Here at HCI, we get a lot of great questions from prospective students about Life Coaching. Since chances are good that if you’re considering becoming a Life Coach you may be wondering some of the same things, we’ve compiled answers to the 10 most common Life Coaching questions. We hope this information helps you get clearer on what a Life Coach is, whether it’s right for you, and how to set yourself up for future career success.

So let’s get started…

#1: What is Life Coaching exactly?
Life Coaching is a rapidly growing service profession that helps people take charge of their lives and step into the boldest, most alive version of themselves. In simple terms, a Life Coach is a trained professional who empowers others to live their best lives, providing the critical support and accountability to move from surviving to thriving.

Coaches work with their clients over a period of time, helping them address current “stucks” in their lives, unlock their full potential, and set goals to achieve their desired outcomes.

At HCI, we define a Life Coach as someone who helps people across 3 domains of well-being:
Physical well-being
Emotional well-being
Cognitive well-being

Coaching is a cooperative partnership between client and coach, where the coaching relationship continuously gives power to the client. Coaches don’t offer answers or advice—they ask empowering questions to help people find the answers to the challenges they’re facing within…even if the answers may seem muddled, hidden, or unclear.

Life Coaches examine what’s going on in your life right now, identify challenges or obstacles that are keeping you from achieving your goals, and develop a plan of action to create the life you desire.

Click here to learn more about what Life Coaching is and what Life Coaches do.

#2: What Will You Learn With a Free Life Coach Training?
If you’re looking for a training program that will fully prepare you to help clients get results and give you the tools you need to launch a business, to put it bluntly, a free training probably won’t deliver. While you may learn some general information about coaching, a program that doesn’t cost anything probably won’t have much “meat on the bones.”

Becoming a masterful coach and building a successful career requires a significant investment of time, a solid curriculum to create your coaching foundation, and extensive opportunities for hands-on learning (among other things).

Look for a training that doesn’t just cover the basics, but also includes the opportunity to work with practice clients and teaches the business of Life Coaching (e.g. how to price your programs, market yourself, and get paying clients) so you can make a living in the real world.

When you choose a training program that requires an investment, you know that you can expect more from that program. Whether it’s well-trained instructors, thorough and polished resource materials, support outside of the classroom (live events, support from staff, etc.), or advanced technology that’s easy to use, paid programs should provide you with a top-notch Life Coaching education.

For more info on how to get trained as a Life Coach, click here.

#3: What is a Holistic Life Coach?
A Holistic Life Coach is someone who coaches clients on a holistic level, helping them to thrive in mind, body, and spirit. By addressing the person as a whole, Holistic Life Coaches help clients access their full potential, tackle challenges that are holding them back from living their best life, and be their most liberated, empowered self.

A Holistic Life Coach differs from a typical Life Coach in that they don’t just help people improve certain areas of their lives, they help them integrate all of those areas, harness their power to manifest the lives they desire, and live with more intention and fulfillment. By engaging in holistic coaching, clients can create a deeper personal transformation for themselves than they might otherwise be able to by only addressing certain areas of their life in isolation.

Holistic Life Coaching is just one niche that Life Coaches can pursue. There are clients out there who are looking for your unique expertise, whether that’s religion, relationships, health and wellness, business, or anything else you love!

#4: How Much Does Becoming a Life Coach Cost?
There are free training programs and then there are programs that cost upwards of $10,000, so there’s no real “average” cost to pursuing a Life Coach education. As we mentioned already, though, there are reasons we advise against going the free route (see Question 2).
Becoming a Life Coach is an investment, but it’s a worthwhile one. It is, after all, the foundation upon which your future career success is built. A credible training program that will teach you everything you need to know to launch a Life Coaching career will run you in the ballpark of $4,000 – $7,000.

But don’t let the cost of a program be the sole determinant of a training’s value…expensive doesn’t always equal better. Do your research. Compare school curriculums. Read student reviews. Ask A LOT of questions. Make sure you’re getting everything you’ll need to coach your clients effectively AND run a business with ease. And if you feel unsure? Don’t be afraid to keep looking.

Finally, if you’re nervous about affording your education, don’t hesitate to ask schools about their financing options. Any reputable school will be more than willing to work with you to make your education a reality.

#5: Who Are Some Famous Life Coaches?
Tony Robbins is probably the most successful and well-known coach today—and for good reason. Over the span of 4 decades, Tony has helped more than 50 million people transform their lives, and has even worked with high-profile clients like Aerosmith, Serena Williams, and Usher. Tony has also authored 6 internationally bestselling books and regularly hosts a number of live events to empower people to create unstoppable momentum and live the lives they desire.

A few other highly successful Life Coaches include: Gabby Bernstein, Martha Beck, and Deepak Chopra.

#6: Can I Become a Life Coach Online?
Absolutely! In this Digital Age we’re living in, you no longer have to enter a physical classroom to get a solid education. There are a number of online schools you can enroll with (HCI included) that are legitimate, comprehensive, and flexible, giving you the benefit of being able to learn at your own pace and on your own schedule.

The best online programs don’t just offer a world-class curriculum, but also include live office hours with instructors, mentorship, interactive lessons that are available in multiple formats, access to peers to collaborate, practice, and build community with, the chance to work with practice clients, and even in-person networking and training opportunities.

#7: How Much Can I Earn as a Life Coach?
In a 2016 International Coaching Federation study (ICF is the leading global coaching accreditation organization dedicated to advancing the profession), the average global Life Coach salary was $51,000 and a bit higher in North America with coaches earning an average annual income of $61,900. These two figures are based exclusively on coaching earnings and don’t factor in any income coaches may earning from other products sold or services offered.

Another source reports that Life Coach salaries can range from $26,781 to over $211,000 a year. The reported median per hour Life Coach salary in the U.S. is $33.78, but per hour wages can also vary drastically (some high-profile coaches earn thousands per session).

One important thing to note is that Life Coaching isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. While it’s absolutely possible to earn a lucrative income as a coach (in fact, many of our grads do!), it does require time, energy, dedication, perseverance, and creating business and marketing systems that will support you and set you up for long-term success. The top 10% of Life Coaches who are earning a six-figure or higher income don’t just have the drive and desire to make a difference in the lives of others and be successful doing it, they have invested in themselves and undergone extensive training to learn both the art and business of Life Coaching.

#8: Are There Life Coach Requirements?
The short answer is no, but the long answer is more complicated. Life Coaching is an unregulated industry, meaning there are no requirements to practice and you don’t need to be licensed or certified to set up a business or start working with clients. However, we at HCI strongly believe that Life Coaches who do go the certification route are better prepared to help their clients get the results they desire and stand a far better chance of earning a lucrative living in the real world.

If you do decide to go the training route—and again, we strongly advise doing so—make research your best friend. Life Coach training programs can vary widely in terms of curriculum, mode of education, cost, etc. So spend some time digging into the meat of each training, making sure the lessons seem comprehensive AND that the mode of education suits your learning needs…

Does the school culture feel like a good “fit?”
Do you like the instructors’ teaching style?
Is the training accredited? (If a training is accredited by the International Coach Federation, you can feel confident that it’s undergone a rigorous vetting process.)
Is there a strong community you can tap into for support and stretch on your learning journey?

For a more detailed overview of how to become a Life Coach, click here.

#9: What’s a Typical Work Day Look Like For a Life Coach?
The truth is, there is no “typical” workday because the beauty of the profession is that it offers untold freedom and flexibility to create a work schedule to suits you. YOU get to decide how you want to structure your work day, what hours you’ll work, and what work environment will support and nurture your best work.

You also get to build time into your days to do the things that matter to you and make you feel more balanced, fulfilled, and productive—whether breaking for a mid-morning walk or some other type of physical movement, daily lunch with your honey, or connecting with your kiddos over an afterschool snack.

In general, though, your workday will be comprised of a combination of client sessions, administrative work (checking and responding to emails and touching base with clients), and business and marketing operations (invoicing clients, writing new content for your blog, engaging with social media followers, etc).

Some coaches choose to dedicate certain days only to their clients, and spend the other days working on projects, networking, or building their business. One thing is certain: as a Life Coach, you have carte blanche to work the way that best suits you and design your ideal life.
For a sneak peek into a day in the life of one of our grads, check out our Life Coach page.

#10: How Do I Know if Life Coaching is right for me?
So, how do you know if coaching is the right career path for YOU? Ask yourself these 5 questions:

  1. Do I feel called to help others?
  2. Do I love learning and have a passion for personal growth?
  3. Do I consider active listening and empathy to be among my core strengths?
  4. Do I feel comfortable not offering advice or telling others what to do, even if I’m sure I have “the answer”? (Remember, it’s not a coach’s job to give clients solutions, but to help them find the solutions within themselves and bring them into the light.)
  5. Do I know I would thrive in a flexible career where I can set my own hours, work from anywhere, and be my own boss?

If you answered YES to these questions, congrats! Coaching could be for you!

Join Health Coach Institute and Become a Health Coach

Coaching is a great career that you can help others, while also learning how to help your own personal growth. Health Coach Institute is a top health and wellness coaching certification program. Join our Become a Health Coach program and begin coaching in 6 months! If you are already a coach and want to advance your skills, check out HCI’s Coach Mastery program. Feel free to get in touch with with one of our clarity coaches directly, by calling 1-800-303-2399.

By:

Health Coach Institute provides aspiring Health and Life Coaches with the tools, training, and support to make a great living transforming lives.