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.

Check out some client love...

Are you a former client?!
I’d greatly appreciate a review of our time together…

Click the button below to fill out the testimonial + feedback form…

Ellyn Schinke | Head Coach, Tutor, & Notion Nerd 3/7/22 Ellyn Schinke | Head Coach, Tutor, & Notion Nerd 3/7/22

Anonymous

You have to put your own oxygen mask on before you can take care of others…’ [I started off feeling] exhausted, emotional and at my wits end. As a people pleaser who thrived off validation, the word ‘no’ wasn’t part of my vocabulary. … Thank you Ellyn, I wouldn’t be where I am now without you!

anonymous corporate client, 1-on-1 coaching

Ellyn Schinke | Head Coach, Tutor, & Notion Nerd 5/31/19 Ellyn Schinke | Head Coach, Tutor, & Notion Nerd 5/31/19

Nicole Hudson

“[Coaching] was well worth the investment in myself! ….Ellyn has a wealth of knowledge and is continuously learning new techniques …and does an incredible job of picking up patterns, pushing you to dig one level deeper while supporting you through the emotional tides….

- NICOLE HUDSON

Ellyn Schinke | Head Coach, Tutor, & Notion Nerd 3/27/19 Ellyn Schinke | Head Coach, Tutor, & Notion Nerd 3/27/19

Gunther Oakey

“Ellyn is a student and teacher of human potential. I started her program with a motley rumpus of ideas, hopes, frustrations, and aspirations. By the end, I had a plan, a timeline, and a clear sense of purpose that excited me…I look forward to learning more from her in the future.”

-GUNTHER OAKEY

Ellyn Schinke | Head Coach, Tutor, & Notion Nerd 3/26/19 Ellyn Schinke | Head Coach, Tutor, & Notion Nerd 3/26/19

Annie Jacobsen

“…You were exactly what I needed. You helped me take these huge, lofty, seemingly unattainable goals and break them into mini tasks…I honestly didn’t know what to expect, or what I was truly hoping to gain, and it blew me away how valuable [this] was…”

-ANNIE JACOBSEN

Ellyn Schinke | Head Coach, Tutor, & Notion Nerd 3/26/19 Ellyn Schinke | Head Coach, Tutor, & Notion Nerd 3/26/19

Jeroen Nieuwenhuijzen

“I was stuck and very discontented with my job. I had an idea of my ideal job, but never had the guts to take action. …While having total understanding for my initial concerns and hesitance,…she encouraged me and she showed me that I made up my fears. No longer hindered, I am now pursuing my passion.”

-Jeroen Nieuwenhuijzen

Ellyn Schinke | Head Coach, Tutor, & Notion Nerd 1/23/19 Ellyn Schinke | Head Coach, Tutor, & Notion Nerd 1/23/19

Lauren Chapman

“I’m so grateful for meeting Ellyn this year….I highly recommend working with her no matter what challenges you’re facing both professionally and personally!”

-LAUREN CHAPMAN

Ellyn Schinke | Head Coach, Tutor, & Notion Nerd 1/16/19 Ellyn Schinke | Head Coach, Tutor, & Notion Nerd 1/16/19

Jess Newfield

“Besides being one of the most authentic humans I’ve ever met…She’s helped me make my goals more tangible and provided me with the tools and resources to making them achievable in my day-to-day life.”

Check out some client love...

Are you a former client?!
I’d greatly appreciate a review of our time together…

Anonymous

anonymous corporate client, 1-on-1 coaching

Nicole Hudson