Directed by Chris Hardman, and currently streaming on Netflix, is the British docu-film, The Psychopath Life Coach. The film tells the story of Lewis Raymond Taylor, the CEO of a life coaching business known as The Coaching Masters.
As the title of the documentary suggests, Lewis isn’t your ordinary CEO. He not only has psychological problems, he has also lived a dark and troubling life, which forms the background to this story.
From drink and drug abuse, through to imprisonment and self-harm, Lewis’ life is a relentless rollercoaster of ups, downs, and everything in between. The film peels back the lid on his journey so far, which at times is fascinating and extremely disturbing.
Beginning with his childhood, living with his family on a council estate in the UK, The Psychopath Life Coach discusses Lewis’ fractious relationship with his mother and father, as well as his disastrous school life, and includes his early brushes with violence and anger. From here, the docu-film moves on to discuss an incident of sexual abuse, the breakdown of a romantic relationship, and his move into drug taking, as well as drug dealing.
As Lewis’ story progresses, it only gets more distressing. There’s extreme alcohol abuse, uncontrollable rage, a near-death experience, and further encounters with the police.
Along the way, Lewis suffers a broken jaw, loses teeth, and ends up with multiple bruises. But outside of his own injuries, he also puts a man in hospital, which becomes a turning point in his life.
The incident results in a third stint in prison, which kick-starts a change in Lewis. He goes through various support systems, including alcohol and drug rehabilitation, and this puts him on a path to becoming the incredibly successful life coach he is today.
The Lewis of the past then becomes a very different Lewis to the suited and booted CEO he is now. The transformation is mind boggling, with his former thug-life fading away as Lewis morphs into someone who becomes a positive force for good.
Featuring in-put from Lewis, as well as those who have been a part of his journey (his mother, a childhood teacher, an old friend, etc), The Psychopath Life Coach presents an interesting and aspirational story. It demonstrates how anyone can do a complete 180 in their life, to become a completely different person to what they once were.
The documentary starts in one place, ends somewhere very different, and the switch from negative to positive is quite surprising. While the film may begin in a troubled place, it takes a significant turn around the midway point, and it concludes somewhere else entirely.
All of this makes for some fairly fascinating viewing which highlights that change is forever constant. It suggests if one person can do this, then so can others, and let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to watch a success story?
However, while there are many positives to be found in this documentary, there is the niggling feeling The Psychopath Life Coach is a game of two halves. What starts off as an intriguing study into someone living with anti-social personality disorder soon becomes an Instagram promo for a life coaching business, and this is where the movie loses a great deal of its impact.
Throughout the film there are multiple discussions which highlight Lewis’ status as the titular ‘psychopath’. He is someone who is aware of his behaviour and who can shut his emotions down when needed, and this means he might not be the person he presents to the world.
This then begs the question, has Lewis really turned his life around, or is this new life simply a façade, built around another form of manipulation? Has he truly changed, or has he simply shut off his bad side for now; not because he’s repentant of his past actions, but because he sees this as a new way to benefit himself?
In all honesty, it’s hard to tell and the structure of this documentary doesn’t help. Is this a hard-hitting study or a slightly fluffy puff piece? Honestly? I’m not sure.
The Psychopath Life Coach seems to want to make it clear Lewis is a force for good now, but does this gloss over the psychology of the subject? Does the film’s desire to provide a happy ending to his story completely overlook some much needed psychoanalysis?
I’m not trying to be cynical or belittle Lewis’ achievements, but the documentary spends the best part of 45-minutes showing how truly dark and dangerous he was, before changing tactics to show all the positives now. As a result, the first half of the movie feels more like a study of his mental state, while the back-half seems less concerned with this and more interested in showing his social media-friendly life.
The Psychopath Life Coach would be a much stronger piece if Lewis’ psychology was put into the spotlight more consistently, particularly during his successful period. Sure, there are moments here and there where a couple of people pass comment that maybe he isn’t the white knight he wants people to think he is, but these comments are few and far between and largely seem like a rushed add-on at the end.
The film wants audiences to come away feeling a little unsure about Lewis, but it doesn’t quite commit to what it is selling. The slightly open-ended nature of his story is a bit half-arsed and this means it’s neither one thing or the other.
Ultimately, The Psychopath Life Coach is an intriguing watch, so there is something to sink your teeth into, but it is a bit empty. Like many films and shows on Netflix, this documentary is a tad hollow and somewhat undercooked, and it would benefit from a bit more weight.
The bones are there, and there is the sense that something insightful is being presented, but it requires more depth and far more analysis. If you’re going to present a docu-film about a supposed psychopath, which even has the word ‘psychopath’ in the title, make sure that person is being scrutinised to the Nth degree – especially when they are presenting themselves as a born again figure for good, not just when they are clearly doing wrong.
However, if you’re intrigued by the subject matter, then give The Psychopath Life Coach a go. It is flawed, but parts of it will hold your interest, and you may find some elements of it inspirational.
—
Thank you for taking the time to read this review on It’s A Stampede!. For more reviews, check out the recommended reads below.
It's A Stampede! 
Leave a comment