Life Coach Training and Certification

Maggie was a great facilitator. She was genuine, kind, and had a level of patience that I have not seen in a long time. She spent time during class, after class, and privately to reassure students about their coaching skills and to help them with extra practice. Her reflections after live coaching practice were simply thought-provoking and inspired me to consistently want to improve and seek out more information and the skills to do so. She made the powerpoints in class come alive with vivid examples and never seemed as if she was reading a script or if she was bored. The classes just seemed like we were having a really great informative discussion that no one wanted to leave. She gave resources that always matched up with what I have seen coming out of the top research journals and universities. But most importantly, whenever I spoke to Maggie I felt heard, understood, and as if she cared about my individual needs as a learner, coach, and as a person.

As a seasoned mental health professional who has dabbled in different models of practice, I came to YCI thinking that there was not much that I was going to learn that I did not already know about asking questions. However, I was proven incorrect. It was not necessarily new questioning techniques that I learned but when and where to place them coupled with the evidenced-based reason of why I was doing so. Being trained in mental health and other fields themselves, they also knew the fine line between coaching and other disciplines and helped students to be able to clearly differentiate where that line is. So many coaching programs and/or facilitators don’t give the depth and breadth of background information that YCI does; which can lead to sticky situations at times. Overall, my clinical skills as a practitioner and critical thinking skills were stretched in new ways. I am excited to take clients on this new journey with these skills that I have learned.

For years I thought about becoming a certified coach, but I always put it off because I thought it would be time intensive and unaffordable. I kept coming back to becoming a coach and I decided to look into it one more time. That’s when I came across YCI on the ICF website. It was so affordable (including a potential scholarship!) and seemed to go at a reasonable pace. Less than a year later I am a Board Certified Coach with the following designations: Personal/Life, Career, and Executive/Corporate/Business/Leadership. I am also ICF ACC credentialed. I have a growing coaching business and none of this would have been possible without YCI! Maggie Steele is an incredible instructor,coach, and mentor. She not only supported me through the learning process but provided guidance that helped me focus on the right things to pass my credentialing exams. The skills I learned can be transferred to serve any population, not just youth. Although I do coach youth, most of my current clients are women on the brink of a career change or starting their own business. I have even been featured in publications such as BUSTLE! I highly recommend the Youth Coaching Institute’s program to ANYONE who wants to be a confident and successful coach.

Without question, signing up for YCI’s Life Coach Training program was one of the best investments of my money, time, and energy. I had been working on
a business idea for a private coaching practice for almost a year before I came to YCI and was frustrated by how fluffy and outrageously expensive most
coaching programs were and how they lacked any overt commitment to social and political change.

Talking to Leah for the first time was a breath of fresh air. She is organized, straightforward, pragmatic, results-oriented, highly ethical, and deeply committed to serving at-risk youth. The 5-month 3-stage certification program was everything I needed. Going in, I was concerned that there wouldn’t be enough time for practice
and feedback, but that was not the case. I learned A TON, not just from the sessions where I coached one of my peers, but also from watching Leah coach other people in front of the group and being coached myself by my classmates. I was also concerned that the training wouldn’t be rigorous enough, but that
was not the case. The reading assignments were rich and deep, and Leah held us all to high standards with feedback that was warm and encouraging, but
also direct and honest. On top of that, the lectures were engaging and the reading materials were useful. I appreciated the balance of theory and practice; everything we learned could be put into action right away. When I started YCI, my head was spinning with all of the different directions I wanted to take my business and the amount of knowledge I needed to acquire. Leah’s style of training grounded me, and I’ve left more focused and confident than I ever expected. Leah and YCI are the real deal!

I had the great pleasure of studying with Leah Mazzola at the Youth Coaching Institute last year. The course curriculum is extremely thorough and inclusive, and very well-paced, so that by the end, you actually feel competent to begin coaching yourself. The course included a lot of hands-on experience via practice coaching with other participants along with helpful, relevant feedback on our developing skills. Leah’s depth of knowledge of coaching and psychology is extensive, and her feedback was always on-target, compassionate, and encouraging. As I got to know her, I became more and more impressed with her expertise and commitment. Because of her own life journey, she truly wants to help improve the lives of young people who may have no other access to caring guidance. She doesn’t just talk the talk, she walks it, and I find her a true source of inspiration. My life is better for taking this course and for being able to learn from Leah.

As someone with a diverse medical background, I derived substantial value in supplementing my learning in the theories and evidence-based applications of life coaching. In my case, the potential for enhanced health outcomes amongst the at-risk/high-risk youth population through professionally applied life coaching skills is a significant opportunity. Completing the YCI program has without a doubt validated my position that life coaching skills should be integrated within not only medical education, but all higher education. Irregardless of who you are, where you come from, or where you’re going – well taught and well applied life coaching skills have the potential to transform the way you exist in the world. With that said, I would encourage anyone who is deeply committed and invested in profoundly serving others to consider the YCI as a complement to their personal and professional development.

Youth Coaching Institute training is a must do! After completing all four stages, I was able to gain clarity on my “why” and “purpose”. YCI was a safe space which empowered me to be vulnerable and tap into my empathic self during each stage. My coaching cohort was very diverse and provided our team with realistic challenges youth face around the world. This experience allowed me to identify many deficiencies in my coaching style and transformed them into rewarding possibilities. The training has also supported me with becoming a motivational speaker and influential second year adjunct professor.

My decision to earn a Life Coach certification through YCI was made after months of research and conversations with numerous coaches and training programs across the country. Unlike most of the other programs I found, YCI’s methodology is based upon proven experience and research. Further setting it apart, classes are taught by credentialed and experienced instructors, educating life-coaches who help expand professional accountability and credibility in the field and study of life-coaching. Although the audience I am most inspired to work with is youth and young adults, the education I received through YCI fully prepared me to work with clients of all ages. This program delivers instruction and equips its students to enter the field of life-coaching at a fraction of the cost of many less thorough programs, and provides continued collaboration and professional development upon completion of the class. Many life-coach training programs have a primary goal of selling a program; Dr. Leah Mazzola is driven by her passion for equipping life-coaches to make a positive and significant impact on underserved youth, and her work through YCI is accomplishing exactly that.

YCI and the youth coaching certification course have been highlights of my personal and professional development for my entire life! I did not want it to end. I have such a sense of accomplishment! I have learned a new skill along with tons of research-based material on young people, their growth stages and their challenges. I appreciate Maggie’s teaching style and all of her feedback to my classmates and me. It was always bold AND compassionate with the goal of making us the best coaches we can be. I unequivocally and without hesitation recommend Youth Coaching Institute to anyone wishing to pursue life coaching or otherwise wanting to enhance his or her competence in helping the young people of today. The training is time well spent!

I came to my training at YCI with a master’s degree in secondary education. I came with fifteen years’ experience working with teens. Four short weeks into the training, I have tripled my knowledge. Where previously I had good book-knowledge and great instincts, I now have a rock-solid, research-based set of strategies to implement. I know exactly how to help teens to learn about and help themselves. Leah Mazzola, and the Youth Coaching Institute, are the real deal. If you want A to Z training in science-based teen life coaching—training that’s delivered with love—you can stop your search right here.

The Life Coach training program at YCI exceeded my expectations. After completing the first class there was no doubt in my mind that I had chosen the right program. The program provides a great balance of core coaching information as well as adequate opportunities for live practice coaching and supervision. My Coach trainer Maggie was so supportive, knowledgeable and authentic. As a recent graduate of the program, I feel fully prepared to embark on my new journey as a Teen & Young Adult Life Coach.

I leave every class feeling more prepared and more encouraged to do my work as a coach. Coaching is a serious and pivotal helping profession. YCI sets the standard in coach training by treating it with the seriousness and quality it deserves. I cannot recommend YCI enough to anyone who wants to enter the coaching profession or master their skills as a coach.

I would highly recommend the Youth Coaching Institute to anyone who is pursuing a career in life and career coaching. Leah has the incredible ability to keep training intellectually challenging, professionally evolving and personally beneficial. There is never a dull moment as she encourages all participants to contribute to the learning environment.

The YCI Certification was more than I could have hoped for… the learning and insights gained are invaluable. The environment of encouragement and learning, presence and community is unlike any other I have experienced. To ability to observe Leah’s coaching in action, (at the risk of sounding over the top) felt akin to watching a master painter. ​I lost count as to how many “AHA!” moments I experienced for my own life as well as with regards to being of service to others. Though I tend to be skeptical of distant format education, it felt as if we were all in the same room, while still remaining in the comfort of my own home. This program was more than a rewarding educational experience, it was truly life transformational. I’m most grateful to YCI and to Leah!

Over the last eight months I have gone from excited and clear headed, to being completely challenged and questioning my abilities, to picking myself up again and learning how to operate as Tammy, ‘The Coach’. When I started, I knew I loved inspiring people to dream and set goals to achieve them, but was completely unfamiliar with the ‘how-to’s’ of coaching. I have gained valuable experience in the psychological, strategic, technical and legal aspects of coaching. This was an incredibly holistic learning experience! Next stop, a Masters in Social Work/Counseling!

My experience with Youth Coaching Institute has been life changing. The training was informative and challenging. It was great getting to build relationships with my peers and learn coaching skills together. The coaching sessions were my favorite because it gave us hands-on experience. Dr. Leah is a great communicator and gave me good feedback to help me sharpen my coaching skills. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been trained by Dr. Leah and be a part of the Youth Coaching Institute. I look forward to growing in this field and launching my coaching business.

The classes provided at YCI are phenomenal! Strength-based teaching and coaching methods are two of the foundations of this program I really appreciate. I have gained greater self-awareness to overcome obstacles both personally and professionally through the class demonstrations, practice sessions and feedback. What I appreciated the most about YCI’s program is how realistic and practical it is for youth that are at risk, have disabilities, or dealing with the peer pressures of school, home or work.

Leah, Thank you for all of the thought, time, and consideration you put into this program. I’ve honestly learned more in just a few weeks than I learned over the course of an entire two semesters of coach training previously. I know you don’t like a lot of praise, but I have to say that you are doing some great things for this world. I’m delighted, humbled, and feel extremely blessed to be a part of it.

Being in the people business, I thought I knew a lot about Coaching until I entered the CYLC program. I was absolutely blown away at how little I really knew. Leah B. Mazzola is an incredible coach and trainer. I recommend her with the highest regard. Her ability to blend professionalism with a down to earth coaching style is remarkable. For the first time in a long time I actually look forward to learning and growing myself as a coach.

I am thankful for the personal and professional growth; and the life changing skills I have gained in this training. They have not only changed my view of the world, but have given me confidence to pursue and become the person I wish to be in life. This training has given me both the access to an invaluable coaching toolbox and the science base to back it up.

As the class began, I quickly realized that this class was not only going to broaden my abilities professionally, but it was also going to challenge me as a person. Leah is a fantastic teacher, and takes the coaching profession very seriously. She teaches with passion and excitement that is contagious, and I found myself anticipating class each week to learn more.

I have been honored to learn alongside talented and diverse classmates that share my passion for empowering our younger generations through coaching. YCI’s founder and instructor, Leah Mazzola is an inspiring living testament proving that we have the power to change our life story. The models taught are all evidence-based practices, the group discussions and supervisions offer continuous constructive feedback allowing for all trainees to maximize their learning potential. Every week Leah does an exceptional job at creating lectures that are powerful, informative, engaging, and relatable. I am so grateful to be a part of a program that has given me the opportunity to practice what I love and live my vision.

I have been enrolled in this wonderful program for 10 weeks now and I can honestly say that it is changing my life. Every day we meet as a class, we all marvel at how much we are learning, changing, and growing. This course is invaluable! It offers lessons that will enrich your life as well as your client’s lives. The tuition is affordable and the classes are convenient.

This training is phenomenal! Not only are we learning how we can make a difference in anyone’s life but the training also allows you to look into yourself and make a change within your own life.  Everything that we learn in class can immediately be put into practice.  I look forward to the content and the engaged learning environment that Leah provides for us each week!

You never really know what to expect when you begin a course that is completely remote and takes place over a series of months. Rest assured that you are in great hands with Leah as she prepares you to become a Certified Youth Life Coach! The training is first rate, and you will leave each class feeling a little more empowered to do this great work. I highly recommend the course to anyone who works with youth on a regular basis. The tools that I have received to effectively mentor and coach teenagers have exceeded my expectations! Leah is amazing! You won’t be disappointed.

Leah has the incredible ability to reach people of all socioeconomic and educational levels. Her “go with the flow” style of coaching adds a personal touch to make anyone feel comfortable when being coached, trained, or mentored. She has the ability to relate to any situation and the passion she has for this service is undeniable.

YCI provides many resources and tools useful in becoming an effective youth coach, which caters to all types of learners.  One thing that I have gained, which was unexpected, was a deeper understanding of who I am and what I want because I have an opportunity to coach or be coached every week!!