About John Snowden Coaching

Welcome. I'm John Snowden. My work is dedicated to a single, powerful idea: that true, meaningful change comes not from focusing on the problem, but from transforming the person facing it.

For over 35 years, my career was rooted in the logical, structured world of chartered accountancy. On the surface, coaching seems a world away. Yet, my journey into this field was sparked by a profound personal experience—a realisation that the most significant shifts in our lives often begin with a change in our internal landscape.

If you're here, you may be feeling stuck, facing a barrier, or simply sensing that there is a more fulfilling way to navigate your life and work. I'm here to help you discover that way forward.

My passion for coaching stems from a pivotal moment in my own life. The first time I received coaching, I experienced a turning point. It wasn't a sudden flash of lightning, but a gradual yet irreversible shift in my perspective. What had once seemed like an immovable obstacle simply melted away.

This is the magic I love to witness in my clients. It’s that moment of clarity when a new perspective dawns, and the energy tied up in a problem is released for something more creative and positive.

What I find most extraordinary is that this change is never isolated. When we work on a specific aspect of your life—be it in your career, your relationships, or your personal growth—the transformation ripples outwards. The new awareness and confidence you gain don't just stay with you; they are felt by your colleagues, your family, and your friends. One person’s positive shift contributes to the wellbeing of many.

In a world facing significant challenges, where generational trauma and reactivity often seem to dominate, I believe deeply in the power of this work. Coaching offers a more conscious, more enlightened way to respond to life's pressures. It is a quiet but powerful push-back against the divisive forces at play, one person at a time.

The word ‘coaching’ can mean many things. It is often associated with training a specific skill, like giving a presentation or writing a CV. While my work is designed to have a tangible impact on your real-world challenges, my focus is different.

My focus is on you.

Time and again, I see that when we are stuck, it’s because we are caught in a loop of cognitive thinking, analysing the external situation or the other people involved. We can think about a problem for days, weeks, or even years, but if that thinking hasn't led to a solution, it's a sign that the answer lies elsewhere. We cannot change someone who isn’t in the room.

The only person we can truly change is ourselves.

It is only by shifting our own feelings, responses, and perspectives that we can alter the dynamic, become unstuck, and achieve a different result. My role as your coach is to create a safe, supportive space where you can unravel these internal responses. Together, we move the focus from the external "problem" to your internal experience. From this place, profound shifts occur, empowering you to move forward where before you could not.

My unique path gives me a blend of pragmatic, real-world experience and deep psychological understanding. For over 35 years, I have run my own chartered accountancy practice, serving individuals and businesses. This has given me a solid grounding in the practical challenges people face in their professional and personal lives.

To complement this experience, I have pursued rigorous, ongoing professional development in the art and science of coaching:

• MSc in Psychological Coaching from the renowned Metanoia Institute.
• Initial training with the leading global organisation, Performance Consultants International.
• Advanced training in Psychosynthesis Leadership Coaching.
• Accredited by the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC), a mark of my commitment to the highest professional and ethical standards.

This dual background allows me to hold a space that is both empathetic and grounded, helping you create change that is not only deeply personal but also practical and sustainable.

My coaching is effective whether we meet face-to-face or remotely, offering flexibility to suit your needs.

Coaching in Oxfordshire I see clients in person at The Practice Rooms in Summertown, Oxford, where I have a regular presence on Wednesdays. These calm and confidential rooms provide a perfect environment for focused work. Appointments may be available on other days, subject to availability. I can also travel to your home or office if that is more convenient.

Remote Coaching – Online or by Phone Meeting online via Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet is a highly effective and flexible option, saving travel time and costs while still allowing for a strong visual connection. We can still achieve a surprising amount of dynamic and interactive work in this format.

Alternatively, some clients find coaching by phone to be incredibly powerful. By removing the visual element, the channel is narrowed to voice only. For many, this removes distraction and enhances focus, allowing for a uniquely deep and insightful interaction.