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Art Of Coaching

@aocoaching

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Specializing in the messy realities of life and leadership.
Non-Superficial Bullsh*it Conference
📍 Phoenix AZ 📅10/2026
Register Now👇

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Even the GOATs need to sharpen their skills! 🐐📚💪

GOAT Physical Therapy & Wellness will be CLOSED Friday, October 16th and Saturday, October 17th as we host The Apprenticeship with Brett Bartholomew and The Art of Coaching!

We’re bringing together professionals for two days of learning, leadership development, and communication skills.

Because being a great physical therapist isn’t just about knowing the human body. It’s about knowing how to connect with people, communicate effectively, and lead with purpose.

We’re excited to bring this incredible educational opportunity right here to GOAT!

We’ll be back Monday, ready to put what we’ve learned into action! 🐐❤️🖤

#GOATPhysicalTherapy #ArtOfCoaching #TheApprenticeship #BrettBartholomew #NeverStopLearning LeadershipDevelopment CommunicationMatters

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If you’re isolating and you’re struggling, give somebody else the opportunity to listen and be a true friend, or you’re robbing them of the way that they would love to show up for you.

There’s a difference between isolation and solitude. Know which one you’re choosing.

For more, check out Episode 445 of The Art of Coaching Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.

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Man this was a long time coming.

After a week of reflecting on our first-ever Non-Superficial BS Conference, I’m still not sure I have the words for it. But I do know that the most fulfilling thing was seeing it all finally come together.

If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you know I never claim that my work, or anything we do at Art of Coaching, is “perfect.” And to be frank, that’s not the goal.

But I’ll be damned if we don’t bring people together, make them think, make them laugh, make them confront things they otherwise wouldn’t, and help them grow and adapt—all while they help us do the same in return.

There’s no way I could capture that entire weekend in a set of photos or fully express the appreciation I have for everyone who was part of it.

But I know this: This was two years of trying to get this building done.

Ten years of a dream coming together. And in a couple of months, it all culminates with the official release of my new book, #TheAntiheroAdvantage

None of it came easily. There were more fights, setbacks, and moments of doubt along the way than I could ever adequately explain.

The lyrics of the song in this post was on repeat in my brain during the hardest months…”Not done fighting…I don’t feel I’ve lost…”

It was one battle after another.

But getting to bring all these people together, learn from some incredible speakers, and have my son there to experience even a small part of it made the whole thing that much more meaningful. And worth it.

‼️😈This weekend embodied what it means to be an antihero and a misfit. Someone who wants to do good but has a little chaos in them. Someone who wants to learn how to leverage their flaws, doubts, fears, and demons—all in the service of good.😈🏴‍☠️

What higher calling is there?

We’re all going to go through shit in life, and we need more pragmatic people and resources to help us overcome it.

That’s what our work is about.

When you read the final chapter of my book you’ll have a new definition of the word “RISE.”

Like the lyrics say- “is there more like us?” I hope so.

Thank you to everyone who was a part of this dream. And even to those who were part of the nightmare.

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In this episode, I dive into the relationship side of things, giving you a sneak peek into our Imperfect Relationships content.

Whether we’re talking about relationships with your kids, your spouse, a romantic partner, or anyone else in your life, understanding attachment styles, setting expectations, and learning how to navigate the baggage we all carry is essential.

Our family histories, previous relationships, past experiences, and personal insecurities all influence how we communicate, connect, and respond to conflict—often without us even realizing it.

The good news? We can get better at all of it.

Better conversations lead to stronger, healthier, and longer-lasting relationships. And whether you’re single, married, divorced, navigating a complicated relationship, or haven’t even considered finding a partner, the concepts covered in this episode can help you become more self-aware, communicate more effectively, and continue growing as a person.

This episode is part of a multi-episode series exploring the messy realities of relationships, communication, and human behavior. We can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

Interested in going deeper?

We’re hosting our first live Imperfect Relationships course in 2027! For more information, reach out to info@artofcoaching.com.

You can also preorder my new book, The Antihero Advantage, on Amazon or at theantiheroadvantage.com.

This book is designed to serve as a practical playbook for navigating conflict with the people you care about most, getting out of your own head, and becoming more effective in the moments that matter.

Whether you’re dealing with chaos, self-doubt, people-pleasing, difficult conversations, or the internal struggles that keep you stuck, The Antihero Advantage offers principles and strategies you can return to again and again.

Because better relationships don’t come from having all the answers. They come from learning how to navigate the complexities of being human.

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This one is a bit delayed, but I haven’t stopped thinking about this conference.

The Non-Superficial BS Conference was one of the best conferences I’ve ever been to. Skipping right past the neat, fake answers that conferences are know for, and instead diving into the tough conversations and challenging the assumptions underneath the questions.

So, belatedly: Day 2

@coach_brettb on reinvention. Change is inevitable, so how do you evolve with it? How do you become something new in a way that is still authentic to you and receivable by the people you are trying to reach?

@thereadystate on pain and the danger of looking at a multifactorial problem through a single lens. Pain asks us to stay curious, shift perspectives, and recognize that the first frame we reach for may not be the one that helps the person in front of us.

@jasonleydon on identity, and the much harder question of who are you when the things you built your identity around disappear. Who are you when the praise stops, the thing you were trying to prove doesn’t work out, or your value can no longer be attached to a specific output?

@mountaineeringa on leadership through the lens of caregiving. We spend so much time talking about what leaders owe the people they are responsible for that we sometimes forget the leader is a person too. You can’t pour from an empty cup is a cliche because it’s true, and no better arena exposes that than becoming a caregiver for another loved one.

@fingermash on heuristics, complex adaptive systems, and the humility of realizing that just when you think you understand something, you discover how much you don’t know. We work through models- imperfect, but actionable models. The skill isn’t finding the perfect model, but rather knowing which one is useful, what deserves priority, and which frame gives you enough clarity to act.

I left with a full notebook, a lot fewer neat answers, and much better questions.

Cannot thank @aocoaching @coach_brettb and @jasonleydon enough for creating a room where people are willing to talk about the messy parts: identity, uncertainty, failure, change, leadership, and what it takes to keep moving forward.
#NoBSConference

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Day 2 of the Non-Superficial Bullshit Conference. Phoenix, Arizonia.

Heavy hitters all day challenging not only what you think, but also how you think.

Today's lineup:
Brett Bartholomew [@coach_brettb] previewing his new book, The Antihero Advantage.

KStarr [@thereadystate] sharing his models to assess and progress athletes.

Jason Leydon [@jasonleydon] on identity and finding mirrors with the ones you love.

Matt Morrison [@mountaineeringa] reminding us who's looking out for the leader.

Stu McMillan [@fingermash] sharing his coaching journey and applying informed simplicity to our athlete's programs.

Then a guest panel I was fortunate to hop on, an all-speaker panel with open Q&A, and Brett's final takeaways to close us out.

Two days. No hacks. No hype. Just honest people telling the truth about leadership, setbacks and life.

Clear head. Full notebook. Can't lose.

Thank you Art of Coaching [@aocoaching] for building a room like this.

#NoBSConference #ArtOfCoaching #CoachingLeadership #CaptainsAndCoaches

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Still Carving

For most of my career I thought the way to get better was to keep adding.

I figured the accumulation of more information would lead to increased knowledge … and me being a better coach.

I read as much as I could. I applied it as often as I could. And it led to some semblance of success.

It worked

… until it didn’t.

By 2008 I knew a lot about a lot of things, but I was burnt out. In fact I was going to transition out of coaching entirely after the 2010 Olympic Games [that’s another story for another day].

It took me a long time to figure out that real understanding comes from what we learn to take away.

“We add to know, and we subtract to understand.”

But subtraction is hard. Much harder than adding. What you know becomes part of who you are, so letting go of a method or a belief can feel like letting go of a piece of yourself. And in a complex system you don’t know whether you’ve cut the right thing until well after you’ve cut it.

So I try to take things away a little at a time, safely. Dave Snowden calls these safe-to-fail experiments. You try something small, you watch what happens, you keep what works and drop what doesn’t, and then you go again.

I’ve been coaching for over forty years, and I’m still doing it. Still adding and subtracting at the same time, and the balance keeps shifting.

… still carving.

*From my talk “When Smart Becomes the Problem” at the Non-Superficial BS Conference. Thanks to @coach_brettb for the opportunity.

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Want to know what I take on the road with me?

Here is a straightforward answer to everything that makes it in my bag whenever I travel.

As somebody who is an extraordinarily light sleeper, even when I follow all the classic rules of sleep hygiene, I could not recommend the magnesium bisglycinate enough. Other than that, if it can't fit in this bag, as mentioned in this video, usually I don't take it.

DM for a code
#livemomentous #momentouspartner

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@jasonleydon gave an amazing presentation at the “nonsuperficial bullshit conference” hosted by the @aocoaching and he left us with three moves when we left his presentation. I am sharing them here with you to challenge you to take some time to move yourself forward. These three moves are powerful enough to save your life and allow you to get out of your own way.

1. Audit what you are tied to: Write three things you use as proof of worth. Circle the one that could disappear fastest.
2. Choose a mirror: Ask someone who loves you - “who do I become when I feel like I’m losing?” DO NOT DEFEND YOURSELF!
3. Write your eulogy: what do you want your dash to say about your live between the time were born and the time you die? WRITE IN ONE SENTENCE

Even as I write this and share, just like during Jason’s presentation, I am feeling tones of emotions and tearing up.

Knowing that this could save your live and help you become a better person, are you willing to step into the uncomfortable?

#theartofcoaching #eulogy #reflect #livelife #becomebetter

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I didn’t take nearly enough photos this past weekend at Antihero Advantage.

One, I was front row. Two, I was so enthralled with everyone’s story I did not think to grab my phone and snap a photo.

I can’t believe I was lucky enough to trip and fall into that room (thanks @michaelwttullis_ ).

I was humbled and honored to not only be around the uncommon animals in the world of coaching, but to witness moments of real vulnerability from each and every one of them.

It is a healing thing to witness and be witnessed as a human in this state, and it means that much more to get to be in the crowd observing this rare type of event happen.

I am still digesting the weekend and the lessons that came forth, but for now I am grateful I landed in what felt like the right room. It’s been a minute.

To the man commanding the room @coach_brettb, the speakers that demonstrated the culture created, the support that made it all happen and to @aocoaching , thank you 🙏🏼

James 1:4 Let perseverance finish its work

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Day 1 of the Non-Superficial Bullshit Conference in Phoenix, Arizonia.

No hacks. No hype. No performative nonsense.
Just people who have built, failed, rebuilt, and stayed honest about what it took.

Day 1 lineup:
Brett Bartholomew [@coach_brettb] opened the room and set the tone.

Juliet Starrett [@julietstarrett] on risk, relationships and building something that lasts.

Missy Mitchell-McBeth [@missymmcbeth] bringing 20+ years of real coaching from high school to Division I.

Jess Elis [@physio_elis] on leading yourself and learning from loss.

Jen Widerstrom [@jenwiderstrom] on strength, mindset and learning from chapters of life.

Sanjeev Javia [@askjeevers] on networking and building from the ground up.

Then every speaker comes back together for a panel and open Q&A. That's where the best stuff tends to come out.

Small room. Real conversations. The kind of people you stay in touch with for life.

Grateful to be here with Art of Coaching [@aocoaching].
#NoBSConference #ArtOfCoaching

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Sometimes even the simple things in life feel like too much.

Your to-do list keeps growing. People need things from you. You’re thinking about what needs to happen today, what you didn’t get done yesterday, and what’s waiting for you tomorrow.

And sometimes it goes beyond being busy. You’re exhausted. You’re struggling. Even getting out of bed, answering the email, making the phone call, or doing something you normally wouldn’t think twice about can feel like a lot.

When you’re in that state, being told to “prioritize better” isn’t always helpful.

Sometimes you need to stop looking at everything in front of you and ask a much smaller question:

What’s the smallest, yet meaningful next step I can take?

That might mean handling something important at work. It might mean making the call you’ve been avoiding. Or it might simply mean putting your feet on the floor, taking a shower, eating something, or getting outside.

In this episode, I talk about why focusing on everything at once makes it easier to get stuck, how to narrow your focus when life feels overwhelming, and why small actions matter more than we give them credit for.

You don’t have to solve everything today.

Figure out the next meaningful thing you can do. Do that. Then let it stack.

Want help working through a challenge in your life, career, or business? Learn more about our 1-on-1 mentoring at artofcoaching.com/mentoring.

My new book, The Anti-Hero Advantage, is for anyone tired of one-size-fits-all advice about leadership, communication, and influence. Learn more and order your copy at theantiheroadvantage.com.

For more tools, events, and resources from Art of Coaching, visit artofcoaching.com.

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