Become a Holistic Financial Planner and Thrive Beyond Traditional Financial Advice
Steve Conley
Founder, Academy of Life Planning & Planning My Life | Advocating Values-Driven Financial Planning | Mentor to Non-Intermediating Planners | Author & Innovator
Many traditional financial planners find themselves at a crossroads. The weight of heavy regulation, the stress of compliance, professional indemnity insurance costs, and the ever-present pressure to sell financial products can take a toll. For many, it’s no longer just about offering the best advice, but navigating a system that demands more paperwork, more insurance, and less time to focus on what truly matters—your clients.
If you’ve ever felt that the value you provide is being overshadowed by product sales, or that the heart of what you do is diluted by the demands of regulation, you’re not alone. Traditional financial planners often feel they are stuck in an industry that emphasises financial capital while leaving little room to focus on the human capital and life aspirations of their clients.
But the problem goes deeper than just the operational stress. It impacts the way you work, the way you connect with clients, and ultimately, how fulfilled you feel as a professional. If you’ve ever felt disconnected from the real purpose of financial planning—helping clients lead meaningful, purposeful lives—it might be time to rethink your approach. Traditional financial advice often leaves planners feeling like salespeople, not the trusted life partners their clients truly need.
Does this sound familiar? The gap between financial advice and holistic life planning is wide, and it’s leaving both clients and professionals like you craving something more fulfilling, impactful, and sustainable. The good news is, there’s a way forward. A path where you can embrace the full spectrum of life and financial planning without the pressures of selling products or navigating complex regulations.
The Game Plan Practitioner Training Programme offers you the tools to transition from traditional financial advice to a holistic, client-centred approach. Our 12-week programme is designed specifically for qualified financial planners who want to offer more than just financial product advice. It’s about helping your clients connect with their values, goals, and purpose, while creating a sustainable livelihood that integrates both financial and human capital.
Through the Game Plan framework, you will learn to help your clients build lives that are not only financially secure but also deeply fulfilling. You’ll move beyond the role of an adviser into that of a coach—guiding your clients to make empowered life choices, and helping them live their favourite future. And in the process, you’ll reclaim your passion for planning.
Still not convinced? Don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what some of our practitioners have to say:
Greg Heath, Holistic Financial Planner: “I found the points made here very insightful. As someone who walked away from the financial services profession due to the stress, I fully understand where FS professionals are coming from. However, I have since discovered an alternative path: becoming a holistic fee-paying financial planner. It’s still early days, but the feedback from clients has been overwhelmingly positive. I provide all the services of a typical financial adviser, except I don’t recommend specific products or investments, thereby avoiding intermediary services. This means less heavy-handed regulation, minimal compliance costs, and no overpriced professional indemnity insurance. It’s all about delivering excellent service at a fair price—a true win-win for everyone.”
John H, VA, USA: “Steve, I realise we’re in two different industries, but life planning, especially at the level you operate, goes beyond just financial planning. Yesterday’s session was the best experience of my life. For the first time, I truly saw myself—who John H is—thanks to the exercises we did together. It’s not about the money; it’s about discovering who you are and why you’re here on this planet. What you offer goes far beyond financial advice. You provide the tools to uncover your true self, helping people connect with their authentic purpose. The money is just a part of it, but the real value is in finding out who you are and just being that person.”
Martin Turbin, Chartered Financial Planner: “A true trailblazer in non-intermediated financial advice, with a genuine passion to support financial advisers on their transition journey.”
Jörg Schlüter, Chartered Wealth Manager: “I completed a course on the Game Plan, and it has been immensely helpful in building my financial coaching business, with concise and well-thought-out coaching and valuable support for idea exploration.”
Richard Johnston, Chartered Financial Planner: “These expert planners possess extensive experience, knowledge, and unwavering integrity, making them an ideal choice for planners seeking growth and development.”
Our Game Plan Practitioner Training Programme is your opportunity to break free from the constraints of traditional financial advice and build a practice that truly serves both you and your clients. Over 12 weeks, you’ll explore how to integrate life goals, human capital, and financial planning into a seamless process that not only secures your clients’ future but enriches their lives. You’ll also receive accreditation as a Game Plan Practitioner, a title that signifies your mastery of holistic financial planning.
Are you ready to make the shift? If you’re looking to evolve beyond financial product sales and offer a deeper, more meaningful service to your clients, then it’s time to take action. Enrol today in the Game Plan Practitioner Training Programme and start your journey towards becoming a successful holistic financial planner.
Reclaim your passion. Transform your practice. And most importantly, help your clients live their favourite future.
Visit our website for more details.
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Questions & Answers
Q: What is the Game Plan Practitioner Training Programme? A: The Game Plan Practitioner Training Programme is a 12-week course designed for qualified financial planners who want to transition from traditional financial advice to a holistic, life-centred approach. It equips you with the skills and tools to help clients align their financial strategies with their life goals and values, while also focusing on human capital development. It’s perfect for those looking to move away from product-based advice towards coaching and life planning.
Q: How is holistic financial planning different from traditional financial advice? A: Holistic financial planning looks at the whole picture. While traditional financial advice often focuses on products like investments and pensions, holistic planning includes life goals, values, and human capital. It’s about understanding what clients truly want from life and helping them achieve it, not just financially, but in terms of purpose and well-being. This approach reduces the pressures of heavy regulation and compliance, allowing you to focus on coaching rather than selling products.
Q: Who is this programme for? A: This programme is ideal for traditional financial planners who are looking for more meaningful work. If you feel that financial advice has become too focused on products and regulations, and you want to guide your clients in a more personal, impactful way, then this is for you. It’s also great for those who want to step away from selling financial products and become trusted life and financial planning coaches.
Q: Do I need to stop being a financial adviser to join this programme? A: No, you don’t need to stop being a financial adviser, but the programme is perfect for those who want to reduce their dependence on selling financial products. You’ll still be able to offer valuable guidance to your clients, but in a way that focuses more on life planning and less on financial product recommendations.
Q: What will I learn in the 12-week programme? A: Over 12 modules, you’ll explore a wide range of topics that include aligning life goals with values, identifying talents, crafting purpose statements, overcoming obstacles, and developing both financial and human capital strategies. You’ll learn how to integrate life and financial planning into a seamless process that empowers your clients to live their favourite future.
Q: What makes this programme different from other financial planning courses? A: Unlike many financial planning courses that focus purely on technical skills or product knowledge, this programme goes deeper into life coaching and personal development. It is also available individually on a one-to-one basis to personalise your practice to your unique skills and talents. You’ll be learning how to guide your clients through every aspect of their lives, not just their finances. The goal is to help them achieve a balanced and fulfilling life, while also ensuring their financial security.
Q: Are there any testimonials from those who have completed the programme? A: Yes! Here are just a few examples:
Q: Will I receive accreditation after completing the programme? A: Yes, upon successfully completing the programme, you’ll be accredited as a Game Plan Practitioner by the Academy of Life Planning. This title signifies your expertise in holistic financial planning and your ability to coach clients through life and financial decisions.
Q: How can I enrol in the programme? A: Enrolling is simple! You can sign up through our website. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our support team, and we’ll be happy to guide you through the process. Start your journey towards becoming a holistic financial planner today!
Q: What benefits will I see from becoming a Game Plan Practitioner? A: You’ll experience a more rewarding career, with deeper client relationships and less stress from regulatory and compliance pressures. You’ll help clients create meaningful, purpose-driven lives while also ensuring their financial security. It’s a win-win for both you and your clients, as you offer a service that goes beyond traditional advice and makes a real difference.