A health coach is a person who empowers clients to take action to achieve their personal goals for improved wellness. They may help clients with a wide range of health and fitness-related challenges, including managing chronic illness, stress, gaining greater confidence, resolving relationship issues, or overcoming addictions. These professionals are often trained in a specific area of health and wellness, such as nutrition, exercise science, or mental well-being.
The best health coaches have the ability to motivate and partner with others, De Leon explains. They must be able to listen compassionately without judgment and abandon their own biases, as they help clients through topics that could be uncomfortable. This requires the ability to ask questions that help clients identify their motivation and find strategies for change. They also must be comfortable navigating topics that could trigger personal traumas or emotional responses in their clients.
In addition to professional training, the most successful health coaches have a commitment to self-care. They understand the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices for themselves so they can be a role model for their clients. Additionally, they remain up to date on the latest changes in healthcare and wellness practices so they can stay informed and provide their clients with accurate information.
Health coaching can be found in a variety of settings, including private practice and corporate wellness programs. Some coaches choose to pursue additional education or certification after completing their formal training. This allows them to expand their coaching services or create a niche in the field. Others choose to work alongside other healthcare professionals, such as a physician or nurse practitioner, to support and facilitate their patients’ health goals.
People in the modern world are overwhelmed and often have multiple unhealthy habits that impact their overall health. They may have trouble maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly, or getting enough sleep. Additionally, they may not feel happy and are searching for meaning. This can lead to high stress levels and inadvertently cause them to turn to unhealthy behaviors for comfort.
Many of these behaviors can be difficult to break, and a health coach can provide the guidance and accountability necessary for sustainable change. The goal of a health coach is to help their clients develop healthy habits that will positively affect the rest of their lives. This can include everything from reducing stress, managing diabetes, tackling an autoimmune disease, or achieving weight loss goals.
Health coaching is different from other health and helping professions, such as sports coaches, life coaches, therapists, or dieticians. While these professionals play an important role in people’s lives, they don’t specifically address each person’s specific health goals and challenges the way a health coach can. This is why health coaches are becoming so popular. The best health coaches have a unique understanding of the human body and its complex interconnectivity, and they use this to provide their clients with personalized and effective care. A quality health coach training program can give you the skills to succeed in this rewarding career.