The purpose of this study was to explore the research findings on life coaching for middle-aged and older adults based on the previous literature and to propose a valuable way of life for middle-aged and older adults in pre- and post-retirement. To this end, eight journal articles and theses on life coaching were selected and reviewed using the literature review method during the exploratory survey. The following research questions were discussed in this study. First, what are the trends in life coaching research? Second, what is positive psychology-based life coaching for middle-aged and older adults? Third. How to apply positive psychology-based life coaching to middle-aged and older adults? The results of this study are as follows. First, domestic life coaching research from 2000 to 2020 included a variety of studies on life coaching concepts, life coaching effects, and life coaching programs, with female housewives as the main research subjects using exploratory research methods. Second, middle-aged people, who are in the process of designing a second life, emphasised the role of life coaching for self-actualisation by finding positive problem-solving methods for various practical issues. Third, based on the positive acknowledgement of the life they have lived so far, they proposed ways to live the life they want by practicing gratitude and using their strengths to set and implement goals they want to achieve. In addition, it was found that life coaching can be used to prepare for old age, as it has a great effect on changing consciousness and life for happiness by discovering one's self-worth and self-discovery. This study aimed to contribute to the academic understanding of life coaching and can be used as a meaningful resource for the development of life coaching research to help middle-aged and older adults in the pre- and post-retirement periods live the life they want and the life they need to live a fulfilling and balanced life.