What Makes a Good Health Coach?
The internet was created to add convenience to our lives. We are now able to find what we need, when we need it, just a click away. Pretty sweet. However, in an oversaturated health market, full of “experts” with contrasting opinions, and thousands of websites that promote different viewpoints, is this really true?
Say, for example, you are interested in changing your diet. With so many different viewpoints on nutrition, how do you decide which approach is right for you?
Knowing that nutrition is only one piece of the puzzle, you decide to also initiate an exercise and stress management program. Would an internet search make it clear on where to start?
A nutritionist or dietician can help with nutrition, but how will that address stress management? And if you work with a behavioral specialist on regulating stress, how will that help you establish a good exercise routine?
Thankfully, you have discovered Health Coaching! If you are unsure of what a health coach does, click Here to read last week’s post and learn how a health coach can help you address many different aspects of health and fitness.
So you’ve decided that a health coach can help you establish a personalized approach to your goals, and address topics of interest, such as exercise, nutrition and stress management. Now, how do you find the right health coach to work with?? This blog post will identify the core principles of coaching, so that you can ask the right questions, and find the right coach.
Core principle #1: The most important job of a health coach is to ask powerful questions. Powerful questions put the client in the driver's seat, and provides the ability to view their situation from a different perspective, encouraging the discovery of unique solutions to personal challenges.
Core Principle #2: A good coach does not give unsolicited advice, orders or tell clients what to do and how to do it. Research has demonstrated that the information sharing and instructional approach to coaching does not yield successful outcomes.
Core Principle #3a: Every client is unique, with different interests, knowledge, resources, strengths, and past experiences. Each client will know what works best for them, what strategies are realistic and sustainable, and what can be done to successfully establish those behaviors.
Core Principle #3b: Because of Principle #3a, developing a realistic and sustainable plan is something that can only be accomplished by the client. The role of the health coach is to ask the right questions and provide the right kind of support, so that the client can utilize their knowledge and experience to establish the best plan of action.
That is not to say that a coach cannot fill the expert role. A functional health coach is educated in science-based approaches to health, such as nutrition, sleep, stress management, and exercise. A time may occur during coaching sessions when information sharing and advice giving is indicated and helpful. At that point, a good coach will have the resources and knowledge necessary to provide expert guidance, and help the client move forward in their process.
So remember, when interviewing your health coach, ask about their process for establishing goals and finding solutions. Understand their outlook on how real change happens. Look for coaches who see you as the expert, and avoid the old “Do as I say” approach. When it comes to personalized health, you are always the most knowledgable person in the room.
Starting next week, I will be breaking down the step-by-step process of a single coaching session, starting with the all-mighty intake form. Does the intake form matter? Is it important? Is it a waste of time? Im excited. Stay tuned!
Thanks for reading!
If you are interested in working with Gerard, scheduling a free consultation, or want to ask him a question regarding your health, please contact bellhousefitness@gmail.com or visit Bell House Fitness.