How to Choose a Men’s Life Coach: 5 Things to Check First
Most men who reach out for coaching aren’t actually ready yet. Here’s how to know if you are, and how to choose a men’s life coach you’ll actually stick with.
By Anthony Treas, MPH, founder of STRONG Men Coaching
The short answer: choose a men’s life coach by checking five things, in this order – are you actually ready for coaching, can you afford it, have you addressed any therapy needs first, have you done real research on the coach specifically, and are you ready to make a decision and commit. Here’s exactly how to check each one.
More men are discovering how much of a difference it makes to work with a men’s life coach. A coach can help you improve your relationships, build confidence, and finally achieve the goals you keep putting off. But working with a coach only pays off if you’re actually ready for it – and if you’ve picked the right one.
After coaching men since 2017, I’ve noticed a pattern: a lot of the men who reach out aren’t close to ready, and by the time they realize it, they’ve wasted their own time and every coach’s they’ve talked to. So here’s exactly how to choose a men’s life coach for you, in the order I’d actually check them.
If you only remember one thing from this page, remember this: how to choose a men’s life coach isn’t about finding the most credentialed name online. It’s about finding the coach whose approach matches where you actually are right now.
Quick Summary
- Be ready for coaching
- Have the finances to invest
- Get through therapy first, if you need it
- Do your research on the coach
- Be ready to make a decision
Be Ready for Coaching
This means you’re tired of where you’re at and ready to learn, grow, and develop as a man. If you want different results, you’re going to have to gain and apply new knowledge – and that takes time.
Are you coachable? Willing and open to learning new things, applying them, and being held accountable? Coaching only works if you are.
Have the Finances to Invest
Coaching is a professional service like any other. If you’re struggling financially right now, it’s not the time to look for a life coach. Expect a good professional coach to charge a minimum of $75 an hour – anything less, and you’re most likely not talking to a qualified professional.
Coaching is an investment in yourself. If you have real doubts about affording it, you’re most likely not ready to start yet.
Get Through Therapy First
Coaching is not therapy. Therapy works through your past; coaching is about building forward from where you are right now, with support, accountability, and a plan. Ideally, get the therapy piece handled as much as possible first – the two can run alongside each other, but they solve different problems.
That doesn’t mean you have to be “finished” with therapy forever. I still work on myself through therapy as needed. The point is staying focused on this moment and where you’re headed next.
How to Choose a Men’s Life Coach: Do Your Research
Before you book a consultation, visit a few different coaches’ websites and see who you actually connect with. Read through their About page, look at what they say about the men they work with, and check their FAQ for the questions you’re already asking yourself. Visit their blog and see if you connect with what they share, their views, and their attitude toward the topics that matter to you.
By the time you’ve gone through a coach’s site, read a few posts, and maybe listened to a podcast or two, you should have a real sense of whether this is someone you’d want as your coach.
Be Ready to Make a Decision
Making decisions is a skill every man should have. You should be ready to decide by the end of the consultation call – if you need to talk finances over with someone, do that before the call, not during it.
Most of the hesitation comes from old failures, not the actual decision in front of you. Remember why you wanted a coach in the first place, and go into the call with the intention of deciding, not just gathering more information.
Only Schedule a Consultation Once You’ve Checked All Five
Don’t book consultations with five different coaches at once – that wastes your time and theirs. Do the work above first, pick the coach you’re actually excited to work with, then commit to the call.
Keep in mind, the coach is also evaluating you. A professional coach will be selective about who they take on – no one wants to spend their time coaching someone who isn’t ready, motivated, or open to change. If it’s not the right match, that’s fine; move on to the next coach you connected with.
If you follow these five steps, you’ll find the right coach for you. Give them a real chance. If you connect with him, don’t waste any more time – sign up and get started on becoming the man you want to be. That’s really the whole answer to how to choose a men’s life coach: get honest about where you are, then pick the person who meets you there.
All my best,
Anthony Treas, MPH
Have a question first? Contact Anthony directly.
Common Questions
How much does a men’s life coach cost?
Expect a qualified men’s life coach to charge at least $75 an hour. Rates below that are a signal you’re likely not talking to an experienced, professional coach. Think of it as a professional investment, not a casual purchase.
Is life coaching the same as therapy?
No. Therapy works through your past; coaching builds forward from where you are now, with support, accountability, and a plan. The two solve different problems and can run alongside each other, but coaching isn’t a replacement for therapy if you need it.
How do I know if I’m ready for a men’s life coach?
You’re ready if you’re tired of where you’re at, open to learning and being held accountable, and financially able to treat coaching as a real investment rather than an afterthought. If any of those aren’t true yet, that’s worth addressing before you book a consultation.
What should I look for when researching a men’s life coach?
Read the coach’s About page, look at what they say about the men they’ve worked with, and check their FAQ for the questions you’re already asking yourself. If their approach and attitude match where you actually are, that’s a stronger signal than credentials alone.