Awakened Academy vs Highest Self Institute
Before the comparison, a quick note. Anyone doing spiritual coaching, in any school or tradition, is doing meaningful work. Helping people live more aligned lives is a calling we honor in everyone who answers it. What follows isn't a verdict on anyone else's program. It's a clarification of who Awakened Academy is here to help, and why a certain kind of called-to-this-work person tends to find their fit with us.
Quick comparison
| Awakened Academy® | Highest Self Institute | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | Certifying since 2012; pioneering since 2004 | Sahara Rose's Institute |
| Format | Self-paced online + twice-monthly live founder calls | Cohort-based, 6 months, structured |
| Accreditation | Proprietary curriculum · CMA · AADP · IMMA · ICF CCE 2026 | Proprietary credential |
| Founder access | 1-on-1 with Michael Mackintosh + group calls | Cohort-led; access depends on program tier |
| Business stack included | Sacred Business Academy + done-for-you website, funnels, scripts, templates | Coaching curriculum; business support is moderate |
| Tuition | From $2,500 Foundational · $9,000+ full program | ~$3,000+ (verify on their site) |
Pricing and accreditation reviewed June 2026. Both programs update pricing periodically. Verify on each program's current site before deciding.
About each program
Awakened Academy®
Founded by Michael Mackintosh and co-founded with Arielle Hecht in 2014. The curriculum spans 14 transformation modules across 7 Awakened Pillars and works with the whole person.
What graduates point to: Soul Purpose methodology, Sacred Business Academy built in, and the working business stack that comes with it (done-for-you website, marketing funnels, coaching scripts, agreement templates, meditation library). Every student receives 1-on-1 access to Michael plus twice-monthly live calls with the founders.
Accreditation: AADP, CMA, and IMMA externally; proprietary AA Certified seal; ICF CCE coming 2026.
Highest Self Institute
Sahara Rose is the founder of the Highest Self Institute and author of Discover Your Dharma. The Institute centres on Dharma coaching with a strong Ayurvedic influence, structured as a cohort-based program over roughly six months.
The cohort structure builds community across the six months, which many students find valuable. Sahara Rose's personal brand and the Dharma + Ayurveda lens are the clearest differentiators.
Business training is more limited than Awakened Academy's dedicated Sacred Business Academy. Highest Self is a stronger fit for coaches who already have some business foundation and want Dharma-specific cohort training.
Which should you choose?
The honest answer
For coaches who feel deeply called to Dharma work specifically and resonate with Sahara Rose's teaching style, Highest Self is a natural fit. For coaches who want broader spiritual + holistic depth, founder access, a working business stack, and a credential set that holistic practitioners recognise, Awakened Academy covers more ground at a comparable price point.
Self-paced vs cohort is the other real fork. If you need structure with fixed dates to actually complete a program, the cohort format helps. If you need flexibility to fit training around a job or family, self-paced wins.
Frequently asked questions
Is Highest Self ICF accredited?
No, Highest Self Institute uses a proprietary credential. Awakened Academy also uses a proprietary credential currently but holds CMA, AADP, and IMMA externally and has ICF Continuing Coach Education (CCE) accreditation in approval, coming 2026.
Does Awakened Academy cover Dharma?
Yes. Dharma and Soul Purpose are core to the curriculum. AA's 7 Awakened Pillars include Dharma as a dedicated focus area, integrated with the broader spiritual-and-business training.
What's the time commitment difference?
Highest Self runs as a structured 6-month cohort. Awakened Academy is self-paced: about 3 to 6 months on a fast track, 6 to 12 months at a typical pace, or up to 18 months fully self-paced. You decide the rhythm.
Can I work with clients on lifestyle and wellness topics?
Yes, both programs train you within coaching scope. Awakened Academy's AADP accreditation specifically signals legitimacy in the holistic-practitioner space, which is useful if you plan to work alongside wellness or nutrition professionals.
Which produces graduates with stronger business outcomes?
The single biggest predictor is whether business systems are built into the program. AA's Sacred Business Academy + done-for-you website, marketing funnels, coaching scripts, agreement templates, and meditation library is the most comprehensive of any program at this price point. Highest Self provides some business framing but doesn't bundle the same stack.
Train as a spiritual life coach with the multi-accreditation and business stack to actually build a practice
Self-paced. 1-on-1 founder access. AADP, CMA, IMMA accredited. Tuition from $2,500.
See the Program →Or download the brochure with the full curriculum.
