Farran Mackay

Your coaching team (or career) isn’t growing — because you’re using the wrong tools

Whether you’re leading a team or yourself, one truth applies: what got you here won’t get you there. Most coaches and owners hit a ceiling not from lack of effort, but because they’re using the same tools that work with athletes to try to develop coaches or advance their own careers.

If you want coaching team growth, or want to grow yourself, you need to start with the skills that make it possible. This session shows you how.

What you will learn:

• A 3-step development conversation you can use this week to coach your team (or yourself)
• Two daily habits that create a culture of growth, not compliance
• The first steps in your own development plan for your role and goals

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How ego hides in your coaching and leadership — and what to do about it

Ego doesn’t just appear as arrogance. It can look like defensiveness, disengagement, overcompensating, or shutting down. This affects athletes, coaches, and leaders alike, and can block coaching team growth if left unchecked.

Whether you’re coaching athletes or leading a team, ego is always in the room. The real skill is recognising how it shows up — in others and in yourself — and knowing how to work with it instead of against it.

This session will help you recognise when ego is blocking progress — whether it’s an athlete who seems “uncoachable,” a team member resisting feedback, or your own leadership response getting in the way. You’ll learn to navigate these moments with clarity, connection, and calm authority.

What you will learn:

• How to spot the two main ways ego shows up (in others and yourself)
• Language that diffuses resistance and builds buy-in without power struggles
• A reset tool for realigning your coaching or leadership when ego takes the lead

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More about Farran:

Farran has over 30 years of experience as a sports instructor. She is a Certified CrossFit Trainer (CF-L3) and holds a Master’s in Education and Communication. With 15 years focused on professional development, Farran emphasises understanding each member’s unique ‘why’ to enhance experience and drive retention.

Through Virtuous Coach Development, Farran has empowered countless affiliate owners and coaches to transform their gyms. Her strategies create thriving communities and directly contribute to coaching team growth, improving both retention and satisfaction.

By blending educational expertise with a passion for personal connection, Farran is quietly influencing the future of coaching, helping build sustainable, long-term success for affiliates worldwide.