Want to know what “life coaching” is?Then look no further and read the interview below Binays Begovic, an influential life coach in the United States. Background, methodology, success… everything you need to know!
Question: What inspired you to become a life coach?
A: I've always been a people-pleaser. I get them to relax and they open up. There’s something innate about me that makes people trust me and makes them willing to be vulnerable. I serve as a mirror for self-reflection. It's like they know what to do, what choices to make after talking to me.A few years ago, I started sharing personal reflections all aspects of life. People started asking me for advice. This took me a step further and that’s why I decided to become a life coach.
I have a rich background and experience. I grew up during the tumultuous Balkan Wars in Montenegro. We moved to Sweden when I was 15 and then to Los Angeles when I was 24, where I live now. My life has been full of challenges and struggles, and I learned early on how to use emotional intelligence to survive and gain a deeper understanding of myself and others, and how that impacted my choices and future. I am grateful for these experiences because they allow me to draw wisdom and life essence from them. That’s one of the reasons I’m able to connect with people on such a deep level. I am not afraid of emotions and connect deeply with people, being with them where they need me. This makes people feel heard and seen like never before.
Q: Can you describe your coaching approach and how you tailor it to meet the needs of individual clients?
A: I see my role as a mirror for self-reflection, helping clients understand themselves more clearly and make their own choices. Unlike some other life coaches or motivational speakers who may foster dependence, my core motivation is to help individuals discover and tap into their own inner strengths – a journey of self-discovery that I explore on my own. I've noticed that some coaches create a dynamic where their clients become dependent on the coach's energy and inspiration.
I avoid exerting control or domination because I firmly believe that people should be empowered to direct their own lives. This philosophy marks a significant departure from other approaches. I am completely committed to my clients, accompanying them every step of the way until they get to where they need to be.
A: I do not impose my own criteria for success; my clients set their own goals and parameters. My role is to support them in achieving these goals and develop a sense of ownership for their personal growth and achievement.
Q: Can you share a success story about helping a client overcome a significant challenge?
A: One of my recent success stories involves Max, a senior executive who thought he had it all figured out. He has a prestigious degree, a well-paying job, a happy marriage and two children. His life is linear and predictable. However, everything suddenly changes – his wife files for divorce, his company is acquired, his career path completely changes, and the results of his medical examination are released. His life changed drastically. When he reached out to me, he was completely defeated, questioning why these things were happening to him, despite his efforts to be a good person.
This period, while heartbreaking, became a turning point. Through our courses, Max discovered humility and realized that life is not always linear or logical. After six months of working together, significant changes occurred: the wife called off the divorce and they reconciled; he quit his job and found a new one that was more aligned with his newfound purpose and evolving values; when he started exercising every day , healthy eating and meditation, his health improved significantly. Max's journey from despair to rebirth is profound and he feels like he has been reborn.
Q: How do you deal with clients not making the progress they expected and how do you keep them motivated?
A: My clients typically come to me with a high level of self-motivation and commitment, so I don’t often need to play the role of motivational coach. However, on the rare occasion that progress stalls, I recommend exiting our structured sessions and allowing the natural progression of life to introduce new experiences. This approach often helps open up new perspectives and inspire those “aha” moments. My coaching approach is rooted in real-life experience – it is pragmatic, not theoretical or ideological. We focus on guiding my clients through experiences they are currently facing or will soon encounter, which keeps the coaching relevant and directly applicable to their lives.
