I think the term just applies the usual formula "<x> coach" (e.g. "football coach", "tennis coach") to a broad topic: x=life. Personally, I don't think there is

I think the term just applies the usual formula "<x> coach" (e.g. "football coach", "tennis coach") to a broad topic: x=life. Personally, I don't think there is a problem with that etymology. Some people are bad at making clear their goals, their limits and organising their life around it -- enter life coach. Having said that I think the field is full of imposters who should but don't consume the services they advocate. There is also a lack of empirical basis to the training and certification programmes available for life coaches, leaving the space pretty bullshitty for consumers.