By Jamie Slingerland, MCC & Ruthie Slingerland, MCC
Lately, Ruthie and I have been looking for ways to move the ICF Core Competencies out of the textbook and into real life. We wanted to go beyond checklists and definitions to find the heartbeat of professional coaching. For us, that bridge was music.
We started asking ourselves: What does a competency actually sound like when it’s lived, not just explained?
“Living from My Soul” is a song born from that question. We’re so grateful to Fran Fisher, MCC, who helped shape the lyrics and bring the message to life. The music itself comes from a CD Ruthie recorded back in 1998. Listening to it again reminded us that our journey to becoming MCCs wasn’t just technical—it was deeply personal. It was about learning to lead with presence, curiosity, and authenticity, choosing to live from our soul rather than our ego.
Partnership with a Coaching Pioneer
Working with Fran Fisher, MCC, on this project was a true honor. Fran is recognized internationally as one of the first coaches to earn the MCC credential. She’s spent over 30 years helping coaches embrace their essential nature, let go of ego attachments, and truly be the coach their clients need. Her input on the lyrics helped us capture the spirit of ICF Core Competency #2: Embodies a Coaching Mindset.
Lyrics and Core Competency #2
The lyrics of “Living from My Soul” reflect the heart of Core Competency #2, which emphasizes the coach’s ability to embody a mindset of curiosity, openness, and self-awareness. Lines like:
“I don’t need to shine the brightest
Their light is the goal.
That’s the shift I’m making…
From feeding my ego
To living from my soul.”
capture the essence of what it means to hold a client-centered perspective. Core Competency #2 isn’t just about knowledge—it’s about presence, integrity, and reflective practice. The song reminds us that effective coaching comes from letting go of the need to control or fix, and instead trusting the client’s resourcefulness and showing up fully ourselves.
The verses also highlight active listening, patience, and allowing courage and growth to unfold naturally—critical aspects of maintaining a coaching mindset. For example:
“Then one day someone opened up,
Said a truth that shook the room.
And I didn’t rush to fix it
Just let their courage bloom.”
This mirrors the competency’s call to maintain awareness, remain curious, and adapt one’s presence to support the client’s process. It’s a practical reminder that embodying a coaching mindset is lived through our choices, tone, and attention—not just our words.
Coaches Must Do Their Own Work
One of the biggest lessons Ruthie and I have learned is that coaches can’t take clients to places we haven’t been ourselves. Growth, presence, and resilience are cultivated through our own personal and spiritual work. That’s why both of us continue to have our own coaches — we know firsthand how much deeper we can show up for clients when we’re actively engaging in our own growth.
This personal work is central to mastering Core Competency #2. When we embody curiosity, openness, and reflective practice in our own lives, it naturally flows into our coaching.
Why Music Helps
When we first start training, it’s easy to get stuck in our heads—reading, memorizing, and checking boxes. That knowledge is important, but true mastery happens in the in-between: your tone, your ease, and how fully you show up. Music bypasses the analytical brain and invites you to embody a coaching mindset that is open, curious, and client-centered. If you want to explore all 8 songs in this series click here https://freedomlifejourney.com/category/icf-core-competency-songs/
The Shift: From Ego to Soul
Living from my Soul
I used to think the answers were the best thing I could bring. Talked too much, tried too hard, like I had to prove something. But somewhere in that noise, I learned to nurture curiosity. Looking back now, I can see the gift is generosity.
(Chorus) So I’m learning to let go, slow my breath and take it slow. Stay open, stay curious, trust the moment as it flows. I don’t need to shine the brightest— their light is the goal. That’s the shift I’m making… from feeding my ego to living from my soul.
(Verse 2) Then one day someone opened up, said a truth that shook the room. And I didn’t rush to fix it, just let their courage bloom. Felt something gently loosen deep inside my chest… Funny how letting go ends up feeling like doing my best.
(Chorus) So I’m learning to let go, slow my breath and take it slow. Stay open, stay curious, trust the moment as it flows. I don’t need to shine the brightest— their light is the goal. That’s the shift I’m making… from feeding my ego to living from my soul.
(Final Chorus) So I’m learning to let go, slow my breath and take it slow. Stay open, stay curious, trust the moment as it flows. I don’t need to shine the brightest— their light is the goal. That’s the shift I’m making… from feeding my ego to living from my soul. To living from my soul.
Lyrics by Jamie Slingerland, MCC; Ruthie Slingerland, MCC; Fran Fisher, MCC
Music from Ruthie’s CD, 1998
By Jamie Slingerland, MCC & Ruthie Slingerland, MCC
Lately, Ruthie and I have been looking for ways to move the ICF Core Competencies out of the textbook and into real life. We wanted to go beyond checklists and definitions to find the heartbeat of professional coaching. For us, that bridge was music.
We started asking ourselves: What does a competency actually sound like when it’s lived, not just explained?
“Living from My Soul” is a song born from that question. We’re so grateful to Fran Fisher, MCC, who helped shape the lyrics and bring the message to life. The music itself comes from a CD Ruthie recorded back in 1998. Listening to it again reminded us that our journey to becoming MCCs wasn’t just technical—it was deeply personal. It was about learning to lead with presence, curiosity, and authenticity, choosing to live from our soul rather than our ego.
Partnership with a Coaching Pioneer
Working with Fran Fisher, MCC, on this project was a true honor. Fran is recognized internationally as one of the first coaches to earn the MCC credential. She’s spent over 30 years helping coaches embrace their essential nature, let go of ego attachments, and truly be the coach their clients need. Her input on the lyrics helped us capture the spirit of ICF Core Competency #2: Embodies a Coaching Mindset.
Lyrics and Core Competency #2
The lyrics of “Living from My Soul” reflect the heart of Core Competency #2, which emphasizes the coach’s ability to embody a mindset of curiosity, openness, and self-awareness. Lines like:
“I don’t need to shine the brightest
Their light is the goal.
That’s the shift I’m making…
From feeding my ego
To living from my soul.”
capture the essence of what it means to hold a client-centered perspective. Core Competency #2 isn’t just about knowledge—it’s about presence, integrity, and reflective practice. The song reminds us that effective coaching comes from letting go of the need to control or fix, and instead trusting the client’s resourcefulness and showing up fully ourselves.
The verses also highlight active listening, patience, and allowing courage and growth to unfold naturally—critical aspects of maintaining a coaching mindset. For example:
“Then one day someone opened up,
Said a truth that shook the room.
And I didn’t rush to fix it
Just let their courage bloom.”
This mirrors the competency’s call to maintain awareness, remain curious, and adapt one’s presence to support the client’s process. It’s a practical reminder that embodying a coaching mindset is lived through our choices, tone, and attention—not just our words.
Coaches Must Do Their Own Work
One of the biggest lessons Ruthie and I have learned is that coaches can’t take clients to places we haven’t been ourselves. Growth, presence, and resilience are cultivated through our own personal and spiritual work. That’s why both of us continue to have our own coaches — we know firsthand how much deeper we can show up for clients when we’re actively engaging in our own growth.
This personal work is central to mastering Core Competency #2. When we embody curiosity, openness, and reflective practice in our own lives, it naturally flows into our coaching.
Why Music Helps
When we first start training, it’s easy to get stuck in our heads—reading, memorizing, and checking boxes. That knowledge is important, but true mastery happens in the in-between: your tone, your ease, and how fully you show up. Music bypasses the analytical brain and invites you to embody a coaching mindset that is open, curious, and client-centered.
The Shift: From Ego to Soul
Living from my Soul
I used to think the answers were the best thing I could bring. Talked too much, tried too hard, like I had to prove something. But somewhere in that noise, I learned to nurture curiosity. Looking back now, I can see the gift is generosity.
(Chorus) So I’m learning to let go, slow my breath and take it slow. Stay open, stay curious, trust the moment as it flows. I don’t need to shine the brightest— their light is the goal. That’s the shift I’m making… from feeding my ego to living from my soul.
(Verse 2) Then one day someone opened up, said a truth that shook the room. And I didn’t rush to fix it, just let their courage bloom. Felt something gently loosen deep inside my chest… Funny how letting go ends up feeling like doing my best.
(Chorus) So I’m learning to let go, slow my breath and take it slow. Stay open, stay curious, trust the moment as it flows. I don’t need to shine the brightest— their light is the goal. That’s the shift I’m making… from feeding my ego to living from my soul.
(Final Chorus) So I’m learning to let go, slow my breath and take it slow. Stay open, stay curious, trust the moment as it flows. I don’t need to shine the brightest— their light is the goal. That’s the shift I’m making… from feeding my ego to living from my soul. To living from my soul.
Lyrics by Jamie Slingerland, MCC; Ruthie Slingerland, MCC; Fran Fisher, MCC
Music from Ruthie’s CD, 1998
Fantastic Project! Congratulations and thank you for making this available. Looking forward to listening to the series.
Thanks so much Mark..