Are you a passionate health advocate who feels inspired to empower others to lead lives with vitality and wellness?
Do you like the idea of flexible hours and working from the comfort of your own home?
Maybe it’s time you considered becoming a health coach?
Most people want to lead the healthiest lives possible, but are unsure as to what the best nutrition and lifestyle choices are.
With an ever increasing number of people looking for a healthier life, they are turning to more preventative healthcare strategies such as health coaching.
If you’re someone who is passionate about helping others and you want to make a real difference in their lives then this post is for you. Here, we’re going to explore the most frequently asked questions about health coaching and why you should consider becoming a Primal Health Coach.
Question 1: What Is a Health Coach?
A health coach is a behavior modification expert and usually provides a holistic approach to their services.
Unlike the relationship a patient has with their doctor, which is largely skewed towards the doctor “having all the answers,” the relationship between a health coach and their client is more of a partnership.
A health coach does not (usually) tell their clients what to do. Instead they guide their client towards sustainable lifestyle change, by helping them set SMART goals, and to stay motivated as they strive to form new healthy lifestyle habits.
A health coach does not diagnose, prescribe or treat their clients. Instead, they coach clients who are seeking to modify their poor lifestyle habits.
In general terms, health coaches work with their clients so that they can form health habits in the areas of:
- Nutrition
- Exercise
- Stress management
- Healthy sleep patterns
- Play
Many health coaches come from medical, wellness or fitness backgrounds and hold additional qualifications besides their health coaching credentials, including:
- Nurses
- Fitness Coaches and Personal Trainers
- Life coaches
- Physiotherapists
- Chiropractors
- Registered Dietitians
- Osteopaths
- Naturopaths
Most health coaches work within their own defined niche, which is usually influenced by their other qualifications, their passion and their life experiences. Examples include:
- Over 50 age group
- Women
- Men
- Athletes
- Weight loss
Question 2: How Do I Become a Health Coach?
If health coaching sounds like a realistic career option for you, then you’re probably wondering how you become a health coach.
How do you qualify to be a health coach?
Currently, there is no national or state accrediting organization to oversee the practice of all health coaches. This means that you don’t technically require any form of licensing to work as a health coach.
Should you get a health coaching credential?
Most definitely!
Becoming a certified health coach:
- Gives you credibility in the eyes of future employers especially when applying for jobs
- Shows that you have invested in your profession as a health coach and as a health expert
- Helps to build trust with clients, as they know that you’ve done the necessary training to help them achieve their health goals
Are all health coaching credentials the same?
No.
There is currently no set standardization of education for health coaching courses, so it’s crucial that you choose a health coaching credential that includes all four of these key attributes:
- Has a strong emphasis on the science behind diet, nutrition, and healthy lifestyle behaviors
- Focuses on assessing a client’s life in its entirety and not just their nutrition and exercise habits
- Teaches the best strategies to guide clients to health behavior change
- Includes a business development component
Do you have to hold a license to be a health coach?
Whilst health coaches do not require a licence to coach, it’s crucial that you understand the scope of practice of a health coach and what you can and can’t say in terms of nutrition advice, which differs greatly depending on which state you live in.
Question 3: What is a Primal Health Coach?
A Primal Health Coach is a health expert that has trained in the field of ancestral health. They have completed their Primal Health Coach certification and coach from the Primal Blueprint Principles.
A Primal Health Coach graduate has the knowledge and expertise to coach clients towards a healthier lifestyle, whilst also having the business know-how to start their own health coaching practice.
Question 4: What Does a Health Coach Do?
A certified health coach has several career paths available to them. Here’s a list of five exciting career options you may want to consider.
1. Start Your Own Health Coaching Business
The Primal Health Coach program provides extensive business resources for its students and graduates, so you can start your health coaching business with confidence. Whether you choose to coach clients online, over the phone or face-to-face, being your own boss gives you the flexibility to choose your own hours and to build your business as you envision it to be.
2. Develop an Online Health Coaching Program
If you’re keen to be your own boss, but you’re limited on time due to another job or family commitments, setting up a semi-automated online health coaching program can be a great option for you. Whilst the initial start up may take a little more time investment, the long-term time commitment will be significantly less than other forms of coaching.
3. Work for a Hospital or Clinical Practice
Research (PDF) has shown that health coaching improves health outcomes and can reduce healthcare costs, and this is driving job growth within the health coaching industry. It is forecast that more and more health coaching jobs will become available in doctors’ clinics and within hospitals.
4. Work for a Health Insurance Company
In an effort to reduce healthcare costs, health insurance companies are recruiting a growing number of health coaches. These positions may include telephonic as well as face-to-face coaching and are a great option for someone who would like to work in a stable health coaching role and does not necessarily want to start their own business.
5. Become a Freelance Health Blog Writer
Do you enjoy writing and sharing your knowledge with the world? Maybe you should consider becoming a freelance blog writer? Many companies outsource or delegate blog writing. As a health expert, you may be the perfect person to do this. Health-based blog writer positions can be found on LinkedIn and Upwork, as well as on job search databases like Indeed and Glassdoor.
Question 5: How Much Does a Health Coach Earn?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2016, the median salary for a health educator is $53,070.
The salary earned by health coaches is highly variable and this is largely due to the wide ranging job avenues available to health coaches.
Here are a few of the main influences when it comes to the earning power of a health coach.
1. The Career Path You Take
The job opportunities available to health coaches is increasing rapidly, and the career path chosen by a health coach will greatly influence their earning power (see Question 4).
2. Number of Hours Worked
A health coach’s earning power is hugely influenced by the number of hours worked.
Flexible work hours is highly appealing for many health coaches. Generally speaking, if you choose to work 70+ hours per week you will earn much more than if you decide to work 20 hours per week.
3. What Services You Provide
Health coaches who run their own business have the greatest control over the amount of money they earn.
If you’re looking at running your own business, the type of services you provide will determine how much money you bring in.
The services you may offer as a health coach can include but are not limited to:
- One-on-one coaching
- Group coaching
- E-courses
In summary, health coaching is a growing industry. If you’re a passionate advocate for healthy living and the thought of helping others achieve their own health goals sounds exciting, then you should definitely consider a career as a health coach.
Interested in becoming a Primal Health Coach?
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