If you’re researching how to become a life coach, you’ve probably realised there’s a huge amount of information out there and a lot of very different opinions on what coaching actually is.
Because becoming a life coach is not just about getting a qualification. It’s about understanding people, understanding yourself and learning how to help others move forward in their lives in a genuine and meaningful way.
- Maybe you’ve always been the person people naturally open up to.
- Maybe you’ve been through your own difficult periods and come out the other side differently.
- Maybe you’ve reached a point where you want your work to feel more purposeful and to be more connected to helping others.
Whatever brought you here, I will provide you with an honest picture of what becoming a life coach actually involves, what training matters and how to know whether this path is right for you.
My name is Jacqueline Hurst, and I’ve been coaching for over 20 years. I’ve worked with more than 9,000 clients and built The Life Class from real experience, real client work and a deep understanding of what genuinely helps people create lasting change. Read more about my story and background.
Understanding the role of a Life Coach
If you are considering becoming a life coach, it is important to understand what the role actually involves.
A life coach works with people to help them understand their thinking, shift unhelpful patterns and move towards the life they truly want. It is practical, forward-focused work and focused on what comes next.
A skilled life coach helps clients gain clarity on what they want, identify what may be holding them back, and create lasting change. You can often cover careers, relationships, confidence, mindset and personal growth, often all at once.
Life Coaching Qualifications & Accreditations
Life coaching is currently an unregulated profession within the UK, meaning anyone can technically call themselves a life coach. However, building a coaching practice that clients genuinely trust and one that creates meaningful, lasting results requires high-quality training, practical experience and a strong understanding of human behaviour and transformational coaching principles.
Professional certification provides students with a structured framework, practical coaching tools and the confidence to work with clients responsibly and effectively. Most importantly, it reflects a commitment to professional development, ethical practice and continued learning.
The Certified Life Coach Course by The Life Class has been developed from over 20 years of real-world coaching experience and working with more than 9,000 clients globally. The programme is designed to provide students with practical coaching methodologies, transformational communication skills and hands-on coaching experience within an intimate and professionally supported learning environment.
Ultimately, what matters most is not simply collecting certificates, but developing the confidence, professionalism, coaching ability and practical experience required to genuinely support and guide others through meaningful personal transformation.
For individuals seeking practical, immersive and personalised coach training grounded in real client experience, The Life Class offers a unique and transformational approach to professional life coach development.
The Journey to Becoming a Life Coach
The timeline depends on the programme you choose. Some life coach training courses span years, while others are condensed into a few days. More time does not automatically mean better training.
The Life Class Certified Life Coach Course takes eight weeks with a bonus in module 9. It is immersive, structured and designed for real-world coaching from day one.
By the end of the programme, you will have:
- Learned my coaching methodology
- Practised in live coaching sessions
- Built confidence working with clients
- Developed practical coaching skills you can actually use
Most of my students coach professionally quite quickly afterwards, but there is no pressure or rush – there is no ‘perfect’ timeline!
Building Your Next Career
One reason many people explore becoming a life coach is the freedom and flexibility it can offer.
Life coaching income varies depending on your niche, your clients and how you build your business. In the UK, life coaches often charge between £75 and £300 per session, with more established coaches charging significantly more.
Some coaches build one-to-one practices, while others create:
- Group programmes
- Online courses
- Retreats
- Corporate coaching services
The earning potential can be significant, but coaching also needs to be treated like a business, not simply a passion project. That is why The Life Class covers both the coaching methodology itself and the practical side of building a coaching business.
What Great Life Coach Training Should Teach You
Good life coach training teaches you far more than a set of techniques. It teaches you how people think, why they behave the way they do and how to create the conditions for lasting change.
The Life Class covers:
- How we think and how we relate to others
- How to identify and shift unhelpful patterns
- My proven coaching methodology, refined over 20 years and 9,000 clients
- The structure and art of a coaching session
- How to guide clients through meaningful, sustainable change
- Live, personalised practice sessions in small groups of up to three students
This is not a passive learning experience. You will coach, be coached and leave with real skills, not just theory.
Becoming a Life Coach Isn’t For Everyone
Life coaching is not for everyone, and honestly, that is a good thing. The people who make the best coaches are usually curious about people, willing to do their own inner work, and genuinely want to help others move forward.
And in my experience, the most effective coaches are often people who understand change because they have lived through it themselves.
If you have felt drawn towards becoming a life coach for a while, that instinct is worth paying attention to.
Ready to take the next step? Learn about the Certified Life Coach Course
Common questions about becoming a life coach
Do I need a psychology degree to become a life coach?
No. Life coaching does not require a psychology degree. While an understanding of emotional intelligence is helpful this is ultimately developed through the training itself. Many of the most effective coaches come from entirely different professional backgrounds.
Can I become a life coach while working full-time?
Yes. The Life Class programme is delivered online and through class calls, so you can work through it around your existing commitments. Most students complete the course over eight weeks while managing their other responsibilities.
How is life coaching different from therapy?
Therapy typically focuses on understanding and processing the past. Coaching is forward-focused: it is concerned with where you want to go and how to get there. The two can complement one another, but they are different disciplines with different aims.
Do I need my own coach before training?
Not as a formal requirement. The Life Class includes live practice coaching as part of the course, so you will experience both sides of the relationship.
How do I know if I am ready to train as a life coach?
If you have been genuinely drawn to this work for a while, that is usually a good sign. Readiness is less about formal prerequisites and more about having the curiosity, empathy, and desire to help people move forward. If you are unsure, a discovery call with me is a great place to start.