The who, what, when, where and how of wellness coaching

You’ve heard about wellness coaching and have questions. What does a wellness coach do? How does it work? For whom? Where do you find a coach? When should I hire one? etc etc etc This article can by no means be a complete guide to answering all questions about wellness coaching, however it will give you enough information to decide whether or not you are interested in learning more, and perhaps even agreeing to a ‘coaching session’. free’ from a wellness coach willing to give one. Here are the answers to many of the most common questions.

What is a wellness coach?

A wellness coach is a trained professional in one or more areas of “wellness” who helps clients make long-term, sustainable lifestyle changes so that their health and wellness actions are aligned with your personal goals.

What areas of ‘Wellness’ does a Wellness Coach work on?

Wellness is a huge word that means very different things to different people. For some it means going to the gym every day, for others it means finding the right balance between work and home life, for others they define wellness as the spa at the corner mall. Given this wide range of definitions for the term wellness, it’s good to know what areas your wellness coach has expertise in. Here are some of the most common: fitness, nutrition, stress management, weight management, obesity, life balance, heart health, disease management, relationships, and mental health. Clearly, not all wellness coaches will have experience in all of these areas.

What credentials should I ask about?

Currently, there is no universally accepted license for wellness coaches, so don’t expect there to be one correct answer to the question of what credentials your coach has. Ask what your potential coaches’ philosophies are about coaching, what coaching background/experience they have. If they have not had formal training as a coach, ask them what it means to be a coach. Many wellness coaches will have life coach training/certifications, or wellness coach training/certifications. No single program can be identified as ‘the best’, ask them how their training program was if you are concerned about their background.

How does a wellness coach work?

Think of a wellness coach as your mentor and partner. The goal of a wellness coach is to kill the business because he leaves the relationship with all the tools and internal motivation to conquer his goals on his own. While a wellness coach is likely to have experience in one or more of the wellness areas listed above, you’ll quickly discover that coaching isn’t about passing on information. The coach will work with you to set goals, identify your strengths, develop your personal skill set, and most importantly, become self-reliant to take action.

How is a Wellness Coach different from a Nutritionist or Trainer?

There are many wellness coaches who are nutritionists and personal trainers, however, not all trainers and nutritionists are wellness coaches (and vice versa). The biggest difference is the approach that is taken to achieve the goals. A personal trainer is usually hired to provide guidance, motivation, education, hands-on support, and to tell her how to achieve her goals. This support is very appropriate in many cases. A nutritionist has a similar role, they are trained to provide information, guidance and design a recipe for success when someone has very specific dietary needs and goals. Once again you play a fantastic role in supporting your customers through the questions they have.

A wellness coach takes a very different approach when working with clients. Basically, a trainer assumes that you have your own answers. There are certainly opportunities for education and information sharing where appropriate (and this information should be shared only in the coaches’ areas of expertise), however, the focus of a wellness coach is to empower the client to see clearly by itself the most appropriate path to follow. so that they can make long-term sustainable lifestyle changes. This is very different from telling you what you need to do today. It involves discussing goals, a vision, and devising a plan together.

Why should I hire a Wellness Coach?

I have another article written on this subject – read the full dialogue here.

Where do I find a trainer?

Most wellness coaches work as sole proprietors rather than with large companies and are scattered across the country (and world). Trainers who work for large companies generally work in an organizational environment and cannot accept individual or private clients. Since wellness coaching is a relatively new industry, there is no “best” way to find a coach. If you have a personal reference, that’s great. If not, the best way I know of to find a coach is to do a Google search for Wellness Coach. This will give you the most comprehensive list of wellness coaches in the country.

Where do we meet?

Almost all trainers work over the phone (many don’t even offer face-to-face meetings), so distance shouldn’t be an issue if you’re willing to settle for working over the phone. Often people prefer the ability to be more anonymous. Just know that you’ll most likely need to contact the coach, so if they’re outside of your local area code, you may incur a charge for airtime if you don’t have unlimited long distance.

Who should I hire?

A couple of words of advice. Recognize that you are going to establish a relationship with the coach. Just as important as finding an expert trainer is finding one you’re comfortable with, and more importantly, one that will inspire you to take action (which is why you’re hiring a trainer in the first place). Many trainers offer a free first training call, so take advantage of it. If they don’t, most will spend time with you discussing your services in depth and this should give you a good idea of ​​your personality.

Who is Wellness Coaching for?

If you’ve made it this far in the article, I suspect you may be a potential candidate. Wellness coaching is for someone looking for a partner rather than a teacher. A person looking for a wellness coach is just as interested in the question: How do I change my lifestyle, as in the question what should I change? If you know what you need to do, but have not been successful in the past, or if you know that personal support and interaction will be the key to achieving lasting lifestyle change, then a wellness coach may be right for you.

When should I hire a trainer?

That is clearly your decision. Ask yourself what is the opportunity to work with a coach. Is it weight loss? Is stamina improving? Is it creating a life project that balances your work and family life? Ask yourself why you may be considering a coach and this should guide you in making your decision as to when. In general, trainers do not offer special offers, there is no right or wrong time to start working with a trainer.

However, I remind you that when you decide to hire a coach, you are taking a big step. You are traveling from the place of inaction to action. Hiring a solo coach (and committing to the relationship) is a symbolic action that indicates that you are ready, willing, and on the path to change. It’s a big step and you deserve recognition when you decide the time is right.

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