Popping Up Like Mushrooms & Life Coaches

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All top athletes know this: if you want to be the best, you need to surround yourself with people who want the same for you. Having a great coach can make the difference between staying an amateur or becoming a pro soccer player. The same applies to school—having a good mentor when you're struggling can help you excel.

But what about personal growth? When it comes to developing confidence, overcoming obstacles, dealing with life situations, or setting goals, life coaches can play a important role. In recent years, life coaching has become a growing profession, with new coaches seeming to pop up everywhere🍄🍄🍄🍄.

And I’ll admit— for nine years already, I’ve been one of those shrooms! 🍄😊 I know that some people frown upon this profession for many reasons, and I think one major reason is not really understanding what it’s all about. In this blog, I will explain what a youth life coach is, how coaching differs from therapy, and how to choose the right coach for you/your child. I will also touch upon how youth life coaches are an added value to parents and our education system. So, let's start!

What is a Youth Life Coach?

A youth life coach helps children, teens, and young adults navigate social-emotional challenges. I’ve worked with teens facing fear of failure, struggling with self-understanding, or exploring career paths and study habits. I’ve also helped kids manage the stress around a parent being sick and to deal with bullying.

As a youth coach, I actively listen, help coachees (clients) gain clarity on their situation, goals, and guide them in creating a plan to move forward. I hold space and guide gently and lovingly, but they are the ones who do the work and remain accountable.

Coaching is Not Therapy

Needing help to process emotions, understand yourself, or navigate challenges doesn’t mean something is wrong with you—it’s a NATURAL part of being human. In the past, close-knit communities provided a built-in support systems. Today, despite being more digitally connected than ever, many people feel isolated or lack someone they trust to discuss sensitive matters. A youth life coach offers a safe and supportive solution.

A youth life coach is a trained guide who listens without imposing their own thoughts. Coaching is client-led, meaning that even if a parent wants their child to focus on improving grades, I can only help if the child genuinely wants that too (yep moms, I know how that sounds..). Coaching respects autonomy, offering guidance on the coachee's terms. It is also solution-based—while we may briefly explore past experiences for context, the focus remains on the present and future.

In some cases, it may become clear that something from the past is holding a coachee back (such as a traumatic experience) or that harmful patterns or behaviors are present. In these situations, I will refer clients to a psychologist.

Psychologists are trained to diagnose and treat, whereas coaches are not. We work within the range of a healthy human experience. The real issue nowadays is that people differ greatly in opinion of what is considered a 'healthy human experience'. In a world where normal human emotions and experiences are often pathologized, some are surprised at how much a well-trained coach can handle. However, a responsible coach knows the boundaries and will always uphold them for the client’s well-being.

While psychologists focus on diagnosis and treatment, life coaches work more in the field of prevention. They can also collaborate and complement each other—something I would love to see become more of a norm in Curaçao.

Oh, you know... just out here listening, connecting, coaching, and not diagnosing or offering treatments... 😉 #KnowTheDifference

When to See a Life Coach

In our culture, we tend to hold things in, letting problems fester until they become BIGGER problems. Even though today we scream #MentalHealthMatters, when it comes to actually acting on it… the crickets chirp.

Life coaches should be seen as an extension of your community—someone you can easily approach when you need support. No long wait times, no endless sessions—just short-term, practical guidance to help you move forward.

Here are some situations where a youth life coach might be helpful:

• Feeling overwhelmed by stress—whether it’s school, family expectations, or just life in general.

• Struggling with confidence—maybe you second-guess yourself, feel awkward in social situations, or avoid speaking up.

• Dealing with peer pressure—wanting to stay true to yourself but finding it hard when friends push in a different direction.

• Procrastinating—you want to be productive but keep getting stuck in the cycle of “I’ll do it later.”

• Communication struggles—whether it’s speaking up to teachers, setting boundaries with friends, or expressing yourself to family.

• Conflict with others—arguments with friends, siblings, or teammates that leave you frustrated or unsure how to fix things.

• Navigating big life decisions—like choosing a study path, figuring out career options, or deciding what you really want for your future.

  
  

A coach doesn’t have your answers, but they do help you ask the right questions, find clarity, and make a plan.

How to Choose the Right Youth Life Coach

The short answer? Try and see. 

Just as people differ, so do coaches. Each coach has their own background, personality, and specialties, which means some will resonate with you more than others. Just like with friendships, it’s about connection—some coaches are energetic hype-machines, while others (like me) provide a more calming, empathetic presence.

Here are some key things to consider:

• Background & Specialties: What’s their educational background and training? Do they specialize in areas relevant to your needs? I’m a biology teacher with a specialization in student guidance/counseling. I also completed a 2-year post-HBO program to become a certified youth life coach: Kind in Kracht . You can click here to learn more about me.

  
  

• Location: If they offer in-person sessions, is the location convenient? I’m based on the East side of Curaçao but also meet in central locations like the library, at your home (if centrally located), or even outdoors—walking in Den Dunki, for example.

  
  

• Reviews & Testimonials: What do previous clients say? You can check out my Instagram highlights for client feedback! @transcendcuracao 😉

  
  

• Coaching Approach: Do they have a specific methodology? Does it align with what you need? My approach is holistic, solution-based, and rooted in empathetic listening, focusing on your natural strengths & creativity. I also love incorporating nature when possible but always tailor my approach to fit the client.

  
  

• Personal Fit: The coach-client relationship is key. Do you feel comfortable with their personality and communication style? Ultimately, coaching is about trust and connection, so if one coach isn’t the right fit, keep looking—there’s no one-size-fits-all.

Youth Life Coaches: A Support for Parents and Teachers!

Coaches with backgrounds in pedagogy and education, like me 👋🏼, can be a valuable support system for both parents and teachers.

I've worked with parents who benefit from a fresh perspective on their child's behavior, bringing relief. Sometimes, they just need a safe space to vent—raising kids is tough, even when you love them dearly (mom of three here! 👋🏼). It's not always about having all the answers; sometimes, it's about being heard, gaining new insights, or receiving practical tips to recharge and keep going.

And to my fellow teachers—I see you too👋🏼. I know you’re here because you care. I know you want to make a difference. But I also know that many of us are exhausted, and the demands of teaching today feel almost impossible. It’s not about lacking passion—it’s about hitting the limits of what we can give. Seeking help from a local youth life coach with over 13 years of teaching experience😉, doesn’t make you weak.

I understand why some schools hesitate to bring in youth coaches—some are unqualified, overstep their role, or lack the right experience. But a good coach knows their place, and a good teacher knows when to ask for support. There’s no shame in that.

With schools often having a social worker for just a few hours a week, while trying to manage classrooms full of kids with diverse (special) needs, we all know we’re running on fumes. As a youth life coach, I can support teachers the same way I support parents—by actively listening, offering perspective, and focusing on progress and solutions.

If schools, parents, and youth coaches work together, we can create better support systems for students and teachers. Imagine if youth life coaches were present in schools—offering individual guidance to students who need it. It’s not about replacing teachers or counselors; it’s about creating a stronger, more sustainable support system for everyone involved.

So, to conclude...

Let’s normalize the profession of youth life coaching. As a parent, you’re investing in someone professionally trained to support your child—and that’s a comforting thought in a world where you might not always know who your child is turning to for support.

Yes, there are plenty of self-proclaimed life coaches out there who’ve completed questionable online courses in a few hours. So, be discerning, and choose wisely! But at its core, youth life coaching offers a fresh solution to modern-day challenges.

Just be smart when choosing your magical mushroom 🍄👋🏼.