How to Become a Life Coach

Life coaching is a dynamic and fulfilling profession dedicated to empowering individuals to achieve their personal and professional goals. As the demand for personal development and holistic well-being grows, life coaching has emerged as a prominent field within the wellness industry. This guide provides a detailed overview of the steps to become a life coach, offering insights and inspiration for aspiring professionals.

Understanding the Role of a Life Coach

A life coach is a trained professional who helps clients identify their goals, overcome obstacles, and make meaningful changes in various aspects of their lives. Therapists typically delve into past experiences, while life coaches focus on the present and future, guiding clients toward actionable strategies for improvement. Life coaches often specialise in areas such as career transitions, relationship building, health and wellness, and personal growth^[1]. By fostering self-awareness and accountability, they help clients unlock their potential and lead more fulfilling lives.

The Lingo

One way to sense if this profession is one you would like to pursue is to become familiar with the common words and terms used by life coaches and see if this 'feels like you'.

1. Limiting Beliefs: Refers to internal narratives or assumptions that hold someone back from reaching their full potential (e.g., "I'm not good enough" or "Success isn't for people like me").
2. Holding Space: The practice of being fully present and emotionally available for someone without judgment, often used when guiding clients through personal breakthroughs or vulnerability.
3. Alignment: Describes the state of being in harmony with one’s values, purpose, and true self, frequently used when talking about making decisions or setting goals.
4. Breakthrough: A significant moment of realisation or transformation, often the goal of coaching sessions, when a client shifts their perspective or overcomes a major inner block.
5. Authentic Self: The version of a person that is true, unfiltered, and aligned with their core values, commonly referenced in discussions around confidence, leadership, or personal growth.

Educational Pathways and Training

While there are no strict educational prerequisites to become a life coach, many professionals find that a background in psychology, counselling, business, or related fields provides a solid foundation. Pursuing specialised training through accredited programs is highly recommended to acquire the necessary skills and credibility. There are several reputable institutions that offer life coach certification programs:

• Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC): Provides comprehensive training with a focus on core coaching competencies and energy leadership^[2]. 
• Certified Life Coach Institute: This program provides an intensive 3-day training, covering foundational coaching skills and business essentials. It's recognised for its fast-track approach and has been acknowledged by notable outlets such as Forbes, Business Insider, and Verywell Mind^[3]. Whilst this is a start, to receive ICG accreditation requires dedication and some time in order to prepare to appropriately guide those coming to you to set goals and work towards them^[4].
• Institute for Life Coach Training (ILCT) – Established in 1998, ILCT was one of the first coaching schools accredited by the ICF. Their curriculum blends theoretical knowledge with practical experience and offers specialisations in career, relationship, wellness, and spiritual coaching^[5][6].
• Jay Shetty Certification School – A newer entrant in the field, the Jay Shetty School blends ancient wisdom with modern methodologies. Students highlight its strengths in personal development, business coaching, and community-building^[7][8].
• Udemy & Other Platforms – Online platforms like Udemy provide accessible options for life coach training, with courses often endorsed by coaching professionals. These are convenient for those seeking flexible learning formats.

These programs typically cover essential topics such as effective communication, goal setting, ethical practices, and business development.

Certification and Licensing

Obtaining certification enhances a life coach's credibility and demonstrates a commitment to professional standards. While not legally required, many clients and organisations prefer certified coaches, making credentials a valuable investment. Here's a breakdown of the three main International Coaching Federation (ICF) credentials^[9]:

• Associate Certified Coach (ACC): Requires at least 60 hours of coach-specific training and 100 hours of client coaching experience.
• Professional Certified Coach (PCC): Requires 125 hours of training and 500 hours of coaching experience.
• Master Certified Coach (MCC): The highest level, requiring 200 hours of training and a minimum of 2,500 hours of coaching experience

SoulAdvisor requires these levels of certification to provide Verified Practitioner status within our community.

Career Opportunities and Growth

Life coaching offers a wide range of career paths and the flexibility to work across multiple environments, making it an attractive profession for those who value autonomy, purpose-driven work, and human connection. 

• Private Practice: Many life coaches choose to establish an independent coaching business, which allows them to define their own brand, set pricing, and tailor their services to specific client niches such as confidence building, relationship coaching, or life transitions. This entrepreneurial path offers full control over one’s practice and schedule, but it also requires marketing and business development skills to sustain long-term success^[10]. 
• Group coaching and workshops: In addition to private work, group coaching and workshops are gaining momentum. These formats enable coaches to teach goal-focused curricula or skill-building sessions to multiple clients simultaneously. They offer the dual benefit of increasing revenue and delivering collective transformation, strengthening accountability and peer learning in a community context.
• Corporate Coaching: Increasingly, companies are integrating coaching to support leadership development, enhance employee engagement, and drive retention. The Financial Times highlights that organisations like LinkedIn have begun offering 1:1 coaching to all employees, not just senior management, underlining a strategic investment in people development and future resilience^[11].
• Online Platforms: The rise of digital technology has made remote and virtual coaching more accessible than ever. Coaches can now serve clients globally through video conferencing, coaching apps, and online communities. This digital approach not only expands reach but also offers flexibility for both coaches and clients, especially in the post-pandemic era. This flexibility not only broadens reach but also accommodates varying budgets and schedules. 

Overall, life coaching presents a versatile and growth-oriented career path. Whether specialising in personal development, catering to elite corporate clients, or leveraging technology for broader impact, certified and passionate coaches can shape truly meaningful and adaptive professional lives.

Final Thoughts

Embarking on a career as a life coach is a journey of personal and professional fulfilment. By empowering others to achieve their goals and overcome challenges, life coaches make a meaningful impact on individuals and communities. Through dedicated training, certification, and continuous learning, aspiring coaches can build a successful and rewarding practice that aligns with their passion for helping others. Truly becoming a Life Coach means taking on the values of refinement and creation of one's life path, not only for your clients but also yourself.

Being Part of the SoulAdvisor Community

Becoming a life coach is not only about guiding others—it's about finding your own community of support and alignment. At SoulAdvisor, we celebrate practitioners who are committed to helping others achieve clarity, purpose, and personal growth. By joining our platform, life coaches gain visibility, access to a like-minded network, and tools to grow their practice with authenticity and impact. Whether you're just starting out or expanding your reach, SoulAdvisor is here to support your journey every step of the way.