Episode #64: Alex Whitton – Balancing the Being and the Doing
The question of what makes a life well-lived is at the heart of Alex Whitton’s work, both as a coach and as the CEO of a charity that supports young people to realise their potential.
In this episode of the Coach’s Journey Podcast, Alex tells Robbie about the story of his career so far, from studying at Oxford University, to his volunteer work with young people, to running a social enterprise and then deciding to become a coach.
He describes how he emerged from a mindset of scarcity into one of abundance and opportunity as he came to recognise his strengths as a coach, which were cultivated through his work with Universify and the MOE Foundation.
Alex shares insights into how he has built his coaching business alongside his work with Universify, and also how he is fulfilling his childhood ambition of becoming an author.
He speaks about the fundamental importance of authenticity, vulnerability and creativity – principles that underpin his writing practice as well as his work as a coach and CEO.
In this episode, Alex and Robbie also talk about:
Stories, memories and listening for insight
How coaching skills can empower young people throughout their lives
The power of someone taking your dreams seriously
Taking a bigger-picture view, in order to see your own abundance
A highly effective way to invite people to be coached and enhance your agency as a coach
Alex also offers a refreshing approach to framing conversations with prospective clients, capturing the spirit of co-creation in a way that has universal appeal.
For more information about Alex, visit http://www.exploregrowbe.com/.
For more information about this episode’s host, Robbie Swale, visit https://www.robbieswale.com.
Read more about The Coach's Journey at www.thecoachsjourney.com.
Music by My Good Man William: listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KmeQUcTbeE31uFynHQLQg
To support the Coach's Journey, visit www.patreon.com/thecoachsjourney and to join the Coach's Journey Community visit www.thecoachsjourney.com/community.
Things and people we mentioned (that you might be interested in):
- Katie Harvey, Coaching During Coronavirus on the Coach’s Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/coaching-during-coronavirus-katie-harvey
- Malcolm Gladwell’s podcast, revisionist history https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/revisionist-history
- The Tim Ferriss show https://tim.blog/podcast/
- Universify Education https://www.universifyeducation.com/
- Coach Bright https://www.coachbright.org/
- MOE Foundation https://moefoundation.com/
- Catriona Horey on the Coach’s Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-4-catriona-horey-too-far-away-from-the-joy
- Jeffrey Wotherspoon on the Coach’s Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-24-jeffrey-wotherspoon
- RSA Engage https://www.thersa.org/events/fellowship/2023/11/rsa-engage-hampshire
- The Helicopter Technique https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/spycatcher/202005/the-helicopter-technique-metaphor
- Rich Litvin intensives https://richlitvin.com/intensive/
- Darren Robson https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/special-episodes-darren-robson-memories
- James Bianco on the Coach’s Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-5-james-bianco-beware-your-simple-stories-about-coaching-success
- Henrietta Nelson on the Coach’s Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-46-henrietta-nelson-nobody-else-can-put-a-feeling-in-you
- Robbie’s blog post on how he became a full-time coach in less than two years https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/writing/how-i-became-a-full-time-coach-less-than-two-years-after-starting-my-training
- Marianne Williamson quote about how we are afraid of our light https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/928-our-deepest-fear-is-not-that-we-are-inadequate-our
- Zinc https://www.zinc.vc/
- Unrest https://www.unrest.world/
- The Bridging Project https://www.thebridgingproject.co.uk/
- The Inner Game of Tennis, by Timothy Gallwey https://theinnergame.com/inner-game-books/the-inner-game-of-tennis/
- Jonny Wilkinson’s podcast with Dr Dave Alred https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/i-am-dr-dave-alred-mbe-on-the-conditions-for-performance/id1610549437?i=1000557589713
- Wayfinders, by Wade Davis https://daviswade.com/book-the-wayfinders
- Wade Davis on the Tim Ferriss Show https://tim.blog/2023/01/27/wade-davis/
BIOGRAPHY FROM ALEX
Alex first came across coaching when volunteering and then working for Universify Education, a charity supporting young people in the UK to realise their potential, no matter what their background. After becoming more involved in delivering Universify’s coaching training during the pandemic, he took the leap to start his own coaching business working with people to live more authentic, connected lives. At the heart of Alex’s work is exploring the question: ‘What is a life well lived?’
Alex now splits his time working as the CEO for Universify and running his coaching business. His work as a coach also includes supporting founders of socially impactful businesses and working with young people from underrepresented backgrounds to thrive in education.
Beyond but also feeding into his work, Alex is an avid rugby fan and bread baker with a love for books, sharing time with friends and family, and being in nature.