What is a health coach and how I became one

What is a health coach?

If you had asked me seven years ago what a health coach was, I would have given you a blank stare. At the time I was near the end of my long career of nearly 18 years in the corporate world and trying to figure out what I was going to do when I “grew up”. Fast forward to today and I am now a recovering CPA, sugar and caffeine addict turned holistic health and lifestyle coach, co-host of The Art of Living Well Podcast and could not be happier with my career change and being an entrepreneur. See my story for my journey.

A health coach is someone who motivates, inspires and supports individuals looking to make sustainable changes to their life in the area of health and wellness. As a holistic health coach, I focus on all areas that impact your health, including diet, stress, sleep, lifestyle, movement, relationships, mindset and so much more. A health coach can either work independently or alongside other health care providers, including doctors, to help individuals implement changes that they need to make to resolve underlying health issues. Often individuals are given recommendations or told to make changes to improve their health such as eating healthier, removing certain inflammatory foods from their diet, incorporating more movement or lose weight but are not given a personalized road map on how to succeed. A health coach is the missing link in this equation and helps individuals create new habits that are sustainable for life. Confused by all of the health guidance and information flooding the marketplace? A health coach can help sift through this overload and devise a more personalized plan that works for you to achieve your goals and feel great in your own skin.

It is important to understand that a health coach is not a licensed medical practitioner and cannot prescribe supplements or other protocols. As a health coach I can make suggestions or recommendations, but I always recommend that you talk to your health care provider before starting any new program, supplement or major lifestyle change.

To explore if hiring a health coach is right for you, schedule a complimentary consultation.

As a holistic health coach I meet you where you’re at in your health journey. When you work with me one-on-one we create a very personalized and action-oriented plan based on your health goals and your unique needs. There is no one-size-fits-all program because each of us is completely different. What foods and diets work miracles for one person may be poison for another. I have lots of ideas, tips, tricks and resources to help you identify the root cause of your health issues and symptoms so that you can live your healthiest and happiest life.

Who needs a health coach?

Many people can use a health coach at various points in their lives. If you are looking for guidance, support, accountability, tips/tricks, resources and motivation to make the changes that you know in your gut you need to make to feel better but can’t do on your own, then you need a health coach. Most individuals seeking a coach have tried other programs, read books, listened to podcasts or sought advice from other sources before hiring a health coach, although this is certainly not necessary. Individuals who seek a coach are often sick and tired of being sick and tired, but don’t know where to turn and don’t understand why the intermittent fasting and low-carb diet that works for their friend or husband doesn’t work for them. Many of the women who work with me suffer from low energy, digestive issues, high stress/anxiety, sleep issues and/or unwanted weight gain. Many of them are also looking for help with cooking cleaner, meal planning and prep, and cleaning up the food in their pantry so that they can fuel and nourish themselves and their loved ones. I’ve noticed that many of my clients are driven and motivated and have succeeded in many other areas of their life but haven’t prioritized themselves… until now.

Health coaches can work with individuals on a one-on-one or in a group setting, lead workshops, conduct cooking classes, create meal plans, develop recipes, write a book, start a healthy food company, partner with health clubs and other health care providers such as acupuncturists and chiropractors. As the world of health coaching continues to expand, the possibilities are quite extensive as to how they can work and collaborate with other businesses.

How did I become a health coach and Integrative Health Practitioner?

The first step I took was attending the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN), which was an amazing and life-changing program for me. I loved waking up every Monday to dive into the weekly module and learn about a new topic or dietary theory and start putting what I learned into practice. Why do I love and often recommend IIN for people interested in health coaching? The program has been around for over 25 years and you learn from the world’s leading experts in health and wellness. Their impressive and distinguished list of speakers include Dr. Mark Hyman, Dr. Andrew Weil, Deepak Chopra, Marion Nestle, Mark Sisson and Dan Buettner just to name a few.

I believe that This program is perfect for individuals interested in exploring more about nutrition, health and wellness for themselves, their family and/or to help others. You don’t need to know that you want to become a health coach right now to enroll in the program. In fact, many people sign up to simply heal themselves and their loved ones. I am so passionate about this program and love sharing my experience with others that I’ve teamed up with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to offer you a significant savings on tuition. I highly encourage you to talk with the admissions department and graduates of different programs to learn which one is right for you. When you enroll, simply tell the counselor to add Stephanie Potter as your Ambassador referral and use my discount. You can also check out a Sample class and the Curriculum guide to learn more. Please reach out if you’d like to discuss my experience or have questions on finding a program that’s right for you.

After I set up my business, I decided to dive into the area of hormone health and subsequently completed a 6-month program and am now able to help women learn about the root cause of hormonal issues and imbalances. It was after starting to address my own personal hormonal issues, including very low estrogen and progesterone and amenorrhea, which lead to significant bone loss, that I knew I wanted to help women dive deeper into understanding their numbers and get to the root of their health concerns. I then enrolled and subsequently completed the Integrative Health Practitioner Program (IHP) level 1 and level 2, through Naturopath and Functional Medical Doctor Stephen Cabral. This program dives deep into what Dr Cabral refers to as his DESTRESS protocol, which he discusses in his book The Rain Barrel Effect, and includes Diet, Exercise, Stress, Toxins, Rest, Emotional Balance, Supplements and Success Mindset. Since completing level 2 of this program in the spring of 2020, I am now able to administer at-home lab testing to help women get to the root of hormonal issues, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, food sensitivities, digestive and gut health issues and more. The testing is done at the convenience and privacy of the client and once the results are obtained, I review and design protocols to help the individual start to feel better and live well again. Protocols can be as simple as incorporating more nutrient-rich foods, drinking more water, reducing caffeine, walking, meditating, changing their exercise routine or incorporating supplements. Dr Cabral does not have rolling enrollment and each class that opens is limited to 100 participants, so if you’re interested I highly recommend getting on the list to sign up for his mailing list.