Is the coaching industry a pyramid scheme? Five people asked me that last week, and I get why. Between coaches coaching coaches, sketchy screenshots, and straight-up liars, the noise is real. What annoys me is people shaming others for investing in growth while they waste money daily.

In this episode, I break down why the pyramid-scheme label sticks, call out shady tactics, and draw the line between manipulation and ethical selling. I share my own journey—from LCSW to a successful online biz—including the debt, the fear, and why I hid my income.

If you’re a wellness pro questioning if coaching is legit, or just want to make good money helping people without guilt, this one’s for you.

Topics covered on Is the Coaching Industry a Pyramid Scheme:

• Why does everyone keep asking if the coaching industry is a pyramid scheme - and what's the real legal difference.
• The coaching industry practices giving everyone the ick.
• The truth about the coaching industry pyramid scheme accusations and the "coaches coaching coaches" problem.
• Why therapists make better coaches than most coaching certification grads.
• What an ethical, sustainable coaching business actually looks like in practice.

Resources from this episode:

• Therapist to Coach Accelerator program

• Enter The Podcast Giveaway for the chance to win one of Carly’s digital products: https://thethrivingtherapreneurpodcast.com/reviews

This episode is sponsored by Berries — an AI-powered scribe tool designed for mental health pros. It’s HIPAA-compliant, private, and makes writing notes so much easier. Just record your sessions (with consent!),and Berries creates accurate, compliant notes for you—so you can stay present with clients and reclaim your time.

🎉 Try it at heyberries.com with code CARLY50 for $50 off your first month.

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💕 What was your biggest takeaway from this episode? Drop me a DM on Instagram - I’d love to hear from you!

Quote:

"I'm not building a tower of people below me, I'm building a ripple effect. And that ripple creates waves and impact generational healing income confidence." - Carly Hill