I remember being a kid when my parents told me I needed to finish high school to get a decent job—maybe in a factory, or if I was lucky, behind a desk. But I had different plans.
School didn’t speak to my dreams, so I turned to the darker path—rolling with street thugs and petty criminals at the local boxing club, where crime was more curriculum than cautionary tale.
But I dismissed school as representing anything positive for my dreams, so I opted for the darker side. Being a thug and petty criminal who hangs out with boys in the local boxing club where juvenile and serious crime members attend
So, I realized that growing up in communism isn’t bad if you bash people, steal from shops, or steal from homes until you are not caught.
And in communism government will make sure to make an example of every single wannabe criminal.
I must say that I learned lessons quickly, particularly when I found myself in the civil war with a high school diploma, and I believed that I would be a general until one day I was told, “Mario, you are a great combatant, leader, and raw example of all that can be done, but you will never progress higher than lieutenant because you don’t have a university degree” and I understood how education is important.
Today education is run by people who say, “You don’t need a university degree or higher education because you need only my (business coach) blueprint for success.”
Bro, seriously, when was the last time you scrolled through Instagram or YouTube without seeing some dude in a suit standing in front of a fancy car (which probably isn’t even his), promising to teach you “how to make your first million by 30”?
What genuine expertise does this individual possess? This individual demonstrates a remarkable ability to produce polished Reels and employs popular terminology such as “mindset,” “vibes,” and “unleash your inner leader.”
We are residing in an era characterized by an abundance of pseudo-coaches.
These coaches are not football coaches, certified business mentors, or licensed therapists.
I’m talking about self-proclaimed “life strategists,” “mindset gurus,” “business coaches,” and “spiritual wealth healers.”
The dream-selling industry has gone fully digital, and these people are cashing in. Big time.
Let’s break it down. We need to put an end to the misinformation they present as knowledge.
Have you observed that many “coaches” are individuals who failed in their initial careers?
Like the person who couldn’t sell real estate… He is currently offering real estate courses.
The person who made $20K off crypto during the 2021 hype… now he’s a crypto coach.
Or the girl calling herself a “feminine energy consultant” with zero background in psychology? Yep. Yep.
Everyone’s a coach these days.
The standard is so low that it could easily be surpassed.
Most of them haven’t built a single real thing in their lives.
But they’ve mastered one trick: selling the illusion of success.
They prey on individuals who are desperate, confused, or simply trying to escape their monotonous jobs.
However, they have perfected a particular strategy: creating the illusion of success. They target individuals who are desperate, confused, or simply seeking an escape from their monotonous jobs.
Fraudulent coaches have discovered the formula: success does not require genuine knowledge—merely the appearance of it. They do not provide authentic skills. Instead, they market the sensation of success.
They don’t offer real skills.
They sell the feeling of success.
They offer a $399 “Personal Development Masterclass” that comprises 7 ten-minute videos, a collection of meaningless phrases, and a PDF containing quotes from books they haven’t read.
Here’s how it works: Lifestyle
Rent a car. Rent a villa. Snap a few pics from a beach in Goldent, Boboom.
And boom, the Instagram feed was upgraded. Now they “look successful.”
It begins with a complimentary webinar, eBook, or a $7 course that consists of 30 minutes of introductory “mindset” content without any practical tools.
Then comes the $997 “Signature Coaching Program.”
If you are genuinely committed, you might consider investing in the $10,000 mastermind program.
Don’t have the cash? No worries, they offer “coaching-specific finance.”
Glowing reviews?
Half of them come from their friends, fellow fake coaches, or people too embarrassed to admit they got nothing from it.
Their pitch usually sounds like this:
“Start a business with zero capital.”
“Earn €10,000/month in 3 months”
“Rewire your brain for success.”
“Manifest your reality.”
Sound familiar?
That’s because it is. They all say the same stuff, just in different packaging.
Fast food chains sell the same chicken in 100 different combinations. Not healthy, but looks excellent in the ad.
It’s word salad, man. Sounds deep. Means nothing.
Inquire about the specific content of their teachings, and you will likely encounter a cycle of ambiguous discussions regarding energy, mini vibrations, and rations, which may leave you feeling bewildered and inclined to provide your credit card information.
However, it is important to note that not all coaches operate unethically
Let’s be clear: not all coaches are scams.
But wait—not all coaches are poor. Let’s be clear: not all coaches are scams. There are genuine mentors available, individuals who have faced significant challenges and possess valuable insights. However, the issue is that today, it seems anyone who has read a couple of self-help books—most likely “Rich Dad Poor Dad” and “The Power of the Subconscious”—believes they are qualified to be a mentor. As a result, they begin to market offerings that they do not fully comprehend themselves.
So, they start selling something they don’t even understand themselves.
The wildest part? Someone charges you €1000 to tell you, “Believe in yourself.”
For that amount, one could invest in three months of genuine therapy and potentially achieve meaningful progress.
But No, you instead you consult “Ke” at @mindset_alpha111, who advises, “Success is a state of mind.”
The prices are insane. You might obtain a beginner’s course for $97. Mid-tier coaching calls run $500–$2000. Premium packages range from $10,000 to $25,000 or more.
For what?
The package includes weekly Zoom calls, some PDFs, a private Facebook group, and motivational messages like “You got this!”
It’s like buying a car and it says, “They (coaches) says: “The engine’s not real, but if you believe hard enough, it’ll drive.”
That’s what you’re getting with these fake coaching packages.
What Happened:
Brittany Dawn was a fitness influencer who sold custom coaching plans for nutrition and workouts. Customers later revealed that her “personalized plans” were copy-pasted templates, and that communication was non-existent.
The Scam:
Clients—many with eating disorders—paid $100 to $300 for coaching that didn’t exist. Some reported worsening health due to bad advice.
What Happened:
James Arthur Ray rose to fame through The Secret and promoted extreme self-help retreats for thousands of dollars. In 2009, he led a “spiritual warrior” sweat lodge ceremony in Arizona, where three participants died and many others were hospitalized.
The Scam:
Ray marketed himself as a transformational coach and spiritual success mentor. His retreats mixed pseudo-Native American rituals, mental toughness techniques, and expensive upsells.
The worst part of this isn’t even the price tag.
It’s emotional manipulation.
Talk of “life transformation” easily targets those who feel lost, stuck, or exhausted from constant spinning.
Fake coaches know that. They promise that you will become “the best version of yourself,” but they never explain how to achieve it.
There is no concrete plan in place. They give you mantras and vague advice, trying to convince you that you’re the only problem.
That’s gaslighting. And pricier than a toxic relationship.
Imagine this:
You join a free live webinar. This is classic bait.
Listen to an hour of somebody saying he went from his mom’s basement to a penthouse.
Talks about freedom, travel, passive income, etc.
In the final 10 minutes, he presents his program, which is priced similarly to a car payment, as the “key to everything.”
That’s not education. It’s emotional teleshopping.
Moreover, it lacks originality; it merely recycles Tony Robbins’ tactics without any charisma and offers no real substance.
Here’s your detector:
They use phrases like “I invested in myself,” “vibration of success,” and “7-figure mindset.”
They never explain what they teach.
They showcase a plethora of eye-catching images yet yield no tangible outcomes for their students.
They frequently promote drop shipping, affiliate marketing, or coaching-related services.
Everything is advertised as “limited time,” “last chance,” and “exclusive access.”
Ask: Who are you, and what exactly have you done?
Demand results. Don’t fall for stories and hype.
Be sceptical of “life-changing” PDFs.
If the price is extremely high and there is no refund policy, it’s best to avoid it.
Avoid offers with high prices and no refund policy. Furthermore, if an individual claims they can transform your life for $1500 through four Zoom calls, it is either a reflection of their lack of understanding or an assumption that you lack discernment. I regret to convey this, but it is the reality. There exists a significant distinction between genuine mentors and online frauds.
I’m sorry to say it, but that’s the truth.
There’s a tremendous difference between real mentors and online charlatans.
And there’s nothing wrong with wanting change, growth, or success, but don’t let someone sell you a placebo and call it a miracle.
Focus on your personal development, but do not allow someone to persuade you that you are solely responsible for the challenges you face.
Occasionally the real problem is the people robbing you—wearing suits.
You need clarity, real tools, and truth. You need clarity, real tools, and truth, not some guy with rented cars and recycled quotes.
Trust results, not reels.
Trust substance, not suit.
And most of all, trust yourself.
“Don’t buy the smoke. Build the fire. Invest in real skills. Ask real questions. And if you’re ever in doubt—walk away.”
© Mario Bekes. All rights reserved. | ABN 62 757 932 640 | Suite 6, 11 - 13 Brookhollow Avenue Bella Vista NSW 2153