James’ Story: From Feeling Lost and Isolated to More Active, Confident and Fulfilled
When James started coaching, he was feeling low, isolated and stuck –spending a lot of time gaming, struggling with motivation, and finding it hard to get himself back on track.
Through our work together, he found the support, accountability and emotional space he needed to rebuild momentum. He got back into the gym, took action around work, explored relationship closure, became more socially active, and described feeling “ten times better” and more fulfilled in daily life.
What were you hoping to work on or explore when we started coaching together?
When we met, it was just after Christmas, and I was in a super depressed, super dark place.
I’d kind of been on my own for a few months, with housemates I didn’t really get on with, and I was lost. I was gaming a lot, using things to distract me from my real purpose and that sort of thing.
It was just nice to be able to have somebody to talk to and try and get me on track. To be honest, I really, really needed that at that time.
How would you describe the experience of our coaching sessions together?
The experience was a very positive one.
Meeting in open spaces and on the beach was really comforting and really helped.
And just the way you are – a calming, non-judgmental presence – was super helpful.
What was the most valuable part of the journey for you?
I had a big deadline coming up, and I needed help getting over that.
I had enough time in the day, but speaking to you allowed me to keep myself accountable and move through the tasks that I needed to do. That was incredibly valuable.
We also made a few breakthroughs. I was getting into a new relationship, and we went through my previous relationship, trying to get closure over that and trying to understand the feelings around it.
That was an unexpected thing to get into, but it was super valuable.
Were there any key insights, shifts or changes that stood out to you?
I got myself in the gym. That was one big thing that I wanted to do.
I put on a bit of weight and felt more confident, healthy and active.
You hear about these things all the time – getting out into the sun, into nature, and doing things – but it’s difficult when it’s only you motivating yourself. That’s why having someone to talk to is so beneficial.
Another one was that I had a bit of a fear of going into a place to apply for a job. You gave me that motivation and confidence to actually do it, and you were there with me as well.
How has the coaching impacted your personal life, work and overall outlook?
It’s made me happier within myself.
I’ve stayed away from the PC gaming. Obviously that can be something that’s used in a good way, and I don’t think it’s all bad, but for me, it consumed me completely.
Now I’m so busy with my day. There’s so much going on socially, as well as with work, that I don’t even have time to think about that.
I just feel ten times better for it. That’s been the biggest thing for me – being busy and fulfilled with my life at the moment.
What would you say to somebody who is considering working with Rob or thinking about coaching in general?
I think you’ve got to do it.
If you’re thinking about it, you’re already one step towards needing to go in there.
It’s all good and well speaking to people who are around you day to day, speaking to your friends and that sort of thing, but they’re not really going to hold you as accountable as you need to be.
Seeing someone who isn’t close to you day to day, who doesn’t know you super intimately, is something you have to do.
In this day and age, we hear about needing to speak to people, but normally no one quite does it. No one actually makes that effort to go and do it.
I just have to say, it’s been amazing. Especially because you are a coach, and not a psychotherapist or anything, I felt that I’d not been psychoanalysed.
It was a casual, warm, good experience that really, really helped me.
I would recommend people actually go through with it and make sure you do it.
Final Thoughts
It was a real pleasure to support James through this period of change.
What stands out in his story is the shift from feeling isolated and stuck to feeling more active, connected, confident, and fulfilled in daily life.
That is often what coaching can provide: a steady space to talk honestly, make sense of what is happening, rebuild accountability, and begin moving forward in a way that feels grounded.
If James’ story resonates with you, and you’re navigating your own period of change or uncertainty, you can explore Between Chapters, my 8-week coaching programme, below.