Winning Over Good People: Why I Can Only Coach the Right Hearts
What’s your superpower?
If you asked me, I’d say mine is reading people. Not in a “woo-woo, psychic” way, but in the sense that I can usually tell—pretty quickly—who’s genuine and who isn’t. It’s a gift that’s served me well, both in life and in coaching.
I’ve always had it. Even as a kid, my parents would (sometimes grudgingly) come to me for advice about their own friends. I remember being ten, watching the adults, and thinking, “Why are you friends with that person?” My mom would roll her eyes and tell me not to judge. A year later? She’d admit I was right. Superpower confirmed.
I Don’t Work With Everyone (And That’s the Point)
Here’s the thing: I don’t work with everyone. I have zero interest in coaching people I don’t respect, or who aren’t ready to do the work. There are two types I avoid at all costs:
The ones who don’t really want to change. (You know, the “gym membership” crowd—they pay, they complain, but they never actually show up.)
The ones who aren’t good people. And yes, I mean that. If your morals or values are fundamentally off, I don’t care how much you want to pay me. I don’t want your money, and I don’t want your energy in my life.
People sometimes ask, “But Emma, shouldn’t you help everyone?” My answer: Absolutely not. The privilege of working for myself is that I get to choose. If I can’t respect you—if I sense you’re manipulative, cruel, or just here to tick a box - I’m out.
What’s your superpower?
“Good” Doesn’t Mean “Easy”
Let me be clear: “good” doesn’t mean “easy.” In fact, most of my favorite clients—the ones I’m proudest of—were tough as hell. Some were skeptical, some were stubborn, some showed up with more baggage than Heathrow at Christmas. I knew, from the very first session, that working with them would be hard. Sometimes I even knew I’d suffer for it—long nights, second-guessing, taking their problems home in my head (not something I recommend, but I’m human).
And yet, I never hesitated. Why? Because I trusted them. I knew their intentions were good, their hearts were in the right place, and that—no matter how messy things got—they weren’t trying to manipulate, impress, or use me. They just wanted to grow. That’s all I need.
The Real Cost (And Reward) of Integrity
Does it cost me something? Absolutely. I’ve lost sleep, carried worries that weren’t mine, and sometimes cursed myself for taking on the “hard cases.” But I’d rather go through all of that for the right person than waste a single hour on someone I can’t respect.
Here’s what I’ve learned: the right people are rarely the easiest. They’re the ones who challenge you, push back, make you work for every breakthrough. But they’re also the ones who make it all worth it. I don’t care how “tough” you are—if you’ve got integrity, if you’re willing to be honest and do the work, I’m on your side.
But the moment I sense someone is just here to tick a box, or worse, that their values are rotten? I’m out. I don’t care how much you want to pay me. Life’s too short to waste your gifts on the wrong hearts.
A Challenge for You: Trust Your Intuition
So here’s my challenge to you:
How often do you ignore your intuition about people, just to keep the peace or avoid conflict?
How does your energy feel when you’re surrounded by people you don’t respect, or who drain you with their negativity or dishonesty?
Do you find yourself shrinking, people-pleasing, or pretending—just to fit in with the wrong crowd?
And what would happen if you stopped? If you trusted your gut, set your boundaries, and saved your best for the people who actually deserve it?
Trust me: your intuition is smarter than you think. The right hearts recognize each other—and the wrong ones, you can feel in your bones.
Not everyone is meant to be in your circle. Not everyone deserves your energy.
And that’s not arrogance. That’s wisdom.
Love and truth,
Emma
