“One of the things that Nature has taught both of us, and I’d say many of my clients, is to see and feel the seasons. This is a winter. This is tragic. This is end. This is death. Like the leaves have fallen. It’s deep, dark winter, and you know what there’s a glimmer of spring out there”
From a whistle and a whisper of wind in the south Sierra mountains in California, a symphony of sirens in Trafalgar Square, London and the rolling hills around Lake Garda, Russ transports us on a journey through time and space as he shares childhood influencers who’ve shaped his life’s work and insights into his coaching practice.
Transformational and performance coach, integral facilitator, adjunct professor at Georgetown University and Bocconi University, wilderness guide and practising Buddhist, Russ brings over thirty years of experience to help leaders and teams be nature bold and unlock their deepest potential through both structured coaching and immersive outdoor experiences.
Russ openly reveals his thoughts and stories about how the pain from breaking his back (not once, but twice…) and tackling crazy endurance events has shaped his identity and mindset to deepen his coaching relationships and practice; the concepts and connections of ‘I’, ‘we’ and ‘it’ within the wider ecosystem and coaching process; and the need for coaches to embrace the dark side of human nature.
From a plant to an insect, or a speck of dust that’s swirling on a little thermal in his office, Russ challenges us to find the awe and joy in the moment. Plus we touch on the three Bs of business, brand and balance, the benefit of collaborative partnerships with other outdoor and nature-connected coaches and the need to be truly authentic within ourselves and our coaching.
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Our guest
Russ Watts is a transformational and performance coach, integral facilitator, and nature-based partner who helps leaders and teams unlock their deepest potential through both structured coaching and immersive outdoor experiences. With over 30 years of experience, Russ has worked with executives, leadership teams, and changemakers worldwide, from NASA to the World Bank, guiding them toward greater clarity, resilience, and impact.
Blending his expertise in executive leadership, health & wellness coaching, and team dynamics, Russ creates engaging, experiential learning environments that inspire transformation. Whether in a boardroom or on a mountainside, he invites clients to explore their inner landscapes while challenging their perceived limits.
A lifelong adventurer, Russ has led teams through remote wilderness expeditions, facilitated leadership growth through mountaineering, kayaking, and via ferrata, and helped clients reconnect with instinct, intuition, and embodied leadership. He believes that true transformation happens at the edge of discomfort, where challenge meets self-discovery.
As an adjunct professor at Georgetown University and Bocconi University, he teaches leadership and coaching with the same depth and curiosity he brings to the wild. Whether guiding leaders through high-stakes decisions or high-altitude trails, Russ’s approach is one of wisdom seeking, adventure, and deep human connection.
