Coaches do not come to practice as a blank slate. However there is little documentation of the impact diverse life experiences have on coaches’ skills professional evolution or presence in practice. Analysis of a critical events question included in a long-term global study of coach development identified three different clusters of life experiences each of which has an impact on a specific range of coach characteristics and coaching practices. Stressful personal experiences impact characteristics such as empathy and self-awareness. Coaching-field specific experiences influence practice skills and knowledge base. Some prior professional training and experiences influence coach practices and perceptions of client workplace.