By establishing lifestyle and dietary practices that support the body’s internal functions and optimize overall wellness, health coaches help people find the tools they need to make better choices and achieve their health goals effectively. Further, health coaches’ 360-degree approach to health enables them to work with clients comprehensively as they build self-care skills, habits, and healthy behaviors that help them thrive. Following a training program, which can last between three to 24 months, health coaches must pass a final test to become certified, and in some cases, apply for the national board certification examination. “Great, but do I need a degree?” you may be asking. The answer varies. Some schools may require an associate’s degree or higher, but that’s not always the case. However, be sure to do your research beforehand and identify a program that meets your expectations and aligns with your coursework interests, career flexibility, time availability, etc. “If you intend to make health coaching your business,” says Jess Cording, M.S., R.D., CDN, “get clear on what your specific goals are.” Once you do, you can earn a good salary as a health coach. With an increased appeal and demand for health coaches in the U.S., it’s not infrequent to find health coaches outside of the typical one-to-one private practice scenarios. Thanks to this surge, health coaches can now be found working alongside medical doctors, alternative health clinics, hospitals, health food stores, health care insurers, educational institutions, personal blogs, or any other type of health-minded organizations. As the term holistic implies, a holistic health coach takes a macro, integrative look at a person’s life beyond food and nutrition. Sexuality, spirituality, relationships, stress management, sleep hygiene, career satisfaction, and emotional health are among the multiple pillars a holistic health coach might cover. On the other hand, a health coach might emphasize different health-related issues that affect day-to-day living, such as diet, nutrition, chronic disease, exercise, or recovery from a life-shifting event, like a heart attack. Through their health coaching experiences, clients are often introduced to other mind-body practices such as meditation, mindfulness, or yoga asana.
