The YouTube-to-Coach AI hack I can't stop using

Hey there, solopreneur!

I've been busy experimenting with AI workflows lately, and I just discovered something that's too valuable not to share.

While working on some business challenges last week, I found myself wishing I could get direct coaching from experts whose content I've been following - but without the hefty price tag or scheduling hassles that come with premium coaching.

That's when it hit me:

What if I could use AI to create a personalized coaching experience based on all the YouTube content my favorite teachers have already published?

A few hours of tinkering later, I had built something game-changing – a way to have meaningful coaching conversations with AI versions of my favorite experts.

The results were so promising I immediately shared it on X:

The response has been overwhelming, with many of you asking for the exact workflow.

So today, I'm walking you through the entire process step by step…

What AI coaching can (and CAN’T) do

I wanna be clear about something upfront:

AI coaching isn't the same as working with a human coach.

There's a fundamental difference in the right-brain activity that human coaches provide – the matching of nervous system states, intuition, and emotional attunement that AI simply can't replicate.

But I've found that AI can effectively model:

• A coach's core philosophy and frameworks

• Their questioning techniques

• Their distinct language patterns

• Their approach to structuring conversations

This makes it an incredible complementary tool, especially when:

• You're exploring ideas outside your regular coaching sessions

• You want to experience a coach's methodology before investing

• You need guidance on a specific issue right now

Think of it as a way to get a genuine taste of what working with a particular coach might be like, even if it can't fully replace the real experience.

Here's exactly how to build your own AI coach

The whole process takes under 15 minutes from start to finish.

No coding required. No technical skills needed.

Just follow these steps:

If you’d rather watch me break it down on Loom video, just click here:

STEP 1: Find your perfect coach material

First, identify which coach/teacher/thought leader you want to model. The more YouTube content they have, the better your results will be.

→ Go to their YouTube channel and make sure they have at least 30+ videos

STEP 2: Scrape their content (easier than it sounds tbh)

This sounds technical but it's dead simple:

1. Head over to Apify’s YouTube scraper tool: https://apify.com/streamers/youtube-scraper

2. Enter the YouTube channel URL under "Direct URLs" dropdown

3. Change "Maximum videos for search" to at least 200+ (this ensures you get enough material)

4. THIS IS CRITICAL: Check the box for "Download subtitles" to get the transcripts

5. Hit that green START button in the upper right

6. Let it work (don't worry, you get 1000 free credits when you sign up)

7. When it's done, click "Export results" in the left corner

8. Download as a CSV file

Constructing your Coach (this is where the magic happens)

Once you've got your CSV file, it's time to bring your virtual coach to life:

1. Open Claude or ChatGPT (both work well for this purpose)

2. Start a fresh conversation

3. Upload the CSV file you just downloaded

4. Copy and paste the prompt (I've refined this through careful testing). The full prompt is quite extensive – you can access the complete version in this Google Doc.

5. Type "run this prompt" and hit send

That's it! The AI (I recommend Claude 3.7 Sonnet for this) will analyze the transcripts, build a model of the coach's approach, and then ask what you'd like coaching on before beginning a session in their distinctive style.

Sometimes it’ll get stuck. When that happens just say “continue”

Pro hacks (to make it feel 10x more real)

One of the biggest upgrades to this process is using voice instead of typing.

I recommend using the Wispr Flow app for voice dictation – it brings the experience much closer to a real coaching session (I also use this app for most of my typing now - its amazing)

Speaking your responses rather than typing them creates a more natural flow and helps you stay present in the conversation.

I typically use my AI coaching approach for 20-30 minute sessions when I hit roadblocks in my thinking or business.

This doesn't replace my real-world coaching – I still meet with human coaches every few weeks. I'm also working with a somatic practitioner who helps me connect with what's happening in my body, which is easy to lose track of when you're in your head all day.

The AI coaching has become a valuable addition to my toolkit – allowing me to access guidance in moments when I need it, while still maintaining the irreplaceable human element of my regular coaching practice.

On a more personal note – shit's getting real over here.

We've got just 5 weeks left in Cyprus before we head to Berlin for the birth of our child. We'll be staying there for 3 months to get all the support we need in those critical early weeks.

I'm excited and terrified at the same time.

It's surreal knowing that everything is about to change. My priorities, my schedule, my identity – all of it will shift in ways I can only imagine.

These AI tools I've been building might become even more valuable as my time becomes even more precious. Maybe I'll build an AI parenting coach next? (Kidding... mostly).

Ole's Bookmarks

I’ve watched many documentaries about how bad social media is for your brain but this one hit different (sadly not available in all countries).

High agency is the most important skill in todays world - this article about it is absolute gold (the best thing I read in 2025 so far).

Expect vibe marketing content in the near future from yours truly.

See you next week 🫡 

Ole

P.S.
I’ve launched a media brand called “Build In Europe” that focusses on the bleeding edge of Europe’s startup scene. Every week I share my take on:

• the most exciting startups in Europe

• emerging trends

• real stories from founders what it’s like building here

Join it here for free