Why You Should Become A Health Coach

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The Need

According to the CDC, 6 out of 10 adults in the US have a chronic disease, and of those individuals, 4 out of 10 adults are battling more than one disease. Many of these diseases are preventable AND reversible, through eliminating what the CDC calls “key risk behaviors.” Behaviors such as poor nutrition, lack of exercise or physical activity, smoking, substance abuse, and more.

But as you and I know, it takes committed lifestyle-change to prevent and reverse - and this is where both the answer and the challenge lies for those affected individuals. And this, dear one, is where YOU come in and bring your passion to serve as a lifeline for them!

The world needs YOU. Your local community needs YOU.

(Whether that means the people you reach online or your local geographical area.)

They need you to operate in your calling and to share your gifts.

What you need to know NOW about the coaching scene:

▪ Health Coaching is in higher demand than ever before – becoming a go-to option for those looking to return to natural, affordable ways of living. However, according to the CDC, only 20% of individuals in the US have been offered health coaching! And 60% of Americans say they would want health coaching if accessible to them. (That’s quite an open market!)

▪ The Health Coaching profession is garnering respect – increasingly, we’re being seen as viable authorities on healthy living. We’re a willing partner to doctors, wellness practitioners, naturopaths and non-profits and our valuable contribution to aid people in lifestyle change is being recognized and appreciated more.

▪ The market is not saturated by any means – in fact, the need is somewhat “new” and you are arriving on the scene at the perfect time! There is room for you in the industry - and you will “make room for your gift” as you pursue God’s voice and direction for yourself in the health coaching marketplace. {Proverbs 18:16)

“Health coaching has risen 38 percent in the last few years. With the turn toward preventative medicine to cut health costs, as well as the push to address obesity, health coaches will be in an excellent position to create their own health-coaching business or get a job in a clinic, hospital or corporate setting.”

~ Ariela Wilcox, The Wilcox Agency

“We know that health coaching is one of the most effective interventions to lower costs and improve outcomes. As the healthcare industry moves away from fee-for-service healthcare toward value-based care, health coaching will be a critical part of patient health.”

~ Emily Wolfe, TWINEHEALTH

Your Call  

Are you called to serving others through health coaching? 

Ask this question of yourself: are you ready to serve others in this vital area of their lives no matter the personal cost to you? 

To pursue this as a calling...there will be financial cost - and financial gain! There will be higher accountability to you personally - in developing your character, in following this healthy lifestyle faithfully and in your work ethic. 

There will be added learning curves on your time and energy, frustrating moments and even doubts creeping up as you step out in your calling.

If you know that you know that God wants you serving in this way though...His peace and provision will be with you even in the hard times. And the rewards of making a difference in other’s lives will far outweigh the difficulties you’ll face. (Ask me how I know!)

Financial Opportunities  

Once you establish a foundation to your business and begin to build your reputation and relationships in the industry, you’ll generate income for yourself. The amount you will make in your business will depend on the hours you’re able to commit, what you do with those hours (for instance, are you working on income-producing activities?) and whether or not you are leading your business activities with integrity and honesty.

So, although there is opportunity for a lucrative income that can be made by building a health coaching business for the long-term - focus on serving your community well and with high integrity. The income will come from your hard work and faithful efforts! In fact, I’ve always been blessed at how God rewards my business building efforts in often surprising ways.

“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, Who leads you in the way you should go.”
Isaiah 48:17

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Career Standards 

There is currently no federal standard monitoring anyone in building a health coaching business. What is in place, however, is state-by-state restrictions on WHO individuals can get personalized nutritional guidance from, and IF THEY CAN get it covered by their health insurance. What this means for YOU as the health coach is that you should be in accordance with your state’s laws around health coaching (which you can find here) and that you don’t operate outside your “code of conduct” for your state. 

So just to clarify: YOU CAN BE A HEALTH COACH in any of the 50 states legally! You just have to be careful to operate within the scope of practice that you are allowed in your home state. 

Helpful Hints: 

  1. If you keep your focus on being a “lifestyle coach” within the health coach role - which is the method we teach from here in the Christian Health Coach Community!

  2. We are lifestyle-change partners for the clients we serve, NOT medical professionals. Use wisdom in your language and messaging (both written and spoken) and publish disclaimers on your coaching agreement, website “about me” page, and anywhere else you feel is necessary.


Educate yourself on your local laws and definitions, your legal protections and how to best serve your clients - and this is enough to get moving and building! Don’t let any legal fears hold you back from pursuing your passion and making a real difference in your community.

 

On Qualifications for Your Health Coaching

“Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.”

~ I Corinthians 1:27


Many times, I’ve been asked if a formal certification is necessary for building a health coaching business. I’m stepping out on a limb today to tell you - NO - you do NOT need a certification (or even multiple ones) to step out into the role of health coaching or serving in this capacity! Now, this isn’t to say that those of you who are feeling led to get a certification (or already have one) aren’t correct - if you personally feel led to it, please follow the Holy Spirit! 

I have great respect for those who have invested in Certifications or taken courses to further their education in this field. They can be a tremendous asset. What I am specifically saying here is that YOU DO NOT NEED ONE to operate as a health coach or start a health coaching business!

“It seems everyone is getting Coaching Certifications these days and I am afraid I won’t be taken seriously if I don’t!

I hear you. And I felt the same way once. But I have found that it’s just not true. 

What people, YOUR people, will take more seriously than any initials after your name or plaque on your wall or fancy title in your emails … is your attitude. 

They will care more about whether or not you care about them and the problem that brings them to you. (Even if you have to research the answer for them before you give it.)

They will care more about what you do to help them (and the certifications won’t teach you that part - YOU have to develop that part through getting out there and COACHING!)


“Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”
2 Corinthians 3:4-6 


“OK Bess, so then why do YOU offer a Certification program for coaches if you are saying I don’t need a Certification!” 

I’m glad you asked!

Listen, I believe in Certifications and programs and courses and training - obviously - as I now offer them in our community and I work alongside some phenomenal coaches who have pursued Certifications. (You can check out our Academy & Certification Course HERE!)

But let’s be clear: there is a difference between needing to take them to “feel qualified” and taking them to EQUIP YOU IN BUSINESS. 

Here is what I believe Certifications, Courses or Programs are for:

  • To help you navigate or overcome hurdles in building areas of your business that are not easily learned without the help of the course or training. (ie join a training group for help in creating your website or funnels or to truly take your branding and marketing up a notch.)
    In short: to EQUIP YOU to build your business!

  • To educate and empower you in a specific knowledge base for your business - ie get a Nutritional Certification if you plan to help clients in the food/eating area and you need focused training in it! 

  • To save you time and money in the long run - join a support group or course that teaches you how to avoid unnecessary spending on tools or plans or services you can learn to do for free or more affordably!

 

Your next steps:

 

Listen, Coach, the world needs you!

You have a gift and the world needs it. You are called to this, or you wouldn’t be here. That is ENOUGH and you are READY to step up and out! 

You’ve got this!

Believing in you ~ Coach Bess