What clients say about doing the work.

Parker Became a Close Confidant

I was introduced to Parker by a close friend. Our work focused on getting clear about my current work and future opportunities. Parker asked great questions, both big picture and detailed circumstances that moved us along. In short order, Parker became a close confidant with whom I was able to share more personal insights and experiences which further deepened the conservations. Without that connection, our efforts would have skipped along the surface yielding little. Parker's gift for creating that environment separates him from other coaches in my view. I look forward to staying connected to him as a sources for insights in the future.

I'm Matt, and I work as the Head of Marketing at a fitness tech startup in Nashville. I came to Designing 2026 feeling burnt out and disconnected from work I used to love. I needed space away from the day-to-day to get clarity on whether I was still on the right path and what I actually wanted next.

This retreat was such an incredible experience. The programming helped me rethink how I was approaching several parts of my life, identify which goals *really* mattered to me, and be intentional about designing systems to support those goals.

Even more valuable was the incredible group of folks Parker brought together. It was so energizing to be in a room with thoughtful, high-performing people with the opportunity to ask questions of each other, offer insights, and generally cross-pollinate ideas.

The retreat helped me reconnect with a sense of purpose and forward movement, with systems to turn priorities into practice. It helped me remember what I love about what I do and find clarity around what I want my life and career to look like this year.

Without reservation, I would recommend this retreat to anyone looking to be intentional about how they show up in the coming year, meet amazing people, and make meaningful progress on what matters most to them.

Having collaborated with Parker over the years, I know better than to think I know what to expect when it comes to anything he has designed and Designing 2026 was certainly no exception! He leads with intention and care, somehow taking a group of relative strangers into a vulnerable and compelling place together. I emerged re-charged with a sense of clarity, drive, and focus I certainly did not have before. This does not just apply to work, Parker will have you re-thinking your goals on all fronts...work, family, health, all of it. 10/10 will do again.

I’ve had a successful career and a full life raising a family, but I hit a point where I felt stuck—like I needed an outside perspective to help me sort through what could be next. I didn’t need motivation or surface-level advice. I needed someone who could meet me where I was, challenge my thinking, and help me see beyond the day-to-day. Parker was exactly that. Part coach, part advisor, part consultant—and 100% a phenomenal human—he brought a unique ability to both hold space and hold me accountable. While I’ve always had a strong sense of self and a clear understanding of my strengths and blind spots, Parker had an uncanny way of asking just the right questions and offering new frames that unlocked deeper clarity. Through our work together, I not only gained fresh perspective but also built a clear, actionable plan for what’s next—one rooted in purpose, energy, and intention. I’m incredibly grateful for the experience and couldn’t recommend him more highly to anyone navigating growth, change, or simply looking to get unstuck.

After working together for five months, we asked ChatGPT to summarize my transformation based on our weekly notes. The result: ‘Parker transformed me from misfit to founder, from defensive to grounded, from burned out to creative.’ That line captures it perfectly. Parker didn’t just coach me—he rewired how I show up as a leader and creator. I consider him more than a coach; he’s been a catalyst for the most important inflection point in my professional life and a dear friend.

I started my business 16 years ago, and after that long it's difficult to find ways to invest in yourself. I needed someone to help me figure out what is important to me, the "why" in what I do, and how to set the right boundaries to keep enjoying what I do.

I am super grateful that I found Parker. His ability to ask the right questions gave me the chance to bounce my ideas, my goals, my worries to someone with an objective perspective. Sometimes it can be easy to get swept away in the details of this enterprise I have created, and I found it really important to get the chance to be able to take a step back and look at things from a broad perspective.

For me, my time with Parker was the beginning of hopefully a lifelong process. The things we discussed, the revelations we uncovered are still very much top of mind every single day. The growth, the learning doesn't end, but sometimes it's helpful to have someone come along in a supportive role and provide a little guidance and an unbiased opinion.

Forever grateful for Parker, and I wouldn't hesitate recommending him to anyone that maybe considering working with him.

I'm a female in my early 50's trying to figure out this next phase of my life. I'm an accountant and have spent the last 25years working in financial reporting in progressively senior roles. That was a time for building a career and financial success. I am now working with Parker to build a purpose and passion filled life. Parker has a unique ability to really listen without judgement, ask good questions that challenge beliefs that may no longer serve me, and offer deep meaningful insight that help me to reflect on what is holding me back from my best life yet. His insights and wisdom are unparalleled and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to work with Parker. I am about half way through my sessions with Parker and I have found a new more open way of viewing my future. Thank you Parker! It's a pleasure to work with you!

Bo Tyler, Executive Managing Director at JLL. Co-leader of our office here in Nashville and the Office Tenant Rep team.

Parker has helped me prioritize what is important to me, both professionally and personally- and realize the importance of each individually and in tandem. With that awareness, he helped me create a better system of time management, commitments to the important things, release of the non-productive and a sense of accountability. Its a work in progress but its working nonetheless. Additionally, he was a confidant who I could speak very candidly with as certain issues came up through our time together and I suspect that will always be the case.

I'm Sloane.

A chaos pilot. I help founder led CEOs get their exit check.

Parker brought out the best in me. Asked the right questions. Guided my reframe. Grounded in my values. Straight talking, no b.s., direct. He pulled out and polished what was already there. Provided clarity, courage and the conviction to get after it. I have more than a vision now, I have an executable plan.

Hiring a personal coach for the first time in my life was me stretching. Investing in myself. Working with Parker was the best professional decision I've made in my lifetime. What was once muddled is now clear. The six months we spent working together, shaped my future. Don't think twice. Do it

My name is Colby Clark. I work in marketing/business development for a behavioral health company. I have known Parker for 6 years. I always admired how he carried himself, his growth mindset and his willingness to help others along the way. I was at a point in my life where I felt stuck in my career, not knowing what I really wanted to do with going forward. On top of that, I had just became engaged with my fiancé. Lots of things to look forward to, but I needed help with my path and how I wanted to attack it for myself and also for my family. In our first meeting, Parker made it clear that these feelings are completely normal. He also made it clear that I’m doing damn good, despite my negative self talk that happens from time to time. Parker gave me homework after each session, that also included small goals. He helped me step up my meditation (that was basically non existent at the time), daily journaling, positive self talk, and organization. He also helped me incorporate a weekly calendar that not only increased my organization skills, but also gave me something to look back it that showed how full and accomplished my life is on a day-to-day basis. I highly recommend working with Parker.

For someone that is on the fence about investing in coaching, just do it. If you are willing to do the work, you will benefit.

My name is Drew Sloss and I am co-founder and CEO of Climb Gyms. The Practice has been immensely helpful. The thing I’ve observed as the biggest differentiator between Parker and other personal coaches is that Parker is as interested in your personal wellness as he is in the business-person wellness. Having his help parsing through what it is that I’m really after versus what it is that I think I’m after has been extremely fruitful. Not results I could have manifested on my own.

My name is Kate womack and I’m a beekeeper and entrepreneur. Parker Gates is the real deal, working with him has truly been a gift. Parker’s passion and creativity are contagious. Our sessions have helped me to refine and reinvigorate my own passions within an industry I had grown weary of over the last decade. Through fearless excavations of myself, he has helped me to refocus on the spaces that bring me great joy and where it is I can let go. Parker is an astute observer of the finer nuances of what it means to function both personally and professionally in today’s society. Parker’s ability to see how work/professional life and personal life integrate and inform each other is unparalleled. His guidance has been imperative not just in my profession development but in the quality of all in which I choose to engage. Parker’s holistic approach has been instrumental in stepping out of old behaviors, transcending mental blocks, and foraging new paths for greater optimization and success.

My name is Thomas McCollum, I’m Associate Director at a 12 step spiritual retreat for men with alcoholism and addiction. Working with Parker has helped me be much more confident, focused and effective as a leader. If you are already thinking about investing in coaching, I’d suggest that in itself means you’re ready. My suggestion is quit thinking about it and go for it. Parker’s style doesn’t feel boring or tedious. I actually look forward to our meetings. I’ve decided to continue working with him after our original commitment came to an end. The main reason is that his coaching provided real results.