Since you’re here (welcome!) we’re guessing the idea of becoming a health coach has caught your interest—we’re so excited for you! 🙌
You might be wondering, "What does a health coach do?" or “What is a health coach in the first place?” (Both are super valid questions.) If you’re passionate about health and wellness and love helping others reach their goals, this could be the perfect path for you—especially with the demand for health coaches on the rise.
→ iPEC has more than 25,000 grads around the world, many of whom are thriving as certified professional health coaches. Ready to join their ranks? Learn more
A 2023 study by Civic Science highlights how Americans are prioritizing their health and wellness in a world that’s been impacted by COVID-19. While some choose to manage their wellness on their own, many are turning to health coaches for support. The study found that 18% of respondents have already worked with a health and wellness coach to achieve their goals, and another 18% plan to do so in the future.
This means more than one-third of respondents (36%) have either experienced the benefits of working with a health coach or are interested in doing so in the future!
In this blog, we’ll explore what it means to be a health coach, the incredible benefits of this fulfilling profession, and five signs that indicate you could thrive in this role.
What is a Health Coach?
Defining the Role
When researching what is a health coach, you might have come across descriptions such as guides, mentors, or even consultants. These words can be misleading. Health coaches don't give advice or prescribe solutions. Instead, they are skilled space holders who facilitate a process that helps clients discover their own insights and "aha" moments; they empower clients by recognizing that they are the experts of their own well-being.
Contrary to what you might expect, health coaches aren't necessarily experts in health but rather, in the coaching process itself. They utilize coaching skills like asking empowering questions, active listening, and providing support that enables clients to explore their own paths to well-being and ultimately, achieve their most vibrant health goals. By helping clients tap into their own inner wisdom and resources—rather than simply offering solutions they think are best—a health coach can facilitate extraordinary, sustainable results.
It’s also worth mentioning that in the world of health coaching, it’s common for topics of exploration to extend beyond just food and exercise. Health coaches often take a holistic approach to health by considering all areas of life that impact their clients’ well-being such as their careers, relationships, finances, etc. This holistic approach can lead to better overall health outcomes and happier, healthier lives for clients.
Job Description and Responsibilities
What does a health coach do? First, we’ll tell you they don’t prescribe, diagnose, or treat any specific condition. Instead, they support clients in defining and achieving optimal health and well-being on the client’s terms. This means helping clients uncover and implement personally meaningful changes, as well as those recommended by their healthcare team (health coaches can play an important role in bridging the gap between medical advice and integrating it into everyday life).
As a health and wellness coach, you might work with clients to:
Benefits of Becoming a Health Coach
Now that we’ve answered the question, what is a health coach, you may be wondering about the benefits of becoming one. Here are a few key reasons why this career path might be right for you:
Career Satisfaction
As a health coach, there's immense fulfillment in supporting others on their journey to achieve their health goals. It's incredibly rewarding to witness clients' progress, whether it's overcoming obstacles, adopting healthier habits, or reaching milestones they once thought were out of reach.
The joy comes not only from seeing physical transformations but also from knowing you've played a role in empowering someone to live a healthier, more vibrant life.
Flexibility
Beyond personal satisfaction, health coaching offers flexibility—whether it's in setting your own schedule (you can work full time or alongside your day job as a side hustle!), choosing how you work with clients, or exploring various areas of wellness.
This career path allows you to blend passion with purpose, making a meaningful difference in the lives of others while enjoying the freedom to shape your professional journey.
Growing Industry
In today's world, there is a growing shift toward a holistic approach to healthcare, and health coaches are playing an increasingly crucial role in this movement—with an increase in demand to match it!
In corporate environments, health coaches promote healthier lifestyles among employees, enhancing productivity and reducing healthcare costs. In private practices, health coaches help clients achieve sustainable lifestyle changes and manage health challenges.
Impact
What is a health coach if not a catalyst for positive change? By helping clients create a deeper sense of health, well-being, and vitality, coaches empower them to embody their best selves. This transformation doesn't just benefit the clients personally; it creates a ripple effect that extends outward, influencing their families, workplaces, and communities.
Health coaching goes beyond personal transformation—it creates a healthier society where everyone can thrive and contribute to a better world.
5 Skills and Qualities that Suggest You'd Make a Great Health Coach
1 | Passion for Health and Wellness
People who become health coaches are driven by a deep desire to help others improve their health and well-being. While many begin their journey in fields like fitness, nutrition, or healthcare, people coming from unrelated professions like music teachers or lawyers can also make the transition with ease. Regardless of their previous profession, they are united by a shared passion to empower individuals to achieve their fullest potential and lead healthier lives.
2 | Excellent Communication Skills
Effective communication is essential for health coaches. Being able to clearly convey information and genuinely listen to clients ensures that their needs and goals are understood and addressed. Skillful communication builds trust and opens the door for meaningful dialogue, making it easier to guide clients on their wellness journey.
3 | Active Listening and Empathy
Active listening and empathy are crucial for supporting clients on their individual health journeys. By actively listening and understanding clients' deeper perspectives, health coaches can create a safe space for clients to feel seen and heard, explore challenges, and celebrate successes. What is a health coach without empathy? It is undoubtedly the magic that helps build strong, trusting relationships, which is the foundation for effective coaching.
4 | Desire to Help Others Succeed
The satisfaction that comes from helping others achieve their health goals is usually a driving force for health coaches. Witnessing clients’ progress and transformation can bring a deep sense of fulfillment and reinforce the positive impact of their coaching. A genuine desire to see others succeed can help coaches stay motivated and committed to their clients' well-being.
5 | Commitment to Personal Growth
Continuous learning and personal development are integral to the field of health coaching. Health coaches prioritize ongoing education, which can include learning how to deal with their own emotional triggers related to client topics and learning to navigate conversations from a neutral, nonjudgmental place.
Steps to Becoming a Great Health Coach
Quality Training and Practice, Practice, Practice!
Enrolling in a comprehensive training program is the first step toward becoming a masterful health coach. Programs like the iPEC Coach Training Program equip you with everything you need to become a highly skilled, masterful health coach. This includes foundational knowledge, advanced coaching techniques, and practical skills that set you up for success from the start.
But training is just the beginning—consistent practice is crucial. Engaging in peer-to-peer practice sessions, role-playing scenarios, and real-world applications helps refine your techniques and build confidence. At iPEC, peer-to-peer practice is integrated into every stage of our program, ensuring that you gain hands-on experience and the ability to navigate diverse client scenarios effectively. The more you practice, the more confident and competent you become at facilitating meaningful change for your clients.
Prioritizing Self-Care
As a health coach, your well-being is just as important as your clients’. Prioritizing self-care ensures that you are physically, emotionally, and mentally prepared to support others—because let’s be honest, sometimes clients don’t do the work they commit to, and other times, they may expect you to have the answers for them. It’s important to extend kindness and compassion toward yourself.
Equally so, developing a routine that includes regular movement, balanced nutrition, and various other stress management techniques that feel aligned for you can be a tremendous help in this field—and truly in any helping profession. It’s not fun (or sustainable) to pour from an empty cup!
When you’re in a balanced and healthy place yourself, you can show up as your best self for your clients. This inner stability allows you to be fully present, non-judgmental, and effective in your coaching which creates a positive and supportive environment that empowers clients to reach their health goals. And anyway, what is a health coach if not an example of balanced living?
Continuing Professional Development
The field of health and wellness is constantly evolving, so ongoing professional development is essential. You can stay up-to-date on the latest research, trends, and best practices by attending workshops, webinars, and conferences.
Joining professional organizations and seeking out advanced certifications are also great ways to deepen your expertise. Continuous learning and growth not only enhance your skills but also demonstrate your commitment to providing the highest quality of support to your clients.
At iPEC, we offer extensive graduate support to help you thrive in your professional journey. Our graduates benefit from lifelong access to our alumni network, exclusive resources, and continuous learning opportunities like live monthly webinars for even more advanced coach training. We’re also truly honored to be recognized by Forbes for our outstanding graduate support, which underscores our dedication to your ongoing success.
Training and Certifications for Health Coaches
Certification is an essential first step to becoming a successful life coach, primarily because it provides the foundation needed to ensure you're both mentally and emotionally equipped to help clients achieve the life they desire. Accreditation from the International Coaching Federation (ICF) is especially important, as it sets the standard for professional coaching and is recognized worldwide.
Earning a certification not only makes it easier to assist clients in reaching and living out their dreams, but it also makes you more appealing to prospective clients, thus helping grow your practice over time.
With iPEC's ICF-accredited Coach Training Program, you’ll earn three proprietary, research-backed certifications designed to help you stand apart in today's coaching landscape. The third certification offers 40 hours of on-demand, niche-specific training as a health coach, ensuring you have the specialized knowledge and skills needed to excel in this field.
Closing Thoughts
If you're passionate about health and wellness and have a deep desire to help others become their best selves, becoming a health coach could be your perfect path. This profession is rapidly growing, with increasing demand as more people take a proactive, self-directed approach to their well-being. As a health coach, you have the unique opportunity to be at the forefront of this movement by empowering people to make lasting, positive changes in their lives.
With dedication and the right training, you can build a fulfilling career that not only supports your own well-being but also makes a significant impact on the lives of others. So if you're still wondering what a health coach is, just look in the mirror—you have the potential to be that transformative force. 🙌
If you’re excited about taking the first step as a health coach . . . . 👀
iPEC's Coaching Fundamentals could be your perfect starting point.
This 3-day interactive, immersive training—available online or in a city near you—is designed to help you create lasting positive change, both in your life and the lives of others. You'll master new skills, build confidence, and begin paving your unique path forward as a transformative health coach.
85% of our students secure a paying client by the end of these three days!
Plus, this three-day training is also the first module of our comprehensive Coach Training Program. If you're aiming to start your own coaching business and decide to enroll in the full program, you’ll receive ongoing business-building training to make your journey to success smooth and enjoyable.
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