Four Inane Questions with transformation coach Robin Ferguson

Photo Courtesy of Robin Ferguson

Transformation coach Robin Ferguson doesn’t do straight and narrow, which makes sense, considering she’s spent her life painting outside the box. From pediatric nurse to ordained interfaith minister to high-powered leadership coach, Ferguson’s path reads more like a choose-your-own-adventure story than a traditional career arc.

And she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Her secret? A deep belief in human potential, plus a toolbox that includes mindfulness, positive psychology, and just the right amount of sparkle. Whether she’s coaching execs, speaking at world-renowned conferences, or helping people reignite their purpose through her new, debut book The Phoenix Effect, Robin brings hard-earned insight to everything she does.

Oh, and did we mention she paints in France, Portugal, and Italy when inspiration strikes—because, of course, she does. Turns out empowering people isn’t her only art form.

We caught up with the motivational mover-and-shaker before her book tour to pepper her with our ridiculous questionnaire. While she was filling out answers, she got us to enroll in a college master’s program. Bless.

Photo Courtesy of Robin Ferguson

The Pitch: Admit it, what coaching term needs to be banished forever and ever… and ever?

Robin Ferguson: The term “accountability partner.” It sounds less like a professional coaching relationship and more like you’ve signed up for a forced therapy session with someone who’s judging your snack choices.

Why banish it? It implies a dynamic of constant policing rather than supporting genuine, self-driven progress. The coaching relationship is about building trust and seeing your clients as intelligent, powerful, and capable of making their own choices. Yes, I’m there to uplift, encourage, question, provide feedback, and also check in on progress.

If you were a type of cloud, what type of cloud would you be? 

I’d definitely be a towering cumulus cloud. It’s a cloud that offers a crystal-clear view of the earth below, yet simultaneously reaches skyward, always aspiring higher. I think that perfectly describes me. As a former nurse, I’m certainly a realist, grounded in the tangible world. But at the same time, I’ve always had the ability to see things from a higher perspective, with an understanding of what lies beyond the immediate.

And here’s the best part about those towering cumulus clouds: You never quite know if they’re just serenely drifting or if they’re about to gather their strength and transform into a powerful thunderstorm. They keep you guessing! I believe it’s always good for one to maintain a bit of mystery.

Finish this sentence: I spend entirely too much money on … 

Art supplies! You want to paint a mural on your wall? Need jewelry for a special occasion? Perhaps a clay sculpture for grandma’s birthday? I’ve got you covered.

It’s my mom’s fault. Being an amazing painter and creative, she had me knee deep in crayons before I was old enough to walk. And coloring books were never allowed because who wants to stay in the lines? She taught me to see beauty in the ordinary, to stop and appreciate how light hits an object, or to notice the myriad of colors found in every sunset.

What’s your favorite amusement park ride? 

Hands down, it’s that giant pirate ship swing. You know, the one where you sit on the end and get flung way up high, only to plummet back down with that fantastic tickle in your stomach?

That ride perfectly captures the feeling I’ve chased since childhood. Growing up, my family moved around a lot, and always being the new kid was very stressful. So, I found solace in the playground. I absolutely loved to swing, and the higher I could go, the better. There was something about getting that swing ridiculously high, then throwing my head back as I came down. It just made me feel so wild and free, like any worries were left behind on the ground, and I could just become part of the sky, soaring like a bird.