How Do I Choose a Coach Training Provider? Paseda360 vs Animas vs Barefoot Coaching
Choose Your Training · By Angela Cox
The short answer
Start with what kind of coach you want to be. Paseda360 teaches a replicable transformational method, Animas builds your own style from a broad base, and Barefoot takes a more academic route.
If you’re reading this, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of coaching schools out there.
You’re not alone, I remember that feeling well.
Before founding Paseda360, I explored several highly regarded providers. Each promised to help me become the best coach I could be. And at face value, they all sounded similar.
So how do you choose when everything sounds the same?
I’m Angela Cox, founder of Paseda360. I’ve invested over £120,000 in coach training, explored countless methodologies, and seen first-hand the strengths, and the gaps, of different schools. My intention here isn’t to steer you in one direction. It’s to help you make an informed, empowered decision that’s right for you.
Let’s be honest, this is a big commitment. It costs money, time, and energy. So you deserve to understand what you’re really buying.
Let’s unpack it together.
Start by Reflecting
Before we get into comparisons, take a moment.
Where are you in your career right now?
What sort of impact do you want to have?
Do you want a structured method or space to experiment?
Are you more interested in working with individuals, teams, or within organisations?
What kind of coach do you want to become?
These questions will help you align with the provider that best supports your goals.
Philosophies at a Glance
Every coaching school has a central philosophy. It shows up in what they teach, how they teach it, and how their coaches show up in the world.
I’ve chosen two reputable providers and will show how they compare with Paseda360:
🟩 Paseda360: The “Whole Human” Disruptor
We’re not afraid to say it: coaching needs to change.
Paseda360’s philosophy is built on the belief that coaching isn’t just about powerful questions, following the GROW model, or setting SMART goals. It’s about working with the whole human, past, present and future.
That means going deeper. Understanding how trauma, patterns, and beliefs shape behaviour. Knowing how to regulate nervous systems, not just brainstorm strategies. Our method is neuroscience-backed with a strong focus on the psychology of human behaviour. It’s highly structured, and replicable with the focus on the coach as a practitioner. It’s designed for those who want to create real transformation, not just a short-term mindset shift.
Still have a question? Ask us, and we'll answer it honestly.
🟦 Animas Centre for Coaching: The Psychological Explorer
Animas positions itself as an integrative, transformative coaching school. They don’t teach a single method but instead expose students to a wide range of theories and models.
Think of it as a toolkit: humanistic theory, Cognitive-Behavioural principles, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, systemic approaches, and more.
The aim is to help you find “the coach within.” That works well for people who value intellectual flexibility, are comfortable with ambiguity, and want to build their own unique style.
🟨 Barefoot Coaching: The Academic Gold Standard
With over 30 years in the game, Barefoot Coaching offers a well-established route into coaching, with the added credibility of an academic pathway.
Their training blends classic coaching models (like NLP and Transactional Analysis) with reflective practice, supervision, and university-level accreditation. If you’re looking for a formal Postgraduate Certificate alongside your coaching qualification, and you want that gravitas in sectors like corporate leadership or the public sector, this route may appeal.
📘 From Theory to Practice: What You’ll Actually Learn
Philosophy is one thing. But what does it look like when you’re in the (real or virtual) classroom?
Here’s how the training breaks down across the three providers.
✅ Paseda360: Learn a Replicable Method with Depth
Our flagship is the Advanced Practitioner in Transformational Coaching. It’s a rigorous programme designed to give you a full framework, not just snippets of theory. You’ll learn the proprietary PASEDA Method, a structured process designed to unlock deep personal change, rooted in neuroscience and behavioural psychology.
You’ll also be trained in:
Havening for Coaches – a psychosensory method to regulate the nervous system, resolve trauma, and build resilience
Limitless Light Technique – a neuroscience-informed approach to unblocking limiting beliefs by reframing their original formation
Synopsis Inquiry – our diagnostic process for exploring the good, the bad, and the stuck in a client’s journey
Tools for stabilising the trauma response, enhancing self-awareness, and rebuilding identity
Training is blended with online modules, virtual and in-person days. Assessment is robust: observed coaching sessions, case studies based on real client work, team presentations, video demonstrations, and written submissions.
This isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about ensuring you know what you’re doing, so you can confidently start coaching straight away.
✅ Animas: Build Your Own Coaching Style from a Broad Base
Animas’s Accredited Diploma in Transformative Coaching is designed to give you range and flexibility. You’ll explore six live virtual modules:
Core Coaching Skills
Thinking and Beliefs
Transformative Presence
Narrative Transformations
Transforming Paradigms
Ethics and Professional Practice
You’ll work in small groups of 12–15, with access to on-demand theory videos, ICF mentor coaching, supervision, and observed practice.
Their goal? To help you find your own unique coaching presence by exploring a variety of psychological frameworks and practices. It’s especially appealing if you like to learn through doing, reflecting, and adjusting.
✅ Barefoot: Academic Coaching with Classic Models
Barefoot’s core programme is the Postgraduate Certificate in Business and Personal Coaching. It includes 28 half-day online sessions split into three modules:
Foundations of Transformational Coaching
Expanding Insight & Deepening Practice
Integration, Ethics & Mastery
You’ll explore classic models like NLP, Transactional Analysis, and systemic coaching. There’s strong emphasis on reflective practice and integration of learning.
The programme can stand alone as an ICF-accredited Level 2 route, but you can also choose to complete additional academic assignments to earn a Postgraduate Certificate from the University of Chester.
This dual track makes it especially appealing for those aiming to work in sectors where academic recognition carries weight—like leadership, health, education, or OD.
📜 Accreditation: What Letters Actually Mean
Let’s decode the coaching alphabet soup.
Paseda360 — Main accreditations: Association for Coaching (foundation to master), ILM Assured, ACCPH. Multi-accredited, with a direct route to AC accreditation at various levels.
Animas — Main accreditations: ICF Level 2, EMCC, AC. Triple-accredited, with a direct route to the ICF PCC credential.
Barefoot — Main accreditations: ICF Level 2, PG Cert (University of Chester). Academic plus professional; good for public, corporate and academic clients.
ILM carries weight in corporate settings, especially UK-based.
PG Cert opens doors in sectors where formal qualifications matter, and lays the foundation for a full Master’s if you want one later.
📅 Duration and Delivery
All three schools offer flexible formats. Here’s how they compare:
Paseda360: Blended — online modules, live virtual and in-person.
Animas: Fully online — live virtual sessions in small groups.
Each has pros and cons. Some students love the immersive Paseda360 in-person week. Others prefer the slower, steady rhythm of Animas’s year-long approach. Barefoot offers a more intensive route with the option of an academic upgrade.
💸 Investment: What You’ll Actually Pay
This is where it often gets confusing, and fees change, so always check each provider’s current prices directly before you decide.
When you compare, look beyond the headline fee. Ask each provider:
Is accreditation included, or is there an extra fee for the accreditation pathway?
Are there ongoing licence or membership costs once you qualify?
Is academic credit (such as a PG Cert) included, or an optional add-on?
What support is included after the course ends?
You’ll find the current fee and everything that’s included for our programme on the Advanced Practitioner page.
None of these are “budget” options, and that’s a good thing. You’re building the foundation of your coaching career. The real question is what you gain in return.
🪜 Pathways After Qualification: What’s Possible and Where It Leads
Once you’ve qualified, what then?
A coaching qualification isn’t just a certificate, it’s a passport. But not every passport takes you to the same places. Whether you want to coach privately, join a global coaching platform, work inside organisations, or pursue further study, the pathway your provider sets you on matters.
Let’s look at the typical destinations each school supports—and how clearly that path is laid out.
✅ Paseda360: Structured Progression with Business in Mind
We take our coaches on a clear journey, with defined stages and optional progression routes. Our pathway looks like this:
Coaching Readiness – A preparatory course for those brand new to coaching
Advanced Practitioner Certificate – The full Paseda360 Method for coaching individuals with depth. Includes Havening for Coaches & Limitless Light Level One Certificate.
Master Practitioner Advanced Diploma – Advanced-level work with complex client presentations and leadership application. Includes GC Index accreditation and Havening for Coaches Level Two Certificate.
Start Your Coaching Business Accelerator – Practical guidance on pricing, marketing, and building a coaching business
Coach Club – Ongoing CPD, community, and supervision
The National Coaching Conference & Awards – a whole day dedicated to the future of coaching and celebrating excellence in coaching.
We’re not just focused on getting you qualified. We want you to succeed, ethically, financially, and emotionally. And we don’t leave you to figure it all out alone.
You’ll leave knowing how to:
Work with trauma, beliefs, identity, and emotion
Design and deliver full coaching programmes for clients
Charge confidently and position your offer with clarity
Avoid burnout and hold boundaries as a practitioner
✅ Animas: Global Recognition and Flexible Career Paths
Animas graduates are well-equipped to explore a wide range of coaching directions. The structure is less about internal progression and more about building your own journey using their global accreditation framework.
Most commonly, their coaches go on to:
Set up private practices as life, relationship, or wellbeing coaches
Work as internal coaches within organisations
Join global platforms like BetterUp and CoachHub (where ICF credentials are a must)
Pursue further credentials via the ICF PCC pathway
Join the Animas community for peer coaching, events, and CPD
They also offer a business-focused community, “Coaches Uncaged,” to help new coaches find their feet commercially.
Animas is best suited to you if you want:
Global mobility and international opportunities
The credibility of an ICF credential (particularly PCC)
Freedom to define your own niche and voice over time
✅ Barefoot: Dual Track with Strong Organisational Appeal
Barefoot’s pathway is unique. Their structure appeals most to those who:
Want a formal academic qualification (via the University of Chester)
Intend to work inside corporate L&D, academia, or the public sector
May wish to progress to a Master’s in coaching later on
Value CPD and specialist credentials (e.g. grief coaching, supervision, team coaching)
Want to attend a coaching conference with peers every year and stay part of a rich professional network
Barefoot graduates often:
Secure roles as internal coaches in larger organisations
Work as consultants in L&D and talent development
Pursue academic teaching or supervision roles
Take their PG Cert forward into a full MA in Coaching
If you’re someone who sees coaching as part of a bigger leadership or OD journey, this is a well-aligned path.
🧩 Systems, Toolkits, or Frameworks?
Let’s sum up the essence of how each school teaches coaching—because it’s where the biggest differences lie.
Paseda360 — A proprietary, structured system. Best for those who want a method to master and replicate with clients.
Animas — An integrative psychological toolkit. Best for those who prefer freedom to craft a coaching approach.
Barefoot — An academic framework. Best for those who want a university-backed approach with classic models.
🧠 Return on Investment (ROI): What Are You Really Buying?
Training as a coach isn’t cheap. But it can absolutely change your life—and your income.
So when we talk about cost, we have to look at value.
Here’s how the ROI plays out across the three:
Paseda360
Includes a complete coaching method and a business accelerator path
Strong return if you want a “done-for-you” structure to launch with
Credible accreditations and an active support pathway post training.
Graduates regularly charge £150–£200 per session or £1,000+ for half-day packages soon after qualifying
Animas
High global credibility
Direct route to ICF PCC opens doors to international coaching platforms
Free lifetime group supervision is a huge long-term benefit
Strong value if your end goal is ICF recognition or corporate partnerships
Barefoot
The only one of the three with university recognition
The PG Cert can be leveraged for internal promotions, academic positions, or Master’s progression
Ideal if you’re in a sector where credentials are currency
Strong long-term ROI for coaches working inside institutions or regulated professions
📌 Summary: What Fits Who?
You want a method you can use straight away — Paseda360
You’re drawn to neuroscience, trauma work, and root-cause transformation — Paseda360
You want a flexible toolkit and space to experiment — Animas
You want global ICF recognition and a clear PCC route — Animas or Barefoot
You value immersive in-person learning — Paseda360
You prefer virtual learning in small groups — Animas or Barefoot
You want a CPD-rich community post-graduation — all three
You want a route to Master Coach Level with AC — Paseda360
💬 Final Thoughts – The School You Choose Shapes the Coach You Become
There’s no perfect provider. But there is a perfect fit for you.
Whether you’re drawn to the structured depth of Paseda360, the theoretical breadth of Animas, or the academic rigour of Barefoot, what matters is that you align with a school that feels right for your goals, your values, and your voice.
Don’t rush it. This decision shapes how you coach, who you serve, and how you show up in the world.
I’d suggest your first step is to speak to previous students and read the Google reviews of all three providers. Then book a call with each one. You’ll feel a connection to the right one.
🎓 Want to Explore the Paseda360 Pathway?
If you’re curious about our neuroscience-backed, whole-human approach to transformational coaching, here’s what you can do next:
