual stands out, and I will never forget her.

She was a policewoman who had never experienced coaching before yet somehow signed up for the program. She truly blossomed throughout the training—you could see she had a natural talent. She was a born coach in terms of her ability to listen, be present, and ask open questions. But as the program continued, she had a realization: ‘If this is how it feels for me, imagine what it would feel like if I brought this back to my organization.’

Immediately after the course ended, she went back to her role in the Sharjah Police Force and began coaching the top executives. She said, ‘I want you to experience this.’ Once she had them on board, understanding what coaching was and feeling comfortable with it, she pitched the idea of using coaching to improve morale. She presented the issue of low employee happiness KPIs and proposed that coaching could be the solution. She got commitment to start training coaches internally.

Now, keep in mind—Sharjah is a very traditional emirate, and the police force, by its nature, is a hierarchical, traditional organization. This was a huge shift, and single-handedly, Lieutenant Alia introduced a coaching culture within the force.

I had the honor of partnering with her, providing training and mentoring. We ended up training 80 internal coaches and about 300 senior lieutenants in coaching skills. They even integrated coaching-led approaches into their HR policies. For instance, every new recruit gets six coaching sessions when they join the force as part of their onboarding.? Also if an officer commits a first offense, they don’t court martial them as before —they receive five coaching sessions.? Such a shift in mindset.

I can honestly say that if I had to point to one legacy moment in my career, it would be meeting Lieutenant Alia and witnessing how one person could take what she learned from me and transform an entire system.

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Senem Anataca: It’s incredibly impressive, and this is actually how I found you years ago—through that project and the amazing work I came across on LinkedIn. It's a truly transformative approach that’s much needed in the world. I’ve heard that other countries are starting to implement similar initiatives. I believe it was discussed in one of the ICF calls in the USA, where they began applying a similar coaching approach.

This shift will have a massive impact, especially with coaching skills being integrated into policies for organizations like the army or law enforcement. It makes such a difference when people in positions of power and leadership have the tools to approach situations with empathy and understanding.

One of my own dreams has always been to have the opportunity to coach individuals who are about to be discharged from prison. Helping them build new skills, new muscles, and a deeper sense of what they want from life as they transition back into society. Your work is a true inspiration, and I admire what you’ve brought to the world. Thank you so much for making this vision a reality.

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Linda McLoughlin: Thank you.

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Senem Anataca: As a master coach, what do you think new coaches may not be fully aware of regarding the current trends in coaching? Or perhaps they are aware, but not giving enough space for these trends to evolve in their practice?

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Linda McLoughlin: Over the years, having trained around five to six hundred coaches—both external and internal—I've noticed that most people join coaching programs for a deeply meaningful reason. They want to make a difference in the world, they want to support others, and these are incredibly worthy motivations. However, what many new coaches don’t realize is that coaching is often a solo entrepreneurial journey.

Most coaches are solopreneurs, so there’s a huge business side to what we do. If you want to make a real impact, you need to have that entrepreneurial mindset. I always make it clear to my trainees before they join my programs—they need to create their own client base, and that involves a lot more than just coaching. It’s about communicating the value of coaching to others, building networks, and establishing relationships with potential clients.

I was fortunate because I had a background in management consulting before starting my own coaching business, so I understood the mechanics of writing proposals, costing projects, pitching them, and managing contracts. I also knew how to build relationships both internally and externally within organizations. But many coaches struggle with this business side of things.

I think, moving forward, we might need to include business competencies within the coaching competency framework. We have our eight core competencies, which are fantastic, but there’s a missing piece when it comes to running a coaching business. Without the business skills, you can't create a sustainable practice, and without sustainability, we can’t have the lasting impact we’re aiming for. And while financial rewards are part of the equation, it’s not just about money—it’s about being able to do the deals and create the space to have a significant impact.

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Senem Anataca: I completely agree with you, Linda. For me, one of my own Tada moments was realizing that as a coach and purposeful leader, I also had to wear the business hat. It was a huge awareness moment for me, and it happened during a session with my master coach.

The metaphor that came to me was about having this fully equipped kitchen—all the tools, the ingredients, and the resources to create something wonderful—but no one’s actually cooking in it. You know, like having a car that’s fully set up, but there’s no one driving it. I had spent so much time focusing on honing my coaching skills, building up my expertise, and connecting with people on a deeper level about their purpose, but I hadn’t taken the time to drive the business forward.

For three years, I had this amazing car, but it wasn’t going anywhere because I hadn’t put the business systems in place. That realization was huge.

When I went through the Positive Intelligence training, I found the inclusion of the business side really inspiring. But I also think there’s still not enough focus on that. There needs to be more courses and training for coaches—not just around coaching skills, but also about developing a healthy relationship with money and understanding the business of coaching. I think that’s where many coaches struggle, and starting with money mindset is crucial.

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Linda McLoughlin: I think you’re absolutely right, Senem. There seems to be this sense of embarrassment among coaches, especially newer ones, when it comes to putting a fee on what they do and asking for payment. It’s one of the biggest mindset hurdles we have to overcome. We provide a valuable service, and people expect to pay for that, just like they would any other professional service.

I know that when I first started, I felt that too—but I quickly realized that if I wanted to be a professional, I needed to own my value and the service I was offering. We can’t let shame, shyness, or embarrassment hold us back.

Think about it—no one would expect to go to an accountant or a lawyer and ask them to do their work for free. We’re professionals too, and our work deserves to be compensated fairly.

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Senem Anataca: Can you complete the following sentence? If a coach aims to be a successful master coach, then it is a must to...

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Linda McLoughlin: If I were to complete that sentence, I’d say: If a coach aims to be a successful master coach, then it is a must to be humble and accept feedback.

I say this with experience, having mentored many coaches transitioning from PCC to MCC, including some who have been seasoned PCCs for many years. These coaches have built strong, successful practices and are often doing very well in the business side of coaching. They might view reaching MCC as another badge to collect—something that’s merely about ticking the boxes: getting the required hours, extra training, and mentoring.

In this case there can be a resistance to change and growth. ?Some believe they don’t need to evolve their approach or mindset—that’s a real obstacle to becoming a master coach. But the humility to accept feedback, even when it challenges you, is essential.

However, I’ve also had many mentees who have a true beginner’s mindset.?? This allows them to accept feedback more openly, to reflect on how to elevate and deepen their skills , and to become more present to themselves. They can reimagine their practice and grow in a much more fundamental way.

When I pursued my MCC, I thought it would take me six to eight months—naively, I thought it would be that quick. But the process ended up taking two and a half years because I loved the journey. I worked with four different mentors from around the world, receiving valuable feedback and diverse perspectives. It was a slow, reflective process, and I’m so glad I took that time.

I’ll be honest—it was tough at times. When you’re a successful PCC and your mentor tells you, ‘This wouldn’t pass,’ it can really hit your ego. It’s hard to pick yourself up after that and keep going. But the more I surrendered to the process, the more I learned to be humble and accept that I was just a beginner, the more enjoyable the journey became.

It wasn’t about the letters after my name, though I was thrilled to receive my MCC badge. What I gained from the experience was so much more—a more holistic, present, and impactful coaching practice. I’m a fundamentally different coach today, and I’m seeing much greater impact from this mindset shift.

Senem Anataca: Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom and internal resources with us, Linda. Now, let's dive into your external resources. What books, podcasts, movies, or even LinkedIn profiles would you recommend to our readers? Any resources that have inspired you or that you feel would benefit others?

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Linda McLoughlin: I’d recommend five things that have really shaped me and my work.

First as a tool for self and team awareness, I would recommend the Enneagram. This is an ancient personality typology from the Sufi tradition that’s been adapted for today’s world. I use it with many of my clients—it’s a powerful tool to recognize your strengths, blind spots, and shadow side. I first came across it in my 20s, and it completely changed my perspective on myself. There are so many great resources on it, so I’d definitely recommend checking it out.

Second, the model and techniques of Positive Intelligence by Shirzad Chamine. This framework really helped me break free from my saboteurs and access my sage. His free saboteur assessment tool is fantastic, and I use it often with clients. It really helps them have those Tada! moments when they realize their patterns of behavior and thinking. He offers free training from time to time, so check that out on his PQ website.

Thirdly, the Transform Tomorrow Today podcast for those working in the corporate coaching; OD and change space.?I co-host this series where we interview leading change agents from across the globe in companies like L’Oreal; Standard Chartered Bank; IKEA; Nespresso etc about their specific approaches to transformation.? Each episode is about 30 minutes and is very valuable and inspiring for coaches.? You can find all the episodes so far on the LinkedIn Page https://www.dhirubhai.net/company/transform-tomorrow-today/?viewAsMember=true

Fourth as an experience, I’d recommend volunteering in your coaching association—like ICF or whatever you’re a part of. ?Getting involved in your professional community is one of the best ways to learn, network, and give back. I’ve volunteered in various capacities over the years, including serving on the ICF global board, and it has given me a much deeper understanding of the coaching world.

Lastly a book, ‘Anam Cara’ by John O’Donohue. It’s one of my all-time favorite books. It’s always by my bed, and it really speaks to my spiritual side. John was a Celtic monk who connected the spirit of ancient times to explore the essence of who we are today. He passed away a few years ago, but his books are still deeply impactful. Anything by him is worth reading for me.

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Senem Anataca: Thank you so much for sharing all of that, Linda. Now, looking five years down the line, what is one thing we will be celebrating about you?

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Linda McLoughlin: I’d like to think that five years down the line, the people I’ve coached, the teams I’ve worked with, and everyone I’ve helped through professional coach training are all flourishing. For me, my legacy and success is in seeing others thrive.

I’ve already witnessed some incredible stories of impact. For instance, I mentioned my alum Lieutenant Alia earlier who introduced the first coaching culture in a police force, and I also have a gentleman in Oman who’s an alumni of mine. He’s currently advising the Omani government on how to incorporate a coaching approach into their 2030 vision for the nation! That just blows my mind in terms of impact, Senem.

One person can only achieve so much, but when we empower others, that’s where the real legacy lies. It's about how far the impact can ripple out through those we've helped.

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Senem Anataca: Thank you so much for sharing that, Linda. Now, let’s imagine your life as a novel, with all its chapters completed. What would the title of your book be?

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Linda McLoughlin: I think I’d call it ‘The Hopeful Voyager’. ?Hope and optimism are critical in navigating through life’s cycles—the ups and the downs. ?Life is a voyage, our experience here on planet Earth is just one dimension. ?I love that the title also connects to my passion for travel, as I see travel as a way to to expand my horizons and connections. Let’s sail on!?

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Senem Anataca: Last but certainly not least, what are your thoughts on Authentic Coach’s Bold Corner? How do you see its impact in the coaching world?

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Linda McLoughlin: Senem, I think you’ve really created a great resource for coaches with Authentic Coach’s Bold Corner. There’s such a broad range of topics, which I really appreciate. The format is also very accessible—it's like an archive where you can dip in and out at any time. And the topics are so relevant and current.

I noticed recently you had a piece on how we price coaching, and I thought that was so important, especially for newer coaches who are really grappling with that question. It’s a very practical and helpful topic.

So, thank you for creating this amazing space, and thank you for the invitation today. It’s been a real pleasure.

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Senem Anataca: Thank you so much for joining today, Linda. It was truly a juicy, delicious, and rich conversation—full of wisdom and insights. I personally enjoyed it immensely, and I’m sure the readers will gain so much from all the knowledge you’ve shared. Thank you for making this happen and for being so generous with your time and expertise.