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Ever wondered what coaches mean when they say they’re Co-Active? In this behind-the-scenes episode, Ryan and Vic unpack what Co-Active Coaching really is — not as a training manual, but as the mindset that shapes how they coach, lead, and live.

They share how they each discovered the Co-Active model (spoiler: it starts with our mutual friend named Lisa), and explore its four cornerstones and three core principles.

You’ll also hear how Co-Active has shaped who they are as humans — not just coaches. From learning to stay with emotion, to designing alliances, to trusting the process of change, this episode offers both inspiration and practical insight.

Resources mentioned:

• Learn more about Co-Active
• The Co-Active Coaching Model
• Go Coach Yourself: Building Perspectives
• Go Coach Yourself: Leader Within

Hosts:

Ryan Reichert-Estes, StackRise Coaching | LinkedIn | Insta: @stackrisecoaching

Vic Smith, WhistleSmith.co | LinkedIn | Insta: @vic_bk

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We’ve all heard it: “Bring your whole self to work.” Or maybe it’s “Show up as your best self.” Lately, though, the conversation has started to shift. Some people are pushing back—saying that maybe your “whole self” isn’t what every space needs. In this episode, Ryan and Vic unpack what’s behind these buzzwords and explore how to navigate authenticity, discernment, and emotional intelligence in real life.

Together, they explore the differences between your whole self, best self, and higher self—and what it looks like to choose which version of you to bring forward based on context, safety, and purpose. The conversation moves from the pitfalls of unfiltered “wholeness,” to the exhaustion of trying to be your “best” all the time, to the power of showing up from your higher self—that calm, aware part of you that acts with alignment and service, not ego.

It’s a thoughtful, funny, and refreshingly real take on what it actually means to “bring yourself” to the world—and how to do it without losing who you are in the process.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Dr. Victoria Mattingly on authenticity + emotional intelligence
• Dr. Paige Williams on focusing on your true self
• Go Coach Yourself: Self-Awareness, part of EQ (helpful pairing)

Hosts:

Ryan Reichert-Estes, StackRise Coaching | LinkedIn | Insta: @stackrisecoaching

Vic Smith, WhistleSmith.co | LinkedIn | Insta: @vic_bk

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In this episode of Go Coach Yourself! Ryan and Vic talk about what it means to build a life you want to share with others. The episode is inspired by Vic's 50th Birthday celebration, where she invited 15 friends from around the globe to spend the weekend in NYC.

They emphasize the importance of incremental changes and deliberate choices to align with your values and purpose and share personal anecdotes about significant decisions and daily habits that brought them to where they are now. Recognizing everyone's journey is different, Vic and Ryan encourage listeners to envision their future selves, adopt small, bridge habits, and embrace discomfort as a growth opportunity. Practical steps include a vision exercise and auditing recent decisions.

Hosts:

Ryan Reichert-Estes, StackRise Coaching | LinkedIn | Insta: @stackrisecoaching

Vic Smith, WhistleSmith.co | LinkedIn | Insta: @vic_bk