Authenticity, Resilience, and Showing Up: Lessons from Jaime Duggan
Authenticity, Resilience, and Showing Up: Lessons from Jaime Duggan on The Amanda Kaufman Show
What does it really take to build a successful coaching business? According to Jaime Duggan, it’s not just about hard work—it’s about authenticity, resilience, and showing up even when it’s uncomfortable.
On a recent episode of The Amanda Kaufman Show, Jaime joined the "Coaches That Don’t Suck" series to share her journey as a holistic health coach, entrepreneur, and now bestselling author of Drama Free Health. Jaime’s insights remind us that success in business isn’t just about strategy—it’s about who you become along the way.
From Blogger to Bestselling Author
Jaime Duggan never dreamed of becoming an author, but her journey with Drama Free Health came from a deep desire to share her message. “I never knew how to write like a writer, so I just wrote like I talk,” she shared. By removing the pressure to fit a mold, Jaime was able to create a book that authentically represented her voice and values.
The book became a bestseller shortly after its release, and it’s been a springboard for speaking opportunities and a larger platform. But what makes Jaime’s story remarkable is her reason for writing. “It wasn’t about accolades,” she said. “It was about being true to myself and sharing something meaningful with the world.”
For aspiring authors and entrepreneurs, Jaime’s story is a testament to the power of starting messy and staying authentic.
The Value of Showing Up
When Amanda asked Jaime about what drives her consistency—on social media, in business, and in life—Jaime revealed that it’s all about a shift in mindset.
“There was a moment when I let go of the idea of going back to a traditional job and realized: no matter what happens, I can make this work,” Jaime said. “I know that I am the only one responsible for my success.”
This mindset fuels her resilience, even when things get challenging. Jaime shared how entrepreneurship has taught her to face uncomfortable truths and show up, even on days when she doesn’t feel like it. “You can either make progress or make excuses. The choice is yours.”
Facing the Skeletons in the Closet
Entrepreneurship is a journey of growth, both personal and professional. “It’s a place where you can’t really hide,” Jaime said. “The skeletons come out. Otherwise, you’re not going to have a successful business.”
For Jaime, this honesty has been a cornerstone of her coaching and her personal development. By confronting her own challenges head-on, she models the integrity and accountability she expects from her clients. “You can’t tell others to do something you’re not willing to do yourself,” she emphasized.
Amanda echoed this sentiment, highlighting how entrepreneurship reveals what you’re truly capable of. “How hard can it get? But more importantly—how good can it get?”
Lessons for Coaches That Don’t Suck
As part of the "Coaches That Don’t Suck" series, Amanda asked Jaime about the traits that make a great coach. Jaime shared three key qualities:
Courage to Challenge Clients
“A great coach isn’t afraid to challenge their clients,” Jaime said. The goal isn’t to solve every problem for them but to help clients find their own solutions.Self-Coaching and Accountability
“You have to be able to coach yourself in order to coach others,” Jaime emphasized. This means being able to navigate your own struggles and show up with integrity, even on tough days.Attentiveness to Client Needs
“A good coach listens deeply and tries to see things from the client’s perspective,” Jaime said. “When clients find their own solutions, they’re more likely to stick with them.”
These traits, coupled with authenticity and resilience, set the foundation for impactful coaching relationships.
Stepping Into the Spotlight
Jaime also shared her excitement—and fear—about an upcoming milestone: her first keynote speech. “It’s exciting and terrifying,” she admitted. “But I’m choosing to face the fear head-on.”
The opportunity came through a connection she made in a networking group, proving that authentic relationships can open unexpected doors. As Amanda pointed out, success doesn’t always come from one “designed channel.” Often, it’s the ripple effect of showing up consistently and authentically that creates opportunities.
It’s Not About You
Perhaps the most profound takeaway from the episode was Jaime’s biggest lesson in entrepreneurship: “It’s not about me.”
As she prepares for her keynote, Jaime shared how she’s working to shift her focus from herself to her audience. “I get so in my head about how I’ll come across, but then I remind myself—it’s not about me. It’s about the people I’m serving.”
This perspective takes the pressure off and allows Jaime to fully step into her purpose. “Entrepreneurship has shown me what I’m made of. It’s expanded my thinking, my possibilities, and my circle of influence. It’s such a blessing to be able to do this work.”
Final Thoughts
Jaime Duggan’s journey is a powerful reminder that success in entrepreneurship isn’t just about tactics—it’s about mindset, authenticity, and resilience. Whether you’re writing a book, growing a business, or preparing for your first keynote, the lessons Jaime shared on The Amanda Kaufman Show are universally valuable:
Start messy and stay authentic.
Show up, even when it’s hard.
Face your challenges with honesty.
Remember, it’s not about you—it’s about the people you serve.
Want to learn more? Tune into the full episode of The Amanda Kaufman Show featuring Jaime Duggan for even more insights and inspiration.
Connect with Jaime Duggan
📌 Follow Jaime on:
Facebook: Jaime Duggan Facebook
Instagram: Jaime Duggan Instagram
Check out her book Drama Free Health on Amazon.
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Full Transcript:
Amanda Kaufman (00:00)
Well, hello and welcome back to the Amanda Kaufman show. And today we're continuing our segment on coaches that don't suck. And let me tell you, Jamie Dugan definitely doesn't suck. She is the author of Drama Free Health, which I think is so awesome because getting to know Jamie personally, I can tell you this is a mama who has no time for drama. She is ready to tell you like it is and be really straight with you. And I really love that about her.
She's a holistic health coach and I am just so honored to have you here on the show. Welcome, Jamie.
Jaime Duggan (00:37)
Thank you. Thank you for having me.
Amanda Kaufman (00:39)
my pleasure. So, you I started this segment on coaches that don't suck and you were you rose like right to the top of my people I have to reach out to and you responded really, really quickly. So what is it about this show that you that appealed to you that you wanted to come and join us today?
Jaime Duggan (00:58)
Well, we all want to know more coaches that don't suck. And you are definitely one that does not suck. So I thought, hey, why not?
Amanda Kaufman (01:06)
I appreciate it. appreciate it. Now, Jamie, you've had a huge year. You know, you have launched a book. Tell us about the book. How'd the launch go? How'd all that go?
Jaime Duggan (01:16)
It went really, really well. It was crazy. I never in a million years even thought that I would write a book, let alone publish one. so launching that the end of July was really exciting. It hit best seller lists right away.
and it has just continued to be a mode of, it's been a springboard for my business, for speaking opportunities and for sharing more about what I do, you know, with a larger audience. So it's been really fun.
Amanda Kaufman (01:47)
I love that.
That's so good. And good for you for writing the book. I think a lot of people feel that they have a book in their heart or in their mind. And I think it's one thing to have the idea. It's another thing to action it. So like, what was that like for you to just take a leap and say, this is going to be something that I do?
Jaime Duggan (02:10)
You know, was not, I mean, it was conscious, obviously, like I had to decide to do it, but it was just like.
I knew that it was the next step that I needed to take. Being an author was nothing ever, it was never a dream of mine or an aspiration and it was like, you know what? I've wanted to write this, I was blogging and I thought, I'm just gonna start. And then I started and it just, it kind of just poured out of me.
Amanda Kaufman (02:22)
Ooh.
Jaime Duggan (02:42)
And as I was writing it, kept telling my husband, know, I'm not writing this in vain. Like I'm not writing it for the accolade. I'm not writing it to be an author. Like that was never my intention or my goal.
And so I think that took a lot of the pressure off of it because it was like, I just want to, you know, I never knew, I didn't know how to write, like how to be a writer. And so I just wrote the book like I talk. Like it's very much just like having a conversation with me. But it was a really, actually it was a really fun process. It wasn't very stressful. It was very natural. And I think because...
Amanda Kaufman (03:01)
Mmm.
Jaime Duggan (03:23)
I took the pressure off and I just decided, you know, I'm gonna do it the way I wanna do it, not the way I'm not gonna try to model everybody else, because that tends to be something that I wanna do. I'm gonna do it like them, and then it feels stressful, because I'm doing it like them instead of doing it like me. And when I just decided to do it, yeah.
Amanda Kaufman (03:36)
Mm-hmm.
I love it. It's like drama free writing.
Jaime Duggan (03:44)
So when I decided just to do it like me, just flowed out and it was really fun. doing that and showing my kids, like writing a book and actually publishing it, I have to say my kids definitely pulled me through. Because I remember on more than one occasion, my son coming up to me and being like, mom, how's the book? And I was like, it was maybe in a time where I wasn't writing as consistently. And I'm like, what book?
He's like, you're a book mom. I'm like, yeah. my God. Okay. He's watching. He's paying attention. I have to finish this.
Amanda Kaufman (04:18)
Yeah, for sure. Yeah, I love that. I love this whole story because I think that there's a lot of reasons to achieve. And if you're out of alignment in what you're pursuing in the sense that maybe because I mean, I guess it's fine if you want to write a book to be specifically a bestseller. I think that's cool.
if it's aligned to your values and if it's aligned to like who you see yourself as. But it sounds like for you, were finding like, what's my reason? What's Jamie's reason for wanting to get this book out? it was on your heart. You were really, really aligned to it. That's super cool. So talk to me a little bit about your entrepreneurial journey in general. mean, you are very connected.
with your goals, your vision and how you help people you're super consistent on social media. People watch Jamie. She does a very good job of being very real and very consistent. What do you think drives you there? Like, why do you continue to show up, continue to develop yourself and continue to do the work?
Jaime Duggan (05:28)
social media or just in general.
Amanda Kaufman (05:30)
Just I notice that you're really consistent on social media, but I just also know like a lot of coaches talk about wanting to be a coach, but they never write the book. They talk about wanting to be a coach, but they never post on social media. They talk about it, but they like they don't do the walking that goes with the talking that actually creates the result. So I'm really curious, like for you, what has been what's been the thing that's helped you with your follow through?
Jaime Duggan (05:55)
I'm gonna say that it was probably...
I'm not sure exactly when the shift happened, but there was a moment when I was hanging on to like maybe I'll go back to work, maybe I'll, you know, get a job and there's a shift in me that happened that was like, nope, I don't, I...
no matter what happens, I can make it work. And I know that I am the only one that's responsible for my success. And I know that I have to continue. And I have a really clear vision of what I want in my future, even sometimes when it doesn't feel so clear, I do know where I'm going. And so I...
I face the challenges. I've gotten really good at doing the uncomfortable thing. I've gotten really good at, you know, not just because like what I teach all my clients and what, you know, I try to live by is do like walk the walk, talk the talk. Don't do things that, you know, you're not or don't tell people to do things that you're not willing to do. And if
this is what you have to do to be successful, then this is what you're gonna do. Because I mean honestly in life you have two options. You can make progress or you can make excuses. And the choice is yours.
Amanda Kaufman (07:18)
Yeah, that's so funny that you said it like that because I just did a workshop on Saturday and we were talking about all about the fears that tend to hold us back. And I said something very similar to that. I said that, you know, you can use fear as fuel or you can use fear as the excuse. It's one or the other. It's not, you know, and most people default to kind of excuse you land. But I think it's because they're missing that piece that you seem to have, you know, in spades, which is you have clarity of your vision of where you're going.
And there's sort of this piece that can come over you when you're good with like, I'm not totally clear about exactly all the steps between there and where I am today, but I am clear about what I'm doing today. I'm gonna do what I'm doing today. I am clear about what I've done in the past. And I am clear about getting the mentorship and the support to help me with bridging that gap in the middle. So good. So Jamie, like what are you the most excited about that's upcoming for your business?
Jaime Duggan (08:16)
Well, I have my first keynote on Friday. So talk about facing, yes, on Friday. So talk about facing the fear like head on. is, I'm trying to not, thank you. I'm terrified.
Amanda Kaufman (08:20)
Stop, you're doing a keynote?
Good for you. I love it.
You're terrified. wow. mean, well, you're getting some practice in just before by coming onto my podcast. So yeah, like.
Jaime Duggan (08:37)
Why?
Yes, it's gonna be good, but it's crazy. So I'm very excited. I'm very excited to face that fear head on.
Amanda Kaufman (08:51)
Yeah. Is this your first public speaking major event?
Jaime Duggan (08:55)
In in person. Yeah Yeah
Amanda Kaufman (08:58)
That's really exciting. Congratulations. That's really huge. When you got the news or the opportunity to do this keynote, how did that come about? Did somebody look you up? Did you have a connection? How did that come about?
Jaime Duggan (09:00)
Thank you. Thank you.
She was somebody that I had met through a networking group and she got my book and she's like, I love your book and I run a agency for social workers and I would love to have you come out and speak at one of our quarterly meetings and to do a presentation. So I jumped at it.
Amanda Kaufman (09:33)
Talk about a ripple. Yes. my gosh, that's cool.
Jaime Duggan (09:38)
Yeah, so it's exciting and scary.
Amanda Kaufman (09:41)
That is exciting. That is exciting. I asked that question because I think a lot of people sort of assume that if I post to social media all the time, then somebody is going to tap me on the shoulder or, you know, some people get I know I was like this early on. I was very black and white. I was like, it's all going to come from networking or it's all going to come from this one place or this one direction. Thanks for sharing like how that came about for you, because I think sometimes things come through the.
you know, designed channel, if you will. But sometimes it really is just like meeting a person, connecting authentically, and then they have a need and they think of you first. You know, that is so great. Yeah, way to be. So one of my things that I'm asking everyone in this segment is what are three things that help a coach not to suck? You know, you've had a lot of experience in the coachy land, like what?
Jaime Duggan (10:18)
Yeah. Yeah. Hmm.
Amanda Kaufman (10:33)
What do you think are the three traits that really make a great coach?
Jaime Duggan (10:36)
I think that it kind of, it can be different for every client, but I think definitely being unafraid to challenge the client, really showing up, know, Brennan Burchard.
keep saying this, like, you have to be able to coach yourself in order to coach others. And so what makes a really good coach is somebody who can work themselves through their challenges and their struggles and continue to get up and go because we're the founding, you know, people look to us to, for support and for guidance. And if we can't get our own, you know, if we're not able to maintain ourself, then how are we able to help others?
Amanda Kaufman (11:19)
Mm-hmm.
Jaime Duggan (11:20)
And then the last piece is probably going to be just being really attentive to what the client needs, you know, trying to see it from their perspective, not trying to solve all the problems in our own way. But how do we how, you know, do we get the client to find their own solutions? Because when they find their own solutions, then they stick with it.
Amanda Kaufman (11:28)
you
Yeah, that's so good. Yeah. It's true. Yeah, like when an idea thought is always going to be more powerful than an idea planted. So I really love that. And you you kind of bring up like the hypocrisy side of our space, like, don't be a hypocrite. You know, do do the work, do the doing I loved I loved that point about self coaching.
Jaime Duggan (11:52)
Mm-hmm.
Amanda Kaufman (12:07)
You know, I really believe in having like a multimodal type approach to growth. And that definitely includes being able to have the hard conversations with self. Right. I think having a coach is also a really powerful tool. A lot of people have said that when I asked the question, like a coach should have a coach. I agree with that, but I really love your take on, know, you've got to basically build your own self-awareness and your own decisiveness as well.
Jaime Duggan (12:24)
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, I mean, you know, the coach for sure, absolutely having a coach help guide you, but also, you know, like who are you when nobody else is around? Who are you, you know, how do you, because you don't have a coach with you unless you live, unless you're married to one, which.
Amanda Kaufman (12:36)
Yeah, that's super.
my gosh, I don't recommend spousal coaching.
Jaime Duggan (12:57)
I don't recommend, wouldn't, you know, but you know what I'm saying. Like it's, you know, what are you doing in the other, all the other time? How do you show up? Like we have to be accountable to ourselves first and foremost.
Amanda Kaufman (13:11)
I think that's such a great point. There's 168 hours every single week and 167 of them are not spent in that one hour a week coaching session. So you're absolutely right. And you're the one that gets to live with your choices and the mistakes and the growths and the wins and all of that. And that's you 24-7. I love it. So Jamie, what...
What would you say has been your most valuable lesson about entrepreneurship and coaching so far?
Jaime Duggan (13:42)
One valuable lesson, there's only been a few.
Amanda Kaufman (13:44)
There's only been a few, okay, well then what's your favorite?
Jaime Duggan (13:47)
my.
Probably and this is gonna sound super It might sound conceited and it does I don't mean for it to be but like it's just not about me You know
Amanda Kaufman (13:56)
That's opposite of conceited. What are you saying?
Jaime Duggan (13:59)
Well, that's been the biggest lesson is like to stop worrying so much about myself. Like as I'm preparing for this keynote, I'm getting so in my head of like, my gosh, how am gonna come off and this and that? And it's like, no, it's not about you. It's about the other people, you know? But also, so that's like been a really big lesson in just how to develop as, and not that I ever was all about me, but like,
Amanda Kaufman (14:06)
I see.
Mm-hmm.
Jaime Duggan (14:30)
Thinking, you know, taking the pressure off in that way. Like it's not about you. They're not worried about you. They're worried about themselves. But then the entrepreneurship is just, you know, it's really shown me what I'm made of. It's shown me what I can do personally, professionally. It's a place where you can't really hide.
because the skeletons come out. Otherwise, you you're not gonna have a successful business. So really having to be honest with myself, you know, showing up whether I want to or not, which is not generally not a hard thing for me. I have a pretty strong work ethic, but still it's, you sometimes you rather not do that. You rather not show up, but.
Amanda Kaufman (15:01)
It's so true.
Yeah.
Yeah, I totally agree. think that entrepreneurship has been, for me, it's been such a reward of how hard can it get, but how good can it get, you know?
Jaime Duggan (15:35)
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
Amanda Kaufman (15:37)
Today's Canadian Thanksgiving, they were doing the recording. I think this will come out a little later than that. you know, it is a day of gratitude for me in particular. I like to reflect on that being a Canadian myself. And I was like my biggest gratitude that came to mind was when I was about 25, I had this recurring existential crisis thought.
of like, what if this is as good as it'll ever be? Like, what if I, you know, because I had succeeded to quite a high degree, but I wasn't feeling gratitude for it. I was feeling fearful that like that was that was it. That was all there was. And then I discovered that with entrepreneurship, it's like, my God, you can build.
massive companies, you could have tremendous impact. You could work with like so many people. And now I have like the opposite challenge, which is like, goodness, there's you know, there's so much to do. And there's so much to create. And there's so much impact to have. And, you know, I was thinking about that a lot today that, you know, entrepreneurship really has opened my eyes to just what all could be possible. And I love living in that world. I'd rather never hit the top of the mountain.
Jaime Duggan (16:32)
Mm-hmm.
Amanda Kaufman (16:50)
than live in the old world where I thought that that was it.
Jaime Duggan (16:54)
you hit the nail on the head. that is, it is, it's expanded my thinking. It's expanded the possibilities. It expands, you know, the people who you're around. Like it really is. It's an amazing opportunity that I am thankful for every single day. It's, you know, it's such a blessing to be able to, especially when people talk about
Amanda Kaufman (17:07)
Totally.
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yeah.
Jaime Duggan (17:21)
Work drama. I'm like, that sounds terrible.
Amanda Kaufman (17:24)
I know, right? Like that has shrunk so much in my rear view mirror. I'm like, yeah, that's terrible. And I don't relate to it the way I used to, that's for sure.
Jaime Duggan (17:33)
I'm really sorry you're having those struggles.
Amanda Kaufman (17:38)
Yeah, I love that. I love that. And I think like, kind of the watchouts that I found too on entrepreneurship is like we get to see just like, how resilient we must become in order to do this. But at the same time, I think it's so important not to identify with the struggle. You know, I know that that's a mistake that I for sure have made of just like, it's hard. It will always be hard.
It's you know, and that's just not the way of it. That's not that's not what is gonna help you move forward so Jamie Thank you so much for coming. Like what is the best way for people to follow you?
Jaime Duggan (18:07)
No, definitely.
You can find me on social media, on Facebook, Instagram at JamieDuggan and find my book Drama Free Health on Amazon.
Amanda Kaufman (18:25)
I love it. love it. Well, definitely we'll put the links below the video so that you can check it out or in the description in the show notes and listener, go ahead and leave a five star review for this amazing episode. Jamie has very kindly taken us behind the scenes on what it's been like to build her coaching business. That definitely doesn't suck. And so when you leave that five star review, it really makes it a lot easier for people to find the episode. And also go ahead and share this episode with three
of your friends, know, people that maybe you're thinking about writing that that book or they're thinking like maybe maybe this is too hard. Maybe they can't do it for them. They can do it. Absolutely. Right. We just talked about it. So go ahead and share this episode with your friends so that they can benefit from it. And don't forget to subscribe so you can enjoy another episode as soon as it releases. Thanks again, Jamie. And thank you, listener. We'll see you next time on the Amanda Kaufman show.
Jaime Duggan (19:15)
Thank you.
