Introducing Beth Goddard: Facilitator, Connector, and Coach
In this edition of Journeys in Coaching, we’re delighted to feature Beth Goddard—a facilitator, connector, and coach known for her dynamic approach to personal growth and leadership. Beth co-founded Firefly Future Ltd., which amongst other things delivers an 8 week coaching programme, using the power of Adventure as the vehicle for learning. Beth and her colleagues are on a mission to support people on their journeys of self-discovery and transformation. Additionally, she serves as a facilitator for Engineers Without Borders and is a faculty member at Lumina Learning, where she applies her expertise in psychometrics and leadership development.
People have described Beth as purposeful, playful, and highly present, bringing a unique energy to her work. Her experience spans multiple sectors, and her approach is grounded in authenticity, a commitment to personal growth, and a profound belief in people’s capacity to change. “For me, it’s about helping people see who they are and what they’re capable of,” she explains.
The Path to Coaching: From Facilitation to Firefly Adventures
Beth’s journey to becoming a coach began with her roots in facilitation. Early in her career, she developed her skills working with youth and community groups in arts management. “My career started with storytelling and creativity, and that gave me a foundation in connecting and communicating with people,” she shares. Working with hundreds of young people through youth theatre, Beth learned how to hold space, set clear objectives, and foster group dynamics—skills that became essential in her later coaching work.
Though coaching wasn’t initially in her plans, a chance encounter changed her path. “I was already doing natural coaching as a facilitator, but it wasn’t formalised,” she explains. After being asked about her coaching credentials for a project, Beth sought formal training and discovered the Animas Centre for Coaching. “Animas’ approach resonated with me. It looked at the person as a whole, which felt congruent with who I am,” she recalls. She went on to gain her ACC with the International Coaching Federation and is now working towards her PCC, finding that coaching helped her sharpen her skills and deepen her self-awareness.
Firefly Adventures: Learning through Challenge
Beth’s unique coaching programme, Firefly Adventures, emerged from her own personal experiences of growth through physical challenges. The concept for Firefly took shape during a period of significant life change, which included a challenging divorce. A spontaneous agreement with a friend to “climb a mountain” became a powerful metaphor for navigating difficulties, prompting Beth to explore physical adventures as a tool for self-discovery.
Firefly Adventures offers an eight-week programme that combines coaching, adventure, and personal challenge. Each week focuses on a different theme, such as exploring one’s relationship with challenge, preparing for obstacles, and integrating the lessons learned. “Our programme helps people meet themselves authentically, because the Mountains, metaphorical or literal, will always reveal what’s present,” Beth explains. “It’s then about looking in the mirror and asking, ‘What am I capable of?’”
The programme includes a four-day residential experience where participants embark on a curated physical adventure designed to push boundaries. Beth and her business partner Gil, a mountain leader, guide participants through activities that promote personal growth and reflection. “What we’re seeing is that by connecting mind, body, emotion and spirit in the context of challenge, people can effectively fast-track their own personal growth,” she says.
Coaching Philosophy: Presence, Reflection, and Inner Strength
Beth’s coaching style is informed by a commitment to helping individuals to connect with their true selves. “One of my gifts as a coach is being fully present with clients, reflecting back to them what they may not see in themselves,” she explains. This process, she believes, is essential to enable individuals to build a stronger relationship with themselves, and others.
The focus on self-awareness and presence is core to her approach. “I want to support people to be the best version of themselves, and that starts with self-reflection,” she notes. Through her work, she encourages clients to look inward, understanding that meaningful change often starts from within. “It’s about working from the inside out, helping people make changes in themselves that ripple outward into their relationships and communities.”
Beth credits her coaching practice, along with her facilitation work, for shaping her ability to hold space for others in challenging contexts. “Coaching has changed my life and my professional practice in ways that I could never have anticipated,” she says.
Supporting Growth through Group Facilitation
With her background in facilitation, Beth brings unique insights to her group coaching and adventure programmes. She believes that powerful change happens when people come together, share experiences, and learn from each other. “When a group of people with shared intentions gathers, the potential for growth multiplies,” she observes.
Beth’s facilitation approach balances structure with flexibility. She sets clear objectives whilst allowing room for the group’s organic development. “Once you set the framework, you can let the process unfold naturally. There’s a kind of magic in bringing the right people together and giving them the space to learn from and grow with each other,” she explains. Her advice to those new to facilitation is simple: “Just do it. Create the framework, set your intentions, and trust the process.”
The Transformative Power of Firefly Adventures
The Firefly Adventures programme has already produced profound results for its participants. Beth recalls a recent participant who struggled with using their voice. “By week four, they had already begun using their voice in ways they never thought possible,” she shares. Another participant found clarity around the importance of setting boundaries, realising they had been overcommitting in ways that didn’t serve their well-being. “Each person’s journey is unique, but the mountains always reveal what’s really present,” Beth reflects.
The programme’s structure—combining somatic experiences with reflective practices—enables participants to integrate their learning on a deeper level. “There’s something about a full-body experience that accelerates growth. When people face a challenge physically, it can unlock insights that might take much longer to reach through conversation alone,” Beth explains.
Learning and Community at Animas
Beth’s journey as a coach was significantly shaped by her training with Animas. The structure of the programme and the support of her cohort played a crucial role in her development. “I found Animas’ presence module particularly powerful,” she notes. Beth was able to connect with like-minded coaches, forming a triad with two fellow students that continues as a supportive friendship today.
Reflecting on her experience, Beth acknowledges the lasting impact of Animas on her professional approach. “Animas helped me understand the boundaries between coaching and facilitation, and it strengthened my ability to let clients lead their own journey,” she shares.
Future Focus and Closing Thoughts
Looking ahead, Beth has ambitious plans for Firefly Adventures, with plans to offer additional programmes each year. She envisions Firefly as a platform for ongoing transformation, not only for individuals but also for teams and organisations alike who are looking to develop the next generation of highly resilient leaders. “We’re continually learning from each group and refining our approach to meet their needs,” she says.
For Beth, the ultimate goal is to support people in becoming the best versions of themselves, both personally and professionally. “If we can help people connect with their strengths and understand their potential, we’re contributing to a more resilient, compassionate world,” she explains.
To learn more about Beth’s work, you can connect with her on LinkedIn and visit her website FireflyAdventures.co.uk.
