What Does a Coach Actually Do? Let’s Make It Real

In my two years of coaching exclusively, one question comes up again and again: “What exactly do you do?”

I hear this all the time. Coaching can seem abstract—until you see the results. So instead of just telling you, let me show you what it looks like in real life.

I remember the moment when I realized I needed a change. I was already stretched thin—managing work pressure, keeping up with family responsibilities, and sacrificing my own well-being. I grabbed quick meals instead of eating healthy, hadn’t exercised in a while, and felt constantly drained.

Even when I carved out time to focus on career growth, it was exhausting. I tried strategies that worked before, picked up new tips, but I still didn’t get the results I wanted. I knew I needed to adjust and keep trying—but with my limited time and energy, I was barely keeping up with the bare minimum of work and family.

So, I paused. I told myself, “Let me just get through this busy season. Then I’ll figure it out.”

And when things settled, I tried again. But again, it didn’t work. “Maybe I just need to be patient,” I thought. But another voice whispered, “What if I can't figure it out? What if this is it?”

The cycle repeated. And because each attempt took so much energy, I needed long breaks in between—making progress painfully slow and discouraging.

Does this sound familiar?

Now, imagine breaking out of this exhausting cycle and shifting into a different one—one that builds momentum and makes progress feel lighter, faster, and even exciting.

That’s the shift I made for myself, and it’s what I help my clients do. I’ve seen this transformation into a positive cycle happen over and over again:

➡ They start to push back on workload and set better boundaries at work.

➡ They gain the energy and time to prioritize their career growth—without sacrificing everything else.

➡ They show up differently, approach challenges with a lighter mindset, iterate faster, and make steady progress toward their goals.

➡ And as a result, they start seeing unexpected opportunities show up—the kind they never thought possible.

Let me give you two real-world reasons why coaching works.

✅ “What got you here won’t get you there.”

Many of my clients already know this. They’ve read all the books, listened to all the podcasts, and learned new strategies. But they still feel stuck. The most common thing I hear? “That’s good advice, but my situation is different.”

This is where coaching comes in. I challenge those beliefs—not to dismiss them, but to help my clients see where they do have options. Almost every time, we uncover real, practical ways they can move forward. And instead of forcing progress, they build momentum in a way that feels lighter and more effective.

✅ “Reading about how to ride a bike doesn’t teach you to ride a bike.”

It’s the same with career growth. Career advice, books, and tips are like reading about how to ride a bike. They tell you what to do, but they don’t help you do it. Coaching is different. A coach gets in the field with you, watches how you “ride,” and helps you make real-time adjustments, fast iterations, and see results sooner.

That’s why my clients achieve their goals much faster than they expect.

What about you?

Does any of this resonate with you? If so, I’d love to hear your experience. I hope this gave you clarity on what coaching looks like in real life.

Still have questions? Let me know—I’d be happy to answer!