What’s a “Health Coach”?

I’ve been asked this question many times, “What’s a health coach?” I had the same question the first time I saw that title.  It’s a relatively new type of certification that for me filled in the missing pieces of my education to better help my clients achieve true long term health and fitness.  So what the hell does that mean? It’s not a simple answer.  In order to achieve optimal Health and wellness you need to be able to balance the three legs of the health triad; diet and nutrition, mind/body/stress balance, and exercise/ movement.  Most wellness or fitness programs only address one aspect of the health triad, sometimes two, but very rarely do these types of programs address all three aspects of health that are required to achieve and sustain long term health.  Since health and wellness exist on a continuum and  are not static, you must constantly be addressing any area of health that might be getting out of balance in order to maintain good health.  This may sound like a lot of work, but once you have the tools, its not only easy, but it’s also fun.

A personal trainer, or in  my case, a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), has knowledge about the physical fitness and exercise aspects of the health and wellness triad, but those types of certification programs typically don’t address the diet/nutrition or mind/body/stress aspects of health and wellness.  As soon as i finished getting my CSCS certification I realized I was missing some key information that I felt was need to truly help people succeed in realizing and maintaining their health goals over the long term.  I researched all the various education offering that address these issues and decided to pursue a certification as a Certified  Health Coach (CHC) through the American Council on Exercise (ACE).  After completing my CHC certification I felt I finally had the tools I needed to help others attain and maintain the physical and lifestyle transformation that I have been so fortunate to achieve.

So why hire a health coach?  After all, plenty of others are able to transform their lives without a health coach.  Why spend the money.  That’s what my former self would have said. Well, now that I’ve been through the transformation process, I wish I knew then what I know now, it would have been a lot easier, and taken a lot less time.  It’s as simple as that.  I want to help others transform their lives by passing on the knowledge that I have gained, both through personal experience and formal education, and by being a Health Coach, I can do that.  So if you’re ready to transform yourself, if you’re ready to undertake the hardest journey of you life, if you’re ready to acknowledge that maybe you need help achieving your health and fitness goals, hire a Health Coach and let me show you the easiest path to success.