The Coach Interview Red Flags Everyone Ignores
The Coach Interview Red Flags Everyone Ignores
I paid $3,000 to a "transformational health coach" who spent our first session trying to sell me a $15,000 "VIP experience." She had all the right certifications, glowing testimonials, and a waitlist longer than a Trader Joe's checkout line.
She was also completely full of shit.
That expensive lesson taught me something most articles about finding coaches won't tell you: You're asking the wrong damn questions.
Everyone's Got the Interview Process Backwards
Most advice about choosing a health coach sounds like you're hiring a babysitter. "Ask about their credentials!" "Check their experience!" "See if you vibe!"
But here's what nobody talks about – the wellness industry is flooded with people who got certified last weekend and think they can fix your entire life with green smoothies and toxic positivity.
The real question isn't whether they can help you. It's whether they'll hurt you.
Why Most Coach Interviews Are Useless
Traditional interview advice treats all coaches like they're created equal. Spoiler alert: they're not.
I've been on both sides now – first as someone desperately seeking help after burning out as a corporate lawyer, then building my own coaching business. What I learned is that most people focus on green flags when they should be hunting for red flags.
Think about it this way: Would you rather hire a decent coach or avoid a terrible one? The terrible one can set you back years and cost you thousands. The decent one? They might just change your life.
The Red Flags That Should Make You Run
They Promise Specific Results in Specific Timeframes
"Lose 30 pounds in 30 days!" "Transform your life in 90 days!"
Anyone promising specific outcomes doesn't understand how human behavior actually works. Bodies are weird. Life is messy. Real change takes however long it takes.
What they should say instead: "I'll give you the tools and support to make sustainable changes. Timeline depends on your starting point, consistency, and life circumstances."
They Have a "Signature System" for Everything
Oh, you have anxiety? That's my 5-step anxiety elimination protocol. Food issues? My 7-day gut reset will fix that. Relationship problems? My sacred feminine awakening course handles it all.
Real coaches adapt their approach to YOU, not the other way around.
They Can't Give You Specific Examples
Ask them: "Tell me about a client who struggled and how you helped them through it."
If they give vague platitudes about "breakthrough moments" and "incredible transformations" without specifics, they're either lying or terrible at their job.
Good coaches remember their clients' struggles because that's where the real work happens.
They Want Money Upfront for Long Packages
Six-month packages paid in full before you've worked together? Nope. That's not confidence in their coaching – that's securing their cash flow.
Start small. Month-to-month or short packages until you know they can actually help you.
They're Weirdly Pushy About Their Own Lifestyle
If they can't stop talking about how their morning routine/diet/workout transformed everything and you should definitely try it... run.
Your coach's personal habits aren't your blueprint. A good coach knows this.
The Green Flags That Actually Matter
They Ask About Your Past Experiences with Coaches/Programs
This shows they understand that your history matters and they're not starting from scratch. Plus, they want to know what didn't work so they don't repeat those mistakes.
They're Honest About What They Can't Help With
"I don't work with eating disorders – here's someone who specializes in that." "My approach probably isn't right for someone dealing with major depression."
Boundaries aren't limitations; they're professional integrity.
They Have a Clear Process for When Things Aren't Working
Shit happens. Progress stalls. Life implodes. How do they handle it when their approach isn't working?
Good coaches pivot. Bad coaches blame you for "not being ready" or "resistance to change."
They Talk About Small Changes First
Anyone who wants to overhaul your entire life in week one is setting you up to fail. Sustainable change starts small and builds momentum.
They Can Explain Their Approach Simply
If they need twenty minutes and six buzzwords to explain how they help people, they either don't understand it themselves or they're trying to confuse you into thinking it's more complex than it is.
The Reverse Interview Strategy
Here's my controversial take: Don't just answer their questions. Interview them like you're the expert.
The Struggle Test
"What do you do when a client isn't making progress after a month?"
Listen to their answer. Do they blame the client? Do they have a plan? Or do they just throw more motivation quotes at the problem?
The Boundary Check
"What happens if I want to quit halfway through our package?"
Their response tells you everything about how they handle conflict and whether they respect your autonomy.
The Reality Test
"Tell me about a client who didn't succeed working with you."
If they say all their clients succeed, they're lying. If they blame client failures on "mindset issues" or "not being ready," they don't take responsibility for their own methods.
My Framework for Coach Selection
After getting burned and then building my own practice, here's my actual process:
Round One: Red Flag Elimination
- Schedule short calls (15-20 minutes max)
- Look for any of the red flags above
- Eliminate anyone who sets off your BS detector
Round Two: Fit Assessment
- Longer conversations with remaining candidates
- Ask about their process, not their credentials
- Pay attention to how they listen, not just what they say
Round Three: Trial Run
- Start with the shortest possible commitment
- Evaluate after 2-3 sessions
- Don't be afraid to switch if it's not working
The Uncomfortable Truth
Most people don't want to hear this, but finding a good coach is like dating. You'll probably kiss some frogs before you find your person.
The difference is that bad coaches can cost you way more than bad dates.
I spent years and thousands of dollars on coaches who were more interested in their Instagram content than my actual progress. The ones who helped me most? They were probably the least impressive on paper.
What to Do Right Now
If you're considering hiring a coach:
- Make a list of your non-negotiables – What absolutely cannot happen in this coaching relationship?
- Set a small budget for testing – Don't blow your entire wellness budget on the first person you interview
- Trust your gut – If something feels off, it probably is
And if you're already working with someone who's showing red flags? It's okay to quit. Your money and emotional energy are too valuable to waste on someone who isn't serving you.
Let's Talk About It
I'm curious – what's your worst coach experience? Or if you found someone amazing, what green flags did you notice that I missed?
Drop a comment below. I read every single one, and honestly, some of the best insights come from the community, not the "experts."
The coaching industry needs more honest conversations about what actually works. Let's start one.
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