EP 29: Why the Best Leaders Have Coaches: The Performance Edge No One Talks About with Cody Royle

🎧 Episode Summary

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Jeremy Bettle sits down with renowned coach and author Cody Royle to explore the complex realities of leading at the highest level. From the emotional toll of head coaching roles to the systemic blind spots that sabotage sustained success, Cody breaks down the myths of modern high performance. Together, they unpack why coaching isn’t a sign of weakness, but a critical performance enhancer—essential not just in sport, but in any high-pressure environment. If you’re striving for longevity, leadership impact, and true excellence, this episode will resonate deeply.

 

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👤 Guest Bio: Cody Royle

Cody Royle is a globally respected leadership coach who works exclusively with head coaches in elite sport. After a decade as head coach of Canada’s men’s AFL national team, Cody now mentors a select group of professional coaches across soccer, basketball, baseball, ice hockey, rugby union, rugby league, and Australian football. His insights have helped leaders at the highest levels sharpen their performance, navigate the emotional toll of the job, and build sustainable success.

Cody is also the author of three books, including The Tough Stuff—an Amazon bestseller exploring the emotional burden of coaching—and Second Set of Eyes, which examines how elite head coaches gain a competitive edge by getting coached themselves.

Beyond his work, Cody is a father, husband, son, brother, and grandson. Originally from Melbourne, Australia, he now lives in Toronto, Canada, and remains deeply connected to a family spread across the globe.

 

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🔗 Guest Links

• 🌐 Website: https://www.codyroyle.com

• 💼 LinkedIn: Cody Royle on LinkedIn

• 🐦 Twitter/X: @codyroyle

 

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✅ Three Actionable Takeaways

1. Ask Yourself the Three Coaching Questions
   Reflect on: What are you hoping to achieve? Who are you hoping to be as you achieve it? What’s in the way right now?

2. Map the Real Demands of Your Role
   Move beyond job titles—take inventory of what you actually do each day, and identify where your energy and focus are best used.

3. Prioritize Recovery Like a Pro
   Protect your vitality by making time for sleep, exercise, and meaningful connection—even in the busiest seasons.

 

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🔑 Key Takeaways

• The culture of coaching has been shaped by chronic individualism, leading to burnout and poor decision-making at the top.

• High performers often wait until a breaking point—loneliness, isolation, or exhaustion—before seeking coaching.

• Coaching is a human-to-human performance enhancer, not a remedy for failure.

• Leaders often perform best when they can look beyond the daily grind with the help of a coach who “keeps their eyes up.”

• Traits of exceptional performers include relentless curiosity, emotional endurance, and a dreamer’s mindset.

• Systems should train coaches just as they train athletes—through specificity, support, and stress exposure.

• Sleep directly impacts key coaching skills: attention, communication, and decision-making.

• The current model of sport (and business) pushes people toward the middle; juggernauts push against it.

• True high performance is holistic—it must include emotional, physical, relational, and cognitive health.

• The future of women's sports will demand higher pressure readiness, not just technical expertise.