From Quebec the documentary “Le Plein Potentiel” a glimpse at the practice and business of “life coaching”.
Having worked in the corporate sector for many years I am no stranger to “life coaching” where at one point it was a hot trend enabling executives to move up the ladder by being able to manipulate the rungs in the ladder. Selfish to the core.
“Le Plein Potential” is an enabling voyage where we witness over a dozen actual coaching sessions including training sessions for coaches.
If any documentary can be neutral here is a good attempt.
What is the coaching witnessed here? It is extremely individualistic as the constant words purloined by these coaches is “you” and “yourself”. How powerful you can be. Letting your deeper self emerge. Your inner journey. It’s up to you. Your inner strength. Embracing your kindness. Defining your life. Be more yourself. Being the king of your life. Your genuine self. The real you.
It is as if coaching has replaced religion and morals excising the collective and glorifying individuality as the superpower and goal of all human beings.
The documentary commences with some “earnest” one on one coaching, moves to group coaching espousing the party line of individuality and becomes increasingly bizarre and commercial. Like mindfulness so earnest initially and hyper commercialized as it evolves.
The filmmaking and cinematography gears into creative and strange as the coaching sessions become increasingly bizarre and commercialized. Yes Zoom calls with some billboard advertised life transformation coach in Asia that no doubt accepts major credit cards or a slick social media type with highly rehearsed infomercial type messages.
While watching I wrote numerous short descriptive notes and perhaps you will share some of them;
- Earnest
- Helpful
- Encouraging
- Manipulative
- Deceptive
- Commercial
- Evangelical
- Dangerous
- Surreal
- Cult like
- Smooth talkers
- Chumps
- Exploitation of the vulnerable
- Charlatans
- Nonsensical
- Flaky
On the other hand you are welcome to say educational and wonderful?
I am left with a “Nightmare Alley” feeling.
If a documentary ignites so many thoughts in my view it is a mark of success.
The trailer can be watched here https://vimeo.com/1024840691
In French and English with English subtitles.
A film by Annie St-Pierre.
RKS 2025 Documentary Film Rating 86/100.
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