Today’s episode offers something unique. Not a typical interview, but a rare window into the thinking of John Hendry OAM, one of the most experienced educators and coaching minds in Australia.

John has spent more than five decades working with young people, coaches, teachers and schools, and has shaped how organisations think about relationships, wellbeing and performance.

In this conversation, John shares his philosophy with real generosity. He shows why skills, tactics and performance only emerge when young athletes feel safe, trusted, hopeful and understood - and why relationships aren’t just part of coaching, they are coaching.

In the conversation we explore:

1. Relationships Come First, Always: Coaching doesn’t begin with strategy or feedback. It begins with trust, safety and genuine care. Without this foundation, young people can’t take risks, learn or grow. When athletes feel valued as people, they become better players.

2. Mistakes Should Be Forgiven: The way coaches respond to errors shapes confidence, creativity and resilience. Punishment shuts down learning; forgiveness opens it up. When coaches “give for” the athlete, they create a culture where mistakes become opportunities, not threats.

3. Never Take Hope Away: Hope fuels engagement, effort and the ability to bounce back. A coach’s belief can restore hope after setbacks or destroy it. Protecting hope helps young people think clearly, regulate emotions, learn faster and make better decisions under pressure.

This episode is for anyone who works with young people and wants to help them thrive; not just in sport, but in life. Whether you’re a youth or community coach, a teacher or educator, or a parent supporting a young athlete, John’s philosophy offers practical wisdom on how to build trust, resilience and genuine growth.

Please follow the show and share it with a coach who would benefit from John’s message. You can get in touch here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomhartleycoaching/