Coaching, Intuition & Transformation: Elevate Your Impact

Coaching, Intuition & Transformation: Elevate Your Impact

As coaches, we are constantly growing, evolving, and refining our craft. One of the most powerful tools we have at our disposal is the ability to create transformational retreats that help both us and our clients reach new levels of awareness, confidence, and success. In a recent episode of The Amanda Kaufman Show, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Darla LeDoux, a transformational retreat leader and advocate for self-trust, to explore why retreats are such a game-changer in the coaching industry.

Retreats as a Path to Alignment and Transformation

Darla’s journey is a fascinating one—she started out as an engineer before pivoting into coaching. Her shift was rooted in learning to trust herself, and she now dedicates her work to helping other coaches do the same. As she shared in our conversation, "A powerful retreat leader is centered and aligned. They trust themselves and know when to bring truth into the space." This level of self-trust is essential because when we create space for transformation, we are guiding others through deep and sometimes uncomfortable work.

One of the biggest takeaways from our discussion was that retreats provide an unparalleled opportunity for both personal and professional clarity. Unlike online programs or short coaching sessions, retreats allow for immersive experiences where clients can step away from their daily distractions and focus solely on their growth.

Why Self-Trust is Crucial in Coaching

A significant theme of our conversation was the idea that self-trust is fundamental not just to coaching, but also to sales. Darla pointed out something that really struck a chord with me—if you struggle to sell a $2,500 coaching package, you’re likely going to struggle leading a room full of people at a retreat.

This makes total sense. If we haven’t worked through our own doubts and hesitations, we’ll see them reflected in our clients. Sales conversations aren’t just about getting someone to say "yes"—they are mirrors of our own personal development. The objections we hear from potential clients often reflect the areas where we ourselves need to grow. When we become aware of this dynamic, we can use every conversation as a tool for deepening our own confidence and refining our message.

Overcoming Fear and Perfectionism

Many coaches hesitate to host retreats because they feel they aren’t "ready." Maybe they think they don’t have enough experience, they don’t have the perfect venue, or they’re unsure if people will sign up. But as Darla so beautifully put it, "When we go around thinking that when I’m perfect, I’ll host a retreat, or when I’m perfect, I can help other people, it’s not ever gonna happen."

The truth is, perfection is a myth. Waiting until you feel completely ready will only keep you stuck. Instead, Darla encourages coaches to start small. Even hosting a retreat with just four or six people can be incredibly powerful. The magic happens when you create an intimate space where people can let go of distractions, focus on their personal breakthroughs, and tap into new levels of awareness.

The Role of Selling in Retreat Success

Selling a retreat isn’t about pushing people into an experience they don’t want. It’s about inviting them into a transformation they already desire. Darla shared that in her experience, coaches who struggle with sales often struggle with retreat leadership as well. "If you’re having trouble moving people to say yes to a coaching package, you will have trouble leading a room."

This insight is profound. Selling isn’t just about making money—it’s about creating clarity and alignment. The sales process itself helps you refine your messaging, identify the unique value of your retreat, and ultimately become a stronger, more confident leader.

Final Thoughts: Give Yourself Permission

Hosting a retreat is an incredible way to deepen your coaching practice, build stronger relationships with your clients, and step fully into your leadership. But none of that can happen if you don’t give yourself permission to start.

As Darla and I wrapped up our conversation, we both reflected on how much we’ve grown through our own willingness to take the leap. Whether it’s social media, sales, or leading a transformational retreat, the key is to trust yourself enough to start. Because ultimately, the more we grow as leaders, the more we can help others do the same.

So, if you’ve been thinking about hosting a retreat but hesitating—consider this your sign. It’s time to take that next step. Your future clients (and your future self) are waiting for you.

Want More?

If you loved this conversation and want to dive deeper into transformational coaching, you can listen to the full episode of The Amanda Kaufman Show here: Apple Podcasts or watch on YouTube.

Let’s keep growing together! 🚀

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Darla LeDoux

05:16 The Role of Retreats in Coaching

09:43 Do's and Don'ts of Hosting Retreats

14:27 Challenges Faced in Retreat Facilitation

19:06 The Importance of Authentic Leadership

23:31 Future Conversations on Social Media and Authenticity

Transcript

Darla LeDoux (00:00)

the key is,

seeing a truth that's been hidden from our view and bringing it to light. yeah, and so it's tender and deep work. And people need to know that's what they're getting themselves into, right?

Amanda Kaufman (00:07)

I love that.

Well, hello and welcome back to the Amanda Kaufman show and we are continuing our series on the coaches that don't suck. So of course, Darla Ledoux needed to join me on this episode. Darla, welcome to the show. I'm so glad you're here.

Darla LeDoux (00:52)

Thank you. We had such a great conversation when I had you on my show, so I'm so excited.

Amanda Kaufman (00:58)

I know, I know. like, okay, so our whole background, dear listener, is Darla and I met through a mutual connection that we both just absolutely adore. And she was like, you know, I feel like, Amanda, you should know Darla. And said the same thing to Darla. And so I wound up on her podcast and now we're talking here. I couldn't agree more. I think we know several people from the coaching industry in common.

But we've not worked together at this time, but I've been following her on her socials and my goodness, this lady has such a reputation. So Darla, can you just take 30 seconds and introduce yourself to everyone so they know why you're so famous and ready to be here on the show?

Darla LeDoux (01:41)

So I'm Darla Ledoux. I call myself a recovering engineer. And so I'm an unlikely advocate for your intuition and your magical gifts as a coach. Because I was good at math and science and they said, you're good at math and science, you should be an engineer. And I blindly said, okay, I don't even know what that is, but I trust you. I don't trust myself. So let me go do that.

Amanda Kaufman (02:04)

Hmm.

Darla LeDoux (02:05)

You know, and my story's been kind of dismantling that and learning to trust myself and my guidance. And I love the work of coaching. I'm so grateful to be a part of, you know, I think I see us as a part of this change, Amanda, of, you know, shifting the consciousness on the planet. So.

Amanda Kaufman (02:22)

I love that. love that. was a couple minutes late, dear listener, the recording today because I was just finishing an hour long session on consciousness as part of our high performance program. And I think like when I met you, Darla, I just loved how we have so many things in common and that juxtaposition, I guess, you know, allowing intuition, allowing the consciousness and then also like...

being informed with the science-y brain and having that engineering side and finding that beautiful marriage between the two has been a huge part of the experience. Darla, when you're working with people, first of all, who do you typically work with that you're helping them access this trust of themselves and their knowing?

Darla LeDoux (03:10)

Yeah, it's interesting. started with, first I started out as a career coach, cause that was my story. And then my clients all, you know, tuned into their soul and they wanted to quit their jobs and start businesses. So I had to figure out how to run a business and be good at that. And then people started coming up to me on the side and saying, Hey, I just really want a business like yours. And the thing I was doing that was different.

than they were doing was I was hosting retreats. So a lot of the work was being delivered in person on retreats throughout the year. So then I needed to sort out how to help people host retreats. So I niched down further to retreat leaders, transformational leaders, transformational guides. And then that really brought me to this place of self-trust because a powerful retreat leader really is...

Amanda Kaufman (03:40)

Mmm.

Darla LeDoux (04:04)

centered and aligned, you know, the circumstances of what happened and group dynamics aren't going to take them out. They can trust themselves and know when to bring truth into the space and when not to really. And so that evolved into a space of creating a framework to help people know how their divine guidance works so they can trust themselves.

Amanda Kaufman (04:18)

interesting.

love this so much. mean, so much about your story. I'm really getting a lot of validation right now. like, yes, you know, just even for what I'm doing, because I really envisioned the coaches plaza to be this place that coaches come together. And whether you're coming in on the ground floor, you know, at the lobby, you might find yourself kind of at this mezzanine where you're where you're kind of looking around you realizing, maybe I should specialize in this direction. Or maybe there's

Maybe there's better alignment if I go focus over here and all the way up to, you know, the top floor is the CEO leading and guiding other people to basically work the magic, you know? And one of the things I really love about hosting this podcast is that I get to invite people like you who have like a very specific area of expertise that's very different than the programs that we offer.

And it's so complimentary. Like, that's kind of my that's my vision for what the Coaches Plaza is really about is that there's room in their space at all levels and all all all types of what we do. I know there's a lot of people in the Coaches Plaza community who are thinking I'd love to host a retreat, but and they tell themselves a lot of reasons why. Why not? So but it's speaking to them and they're they're not sure if they should listen. So Darla, like what?

What would you say are the prerequisites or are there any prerequisites to being a coach who offers retreats?

Darla LeDoux (05:48)

There's so much in what you said and I'm just like present to how complimentary our work is. So just pin in that. I mean, I knew that before and that's why I had reached out. so, you know, when you're speaking about the different floors and helping people to find their alignment, right? So they can go into their magic and be the CEO.

Amanda Kaufman (05:54)

I know, right? It was like so cool.

Darla LeDoux (06:11)

retreats are such a great way to find your alignment. And I was reflecting on this recently. So much of my work has developed because I had a group in front of me asking me specific questions and the light bulb went off. I should do this. And I think that so often what gets in the way for people is the marketing and the messaging.

Amanda Kaufman (06:15)

interesting.

Darla LeDoux (06:34)

Like what is my unique message that's gonna get people to wanna hire me? And we can often, I know I did this, I would sit alone in my office with my flip chart and my Post-it notes and try to figure out what my message is. Have you ever done that?

Amanda Kaufman (06:35)

Mmm.

I was just laughing because I'm like, my God, have you been in my office? Like I for sure do that anyway, but I'm also a big geek on the messaging side. you know, like I want you to continue, but I'm gonna put a little pin here. I think one reason why we do that and fester in the messaging is because we're not really sure and it's kind of a safe place to hang out. So when I'm working with people, I like to push the messaging conversation.

Darla LeDoux (07:12)

Yes.

Amanda Kaufman (07:16)

after the experience of selling and delivering some experience and just like rely on your sales chops first and then you get to have, I mean, I don't think you get away with them from the Post-it notes and flip charts, but you know, it's way more fun when you know that it's actually progressing the message, you know.

Darla LeDoux (07:19)

Yes!

Exactly, I so agree with you a thousand percent. yeah, when the flip chart has context because you've actually talked to people and you know what they want and need and you have documented the process, then yes, that's the best. So yeah, totally agree. And selling a retreat can be a great way to learn what people want. Delivering a retreat, here's what I love about it.

let's say your first retreat is six people, let's just be conservative, right? Maybe it's four people, like you've got a tiny group in a room behind closed doors where you're not thinking about, how is everybody judging me on the internet? And you're able to show up and deliver and be your best self and serve the people in the room. And I would assert that when in that situation, your magic is going to come through.

Amanda Kaufman (08:10)

Yeah.

Darla LeDoux (08:24)

because you're not censoring it for is my mother reading this post or my coach I had three years ago or whatever it may be. And so your best self comes through there. And then the key is to hear what you're saying, have someone write it down, record it. And that's your messaging. Those are your clues. That's what you take to the flip chart.

Amanda Kaufman (08:41)

So good.

my gosh, my gosh. You're making me replay actually some events. So I've always hosted events that are like on the smaller side. One could call them a retreat. I would say it's maybe a little bit more of a speaking event, my God, the flip charts that like the downloads that you get when you're in that, I think you're spot on the safety of that room to like just be as fully and authentically expressed as possible. You know, some of my best.

Brainworks have come out of being in an environment like that. Totally.

Darla LeDoux (09:16)

Yes, and I would also say everybody's energies, you know, we have the mastermind, right, when two or more are gathered. But then I'm a big human design fan. And in human design, we have these open places where we don't have access to the energy. And when you gather a group, there's so much more access to all the different energies and possibilities. So I love that as well.

Amanda Kaufman (09:28)

Hmm.

So interesting.

So

I'm not hearing a lot of... go ahead.

Darla LeDoux (09:43)

Amanda, love that you.

well, I love that you distinguished, you know, event versus retreat as well, because for me, a retreat doesn't have to have a certain format, you do not need to go to an exotic location, you do not need to risk your firstborn's college fund on a deposit. You really a retreat is a multi day experience to me, you could have a one day but I like multi day where

Amanda Kaufman (09:51)

Mm.

Darla LeDoux (10:14)

People will create a new awareness that shifts how they show up to life. So there are events that are more teaching, right? Like we're gonna cover content, maybe we're strategizing, and then in my worldview, a retreat is we're really looking at the truth that we've been avoiding. And that's how I help people to design retreats anyway. So you were gonna say something.

Amanda Kaufman (10:21)

So good.

Mm-hmm.

I love that. So what role

and maybe I've already lost it, it's gone, but it's okay. It's all good. I love how organic our conversations get. So I'm just curious, you what would you say the role is of things like the venue and like what, what are maybe some do's and don'ts that someone might consider?

Darla LeDoux (10:57)

Mm-hmm.

Amanda Kaufman (11:00)

let's just say they're giving themselves that permission to host that intimate retreat. You know, what would you say are some big do's and don'ts?

Darla LeDoux (11:08)

Yeah, well, first I would look at, you know, what's been your experience with selling. So this is where we're aligned. I believe that we do all kinds of things, including book a retreat and then make a big page about it and then make lots of posts about it and then feel sad because no one registered from our posts about it. And like that can be a whole mechanism to avoid the sales conversation too. And so I would.

Amanda Kaufman (11:32)

It's so true!

Darla LeDoux (11:35)

Yeah, I would first just get honest with yourself about how skilled am I at conversations that shift people into action, conversations that help people see their truth and make decisions from that place. Because if we're not doing that, the retreat is not just that, you know, it may not be as effective because that's to me, that's what we need to do on retreat to bring transformation. But is out

Amanda Kaufman (11:45)

you

Mm. Mm-hmm.

Darla LeDoux (12:02)

Aside from that, is, need to know ourselves as someone that can move people into action, or we're just gonna be, you we might journal and do yoga and it's not gonna change their life. So I like to say you need to know that you've had, you know, a dozen private clients that you've sold.

because that's gonna help you know you can sell the retreat and it's also gonna help you know you can deliver it. And, I know where I was gonna go. It's one thing to sell information, right? And you're just saying, I'm gonna teach you this, this and this. But it's another thing to sell transformation because that's risky for people. Because when we transform, the key, the way I teach it, the key is,

Amanda Kaufman (12:37)

Hmm.

Darla LeDoux (12:53)

seeing a truth that's been hidden from our view and bringing it to light. yeah, and so it's tender and deep work. And people need to know that's what they're getting themselves into, right?

Amanda Kaufman (13:00)

I love that.

Darla LeDoux (13:08)

They don't need to know all the details of everything, but there needs to be an awareness that I have a block of some sort. I don't even like to use that language, but like there's something in the way of me and my goals.

There's something I'm not seeing and this retreat will help me see it so I can align with my goals. Like if I'm energetically aligned with my goals, it takes care of itself in a lot of ways.

Amanda Kaufman (13:22)

Mm-hmm.

I am totally low key freaking out right now because earlier today I did a story for the Instagram. So this podcast will come out much later, but just know that this happened in the past. It was really freaking cool. I literally was saying my view of the future of coaching is focus because information is not transformation. But what we're really starving for, I think, is a society right now.

Darla LeDoux (13:47)

You

Amanda Kaufman (14:02)

is this capacity or this ability to really focus on what is the desire? What is the block that's getting in the way? Where is my permission to do the thing? And so often we're not giving ourselves that permission, even if we have that knowing, or even if we have some clarity about the vision for our desire, because we don't give it the focus. And so I'm just like freaking out a little bit right now, because I'm like, my God, I just posted about this. How perfect.

our retreats for facilitating like that level of focus and that permission to put your phone down and to be present with the transformation. And, you know, I really loved what you said to Darla about the leadership role of the coach. That's kind how I interpreted that was just like, gosh, you know, I don't I know I wouldn't have been a very good retreat facilitator at the very, very, very beginning of my coaching journey because I just hadn't coached enough people yet. I hadn't.

I hadn't walked in that leadership role often enough to really know that I would be safe and okay and able to like, because it is challenging. Like, can you talk to me a little bit about what some of the challenges you might face as you're facilitating a retreat that, you know, you can maybe start working on now, even if you don't have your first 12 clients, you can start working on that strength, right?

Darla LeDoux (15:18)

Yes, my God, I love that question. And I love focus and I so agree with you. Thanks for naming that. So I'm gonna go back to sales calls because one of the things I teach around sales is that we, could strategy session, discovery call, sample session, however you think about it.

I believe that our edge is going to show up in those calls. So I'll give an example. I have a really funny example, which is there was a season where I was having one-on-one conversations and two calls in a row, the person said, I have to ask my accountant.

Amanda Kaufman (15:42)

Mmm.

Mmm.

Darla LeDoux (15:58)

And I had never had anyone have that objection before. And all of a sudden there it was in my face. And so, you I had a coach, I always have a coach. So I went to my coach, I'm like, what's this about? And she helped me know how to answer it. And then, but what I learned is I don't have an accountant. If I had an accountant that I had a healthy relationship with, I would know how to answer that.

Right? So I went and got an accountant because my coach had said, well, is there an accountant running their business? Like what, what is that about? You know, what's the gap there? But because I didn't have any experience with partnering with an accountant, I didn't know how to respond. Right. So as I've never had that again, since I got an accountant. So I believe.

Amanda Kaufman (16:45)

That's interesting.

Darla LeDoux (16:47)

Yeah, we're always generating the mirror for our growth. It's always a win-win. so, whatever your, if you have an edge that you're not wanting to look at, and then you get a group of people in retreat, like someone's gonna be that mirror of that person for you. So then you're the leader and you've got someone who's got the same blind spot as you, and you're not.

able to help them see it because you haven't worked on it. So to me, that's where the selling comes in, because you can work a lot of that out in the selling. Like people will give you the exact objection of the thing you need to work on. And you can work it out in those conversations. So you're, you know, you're increasing your capacity. And this isn't bad. Let's say you're leading a retreat and you've got a blind spot, because guess what, still have blind spots. I've hosted 115 retreats and I'm sure some, you know,

Amanda Kaufman (17:30)

So good.

Darla LeDoux (17:40)

next time I'm going to be looking at, wow, you know, I missed that aspect of what was going on in the room because it was in my blind spot. Like that's okay, that's not bad. But if you're at the place where you're having trouble moving people to say yes to let's say a $2,500 coaching package or something like that, you will have trouble leading a room.

Amanda Kaufman (17:52)

Mm-hmm.

Darla LeDoux (18:08)

It's just, you know, work that muscle.

Amanda Kaufman (18:10)

It's so true.

I couldn't agree with you more. Like I feel that over the years, the more I've focused on my leadership in a 360 sort of a way, right? Because I think, you know, a former version of me would hear, no, a blind spot. And it's like, I'm completely blind. I can't help anyone, right? That's not it. That's not the vibe. It's recognizing that you as the leader are always on this path.

Darla LeDoux (18:32)

Yes.

Amanda Kaufman (18:38)

of growth. And you know, the more you coach, the more you sell, the more you're in relationship with others and you and you have the meaningful conversations and get below that surface, the better you do get at actually doing the coaching and actually doing the selling because but only if you're learning from it. If you're just kind of regurgitating a script or you're running through whatever your coaching certification told you, OK, ask this first and then ask the second.

You're not really leading, right? You're just following what is on the paper and you're kind of hoping for the best. And like a real leader, I think, looks at, well, when we failed or when we didn't see something, what might have been going on there? What can I learn from that? What can I do to improve the very next time? So, yeah, you never eliminate those blind spots, do you? Just one at a time.

Darla LeDoux (19:29)

I mean,

that's the goal. I mean, that's why I love this work because my life gets better every single time I lead a retreat or every time I create a new message. It's like, true up yourself to your message over and over and it's great. I love it.

Amanda Kaufman (19:43)

No kidding. Yeah, I love it too.

Darla, we could do a three hour episode, no problem. However, I didn't book you for that long. So what's the best way for folks to follow you?

Darla LeDoux (19:50)

I agree.

That is such a good question. will say, feel free to coach me on this. I have a love hate relationship with social. I think Instagram is probably the easiest and like my content's all there. I will see if you PM me, but otherwise I don't like go on there that much.

Amanda Kaufman (20:05)

Great.

That's good. Well, then that's probably the best way to reach you. And I 1,000 % would say that I love social media, but I used to hate it. so yeah, be social with Darla. Thank you. Well, y'all, make sure you reach out to Darla because she's the real, real, you know, I think.

Darla LeDoux (20:25)

You're so good. Your posts are good.

Amanda Kaufman (20:36)

anybody who does really struggle with social media, I think part of it is because we're learning our authenticity on a different platform. And so I mean, I do I do write well now and I'm pretty confident with it. And it took like deciding I wanted to express in that way, you know. And so.

I'm going to encourage everybody DM Darla, tell her that you found out about her on this podcast and you're excited to connect with her there and just say that and then everybody's going to get some great practice and connecting online. So good. So.

Darla LeDoux (21:07)

I love that.

I feel like I wanna

say something related to what you said about leadership and being the leader and I'm gonna connect this to social media and my love hate relationship, if that's okay, little mini. In the beginning, for a decade, I really wrote long form posts on Facebook for a long time, right? And that was a big way of connecting and I would also,

Amanda Kaufman (21:13)

Go for it.

Do it. Go for it. Let's go.

Darla LeDoux (21:37)

put them in my newsletter and I had a kind of an approach. And then I got to a place where I had a blind spot in my own life. Like my personal life wasn't aligned for me. And I wasn't aware of it and it was in my blind spot, right? So I just want you to know, I had a multi, multi, multi six figure business and I had this blind spot.

Amanda Kaufman (21:50)

Hmm.

Darla LeDoux (22:03)

And then I kind of gradually stopped sharing on social because, you know, I'm so committed to being authentic. And so if I am not and I'm not even aware, I started posting less and less. And then I had to true up my personal life and like so much has changed and come back around to, how do I feel about social now and what am I excited about? And so I'm sure you'll see me there more. I mean, I have a podcast. It's not like I'm invisible.

Amanda Kaufman (22:14)

Hmm.

Darla LeDoux (22:30)

But this, I wanna normalize the process. I mean, that's my mission, right? Is to normalize transformation. And when we go around thinking that when I'm perfect, I'll post on social, or when I'm perfect, I'll host a retreat, or when I'm perfect, I can help other people, it's not ever gonna happen. And...

Amanda Kaufman (22:30)

No, you're not invisible at all.

Darla LeDoux (22:51)

Like I feel 100 % okay saying like, wow, I was out of alignment in this area and I stopped posting on social because I had like this energy barrier. And that happened.

Amanda Kaufman (23:03)

I just got a really crazy

idea that I did not check in with you on at all.

Darla LeDoux (23:07)

What?

Amanda Kaufman (23:08)

which is I just love to have another touch base and maybe like three to six months on social media, like talking about the role of social media. And maybe that'll be like, you know, if I didn't vet this with her beforehand, dear listeners. So if you're waiting with bated breath six months after, I am so sorry. But I'm gonna put it out as an idea that I would be open to hosting another conversation with you that is.

Darla LeDoux (23:15)

Hmm.

You

Amanda Kaufman (23:31)

very specifically discussing authentic expression in your marketing, in your sales, in your podcasting, like all of those things. If you were open to it, you don't have to say yes right now. I just wanna say, I think I'm gonna put that invitation out there.

Darla LeDoux (23:46)

I would love to. I'm a yes to your invitations in general, Amanda. And I love that you're creating a container, right? So I can kind of watch my experience with it for six months and then we'll report back.

Amanda Kaufman (23:48)

Yes, love it.

Yeah, exactly. And I want to hear the ugly too. Like I don't want it to just be all like, and then I started doing social media and then I lived happily ever after. Right. Like we should definitely talk about the challenge of it, because I think that that's something that a lot of people are going through. And since you're already up for it, let's just talk about it. I love it. So good listener. If you love this, go ahead and make sure you hit subscribe so you don't miss the next one. And also go ahead and leave a five star review. mean, Darla really showed up today. She's she's got some wonderful wisdom here.

So seriously, like if you if you really felt like it was good taking a few seconds to give a five-star review and you know Just say a few sentences about what you loved about it It helps other people find the episode and that's why I'm always encouraging you to do it and you can make it super easy for your friends by sharing it with three of your friends just grab the link of wherever you're listening to this and shoot it to them on the DM on the text however you like to Be that awesome friend leaving a pebble of joy and love with them

All right, thank you so much for joining us and we'll see you on another episode.