From a 25-year private equity career to coaching and extreme adventures

This month, we learn about the journey of Ruth Storm – from a 25-year private equity career to coaching and extreme adventures!

FROM PRIVATE EQUITY TO COACHING AND EXTREME ADVENTURES: MY JOURNEY

After 25 years of building a career and enjoying the world of private equity, I felt a desire to transition into a role where I could make a more personal impact on individuals and teams. This led me to the Meyler Campbell Mastered Coaching Programme — a programme designed for professionals at the top of their game, looking to pivot their careers and leverage their experience in new, meaningful ways. For me, this experience was more than just a career transition; it was the beginning of a journey that intertwined my professional expertise with my passion for extreme outdoor adventures.

CHOOSING MEYLER CAMPBELL: A NATURAL FIT

Coming from a private equity background, where decisions are results focused, I wanted a coaching programme that would challenge me to think differently while still allowing me to utilize my skills and strategic mindset. The Meyler Campbell programme was the perfect fit. It was tailored for accomplished professionals, like me, who were ready to transition into coaching by building on the foundations of their prior experiences.

The programme’s emphasis on practical application, coupled with an academic approach, provided me with the tools and frameworks I needed to become an effective coach. It also allowed me to reflect deeply on my journey in private equity, understanding the skills and insights I could bring to the table to support others in the industry.

INTEGRATING PRIVATE EQUITY AND COACHING

The private equity world is fast-paced and demanding, with a constant focus on performance, growth, and results. Throughout my career, I honed my skills in financial analysis, strategic thinking, and decision-making under pressure. However, it was the interpersonal dynamics, leadership challenges, and teamwork that interested me most. I realised that these softer skills were just as crucial to success as the technical knowledge, if not more so.

In 2008, my business partner, Frank Neale, and I completed the Meyler Campbell programme at the same time. We saw a unique opportunity to focus our coaching practice on the private equity sector. We wanted to work with professionals who, like us, understood the pressures and challenges of high-stakes environments. Our unique selling point as coaches was our deep understanding of the private equity landscape and our ability to relate to the experiences of our clients.

EXPLORING THE EXTREMES: A PASSION FOR ADVENTURE

Parallel to my career transition, I also pursued a passion that had been growing for years: extreme outdoor adventures. I’ve always been drawn to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, both mentally and physically. Over the past years, I’ve skied to the North and South Poles, climbed unclimbed mountains in Antarctica, cycled across continents and sailed across oceans. These experiences have taught me invaluable lessons about leadership, teamwork, and resilience—lessons that perfectly complement my coaching practice.

These extreme adventures were more than just physical challenges; they were profound tests of character, leadership, and self-awareness. Each expedition required meticulous planning, decisive action, and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing conditions. They also demanded a high degree of collaboration and trust among team members, often in high-pressure or life-threatening situations.

DEVELOPING A LEADERSHIP AND TEAM PROGRAMME

Drawing on my experiences from both private equity and extreme adventures, I developed a leadership and team coaching programme designed to illustrate the principles of good and bad leadership, effective teamwork, and what I call ‘Leadership of Self’. This concept includes the idea that how we lead ourselves is fundamental to how we lead others, especially when faced with challenging circumstances.

In private equity, much like on an expedition to the poles or climbing an uncharted mountain, the ability to lead oneself — managing emotions, staying focused under pressure, and maintaining a positive attitude — can have a significant impact on the outcome. I use stories and lessons from my adventures to illustrate these points in a visceral way, bringing leadership concepts to life through real-world examples.

For example, when skiing to the South Pole, every team member had to carry their weight, both literally and figuratively. The extreme cold, the physical exhaustion, and the mental strain tested each person’s limits. In such environments, a lack of self-awareness or poor leadership could jeopardize the entire team’s success. I use this experience to highlight the importance of self-leadership: knowing when to push forward, when to ask for help, and when to support others.

The concept of ‘Leadership of Self’ has become a cornerstone of my coaching philosophy. It’s about understanding who you are, what drives you, and how you respond under pressure. It’s about being accountable for your actions and recognizing that leadership starts with self-awareness and self-regulation.

In my coaching practice, I help clients explore these aspects of themselves. Just as in an extreme adventure, where you must be acutely aware of your physical and mental state to survive, in business, you must be aware of your emotional triggers, biases, and strengths to lead effectively.

MOVING FORWARD: A BLENDED PATH

As I built my coaching practice, I was excited about the unique blend of experiences I brought to the table. My background in private equity provides me with a deep understanding of the business world and the pressures that leaders face, while my extreme adventures offer a fresh perspective on leadership and teamwork.

By combining these two worlds, I have helped my clients navigate their own challenges with greater clarity and confidence. Whether it’s presenting an investment opportunity, guiding a Board’s operation, leading a team through a period of change, or embarking on a personal journey of growth, the principles of leadership and self-awareness remain constant.

A JOURNEY OF CONTINUOUS GROWTH

Looking back, the decision to leave private equity and pursue coaching, while simultaneously pushing myself in extreme adventures, has been a journey of continuous growth and self-discovery. The Meyler Campbell programme, along with its continuing CPD and amazing community of staff and coaches, has been a catalyst for this transformation, providing me with the skills and confidence to make this evolving transition.

Today, I am committed to helping others discover their own path, harness their strengths, and achieve their goals—whether in business, in their personal lives, or on their own adventures. I am grateful for the experiences that have shaped me and excited for the many adventures, both literal and metaphorical, that lie ahead.

In every journey, there is a moment of decision—a point where you must choose your path. For me, that moment came when I realized that my true passion lay in helping others achieve their potential. Through coaching and adventure, I have found a way to live that passion every day.

Ruth Storm is a former Private Equity professional and now Business Coach based in London and the mountains in Switzerland. Partly retired, I travel relentlessly by foot, cycle, ski and sailboat fitting in coaching assignments around my travels. This is also an element which seems to appeal to many clients. Don’t be afraid to market your skills/passions and interests. Potential clients are often attracted to you as a person, not just a coach.