In this ninth episode of My Kind of Business, Alex sits down with Jules McGill - a Personal Trainer, Wellbeing Coach and speaker who left a stable teaching career to build a fitness business rooted in intuition, joy and empowerment.

Jules opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of career change, how she learned to trust her gut, and why setting playful boundaries and stepping back from social media have been game‑changers.

We explore what it really takes to find your voice in a crowded industry and how movement can be a vehicle for confidence, not conformity. This warm, honest conversation is full of insight for anyone ready to do things their own way.

00:00 – From Childhood Dreams to Business Reality 03:02 – The Transition from Teaching to Entrepreneurship 05:59 – Navigating Self‑Doubt and Identity 09:13 – The Early Days of Business 11:57 – Building Resilience in Business 14:45 – Trusting Your Intuition 17:54 – Current Business Landscape and Future Aspirations 23:09 – Challenging Industry Norms 26:05 – Finding Your Voice 29:41 – Social Media Detox 31:01 – Balancing Family and Business 34:12 – Redefining Boundaries 39:14 – Embracing Creativity in Business

• Real talk on the emotional side of leaving a secure career

• Practical steps for tuning into your intuition and rebuilding self‑belief

• Why boundaries (and breaks from social media) fuel creativity

• Reframing movement as confidence‑building, not body‑fixing

• Inspiration for dreaming bigger—Jules’s vision for bringing her work into schools and beyond

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julesmcgill/ Learn more about her offerings and upcoming workshops at julesmcgill.com

• Book a free Business Connection session: https://alexmccarthycoaching.as.me/businessconnectionsession

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexmccarthycoaching/

• Facebook Group: Business Connection Community

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-mccarthy-coaching/

• Website: https://www.alexmccarthycoaching.com

In this eighth episode of My Kind of Business, Alex is joined by intuitive mindfulness coach Holly Smith for a warm and powerful conversation about self-belief, mental health and building a business rooted in purpose.

Holly shares her journey from aspiring vet to neurological physiotherapist, and how mindfulness supported her through anxiety and depression — ultimately leading her to start her own business, My Kind of Mind, in 2018. What began as a deeply personal practice evolved into a thriving coaching business offering workshops, retreats and 1:1 support for people navigating stress, burnout and disconnection — including NHS staff.

Alex and Holly talk about the mindset shifts that come with running a values-led business, the challenges of pricing your work, and why consistency and compassion matter more than chasing fast success.

Whether you’re feeling disconnected from your work, craving more meaning, or wrestling with self-doubt, this conversation is full of honest insight and gentle encouragement.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 – From aspiring vet to mindfulness coach 02:57 – The seed of a business: how mindfulness changed everything 05:49 – Mindfulness and managing anxiety, depression & burnout 09:01 – What people often get wrong about mindfulness 11:50 – Holly’s business growth and unexpected opportunities 14:53 – What her current work looks like: courses, retreats, and NHS wellbeing support 17:53 – Her proudest moment: public speaking for her own business 21:36 – How personal growth mirrors business growth 25:26 – Mindfulness as a tool for emotional well-being and resilience 28:36 – Reframing pricing, money and self-worth 35:37 – The truth about consistency and sustainable growth 39:46 – Coming back to your ‘why’ — especially when things feel hard

What to Expect

Real talk on mental health, mindfulness and the messiness of business growth Encouragement for anyone navigating change or feeling stuck Insights into intuitive, sustainable business-building A reminder that your path doesn't need to look like anyone else’sHeads-up: the audio is slightly tinny at times on my end — thanks for sticking with it!

Connect with Holly

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/my_kind_of_mind/ Explore Holly’s courses & retreats: https://www.my-kind-of-mind.com/

Connect with Alex

Book a free Business Connection Online Networking Session: alexmccarthycoaching.as.me/businessconnectionsession Instagram: @alexmccarthycoaching Facebook Group: Business Connection Community LinkedIn: Alex McCarthy on LinkedIn Website: www.alexmccarthycoaching.com

In this seventh episode of My Kind of Business, Alex reframes the way we think about sales and selling in business. If the idea of selling makes you feel icky, pushy, or uncomfortable, this conversation will help shift your mindset.

Alex explores how sales can be an act of service - rooted in connection, empathy and real transformation. You’ll hear why focusing on outcomes over features, detaching from the pressure to convert and leading with heart can make the sales process feel more aligned, natural and effective.

Whether you're new to business or have years of experience, this episode will leave you feeling more confident, clear and inspired to approach selling in a way that feels good for both you and your clients.

00:00 – Reframing Sales: A New Perspective Alex unpacks the cultural baggage around sales and introduces a fresh, mindset-first approach to selling.

07:24 – Building Genuine Connections Why real connection is the foundation of service-led selling—and how it builds trust without pressure.

10:30 – Focusing on Outcomes Over Features The simple mindset shift that helps potential clients see the real value of what you offer.

12:09 – Detaching from the Pressure of Sales How letting go of the need to convert every lead makes you a more powerful (and authentic) salesperson.

16:03 – Selling as Service: A Heart-Centred Approach Alex closes with a reminder that selling is about helping, serving, and creating space for transformation.

• Selling is service, not persuasion.

• Focus on connection, not conversion.

• Outcomes matter more than features.

• People want to feel seen, heard, and understood.

• Detach from the outcome to reduce sales anxiety.

• Your worth isn’t defined by the number of sales you make.

Business Connection Sessions: https://www.alexmccarthycoaching.com/business-connection-sessions

Instagram: www.instagram.com/alexmccarthycoaching

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexmccarthycoaching/

Website: www.alexmccarthycoaching.com