Breaking the Stigma: Addiction, Coaching & Why 90% of Coaches Fail with Marie Donnelly

Join hosts Greg and Dan as they dive deep with Marie Donnelly, a seasoned coach with a background in social work and mental health. Marie shares her powerful journey from working in substance misuse to building a successful coaching business, revealing the harsh truth that 90% of coaches and online businesses fail—and how to be in the successful 10%.

This raw conversation explores the evolving landscape of addiction, the stigma that keeps people (especially men) from seeking help, and why building authentic communities is the key to coaching success. Marie's holistic approach offers invaluable insights for new and struggling coaches looking to make a genuine impact while building a profitable online business.

Learn:✅ Why most coaches fail and how to avoid their mistakes✅ Breaking down stigma in mental health conversations✅ Building communities that drive coaching success✅ Using authentic storytelling to grow your personal brand✅ Creating sustainable income in the online coaching space

Quote: "Make time for your wellness before you're forced to make time for your illness."

Connect with Marie: linkedin.com/in/marie-donnelly-☘️-a00905294

Join The Coach Trap:🌐 www.coachtrap.co.uk👥 skool.com/thecoachtrap

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90% of coaches fail in their online coaching business. Here's why—and what you can actually do about it.

Gerald Woollatt spent years figuring out what separates struggling coaches from those who build sustainable practices. This conversation goes deep into the mechanics of coaching that actually works—neuro coaching, self-awareness, and the frameworks that help new coaches avoid the traps that kill most businesses before they start.

We explore why imposter syndrome isn't just a feeling but a pattern that can be interrupted, how AI is reshaping the coaching industry (and why authenticity matters more than ever), and the marketing strategies that don't require you to become someone you're not.

The coach trap isn't about motivation. It's about understanding the systems that keep coaches spinning their wheels—no clients, inconsistent income, advice that doesn't translate to results. Gerald breaks down neuro coaching as a tool for creating awareness around the thought patterns that drive behavior, both for you as a founder and for the clients you serve.

If you're a new coach trying to get coaching clients, or you've been struggling with personal branding for coaches and coach marketing strategy, this episode cuts through the fake coaching advice and gives you something actionable.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:→ Why 90% of coaches in online businesses fail and how to avoid becoming part of that statistic→ The neuroscience behind behavioral change and how neuro coaching creates lasting transformation→ How to build authority as a coach without resorting to inflated claims or guru tactics→ Marketing strategies that work for coaches who hate marketing→ Why storytelling is the most underutilized tool for coaches not getting clients

Join our free community where we discuss coaching industry problems, share strategies to make money as a coach, and help you build a business that doesn't trap you: skool.com/thecoachtrap

FIND GERALD WOOLLATT:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerald-woollatt-msc/

MORE FROM THE COACH TRAP:Website: www.coachtrap.co.ukCommunity: www.skool.com/thecoachtrap

How to Sell Yourself to Sell a Book in 2026

90% of coaches and online businesses quit every year. The coaching industry is littered with failed attempts, broken promises, and coaching mistakes that could have been avoided. So what separates the 10% who make it from the struggling coaches who never get coaching clients?

Joel Steele knows this better than most. From overcoming genuine adversity to building a thriving online coaching business, Joel's journey proves that success isn't about luck—it's about mindset, strategic marketing, and a burning belief in your purpose.

In this conversation, we dive deep into what new coaches get catastrophically wrong. We discuss why coaches fail, the coaching industry problems no one talks about, and the fake coaching advice that's keeping you stuck. But more importantly, Joel reveals the exact personal branding for coaches strategies that actually work in 2026.

Here's what makes this different: Joel doesn't just talk about make money as a coach theory. He's walked the path from rock bottom to published author, building authority as a coach through public speaking, strategic networking, and leveraging social media in ways most coaches not getting clients completely miss.

We break down the coach marketing strategy behind launching a successful book, why YouTube for coaches is non-negotiable, and how to transform your failures into the foundation of your success story. There's no growth without fear, and Joel's approach to overcoming adversity will shift how you think about entrepreneurship entirely.

If you're a founder or coach building an online money-making business, this episode unpacks the marketing strategies you need to build authority as a coach and finally get coaching clients consistently. Joel shares his framework for public speaking, book publishing, and community engagement that turned his story into impact—and how you can do the same.

The coach trap isn't about talent. It's about treating your coaching business like a hobby instead of a real business. It's about ignoring personal development while expecting different results. And it's about following the same tired advice that keeps struggling coaches struggling.

Excitement is contagious. Purpose is powerful. And in 2026, the coaches who win are the ones who understand that selling yourself isn't manipulation—it's clarifying your message so the right people can find you.

Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to the coach trap01:31 - Choosing Your Path: The 10% Mindset02:28 - Overcoming Adversity: Joel's Journey07:09 - The Power of Public Speaking12:07 - Building a Network for Success17:13 - Marketing Your Book: Strategies for Success19:49 - Leveraging Social Media for Impact24:41 - Transforming Failures into Success Stories29:45 - Closing Thoughts and Charitable Giving

Find Joel Steele:📖 Book Joel: https://bookjoelsteele.com/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-steele-9685888/

Join Our Free Community:If you're serious about escaping the coach trap and building a real online coaching business that gets clients, join our free Skool community where we share what's actually working for new coaches in 2026: skool.com/thecoachtrap

More from the coach trap:🌐 Website: www.coachtrap.co.uk📱 Follow for more content on coaching mistakes, marketing strategies, and how to build authority as a coach

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