The Business of Coaching: Perspectives on Becoming a Working Coach with Sarah Howells and Mike Simon

In this episode host Whitney Dawn Pyles is joined by Sarah Howells and Mike Simon, both graduates of The Somatic School, for an honest, grounded conversation about what it actually looks like to build a coaching practice.   This conversation weaves lived experience, professional reflection, and somatic insight to ask: What becomes possible when we let go of one “right way” to succeed—and listen to what our nervous systems need?   Mike reflects on claiming his work before it was fully formed, navigating identity, titles, and sustainability while building his practice alongside other work. Sarah shares how coaching has taken shape through multiple roles, creative careers, and organizational work—allowing her practice to grow with stability, variety, and care. Together, they explore success as something felt from the inside out, not measured by hustle-culture metrics.   Topics include: • Becoming a working coach through process, not perfection • Building a coaching practice alongside other work as one valid pathway • Titles, niches, and evolving professional identity • Financial safety, nervous-system regulation, and sustainability • Redefining success beyond external achievement   This episode is an invitation for coaches to honor their own path into practice, whether that’s gradual, nonlinear, supported by other work, or something entirely their own and to remember that coaching businesses, like people, grow in many ways.   For more information on The Somatic School, you can follow us on⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠⁠,⁠ ⁠LinkedIn,⁠⁠ or⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠ or head to our website⁠ ⁠thesomaticschool.com⁠⁠. Follow Radio Somanaut on Instagram⁠ @radiosomanaut. ⁠You can also learn more by registering for a free Taster Session.   Please note that the views, opinions, and expressions shared by our guests in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of The Somatic School. The information shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as official advice or endorsement by the school.   Sarah Howells:    Sarah Howells is a creative fulfilment coach with 20 years of experience as a full time music artist. Having toured the world and reached millions of streams with her music, she trained at the Somatic School and qualified as a certified body oriented coach in 2023. Her work helps you use body awareness to make grounded decisions and move with clarity. Sarah supports creatives who are launching or growing a career and want success defined from the inside, not by external pressure or comparison.   Mike Simon:    Mike Simon is a Somatic Dramaturg, Movement Artist, Reiki Practitioner & Facilitator.    Graduating from The Somatic School in 2022 as an accredited body-oriented coach — Mike’s work guides creative leaders ready to build impactful solo businesses, and dance artists creating meaningful projects to do so from the truth that lives in their body.   Instagram: @themikegsimon   Whitney Dawn Pyles:    Whitney Dawn Pyles, ACC is the producer and host of Radio Somanaut by The Somatic School. She is a certified Body-Oriented Coach, Dance/Movement Facilitator, and award-winning artist. Whitney is passionate about helping individuals and groups access deeper presence, self-compassion, and authentic expression through embodied awareness. She believes in joy as a form of resistance, and in the healing power of community, creativity, and connection.   Connect with Whitney on her website or Instagram.