Meet

Matthew Koh

Mentor Coach

ICF-PCC

Positive Psychology Coach, Founder of The Positive Arena

Speaks Japanese

Nature Lover

Before becoming a life coach, I started working in the food industry and transitioned into the education sector, with more than 10 years of experience teaching the youths. During my teaching stint, I noticed the increasing mental health challenges faced by younger generations, including both youths and Millennials in the workforce, I began to wonder if there was a preventative approach to help individuals thrive and flourish in life. This led me to discover positive psychology and coaching psychology as the solution. Over the past five years, I embarked on my coaching journey and have acquired an MSc in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology. Accumulating nearly 500 hours of coaching experience, I am now working towards attaining my ICF-PCC credentials and am passionate about mentoring aspiring or budding coaches. Most recently, I was nominated as one of the “Top 20 Life Coaches to Hire” in Singapore by Smart Singapore.

Coaching Philosophy

Drawing on my background in teaching, I am often recognized as an empathetic coach and an active listener by the hundreds of clients I have had the privilege to work with. My approach centers on creating a safe space, grounded in the belief that true transformation occurs from the inside out. I focus not on the problem, but on the individual facing the problem or striving to achieve a goal. By enabling individuals to tap into their strengths, values, and mindsets—and understanding how these elements influence their feelings and responses—I unlock their potential, empowering them to achieve greater heights and overcome challenges. I specialise in using positive psychology for life coaching and executive coaching, where I help working professionals who are unhappy in their careers and lives to get unstuck, find clarity, and move toward a career or life redesign where they can truly thrive.

Work Experience

I had various work experiences within the food industry as a researcher and a microbiologist, as well as a lecturer within a local tertiary institution. My coaching journey began in 2018, leading to the achievement of my Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential from the International Coach Federation (ICF) in 2019. By integrating positive psychology with coaching, I've aimed to foster positive changes within the education sector, supporting both students and educators to thrive amidst adversities. In 2022, I started my own training and coaching company, The Positive Arena, where we leverage evidence-based positive psychology and coaching to drive meaningful transformations in individuals, schools, and organisations. As a renewed ACC coach, I am on the path to obtaining my ICF Professional Certified Coach certification this year. Additionally, I am currently also a faculty member and lecturer at The School of Positive Psychology, where I teach adult learners in the field of positive psychology. In 2023, I also have the opportunity to write and publish my own book, "Teach Less, Coach More," aimed at helping educators and youth workers leverage coaching conversations to unlock the potential of the youth.

Credentials

I have worked with individuals from:

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