Jen Medders Of Next Level Wealth On The Top 5 Trends Shaping the Future of Coaching

An Interview With Chad Silverstein

Trainings: Bringing coaching to a corporate setting to focus on productivity and overall wellness. This will support leaders in addressing their wellness and potential burnout triggers to promote longer-term employees, ultimately leading to more satisfaction and higher productivity.

The world of coaching is undergoing a seismic shift, with emerging trends set to redefine its boundaries and possibilities. From digital transformation and the integration of artificial intelligence to the growing emphasis on mental health and the global rise of coaching cultures within organizations, these developments are reshaping the landscape of personal and professional growth. As we navigate through these changes, understanding the forces that drive the future of coaching becomes paramount. I had the pleasure of interviewing Jen Medders.

Jen Medders is the CEO of Next Level Wealth and an Executive Coach. Jen has always been passionate about supporting others, and started her career working in the mental health field in XX year, specifically supporting children and families. It was there that Jen discovered her love of coaching others to achieve what they once thought impossible. In 2008, Jen pursued further education in coaching, becoming a certified coach through the International Coaching Academy.

Jen left the mental health field to pursue a career in real estate, and quickly became a leader and mentor to others in the field. At the height of her career in real estate, Jen was the CEO of a successful real estate team, as well as a business coach in a corporate setting that focused on supporting others in scaling their real estate businesses.

All of these invaluable experiences helped Jen get clear about her passion for supporting executives and entrepreneurs. She has always had a leadership focus and genuine interest in helping people and noticed a void in the marketplace for a unique type of executive coaching. Jen’s proprietary technique marries her experience in mental health, her innate support and listening skills, which ultimately led her to embark on her own business. She wanted to create a space without limits, where clients could get the support they need to live their lives at the highest and most effective level possible. It was in 2021 that Jen opened the doors to Next Level Wealth, where she offers a holistic, whole life/whole person approach to executive coaching. Jen focuses on time and energy management, leverage, grace, seeing challenges as opportunities, and helping her clients move past a mistake or failure to ultimately achieve success.

With Jen’s support, hundreds of executives and entrepreneurs have changed their mindset and developed systems and strategies that have exponentially increased their wealth, helped them create leverage, and enhance their overall life satisfaction. Her goal for her clients is to achieve “harmony” and fulfillment in every aspect of their life, both professionally and personally.

Jen lives in Western North Carolina with her significant other, Brent, where they parent and support their eight (yes eight!) children. Jen literally walks the walk and talks the talk — when she coaches you on systems and leverage to support a busy life, you know it’s coming from her own experience in creating a successful business and family life. Jen’s method of leading is coaching is by being honest, vulnerable and real, which helps her and her clients create clear, intentional goals.

Jen’s other loves and hobbies include traveling, spending time with her friends and family, taking long walks with a good podcast, and quiet downtime to recharge at the beach or the mountains.

To start, could you share your “origin story” with our readers? How did you begin your coaching journey, and what challenges did you face in the early days?

I’ve been coaching and teaching since I was a young child with my pretend school and stuffed animal students. What I realize now is that no matter what my job has been, underneath it all I’ve always been a coach. My first official career was in the mental health field, working with children and families. During that time, I was already raising two children and then adopted three more from the foster care system. I realized I wanted to make the coaching official, and the natural place to begin was as a parent coach–so in 2008 I received my coaching certification, and the rest is history!

In 2012 I transitioned from mental health to real estate, and it wasn’t long before local agents started to seek me out for business and real estate coaching. I was then hired by my real estate firm to provide coaching to agents across the country. I had a high success and retention rate and made great money, yet something was still missing for me. I knew I wanted to do it my way and create something truly unique, something that honored the whole person. I needed to step away from prescribed cookie cutter methods and allow myself the freedom to create a new model of coaching that truly honored my values and the uniqueness of every individual I work with. And so, in 2021, Next Level Wealth Coaching was born.

There were so many challenges in those early days–finding the right leverage, taking calculated risks and hoping they paid off, the anxiety of building a whole new business yet again…and I can wholeheartedly say it’s been worth it. I’m grateful that many of my former clients sought me out when they heard about Next Level Wealth, which gave me the confidence and the immediate cash flow I needed to open my doors.

When I first started coaching, a skill I developed over time was truly listening to my clients. I learned to listen for what they weren’t saying and what the problem is below the surface. I had to also identify the ideal client and demographic that works best for my approach to coaching. In the beginning, I didn’t have the flexibility to take whoever I wanted. I learned different styles of coaching and it really helped me expand and be adaptable to coaching all types of people.

You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

1). Honesty.

One of the first things I tell a new client or business contact is this: you’ll never have to wonder what I’m thinking. Honesty–with myself and others–is the foundation of my integrity as a coach and as a human. I’m not here to be a cheerleader, I’m here to be a truth-teller. If someone is looking for validation, they can call a friend. They’re paying me because they want to grow and change, and I’m doing a disservice to them if all I do is tell them how amazing they are. The only way I can truly gain a client’s trust is through radical honesty, and they soon come to know that my directness is the best possible way I can support them in reaching their highest goals.

2). Relatability.

I have a strong memory of my mom taking me for a haircut as a child and the stylist talking about how I have that “girl next door” look. At the time, I felt hurt by this–who wants to hear that they’re the girl next door, the plain Jane? I wanted to be special and unique! I realized as I got older that this is one of my superpowers. I’m relatable to a whole lot of people, which allows my clients to see themselves in me. My success looks like–because it IS–a kind of success you can attain for yourself. People like to make up stories about why others are successful–they must just be lucky, they were born with money, they’re so gorgeous people just give them what they want, they’re SPECIAL. In my experience, there are 2 types of coaches: The Guru and The Relator. I have no interest in being a guru, so a perception of “specialness” doesn’t get in the way in my coaching relationships. The attitude is very much, “I did this and I’m not that special, therefore YOU can do this too.”

3). Resilience.

I’ve had a lot of privilege in my life, and I’ve also been dealt many rough hands. I’ve pushed through hard situations to get to the other side more times than I can count. At times it felt impossible, and yet I keep moving forward. I’ve gained a reputation for an iron will. However, at this point in my life and career, I’d rather think about it in terms of resilience. Is it possible to do hard things in easier ways? To move forward without pushing so hard? For me, being resilient means showing up for myself and others in a way that is sustainable, in ways that are life-affirming rather than life-draining.

Can you share your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Why does that resonate with you so much?

“Find out who you are and do it on purpose.” — Dolly Parton

Every day you have a choice about how you’re going to show up. Your actions are what define your character. So who do you want to be? Who do you SAY you are? Show up that way, every single day, and prove it.

What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? How do you think that might help people?

We just had our third retreat in May, and we’re already planning our 2025 retreat in Costa Rica. Retreats are a LOT of work for the people planning it–so much so that we strongly considered taking a break from it after our second one. Our clients were not having it! It made me realize just how impactful our retreats are for our clients. We’ve also added another coach to our team, and between the three of us, we can cover just about any issue a potential client might be struggling with. That’s so exciting to me, because I want to be a coaching company where you have options for the absolute best fit, and we’re at the place where the unique strengths the three of us have can make that happen.

Without saying any names could you share a particularly memorable success story from your coaching career?

There was someone I knew peripherally in our real estate community who started her own business. When I learned more about her and the business, I was so clear that I could help her grow. This woman is smart and ambitious, and she just needed someone who believed in her and could challenge her in the right ways. In 2021 she was making $150K–and in 2024 she’s on track to make over $800K. She’s my ideal client — she comes in ready to work and seeks feedback. Through leverage, systems, and good hiring practices, she’s seen her growth and revenue skyrocket! Not only that, she now works HALF as much as she did before–that’s the beauty of leverage. She’s built an incredible reputation in the community and has become the go-to company for the services she provides.

How has your approach to coaching evolved over the years, and what personal learnings have you applied to your own development?

My coaching has evolved so much, as it should! I’m constantly learning and growing and being mentored and coached by others. One of the most helpful skills I’ve developed is how to recognize if someone is ready for coaching, in particular 1:1 coaching. Not everyone is ready for that level of accountability, and I don’t want to set people up for disappointment if they’re not ready.

I’d say my biggest lesson, both personally and professionally, is that productivity is secondary to having these three things: a growth mindset, time management skills, and leverage. In my experience, productivity is a byproduct of those three things. A lot of coaches focus on the desired end result and work backwards from there. However, it’s not always possible to be certain of that end result–I’ve learned to focus more on who someone is in order to support them in achieving their desired outcomes. My coaching approach is about going deeper…listening not only to what a client is saying, but also to what they’re NOT saying. The client’s presenting problem is very rarely the actual problem.

How do you incorporate feedback into your coaching practice to continuously improve?

We offer surveys periodically to get client and stakeholder feedback, and we ask for written feedback after all of our offerings. At the end of every coaching call, we name the value the client is walking away with and what action steps they’ll take before our next call.

We aren’t going to ask our clients to do something we aren’t willing to do–seeking feedback is so important, and the more we seek constructive feedback and learn from it, the more comfortable it becomes.

Can you discuss an innovation in coaching that you believe is currently under appreciated but has the potential to significantly impact the field?

The idea that coaching is a gift, or an opportunity rather than a consequence of poor performance is an important innovation we’re seeing emerge. In the past corporations tended to hire coaches when employees were underperforming, hoping to remove barriers and support them in performing at a higher level. Unfortunately, this was often seen as punitive, and employees felt like they were “in trouble.”

We’re starting to see that narrative shift to a more proactive approach–companies and teams are starting to understand that people who are already performing well can benefit from coaching. Coaching can help people go from average performers to high performers in a sustainable way, and it also supports people in avoiding or resolving burnout. Coaching is no longer just about productivity–the best coaching asks the question “How do we get to our goals in a way that’s repeatable and sustainable for the long haul?” Answering this question is what ultimately drives increased production and revenue.

In what ways can coaching address the evolving mental health needs of diverse populations in a digitally connected world?

Our world is digitally connected now more than ever before, and I believe it’s beneficial to have a coach with a mental health background. Having a mental health background can make coaching even more accessible and beneficial to a client, depending on their unique needs and goals. My wide breadth of experience has served me so well– I’m able to tailor my approach to each client’s learning style and recognize when they could benefit from the kind of support a therapist can provide.

How do you foresee artificial intelligence and machine learning transforming the coaching industry in the next decade?

We have so many additional opportunities to utilize leverage with additional AI on the scene. Clients seeking my coaching services are often on the verge of burnout and wildly underleveraged. AI gives business owners and executives the opportunity to do more in significantly less time. The key is to use this newly gained time wisely. Many people put leverage in place to gain back time, then pack their calendars full of other tasks. We live in a culture that deifies “busyness,” and it’s a constant struggle to fight back against that paradigm.

It’s helpful to have a coach supporting you not only in putting the right leverage in place, but also showing you how to maximize that leverage to create more revenue with less output and stress.

What role do you believe ethical considerations and privacy concerns will play in the future of coaching, especially with the increased use of digital platforms?

We need more standards for ethical practice. Right now, it’s the wild west–anyone can hang out their shingle and be a coach, with zero experience or training. Privacy and confidentiality are so important, and essential for creating a trusting relationship with a client. I will never reveal someone’s information unless they’ve allowed me to do so. This is another situation where my background in mental health is so helpful– privacy and confidentiality are legally mandated and of the utmost importance. Whenever there is a low barrier of entry, you run the risk of potential ethical differences in the way people operate. Having agreed upon standards would support ethical practices and hold coaches accountable.

Could you list and briefly explain “Top 5 Trends Shaping the Future of Coaching” based on your experiences and insights? If you can, please share a story or example for each.

1. Sustainability: How do you maintain your growth year after year without burnout?

2. Overall wellness: Clients are more than their numbers; a holistic approach actually supports more productivity

3. Professionalism: The need for standards and certification

4. Virtual offerings: Leading to a greater reach and the ability to offer a variety of services and price points to consumers

5. Trainings: Bringing coaching to a corporate setting to focus on productivity and overall wellness. This will support leaders in addressing their wellness and potential burnout triggers to promote longer-term employees, ultimately leading to more satisfaction and higher productivity.

How do you envision the integration of coaching within organizational cultures changing the landscape of leadership and employee development?

Managing people and coaching people are two different things. In the past people have married the two. A manager who is responsible for coaching is also mentoring. Adding a third-party coach can help people feel supported without the fear of affecting existing or future job opportunities. Coaching allows for a holistic approach to growth, and I believe an employee cannot be as open and forthright with a manager who is financially tied to their success or failure. There is an innate conflict of interest, and the skill set required for coaching is different from the skill set required for management. Everyone has their own expertise, and it’s more effective to stay in your lane.

What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the coaching industry today, and how might we overcome it?

The lack of regulation is really challenging in this industry. More standards of practice and regulations would give coaching, and certified coaches, more legitimacy and credibility. As a consumer seeking coaching, you don’t know what you don’t know. You have to be savvy and knowledgeable to get the information you need about potential coaches you’re looking to hire. Some coaches lack the experience and training to back up what they claim, and they end up over promising and under delivering. This must shift to coaching to get the credibility it deserves.

What is one long-term goal you have for your coaching practice, and how are you working towards it?

I am looking to grow great coaches. I have a strong belief that coaches can have a huge impact on individuals, groups and communities. Highly skilled coaches understand how to move someone through challenges, and how to look underneath the presenting issue to find the limiting belief or barriers that are blocking them from moving forward. My intention is to add two more coaches to my company by the end of 2024. I offer a coach camp course several times a year to support coaches and leaders and use it as an opportunity to find talent for Next Level Wealth as well.

How can our readers continue to follow your work?

Please visit our website or contact us to learn more!

About the interviewer: Chad Silverstein is a seasoned entrepreneur and thought-leader. With over 25 years of business experience, Chad’s entire career has been dedicated to creating a positive social impact in all of his enterprises. His entrepreneurial journey began while in college at The Ohio State University, where he founded Choice Recovery, Inc., which earned national recognition and was twice ranked as the #1 company to work for in Central Ohio. Chad is now a strategic advisor for Authority Magazine’s thought-leader incubator and an Executive Leadership Coach with Built to Lead, where he recently launched an online community for leadership development.

To learn more and connect with Chad, visit www.chadsilverstein.io