We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Greg Murray. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Greg below.
Hi Greg, appreciate you sitting with us today. Maybe we can start with a topic that we care deeply about because it’s something we’ve found really sets folks apart and can make all the difference in whether someone reaches their goals. Self discipline seems to have an outsized impact on how someone’s life plays out and so we’d love to hear about how you developed yours?
That’s a great question. Honestly, self-discipline has fluctuated throughout my life. What I’ve come to realize is that my discipline is strongest when I’m deeply connected to a tangible mission or purpose. When I know exactly what I’m working toward, discipline feels less like a chore and more like aligning my actions with something bigger—something that makes even the smallest tasks feel significant. In this way self discipline moves from a chore to a motivator.
For me, it’s hard to talk about purpose and mission without acknowledging the innately spiritual component. After all, for those that consider God to be real, what could be bigger than Him? Early in my life, while wrestling through various difficulties, reading varieties scriptures, and diving into the sciences, I encountered a profound sense of purpose through Christian scriptures. The values and guidance I received gave me a framework that shapes not just how I live, but why I live the way I do.
Additionally, I’ve found my discipline amplifies when I’m pursuing that mission alongside others. I first experienced this in a few key areas growing up—my church community, playing music in a punk rock band, and my swim team. In these settings, my sense of purpose wasn’t just personal, it was collective. In this collective pursuit of a mission, I found my energy and output grew.
In swimming, my purpose had two dimensions: pushing myself to be the best I could be and helping our team succeed. That shared pursuit created a gravitational pull, driving me to train harder and longer than I ever would have alone. This dynamic is true across all areas of life—personal, professional, and relational. Being part of a collective effort magnifies your drive and pushes you beyond your limits.
Over time, I’ve come to understand that self-discipline isn’t just about sheer willpower—it’s about alignment. When I realized that a clear mission could serve as the compass for my decisions, it became easier to say no to things that didn’t align and yes to the things that did. But, of course, restructuring my life around that mission didn’t happen overnight. It’s an ongoing process, like trimming the branches of a tree as it grows, continually refining where my focus and energy go.
Ultimately, I’ve found that the more connected I am to a clear mission, and the more I surround myself with people moving in the same direction, the stronger my discipline becomes.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I believe my life improves when I help those around me.
This principle has guided me for as long as I can remember, and it’s what ultimately led me to launch my life coaching business. After years of helping friends and colleagues in informal ways, several encouraged me to turn that into something bigger. I didn’t just want to offer advice, though; I wanted to build something truly helpful, grounded in evidence and science.
That’s why I worked with psychologists and wanted us to a use an evidence-based system for client’s growth. I then spent three years training with them to ensure everything we offer is practical, actionable, and backed by research. For me, this is a major differentiator in an industry that is unregulated and can often feel a bit like the Wild West. It’s important that what we do here is based on science based strategies that can help people make lasting change – so they not only reach their goals faster but have developed the quality traits for sustained growth.
Professionally, this phase of my life feels more connected to my mission than ever. I’ve always been driven by a desire to create something meaningful—whether that was running a video production company, playing music on tour, or leading worship. But life coaching ties it all together. It’s about working deeply alongside people’s lives, understanding their stories, and helping them unlock their potential.
Outside of work, I’m passionate about several non-profits, and I love being involved with my local church’s music team. When I’m not working, you’ll probably find me crafting the perfect coffee experience, trying out new foods, or playing sports with friends. There’s something about bringing people together—whether it’s over music, food, or shared experiences—that always feels aligned with what I do professionally.
I’m excited about where my business is heading. We’re continuing to refine our offerings, and I’m particularly thrilled about expanding our reach through online coaching sessions that allow us to work with clients from all over. It’s a new frontier, and I’m eager to see how we can make an impact on an even larger scale. I believe the importance of the human connection will only grow as AI takes over industries, so we have a short window to really create a distinction before companies start offering an AI generated coaches or therapists.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back on my journey, three qualities have had the most impact: curiosity, resilience, and the power of building community. These weren’t qualities I was born with—they’ve been developed over time, shaped by the experiences and challenges I’ve faced.
1. Curiosity: The Drive to Keep Learning
Curiosity has calibrated my compass. A humble commitment that I don’t know it all and have something to learn from anyone and anything.
Whether I was exploring music, video production, or life coaching, curiosity pushed me to dig deeper and never settle for just what I already knew. It’s what led me to explore the arts, dive into the sciences, and seek out different philosophies. Ultimately, it helped me build my coaching practice on a foundation of evidence-based strategies, developed in collaboration with psychologists.
If I was just starting out, I’d lean harder into curiosity. Don’t shy away from exploring things outside your comfort zone. The more you learn, the better equipped you’ll be to handle whatever life throws at you. Be a student of everything—books, people, and experiences—because it all adds up, and you’ll discover fascinating overlaps along the way.
2. Resilience: The Ability to Bounce Back
Let’s be honest—life doesn’t always go according to plan. I’ve hit my fair share of roadblocks, seasons of overwhelm, from running a video production company to leading worship and now running a coaching practice. But it’s not just about enduring challenges; it’s about growing with others through them. Resilience is what keeps you moving forward when everything and everyone else would say there’s no way (I see the fortitude tied to a strong sense of mission and the fuel to continue from community).
For me this resilience has come from both my faith and my community.
If I was speaking to an earlier version of myself I would tell myself that setbacks aren’t failures—they’re opportunities to learn and improve. I like to say that “setbacks are setups” for your future. The quicker you can reframe, be vulnerable with your trusted team, and bounce back, the better. Surround yourself with people who lift you when you’re down, and see obstacles as part of the process. Each setback makes you more resilient, discerning, and versatile—a skill that will carry you through life.
3. Community-Building: The Importance of Surrounding Yourself with the Right People
In every chapter of my life—whether it was the production company, swimming, church, or coaching—I’ve learned the value of community. Pursuing a mission alongside others not only strengthens your drive but also fills in your gaps and keeps you accountable. The times when I’ve felt most aligned in my work were when I was surrounded by people who live life on mission and with a deep sense of purpose.
I’m fairly independent so I have to remind myself of this: “You can’t go it alone”. I love the Lone Ranger but one of the most important things you can do is to find your community—people moving in the same direction, who hold you up when needed and challenge you when necessary. Building those connections amplifies your mission, and you’ll lean on them more than you might think.
In Summary: Curiosity, resilience, and community-building have been game-changers in my journey. If you’re just starting yours, focus on developing these qualities. Keep learning, embrace the inevitable challenges, and surround yourself with people who will help you grow. These three qualities won’t just shape your career—they’ll shape your entire life.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Absolutely—our mission to equip and empower others becomes even more impactful when we partner with like-minded individuals. Collaboration is at the heart of what we do, and we’re always open to working with people who share our passion for personal growth and development.
If you’re a creative, creator, dreamer, designer, entrepreneur, or business owner who’s passionate about helping others reach their potential, we’d love to connect. Whether you’re looking to collaborate on projects, develop new initiatives, or find mutually beneficial ways to impact others, let’s explore how we can work together in a fun and engaging way.
If you’re reading this and interested in collaborating, feel free to reach out! Let’s brainstorm ideas and see how we can make a difference together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://humancreativecoaching.com
- Instagram: @humancreativecoaching, @gregomurray
Image Credits
We own the image rights and I have done the design work.
I would be happy to credit Diego Antorveza @heydieego (IG) for the photos I’m in
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
