Today we’d like to introduce you to Pam Johns.
Hi Pam, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My career in coaching stemmed from my love of competing in sports. I was a competitive tennis player and ski racer, and naturally after my competition days were over, I decided to help others excel in sports, too. This chapter led me to invest in myself and become certified in the governing bodies of each of the sports, and to work my way up the ranks of the leadership of those entities. I found my curiosity drawn to the mental aspect of winning performance; in other words, what makes athletes thrive or fold under pressure? The inner dialogue is a powerful driver of performance, and as I practiced it myself, I studied various ways to inspire self trust, and confidence from a wide range of domains, from creativity and innovation to leadership, spirituality and meditation. I loved working with young athletes and their families to support their character and skill development.
Twenty five years flew by while I attended ski races and tennis tournaments around the country! Then we decided to have children, and it became too difficult to find child care for the hours my career in sports required, basically after school and on weekends. So, I made a decisive shift to coaching leadership and team development in business. This is when I really started to learn what makes a great leader from a mediocre one. There were predictable patterns. Systems I employed revealed character flaws very quickly and I noticed one remarkable trait that all weak leaders demonstrated: resistance. High performers were always willing to learn, to hone their skills and to receive critical feedback. It became so obvious to me that I could tell which people on a leadership team would not be there a year from when we started, and would tell this to the CEO. The CEO would be shocked that I would make such a bold statement, and often was somewhat put off by my confidence to determine talent, (or lack thereof). Yet, in each and every case, my predictions were on target and the CEO would actually thank me for pointing out the dysfunction that they could not see, and helping them refine their teams to the benefit of all.
After 25 years as a high-performance leadership and team-development coach, I’m stepping into my encore career—one centered on what matters most: loving better, living braver, and becoming more fully ourselves inside our relationships.
Today, I am an RLT (Relational Life Therapy)–inspired couples coach, retreat host, and founder of Double Diamonds Coaching & Retreats, based in both Minnesota and Akumal, Mexico. My work blends decades of expertise in human performance with the transformative tools of relational healing.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The biggest struggles were in having a consistent book of business. It seemed to either be feast or famine, and then one phone call would change every thing. Eventually, all of my business came from referrals, which made it much easier to close a deal. When you are a solo-preneur, you must wear at least 5 hats:
Visionary
Integrator
Sale and Marketing
Operations
Finance
Whenever I was flowing in operations, (which for me was creating and delivering programs and coaching,) I would fall behind in long term strategy, or finance. It was a constant juggle of priorities and time management, also given that I was now a mom to two young children. These were the days before zoom meetings and work from home. I did have a great deal of flexibility, but I was a good juggler and planner.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
After 25 years as a high-performance leadership and team-development coach, I’m stepping into my encore career—one centered on what matters most: loving better, living braver, and becoming more fully ourselves inside our relationships.
Today, I am an RLT (Relational Life Therapy)–inspired couples coach, retreat host, and founder of Double Diamonds Coaching & Retreats, based in both Minnesota and Akumal, Mexico. My work blends decades of expertise in human performance with the transformative tools of relational healing.
Why Double Diamonds?
Because every couple is made of two diamonds “in the rough.”
Under pressure, with intention, clarity, and skilled guidance—each partner can shine their brightest. My role is to help couples polish the edges, break unhelpful patterns, cultivate repair skills, and rediscover the brilliance in themselves and in each other.
What I Bring (From 25 Years of High-Performance Coaching):
• Deep experience coaching senior leaders and teams toward clarity, accountability, and authentic communication
• Highly attuned emotional intelligence and a grounded, courageous coaching style
• A gift for creating momentum, connection, and behavior change
• A proven ability to help people grow, heal, and perform at their best—personally and professionally
My Encore Focus: Love, Partnership & Retreat Experiences
I now support couples who want to:
• Strengthen connection and communication
• Heal long-standing patterns with compassion and skill
• Create a more conscious, intentional relationship
• Invest deeply in themselves during high-touch coaching retreats in Akumal, Mexico
Our retreats (www.2diamonds.pro)
offer a rare blend of relational coaching, restorative travel, adventure, and mindful reconnection—all set along the turquoise Caribbean.
My Mission
To help couples transform the way they love.
To guide people to their fullest brilliance.
To create spaces—coaching rooms, retreat homes, oceanside experiences—where courage, truth, and tenderness can coexist.
This is the work of my heart and the next chapter of my life.
This is my encore.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Lucy Penfield, Interior Designer
Kate Coward, endurance athlete
Meghan Cosgrove, non-profit leader
Joellen Gonder Spacek, non-profit leader
Kathi Tunheim, Tunheim Leadership Group
Contact Info:
- Website: www.2diamonds.pro and www.doubledolphin.pro
- Instagram: pammylake
- Facebook: Pam Johns
- LinkedIn: Pam Hensel Johns
- Other: https://www.patandpam.com
