What does a sustainable performance coach do?

A sustainable performance coach helps high-achieving founders and students build systems and strategies for long-term performance without burnout. Ellyn Schinke diagnoses what's actually blocking performance before building anything — because motivation isn't the problem, design is.

What is the Heroics Economy?

The Heroics Economy is when a business only moves when the founder is in crisis mode — running on adrenaline instead of systems. It's a design problem, not a discipline problem. When heroics become the operating strategy, burnout is inevitable.

What is dependence by design in coaching?

Dependence by design is a coaching model built to keep clients paying rather than make them capable. Most coaching containers produce attachment instead of autonomy — the client feels supported inside the container but falls apart the moment they're on their own. Real coaching should make itself less necessary over time, not more.

What is the diagnostic-first methodology?

The diagnostic-first methodology means identifying what's actually blocking performance before building any solution. Most coaches sell generic frameworks to clients they've never assessed. Ellyn Schinke diagnoses the specific constraint first — whether that's a founder's business systems or a student's executive function — and builds the playbook around that.

What is Notion and why does it matter for founders?

Notion is an all-in-one productivity and automation app that can replace multiple disconnected tools in a founder's business. As a Notion Ambassador, Ellyn Schinke builds custom Notion systems for founders who need to get everything out of their head and into a structure that runs without them.

Does Coach Ellyn work with students as well as founders?

Yes. Ellyn Schinke works with both high-achieving founders and high-achieving students. The methodology is the same: diagnose what's blocking performance, build systems that fit how the person actually works, and create a sustainable path to long-term results. For students, this means academic tutoring, SAT and ACT prep, and executive function support.

What is work-life balance and why doesn't it work?

Work-life balance is a cultural frame that treats a structural load problem as a personal character flaw. It fails because it's vague by design — a standard you can never hit. The real model is load vs. resources: when your load exceeds your resources, the answer isn't better habits. It's reduce the load, increase the support, or redesign the system.

Coaching Agreement

This agreement ("Agreement") is between Coach Ellyn LLC, represented by Ellyn Schinke ("Coach"), and the person or business buying coaching or consulting services ("Client"). It takes effect on the date of purchase, booking or signature, whichever comes first.

1. Services

This Agreement covers coaching and consulting from Coach Ellyn LLC, including The Assist, The Assist Plus, The Huddle and Burnout-Proof Business. Details of your specific package (sessions, length, deliverables and price) are on the offer page, invoice or proposal you accepted, which is part of this Agreement.

The Franchise and any engagement with its own signed agreement is governed by that agreement. Where the two conflict, the signed agreement controls.

2. What coaching is and isn't

Coaching and consulting help with business, systems, workload and sustainable performance. They aren't therapy, counseling, medical care, or legal, financial or tax advice. Ellyn isn't a licensed therapist, psychologist, physician, attorney or financial advisor, and coaching doesn't diagnose or treat any condition.

If you're currently receiving medical or mental health care related to stress, burnout or mental health, please let Coach know before you start, so you can decide together whether coaching is the right fit now. Sharing this is voluntary. If something you raise is outside coaching's scope, Coach will say so and may suggest a licensed professional. If you're in crisis, call or text 988 in the U.S. or contact local emergency services.

3. Your health information

Anything health-related you share is used only to provide your services and is handled under our Consumer Health Data Privacy Policy. It's never used for marketing or advertising.

4. Scheduling and tools

Booking: sessions are booked through Coach's Google Calendar appointment links.
Calls: held on Google Meet.
Client portal: notes, resources and action items are shared in a Notion client portal.
Payment: invoices and purchases are paid through Stripe, PayPal or Squarespace Payments.

You agree to use these tools for scheduling, payments and session materials, and to keep your contact details current.

5. Cancellations and rescheduling

The Assist, The Assist Plus and The Huddle: cancel at least 48 hours before your session for a full refund. Inside 48 hours, you may reschedule once. Missed sessions aren't refunded.
Burnout-Proof Business: cancel anytime to stop your next renewal. You keep access through the end of the period you paid for; partial periods aren't refunded.

If Coach needs to cancel, you'll get as much notice as possible and a rescheduled session or refund for that session.

6. Payment

Payment is due as listed on your invoice or at checkout. No sessions take place until payment is made. Payment plans are a commitment to the full price. If a payment is more than 10 days late, remaining sessions are paused until it's paid.

7. Confidentiality

Both parties will keep confidential any non-public information learned during the work, using at least reasonable care. Coach may share information with contractors only as needed to deliver your services, and they're bound by the same confidentiality.

Coach may disclose information if required by law, or if Coach reasonably believes you or someone else is at imminent risk of serious harm. These obligations continue after the Agreement ends.

8. AI tools

Coach uses AI tools, including Notion AI and Anthropic's Claude, to help summarize session notes, draft documentation and build your systems. Coach uses these tools only with settings that prevent your information from being used to train AI models, and reviews AI-assisted work before sharing it with you.

If you'd prefer that Coach not use AI tools with your information, tell Coach in writing and Coach will honor that.

9. AI notetaker and recordings

Coach uses the Notion AI meeting notetaker on most calls to transcribe the conversation and capture action items. Coach will tell you at the start of each call when the notetaker is on, and you can ask for it to be turned off for any call or part of a call. Transcripts and summaries are stored privately in Notion and shared with you in your client portal.

Calls aren't video-recorded unless you ask. Coach will never publish a transcript, recording or any part of one without your written permission.

10. Testimonials and reviews

You're always free to share your honest opinion of Coach's services, anywhere. Coach may ask for a testimonial; giving one is optional. Coach will use your name, words, business name or results publicly only with your written permission, and will never change what you said in a way that alters its meaning.

11. Ownership

You own your business information, your content and your data, including what's in your Notion workspace. Coach keeps ownership of her pre-existing frameworks, templates and materials (including the READ framework).

Anything Coach builds for you comes with a permanent license to use, adapt and keep using it in your own business. You may not resell, publish or share Coach's materials or templates as your own product.

12. No guarantees

Coach will deliver the services as described, but can't guarantee specific results such as revenue, time saved or other outcomes. Results depend on many factors, including your participation and circumstances. Testimonials and examples aren't promises of what you'll achieve.

13. Limitation of liability

Services are provided "as is." To the fullest extent the law allows, Coach isn't liable for indirect, incidental or consequential damages, including lost profits or data. Coach's total liability under this Agreement won't exceed the fees you paid for the services involved.

Coach is not responsible for the services of any third party Coach recommends.

14. Indemnification

Each party will cover the other's losses, claims and reasonable attorneys' fees caused by its own negligence, willful misconduct or material breach of this Agreement.

15. Disputes and governing law

Washington law governs this Agreement. If a dispute can't be resolved through good-faith negotiation, it will be settled by binding arbitration through the American Arbitration Association, in Olympia, Washington, or by phone or video. The arbitrator's decision is final and may be entered in any court with jurisdiction.

16. Entire agreement

This Agreement, together with your accepted offer page, invoice or proposal and the Terms & Conditions, is the entire agreement between you and Coach. Any change must be in writing and agreed to by both parties. If any part is found unenforceable, the rest stays in effect. Purchasing, booking or signing means you've read and agree to this Agreement.