Life Coaching: Guidance or Quackery?

“Your life does not get better by chance. It gets better by change.” – Jim Rohn

Have you ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next step?
Do you need someone to push you forward, help you clarify your goals—or simply hold you accountable?

Enter the life coach.

Once seen as a luxury, life coaching is now a booming global industry.

But in a world already overflowing with self-help books, motivational podcasts, and morning routines, is hiring a coach truly helpful—or just another expensive distraction?

🧠 Vocabulary Builder

• betterment – improvement or progress

• breakthrough – a sudden, dramatic, and important development

• burnout – extreme physical or mental exhaustion

• do one’s best – try as hard as possible

• empower – give someone confidence or control

• flatter – praise someone in a way that isn’t always sincere

• for the sake of – to benefit or help someone/something

• jolt – a sudden push or shock that causes movement or realization

• mindfulness – mental awareness and focus on the present moment

• quackery – false medical or psychological treatment

• stand a chance – have a possibility or likelihood of success

📖 The Rise of the Life Coach

In today’s high-speed world, where personal success and work-life balance feel like unreachable goals, more and more people are turning to an unexpected solution: the life coach.

Once seen as a luxury or even a scam, life coaching is now a growing global industry worth over $4 billion, with thousands of certified professionals helping people set goals, find direction, and take action. But is it truly effective—or just expensive motivation?

Just take a look at the comic strip above. When a man asks a group what they do, they all answer, “I’m a coach!”—leaving him completely confused. It’s no surprise.

The term "coach" has exploded in recent years: life coach, wellness coach, business coach, spiritual coach, confidence coach, and even “purpose” coach.

So, what exactly do these people do?

At its core, life coaching is about helping clients gain clarity, remove mental blocks, and build an action plan to reach their goals. Whether it’s advancing a career, improving relationships, or finding purpose, a coach’s job is to empower clients and hold them accountable.

But critics say life coaching is often based on quackery—non-scientific advice dressed up with jargon and positivity. While there are many legitimate, trained coaches, others simply take an online course, download a certificate, and start charging clients.

That’s why certification matters. The International Coaching Federation (ICF), for instance, requires over 125 hours of training and mentorship before someone can become officially accredited.

A qualified coach may use frameworks like GROW:

• Goal – What do you want to achieve?

• Reality – What’s your current situation?

• Options – What choices and resources do you have?

• Will – What will you do next?

This method can lead to true breakthroughs—but only if the client is committed. After all, as coach Savannah said in an interview, “Responsibility is split 50/50.”

Still, not everyone is convinced.

Critics like Olivia Wilson describe their sessions as “the wackiest hour” of their lives, full of new age quackery. Others, like Luke Jacobs, believe coaches just flatter their clients and say what they want to hear. “A waste of time and money,” he argues.

So, who’s right? Is it worth hiring a life coach—or are we just paying someone to repeat things we already know?

📈 Fast Facts & Coaching Trends

• 🌍 Over 71,000 professional coaches are now certified worldwide (ICF 2023)

• 🎓 Most popular coaching areas: career growth, stress management, and personal relationships

• 💬 The #lifecoach hashtag has over 5 million posts on Instagram

• 🧠 75% of people who hired a coach report improved relationships and job satisfaction

• 💼 Many executives and athletes credit coaches for keeping them disciplined and focused

❓ Comprehension Quiz

True or False:

• All life coaches must have a university degree.

• The GROW method helps coaches guide clients step-by-step.

• Coaching and psychotherapy are the same thing.

• Some people see life coaching as unscientific or a scam.

• Certification helps prove a coach is legitimate.

Answers:

• False

• True

• False

• True

• True

💬 Discussion Prompts

• Have you or someone you know ever worked with a life coach? What was the experience like?

• Which of the opinions in the reading do you agree with? Why?

• Would you prefer to work with a therapist or a coach if you had a personal or career challenge?

• What kind of training or experience should a good life coach have?

• Do you think coaching is just for wealthy people—or can it help anyone?

🎯 Idioms for This Topic

• Get the ball rolling – to begin something

• Take a leap of faith – to trust in something uncertain

• Push someone in the right direction – to guide or motivate someone

• A bumpy road – a difficult path

• Stand a chance – have a possibility of success

📽️ Video Resource: A Therapist's Take on Life Coaches

Watch on YouTube – What Do I Think About Life Coaches? | Kati Morton

In this video, licensed therapist Kati Morton shares her professional opinion on the rising trend of life coaching.

Responding to a viewer’s question, she reflects on the differences between therapists and coaches, potential overlaps, and the importance of knowing who you’re getting help from.

Kati offers a balanced view, recognizing how coaches can offer support, but also warning viewers to be cautious when seeking guidance in areas that may require mental health expertise.

🪞 Final Reflection

Life coaching might not be for everyone—but it’s clear that many people are looking for structure, support, and motivation in their personal lives.

Whether you view it as a shortcut to success or a modern form of encouragement, it’s a profession that reflects today’s desire for self-improvement.

What do you think? Is life coaching worth the time and money? Or are we simply chasing the next feel-good trend?

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