If you’re thinking about becoming a certified coach, you’ve probably come across Lumia coaching in your research. Maybe you’ve seen their Instagram posts about “being a force for good” or heard about their evidence-based coach training approach.
But before you invest thousands of dollars and months of your time, you should ask yourself:
Is Lumia coaching legit? What do real graduates actually think, and how does it stack up against other coaching certifications?
This guide covers everything from the curriculum and pricing to real Lumia coaching reviews from graduates.
What is Lumia Coaching?
Lumia has been around for more than a decade, although it was originally founded as JRNI before rebranding to their current name.
This major company in the coaching world is built around what they call “progressive education,” with diverse instructors and a vibrant community of over 3,000 coaches.
Their core philosophy centers on science-backed, evidence-based life coach training rooted in positive psychology. Instead of following a one-size-fits-all approach, Lumia focuses on drawing out your unique strengths to help you build a career in coaching that feels authentic to you.
The program is entirely online and designed for what they call “impact-driven people” who want to create meaningful change while building more freedom in their own lives.
Co-founded by John Kim (known as “The Angry Therapist”) and led by CEO Noelle Cordeaux, a PCC-credentialed coach, the program emphasizes both personal development and practical business skills.
Their team includes more than 20 diverse instructors from 25 different academic disciplines. They represent backgrounds across:
- Education and psychology
- Law and nonprofit sectors
- Technology and consumer goods
- Corporate leadership roles
Lumia’s Two-Pathway Structure
Lumia offers two main pathways that can be taken separately or together.
Part 1: Essentials Program
Every Lumia student starts with the Essentials online training, which provides everything needed to learn coaching fundamentals, earn certification, and launch a practice.
This 6-month program includes 21 weeks of live instruction and covers four main curriculum areas:
- Foundations & Fundamentals of Coaching includes classes like “The Art of Questioning,” where you’ll learn to craft powerful questions that drive client change, and “The 5-Step Coaching Framework,” which gives you a structured approach to coaching conversations.
You’ll also dive deep into “Applied Person-Centered Theory” to learn how to welcome clients on their own terms and build empathy.
- Theory & Science courses cover essential topics including:
- Coaching Psychology & Neurobiology to understand how the mind works
- Positive Psychology Foundations covering research on human happiness
- Mindfulness in Coaching to enhance your coaching presence
- Unconscious Bias & Connecting Across Cultures for inclusive coaching
- Business Development covers practical skills needed to launch your practice:
- Entrepreneurship 101 for running a coaching business
- Essential Sales Skills with a heart-centered approach to client enrollment
- Intro to Branding & Exploring a Niche to identify your target audience
Digital Marketing & Social Media strategies for coaches
- Coach & Client Stories includes unique offerings like:
- “Building Your Container,” a coaching theory developed by co-founder John Kim
- “Intro to Intersectionality” to help you work effectively with clients from diverse backgrounds
Part 2: Signature Program
For those pursuing International Coaching Federation (ICF) credentials or wanting advanced skills, the Signature program adds 3 months of education with 16 weeks of live instruction.
This program focuses specifically on ICF Core Competencies and includes:
- Signature Foundations covering:
- ICF Code of Ethics
- Embodying a Coaching Mindset
- Professional standards and expectations
- Co-Creating the Relationship including:
- Powerful Coaching Agreements
- Cultivating Trust With Clients
- Establishing clear boundaries and expectations
- Communicating Effectively with courses like:
- Advanced Active Listening
- Tools & Techniques for Client Awareness
- Using metaphor, analogy, and powerful questioning
- Cultivating Learning & Growth featuring:
- Transformative Goal Setting
- Coaching Roulette for creative skill practice
- Celebrating Client Success strategies
The Signature program also includes 7.5 hours of group mentoring, three one-on-one mentor coaching sessions, observation coaching with written feedback, and ICF credentialing exam prep.
Who Should Consider Lumia
The Essentials program works well for coaches who:
- Want to launch their practice quickly
- Plan to work in wellness settings
- Aren’t interested in getting certified with the ICF
- Are seeking personal and professional development
The Signature program is ideal for those who:
- Plan to coach professionally in corporate settings
- Want to fill out their ICF coaching log to get certified to charge higher rates
- Desire extensive feedback from high-level instructors
- Want to work toward advanced ICF credentials like Professional Certified Coach (PCC)
What sets Lumia apart is their emphasis on community support that extends far beyond graduation.
Students join cohorts of about 25 classmates and receive a dedicated program coach throughout their training journey.
How Much is the Lumia Coaching Program?
The Lumia coaching cost varies depending on which pathway you choose. Payment options and financing are also available.
Here’s the current pricing structure:
Essentials Program (6 months)
- One-time payment: $4,995
- Payment plan: Starting at $307/month
- Includes: 21 weeks of live instruction, 25 practice coaching sessions, business development training, dedicated class coach, access to learning portal
Signature Program (3 months)
- One-time payment: $4,695
- Note: This is an add-on to Essentials for those pursuing ICF credentials
- Includes: 16 weeks of live instruction, 125 ICF educational hours, 7.5 hours group mentoring, 3 one-on-one mentor sessions, observation coaching, ICF exam prep
Essentials + Signature Bundle (9 months)
- One-time payment: $8,995
- Payment plan: Starting at $596/month
- Total of 50 coaching experience hours logged upon completion
What’s Included in Your Investment
Beyond the core curriculum, all Lumia students get access to:
- Monthly programming with CEO Noelle Cordeaux
- Student and alumni community events
- Foundational business development training
- 100% live online classes (not pre-recorded content)
- Real-time interaction and personalized feedback
Signature students receive additional value through:
- Step-by-step guidance on getting ICF credentialed
- Observation coaching with written feedback from in-house coaches
- ICF Performance Evaluation conducted by their in-house PCC evaluator
The time commitment includes 2-hour live classes weekly, plus 3-5 hours of independent work for Essentials students (5-7 hours for Signature students).
This independent work includes:
- Pre-class preparation and reading
- Homework assignments and exercises
- Required coaching practice sessions with real clients
Long-term Value and ROI Considerations
The investment extends beyond graduation through Lumia’s alumni network of 3,000+ coaches.
Graduates gain access to:
- Ongoing continuing education opportunities
- In-person retreats and regional events
- Job leads that come across Lumia’s desk
- Opportunities to contribute to their social media and blog
- Professional directory listing on their website
There’s a pricing advantage to bundling both programs from the start rather than adding Signature later, so it’s worth considering your long-term goals before enrolling.
When considering ROI, remember that becoming a coach involves more than just certification costs. You’ll also need to factor in business setup, marketing, and the time it takes to build a client base.
Is Lumia Coaching Legit?
Based on graduate feedback and program details, Lumia appears to be a legitimate coaching certification program. Below is a summary of what real graduates and researchers have shared across several resources online.
The Positive Side
Lumia grads consistently praise several aspects of the program:
- Quality of instruction and instructor expertise
- Extensive practical coaching experience (50+ required sessions total)
- Supportive learning environment where questions are encouraged
- Strong community connections that extend beyond graduation
- Comprehensive curriculum covering both coaching skills and business development
One graduate shared:
“I was working full time for a BIG corporation. I had all the “perks” but absolutely NO time. I recognized my potential and signed up for Lumia with an idea to quit corporate life and venture on my own. Little did I know I would find such amazing tools, enough to help me be brave and quit early!
Now I am a full-time personal coach! I help people thrive in confidence, through mindfulness and hope.” – Graciela Moore,2021 Graduate
The community aspect gets high marks too. Graduates report that graduates tend to stick together and network a lot online and in person, so that can be really helpful with gaining momentum.
The ongoing support from a network of 3,000+ coaches provides valuable connections for referrals and business development.
The Drawbacks
With all that being said, here are some potential drawbacks to keep in mind:
- Larger cohort sizes (about 25 students per class) compared to some programs
- Limited one-on-one assistance for graduates compared to smaller programs
- Mixed feedback about business training depth (though, from my research, this criticism appears to have been addressed in the 2025 curriculum)
Some older reviews on Reddit suggested limited business instruction. However, Lumia’s current curriculum includes Entrepreneurship 101, Essential Sales, branding workshops, and digital marketing training.
One critical perspective shared on Reddit suggested that “programs like Lumia are a lot of hype but not a lot of actual useful skills” and don’t teach business management effectively.
That being said, I wasn’t able to find overly critical reviews of anyone who had actually been through the program, so take the above criticism with a grain of salt.
What is the Most Respected Life Coach Certification?
The coaching industry doesn’t have a single “most respected” certification, but several factors contribute to a program’s reputation and recognition.
ICF accreditation is generally considered the gold standard in coaching education. Lumia is ICF-accredited and offers pathways to both Associate Certified Coach (ACC) and Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credentials.
This puts them in good company with other well-respected programs.
However, respect in the coaching industry often comes down to more than just the certification name.
Employers (if you want a full-time coaching job) and clients (if you want to start a coaching business) typically look for coaches who can demonstrate real results, strong business skills, and the ability to create meaningful change with their clients.
When choosing a coach training program, consider your specific goals:
- For corporate or executive coaching: ICF credentialing (which Lumia supports) is often preferred
- For your private practice: Business development skills and community connections may be more valuable
- For wellness coaching: Strong foundation in positive psychology and holistic approaches matters most
The coaching industry is still relatively young, and there’s room for multiple high-quality training programs.
Rather than focusing solely on which certification is “most respected,” consider which program best aligns with your learning style, career goals, and the type of coaching business you want to build.
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FAQ About Lumia Coaching
Is Lumia coaching legit?
Yes, Lumia is a legitimate ICF-accredited coach training program with over a decade of experience, 20+ expert instructors, and positive graduate feedback about their comprehensive curriculum and community support.
How much is the Lumia coaching program?
Essentials costs $4,995 (or $307/month), Signature costs $4,695, and the combined program costs $8,995 (or $596/month). Payment plans are available for all options.
What are the alternatives to Lumia coaching?
Other ICF-accredited programs include CTI, iPEC, and Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching. Each offers different approaches to coach training and business development.
How long does it take to complete Lumia’s program?
The Essentials program takes approximately 6 months (21 weeks of live instruction), while the full Essentials + Signature pathway takes 9 months total.
Can I practice coaching while enrolled in Lumia?
Yes, practicing with real clients is actually required. Essentials students complete 25 practice coaching sessions, and Signature students complete an additional 25 sessions as part of their training.
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