Life Coaching: A (Very) Short History & Why It Actually Matters

You’ve probably heard of life coaching. Maybe you've even wondered, “What exactly do life coaches do?” Or maybe you picture someone with a headset and a vision board shouting affirmations into the abyss. 😅

But the truth is, life coaching has come a long way—and it’s way more powerful (and practical) than people give it credit for.

Let’s take a quick stroll down memory lane and look at where life coaching came from—and why it's more relevant than ever today.

🌱 So, Where Did Life Coaching Come From?

Life coaching might seem like a modern trend, but its roots actually go back to the 1970s and 80s. Around that time, people started to realise that self-help books and therapy weren’t the only options for personal growth.

Coaching as a concept grew out of a few different worlds:

• Sports coaching: Yep, life coaching borrowed a lot from athletic coaching. The idea that someone could guide, challenge, and support you to reach your best potential? It made sense—why should athletes get all the good stuff?

• Business & executive coaching: In the corporate world, coaching became a way to boost leadership, confidence, and performance. Eventually, people thought—wait a minute—couldn’t we use this for life too?

• Personal development & psychology: Influences from humanistic psychology (think Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow) brought in the idea of personal growth, self-actualisation, and being your best self—without needing to be “fixed.”

By the 1990s, life coaching had taken off. Professional organisations like the International Coach Federation (ICF) started popping up, giving coaching a bit more structure and credibility.

⚡ Okay, But What Makes Life Coaching Different?

Unlike therapy, life coaching isn’t about diagnosing or healing deep emotional wounds. And unlike mentoring, it’s not someone giving you advice based on their own journey.

A life coach sees you as the expert on your own life. Their job? To help you get clear on your goals, break through blocks, and take real, aligned action.

Think of it as:

• 🔎 Asking the right questions (instead of giving all the answers)

• 🧭 Helping you find your own direction

• 🔥 Keeping you accountable when life gets busy (or you get stuck in Netflix mode)

🌟 Why It Matters (Especially Now)

Let’s be real—modern life is a lot. Between career pressure, social media overload, and trying to “do it all,” many of us are left feeling lost, drained, or like we’re just coasting.

Life coaching offers a pause button. A chance to breathe, reflect, and ask, “What do I actually want from this one life I’ve got?”

It’s important because:

• We rarely give ourselves permission to put ourselves first

• Clarity is hard to find when you’re stuck in a loop

• Big dreams need small steps—and support to stick with them

• Sometimes we just need someone in our corner, reminding us we’re capable

🚀 The Bottom Line

Life coaching isn’t about telling you how to live your life—it’s about helping you design a life that feels good on the inside, not just one that looks good from the outside.

It’s about empowerment. Focus. Confidence. And knowing that change is possible, even if you don’t know where to start.

And the best part? You don’t have to do it alone.

Whether you're stuck in a rut, chasing a big dream, or just feeling like life should feel a bit more like you—life coaching might be the fresh start you've been looking for.

And hey, if you're curious? Let’s have a chat. No pressure. Just possibility. 🌻