Edjcsmith Reviews 

I joined Expert Coach Certification in March 2024, hoping to develop professionally and connect with a supportive community of coaches. Unfortunately, my experience was deeply disappointing.

I found the environment competitive, cliquey and, at times, toxic rather than collaborative. Many members appeared frustrated by a lack of progress, and several of the sessions and opportunities that had been promoted did not materialise as expected.

The most troubling part of my experience occurred after I was asked to share my honest opinion about the group dynamics. Once I did, I felt targeted, bullied and collectively shut down by both members and facilitators. Constructive feedback did not feel genuinely welcome unless it supported the existing narrative.

The group leader is clearly knowledgeable and talented within his specialist field. However, in my opinion, the management and facilitation of the wider community fell far below the standard required. There appeared to be an unhealthy culture of unquestioning admiration around the leadership, which made it difficult for members to challenge problems or speak openly.

The free certification may initially appear valuable, but the follow-through and practical support were poorly executed. Too many coaches seemed to be left competing for limited attention and opportunities, while others became disengaged and quietly dropped away.

Overall, the programme presented an image of development and community that did not match my experience behind the scenes. I left feeling that generating income and protecting the group’s image mattered more than creating a genuinely supportive environment where coaches could grow, question and thrive!

When I first came in contact with ed I was skeptical. I wanted to started a coaching business to help people with mental health problems. I found this guy named Ed on the platform Skool and I instantly fell in love with his view on the world. I really resonated with him. That's when I bought the COA (Clients On Automation) course and my life was (believe it or not) changed forever. I set up my system to get clients and within the first week I had my first client. 2-3 months later I have 9 clients now! It's insane and it's all due to the great support and course of Ed. I saw alot of negative reviews here but honestly I don't know why. It definitely worked for me. I've put 100% into it and that's what I got in return. Recommend to everyone. If you're doubting about getting a program from Ed, contact me and I'll show you the results.

They didn't deliver their promise, so i asked for a refund within the time frame i was allowed to ask for one, and Ed manipulated me into continuing the course. It still didn't help or do anything. I fully regret being manipulated by this man, and wish i had just continued with the refund.

Ed and his team are the least accountable business coaches I have ever come across

They talk big. Do nothing. Extremely opposite of their emotional melodrama they show when selling.

I worked with them early last year

There was one coach who tried to a help a bit

Rest all - don't even bother to respond

Ed - definitely doesn't respond

I had pleaded for days to get a response

What's good about them?
1. The video course Ed has recorded is good
2. The Facebook coaches are good. very helpful
3. Their templates for lead magnet, email sequence - all save a lot of time.

What's not good

1. They don't really try to help (beyond cookie cutter responses)

2. The email sequence and most of their messaging are pushy. Which didn't gel with my audience, so I hardly got any lead from their process - 6 months!!!.

When I changed my language and messaging then only I started to get lead

3. The coach who did the last conversation with me asked me how can we help from here. And question I asked him "If you haven't helped me in 6 months, how can you even ask this question - you just came to sell something else"

This was the worst experience ever
Ed, if you are reading, please for God sake - be true to yourself and your clients.

I align with what the person from South Africa wrote.
The contract for COA has anomalies, they did not clarify when asked before signing.
COA program has anomalies not as described, not fit for purpose: One thing said in video and the reality is different, you have to pay extra to have the support they marketed.
A "5 day cooling off" period does not respect UK consumer rights act 2015 and it's overridden by this act.
It seems that they do not respect their own contract points 17.2 and 5.7.
They have a PO box address in their contract, and it seems they did not bother to get a registered letter asking as stated in their contract how to file a complaint (17.2). Never received a reception notice from them for this registered letter, it was sent in April.
In spite of asking within the lawful 14 days for a refund because of contract anomalies, and their program COA is from what I experienced not as described, nor fit(entirely) for purpose. He also gives the same information in the COA away for free in lives. In addition to asking for a refund on the 14th day after purchase, an unforeseen personal disaster (death of my boyfriend) during the weekend following my refund request. This was not even considered and I was gas-lit and basically told to "get on with it", continue the program, stop being" negative" and from that point, all my requests to negotiate were ignored by Ed's team member Carla, the one who answers Ed's emails which seems irresponsable of Ed who proselytizes personal responsibility in lives and every where. Responsibility is after all, the capacity to respond. In spite of slick marketing, in this case, Ed appears to be lacking in responsibility and in walking the talk of "having our backs". The consideration that there could be something wrong with the program or simply allowing that it didn't suit my needs after seeing how it was, and in addition to an unforeseen, life changing event that changed who I was and how I saw my life and future in an instant-a literal bomb going off, was ignored. Yet, they're in the business of self improvement and helping people reach their goals. These goals could radically change overnight and could be a confirmation that coaching was not part of my destiny. So this contradiction, it's "Ed's way-who can do no wrong, the contracts and programs are perfect because he invested millions into them bordering on culty attitude, or the highway", the "support" you paid for retracted because you called problems out and we'll keep your money anyway, is simply unethical, unlawful, and not in alignment with what he says and "markets" to hook people who truly need support and are conned by repetitive stories, examples and hook phrases like "I got your back now", to vulnerable and kind people who want to help and be helped, who are in states of despair that they may or may not recognize so they are vulnerable to manipulation. Sadly, Ed and Team even refused mediation from a neutral mediation organisation that helps avoid legal intervention.This really looks bad for them but shows that I wanted to find a positive solution for everyone so all perspectives are heard and considered.
Yet it's Ed's spokesperson who said I was negative and no one has ever acted like this before which with, in addition, to the gas-lighting about my boyfriend's death, seems, appears to be a form of bullying and psychological abuse which is hugely disappointing from people saying "we've got your back". It's conditional caring, if and only if you adhere to narrow and contradictory vision of what success is. I've been turned off to coaching or wanting to be a coach because of this which was maybe the lesson but at a loss not just of money, but I've loss respect for Ed and those like him that he admires. I do not hold the values of a program that markets to people's pain and overcharges because the person in despair thinks the answers lie outside themselves. Clearly this can work for people who are in the 3D false- matrix, dying- paradigm mindset, where making money is who you are, ego rules, defines your self worth and the illusion that you're in control, not God. I think even from this 3D perspective, Ed and team should respect their own contract, British/International consumer acts, and walk their own talk, when someone asks for a refund within the lawful time frame, give it back, no questions asked. Likewise, for the person from South Africa, if she did the work, and did not get clients, that's your guarantee, give her a full refund. Yes, this is my genuine experience, my perspective and I have emails to back what I've said and done to try to find an amical solution. It shouldn't matter that there are now 2 people disappointed and dissatisfied with Ed and company, especially when you see all the other reviews come from Edjcsmith generated sites.

The tragedy is that I love what this man does. The work is phenomenal and I threw myself into it totally. I am a South African. I have a grit and a staying power deep seated in our culture. Elon Musk. Hello!!

Sadly, although on his website homepage he guarantees to '100% grow your coaching business' - he couldn't even get me started as a coach. I am brand new. Mould me!

I spent over R200 000.00 South African, a huge chunk of my life savings, my commitment and hard work was right up there - and what could have got me there was completely absent:

1. Zero one to one conversations even when you were desperate and said so. A small thing to ask to have a private strategy meeting when you are particularly struggling to figure things out in your own head. Carla telling me I'm doing great is not enough. If my concerns were not valid, then why am I not still there?

2. I never had the pleasure of ever meeting Ed Smith. He was entirely absent. Even reaching out to the South African coach - he became aggressive and verbally abusive with me when all I needed was a helping hand.

Perhaps I needed a personal coach to get me through - someone within Ed's organisation reached out to me and Ed's people blocked it. I so wanted to win and be a part of this organisation, but they cut me dead.

I am convinced that they could've got me there, but they didn't bother. As soon as my membership was up they blocked me and it appeared they were under the strict instructions to block out those who in their minds have failed. Survival of the fittest!

So much for 'We've got your back'. And the difference, I had my back, but you did not Ed. It's not one size fits all. There's an ocean of difference between those who don't put in the work and those who do but still flounder and just need that extra bit of helping hand.

People are unique and you have to be prepared to accommodate some of those unique needs, especially if you are proclaiming to the world how much you are there to support them and you're charging them top top dollar.

There is a bad culture in this company it seems. It's like a religion. It's blasphemous to give negative feedback. Because Ed is now so rich and successful, it must be you who is the problem. That's the problem with power. It corrupts. If I did not fit into your ideal client mould, why did you accept me in the first place? Because I had the money?

I am willing and able. I was so there! I just loved the learning and Ed has done a beautiful job of his training course. Other people think its too hard. As frustrating as it was, I loved the challenge. Absolutely loved it!

DESPERATELY DISAPPOINTED TO BE LEFT STANDING AFTER SO MUCH EFFORT!