Sonya Trejo, MS, R.
Not Recommended - Better Programs Out There
I joined the Leap Academy in January, having a bad feeling about the upcoming layoffs where I worked. I was very honest about my situation and I was given a strong, upbeat sales pitch. I asked, "What percentage of your clients succeed?" and was given a bogus answer. "Everyone who finishes the program succeeds." I should have asked for actual reportable numbers. Everyone who joined with me from January to March is still out of work to this day in September. We're out thousands of dollars, while draining our life savings and going into debt, for a program that provides the same exact services as NovaWorks does for free. I posted a negative review back in April. I was given a very high pressure, emotional talking to and told I posted it because I was "in fear." Well, yeah, it's frightening to be out of work for an extended amount of time and realize you threw away money at the same time. But I didn't write the review in fear - I wrote it warn others. I was convinced to take the review down in exchange for more coaching and I thought, ok, why not. Well, why not came clear within a couple of weeks. Starting the exercises over again did nothing for me, and the three hours of group coaching were three hours I could have spent working on activities that would actually move me closer to my next job in my industry. Bottom line - the exercises are not new or novel, the coaching is standard positive mindset Tony Robbins stuff (old hat to anyone who grew up in California). What really was the last straw for me was the branding session, which I thought would be worth the huge price tag. It was extremely underwhelming. Because I'm not in business development or software tech, they really couldn't get the right voice to connect with people in my industry. What I got for free on a group intro call with CareerSprout did far more for me. The main thrust of the Leap Academy is to get very good at talking to people and posting online so people know what you're about. It's not a bad idea, at all, but it's not new and they have no special way to help. It wasn't until I disconnected from everything related to Leap online that I was finally able to find my voice and attract more connections on LinkedIN. The main goal of the Leap Academy is to upsell you to their next level program in which you start your own business. The people I know who are happiest with Leap had a small business idea, and were happy with this next level program. The rest of us are left behind, and out quite a lot of money.
Response from Leap Academy Ilana GolanSep 13, 2025
Dear Sonya, Thank you for sharing your candid feedback. I am truly sorry that your experience with our program was not what you had hoped for, and I feel for you that you had to go through a difficult and stressful time during your job search. I am extremely committed and proud of the thousands of careers and lives we changed, many of them shared here, on our YouTube channel, website and more. Results, integrity and fun are my top priorities. However, I want to clarify a few key points, as our programs are built for a specific kind of professional. As we discussed with you, our methodology is designed for a true career leap—not simply for landing a quick compromise. Even those who want a “mini-leap”, do so in order to stabilize financially on the path to bigger opportunities ahead. Indeed this can take weeks or months - depends on the goal. This process can be uncomfortable, especially during the branding sessions, because our goal is to help you break free from the roles you've been stuck in and define a new, more ambitious path that aligns with the opportunities you said you wanted. It’s natural to feel more comfortable telling the story of “where you’ve been” vs “where you want to be” but the leap comes from the latter. This is also why we only accept individuals that promise us they’ll be driven, coachable and resourceful. I also want to clarify and remind you of the two distinct phases of growth. Our program is aligned with those: The initial 8-week program you signed up for is designed as a pattern interrupt to help you quickly attract bigger opportunities. The subsequent program, the Millionaires Club, is for a different purpose—it’s the muscle building phase. It’s for those who want to build executive presence, gain access to the hidden job market, and create a long-term portfolio career. It’s not an upsell, but rather a necessary next step for professionals who are aiming for much bigger opportunities. Those folks work with us on an annually basis. These are simply very different programs for very different goals. You are absolutely right that if the goal is to land the first job you can, there are cheaper ways to do so. Our program is a significant investment because it is built for professionals who are committed to a fundamental career transformation and want to gain the income, influence and impact they were meant to have. They are excited to work with the top coaches in the industry and to be surround by a network of senior managers, executives and founders aiming for a bigger life. My team has reached out many times, offered many solutions to help you and we are still here for you if you want to reach back out. Meanwhile, we wish you the very best and hope you find success on your journey.