Why Life Coaching Took Over the World—And Why It’s More Relevant Than Ever
Once Upon a Time, No One Knew What a Life Coach Was
When I graduated from my coaching program, I was what you’d call an early adopter—one of the first trained life coaches in Canada.
At parties, when someone asked what I did, I’d proudly say, “I’m a life coach.”
Cue the puzzled look.
“Oh… what is that?” they’d ask, leaning in with curiosity.
Fast forward to today, and the reaction is very different.
Now when I tell people I’m a life coach, I get an eye-roll.
“Who isn’t a life coach?”
Ouch.
But let’s pause for a second—because that shift says something important. Life coaching went from an obscure concept to a global movement. Why? Because it works.
Life coaching isn’t just a passing trend—it’s a response to something deeper in us. A need for clarity. For transformation. For guidance in a world where traditional paths no longer guarantee happiness.
So, let’s talk about it. Why did life coaching become so popular? And more importantly—what does that mean for you?
The Root of Coaching: A Movement for Human Potential
To understand why coaching has taken over, we have to go back to the 1960s Human Potential Movement.
Back then, psychology was dominated by two ideas:
- Freudian analysis → The belief that our past and unconscious mind controlled our lives.
- Behaviorism → The idea that we were just a series of conditioned responses.
Neither of these was particularly inspiring.
Then came a radical shift: What if human beings weren’t broken? What if we were full of untapped potential?
This idea exploded into books, workshops, and personal development programs:
✔ The rise of yoga, mindfulness, and self-discovery
✔ EST and transformational workshops
✔ Tony Robbins and NLP-based coaching
The message? We are not victims of our past. We can change. We can grow. We can thrive.
And that idea laid the groundwork for what we now call life coaching.
The Birth of Life Coaching as a Profession
Technically, the modern coaching industry started with Thomas Leonard, who founded Coach U. He was heavily influenced by the Human Potential Movement and EST.
He once described life coaching as:
“Like having a personal trainer for your soul.”
And that’s exactly what made it so compelling.
Therapy traditionally focused on the past. Coaching, in contrast, was all about the future.
Instead of digging through old wounds, coaching asked:
💡 “Where do you want to go? What’s next? How do we get there?”
This clicked for me immediately. As a trained counselor, I was already drawn to Solution-Focused Therapy, which helps people move forward rather than dwell on problems. One of its core tools, The Miracle Question, is a perfect example:
“If you woke up tomorrow and all your problems were solved, what would be different?”
This kind of forward-thinking approach was exactly what coaching brought to the table.
Why Did Life Coaching Explode in Popularity?
So what made coaching go from niche to mainstream?
1️⃣ Coaching Mirrors How We Already See Success
Think about it: The most successful people in the world—athletes, CEOs, artists—all have coaches.
💡 If having a coach is a given in professional sports, why wouldn’t we have one for life, business, or personal growth?
Coaching provides a structured path to excellence—whether in sports, leadership, or personal development.
2️⃣ Coaching Celebrates Human Potential
Unlike therapy, which often starts from a place of fixing what’s broken, coaching assumes:
✔ You are whole.
✔ You are resourceful.
✔ You already have what it takes—you just need guidance.
This is deeply empowering. It shifts the focus from “What’s wrong with me?” to “How do I unlock my best self?”
3️⃣ Coaching Works.
Doing everything alone is exhausting.
It’s hard to see our own blind spots.
Coaching provides:
✔ Perspective—someone who sees what you can’t.
✔ Accountability—so you actually take action.
✔ Support—to keep you moving forward.
4️⃣ Coaches Hold a Vision for Their Clients
One of the most powerful things a coach does is see beyond your doubts.
When clients come to me, they’re often stuck in fear, self-doubt, or overthinking. They see their limitations.
I see their potential.
A great coach sees the version of you that’s already successful, confident, and capable—and helps you step into it.
5️⃣ The World Is Craving Meaning & Purpose
Today, more people are waking up and realizing:
🚫 A good job and a paycheck don’t equal happiness.
🚫 Following the traditional path doesn’t guarantee fulfillment.
We are looking for alignment, purpose, and impact.
And that’s exactly what life coaching is designed to help with.
But Isn’t the Market Saturated?
Maybe you’re thinking:
“Aren’t there already too many life coaches?”
When I first started coaching, I told my coach I was worried about finding clients. She asked me:
👉 How many people live in Toronto?
“Several million.”
👉 And you think you can’t find five or ten people who need your help?
That hit me hard.
The reality is: The right people are always drawn to the right coach.
Coaching isn’t about competing. It’s about connection.
People choose a coach based on alignment, personality, and trust.
The Future of Coaching: Why Spiritual Coaching is the Next Evolution
Here’s what I believe:
✅ Life coaching has changed the world.
✅ But something is missing.
The next evolution isn’t just about setting goals. It’s about aligning with something deeper.
Spiritual life coaching takes everything powerful about coaching and adds:
✨ Mindfulness and deeper self-awareness
✨ Trusting the flow of life instead of forcing results
✨ Connecting with purpose, not just productivity
Are you feeling called to coaching that is both transformative and deeply aligned with your soul’s purpose?
💡 That’s exactly what we teach in our Spiritual Life Coaching Certification.
If you’re ready to coach at the next level—one that isn’t just about success, but deep fulfillment—let’s talk. https://lisagarber.com/life-coach-certification/
