What? Not Why.

Nathalie Blais, CEO and Founder of Coach Academy

The What? Why Podcast is all about communication, connection and coaching. Join Nathalie Blais, ICF Master Certified Coach, Founder and CEO of Coach Academy as she dives into deep conversations with fellow coaches and influencers about coaching skills and the power of a conversation to change a life.

  1. NOV 5

    The Coaching Mindset: A Global Movement for Better Thinking, Deeper Listening & Human Connection

    In this special episode of the WHAT? Not Why podcast, Coach Academy Founder Nathalie Blais reflects on the journey that brought our global coaching community to where it is today—and the ripple that continues to expand because of it.Nathalie shares what it means to build a gold standard in coaching: a community of graduates who chose not only to learn, but to stay and lead. Together, our admissions coaches and alumni have turned this movement into something much bigger than certification—a collective belief that coaching changes the way we think, listen, and live.With warmth and candor, Nathalie offers a look behind the scenes of the year that was, the clarity that comes from setting crystal clear goals, and the energy fueling what’s ahead. Her word for the year? Wow.She explores:What’s possible when you move toward your goals every single dayHow coaching clarifies what truly matters—and accelerates resultsThe shift from outcomes as identity to outcomes as feedbackThe ripple effect of community, gratitude, and shared purposeWhy clarity, curiosity, and courage remain the foundation of transformationThis is a moment of reflection, celebration, and vision—a heartfelt thank you to every coach, student, and dreamer shaping the future of this profession.“If I leave you with one thing, it’s this: if nothing else, coaching helps you clarify your goals—and that practice alone can accelerate your possibility of achieving everything you want to achieve in your life.” – Nathalie BlaisChapters00:00 The gold standard in coaching—what that really means04:00 From graduate to guide: the heart of our admissions team08:00 The ripple effect of community12:00 Setting crystal clear goals and why clarity changes everything17:00 Coaching as the language of possibility22:00 Gratitude, reflection, and the energy of wow27:00 What’s next for Coach Academy—and for all of usWhere to Find Coach AcademyWebsite: canadacoachacademy.comNathalie on Instagram: @nathalieblais.ceoNathalie on LinkedIn: @nathalieblaisCoach Academy LinkedIn: @coachacademygroup#CoachingCommunity #Leadership #Clarity #CoachingCulture #CoachAcademy #Gratitude #GoalSetting #EmotionalIntelligence #Mindset #Connection #HumanCentered #ProfessionalCoaching #LanguageOfInfluence #TorontoCoach #GoldStandard #CoachingMovement

    22 min
  2. OCT 29

    Less Pressure, More Performance: The Coaching Mindset Behind Sustainable Success

    Stop waiting ten years for permission to lead. Tariq Ali went from “should I enroll?” to a thriving executive coaching practice by doing the inner work first. His message: outcomes are feedback, not identity—and that one shift changes how leaders grow, lead, and rest.On this week’s episode of the WHAT? Not Why podcast with Coach Academy Founder Nathalie Blais, Tariq shares how he built a full roster of CEOs and founders by leading with values, curiosity, and courage. Together, they explore what it means to redefine success, find the optimal level of pressure, and create psychological safety for real growth.They dig into why values must outrank outcomes, how judgment-free coaching space lets leaders tell the truth, and why coaching yourself out of a job is the ultimate measure of success. Tariq also explains the difference professional training made, how clarity of who you serve plus authentic storytelling builds trust, and why joy—not grind—is the real metric of leadership.Together, they explore• From “should I enroll?” to thriving executive coach• How coaching others starts with being coached yourself• Values → intentions → outcomes: flipping the performance model• Finding “optimal pressure” for sustainable performance• Safe space and trust as the foundation for transformation• Certification as a starting point, not a checkbox• Reframing fear as feedback, not an enemy• Building a coaching business rooted in belief, not burnout• Showing up online as your real self—no mask requiredThis episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about executive coaching, psychological safety, and leading with integrity. Tune in for a practical and inspiring conversation about the craft of coaching and the courage to grow.Chapters (Condensed)00:00 Introduction & full-circle story with Kelly04:00 From fear to full roster: doing the inner work first09:00 The promotion call that redefined success14:00 Values over outcomes: performance without pressure20:00 Coaching in schools and the future of influence25:00 Coaching yourself out of a job34:00 Building safety, trust, and truth in leadership41:00 Fear as a teacher, not a threat50:00 Showing up real on LinkedIn56:00 Building a joyful, sustainable coaching practice1:04:00 The big question: What else is out there in the universe?Where to Find Tariq AliWebsite: tarikali.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alitarikWhere to Find Coach AcademyWebsite: canadacoachacademy.comNathalie on Instagram: @nathalieblais.ceoNathalie on LinkedIn: @nathalieblaisCoach Academy LinkedIn: @coachacademygroup#ExecutiveCoaching #Leadership #ValuesDriven #PsychologicalSafety #FounderLife #HighPerformance #HabitChange #CoachingCraft #Certification #ProfessionalCoach #Mindset #FearWork #OptimalPressure #LinkedInWriting #SignatureStyle #CoachingBusiness #Education #LanguageOfInfluence #CoachAcademy #TorontoCoach #IntegrityInAction

    1h 7m
  3. OCT 22

    From Boxing Ring to Coaching Room: Douaa Kayed on Building Strength Inside Out

    From rebuilding in new countries to mastering mind–body health—Douaa Kayed’s journey shows how courage, knowledge, and care turn discomfort into growth and a mission to serve.In this episode, Douaa shares how listening first led her from boxing and personal training into leadership coaching, why a healthy mind is inseparable from a healthy body, and how finding root causes—not quick fixes—creates real change. Her story highlights persistence across cultures, balancing family and ambition, and using simple habits—movement, sleep, and supportive conversation—to protect long-term health.Douaa discusses why knowledge fuels motivation, how to leave the comfort zone without burning out, and the power of safe, judgment-free space. She breaks down common training mistakes, why women in midlife must lift and move with intention, and how small, sustainable choices compound into strength, confidence, and wellbeing.Today, Douaa is blending master-level training in fitness and sport nutrition with ICF-aligned coaching—proving that leadership rooted in empathy, structure, and community can elevate health at home, in the gym, and across cultures. Her story is a powerful example of how self-respect, routine, and support create conditions for resilient, sustainable change.Together, they explore• Douaa’s path from boxing coach and personal trainer to leadership coaching• Why safe, judgment-free listening matters as much as programming• Healthy mind ↔ healthy body: stress, cortisol, and disease risk• Adapting across cultures—building confidence through change• Leaving the comfort zone and designing progressive, realistic goals• Guidance for women ~50: strength, muscle, metabolism, and menopause• Avoiding one-note training: blending cardio, resistance, mobility, recovery• Everyday habits: sleep, nutrition basics, and consistent movement• Motivation through knowledge: learn, experiment, and treat the body like a VIP• Making time by prioritizing self-care so you can keep giving to othersThis is a must-listen for anyone passionate about health, habit change, and coaching craft. Douaa’s lens highlights how clarity, compassion, and a coach’s mindset redefine success—together.Tune in for an energizing, practical conversation about lifestyle coaching, psychological safety, and leading with curiosity.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Douaa Kayed & coach approach00:27 Profile—boxing coach, personal trainer, sport nutrition, strength coach01:35 Supporting mental and physical health through sport06:20 Guinness World Record—130 knee strikes in one minute10:27 Dedication to learning and growth12:43 Bigger goals, pride, and purpose15:56 Family first, then building a name in health & fitness17:31 Origins and moves—Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Canada, Riyadh20:37 Living across cultures—adapting, belonging, and starting again24:31 Coaching as the science of change—leaving the comfort zone27:13 Progress through change—don’t repeat the same routine28:45 Advice for women ~50—muscle, hormones, and strength32:17 Common mistakes—over-focusing on one type of training36:20 Nutrition basics—protein, carbs, fats, and portions38:44 Sleep, stress reduction, and talking to someone you trust39:40 “No time?”—prioritizing self so you can keep giving43:44 Motivation via knowledge—learn, experiment, apply46:53 Treat your body like a VIP—fuel and care matter49:48 The Big Question: “What are we fighting for?”50:07 Where to connect with DouaaWhere to Find Douaa KayedLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/douaa-kayed-b9652313b?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_appWhere to Find Coach AcademyWebsite: https://canadacoachacademy.com/Nathalie on Instagram: @nathalieblais.ceoNathalie on LinkedIn: @nathalieblaisCoach Academy LinkedIn: @coachacademygroup

    52 min
  4. OCT 15

    Faster Than Fear: Kris Mahler on Coaching, Mindset, and the Olympic Chase

    From chasing World Cup podiums to rebuilding after a neck fracture—Kris Mahler’s journey shows how curiosity, presence, and real belief turn fear into fuel and potential into performance.In this episode, Kris shares how shifting from “why” to “what” focused questions helped him return stronger after major injuries, clarified his Olympic goal for Milano-Cortina, and sparked a move into coaching. His story is a testament to practicing awareness, recording and reviewing your own reps, and using simple, open questions to unlock progress.Kris discusses why belief, co-creating the plan, and evoking awareness matter—plus how pausing, validating, and asking precise “What?” questions de-escalates fear on race day and builds confidence. He breaks down athlete vs. coach roles, how to handle resistance without forcing a linear path, and why leaders in sport and business must nurture confidence, not just competence.Today, Kris is building a performance mindset practice alongside his Team Canada ski cross career—proving that leadership rooted in clarity, presence, and community can elevate culture on the hill and in the workplace. His story is a powerful example of how self-regulation, structure, and support create conditions for growth, resilience, and sustainable performance.Together, they explore• Kris’s path from Alpine and Team Canada ski cross to ICF-aligned coaching• How open “what” questions and certification built muscle memory for presence• Athlete–coach collaboration—and why progress isn’t linear when the sport evolves• Belief, psychological safety, and co-creating definitions of success up front• Handling fear and resistance with validation, pause, and precise inquiry• Coaching the person vs. prescribing tactics (and catching leading questions)• Practices outside sessions: film review, visualization, buffers, mindfulness• Language shifts: from “why” to “what,” and noticing absolutes like “always/never”• The introverted coach–athlete: protecting energy while performing on big stages• Building cultures where every voice contributes to collective outcomesChapters00:00 Introduction to Kris Mahler & Team Canada ski cross01:33 Alpine vs. ski cross—speed, terrain, and racing head-to-head02:28 Three major injuries (shoulder, ACL, C7) and the comeback mindset03:22 Mental strength on the start gate—what it really takes04:18 Shifting from “why” to “what” for present-future focus06:54 Ten seasons on the World Cup—Olympic year and going to win07:40 Why coaching—retirement questions and finding the next lane09:07 Choosing an ICF-aligned program—content that exceeded expectations10:48 Mental vs. physical: the differentiator at the top level12:12 PB after injury—evidence that mindset can outpace metrics13:10 Grit, visualization, and embodied rehearsal14:26 Opportunity for coaching in sport—evoking awareness, not scripts20:13 Inner Game of Tennis, golf video, and learning without ceilings25:35 Belief as an edge—home-crowd energy and being “seen”27:37 Biggest takeaway: the power of open questions29:00 Open vs. closed—how language shifts outcomes29:57 What coaches could do differently—co-create and explore31:50 Holding space and saying “I believe in you”33:24 Fear, resistance, and staying loose under pressure34:41 Coaching diverse mindsets on the same team37:44 Barriers in amateur vs. pro sport—costs, culture, and timing42:28 Titles and turf—mental performance coach and the shifting landscape43:59 The Big Question: “How do I drop my ego?”45:26 Where to connect with KrisWhere to Find Kris MahlerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/krismahler/?hl=enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kris-mahler-canada/Where to Find Coach AcademyWebsite: https://canadacoachacademy.com/Nathalie on Instagram: @nathalieblais.ceoNathalie on LinkedIn: @nathalieblaisCoach Academy LinkedIn: @coachacademygroup

    46 min
  5. OCT 9

    When Leaders Listen: How Curiosity and Care Transform Teams

    From building cohesive teams to transforming how leaders listen—Ryan Smith’s journey shows how curiosity, structure, and real psychological safety turn groups into high-performing teams.In this episode, Ryan shares how certification sharpened his “beginner’s mind,” helped him slow down tactical instincts, and strengthened his capacity to coach the person—not just the problem. His story is a testament to practicing presence, recording and reviewing your own coaching, and using simple, powerful questions to spark awareness.Ryan discusses why agreements, shared definitions of “done,” and non-competitive space matter—plus how pausing, validating, and asking “What?” (not “Why?”) de-escalates conflict and unlocks collaboration. He demystifies team vs. group coaching, explains how to handle the naysayer in the room, and shows why leaders must nurture confidence, not just competence.Today, Ryan is helping organizations become places people get to work, not have to work—proving that leadership rooted in curiosity, clarity, and community can solve complex challenges and elevate culture. His story is a powerful example of how self-regulation, structure, and support create conditions for growth, resilience, and sustainable performance.Together, they explore• Ryan’s path from consulting and workshops to ICF-aligned coaching• How certification built “muscle memory” for presence and curiosity• Team vs. group coaching—and why rowing in one direction requires shared “done”• Psychological safety, team agreements, and clarifying success up front• Handling tension and conflict with validation, pause, and precise questions• Coaching the person vs. jumping to tactics (and catching leading questions)• Practices outside sessions: buffers, journaling, sport-style reps, mindfulness• Language shifts: from “why” to “what,” and noticing “always/never/impossible”• The introverted coach: protecting energy while facilitating big rooms• Building cultures where every voice contributes to collective outcomesThis is a must-listen for anyone passionate about leadership, team culture, and coaching craft. Ryan’s lens highlights how clarity, agreements, and a coach’s mindset redefine success—together.Tune in for an energizing, practical conversation about team coaching, psychological safety, and leading with curiosity.Chapters00:13 Introduction to Ryan Smith & Unearthed Coaching01:33 From operations/consulting to coaching (why certification)04:00 Team vs. group coaching—what changes in the room09:29 Safety, agreements, and Google’s “Project Aristotle” insight12:23 Defining success together to avoid hidden assumptions17:06 Language, bias, and creating the pause in leadership20:12 Handling tension & the “naysayer” (validation, space, inquiry)28:44 Self-regulation: beginner’s mind & avoiding leading questions31:09 Preparing outside the session: buffers, rituals, presence33:56 Journaling for deeper self-inquiry (coaching yourself with “what”)37:26 Why “what” beats “why” for progress (and when “why” helps)40:58 Passion, confidence, and empowering leaders behind the scenes46:50 The introverted coach: energy, facilitation, and sustainable practice51:35 The Big Question: What’s the best way to discover passion—and build life around it?55:56 Where to find RyanWhere to Find Ryan SmithWebsite: https://www.unearth-coaching.ca/LinkedIn: Ryan Smith https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-smith-19387aa6/Where to Find Coach AcademyWebsite: https://canadacoachacademy.com/Nathalie on Instagram: @nathalieblais.ceoNathalie on LinkedIn: @nathalieblaisCoach Academy LinkedIn: @coachacademygroup#Leadership #Coaching #TeamCoaching #GroupCoaching #PsychologicalSafety #GrowthMindset #Curiosity #Community #Innovation #TeamCulture #PersonalGrowth #CoachAcademy #TransformationalCoaching

    56 min
  6. OCT 1

    From Setbacks to Space: The Power of Perseverance and Community

    From struggling in school to engineering breakthroughs in the space industry—John Whitbread’s journey proves that curiosity and perseverance can defy every expectation. In this episode, John shares how overcoming self-doubt, embracing mistakes, and finding supportive communities shaped his path. His story is a testament to the power of a growth mindset and the impact of recognizing every contribution in building strong, innovative teams. John discusses the value of listening, building communities, and nurturing talent—reminding us that every contribution, no matter how small, matters in achieving collective success. He emphasizes the power of curiosity and shows how persistence can transform obstacles into stepping stones. Today, John is helping to shape the future of the evolving space industry, highlighting how leadership rooted in curiosity, recognition, and community can solve complex problems and spark innovation. His story is a powerful example of how resilience and support create opportunities for growth, transitions, and unexpected success. Together, they explore• John’s journey from academic struggles to engineering success• How overcoming self-doubt builds confidence and resilience• Why curiosity is essential for learning and growth• The importance of supportive environments in fostering innovation• How listening strengthens leadership and collaboration• The role of community in solving complex challenges• Why mistakes are opportunities for growth• How recognizing every contribution builds strong team culture• Why nurturing talent is vital for the future of industries• The power of a growth mindset in navigating career transitions This is a must-listen for anyone passionate about leadership, growth, and building supportive communities. John’s story highlights the opportunity to redefine success through resilience, curiosity, and the collective power of people working together. Tune in for an energizing and insightful conversation about leadership, personal growth, and the future of the space industry. Chapters00:00 Introduction to John Whitbread's Journey05:59 The Transition to Engineering and Defense12:04 The Role of Mentorship and Guidance17:41 Achieving the Impossible in the Space Industry31:57 Challenging Beliefs and Seeking Feedback37:03 The Importance of Support in Risk-Taking42:42 The Power of Listening in Leadership48:55 Building a Community of Learners01:00:51 The Profound Question: What Do You Want? Where to Find John WhitbreadWebsite: John Whitbread on LinkedIn Where to Find Coach AcademyWebsite: https://canadacoachacademy.com/ Nathalie on Instagram: @nathalieblais.ceoNathalie on LinkedIn: @nathalieblaisCoach Academy LinkedIn: @coachacademygroup #Leadership #Coaching #GrowthMindset #Resilience #Curiosity #Community #Innovation #TeamCulture #SpaceIndustry #PersonalGrowth #CoachAcademy #TransformationalCoaching

    1h 3m
4.3
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

The What? Why Podcast is all about communication, connection and coaching. Join Nathalie Blais, ICF Master Certified Coach, Founder and CEO of Coach Academy as she dives into deep conversations with fellow coaches and influencers about coaching skills and the power of a conversation to change a life.