No, prior coach training is not required to join the Deep Coach Intensive (DCI). Participants come from diverse backgrounds and are drawn to the program for many reasons, including personal growth, professional development, or a deeper desire to connect with others in meaningful ways.

For those without prior coaching experience, we recommend taking our Life Coaching Essentials course as a helpful foundation. While not mandatory, it provides a solid introduction to the core principles of coaching, offering valuable tools that can enrich your journey through the DCI experience.

The Deep Coach Intensive (DCI) is approved by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) for Continuing Coach Education Units (CCEUs). However, it is not a Level I, II, or III credentialed program (previously known as ACTP and ACSTH).

When applying for ICF certification (ACC, PCC, or MCC), you can use the CCEUs earned from this program through the Portfolio Path.

• For credentialed ICF coaches: Completing the DCI earns you 40 CCEUs, which is sufficient to meet ICF’s renewal requirement of 40 CCEUs every three years. You can also bank these units toward upgrading to a higher credential, such as PCC or MCC, if you are already an ACC-certified coach.
• For non-credentialed participants: Completing both the Life Coaching Essentials (LCE) and the DCI earns you 60 CCEUs, making you eligible to apply for the ACC credential via the Portfolio Path.

The DCI provides not just CCEUs but also a transformative journey to deepen your coaching skills and presence.

ICF offers two pathways for coach training organizations to have their programs recognized for credentialing purposes

Accreditation Path (Level 1/2/3)
Organizations that choose this path go through an extensive process to become “ICF-accredited.” This means their courses are approved as part of a larger accreditation process for the organization itself. Accredited programs typically offer more than 60 hours of coach training. These programs also include additional components required by ICF for credentialing, such as 10 hours of Mentor Coaching and session assessments.

Approval Path (Portfolio Path)
This is the pathway we have chosen.
Rather than accrediting the organization, ICF approves individual courses to ensure they meet the same rigorous standards and practices. Upon completion, participants receive Continuing Coach Education Units (CCEUs) that count toward ICF credentialing.

For instance, our DCI program provides 40 CCEUs, and if combined with our Life Coaching Essentials (LCE) program, you can earn 60 CCEUs – the training hours required to apply for an ICF credential via the Portfolio Path.

The key difference lies not in the quality of training or course content but in the structure of the program. While Level 1/2/3 accreditation bundles additional requirements (like Mentor Coaching and assessments) into a longer program, the Portfolio Path provides flexibility, allowing participants to meet these requirements separately.

By choosing the Portfolio Path, we maintain the integrity of ICF standards while offering a focused and flexible approach to deep transformational coaching.

The Deep Coach Intensive (DCI) program is designed, structured, and delivered identically in both the Indian and Global cohorts. Each cohort is led by a team of Learning Leaders, who are stewards of the transformational work created by Leon VanderPol. In every cohort, one Learning Leader serves as the primary facilitator, with Leon as the secondary facilitator. Importantly, Leon is equally present in both the India and Global cohorts, attending the same number of sessions regardless of location.

The key differences between the cohorts are:

Cultural Context and Community Engagement
The India cohort naturally attracts a predominantly local audience, creating a culturally aligned space where participants often find shared experiences and deeper connections. Proximity also enhances peer engagement and collaboration. However, all participants, regardless of their cohort, are invited to join the global

Transformational Coaching Community (TCC). This vibrant community fosters ongoing connection and learning, offering as much value as you are willing to contribute.

Program Fees
The fee for the India cohort is intentionally lower, reflecting the local purchasing power parity and economic context. This adjustment is made possible through Leon VanderPol’s vision and his deep generosity, ensuring that the program remains accessible to a wider audience without compromising on its transformative essence.

Both cohorts provide the same enriching content and learning journey, and your choice depends on the context and connection you feel most drawn to.

The fee structure for the India-based cohort has been intentionally designed to align with the economic realities of residents in India, considering their average discretionary income available for personal learning and development.

For Indians living abroad, their earning potential is typically determined by the economic standards of the country they reside in, which is often significantly higher than that of residents in India. As a result, their capacity to invest in personal growth and well-being is also different. The Overseas Fee reflects this difference while maintaining fairness and equity in access to the program.

That said, it’s important to note that the Overseas Fee for the India-based cohort remains lower than the fee for the Global cohort. This has been made possible through the vision and generosity of Leon VanderPol, who is committed to making this transformative work more accessible to a diverse and larger audience across the world.

This approach ensures that the sacred work of Deep Coaching remains inclusive, balancing accessibility with sustainability.