Aren’t you too young to be a life coach?

I’ve come to accept that more often than not, I’m the youngest person in the room. Well, except at my nephew’s birthday parties, but even those twelve-year-olds are catching up to me in height.

At a recent networking event, someone asked me a question I’ve heard in different forms over the years:
“No offence, but aren’t you a little young to be a life coach?”

Let’s call him Fred.

First, this was how my lizard brain received this information: ‘[you] X [years lived] = < [Enough to coach]? + [no offence.]’

I smiled, grounded and open… equipped with my zinger...Oh, sweet Fred. Some people live for 90 years. Others live the same year, 90 times. But I kept that one in my hat. Because beyond my lizard brain, I’ve done enough work to know this question was not to be answered with a rich and elaborate validation of my existence to date, but actually to tell him what a coach actually does - and I’m so glad he asked.

“Well Fred,” I said, “as a life coach, I’m not really here to tell you how to live your life. I hold up a mirror and walk alongside you to figure out what kind of life you really want, what’s in your way and what you’re willing to do to change it.”

Le Kaouki (Sidi Kaouki - Morocco)

What Fred Was Really Asking?

Fred’s question lingered—not because it offended me, but because it’s not really about me. It’s about a belief many people carry:

That wisdom only comes with age.
That insight is earned through ticking certain boxes.
That you’re “ready” only once you’ve followed the traditional script: degree, career, marriage, mortgage, kids… maybe a divorce.

But here’s the thing:
I knew even in my late teens that I wanted to live life differently. Not on autopilot. Not by default.

And I haven’t followed the expected timeline. Having zero pressure from parents was also a bonus- but I was really clear that I didn’t chase a traditional education I wasn’t sure about, or a job that contained me, or commit to something that didn’t feel like mine. Instead, I trusted my intuition, asked better questions—early—and kept asking them. In my view, when you listen to the inner guide often and early, life is really full and benevolent and dare I say more predicable. It’s when you don’t listen to your inner guide that chaos and disappointment seems to follow your every move. Let’s face it sometimes the chaos brings forth clarity.

Here for a Good time, and a Long time.

Adversity taught me resilience early on. By my early 20s, I was questioning if the traditional path was really mine. When a mentor sparked my love for travel, I took a bold leap—booking a one-way ticket from Melbourne to Canada.

What began as a year abroad stretched into three, filled with challenges that pushed me to trust myself more deeply. Those experiences shaped how I coach today: helping others embrace uncertainty and step into lives they truly own.

So yes, Fred—to answer your question—I’ve lived.

But deep down, I feel like I’m only just getting started.
And between you and me—I hope that feeling sticks around.
Because it means I’m still growing, still curious, still choosing a life that’s mine.

But Let’s Flip the Question

The more important question isn’t “Aren’t you too young to coach people?”

It’s this:

Where are you letting age define your decisions?

Too young to start something new?
Too old to change direction?
Too late to finish what you started?

If those thoughts are running the show, it’s worth pausing and asking: Who decided that?

Because life doesn’t operate on a rigid timeline. There’s no perfect age to know yourself, take a risk, say no to what no longer fits, or finally say yes to what does.

Let’s Talk About What’s Next

If you're feeling stuck between who you’ve been and who you’re becoming, I see you.

Through my life coaching in Melbourne (and online), I work with people who are ready to let go of old rules and get intentional about how they want to live and lead.

If this resonated with you, I invite you to book a free intro call—no pressure, just a conversation about what’s possible from here.

Because you're not too young. You're not too old.
You're right on time.

So, what’s the most interesting next step you could take?