Lessons Learned: What Health Coaches Wish They Knew Earlier in Their Careers
by Jessica Matthews
Working as a health coach can be rewarding and transformative, both personally and professionally. This holds true whether you are an industry veteran or someone entering into the field as a newly certified professional. There are certain lessons that many health coaches learn over the course of their careers that they wished they’d learned earlier, and that might have served them well as they worked to become a more successful and impactful professional.
In this blog, we speak to veteran health coaches and asked what lessons they’d learned and how those insights have served them well over their time in the industry. Read on for some words of wisdom and practical advice.
Be Your Authentic Self
When establishing yourself as a health coach, you may be tempted to look at what other successful coaches are doing and then model your career after them. However, when it comes to branding yourself and your services, it’s important to stay true to yourself and your unique offerings. Ultimately, that is what will set you apart, especially online, notes Sami Skow, ACE Certified Health Coach and Group Fitness Instructor. Authenticity is vital, as clients want to connect with you as an individual and as a partner in their wellness journeys.
“I wish I had learned earlier in my career not to try to appeal to everyone,” says Skow. “I now craft content for my ‘ideal’ client and, as a result, I attract that type of client. This has led me to love my job day in and day out, as it never feels draining to me.”
Serve as a Guide
As a well-meaning, passionate professional, you may feel compelled to direct clients toward more healthful behaviors by telling them precisely what to do to reach their health, fitness and wellness goals. However, empowering people to make lasting behavior changes requires that you skillfully guide them while using active listening and powerful questioning rather than directing and telling, says Lee Jordan, ACE Certified Health Coach and Behavior Change Specialist.
“In my earlier years as a health coach, I leaned heavily on my ‘expert’ status, providing simple direction, encouragement, accountability and assurance to clients,” explains Jordan. “I wish I had known then that facilitating behavior change involves listening at least as much as telling. Learning how to skillfully guide clients is crucial. In the words of [French philosopher] Blaise Pascal, people are generally better persuaded by the reasons that they have themselves discovered rather than those which have come into the mind of others.”
Nurture Your Professional Network
Rather than viewing other professionals as your competition, consider how creating and cultivating collaborative relationships could best serve your clients. Andrew Garrison, president and CEO of BodyFacts Wellness Services and author of Wellness in Mind: Your Brain’s Surprising Secrets to Health from the Inside Out, suggests that health coaches join forces with likeminded professionals as a means to successfully grow and expand their coaching services.
“In creating an allied health team, you can package internal and external services and share clients you’ve built rapport with,” notes Garrison. “Sharing clients with other professionals isn’t bad for business—rather, it’s actually a very viable and beneficial way to evolve your career and support your clients across all dimensions of wellness.”
Get Coached
As a health coach, you know that coaching works, so why not seek the same guidance when it comes to establishing and evolving your business? Caroline Jordan, corporate wellness consultant and author of the book Balanced Body Breakthrough, recommends investing in yourself and your career by working with a coach who can help you grow your business in ways you might not even foresee.
“The best coaches have coaches, and to this day I work with several different career coaches, investing in sessions to help me clarify my brand and identify my signature strengths and services,” shares Jordan. “One thing I know for sure is that you can’t just work in your business; you have to work on your business if you want to be a success. Remember, you are your best investment and worth spending time on.”
Stay Curious
One of the most exciting and rewarding aspects of being a health coach is the ability to work with a wide variety of individuals on their unique health and wellness journeys. It’s imperative as a coach to be fully present during each session, listening intently to what each client has to say without making presumptions.
“As a health coach, it’s important to be naturally curious when working with clients and to not assume anything,” explains Gina Crome, ACE Certified Health Coach and registered dietitian nutritionist. “By asking the right questions to gather information and clarify statements or particular words your client uses, you’ll better understand their unique perspective and offer subtle nuances along the way that are significant to behavior change.”
