How to Turn Your Past Struggles Into a Course People Actually Want
Here’s something most course creators don’t say out loud:
Many of the most successful online courses didn’t start with expertise. They started with experience.
Real, personal, often messy experience.
Someone hit a wall, figured their way out, and realized:
“If I could help someone else avoid that struggle — I would.”
If that sounds like you, here’s the good news:
You don’t need a certificate. You don’t need a massive following. You don’t need to be the best in the world.
You just need to be a few steps ahead of the person who’s still in it.
Let’s talk about how to turn your past challenges into a course that’s honest, helpful, and valuable.
Start With the Moment That Changed Things
Go back to your before-and-after.
What was life like before you solved the problem? What was hard? What didn’t work? What finally helped you move forward?
Your story doesn’t have to be dramatic — but it should be specific.
Think:
“I used to stay up until 2 AM googling how to launch a website.”
“I didn’t know how to price anything, so I gave everything away for free.”
“I was afraid to show up online because I didn’t want to sound like a fraud.”
This part builds connection. It reminds people, “I’ve been where you are.”
Identify the Real Problem You Solved
What was the actual challenge you overcame? Not the surface version — the root of it.
For example:
You didn’t just “learn to use Notion.” You learned to organize your week so you didn’t burn out.
You didn’t just “figure out Reels.” You learned how to show up online without freezing.
You didn’t just “launch a business.” You found a way to earn while staying true to your values.
People don’t buy information. They buy clarity. They want the shortcut to what took you years.
Break Down What You Did (Even If It Was Messy)
Now think: what helped you move forward?
A mindset shift?
A framework you created for yourself?
A system you found that worked better?
A hard lesson you wouldn’t repeat?
These are your lessons. The pieces of your process. Don’t over-polish them — people relate to real.
Your course doesn’t need to be a perfect roadmap. It can be a guide that says:
“Here’s what helped me. Here’s how you can try it, too.”
Build Your Course Around That Journey
Your story gives you a natural outline. You just need to turn it into a teachable format:
Module 1: The mindset you needed to shift
Module 2: The mistake you used to make
Module 3: The framework or tool you use now
Module 4: The result it helped you get
Bonus: A real-life example or step-by-step walkthrough
You don’t need 10 hours of video. You need 30–60 minutes of clarity someone else can act on.
Speak to the “Before” Version of You
When you write your course description, record your promo video, or create Reels — don’t try to sound like an expert.
Just speak directly to the version of you who was still struggling.
“This is the course I wish I had when I was stuck.”
“If you’ve ever felt like this, you’re not alone.”
“Here’s what finally helped me get out of that cycle.”
That tone? That’s what builds trust. That’s what sells.
Final Thought
Your struggles aren’t just stories — they’re assets.
They’re proof that you’ve lived through something real, figured something out, and can walk someone else through it too.
If you’ve solved a problem, created a system, or even just survived something with more peace than before — you have something worth sharing.
And that’s more than enough to build a course around.
