What is a life coach?

"So what is it that you do as a life coach?"

I've been a life coach for 15 years and I understood this question when I first became one because it was not only unheard of but it was also considered a little out there. A little woo woo and maybe unnecessary.

But, I was asked this question the other day, "What is a Life Coach?" and the guy had a look of total confusion on his face.

In that moment I went through a few different emotions:

Confusion because I thought there were so many life coaches at this point I didn't realize someone wouldn't know about it. Defensive because maybe deep inside I was hoping he would know how many people I have helped in the last 15 years. I topped it off with sadness, why doesn't he know what a life coach is? Isn't what I'm doing important?

And if you're not a life coach? I bet you've gotten your own version of this question.

"What does a nutritionist actually do?"
"How is executive coaching different from consulting?"
"Why would I need a therapist if I don't have any mental health issues?"

The specifics change, but the confusion and our own insecurity about answering is universal.

You know what I wish I'd said to that guy?

"A life coach is someone who's set goals, hit obstacles, and has done the work to overcome them, on themselves, not just on their clients." - That's it.

Because yes, anyone can learn coaching tools. Anyone can get certified. Anyone can call themselves a coach. But the coaches who actually create change?

They've had their own goals.
Hit their own obstacles.
Done the messy work of getting through them.

They know what it feels like to sit with a pattern they didn't want to see. To try a tool when it's uncomfortable. To choose differently when the old way feels safer.

That's the difference.

That's why Angie and I created SEAR.

We've spent years doing deep work on ourselves, not just learning coaching techniques, but facing our own patterns, testing tools, and doing the messy work of growth.

And here's what made the biggest difference: learning from others who were doing the same work. Having a community where we could test tools, ask questions, and support each other through the process. That's what actually created transformation.

But most helping professionals don't have that. They're doing their growth work in isolation. And they're navigating real client situations without feedback or support from peers who get it.

SEAR is a community for life coaches, therapists, fitness coaches, consultants, and practitioners who are committed to testing the tools on themselves first and learning from each other along the way, both in their own growth and in their work with clients.

When you've done your own work, your clients can feel it. Not because you've been through exactly what they're facing, but because you understand what it takes to change and you're still doing it yourself.

Your clients can tell.