Hello! I am James Wright, Founder and Principal Coach at HiR
I turn people on — to themselves, their potential, and what’s possible next.
I use the transformative power of positive psychology and strengths-based coaching to help people think clearly, act deliberately, and live more fully.
I could pretend to have all the answers.
I could act like a guru.
But that’s never been who I am — and it’s not what great coaching requires.
What shapes my work most isn’t a polished façade.
It’s experience — the highs, the failures, the reinventions, and the willingness to be honest about all of it.
Before you commit to working together, I want you to know who you’re choosing.
Where I Come From
I grew up in London and studied Politics at the University of Manchester before beginning my career in people development — designing and managing support programs for underprivileged young people aged 16–25 in the north of England.
That work changed me.
Coming from a comfortable upbringing, it opened my eyes to the complexity of motivation, opportunity, resilience, and what it really takes for people to thrive. Those questions — what drives behaviour, what creates change, and what makes people genuinely happier — have stayed with me ever since.
Business, Leadership, and Reinvention
Curiosity about human behaviour led me into advertising, marketing, and business strategy. I worked closely with founders and CEOs, including helping prepare a business for a successful stock market flotation.
In 2007, I moved to Sydney and joined one of Australia’s most recognisable entrepreneurial success stories, working alongside Naomi Simson during a period of extraordinary growth. I became a speaker on employee engagement and saw firsthand what happens when organisations take people seriously.
I’ve also scratched my entrepreneurial itch — more than once.
I’ve built businesses, shut them down, pitched for capital, declined funding offers I later wished I’d taken, scaled too fast, and learned some very expensive lessons along the way. My dad calls it an “alternative MBA”. He’s not wrong.
Those experiences matter — because coaching isn’t about theory. It’s about judgment, perspective, and knowing how progress really unfolds when things don’t go to plan.
Identity, Health, and Humanity
I’m a proud queer gay man (he/they).
In 2014, I was diagnosed with HIV. Thanks to Australia’s healthcare system, I live a healthy, undetectable life — but it took many years to feel comfortable speaking about it publicly. That journey taught me more about shame, resilience, self-trust, and compassion than any textbook ever could.
I’ve also lived with depression and anxiety, which I manage through therapy, movement, medication, and reflection. I don’t hide this — because mental health isn’t separate from performance, leadership, or ambition. It’s foundational.
A New Chapter: The Body Teaches Too
In 2025, life offered another profound lesson.
I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis, and within a short period underwent major spine surgery followed by a hip replacement. It was confronting, disorienting, and deeply humbling — not just physically, but emotionally and psychologically.
Recovery forced me to slow down in ways I hadn’t before. It stripped away any illusion of control and reminded me — again — how resilient human beings can be when we’re supported, self-aware, and willing to adapt.
Those experiences reinforced something I see daily in my coaching work:
strength isn’t about pushing harder — it’s about understanding yourself well enough to work with reality rather than against it.
Pain, limitation, uncertainty, and change are not signs of failure. They’re invitations to respond differently — with honesty, patience, and self-trust.
That insight now lives quietly but powerfully in how I coach.
Why I Coach the Way I Do
After two decades of prioritising achievement above everything else, I realised something important:
Success without wellbeing isn’t success.
In 2021, I stepped away from a senior corporate role and eventually refocused my work entirely on coaching and development. I wanted depth, not scale. Impact, not noise.
Strengths-based coaching became the natural centre of my practice because it gives people language for:
what energises them
what drains them
where they’re overusing or underusing themselves
how to move forward without burnout or self-betrayal
I’m an Accredited Strengths Profile Practitioner and a professional member of the Institute of Learning & Performance, but what matters more is how this work lands in real life.
That’s why everything now starts with Foundations — a focused, human, strengths-based entry point that creates clarity before commitment.
Beyond Work
Outside coaching, I find joy in cycling (especially after rediscovering it through recovery), cooking, painting, writing, travel, and time in art galleries. I’ve ridden the AIDS/Lifecycle in California and continue to fundraise and advocate where I can.
Travel feeds my creativity and perspective — and I’m grateful to work with clients globally from my home base in Sydney.
What You Can Expect From Me
I bring:
commercial realism
emotional intelligence
lived experience
curiosity, honesty, and care
I don’t promise quick fixes.
I don’t tell you who to be.
I help you understand yourself well enough to make better decisions — and stay with you as you act on them.
If that’s the kind of partnership you’re looking for, we’ll do good work together.
I invite you to schedule a relaxed 20-minute video call with me so we can chat and see if we connect before moving forward with a program together.
"I turn people ON Using the transformative power of positive psychology and strengths-based coaching"
HiR Coaching & Consulting is a business name registered in New South Wales, Australia. ABN 53693942059
100% Money Back Guarantee
Foundations Program – Our Promise
The Foundations Program comes with a clear promise.
If, after completing Foundations, you:
do not get something positive from the experience and
do not make at least one agreed change identified in your initial 30-minute onboarding call
then you can choose one of two options:
A full refund, minus the cost of the Strengths Profile assessment, or
Continue working with me at no additional cost until you achieve a meaningful breakthrough.
This promise exists because Foundations is designed to create clarity, momentum, and real change — not just conversation.
Coaching Memberships – Flexibility, Not Guarantees
On-going coaching memberships do not come with a performance guarantee.
Instead, they are designed to be low-risk and flexible:
You can cancel at any time
There are no penalties or lock-ins
You stay because the coaching is useful — not because you’re tied to a contract.
12-Month Upfront Memberships – Pro-Rata Refunds
If you choose to pay for 12 months upfront, you’re entitled to request a pro-rata refund at any time if you decide the experience is not positive for you.
In this case:
The number of coaching sessions already attended will be deducted from the original amount paid
The remaining balance will be refunded accordingly
Important Notes
Coaching is not a done-for-you service. Results depend on your willingness to engage, reflect, and take action.
If at any point it becomes clear that the agreed effort and participation are not there, I’ll raise this directly and honestly.
If alignment can’t be restored, a refund of the unused portion of the coaching may be issued at the standard coaching rate.
Exclusions
Refunds and guarantees do not apply to the Resume & Career Upgrade Package or the Seven Days of Strengths self-guided program, due to the nature of the work and time already invested.
Terms & Conditions
Payment is immediate at the time of booking.
Prices quoted on the website are in AUD, and HiR is registered in Australia. Payments and invoices are available in AUD, USD, CND, GBP, or EURO.
All sessions are online, booked via Calendly and conducted using Google Meet unless expressly agreed otherwise. In-real-life sessions may incur additional fees for travel and incidental expenses.
Sessions can be rescheduled using the calendly booking system as required.
All Calendly sessions are booked with a 30-minute buffer so that James can extend the session without any challenges or additional fees should we continue to get the work done. After your kick-off session, the agreement with your coach on the specific results you want to achieve from your personalised program will be documented.
