If you love helping others, have a passion for self-development, and dream of starting your own business or enjoying a dynamic and fulfilling career within an organization, you could consider becoming a life coach.
This path allows you to make a meaningful impact in people’s lives and gives you the flexibility to shape your practice around your unique passions and lifestyle.
In this article, we’re here to help you understand what a life coach is and what it truly means to take on this impactful role.
We’ll also discuss the incredible benefits of becoming a certified life coach through iPEC, share five signs that indicate you’d excel in this field, and explore how this journey can transform the lives of others (and your own!)
→ iPEC has more than 25,000 grads worldwide, many of whom are thriving as certified professional life coaches. Learn more >
What is a Life Coach?
Defining the Role
Imagine a busy professional named Amari. She feels overwhelmed by her career demands and struggles to find time for her personal life and passions. Enter: a life coach.
Amari meets with her coach weekly for one-hour sessions on Zoom where they uncover and explore insights from Amari’s Energy Leadership Index® assessment. Together, they set clear goals and work to uncover and shift any deep-seated limiting beliefs, identifying the blocks that might be preventing her from achieving the changes she truly wants in her life.
Over time, Amari gains the confidence to establish boundaries at work, make time for dating, and even pursue a long-held dream of starting a side business to offer healthy, customized meal plans for busy professionals like herself.
Job Description and Responsibilities
While Amari’s story is one example of what a life coach can do, it’s important to remember the field of life coaching is as expansive as your imagination! And with the demand for life coaches on the rise, and the positive impact of coaching being felt in every corner of the globe, this is great news for you.
So, what are you passionate about? A great way to explore this question is by thinking about the intersection between your “deep gladness” (the activities or pursuits that light you up and bring you true fulfillment) and the world's “deep hunger” (the needs, challenges, or opportunities in society that call for attention or change). What does that sweet spot look like for you?
In iPEC’s coach community of over 25,000 graduates, you’ll find life coaches doing creative, incredible work in a variety of areas, including:
Whatever your passion may be, there’s a place for it in the world of life coaching. And if you’re not quite sure what you want to focus on yet and are looking for extra support to discover your niche, the iPEC Coach Training Program provides comprehensive business-building training to guide you through the initial stages of defining your niche, attracting your ideal clients, and beyond. (More on this in a minute.)
Benefits of Becoming a Life Coach . . . With iPEC 😉
It’s no surprise that coaching offers immense flexibility, meaningful impact, and the potential for financial success—a quick Google search will show you that!
Instead of repeating what you might already know, let’s focus on the specific benefits that come with being a certified life coach through a comprehensive, long-trusted program like iPEC’s. Our goal is to provide you with all the information you need to make a confident and informed decision about your future. Here’s what you can look forward to when you complete our Coach Training Program:
Help Others Thrive with a Unique Approach to Coaching
Many coach training programs focus on traditional coaching methods that help people, couples, groups, or organizations clarify goals, create action plans, and be accountable to them. At iPEC, you’ll be trained to go beyond setting and sticking to surface-level goals.
Our Core Energy Coaching™ process dives deep into the root causes of challenges and blocks to success, addressing limiting perspectives, negative thinking, and outdated beliefs that may have been absorbed by family, society, or the media.
For example, imagine a client who dreams of performing on Broadway, but deep down doubts their talent or worries they’ll never land a role. While they may set goals to audition or take acting classes, those aspirations could fall flat if they remain trapped in self-doubt.
Our approach equips you to help clients become aware of and shift these often unconscious limiting perspectives into empowering ones, enabling them to pursue their goals and achieve remarkable success, however they define it.
Stand Out With the Energy Leadership Index® Certification
The Energy Leadership Index® (ELI) assessment is an essential tool for your coaching toolkit. Not only does it help you stand out from other coaches, but it also enhances the effectiveness of your client interactions.
This unique assessment provides valuable insights into your clients' energy levels and how these influence their thoughts, behaviors, and overall outcomes. Many of our life coaches use the ELI assessment at the start of their coaching journey with a client and revisit it every six months to track progress and growth.
For those who appreciate data and quantifiable results, the ELI assessment offers concrete evidence of progress, allowing both you and your clients to see how they are moving toward their goals—whether it’s cultivating more meaningful relationships, finding greater satisfaction in their careers, or enhancing their overall well-being. With this powerful tool in your arsenal, you’ll facilitate deeper transformations and support your clients in achieving their dreams.
You can learn more about how the Energy Leadership Index® assessment works here.
Grow Together With Continuous Learning and Community Support
You’ll find a wealth of support at every stage of your journey with iPEC. From our welcoming coach community to monthly graduate webinars that enhance your understanding of Core Energy Coaching™ and the ELI assessment, you’ll always have resources at your fingertips.
Our business-building program, which includes live training and Q&A sessions each month, offers even more growth opportunities—all at no additional cost. Unlike many other programs that charge extra for these kinds of resources, we believe continuing education, especially within a supportive community, is vital for becoming a masterful coach—so much so that we were recognized by Forbes for our outstanding graduate support! 🙏 This ongoing engagement ensures you never feel alone and helps keep you inspired as you build your coaching career.
Experience Effortless Coaching With Access to Ready-Made Client Kits
Imagine having a powerful resource that helps your clients unlock their potential through a series of guided activities and exercises over the course of an entire year. Many of our coaches rave about our customizable pre-made client kits, which not only save you valuable time in developing your own coaching programs but also give you an added boost of confidence.
With a tried-and-true framework at your fingertips, you can focus on coaching without second-guessing yourself or getting bogged down in the nitty-gritty of creating programs from scratch. Best of all, these kits are available only to iPEC coaches!
Experience a Life-Changing Journey of Personal Growth
Becoming a certified life coach through iPEC isn’t just about gaining a new career; it’s also a deeply transformative personal journey. As you learn the Core Energy Coaching™ process and engage in coaching and being coached with your peers, you’ll uncover valuable insights into your own beliefs, motivations, and challenges. This self-discovery often sparks increased self-awareness and profound shifts in how you view yourself and the world around you.
What it boils down to is that this experience equips you to make a meaningful impact in your clients' lives while also enriching your own in unexpected ways! Many students find themselves taking bold steps toward their dreams—whether that means finally leaving a job they've felt stuck in for too long, embarking on a wellness journey that completely transforms their health, or even making the exciting leap to move to a different country they've always dreamed of. It’s a delightful little surprise that many people discover while going through the program!
Feeling Drawn to Coaching? Here Are 5 Signs You’d Shine as a Life Coach!
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1 You’re Deeply Empathetic
You possess a remarkable ability to connect with others on an emotional level. Your genuine compassion allows you to understand people’s struggles and aspirations, making them feel heard and supported. This innate empathy is a cornerstone of effective coaching. By actively listening and understanding clients' deeper perspectives, you’ll create a safe space for clients to feel seen and heard, explore challenges, and celebrate successes.
2 You Have Excellent Communication Skills
You have a talent for articulating thoughts clearly and inspiringly. Whether through active listening or motivational dialogue, your communication style encourages authentic conversations. This skill builds trust and empowers clients to express themselves freely, resulting in transformative breakthroughs that will position you as a standout coach!
3 You Have a Passion for Helping Others
Your genuine passion for helping others shines through in everything you do. You genuinely want to see others succeed and thrive, which drives you to guide them through their journeys. This passion not only motivates clients but will also fuel your own growth as a coach, creating a fulfilling cycle of support and inspiration.
4 You’re Deeply Curious and Inspired to Explore
You have a unique ability to ask thought-provoking questions that encourage self-reflection and clarity. This skill helps clients uncover their true desires and motivations, enabling them to take meaningful steps toward their goals with confidence.
5 You're Committed to Personal Growth
Your desire to grow sets you apart—it’s likely you actively seek out knowledge, whether through formal education, workshops, or personal reading. This commitment to lifelong learning will undoubtedly support you in your coaching career by continually expanding your perspectives and enhancing your effectiveness as a coach.
Closing Thoughts
Imagine being certified, fully confident, and ready to sign on your first clients in just a few months. It’s not just a dream; for 87% of our students, this becomes a reality after completing the first-weekend module of the program!
In the 7-8 month curriculum, you can look forward to:
- Gaining the essential skills and confidence to thrive as a life coach
- Experiencing coaching firsthand, going through the same transformative process you’ll guide your clients through
- Engaging in over 320 hours of top-notch training, including 200 ICF-accredited training hours
- Receiving personalized feedback and support from both your peers and highly certified professional coaches, including sessions with a Mentor Coach
- Earning three distinct certifications that reflect your growth and expertise as a coach (though many of our coaches agree this is the cherry on top!)
Ready to Take the Next Step? Schedule a Time to Chat with Our Admissions Team!
If you’re feeling inspired and want to learn more about becoming a life coach, your next step is to reach out to our Admissions Team! They're truly wonderful human beings (and coaches!) who are excited to do what they do best—support you on your journey.
Expect to engage in a friendly, energizing conversation where you’ll explore whether coach training at iPEC genuinely feels like the right fit for you. It’s a wonderful opportunity to ask any questions you might have about the program, our unique coaching approach, and the exciting doors a coach certification could open for you.
Remember, every remarkable journey begins with a single step. Will this be yours? What new possibilities could unfold in your life and career as you step into the role of a coach?
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