Growth Beyond the Horizon
About Me
I’m Toby Hine-Haycock and I’m the founder of Pelagi Coaching.
I Started Pelagi in order to provide the service that I had been seeking throughout my 16 years working in Financial Services. While consistently performing to high standards I never felt comfortable in my working environment, and found it hard to ever reach a state of flow where the work became easy. I always got my work done, but it took a huge amount from me. What I wanted was someone to help me to continue to perform at this high level, but in a manner that didn’t take so much from me.
Why Pelagi?
Pelagi comes from the word “pelagic” meaning oceanic or of the sea. Pelagic fish refer to the species such as tuna, mahi mahi or Wahoo that live offshore in the open blue water. These fish are often solitary, fast and incredibly efficient hunters. The ocean has always held a special power over me and formed a consistent theme throughout my life. When it came to naming the company it had to be something to do with the sea.
Why coaching?
It's a question I've been asked a lot recently, and the honest answer is that it wasn't an obvious decision. It was one I arrived at after countless conversations with friends, family and former colleagues about what I wanted work to look like.
Looking back, I realised there was a common thread running through the jobs I'd enjoyed most.
One was as a windsurf instructor in Greece. Admittedly, six months in the sun with great friends and a job you love makes that an easy one to romanticise. But what really made it special wasn't the location. It was watching people arrive with no experience, overcome self-doubt, develop new skills and leave as confident instructors.
The other was on the Investment Helpdesk at Hargreaves Lansdown. On paper, it couldn't have looked more different. Yet it offered many of the same things: variety, continuous learning, problem-solving and, above all, meaningful human connection.
In contrast, the roles I've struggled in have been defined by repetition, limited collaboration and few opportunities to help others grow. Those experiences taught me just as much about what energises me as the good ones.
As I reflected on all of this, coaching kept appearing in the middle of the Venn diagram.
For me, coaching isn't about telling people how to do their jobs. It's not teaching an accountant how to complete a tax return or a builder how to lay bricks. It's helping people get out of their own way, challenge the beliefs and behaviours that hold them back, and create the conditions to do their best work.
The journey to becoming a coach has involved a huge amount of learning and self-reflection, and I know I'm only at the beginning. But for the first time in a long time, it feels like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.
If you're curious about coaching, navigating a change, feeling stuck, or simply wondering whether coaching could help you move forwards, I'd love to have a conversation. No pressure—just a chat.
Expertise & Credentials
Professional Training
I completed my professional coaching training at the Animas Centre for Coaching, gaining a deep understanding of transformational methodologies that empower individuals to navigate complex growth journeys with clarity and resilience.
Sector Experience
My career background in financial services has provided me with unique insights into high-pressure corporate environments. This experience allows me to bridge the gap between deep-sea resilience and the strategic needs of modern leadership.
Ready to Navigate?
Your journey toward expansive and resilient growth starts with a single conversation. Whether you're looking for personal coaching or leadership development for your team, I invite you to reach out. Book a session today or get in touch to explore how we can navigate your professional success together.
Our Story
About us
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