Caryn Walsh has dedicated her life to coaching and leadership development, guiding individuals and organizations toward growth and transformation. From a young age, she aspired to run her own business, and when the opportunity arose, she founded Pure Magic International Business Solutions. Initially focused on training and facilitation, the company expanded into strategic planning, organizational development, and leadership coaching on an international scale. Today, she and her team work extensively in Australia and the South Pacific, with a significant presence in Fiji for over 14 years. At EliteX, we are proud to have Caryn Walsh as part of the edition: Transformational Female Coaches to Follow, 2025.
Caryn Walsh | Leadership Development Specialist | Pure Magic International Business Solutions
As an executive coach, Caryn believes in helping clients grow not just in their professional lives but as individuals. She emphasizes that business is just one part of life, and coaching principles apply across all aspects of personal and professional development. Her journey into leadership and coaching began when she was just 23 years old. In her role in Organizational Development and Communications, she was unexpectedly tasked with leading 600 people. Although she initially felt unprepared, this experience became a defining moment, shaping her coaching philosophy and leadership approach.
“Mindset is all about attitude—good or bad.”
Beyond executive coaching, Caryn is also an accredited life coach, dedicated to helping individuals design and achieve fulfilling lives. With extensive experience as a registered counselor and psychotherapist for over 25 years, she supports clients in building stronger marriages, happier families, and more fulfilling personal relationships. Her approach is centered around transformation, empowering people to take control of their lives and make meaningful changes.
Coaching, for Caryn, was not a planned career path but something she naturally gravitated toward. With strong communication skills and an innate ability to connect with people of all ages, she found herself in positions of leadership early on. Over time, she realized that coaching is fundamentally about transformation—helping people feel empowered and take control of their lives. One of her proudest moments as a coach was in 2016 when a CEO she had been coaching was named the Australian CEO of the Year. This experience reinforced her belief that success in any field, including coaching, is deeply rooted in strong relationships and authentic connections.
Her coaching specialty spans both business and life coaching, with a focus on helping individuals assess their strengths and areas for growth. She has worked with CEOs, managers, young professionals, and even teenagers, making her expertise applicable across various life stages. A colleague once described her specialty as “LIFE,” a description she finds fitting given her qualifications and experience in counseling, psychology, business, leadership, and team development. Transformation in coaching, according to Caryn, is about change—helping people move from their current state to a better version of themselves. She compares it to a flower bud blossoming with the right amount of care, sunlight, and nourishment. Coaching provides the support, knowledge, and tools necessary for individuals to thrive in their personal and professional lives.
Over the years, Caryn has witnessed many success stories. One such case was with a senior manager in Fiji whose CEO sought her help in improving his time management and confidence. Through an eight-month coaching program, which included a 360-degree feedback tool, reading assignments, and practical exercises, he transformed into a more confident and effective leader. His growth was so significant that within a year, he was recruited into a higher-ranking position in a large international organization. Another success story involved a couple who struggled with communication and frequent arguments. Through a structured coaching approach over nine months, they learned essential relationship skills, leading to a much stronger and happier marriage. Even years later, they attribute their relationship success to their coaching experience with Caryn.
“To succeed in business and life, you must learn to back yourself.”
The biggest challenge many of Caryn’s clients face is a lack of strong people skills, whether in leadership roles or personal relationships. Many struggle with effective communication, empathy, and building meaningful connections. For women, in particular, self-doubt and low confidence remain prevalent challenges, even at senior leadership levels. She frequently encounters Imposter Syndrome among women in business, though men are not entirely exempt from it. Her advice is simple yet powerful: To succeed, one must learn to believe in oneself. Confidence is key to personal and professional success.
As a coach, Caryn takes a creative and adaptable approach, drawing from her diverse experience in leadership and counseling. She likens her method to a smorgasbord, selecting the best tools and techniques suited to each client’s needs. While structured tools like 360-degree feedback and reflective practice are essential, she also believes in respectfully challenging clients when necessary. If she senses that someone is not being entirely honest with themselves or is in denial, she addresses it in a sensitive yet direct manner. She sees coaching as a transformational process that sometimes requires difficult but necessary conversations to facilitate growth.
Staying motivated as a coach, according to Caryn, starts with personal motivation. She believes that a coach must embody the principles they teach—maintaining energy, enthusiasm, and a positive outlook. For her, a balanced life includes regular exercise, a healthy diet (with a love for Cadbury’s chocolate), quality sleep, and a “can-do” attitude. She firmly believes that maintaining a healthy body, mind, and soul is essential for being an effective coach and leader.
Mindset plays a critical role in transformation. Caryn emphasizes that attitude shapes one’s experiences—those who see life as a series of obstacles will face continuous struggles, while those who view challenges as opportunities will attract growth and success. She refers to this as the law of manifestation, where one’s mindset directly influences their reality. Attitude is one of the few aspects of life that individuals can control, making it essential to cultivate a positive and growth-oriented perspective.
Balancing coaching, leadership, and personal life is not easy, especially for those with families. Coaching is both cognitively and emotionally demanding, requiring a strong sense of balance. Caryn draws inspiration from Steven Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” particularly the principle that humans must nurture their cognitive, physical, social-emotional, and spiritual well-being daily. Finding this balance requires planning, commitment, and the willingness to prioritize what truly matters in life.
For women aspiring to become coaches, Caryn’s advice is to first get their own lives in order. She emphasizes the importance of continuous education, mastering proven coaching techniques, and maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Confidence remains a significant hurdle for many women, and she encourages them to believe in themselves fully. Without self-belief, success becomes an uphill battle. Caryn draws inspiration from thought leaders like Steven Covey and personal development coach Mel Robbins. She appreciates Robbins’ practical approach to coaching and often integrates her insights into her own work. A key resource that shaped Caryn’s journey is Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” a book she credits with transforming her outlook and approach to life and leadership.
“Coaching is about taking today’s reality into tomorrow’s difference.”
Looking ahead, Caryn sees coaching and personal development as a growing field. Executive coaching, in particular, is becoming a vital tool for businesses, with research showing that it significantly enhances confidence, performance, and leadership skills. She believes that professional and personal growth are interconnected—when a person grows in one area, it positively impacts all aspects of their life. Statistics support this, with the global personal development market expected to reach $86.54 billion by 2033, highlighting the increasing demand for coaching services.
For those looking to connect with Caryn, she is available on LinkedIn and through her website, http://www.puremagicbusiness.com.au. Whether for personal growth, professional development, or leadership coaching, she remains committed to helping individuals and organizations thrive.