what’s a health coach & do I need one?
When asked what I do for a living, I’ve had to get creative with the response I give…often times it sound’s something like, “I’m a nutrition coach and help people find foods that make them feel good!” because when you add in the word “nutrition”, it seems to make a little more sense. Now, I don’t mind questions like these, however by being based in the midwest, I’ve noticed there is still a lack of knowledge on what my exact job title is. I hope you find this blog both informative and interesting as I walk you through what a health coach is, what I specifically focus on within my practice, AND if you would benefit from a health coach, too!
Health coach definition: “Health coaching is the use of evidence-based skillful conversation, clinical interventions and strategies to actively and safely engage client/patients in health behavior change.” (Wikipedia).
The purpose of a health coach: “People tend to hire health coaches to help them with a broad variety of health issues, such as weight loss, stress reduction, the management of chronic conditions, improving diet and exercise, tobacco cessation, addiction, and adjusting to a life-altering health event, like a heart attack.” (Wikipedia)
Now, I agree with both of these statements, but the truth is what exactly a health coach does varies depending on the focus of their practice. For example, when going through to get my Holistic Health Coach certification through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, we covered a bulk of information. So much information that it wasn’t possible for me to learn everything perfectly or be able to teach it all to my clients; what it did was expose me to the many realms of wellness, and help me find my own desired path to take. It took me a long time to decide what exactly I wanted to do because I loved exercise, but at the same time it felt too superficial, I also loved Ayurvedic medicine and discovering your dharma, but I wasn’t sure if that was because I found it interesting or because I wanted to coach others through it.
After examining my own story, my past relationship with food and exercise, as well as the chronic pain I suffered with for three years before I severely changed my diet and the way I moved my body, I landed on my purpose: “I help women reduce inflammation & stress, and heal their relationship with food through functional nutrition, movement, and mindset work.”
This, I discovered, was my Divine Purpose…(hence the name of my health coaching business).
So, as a health coach, I do just that! I meet 1:1 with women of all ages (I’ve had clients 20-75), so yes, really ALL women, and through this time we discuss:
their past and current mindset around food, exercise, and body
where exactly inflammation is showing up in their body (with the use of the Inflammation Assessment)
what tools they currently use to manage stress
what a typical day of eating looks like for them
how often they exercise each week
if they have a support system, and also how I can best support them throughout this time
And from there, we take a 16-week journey towards bettering not only how they feel, but how they view their body, manage their stress, improve relationships, and prepare and shop for food in a way that isn’t harming their health. They begin to adapt to an anti-inflammatory lifestyle, and truly see remarkable changes in their overall health that benefit them for years to come. You also literally get access to me in your back pocket, as we communicate weekly and I am always their to guide you along and hold you accountable.
Health coaching offers a LIFE-CHANGE. Not a quick-fix, fast weight-loss, or a slew of products that promise changes but never fully deliver. With the use of food and herbal medicine, we truly begin to heal your body from the inside out. A life change (in my opinion) can’t have a price-tag…what I want more people to realize is that this isn’t a promised short-term change, but will change you forever.
That’s why what I do is different. This isn’t a multi-level marking program or business, I created Divine Purpose, LLC completely on my own, and have had to depend on my own resources to make what you see possible. I’ve had coaches and helpers along the way, don’t get me wrong, but when you hear from me via text or social media, you are getting the real ME. It’s a one-woman show folks, and I couldn’t be more grateful for this opportunity I have to create life-changes among women.
Here are some questions to ask yourself when deciding on if you need a health coach:
Do you struggle with your relationship with food? (view foods as good/bad, binge eat after a stressful day, loose control when eating, skip meals, or believe you need to “burn-off” every calorie you consume, etc).
Do you have a consistent routine that includes at least 3 meals per day, 10-30-minutes of movement, and taking time for yourself to practice stress-reduction techniques?
Do you have someone to hold you accountable to your word and the life changes you say you want to make? (for example: you tell them you want to start eating more fruits and veggies and they remind you everyday to send them a picture of your plate to make sure it’s happening).
Does grocery shopping or the thought of preparing a meal overwhelm you?
Are you confused by label reading, and false marketing, not knowing if a product is truly good for you?
Depending on your answers to these questions, you may be someone who would benefit from having a coach to guide you along! The best thing is, there are so many health coaches out there that specialize in various areas. I focus on inflammation, while I have other coaching friends who work on the psychology behind your lifestyle, stopping cravings, self-love and acceptance, and herbalism.
The world NEEDS health coaches because they are different than any other type of service. All of the coaches I know and love have such big hearts and a true belief in what they practice. Health coaches truly practice what they preach, and by getting to know them individually, you absolutely pick-up on that, too.
So what’s a health coach?
A health coach is a big-hearted individual who loves helping others and wants them to go throughout life feeling their best, often through the use of functional nutrition, supplementation, movement, mindset work, and stress reduction. They offer life-changes that don’t just end when your coaching is complete, but that are instilled within you for years to come.
