Frequently asked questions

This coaching FAQ offers honest answers to the questions people actually ask before working with a midlife coach.

What is midlife coaching — and is it different from what I imagine it to be?

Probably yes. Life coaching has a reputation problem — it gets associated with motivational posters and vague talk about "finding your purpose." What I do is quite different. It's a structured, private thinking partnership focused on a specific period of your life where something important is in motion — a transition, a decision, a reinvention. We think clearly together about where you are, where you want to be, and what's in the way. It's practical, substantive, and entirely focused on you.

What do we actually do in sessions?

Sessions are 60 minutes, one-to-one, and entirely driven by what's most important to you right now. There's no fixed curriculum or homework you have to complete before showing up. In early sessions we tend to spend time mapping where you are — the full landscape, not just the surface presenting issue. From there, each session focuses on what matters most at that point in your journey. You'll leave each session with greater clarity and usually with something concrete to think about, try, or decide. Over a programme, clients consistently report that the cumulative effect is more significant than they expected.

How is coaching different from therapy?

Therapy tends to look backwards — processing past experiences, understanding patterns, healing wounds. It's valuable work, and I'll refer you to a therapist if I think that's what you need. Coaching looks forward. We start from where you are today and work toward where you want to be. If you're fundamentally well but navigating a meaningful crossroads — in your career, your finances, your sense of direction, your next chapter — coaching is almost certainly the right tool.

Do I need to know what I want to work on before we start?

No — and most people don't. "I'm not sure exactly what I need but I know something needs to change" is one of the most common things I hear in a first call, and it's a perfectly good place to start. Part of what the early sessions do is help you get clear on what's actually going on and what you genuinely want. You don't need to arrive with a prepared agenda.

Who do you typically work with?

Most of my clients are in their 40s or 50s — successful, experienced people who are at some kind of turning point. They might be thinking about a career change, planning a relocation, approaching retirement, trying to make their money work harder, rebuilding after a significant life event, or simply feeling that the first half's playbook has run its course and they need a new one. Many are expats or considering becoming one. Many have capital and professional experience but feel uncertain about what the next chapter should look like. If that sounds like you, we're probably a good fit.

How many sessions will I need?

It depends on what you're working on. Some clients come with a specific, bounded question and find that four to six sessions give them what they need. Others are navigating a larger life transition and find that three to six months of sustained work creates the most lasting change. I'll give you my honest read after our discovery call — I'm not interested in keeping clients longer than they need to be here.

Do you work online or in person?

Both. I'm based in the Algarve in southern Portugal and work with local clients in person when that's preferred. I also work with clients across Europe and beyond entirely online via Zoom. Online sessions are just as effective — often more so, because clients are in their own space and tend to open up more quickly.

Is everything we discuss confidential?

Completely. What happens in our sessions stays between us, full stop. I don't share client information with anyone, and I don't discuss clients with other clients. Confidentiality is the foundation of this work — without it, the honest conversation that makes coaching effective isn't possible.

What makes you different from other life coaches?

Honestly, the combination of experience I bring is rare. I hold a law degree and an Advanced MBA. I've worked at director level in a Fortune 500 company (Liberty Global). I've built and sold a business — a yoga studio I founded in Amsterdam and ran for fifteen years. I've started three ventures. I've managed investments and navigated financial transitions personally. And I've made a significant life relocation myself, moving to Portugal and building a new chapter from scratch.

Most coaches specialise in one dimension — career, or mindset, or business, or wellness. I can work across all of them simultaneously, which is what the complexity of real life actually demands. For a client who wants to talk about their investment strategy in one breath and their sense of identity in the next, I'm genuinely equipped for both.

Is coaching regulated? How do I know you're qualified?

Coaching is not a regulated profession, which means the quality varies enormously — and it's a fair thing to look into. I hold a formal coaching certification, and I've worked with clients across business, career, financial mindset, and personal transition. Beyond the certification, what distinguishes my practice is the depth of real-world experience I bring: three decades across law, corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal development. I'd encourage you to read my full background on the About page and to ask me anything you want on a discovery call — you should feel confident before you commit to anything.

Is everything we discuss confidential?

Completely. What happens in our sessions stays between us, full stop. I don't share client information with anyone, and I don't discuss clients with other clients. Confidentiality is the foundation of this work — without it, the honest conversation that makes coaching effective isn't possible.

How do I get started?

Book a free discovery call. It takes 20 minutes. We talk about where you are, what you're navigating, and whether working together makes sense. There's no obligation and no sales pressure — if it's not the right fit, I'll tell you honestly and point you somewhere that might serve you better.

Still have a question not answered here? Email me directly at asaf@blueskycoach.me — I read everything and reply personally.