A compete guide to choosing a Sydney Dating Coach and whether dating coaching is right for you.

I get it. Dating in Sydney is hard. You finally muster the confidence to talk to her, you get a conversation going, and she vanishes. You match with her on a dating app, message and nothing. Do you feel like everyone else you know has dating figured out, but you’re still stuck in the same old patterns?

If you’re ready to make a change and are open to acquiring a communication and social skillset that you don’t yet have, this article is for you. As the leading Sydney Dating Coach, so many of our clients at Core Confidence have been successful in their careers or other areas of their lives, but struggle with dating. Dating is a lot more complicated than most people think, and it’s not taught at universities. Don’t worry, we specialise in teaching men how to master dating.

Before we go into what a Sydney dating coach is, let’s tick off clearly what a dating coach is not:

A dating coach is not a pickup artist, giving toxic advice or scripted lines to manipulate women.

Dating Coaching in Sydney will not involve lying down on a sofa, psychoanalysing your past.

A dating coach does not operate in a classroom environment, teaching theory.

A genuine Sydney Dating Coach operates in social settings and interacts with real people alongside their client. They will initially help their client build up basic social confidence by engaging people in conversation. This might be asking for the time, commenting about the weather or giving a compliment. Just dipping the toe in the water. 

The level of interaction will then progress to a longer conversation with a woman. The student would develop an understanding of social cues, adjusting tonality, indicators of value, cold reading to spark intrigue and more.

As the student learns to build attraction, develop their body language and flirting skills, the coach will start to implement feedback loops and set goals. This might be to work on one aspect of their dating skill set.

Students who come to us often have some or all of the following problems:

Getting ghosted on dating apps or after first dates.

Success in other parts of their lives, but not in dating.

Too socially anxious to even talk to a girl.

At the end of the coaching program with Core Confidence, we are proud to say that clients come out of the program:

Having been on multiple, often dozens of dates with women.

Often say they have had a “life-changing experience”.

Having pushed their boundaries and developed a mastery of dating skills.

Finally understanding how to navigate the dating scene in Sydney.

To answer that question, you need to ask yourself several more hard questions,

“Could I improve in the area of dating, relationships and attracting women?”

“Are my conversations on dating apps going nowhere?”

“Am I failing to get on second dates?”

“Do I regularly feel socially awkward?”

“Am I successful in other areas of my life, but not in dating?”

“Am I going to find it difficult to improve my dating skills on my own?”

If you’re answering “yes” to any of the questions above, it’s time to consider hiring a coach.

Most of our clients share their biggest regret that they hadn’t taken action sooner.

How to choose the right Sydney Dating Coach

Look for positive reviews; if they have strong Google reviews, multiple valid testimonials and case studies, then that’s a sign that they are delivering an excellent service.

Find an Australian coaching company; make sure the company knows Sydney and has a track record of coaching in Sydney. They must know the Sydney culture and the Sydney vibe.

Avoid fake gurus; stay away from pick-up artists or people with no real experience or substance claiming to know what they are talking about.

Look for a fully fledged Sydney Dating coaching service, not just advice. Ensure that the coach offers immersion sessions in social situations, real feedback, and practice in genuine social settings.

At Core Confidence, we meet all of these criteria and offer you a team that includes qualified Psychologists and stylists, as well as seasoned Sydney Dating Coaches.

What to Expect from a Sydney Dating Coach

Look for a company that offers an initial free consultation. This shows that they are ready to speak to you and provide a customised program for your needs, not just try to take your money.

Option for psychology services and vetting by a genuine psychologist. At Core Confidence, our in-house psychologist, Vanessa, evaluates the programs and provides sessions with students.

Immersion sessions with clear goals and social skills training are essential. The program should offer daytime and nighttime sessions with a coach to fully immerse yourself in supportive social situations. Core Confidence specialises in immersion sessions.

Coaching should create a permanent change in clients' behaviour, building long-term dating and social skills. Core Confidence does this by having the sessions over the space of two months, with students offered an online course and video coaching support, as well as 8 in-person immersion sessions throughout the program. This duration ensures that the student experiences a long-term positive change.

If you’re ready to take action and master dating, get in touch with me now and book a free dating strategy call by clicking the button on this page.

Sydney Dating Coach | Ultimate Guide for Men

Australia's Dating Coach, Andrew Gung | Core Confidence Coaching Talks about the Japan Dating Culture and Social norms that fall into the dark side of Japan. The Japanese Culture tends to fantasize a lot of public and inappropriate sexual acts which in western society comes off quite disturbing and would definitely have legal consequences whereas in Japan, these types of behaviors just get the locals a 'slap on the wrist'. 

There are several reasons that lead to this culture in Japan, and I believe one of them being anime. When you look at a lot of anime, it has a lot of nudity and sexual acts portraying sexual assault and stalking as a common theme, which I believe has normalised behavior in society. I am not at all hating on Japan, I absolutely love the country, the food and the culture (for most part), it's simply making people aware that the country has quite a unique and different culture compared to other countries and so if travelling there simply be street smart and avoid any trouble, but know that if you are in any kind of danger, the Japanese police will MOST likely not help you. 


My recent viral video on Japanese culture has caused quite a stir so I wanted to delve deeper into this topic in a full blog post.

I have been a dating coach for over seven years, and I've coached thousands of men to improve their social and dating skills. For many men, this is a rite of passage—you get your career right, you get that great job, or you start a business, and you make money, and now it's time to invest in your dating skills. 

You've invested all that time in improving your career. Still, many of my clients found that having money does not guarantee relationship success or understanding how to attract women. However, suppose you have career success and dating skills. Combining the two is a magic formula that makes you an attractive catch to many women.

One thing I love to do is travel, and I recommend it to all my clients. It builds confidence and literally expands your boundaries. It is true what they say, "The world is a book, and if you don't travel, you only read one page." If you want to become an attractive man of the world - travel.

One place I love to visit is Japan, and I've been to Tokyo many times. Japan has a vibrant culture. However, there are some cultural norms there regarding women that I, and many others I know, have found unsettling and even disturbing.

We are fascinated with Japanese culture in the Western world, from Anime to traditional customs. This has led to further fascination with Japanese dating culture and how it can impact the many expats living in Japan.

Concepts like "wabi-sabi," which means the beauty of imperfection, and "kawaii," which means cuteness, draw global fascination. The result is that attention to detail and minimalism are essential in everything from date choices to fashion. A creative and thoughtful appreciation of everyday beauty, peace, and harmony is considered romantic. 

Commitment and seriousness are a massive part of the traditionalist culture in Japan, where dating is intended to lead to long-term commitment with a view to marriage.

In Western culture, it's common for men or women to make the first move and ask someone out. In Japan, however, the culture is much more formal and indirect.

Group dates are widespread, known as "gokon," where people meet formally before meeting privately if there is mutual interest.

The practice known as "kokuhaku" is unique to Japanese dating. In this practice, one person expresses feelings to the other, forming a formal relationship. In Western culture, entering a relationship is more likely to happen organically after dating and when the attraction is there.

These formal customs can sometimes suppress or stigmatize more natural social and dating skills. They can also result in bizarre and unsavory behaviors that appear to contradict formal culture.

Japan's Social Norms: A Double-Edged Sword

Politeness and respect are a massive part of Japanese society and create strict customs and formalities that must be adhered to. This is part of the idea of creating a harmonious collectivist society, where people are expected not to act for their individual desires but for the benefit of their community. Here, we see the most significant difference between Japanese and Western societies. In Western societies, individualism and competitiveness are encouraged. People see liberalism and freedom of expression as fundamental rights.

These strict social structures and codes have led to some unsavory behaviors being normalized, which would be shocking in Western contexts. The phenomenon of "chikan" refers to women being groped or other lewd acts being committed against women in public spaces, most commonly on the subway. Despite being illegal, this behavior is prevalent. It often results in no action by the police or a slap on the wrists. It reflects a combination of a lack of education on sexual harassment, basic dating, and social skills and a view of women in Japanese culture as subordinate. The result is women's rights not being protected. The cultural emphasis on harmony and conformity creates a situation where women seek to avoid conflict or embarrassment so they don't speak out against their aggressors, as they are often not believed and accused of causing a disturbance. Victim blaming creates an environment that perpetrators can exploit and where many women are traumatized and insecure when in public places. 

The Japanese government has implemented various response measures, such as women-only train carriages during peak hours and campaigns encouraging victims to speak out.

The representation of women in media and entertainment does not help matters. Women are often portrayed in very traditional roles and objectified. I've seen this on Japanese TV and films, particularly Anime and manga. This portrayal can reinforce stereotypes and limit ideas of the roles women can aspire to, as well as the objectification of women.

Provide an overview of Japan's social norms, highlighting the respect, politeness, and community-oriented behavior that characterize Japanese society.

Transition into discussing the "dark side," focusing on normalizing certain behaviors that might be considered inappropriate or illegal in Western societies.

Anime has global reach and a diverse range of genres that have entered Western society. Titles such as "Death Note" and "Attack on Titan" have gained substantial global audiences.

However, Anime often includes nudity and sex acts on women, leading to possible desensitization. These acts include stalking and sexual assault, which might contribute to the normalization of these behaviors and influence youth.

An example is "Kakegurui," where the plot portrays the main character as enjoying getting ganged up on by male students. This depiction romanticizes non-consensual behavior and sexual assault. Another example is in "7 Deadly Sins," where the main character is sexually assaulted twice. Still, the plot doesn't mention this at all. 

Squeaks and squeals from female characters are also widespread in Anime, contributing to the infantisation of women. In "High Rise Invasion," the character "Kuon Shinzaki" has an unrealistically high-pitched voice, moaning and squeaking in an unnecessarily sexualized way. The main protagonist in "Fruits Basket," "Tohru Honda," is infantilized with a child-like attitude and appearance and exhibits random squeaks and moans.

These portrayals of women in Anime, which are often viewed by children and young people, have been suggested to contribute to the normalization of sexual assault and strange, immature perceptions of sexuality. 

If you are visiting Japan as a foreigner or are currently living there, you must understand the cultural differences. You must respect boundaries and understand consent, which often involves more formality than in Western society. This will help avoid misunderstandings and uncomfortable situations.

If you're a woman in Japan who finds they are a victim of sexual assault or stalking, you are wasting your time if you go to the police. In most cases, they will not be helpful, or at worst, could result in you getting yourself in trouble. Your best alternative is to contact your embassy or expat support groups for help.

I do not hate Japan at all. I absolutely love the country, the food, and the culture (for the most part). Japan has quite a unique and different culture compared to other countries, so if you travel there, simply be street-smart and avoid any trouble. However, know that if you are in danger, the Japanese police will most likely not help you.

I encourage you to continue to travel while taking the necessary precautions and being street-smart. Millions of people visit Japan every year completely safely and without instant.

I have coached thousands of men to improve their dating and social skills. If you're struggling to get on dates, schedule in your call with one of our team members via our website and we can chat about what we can do to help you.

Navigating the dating scene can be difficult, especially if you’re living in a city as bustling as Sydney. If you’re struggling to find a partner or simply want to improve your dating skills, hiring a dating coach may be the right choice for you. In this blog post, we’ll answer some of the most common questions about dating coaching in Sydney.

The cost of hiring a dating coach can vary depending on their level of experience and the services they offer. On average, a dating coach in Sydney may charge anywhere from $100 to $400 per session. Some coaches may also offer packages that include multiple sessions at a discounted rate.

It’s important to keep in mind that hiring a dating coach is an investment in your future. While the cost may seem high, the benefits you’ll receive from working with a coach could be invaluable.

If you’re serious about improving your dating life, a dating coach can be well worth the money. Coaches can offer personalized advice and support to help you achieve your goals. They can also provide valuable feedback and help you identify any patterns or behaviors that may be hindering your dating success.

Working with a coach can also help you build confidence and improve your communication skills, which can benefit you in all areas of your life.

For more of my thoughts on the topic, I highly recommend reading about why you should get a dating coach in Sydney.

The frequency of your coaching sessions will depend on your individual needs and goals. Some people may only need a few sessions to achieve their desired outcomes, while others may benefit from ongoing support.

Most coaches will recommend starting with weekly or bi-weekly sessions to establish a foundation for your coaching relationship. From there, you can work with your coach to determine the best schedule for your needs.

While dating coaches can provide valuable support and guidance, there are some things they cannot do. Coaches cannot guarantee that you will find a partner or force someone to like you. They also cannot do the work for you - you will need to put in the effort to implement the advice and strategies you receive.

It’s also important to note that dating coaches are not therapists or psychologists. While they can offer emotional support and guidance, they are not trained to provide therapy or diagnose mental health issues.

Dating coaches can help you solve a variety of dating-related problems. Some of the most common issues they address include:

Identifying and changing negative patterns or behaviors

Navigating online dating apps and websites

Understanding body language and nonverbal cues

Improving your appearance and personal style

Whether you’re new to the dating scene or struggling to find the right partner, a dating coach can provide valuable support and guidance. With their help, you can improve your dating skills, build confidence, and ultimately find the love you’re looking for.

Dating coaching in Sydney can be a valuable investment in your future. While the cost may seem high, the benefits you’ll receive from working with a coach can be invaluable. Remember that hiring a coach is not a guarantee of success, but rather a tool to help you achieve your dating goals. With their support and guidance, you can improve your communication skills, build confidence, and ultimately find the love you’re looking for.

Dating Coaching in Sydney: Your Questions Answered

Sydney, the biggest city in Australia, is also one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the world. However, dating in Sydney can be difficult.

Sydney, the biggest city in Australia, is also one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the world. However, dating in Sydney can be difficult. People always seem to be in a rush and don’t seem to have time to really get to know each other. Locals can be unfriendly and may treat visitors like outsiders. It can be incredibly hot during certain times of the year (particularly during summer) making dates outside uncomfortably sweaty. Here are 5 ways you can overcome the Sydney dating challenges to achieve your dream dating life.

1. Take advantage of Sydney's bustling streets

If you’re looking to make the most of the bustling streets of Sydney, you should approach strangers and start a conversation; find out what they're are up to. As long as you do it thoughtfully and respectfully, it can be an effective method for making new friends or finding romance. There are plenty of popular public places to meet beautiful women. Head towards any of Sydney’s many parks, shopping centres, and beaches. The Botanic Gardens, Bondi Beach, Bondi Junction—you have no shortage of great outdoor destinations to meet new people and make romantic connections. Sydney is a hubbub of activity and there’s always something to see and do. From events like Vivid (and dozens more throughout the year), nightlife activities at Oxford Street and Kings Cross—there are thousands of things going on every day for single folks looking to mingle! Although it's easy to get overwhelmed by the busyness of Sydney's crowded streets, take advantage of the endless streams of interesting people you could build unique connections with.

Before you start approaching, read our Ethical Guide to Approaching Attractive Strangers .

As Australia's largest city, compared to people who live in small towns, you're poised to meet a seemingly infinite number of people. This can be overwhelming, especially if you're new to the dating scene! Lucky for you, dating apps are full of attractive, singles who are looking for all different kinds of connections. From friendships to one night stands, to relationships, dating apps have got you covered. If the number of dating options is overwhelming, you can take advantage of the filters that most popular dating apps offer.

Learn more about setting up an eye-catching dating app profile or click to learn more about text game and how to build attraction on dating apps with our text game guide.

Sydney is a trendy city with a young population. People care about how they look, especially with their fashion choices. Dressing and acting your best is a simple way to increase your chances of meeting people that you find attractive. If you take pride in how you look, act, and behave, others will too! Presenting yourself as your best self is an opportunity for people to see what you’re capable of when you give them your A-game. Presenting your best self to the world will also help you exude confidence. It’s only logical: If you feel good about how you look and you feel more confident, then other people will be drawn to that confidence and naturally gravitate towards you. That's why, the team at Core Confidence Coaching, include professional fashion styling in our programs.

If we don't love the person that we are, how could others be expected to love us? Be the kind of person you would want to date. For example, if you're more on the nerdy side, don't pretend to be a hipster just to find love. Do things that will develop your good qualities and enjoy yourself. Many people make dating harder than it has to be and overcomplicate things in an attempt to impress others. Go out there and be you! You'll have fun and feel a lot better about it if you do. If you're happy, the women around you will be attracted to that positivity. Focus on improving your social skills and confidence so you can be truly proud of the man that you are. Once you become that man, you'll soon find that your growth has led to a more confident and attractive you. What's more, rejection hurts less when you have self-worth and love yourself.

In such a large city, it’s easy to feel like you’ve seen it all. But sometimes that’s not true. The thing about places and experiences is that there are always new things to discover, even if you think you’ve exhausted every option. Take dating for example. There are plenty of hidden dating spots to be found in Sydney! To find some of these spots, spend time exploring the nooks and crannies of the city. Go do side streets, laneways, memorials and other less popular sites. Google is your friend! Try learning about the city's history; not only will you have some fascinating date topics and things to share in your pocket, but you may just discover one of Sydney's many hidden gems along the way.

Unfortunately, dating can be hard no matter where you live. But there are ways to make it easier! Topping our list of tips for making your love life a little less lonely and a lot more fun is to get out there. Visit any of Sydney's many bustling locations that put you in front of attractive people with who you could connect. It’s amazing how great online dating apps have become—so check them out. And don’t forget about the importance of presenting your best self to the world and becoming someone you love. The more opportunities you give yourself to meet new people, and the more dateable you become, the better your chances of finding someone special. Finally, make your first dates special by taking your date to one or some of Sydney's many hidden and captivating spots.

Make Dating in Sydney Easier with These 5 Tips

Although it might be tempting to suggest a movie date at the cinemas, here are some options that will offer you a better chance to get to know your date.

With its charming culture and laid-back lifestyle, it’s no wonder why so many singles from all over Australia and overseas flock to Melbourne every year to find someone special with whom they can spend time and create memories with. Melbourne has everything to offer when it comes to romance and dating, so there are plenty of places you can go on your next date to make sure it’s unforgettable.

Melbourne’s Yarra River is often overlooked as a date location, which is a shame because it’s arguably one of Melbourne’s most romantic spots! A visit by boat will take you around Flinders Street and over to Southbank where you can grab dinner or check out some of Melbourne’s best views from Federation Square. If the weather's warm enough, you can do an evening picnic by the water.

Southbank is arguably one of Melbourne’s most popular destinations for dinner and drinks. It’s just across the river from the city, with a wide variety of dining and nightlife options. There are also great views of the city skyline and plenty of open space perfect for strolling along and getting to know someone new. I think Southbank is ideal for first dates; it’s close enough to the city that you will still have great views and the bustling energy of the city and there are also plenty of things you can do and see. And while there are certainly crowds at night (on weekends especially), there are still plenty of spots with room for intimate conversation.

Date Spot #3: National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)

The NGV is free and is a great place for a first date! In my opinion, spending too much money on a first date implies that her value greatly exceeds your own and sets a precedent for the next dates. The NGV is also one of Melbourne’s best-known galleries, so if you find yourself without things to talk about (you know how it goes), you can always talk about the artwork. There are usually at least five or six different exhibitions running at any given time, so there will be something new every time you visit.

Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens are beautiful and conveniently located close to Melbourne CBD. The gardens are home to over 7,000 species of plants from around Australia, so you have plenty of flora-themed topics to bring up during your date. They also have many places for you both to sit together while enjoying each other’s company.

Date Spot #5: Scienceworks and Planetarium

If you’re more of an indoor couple, it doesn’t get much better than Melbourne’s iconic Scienceworks and Planetarium. The first planetarium built outside of Europe, it offers awe-inspiring views of our solar system with state-of-the-art telescopes. With an expert astronomer at your side, you’ll learn all about planets like Mars and Jupiter while gazing up at them through one of the most sophisticated stargazing systems in Australia. Located within South Wharf Promenade, it’s easy to reach by tram.

St. Kilda is one of Melbourne’s most iconic suburbs and easily one of Australia’s most loved beachside destinations. The classic penguin parade at dusk—seeing penguins waddle back from their fishing grounds—is well worth seeing for any animal lover. You can take a romantic walk along Acland Street and grab an ice cream afterward!

Escape rooms are an exciting, immersive game where players work together to solve puzzles and find clues. Solving all of these riddles wins you your freedom, but if you get stuck, there’s nothing quite like pressure from your date for motivation.

Did you know that more than 50% of first dates take place at a restaurant? If you’re going out with someone for casual dating, dinner, and drinks is usually appropriate. But if it’s your first time meeting up with someone, consider trying something different. What type of person are you interested in? Do they share your same interests? No matter what your taste or preferences may be, there’s a date location that will cater to them. If golf is your thing, try hitting some balls at Holey Moley Golf – two people can play 18 holes for less than $50.

There are plenty of great date locations and activities in Melbourne, and while we may not be able to narrow it down to just one spot, these places will definitely get you off on the right foot. Happy dating!

Convinced that no good dates exist in Melbourne? Think again! This ultimate guide to dating in Melbourne has everything you need to know about the best places

Convinced that no good dates exist in Melbourne? Think again! This ultimate guide to dating in Melbourne has everything you need to know about the best places to go on dates and how to progress these dates further into actual relationships with amazing women.

Online dating has become increasingly popular, but it’s not right for everyone. Some people prefer face-to-face interactions; you might feel more comfortable talking in person instead of through text or social media. When meeting new people (whether they’re friends or romantic interests), look for signs that your "person of interest" is into you—like flirting and physical contact. Earlier signs of interest such as them asking you questions, and making effort to continue conversations may also indicate interest. You should also get a sense of what your date is looking for from their interactions with others: If they’re rude to servers, chances are they won’t have kind words about you once you two get together. Now that Melbourne is slowly emerging out of lockdown, people are motivated and excited to meet new people! Make the most of it!

Let’s face it—sometimes it’s easier to talk about dating than to actually go out and do it. Whether you know exactly what you want or are yet to work that out, having conversations with a range of different people is extremely valuable. Striking up friendly conversations is a great way to start to build your confidence so that when you approach the woman of your dreams, you are putting your best foot forward. An exercise we often recommend to our clients is to make the extra effort to put yourself out there, whether that's in the waiting room at an appointment, or at the check-out in the supermarket. After all, successful and memorable dates are usually filled with great conversations, so get practicing!

Meeting people and talking to people are skills that will help you progress to building attraction. Bars and clubs are great settings in which you can meet women. There are a few unwritten rules for attracting women to bars and clubs, and if you can stick to them, you should be able to meet some great people. First of all, don’t sit around waiting for things to happen – go out and make them happen. Be confident and approach a woman – any woman – and try to find something about her that interests you. If nothing comes up, move on! Chances are that she’s just not your type anyway. If you start talking, try not to give too much away about yourself straight away – let her do most of the talking initially and ask her lots of questions about herself. Especially in settings like bars and clubs, be genuine, and respectful, and show an interest in getting to know the woman for who they are. A large and arguably one of the most beneficial components of our program is having an expert dating coach go out into these settings with you and help you with your approaches.

You want to meet new people, but you're not sure how to do it without the awkwardness of the singles bar scene. Melbourne speed dating offers a more comfortable way to meet like-minded singles in Melbourne, and you'll have plenty of chances to talk one-on-one with anyone who catches your eye. This fun and efficient process will get you out of the house, help you connect with people who share your interests, and give you a great chance at meeting someone special—all in just one night! Lucky for you, we're partnered with Melbourne's speed dating leaders. Be sure to check out Speed Dating Melbourne!

Asking for a phone number isn’t as nerve-wracking as asking for a date, but there are some things you can do to increase your chances of receiving it. It’s fine to ask for their number during an evening out, but don’t forget that you want them thinking about you afterwards—so instead of taking up valuable time by asking for their number right then and there, plan on having one last drink at a bar or cafe after you ask. That way, if they give you their number and say they want to see you again later on, it makes sense. Plus, if they don’t give you their number after your post-coffee chat, well... Maybe they weren’t feeling it anyway!

It can be hard making plans, particularly if you’re both busy people. When first meeting someone, see if you can pick up on their interests to tailor a date that shows that you care. For example, if she says she likes art, have a look at upcoming exhibitions at the National Gallery of Victoria and suggest you go there. Being up to date on events in Melbourne will help you in this planning phase. One of the most popular questions we get asked is: "How do I organise the first date?", we usually suggest asking a general question, such as "Do you have anything fun planned for Monday and Thursday evenings?". That way, if they say no, you can make your suggestion, "There's an exhibition at the NGV on Monday night, would you like to go?", or, if they say yes, ask what they have planned and use that to learn more about them and what they like to do. Then, you can ask again at a later time. The good thing about this approach is you give the woman more than one option, so you maximise your chances of them being available, but, if they're not available, you haven't been "rejected", because you were merely asking them if they have anything fun planned.

For those of you already seeing someone, if one of you is usually responsible for organising dates, try changing things up once in a while. Not only will it mean that neither of you gets stuck with doing all of the organising, but it will also give both partners an opportunity to discover what they really want from their time together. Is he more into quiet nights at home, or would she prefer it if you went out dancing every weekend? You don’t have to do things exactly as you have before—not every date has to be long walks on romantic streets or candlelit dinners.

The bottom line is that if you’re looking for love, Melbourne is an awesome place to date. You can see 8 of our great date ideas here. From romantic walks on St Kilda beach to scoping out high-end art galleries, you won’t run out of ways to spend quality time with your partner. The best part? If things don’t work out with one person, there are thousands more single Melbourne singles just waiting for you! Have fun!

For information about our programs, or to have a free 20-minute Dating Breakthrough call with one of Melbourne's expert dating coaches, be sure to contact us.

The Ultimate Guide to Dating in Melbourne

It seems bizarre to me now that I’d held back for nearly 10 years before deciding to commit to fulfilling my dream of starting up a dating coaching company for men.

Dating coaches have a reputation that ranges from the suave and sophisticated, to the sleazy and manipulative. However, the true essence of dating coaching lies in something far more meaningful. It's about empowering men to cultivate self-assurance, healthy habits, and social proficiency in order to develop and sustain meaningful relationships. This is the story of how I, Andrew, founded Core Confidence Coaching, a dating coaching company based in Melbourne.

My journey as a dating coach started when I was just 18 years old, and had my first relationship. At that time, my understanding of relationships was shaped by movies, TV shows, and social media. I thought that relationships were straightforward, and that the first kiss would lead to the two of us being a couple. Unfortunately, my first relationship lasted only 8 months, and my girlfriend left me for her best friend. This caused me to feel angry with myself and my ex-girlfriend.

The next relationship I had was set up by a high school friend, with the aim of making our exes jealous. We lasted for only 6 months, as we began to fight over petty issues, and sex became a mere convenience. I was too comfortable in the relationship to face my fear of ending it.

It was my third relationship, at 24 years old, that inspired me to become a dating coach. I met a girl on MySpace, a social media platform that existed before Facebook, and we dated for 4 months before becoming a couple. Unfortunately, the relationship only lasted for 2 months. After the breakup, I became very depressed, and felt like giving up on everything. I lost 8kg, stopped working, and my only focus was getting my ex-girlfriend back.

However, it was during this time that I discovered the world of personal development and dating mentorship. I became obsessed with learning the life skills I'd never been taught. I spent my days reading, building routines, learning discipline, going to social events to improve my social skills. I surrounded myself with better friends and started my first business.

Fast forward 15 years of continuous personal development and growth, I am now a lot more capable and successful man. I had the support from so many incredible men and women along my journey that my old friends started to notice the growth I'd made.

It was a turning point in my life when a close friend's girlfriend left him for another guy after being in a relationship for 4 years. I too had faced similar heartache, so I felt motivated to help my friend understand the reasons behind his girlfriend's loss of attraction. I wanted to empower him to revive their relationship if they ever got another chance. After two months of coaching, my friend received a message from his ex saying "Answer my calls, we need to talk." She had ended things with the new guy and wanted to give things another try with my friend. Everything I taught him about maintaining attraction, being more masculine, and winning back his ex worked!

Fast forward to 2017, I was overjoyed to attend my friend's wedding to the love of his life and to see that they already had a beautiful child. After the ceremony, my friend and I sat down for a chat and I asked "I'm curious. You have a beautiful family and are married to the girl of your dreams. But many years ago when you two were apart and she didn't want to talk to you, do you think that if I hadn't helped you, we would be here today with your first child together?" He smiled and said "No way man, no way!" I was touched and said "That's amazing. I'm so happy to be here and see everything come full circle. I had to go through my own heartache to be able to help others." My friend looked at me and said "I think you finally found your calling," as we clinked our beer bottles in celebration. And thus, Core Confidence Coaching was born.

How do you approach and talk to an attractive stranger without sounding sleazy or manipulative? In fact, you should take care

As dating coaches in a highly digital society (and during COVID-19 when it was borderline illegal to meet people any other way), we get asked more and more, “How can I create a dating app profile that gets more swipe rights and more matches?”. With approximately 270 million users of dating apps worldwide, the opportunities are endless. The art of creating the perfect dating app profile is a tricky one, but let’s simplify it. In this blog, we will be discussing the two key components of any dating app profile: the photos and the bio, showing you how to make the most out of these, before stepping through some examples of some not-so-good profiles. Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, Coffee Meets Bagel, eHarmony, and even Grindr, these principles apply across the board!

The photos you choose for your profile serve a few different functions, the main one is to grab the attention of a potential match. They have to elicit some sort of positive reaction to result in a match or message. They’ve been mindlessly swiping with The Bachelor on in the background, so it’s your job to captivate their attention! Part of eliciting this reaction is building attraction. Your profile photos are the first opportunity your potential matches have to become attracted to you. Make it count.

Everything you add to your profile introduces a source of friction. Put simply, anything you add to your profile carries a risk of being the reason that someone doesn’t match you; the nature of dating apps is to encourage people to make rash decisions based on the smallest detail, so be selective and thoughtful about your photos.

Your photos will be the way that your potential matches get a sense of your character and who you are as a person. You want to choose photos that make you look charismatic, confident, and fun rather than photos that make you look reserved, uncomfortable, or like your friend is behind the camera trying to hype you up and it’s just not working out.

One of the biggest mistakes I see clients make is misinterpreting “fun”. Just because you had fun that night you were blackout drunk with the boys, doesn’t mean it should go on your dating app profile. Make it easy for your potential matches to know who you are in your profile; why should they have to waste time trying to figure out which one you are when they can swipe to the next guy who has heaps of pics of just him, making it super easy to determine if he’s worth a shot? You don’t need group photos to show a girl you have friends with, it will be assumed if you present yourself the right way.

Standing out also means avoiding cliches. You guessed it! Avoid the photos with your morning coffee, brunch, walk around the Tan, or that time you went to the Grand Canyon. When a potential match sees your photos, she will do one of three things

Immediately swipe left/reject your profile

So she’s chosen option 3; tapped on your profile, or scrolled a little to read more.

The function of your bio/anything you write in your profile is a little more nuanced than the photos but equally as important. Its purpose is to portray a sense of character, indicate whether you and your potential match could get along, distinguish you from the others on the app, and portray you as a person who has high value. Portraying yourself as a high-value person means showing you have standards (in a playful way), for example, on my Hinge bio, one of my prompts was:  I am looking for someone who… Can eat a whole pack of Tim Tams in one sitting 

Being a high-value person also means being someone who has a lot to offer, without sounding needy or desperate in the process.

Another nuanced aspect of the bio is your spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Not to sound like your teacher at school, but don’t make your poor grammar the reason a girl doesn’t match with you! Like with the photos, your spelling, grammar, and punctuation become a source of friction, don’t let an easy mix-up of your and you’re the reason she doesn’t match with you. It’s for this reason that people are more sensitive to these mistakes when it comes to making judgements on a dating app profile.

Similar to the concepts we talked about in the photos section, avoid cliches. Avoid detailing your travel experiences, and that your favourite brunch spot is the Fourth Chapter. In saying that, make sure you can be relatable. Let’s look at the Tim Tam example again:  I am looking for someone who… Can eat a whole pack of Tim Tams in one sitting 

It would be a fair judgement call that most of the Australian population likes Tim Tams, so I was relatable without being cliche.

Here are more of my thoughts on how to start conversations on Tinder.

Have any questions or ideas you want to see covered in our next blog post? Contact us here.

How to Build an Eye-Catching Dating Profile

Approach anxiety is the primary reason men don’t approach strangers that they’re attracted to. Many men get so lost in thought and are so paralysed by their fear that they end up gawking idly at any attractive woman that they pass by, but like all problems there are solutions.

The most important thing to remember when you have approach anxiety is that there’s nothing wrong with you. By recognizing what causes it and how to deal with it, you can learn how to approach women with confidence and stop feeling nervous every time you see someone you’d like to talk to.

Let’s first explore the two reasons approach anxiety exists: Nature and Nurture.

Our brains are nearly identical to those of our ancestors who lived amongst small tribes. A lot of our behaviours evolved within their living conditions and so we are subconsciously influenced by their ways of thinking. Let’s imagine life back in one of those tribes for our male ancestor, Bob. Imagine Bob is young and virile and looking for a woman to mate with. If he approaches a woman and it goes poorly, what might happen? At the very least, the people of his tribe will gossip and laugh at him, making life generally unpleasant. In the worst case, if someone of a higher status than Bob liked that same girl, Bob may be cast out of the tribe, harmed, or in the worst case, executed. It’s perfectly normal and understandable for Bob to be terrified to approach a woman and in those times, he has every right to be.

Fast forward to 2022. Bob’s future ancestor (you) is living in a city of millions of people all frantically going about their day. Nobody knows or could ever remember the thousands of people they cross paths with every day. If you respectfully approach a stranger and it doesn’t go well, what’s the worst that could happen? The answer is… not much. She may tell you that she’s not interested and walk away. Since 2006, I have respectfully approached plenty of women. I can tell you, from over 15 years of experience, nothing bad has ever happened to me. In modern-day cities, you can do what Bob never could!

Avoiding awkward, tense, and even dangerous situations in our communities is what helps our societies flourish and remain safe places to live. As individuals, this avoidance keeps us away from pain and closer to pleasure. From a young age, our parents instilled in us the idea that we “shouldn’t talk to strangers”. Additionally, our family, friends, and teachers encourage us to meet people through “socially appropriate channels”. When we do, we are to shower the conversation with civilities and platitudes. So, we do. We take those lessons and apply them to how we behave in society. In the long run, conforming rewards us with safety and security. Sadly, these teachings also come with a nasty and unnecessary side effect: approach anxiety.

All you’ve ever done is met people through family, friends, online, or through your work. It’s no wonder approaching a random woman you find attractive scares the crap out of you. You have approach anxiety because society taught you that approaching a woman you don’t know and find attractive will result in some tension, awkwardness, or even danger. What you haven’t been taught is that is exactly what makes it attractive to a woman. These are the basic building blocks of emotional chemistry. Without tension, there can be no sexual tension. Without courage, there can be no confidence.

There is good news. By recognising this has been programmed in you since birth, you can start to reprogram yourself and start to respectfully approach women you find attractive. Below are six tips to get started. I hope they will help you as much as they helped me.

Years ago, my mentor told me that from the moment I saw a girl I was attracted to, I had five seconds to start a conversation with her. If the five seconds had passed and I hadn’t approached, I wasn’t allowed to even if I wanted to. This was a rule I imposed upon myself.

The five-second rule is primarily effective for two reasons. The first is that you don’t give your brain any time to come up with excuses as to why you shouldn’t approach. When all those thoughts start popping into your head, you become paralysed. The way to solve this is not to give yourself any time to think in the first place, just get in there and say “Hi”.

The second is that it stops you from dwelling on the woman you didn’t approach. There’s no point. You can’t approach them now. That’s the rule, so you move on. This allows you to stay in a more positive and optimistic state of mind and remain in the present. Guess what! In the present, there’s a cute woman coming around the corner, right about… now!

The fear of rejection is an extremely common problem for men when trying to meet women in real life. Instead of focusing on building attraction or trying to get her phone number, they’re worried about what will happen if they get rejected and/or if she makes fun of them. The fear of being shot down prevents many men from taking action, but it’s important that you don’t let fear control your behaviour.

If she rejects you, don’t take it personally. There are a thousand reasons why a woman may reject you. Many of which have nothing to do with you. They may be in a relationship, recently broken up, in a bad mood, or have dated someone with traits or an appearance similar to yours. Remember, there are plenty more women out there and it doesn’t matter if anyone woman doesn’t want you. You’ll meet someone who appreciates you soon enough!

When you get nervous, your body releases adrenaline and cortisol into your bloodstream—two hormones that work together to give you a rush of energy that can be both physical and mental. This reaction is known as fight or flight (or, more aptly in our case, flight or approach). The adrenaline in your blood helps flood your muscles with oxygen for quick action—like running away from danger or walking up to women on the street.

To effectively reduce this nervousness, try to visualize a positive outcome. If you imagine yourself succeeding at approaching women on the street, your body is less likely to release cortisol and adrenaline when you try it for real. Since these hormones work together and can only be present in limited quantities at any given time, reducing adrenaline means reducing cortisol as well. With fewer of these stress hormones circulating in your system, you’ll find that feeling nervous isn’t quite so overwhelming.

If you can’t muster up enough courage to approach a woman on your own, get out there and walk. As with any other exercise, it’s all about building that muscle memory—getting yourself accustomed to seeing women around you as an opportunity, not a threat. So go take a walk; when you pass by anyone, man, or woman, say something as simple as asking for directions or for the time to at least five of them. Start warming up the approaching muscle to grow the confidence to have meaningful interactions with strangers.

Make it a financial incentive to get out there and approach women. Have a friend hold you accountable, with penalties for each approach you don’t do. The more specific the goal the better. Commit to a number of approaches before you leave the house and tell your friend about that goal. The heftier the financial incentive, the greater the motivation for you to get out of your comfort zone. If your friend is with you in person, physically give them the money when you first meet making it clear that unless you reach your goal, they are not to give the money back to you. You’ll feel amazing if you reach your goal—and you’ll get your money back!

The reality is that she’s a normal person with normal interests, not some goddess who landed on another planet. That goes for anyone. So don’t set people up as too good to talk to you; try talking to them first instead of letting them pass by while you stare. Even if they blow you off or ignore you, at least you tried. You are no worse off than when you started and now you know that there's no need to worry about what might happen if you start a conversation—they'll either respond positively or not. But be sure to start conversations because it's interesting, fun, and engaging! No person is too special to be spoken to by you.

Approach anxiety is a natural feeling—we're told from a very young age not to talk to strangers, so it makes sense that you feel nervous. While there are no tricks for overcoming approach anxiety, our clients find that immersing themselves in practicing approaching women respectfully, slowly but surely alleviates their feelings of fear and dread when they see an attractive woman walk by. If you want to meet more women, try taking risks by walking up and talking to them; with practice, your comfort will increase until you meet and connect with the woman or women of your dreams.

Approach Anxiety and 6 Ways To Overcome It

When I meet people and tell them I am a dating coach, the first question I almost always get asked is, “a what?”. Assuming that you’ve clicked on this article

When I meet people and tell them I am a dating coach, the first question I almost always get asked is, “a what?”. Assuming that you’ve clicked on this blog because you’re asking the same question, let’s break this down!

We get it, we’ve all been there, and the dating world is stressful. Our own challenges in the dating scene are often what motivated us to become coaches. We have a deep understanding of the areas you want to improve in, and we can help you achieve your dream dating life. We do this by keeping you accountable, we set goals with you and make sure you’re staying on track. You will get stuck sometimes though, but luckily for you, we know how to get you unstuck by guiding you to effective solutions. These solutions have come from our own failures. So many failures. We get it, failing sucks, but we’ve made all the dating mistakes so we can hopefully save you from making your own. Although we call ourselves “dating coaches”, it is often other lifestyle factors that are holding you back. We see this, and we work with you holistically to help you become more confident so you can enter the dating scene as a more complete person. Let’s look at my top 5 reasons to get a dating coach:

Reason #1: Help you achieve more and fail less

As dating coaches, it’s our full-time job to make sure we have a niche understanding of the exact areas you need help with. We’ve devoted a huge amount of our lives to learning all about the dating world, what works, and what doesn’t. We spend all our time researching, practicing, and… you guessed it… coaching others through the exact same or similar issues that you are experiencing. You’re not alone. Dating is stressful. But, if done with the right guidance, dating is also fun. We’ll introduce structure, by setting goals, planning the steps that we can take together, and giving you the guidance you need along the way; suddenly, the overwhelming world of dating becomes more manageable, and dare I say, enjoyable. If you want to achieve your dream dating life, a good dating coach will get you there with less failure, more accuracy, and more success.

We briefly touched on structure and goal-setting, but let’s dive deeper into that. A dating coach can help you set goals for your dating life, sure, but arguably just as importantly, they’ll keep you accountable and help you stay right on track. Every coach does this a little differently, but here at Core Confidence Coaching, we do this through regular Zoom video calls, an exclusive Facebook group, direct after-hours contact with a coach if you’re on our 6 and 8-week programs, and in-field sessions. We are always checking up on your progress, setting you tasks, and giving you all the resources you need to help you achieve your goals. As a member of the exclusive Facebook group, you’ll be in a unique position to communicate with other men who are going through a similar journey; a space where we can all motivate each other and help each other stay on track.

So often we give up on things when we hit too many obstacles that feel insurmountable. The same goes with dating, often if you’re left navigating the dating world on your own, the psychological fatigue hits, and you feel like giving up. Have you ever been in a really good conversation with a girl and suddenly your mind goes blank and you’ve got no idea what to say to her? This might be a sign that you are ‘feeling stuck’. Imagine being able to reach out to a whole community of people and experienced dating coaches who have been through the same thing and know how to get you unstuck. Dating coaches can offer you support through these times, and give you a new perspective. At Core Confidence Coaching, we do this through our one-on-one video calls, where we can even look at your messages with you and help you come up with a response. You can even pop a screenshot in the Facebook group and have real-time help from our coaches and other students! Soon the skill will become second nature to you, and feeling stuck will be a thing of the past.

Reason #4: We've made mistakes so you don’t have to

I’ve not only seen and heard my clients’ dating fails, but have had many of my own! Yes, we are dating coaches, but we are also human beings with lots of dating experience (both successes and many failures). It is often our failures that have motivated us to help others not go through the same things (read more about why Andrew, the director of Core Confidence Coaching, became a dating coach here). While cold-approaching a pretty girl on the street might be foreign and a completely new thing for you, it’s second nature to us. We’ve done it many times to improve our own skills and have also seen many clients go through the same thing, so we know how you feel and how to best prepare and support you. When you feel down or feel like giving up, you can lean on us for support, we’ve got you!

Reason #5: Get more than just dating advice

The telltale sign of a great dating coach is one who can look at you holistically, inside and out. Dating coaches can see the whole picture from an objective point of view and focus on aspects other than just dating. What’s holding you back from achieving your dream dating life? Is it a lack of confidence, or under-developed social skills? Is it poor habits, or a limiting mindset? It’s hard to see these deep-rooted weaknesses in ourselves, but that’s where a great dating coach steps in. We do our best to help you resolve underlying issues that you’d never have thought would affect your dating! Without resolving our deep-rooted problems, they can eventually rear their ugly head. Resolving them is the key to you having healthy and sustainable relationships.

So there you have it! My top 5 reasons to have a dating coach. Of course, I could go on forever, but I invite you to try it out for yourself and discover what Melbourne and Sydney’s expert dating coaches can do for you. If you want to see what some of our clients had to say, you can read some testimonials, and scroll through our Google reviews. To get started, register for a free call with one of our expert dating coaches, and let us prove to you why hiring a dating coach will be the best decision you’ve ever made.

How do you approach and talk to an attractive stranger without sounding sleazy or manipulative? In this case, you should

How do you go up to and talk to an attractive stranger without sounding sleazy and how do you make them feel comfortable and safe? In this guide, I'll teach you how to avoid the common traps of using PUA techniques or pick-up lines. I'll teach you how to be authentic and how to communicate your intentions clearly. Remember, the key here is to be respectful—not just because it's the right thing to do, but also because women have much a better radar than men do when it comes to picking up on insincere or superficial people.

For those familiar with the sentiments expressed by practitioners of pick-up, approaching women with canned openers and violating a woman's personal space (with a shoulder tap or by blocking their path, for example) is commonplace. Don't ever come across as forceful or aggressive. Don't let yourself enter their personal space before you've been invited in or some rapport has been developed, and don't approach them in a traditional pick-up kind of way. People are more likely to be receptive when approached with respect than they are when they think they're being hassled by a pick-up artist or salesperson.

If she acts disturbed, disinterested, or tries to brush you off, don't force yourself upon her. Respect her boundaries! Especially, if she's made it clear she's not interested or is already seeing someone. Set the tone of your approaches right by starting respectfully.

We've seen or heard of guys who try to approach women with pick-up lines, sleazy techniques, or other manipulation tactics. These techniques may work—but they aren't honest or ethical means of dating; instead, they are methods of getting into a woman's pants through deception. When talking to an attractive stranger, it's okay to pretend you have confidence and charisma as these facets slowly become authentic parts of who you are with practice—but don't lie about your hobbies, career choices, interests in art or music, family life, or income level.

If someone lies their way into a woman's pants, not only does that taint the nature of their sexual and emotional experiences, but it reflects poorly on the character of the person lying. In some cases, this kind of deception can even be illegal. Be honest in your intentions. Never try to play or game anyone by manipulation or by pretending you are something you are not—and always tell her your true intentions when you first speak to her, so she doesn't misunderstand what kind of interaction she is having with you: are you interested in her? Are you looking for friends?

Smiling as you approach will help keep things friendly. Having open body language (no crossed arms, no fists) will show that there are no hidden intentions behind your approach—it will also suggest confidence. And it goes without saying: don't invade someone's personal space just because you think it will make them listen to you—that can come off quite intimidating.

Speak with a grounded but assertive tone to get their attention. Something as simple as "excuse me!" followed by your opener/conversation starter. There's no need to shout, whisper, or blurt a question out to them without first getting their attention. Continue to speak naturally; if they're not interested in having a conversation with you, they'll let you know bluntly or with their body language.

The key to striking up a conversation with a woman where a connection is formed is in showing some care about what they have to say. We know it sounds like common sense, but a lot of guys get caught up in talking about themselves. They don't really listen to what she has to say or attempt to find commonalities between her interests and theirs. Don't be that guy. Take time to find out where they're from, and what you two have in common; enjoy the process and banter in the conversation before telling them all the impressive things about you.

One of my favourite things about striving to be an ethical man is that it forces me to think critically about how I am interacting with others. Instead of using pick-up techniques, becoming a gentleman means approaching every situation with respect, authenticity, and enthusiasm. Whether it's a stranger on the street, the barista serving my coffee, or striking up a conversation on an aeroplane, my intention is always to leave people better than I found them—so they'll want more of me in their lives. After all, what could be more rewarding than leaving someone happier, more confident, inspired, or more knowledgeable about the world?

So, you want to learn how to talk to people without being sleazy. That's a great thing. While "be yourself" can be a cliché, it really is a good rule of thumb. Being honest about your intentions shows people you are self-aware and confident. No one likes deception—it's a big turn-off and extremely unethical. Be honest with who you are and what you want from someone else, and chances are they will respond in kind.

You don't need old-school pick-up techniques to attract women. In the years since the book "The Game" was published, we've learnt a lot. It turns out, for people who lack social skills completely, these manipulative social hacks have been a shortcut to short-term attraction. I'd take learning real social skills and practising an ethical approach to attraction over deception any day of the week. And that's precisely what Core Confidence Coaching is all about.

An Ethical Guide to Meeting Attractive Strangers

To the latter, I always come back with the same answer: pick-up lines don't actually work. Despite many reputable websites claiming that they work for most men.

The last 10 years have seen a huge increase of single men and women jumping into the world of dating apps, especially with COVID-19 impacting how we meet and connect with people. In just one year, from 2019 to 2020, the number of dating app users jumped from 250 million to 270 million, and this number is continuing to grow. It makes sense that the most commonly asked questions we get are,

How can I use Tinder properly to get more matches?

To the latter, I always come back with the same answer: pick-up lines don't actually work. Despite many reputable websites claiming that they work for most men. I know you're probably disappointed hearing this because you thought I was about to give you a list of the top 10 best Tinder pick-up lines, but I am going to do you one better. You’re about to learn some techniques so that you can come up with your own creative openers that will give you more success than a tacky pick-up line.

Let's start off by taking a look at some examples of heavily advertised, cliché pick-up lines, and analyse what doesn't work and why, before I share with you what does work.

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