A Coach's Journey: Parallels with Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey

Joseph Campbell is a twentieth-century mythologist and known as one of the world's greatest storytellers who developed the heroic narrative for the protagonist who sets out into a new 'world', has transformative adventures, and returns home with their learning from challenges and successes. Campbell identifies 12 definitive stages of the hero's journey, and as coaches, we too can go on a similar journey that can have a transformative quest that profoundly impacts the lives of our clients and ourselves.

Below are some of the striking parallels of this extraordinary journey of a coach and the Hero's Journey.

1. The Ordinary World

The first stage is where the hero starts out in the ordinary world. They are doing things that are normal for them and for many others, experiencing the same challenges as everyone else. The hero feels stuck and confused; potentially knowing there is something more to their life and will look for ways to come out of their malaise.

Before stepping into the world of coaching, we are in the 'ordinary' world, often as someone seeking meaning, balance, or personal growth. There may be an understanding that there is something more profound and life giving beyond this initial environment. This might be evidenced by a keen interest in human potential and a desire to support others and ourselves to navigate challenges that arise. There is potentially an appreciation there is more that we can all experience, which is far more fulfilling.

2. The Call to Adventure

This stage is the moment the hero is called to go on an adventure: take action and do something different.

For coaches, it can come in the form of the original aspiration to be a coach: a compelling urge to make a difference. This call might come from personal experiences, a passion for supporting others or witnessing or experiencing the transformative power of coaching. In this stage, the strong pull and desire to do something that makes a significant difference in the lives of others can lead to the dream of becoming a coach.

3. Refusal of the Call

When this desire to make significant change occurs, at first, the hero experiences doubt, fear and hesitation. The refusal of the call can be due to fear of inadequacy and the challenge of stepping out of the comfort zone.

When contemplating becoming a coach, concerns about whether we can genuinely support others or whether we can make a living from being a coach or caring about what others might think about becoming a coach can potentially get in the way of making the investment and commitment to becoming a professional coach and going on a life-changing transformative journey.

4. Meeting the Mentor

In Campbell’s narrative, the hero meets a mentor who provides guidance and encouragement during those times of doubt and hesitation.

A mentor for someone considering becoming a coach may appear in the form of a seasoned coach, an inspirational figure, a training programme, supportive networks or other resources that offer wisdom, examples and reassurance to support the potential coach to commit to their journey and calling.

5. Crossing the Threshold

Crossing the threshold signifies the hero's commitment to this new path that has opened up for them.

In the coach's world, this often involves enrolling in the coaching certification programme, then taking on clients and fully embracing and embodying the role of a coach by supporting and empowering others and oneself. It is a step into a new professional identity and can have a profound impact on self and clients. The journey potentially realigns personal values and positively impacts decisions, chosen ways of being and experiences. It is also the start of a professional coaching practice.

6. Tests, Allies, and Enemies

Along the hero's journey, they will encounter numerous tests and challenges in all sorts of forms both internally and externally driven.

For coaches, these types of challenges might include building a client base, developing effective coaching processes, or navigating the emotional landscapes of self and clients. Along the way, coaches form alliances to support and navigate the struggles and opportunities with fellow coaches, perhaps business or joint venture partners, mentors, supervisors and supportive communities.

7. Approach to the Inmost Cave

The inmost cave represents a period of deep introspection and significant challenges. In this period of the journey, the hero is truly tested as to whether to continue their journey.

For a coach, this might be represented in the form of a particularly challenging client case, a personal crisis, a pivotal moment, or challenging feedback received that tests the coach's coaching philosophy and practice. It is a time of intense personal introspection, potential doubt and professional growth.

8. The Ordeal

In this stage, the hero faces their greatest challenge, which must be overcome to continue on their journey.

This could be for coaches in the form of a client's breakthrough, overcoming a major setback, or achieving a significant milestone in the coaching practice or professional development. The ordeal is transformative because it 'pushes' the coach to new heights of awareness, understanding and skill.

9. The Reward

After successfully navigating the ordeal, the hero receives their reward for their perseverance.

For a coach, this may be the deep satisfaction of witnessing a client’s transformation, achieving recognition in the coaching profession, or experiencing significant personal fulfilment. The reward signifies a deeper understanding of the coach's purpose and the impact of their work.

10. The Road Back

The road back involves integrating the lessons learned and continuing the journey with renewed vigour as well as meeting new types of challenges.

This may mean, in the coaching world, applying new insights to further deepen the practice, supporting more clients or expanding influence. It is a period of consolidation and preparation for the future challenges and opportunities that are bound to arise.

11. The Resurrection

The resurrection stage is a moment of profound personal transformation whereby the hero is 'rebirthed'.

A coach, who has become more seasoned and experienced, potentially develops a deeper wisdom and reinvents their coaching approach, or develops new programs, or creates a deeper connection to their calling.

12. Return with the Elixir

In the final stage, the hero returns to their communities with the elixir – the knowledge, skills, and experiences gained from the journey.

The journey has supported coaches in becoming more equipped to inspire, support, and enable others to transform themselves, having fully embraced who they are and their being as coaches. This return with the elixir symbolizes the fulfilment of our quest and the ongoing impact the coach can continue to have on the lives of others.

The journey of a coach, much like the hero's journey, is a path of transformation, challenges, opportunities and ultimate fulfilment. It is a journey that not only changes us as humans and a coach but also brings about profound changes in the lives of clients. As the coach continues on their own path, they may find inspiration and guidance in these timeless stages of growth and transformation.

Be empowered.

Jeanine and Marie Empower World Co-founders

Find out more about this journey and the parallels between the coach and a hero’s experience in our podcast Ep. 207 - The Hero’s Journey: Leading with Purpose and Connection here.

The Empower World's world-class Coach Training's next intake starts on 11 Oct 2024 in Doha, Qatar. You can find out more here.