The article discusses the specifics of the relationship between professional success and life satisfaction by the example of sports coaches. According to research results, life satisfaction is likely to precede performance in general, including objective and subjective assessments of success. However, the feedback and mutual amplification of these parameters are possible. At the same time, adaptation to successful events in life and activity is often observed, which dulls positive emotions and mood, weakening feelings of satisfaction. The specific conditions of sports activities with periodic ups and downs of its participants also imply a constant transformation of emotional states (which creates a certain protection against adaptation). Without denying the assertion about the linear relationship between professional success and life satisfaction, a hypothesis about the possibility of the existence of a non-linear relationship between these parameters was put forward and tested. The study was carried out with the participation of 60 coaches of different levels of professional success, whose level of satisfaction with life was assessed. The results of one-way ANOVA showed significant differences in life satisfaction depending on the level of professional success of coaches (F = 6.836, p < 0.001). Evidence suggests that a high level of professional success does not always lead to a high level of life satisfaction. Probably, the results obtained confirm the negative impact of stress experienced during significant competitions by all participants, on the level of happiness and satisfaction with life. Perhaps, there is a phenomenon of adaptation to successful events in life and work. The results obtained can be useful in planning and conducting psychological counseling of coaches to improve the effectiveness of their activities; for the prevention and correction of symptoms of excessive emotional stress in sports coaches.