ReWild Your Business

If you've ever rolled your eyes at the idea of journalling, this one's for you. I used to be exactly the same, I resisted it for years, couldn't get into it, didn't really see the point. Until I made it work for me, and now I genuinely can't live without it.In this episode I'm unpacking why so many of us resist journalling, what it actually is when you strip away the pretty notebooks and the Pinterest prompts, and how to start writing freely, even if you swear you're not a writer. I'm also sharing what's changed for me since I embedded this as a daily ritual, including the fact that most of my podcast episodes and content ideas now spark from my journal.If you've been searching for answers about your next move, your offers, your direction, what if those answers are already inside you, and the only thing missing is a practice that lets them surface?The resistance - why "I'm not a writer," "I don't have time," and "it feels self-indulgent" are all worth questioning. And the deeper one: resistance to journalling is often resistance to hearing what you already know.The difference between journalling to something and journalling from something - prompts and gratitude lists are fine but limited. The real transformation happens when you let the writing move through you without knowing where it's going.How to actually do it - start with the hand, not the head. Keep the pen moving. Follow the thread, not the topic. Write past the surface stuff. And don't read it back straight away.What it unlocks for business owners - clarity on direction, better decision-making, more powerful content, and a release valve for the emotional weight of running a business.The five-day challenge - five minutes, five days, pen on paper, keep the pen moving. Treat it as an experiment, not a lifestyle change. Want me to keep you accountable? Email the word CHALLENGE to info@gillmoakes.comReWild Your Business is a global top 3% podcast. If this episode resonated, a review goes a long way - thank you SO much. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gillmoakes.substack.com

I’m fresh back from the Grand Union Canal, and a few days on a barge with family. It was one of those beautifully simple trips. Board games, tiny boat-oven pizzas, no screens (at least for the adults!), just a lot of laughing. And somewhere in the middle of steering through a pitch-black, 40-minute-long canal tunnel (whilst getting drenched by freezing water because I, naturally, decided I didn’t need my waterproofs), my brother-in-law Jeremy and I got into one of those conversations. The unexpectedly deep kind where you end up talking about what it actually means to be present. And it reminded me of something my dad said towards the end of his life that has stayed with me ever since. He was completely bedbound, hadn’t been out of bed for a couple of years, and when I asked him if he was bored, he looked at me like I’d lost the plot. “Bored? Never.” He explained that he’d often pick a moment from his life, his fighter pilot training in Canada, or when he and my mum first married, or a family holiday, and he’d transport himself right back into it. He could relive every vivid detail because he’d actually been in those moments when they were happening.And that’s what got me thinking about how we live now. We’ve built an entire culture around not being present. We’re scrolling through other people’s lives, capturing everything on camera, filtering, curating, archiving, doing everything except actually being there as we create the memory. I’m not exempt from this, by the way - I’m recording this podcast in the hope that you’ll stop what you’re doing and give me your attention, so let’s not pretend I’m above it. But we do get to choose. That’s the point. We get to choose where we place our attention, and right now I think most of us are giving it away without even realising. So this episode is an invitation. Leave your phone in another room for an hour. Eat a meal without a screen. Go for a walk without your headphones in. Because at the end of our lives, it won’t be our follower count or our content archive that’s left. It’ll be what we were paying attention to. The things we loved. The people we loved. Let’s make sure we actually let ourselves know it while we have the chance.This episode is based on my full Substack essay: Check out digital home on Substack: ReWild with Gill MoakesReWild Your Business is a global top 3% podcast. If this episode resonated with you, please could you leave a review - it means the world.ReWild With Gill Moakes is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gillmoakes.substack.com

I’ve been in a seriously creative season lately. Writing, thinking, meditating, doing all the things that for me are the work, and also, if I’m honest, feeling a bit guilty about it. The newsletter that slipped. The freebie that’s been sitting waiting for an email sequence I haven’t got round to writing. You know how it goes.And then my sister-in-law asked me one simple question that stopped me in my tracks.“What would feel good today?”That’s it. Five words. And I’ve been thinking about it ever since… What this episode is really aboutWhen she said it, I realised I’d been completely disconnecting from my body’s signals between my morning and evening practices. You see, I have these lovely bookends to my day, meditation, journaling, skincare in bed, but between those mindful bookends, I’d been just cracking on, forcing myself through whatever I think I should be doing, regardless of whether it’s a match for the energy I actually have.And then I’m making myself wrong when it doesn’t go well.This episode is me unpacking why that question hit so hard, and what it’s got me thinking about in terms of how we all manage our energy, our attention, and our relationship with our own intuition - our wise inner voice.This episode covers:* Why creative seasons can feel like a double-edged sword (and why that guilt is worth examining)* The problem with “future casting” - loading so much consequence onto today’s small decisions that you’re living a year ahead instead of right now* How “shoulding yourself in the foot” gradually disconnects you from your intuition * A simple habit-stacking idea for checking in with your energy throughout the day, not just morning and evening* The difference between genuine procrastination and forcing yourself to do something that’s just not a match for today (you do know the difference, I promise)The invitationBefore you attack your to-do list today, just pause and ask it. What would feel good today? Not as a life strategy. Just today.Mentioned in this episodeThe Work That Matters - a reflective workbook I’ve created, full of prompts to help you tune back into the work you’re truly here to do. There’s no fancy opt-in page yet (see: creative season, email sequences, the irony is not lost on me), so just drop me an email at gill@gillmoakes.com and I’ll send you the editable PDF straight back. It’d make a lovely thing to work through over Easter if you’re taking a bit of time off.ReWild Your Business is a global top 3% podcast. If this one resonated, a review goes a long way, thank you SO much x This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gillmoakes.substack.com

This one's been gnawing at me for a while. I believe we're living through one of the most significant shifts in history for women, and against the backdrop of everything happening in the world right now, I'm convinced that women are the ones who are going to shape what comes next. But to do that, we have to stop apologising for who we are and what we're being called to do.We have to stop building lighter, safer, watered-down versions of the work we're really here to do, and start treating our soul's calling not as something indulgent, but as the most strategically intelligent business decision we can make.If you've been keeping the truest version of your work tucked away for later, waiting until you feel more ready, more established, more sure, this episode is for you...We Are Living Through a ShiftAgainst everything that's happening in the world, something is moving beneath our feet. Women are being called to lead, to create meaning, to shape what comes next. And that starts with each of us getting honest about what we're here to do, and refusing to compromise on it any longer.Your Calling Is Not IndulgentWe've been sold this idea that following your soul's calling is unrealistic... some soft, ethereal concept that doesn't belong in a business conversation. I think it's the exact opposite. Your calling is real. It's the thing that won't leave you alone. And pursuing it isn't the opposite of strategy, it is the strategy.The Reframe: Soul-Led Work Is Commercially IntelligentHere's the paradigm shift: you don't choose your calling in spite of wanting to make money. You choose your calling and making money is the side effect. When you do the work that's genuinely aligned with who you are, you bring a depth to your business that simply doesn't exist when you're running the lighter version. That depth becomes magnetic. It's what makes people seek you out, invest at higher levels, and become ambassadors for your work.Stop Keeping the Real Work for LaterSo many women are keeping the truest version of their business hidden away in a Google doc - waiting until they're more established, until the timing's better, until they feel more ready. And later never comes. Or worse, it does, and with it comes the grief for all the time spent on the diluted version.The Ceiling of Effort-Only GrowthYou can build a business on best practices and hard work alone, but there's a ceiling to it. Growth built purely on effort without alignment is innately unsustainable. Real exponential growth, the kind that creates legacy and impact, is built on resonance, on how deep you're willing to go.A Question to Sit WithIf you weren't afraid of failing, and if you weren't afraid of what people would think, what would you build?Free ResourceI’ve created a free workbook filled with prompts and questions to help you unearth what’s true for you. It’s deep work (I’m not apologising for it, but prepare to confront some demons) and it’s designed to help you take the first step towards doing the work that’s the fullest expression of what you’re here to do…If you’d like a copy just message me the word 'Workbook' on Substack or Instagram, or email me gill@gillmoakes.com and I’ll send you a copy. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gillmoakes.substack.com

If you know something in your life or business has run its course but for some reason you can't quite explain, you're still showing up to it like nothing's changed... this one's for you.I'm talking about the in-between: that uncomfortable space where you're no longer who you were, but not yet fully who you're becoming. And what happens when you keep pouring your energy into what you're leaving instead of redirecting it towards what's next.In this episode:~ Why the in-between is an identity shift, not a time management problem~ My story of leaving corporate and the quiet rebellion of doing less~ What "minimum viable presence" looks like in practice~ How to stop marketing offers you no longer want to deliver~ Giving yourself permission to pull back without calling it failure~ Rituals for redirecting your energy towards who you're becoming~ Three journaling prompts to sit with after you listenPlus:The Legacy & Leadership collaboration series with Deb D has kicked off. Watch the replay of the first livestream here: https://open.substack.com/pub/gillmoakes/p/legacy-and-leadership-part-one?r=1q9m3k&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=webConnect with Gill:SubstackInstagramLinkedInWebsiteResouces This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gillmoakes.substack.com

So, we just wrapped up part one of our Legacy & Leadership series - a conversation that will span the next four months via posts, notes, podcasts, and 4 livestreams where Deb D | The Intuitive HERoine and I will come together like we did this afternoon to talk about how we see legacy and what it means for us and the women in our respective worlds.Deb and I share a vision of the world where women, to use Deb’s words, “remember who the f*ck they are and reclaim their heroine status”. It matters to us deeply that women understand that they’re part of a new age where we have crucial work to step up to.I’m loving the timing of kicking off this series today, following Monday’s episode of ReWild Your Business - #201 - Who’s In Your Corner (The Truth About Successful Collaborations).Enjoy this conversation - part two to follow next month, but in the meantime let’s open the conversation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gillmoakes.substack.com

Fresh off the 200 episode milestone and I'm still glowing from all your gorgeous messages - thank you, you wonderful humans!This week I'm talking about something that is genuinely close to my heart: collaboration. I don't mean the surface-level let's-swap-email-lists kind that gets bandied about online. I mean the kind that expands who you both are and what you're capable of doing.What I Cover in This Episode~ Why most collaboration advice misses the point~ The four collaborations I'm currently involved in: ~ Collaboration as a creative accelerant~ Where to actually find your collaborators~ The green lights to look for~ The red flags to watch for~ How to make it work in practiceMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODELauren Jones: Brand By Boudica, and our joint venture, Unapologetic Retreats The Institute of Coaching Studies Rebecca Gunter: Stoned Fruit, and our upcoming joint venture, BrandtherapyDeb Driscoll, founder of the Be HER Collective, and our upcoming live series, Legacy & LeadershipAlicia Rodriguez Becky Benfield-HumberstoneThis podcast now lives on Substack - if you're not already subscribed, come and find me. All podcast episodes and long-form articles are free. If you'd like to join me live for hot seat coaching and co-working sessions a couple of times a month, The Wild Work membership is just £15/month.👉 https://gillmoakes.substack.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gillmoakes.substack.com

Two hundred episodes… WTF! I genuinely wasn’t sure when I hit record on episode one whether there would be a second. And here we are.This isn’t a ‘best of’ clip show or a trip down memory lane for its own sake. I’m sharing the twenty things I know now that I wish I’d known at the beginning, about podcasting, about business, about showing up consistently when it feels pointless, and about what it actually takes to build something that lasts.If you’re a podcaster, thinking about starting a podcast, or you’ve got one that’s been gathering dust because you lost momentum, this one’s for you.Here’s a little tease of some of the lessons…On keeping going when it feels pointlessThere WILL be stretches, sometimes long ones, where you feel like you’re just talking into the void. Downloads are disappointing. Your inbox is silent. You hit publish and get nothing back. Keep going anyway. The people who need your show will find it, sometimes months or years after you recorded it, at exactly the moment they need it. The quiet periods aren’t a sign you’re failing. They’re part of the process.On consistency as a competitive advantagePodcasting is one of the few places where showing up, week after week, even imperfectly, is genuinely enough to stand out. MOST podcasters can’t do it. Your listeners make you part of their routine. When you disappear without warning, you break something. That trust is fragile and worth protecting.On sound quality - the one non-negotiablePeople will forgive you for fluffing your words. They will not forgive bad audio. This is not a soft suggestion. Poor sound quality creates physical resistance in your listener and they WILL click away - not because they’re not interested in what you have to say, but because they can’t stand listening to poor quality audio. Who can?! Invest in your sound. Everything else is optional. Your audio is not.On finding your LinahA proper shout-out to my podcast editor Linah Macharia, who has been with me since episode one. A great editor is a creative partner who holds the continuity of your show in a way you simply can’t when you’re too close to it. If you find someone who gets what you’re building and shows up for it consistently, treasure them.On niche, evolution, and the show telling you what it wants to beThe other sixteen lessons cover everything from why your worst episodes teach you the most, to why silence in an interview is gold, to how your backstory is your greatest asset rather than something to hide. We talk about marketing without performance, building for permanence over trending, and what it means when your audience wants to know you, not just learn from you.The One That Matters MostBegin before you’re ready. And then keep beginning.That’s it. That’s the whole thing.A Note on This ShowThis podcast started as a way to share what I know about building a business that actually fits the person running it. It has become something much bigger than that. A record of my own evolution, a community of women who are done performing their way through entrepreneurship, and proof that the quiet, consistent, relationships-first approach works.Thank you for being here. Whether you’ve been with me since episode one or this is the first episode you’ve ever heard, welcome. There’s plenty more to come.Mentioned in This Episode- Linah, podcast editor and legend - https://linahmacharia.com/Work With MeIf this episode resonated and you’re ready to build a business that actually fits you, one rooted in authenticity, depth, and real relationships rather than algorithm-chasing, here’s how we can work together:Legacy: High level 1:1 coaching. Bespoke, deep, and built around you. Mastery: A DIY program for early-stage coaches ready to build the foundations properly from the start. Start by applying for a FREE Best Next Move session with me: https://form.jotform.com/Moakes/best-next-moveCONNECT WITH ME…- Substack: https://gillmoakes.substack.com/- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gillmoakes/- Website: https://gillmoakes.com*If this episode hit home, please share it with someone who needs to hear it - another podcaster who’s losing faith, a coach who keeps putting off hitting record, or anyone who needs a reminder that beginning imperfectly is still beginning. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gillmoakes.substack.com

Big news this week, the ReWild Your Business podcast has a new home. I've moved it over to Substack, and in this episode I'm sharing exactly why, what I've changed my mind about, and how I'm planning to use Substack as my central media hub going forward.If you've been curious about Substack, whether it's worth exploring, whether the SEO issues are still a thing, whether it's actually just for writers, then this episode is for you. I'm coming at it as someone who dismissed it for years and has now done a complete 180.Why I Changed My Mind About SubstackFor a long time I was repeating other people's opinions about Substack as if they were my own - the closed shop problem, the SEO limitations, the "it's only useful if your clients are writers" narrative. I hadn't done my own due diligence, and I'm calling myself out on that. Because Substack has evolved enormously, and it's time to update the story.The LinkedIn ThingI'm not deleting my account, but I'm being honest: I'm over trying to crack the LinkedIn algorithm. Six and a half thousand followers and I still can't reliably reach the people I'm connected to on purpose. I don't create content to please algorithms, and Substack feels like a breath of fresh air by comparison.What's Actually Changed on SubstackThe SEO has improved significantly, it's no longer the closed shop it once wasYou can use it as a full media hub - newsletter, podcast, video, live events, communityNotes gives you a social media-style space without being fully algorithm-dependentYou can go as simple or as complex as you likeHow I'm Using ItThe podcast now lives inside Substack (you can still listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, nothing changes for you there). I'm also experimenting with going live, including a four-part collaboration series with the brilliant Deb D. And I've opened a paid membership - the most accessible and simple way to work with me, with resources and monthly Zoom calls, without the over-engineered complexity that's put me off memberships in the past.Why Substack Feels Right For Me Right NowIt's where I can show up as my whole self without performing for an algorithm or shrinking to fit a platform's rules. It's where the writers I most admire are doing their most generous, accessible work. I want to create that same sense of depth and connection for you.And with my book in progress, Substack feels like the natural home for the writing side of everything I'm building.Subscribe to ReWild Your Business on Substack: https://gillmoakes.substack.com/Come and have a dig around, it's still a work in progress and I'd love your company as it evolves. Free subscribers get all the newsletters and the podcast. Paid members get a more personal layer of access, including 2 monthly Zoom calls.https://gillmoakes.substack.com/If anything on the Substack feels confusing or you think the navigation could be clearer, please do drop me a line: info@gillmoakes.com - genuinely helpful feedback very welcome.Substacks Mentioned in this episode:Deb D - The Intuitive HERoine - For the women who dare to lead their lives from within. https://thebehercollective.substack.com/Claire Venus - Sparkle on Substack - If you're thinking of starting or growing a Substack, she is the resource. Down to earth, practical, zero gatekeeping. Highly recommended. https://sparkleon.substack.com/Beth Kempton - SoulStack - Beautiful, generous writing for anyone interested in developing their writing practice. https://bethkempton.substack.com/Rebecca Campbell - For the spiritual among you, Rebecca is the real deal - I love her work. https://rebeccacampbell.substack.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gillmoakes.substack.com

In this raw and honest episode, I'm sharing why I've been quieter than usual lately and what's really been happening behind the scenes.I've been going through a profound identity evolution over the past year - one that felt too big, too spiritual, too mystical to share while I was in the middle of it. If you've ever felt caught between who you're becoming and what you think you "should" be doing in your business, this episode is for you.Why I chose silence over diluting my experience during this profound transformationThe internal battle between strategy and soul-led work (and why it felt like a wrestling match)How trying to diminish your truth creates friction that stops you from moving forwardWhy that friction isn't a problem to solve - it's information your system is giving youWhat happens when you choose to honor the evolution of who you're becomingThe unexpected doors that open when you trust yourself more than you trust what others expectJournaling Prompts:Where in your life and business are you showing up as a diminished version of yourself?Where are you diluting your truth?What friction are you experiencing that might actually be information about what you've outgrown? Work With GillReady to explore what's next for you? Book a Next Best Move call to get clarity on what you need to be focusing on.https://www.gillmoakes.com/next-best-moveConnect with Gill:Instagram: @gillmoakesSubstack: It's A People Thing: https://gillmoakes.substack.com/Website: https://www.gillmoakes.com/About the Podcast:ReWild Your Business is the podcast for women doing the work their soul intended. It's about cutting away what doesn't belong to allow what does to thrive, finding simplicity in your work, and bringing the whole of who you are to the table. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gillmoakes.substack.com

If you've ever felt like you're drowning in systems, strategies, and 47-step funnels while the actual work you love takes a backseat, this one's for you...The online business world has sold us a version of entrepreneurship that's unnecessarily complicated. The complex funnels, intricate launch sequences, social media strategies that require a degree in digital marketing, business models you can't explain without a flow chart. None of this is an accident.The complexity isn't a bug in the system. It's an entire business model. Someone sells you a complicated system, it doesn't work (or it kind of works but feels exhausting), so you think you're doing it wrong. You must need the advanced training, the next level, the missing piece. And they've got you for another course, another certification, another mastermind.Building a coaching business comes down to one sentence: Be visible where your people are, talk about what you do in a way that makes sense, have conversations with potential clients, make offers, deliver excellent work, and ask for testimonials and referrals.That's it. Everything else is optimization for a business that's already working.The EssentialsClarity on who you serve and the transformation you createA simple way to reach those people (ideally your own platform)Consistent visibility and content that adds valueActual conversations with potential clients (we're in a trust desert thanks to AI)A clear offer that solves a real problem, priced appropriately for the value you createBrilliant delivery so you can ask for referrals and testimonialsEverything outside of these six things is optional.This connects to identity work. Complexity sells because most people are operating from an identity that doesn't trust the simple path. If you fundamentally don't believe you're the kind of person who can build a successful business through straightforward means, through your actual talent, real relationships, and genuine value, then complexity feels necessary. It becomes armour, proof that you're a serious business person.But the minute you step into the identity of someone who creates value, builds relationships, and makes offers from genuine authority, that complexity starts feeling like a chain around your neck.Everyone who's built a successful coaching business did it through relationships first and systems later. Not the other way around.Your Rewilding Move This Week:Look at your business. All of it. The tools, systems, strategies, platforms, frameworks, social media channels. Ask yourself: what here is actually serving me versus what am I serving?If you're spending more time managing your business infrastructure than actually building relationships, having conversations, making offers, and creating value, you've probably been sold complexity and now you're hiding behind it.The antidote isn't another solution. It's subtraction.Ready to Strip Back the Complexity?If you're ready to build your business from a place of genuine authority and do the identity work around becoming the coach who trusts that it can be this simple, apply for a Next Best Move call with me. It's an hour of one-to-one time where we'll figure out what you actually need and what the simple version of your business could look like.Apply Now: https://www.gillmoakes.com/next-best-move This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gillmoakes.substack.com

There's panic in the coaching industry. Will AI replace us? Are we all about to become obsolete?Here's the reframe: AI hasn't made coaching obsolete. It's made it absolutely essential.The Truth About AIAI is extraordinary. You can get a complete business strategy in 30 seconds, a marketing plan, step-by-step frameworks for anything. Information that used to take years to access is now free and infinite.But people aren't flying... they're drowning in information, strategies, and plans they're not executing.It's No Longer an Information Gap, It's a Transformation GapPeople don't hire coaches because they don't know what to do. They hire coaches because they're struggling to become the person who actually does it.AI can give you the blueprint. But it cannot hold space for the messy stuff in the middle, that deeply human process of becoming someone different.AI can't sit with you in discomfort, mirror back your stories, or call out your excuses with loving directness. It doesn't witness your transformation in the same way.You Don't Change Because You Got Better InformationYou change because another human believed in your potential before you did. Because someone created space where it was safe to let go of who you've been. Because someone asked that one question that cracked you open.That's coaching. No algorithm will ever replicate the power of human witness and intuition.AI Has Made Information Free - Transformation Is EverythingMediocre coaching, repackaged information and generic cheerleading, is absolutely replaceable by AI.Deep transformational coaching that sees the person behind the pattern? More valuable than ever.The world doesn't need more information. We need brilliant coaches who can guide people through the transformation they need to use the information.AI isn't coming for your coaching business. It's raising the bar for what coaching needs to be.~~~Apply for a FREE 60-minute strategic session with me where we'll cut through the noise and identify the single most important action for your coaching business right now. This isn't about more information - it's about the right action at the right time: https://www.gillmoakes.com/next-best-move  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gillmoakes.substack.com

This week I'm calling out something I'm seeing everywhere right now in the online business world, and honestly, it's feeling like an epidemic. Coaches are hearing they should differentiate themselves by being vulnerable, so they're sharing their struggles, their breakdowns, their trauma in real time. And look, it works at first - engagement goes through the roof, people respond, you feel seen. But here's the problem: they end up building their entire brand around their worst moments.Every post becomes a wound on display. And then they can't figure out why they're attracting clients who are drowning, not clients who are ready to actually do the work and move forward.When your brand is built on unprocessed trauma, you're positioning yourself as a peer in struggle rather than a guide through it, and that fundamentally undermines your authority.There's a massive difference between real vulnerability and performance vulnerability. Real vulnerability is when you're sharing something you've processed and metabolised. You're offering wisdom, not an open wound. It feels clean because you're not searching for validation, you're genuinely serving your audience's transformation.Performance vulnerability? That's when you're sharing trauma because it gets clicks and comments, when you're still in it and you need people to tell you you're brave. It's extractive, not generous.So here's my invitation: stop sharing trauma in real time, audit your content to see how much centres on pain rather than insight, and reposition your brand around transformation instead of empathy. The people who truly value you don't need you to perform your pain, they value your wisdom, your authority, your frameworks because you're on the other side and can show them the way.Mentioned in this episode:This is the LinkedIn post I mention about my late husband: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/gillmoakes_its-7-years-ago-today-that-my-husband-phill-activity-7143208724856270849-BFL-?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAACuEtlUBCBw8uMiKIFcrgf3Kt-Gpw6nq80oIf you'd like to explore working together, book a call with me here: https://go.oncehub.com/alignment-call This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gillmoakes.substack.com

Your modesty isn't making you more likeable - it's making you invisible to the people who desperately need what you offer...While you're busy staying humble and worrying about looking like a dick, someone out there who needs you, can't find you. Or they find you but don't believe you can help them because you're playing small.What This Episode CoversWe're tackling imposter syndrome, the resistance to "bragging," tall poppy syndrome, and all the cultural conditioning that keeps you making yourself smaller.The Big IdeasConfidence vs Arrogance:A. Owning your expertise: "I've spent 10 years learning how to solve this exact problem. I've worked with dozens of clients who've got results. I know what I'm doing and I can help you."B. Being a dick: "I'm the only person that can solve your problem. Everyone else is s**t."One invites people in. The other pushes them away.Imposter Syndrome ReframedImposter syndrome is a refusal to integrate your experience into who you are. Your clients didn't pay you for luck - they paid you for your expertise. When you refuse to own that, you could say you're not being humble, you're being slightly dishonest.What Your Future Clients NeedThey're scared, uncertain, investing money that feels like a stretch. They need confidence in you. Your confidence gives them permission to trust you. Your belief that you can help them creates space for them to believe in their own transformation.Four Ways to Own Your ExpertiseTalk About Results - Show what happens because of what you doBe Confident in Your Messaging - Stop using "I think" or "maybe" or "it's just my opinion"Be Specific - Specific truths sound like expertise; vague claims sound like b******tOwn Your Perspective - Say "Here's what I've learned" not "I think this might work"Key TakeawaysYour modesty is not a virtue if it's keeping people from finding youYour imposter syndrome is a refusal to integrate your experienceYour fear of being "too much" robs your future clients of the confidence they needThe people who need you are looking for someone confident and certainReady to Do This Work?If you're ready to do the identity work around becoming the woman who has the business you want, let's explore working together. I've been doing this for a long time. I'm good at it.Book a call: https://go.oncehub.com/gillmoakeschat00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:37 This Week's Topic: Owning Your Expertise04:39 Understanding Imposter Syndrome08:41 Overcoming Tall Poppy Syndrome10:47 Steps to Own Your Expertise15:06 The Identity Shift: Becoming Your True Self18:16 Conclusion and Call to Action  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gillmoakes.substack.com

For most of my life, I genuinely believed I wasn't creative. Like, hand on heart, I would tell anyone willing to listen that I didn't have a creative bone in my body. And I really believed it.Why? Because to me, creativity meant one thing: being able to draw or paint. And since I can't do that (trust me, this isn't false modesty – I literally cannot draw to save my life), I wrote myself off completely.But here's what I've finally realised: I've been using the wrong definition of creativity my entire life. And in doing so, I've been denying a fundamental part of who I am.So, here's what I'm sharing with you in this episode:The narrow definition of creativity I carried from childhood into my businessHow I finally recognised that the way I think, write, and solve problems IS creativeWhy this isn't just about creativity – it's about the identity stories we tell ourselves. The stories you might be telling yourself that are keeping you stuck ('I'm not strategic', 'I'm not good with money', 'I'm not a natural salesperson'...)How your business will only ever be as big as the identity you're willing to claimThe loop that's running your life: identity determines actions, actions determine results, results reinforce identityHere's the truth: Your business will never outperform who you are. If you're keeping yourself inside a restricted identity – some clinical, small version of you – your business will never outgrow that.This week's journal prompt:What story are you telling yourself about who you are or who you're not? And where did that story come from?I bet it came from somewhere outside you. Someone else's definition. Someone else's standards. Something you decided once, years ago, based on limited information or one bad experience or comparison to someone who does it differently.Pay attention to who you actually are when you're not trying to be who you think you should be.Let's connect:Drop me an email at info@gillmoakes.com and let me know what came up for you when you listened to this episode. I absolutely love getting those messages – they honestly make my day!And if you're enjoying the podcast, I'd be so grateful if you'd hop onto Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen) and leave a five-star rating and review. You wouldn't believe the difference it makes to the reach of the show.Mentioned in this episode:Unapologetic Retreats - we gift women the time and space to explore what’s possible for them, and be inspired to take action, unapologetically. (https://www.unapologeticretreats.com/)Girls That Get S**t Done - a roaring, global network of seriously creative female bad asses that are shaping the world of design, marketing, business and brand.  (https://www.girlsthatgetshitdone.com/)Listen now and subscribe on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Your favourite podcast platform00:00 Introduction and Happy New Year!00:27 Embracing Creativity: My Personal Journey02:17 Redefining Creativity and Identity04:13 Challenging Limiting Beliefs05:45 Recognising and Owning Your Creativity09:25 The Power of Identity in Business16:16 Breaking the Loop: Identity and Actions17:08 Reflection and Journaling Prompts19:01 Final Thoughts This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gillmoakes.substack.com

In the first episode of 2026, I'm sharing five deliberate choices I refuse to apologise for in my business. These include not being present on all social media platforms, my pricing, saying no to unaligned opportunities, not always being relatable, and working long hours.Yep an eclectic little bunch of insights this week - let's start this year as we mean to go on and get clear on what we're not going to apologise for!Tell me what that means for you: info@gillmoakes.comWant to explore working with me this year? Schedule a call: https://go.oncehub.com/alignment-call00:00 Welcome to Rewild Your Business 2026!01:09 Unapologetically Authentic: Embracing Your Business Choices03:01 Social Media: Quality Over Quantity05:08 Valuing Your Worth: No Apologies for Pricing07:11 The Power of Saying No10:11 Relatability vs. Transformation14:28 Passion Over Balance: Embracing Long Hours16:51 Final Thoughts and Reflection This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gillmoakes.substack.com

As we close out 2025, this episode is about the three critical decisions that will position you to make next year truly extraordinary. Whether you're listening in those strange days between Christmas and New Year, or you're one of those brilliant people who switches off completely until January 5th, these decisions are for you to make...If you have a vision for your life and business that's bigger than feels comfortable to admit out loud, this episode is going to challenge you in allllll the right ways.The Three Decisions:Decision 1: To Uplevel Your IdentityThis isn't about affirmations or visualisation... it's about who you're actually being, not just what you're thinking. Your current business - everything it is and isn't - is an exact match for who you've been being up until now.If you're not getting the clients you want, it's because the woman you've been being isn't the woman who works with those clients. If you're not charging what you're worth, it's because the woman you've been being doesn't believe she's worth it.The uncomfortable truth? You can't grow your business beyond who you are being. So who do you need to become to hold the vision you have for 2026?Decision 2: Say No to MisalignmentEvery yes to something that doesn't align with your values or vision is a no to something that does. You can't make space for what's next if you're holding on to what no longer serves you.This isn't about being ruthless, it's about being intentional. It's about honouring yourself enough to protect your energy, your time, and your focus for what actually matters. What are you tolerating that's keeping you small?Decision 3: Invest in YourselfGrowth requires investment. You know the difference between genuinely not being able to invest responsibly and using money as a comfortable excuse to avoid growth.What investment do you need to make in 2026? A mentor? A mastermind? Training that would give you the skills to deliver at the level you want? Someone to help you do the deep identity work?Write down what you need. Then write down all your reasons for not doing it yet. Read them back and ask yourself: are these the thoughts of the woman I decided to become?Your Action Steps:For each decision, make one concrete move:Identity: Write a detailed description of the woman you're becoming. Choose one action that woman would take that terrifies the woman you've been being. Then take it.Saying No: Identify one thing you're currently doing that's misaligned and start thinking about your exit strategy.Investment: Research the investment you know you need to make. Book the discovery call. Request the proposal. Look at your finances and figure out how you'll invest in yourself in 2026.Don't wait for perfect clarity. Don't wait to feel ready. Just make the decision.Want to Work With Me in 2026?If you need someone to help you become the woman who can build the legacy business you're dreaming of, let's talk. Book a call here https://go.oncehub.com/alignment-call or DM me on LinkedIn.Thank youThank you for making this podcast part of your 2025. This is the end of the third year of ReWild Your Business, and recording these episodes is still such a pleasure. I feel really lucky to have this as my platform... well, it's not luck, it's bloody hard work, but I love it!Have an amazing New Year, however you're celebrating, and I'll speak to you next time in 2026.Connect with Gill:Website: https://gillmoakes.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillmoakes/BOOK A CALL NOW: https://go.oncehub.com/alignment-call00:00 Gratitude and Reflections on the Past Year00:51 Making the Most of the Year-End02:51 Understanding Ambition and Vision06:48 Decision 1: Uplevel Your Identity15:16 Decision 2: Say No to Misalignment22:17 Decision 3: Invest in Yourself29:54 Final Thoughts and Encouragement  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gillmoakes.substack.com

In this episode of Rewild Your Business, I'm talking about the importance of mindset as we hurtle towards 2026. While it's the external factors often seem like barriers to our success, it's actually the internal mindset that plays the biggest role. With a focus on choosing courage over comfort, we're looking at the common negative thoughts that hold us back, the importance of acting despite fear, and how to build the courage muscle to achieve your business goals. Also, enrolment to my 18 week business accelerator, MASTERY, is now open: check out what's possible for you in 2026: https://gillmoakes.com/mastery00:00 Welcome to Rewild Your Business00:19 Mindset Matters: Starting 2026 Right03:31 The Power of Belief and Courage04:38 Confronting Negative Thoughts10:06 Building Your Courage Muscle17:51 Commitment Over Comfort26:30 Mastery Program: Take the Next Step28:38 Final Thoughts and Next Steps This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gillmoakes.substack.com

What I'd do if I were starting my coaching business from scratch today...In this episode, I'm breaking down the three priorities when you're building a coaching business - no fluff, no filler, just the strategic foundations that create sustainable growth. If you're an early-stage coach or you've been spinning your wheels trying to figure out what to focus on, this episode will save you months of second-guessing.In This Episode:- The one thing that changes everything about how you show up in your business- How to develop your signature framework instead of being a set of hands for hire- Why you don't need a thousand followers to build a thriving coaching practice- What to prioritise right now if you want to build something realResources Mentioned:MASTERY:  Enrolment is now OPEN for my MASTERY, my 18-week programme for early-stage coaches who are committed to growing their coaching businesses in 2026.https://gillmoakes.com/mastery  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gillmoakes.substack.com

We're revisiting an episode that was first published in February this year - Why? Because I've been soooo sick and didn't record this week, but also because this is a really important episode when it comes to your money mindset.If you’ve ever found yourself obsessing over where the next client is coming from or feeling that gut-wrenching panic when someone says no, this episode is for you. I am talking about the biggest mindset shift that makes signing clients easier: stop chasing money and start focusing on connection, trust, and service. When you do, the money becomes a natural side effect.This isn’t about sitting back and hoping for the best. It’s about showing up, doing the work, and playing the long game. When you stop leading with desperation and start building real relationships, everything, clients, sales, opportunities, flows so much more naturally. And let’s be honest, growing your business feels a lot better when you’re not constantly stress chasing.FREE MASTERCLASSToday we kick off Unearth Your Edge - my free 3-day masterclass series for coaches, where we’ll refine your niche and messaging so start attracting and enrolling the right people.For more info and to register, click here: https://gillmoakes.com/unearth(This throwback episode mentions the March dates of our last event - this round is actually 8th / 9th / 10th December - 5pm UK / 12pm EST)  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gillmoakes.substack.com