Coaching with Matt Yao

Coaching with Matt Yao

My coaching practice addresses two critical needs: guiding quarterlifers (20s-30s) through periods of transition and uncertainty, and helping them cultivate sustainable ambition in their chosen paths. Whether you're facing a crossroads or seeking to deepen your impact in your current pursuit, my integrative approach helps you navigate complexity while staying true to your core values and long-term vision.


Everyone deserves someone in their corner who will both challenge and support them. In my coaching practice, I serve as a mirror, sherpa, and occasionally, a bullshit-caller. I view us as equal partners, walking alongside each other on this journey.

My coaching practice addresses two critical needs: guiding quarterlifers (20s-30s) through periods of transition and uncertainty, and helping them cultivate sustainable ambition in their chosen paths. Whether you're facing a crossroads or seeking to deepen your impact in your current pursuit, my integrative approach helps you navigate complexity while staying true to your core values and long-term vision.


Everyone deserves someone in their corner who will both challenge and support them. In my coaching practice, I serve as a mirror, sherpa, and occasionally, a bullshit-caller. I view us as equal partners, walking alongside each other on this journey.

Who I Serve

My Approach

I partner with high achieving individuals who have followed the script to success but are now in transition or seeking a new way of being. Often facing life’s next big decisions while juggling a buffet of responsibilities, they have a desire to cultivate greater agency in their work, health, and relationships.

I partner with high achieving individuals who have followed the script to success but are now in transition or seeking a new way of being. Often facing life’s next big decisions while juggling a buffet of responsibilities, they have a desire to cultivate greater agency in their work, health, and relationships.

My Approach

Who I Serve

I primarily help people explore life's big questions while building sustainable foundations.


🧭 Big Questions: deep inquiries to help uncover our core values, purpose, and true desires

πŸ§˜β€β™‚οΈ Foundations: essential rituals and grounding practices that allow us to move with ease

I primarily help people explore life's big questions while building sustainable foundations.


🧭 Big Questions: deep inquiries to help uncover our core values, purpose, and true desires

πŸ§˜β€β™‚οΈ Foundations: essential rituals and grounding practices that allow us to move with ease

When Ambition Meets Uncertainty

When Ambition Meets Uncertainty

You may also be telling yourself stories that perpetuate these feelings of unsustainable ambition and work-life disconnection.

You may also be telling yourself stories that perpetuate these feelings of unsustainable ambition and work-life disconnection.

🀝 My Approach

My Approach

My practice is rooted in my experience:

πŸ™πŸ»β€β™‚οΈπŸ‡¨πŸ‡³ as a Chinese-American man and the son of immigrants

β›·οΈπŸ„πŸ»β€β™‚οΈ as a skier, surfer, writer, and explorer of both the inner & outer worlds

πŸ’»πŸŒ at Uber, Afterpay, Block, and Kleiner Perkins Fellows

πŸ”­πŸ˜Œ of seeking wisdom and discovering how to live a good life


☯ My observation is we often assume seemingly opposing forces are dichotomies, rather than seeking how they can co-exist:

  • hard work and rest

  • self-discipline and self-compassion

  • resilience and flexibility

  • belonging and solitude

  • acceptance and advancement


I follow a multimodal approach that introduces a variety of practices:

🧠 Mind: journaling, meditation, reflection, visualization

πŸ’ͺ Body: yoga, weightlifting, walking, breathwork

πŸ’— Heart: gratitude, self-compassion, creative expression, wandering in nature


✨ I am guided by the light of mentors & teachers:

In my ongoing development as a coach, whether it’s been through formal training like an apprenticeship or a more self-directed path, I’ve been fortunate to learn from a variety of coaches, teachers, artists, and practitioners.

I’m grateful to be influenced and shaped by people such as:

  • Steve Schlafman, Joe Hudson, Tom Morgan, Parker Palmer, Martha Beck

  • Julia Cameron, Steven Pressfield, Robert Greene, Joseph Campbell

  • Paul Millerd, David Whyte, William Finnegan, Yvon Chouinard

Beyond individuals, I draw inspiration from Taoism, complexity science, and nature’s wisdom.


⛓️ Structure

We begin with a personalized onboarding process to uncover your intentions, collaboration style, and desired transformation. Here is what you can typically expect:

  • Two 60 minute sessions a month

  • Pre-session prompts

  • Post-session notes

  • Take-home exercises

  • Essays, books, and podcasts

  • Unlimited async texting and email

πŸ’Έ Rates

I operate on a sliding scale monthly retainer.


If we're both excited to work together, money won't be a barrier. I aim for an open and trusting relationship, so I don't require financial commitments or fixed contracts.


However, for our work to be effective, I ask for an energetic three-month commitment upfront. This isn't a formal contract, just a mutual intention to dive in with dedication and sincerity.


Note: I'm exploring a group coaching offering. If you're interested, please fill out this form.


πŸ‘‹ Reach Out

If you'd like to explore a coaching relationship, I invite you to schedule a complimentary 60 minute session with me:

My coaching practice is rooted in my experience:

πŸ™πŸ»β€β™‚οΈ as a Chinese-American man and the son of immigrants

⛷️ as a skier, surfer, writer, and explorer of both the inner & outer worlds

🌁 working at Uber, Afterpay, Block, and Kleiner Perkins Fellows

πŸ”­ of seeking wisdom and discovering how to live a good life


☯ My observation is we assume seemingly opposing forces are dichotomies, rather than seeing how they can co-exist:

  • hard work and rest

  • self-discipline and self-compassion

  • resilience and flexibility

  • belonging and solitude

  • acceptance and advancement


✨ I am guided by the light of my mentors and teachers:

In my ongoing development as a coach, whether it’s been through formal training like an apprenticeship or a more self-directed path, I’ve been fortunate to learn from a variety of coaches, teachers, artists, and practitioners:

  • Steve Schlafman, Joe Hudson, Alice Wells, Parker Palmer, Martha Beck

  • Julia Cameron, Steven Pressfield, Robert Greene, Joseph Campbell

  • Paul Millerd, David Whyte, William Finnegan, Yvon Chouinard

Alongside my continuous training across disciplines, I'm supported by my therapist, coach, and meditation teacher.


⛓️ Structure

We begin with a personalized onboarding process to uncover your intentions, collaboration style, and desired transformation. Here is what you can typically expect:

  • Two 60 minute sessions a month

  • Pre-session prompts

  • Post-session notes

  • Take-home exercises

  • Recommended essays, books, and podcasts

  • Unlimited async texting and email


πŸ’Έ Rates

I operate on a sliding scale, with an average rate of $500/month.


If we're both excited to work together, money won't be a barrier. I aim for an open and trusting relationship, so I don't require financial commitments or fixed contracts.


However, for our work to be effective, I ask for an energetic three-month commitment upfront. This isn't a formal contract, just a mutual intention to dive in with dedication and sincerity.


Note: I'm exploring a group coaching offering. If you're interested, please fill out this form.


πŸ‘‹ Reach Out

If you'd like to explore a coaching relationship, I invite you to schedule a complimentary 60 minute session with me:

My coaching practice is rooted in my experience:

πŸ™πŸ»β€β™‚οΈ as a Chinese-American man and the son of immigrants

⛷️ as a skier, surfer, writer, and explorer of both the inner & outer worlds

🌁 at Uber, Afterpay, Block, and Kleiner Perkins Fellows

πŸ”­ of seeking wisdom and discovering how to live a good life


☯ My observation is we assume seemingly opposing forces are dichotomies, rather than seeing how they can co-exist:

  • hard work and rest

  • self-discipline and self-compassion

  • resilience and flexibility

  • belonging and solitude

  • acceptance and advancement


✨ I am guided by the light of my mentors and teachers:

In my ongoing development as a coach, whether it’s been through formal training like an apprenticeship or a more self-directed path, I’ve been fortunate to learn from a variety of coaches, teachers, artists, and practitioners.

I’m grateful to be influenced and shaped by people such as:

  • Steve Schlafman, Joe Hudson, Alice Wells, Parker Palmer, Martha Beck

  • Julia Cameron, Steven Pressfield, Robert Greene, Joseph Campbell

  • Paul Millerd, David Whyte, William Finnegan, Yvon Chouinard

Alongside my continuous training across disciplines, I'm supported by my therapist, coach, and meditation teacher.


⛓️ Structure

We begin with a personalized onboarding process to uncover your intentions, collaboration style, and desired transformation. Here is what you can typically expect:

  • Two 60 minute sessions a month

  • Pre-session prompts

  • Post-session notes

  • Take-home exercises

  • Recommended essays, books, and podcasts

  • Unlimited async texting and email


πŸ’Έ Rates

I operate on a sliding scale, with an average rate of $500/month.


If we're both excited to work together, money won't be a barrier. I aim for an open and trusting relationship, so I don't require financial commitments or fixed contracts.


However, for our work to be effective, I ask for an energetic three-month commitment upfront. This isn't a formal contract, just a mutual intention to dive in with dedication and sincerity.


Note: I'm exploring a group coaching offering. If you're interested, please fill out this form.


πŸ‘‹ Reach Out

If you'd like to explore a coaching relationship, I invite you to schedule a complimentary 60 minute session with me: