When I tell people I’m a health coach, they often ask what it is that I actually do. They have a vague idea of what a coach is, but they don’t really know what a health coach does. So, if you ever wondered what a coach does and if you could benefit from working with a coach, this article is for you.
What is coaching?
One of my favourite books on coaching, Coaching: Evoking Excellence in Others by James Flaherty, defines coaching as “releasing a person’s potential to maximise their own performance”. Isn’t that beautiful? Another great way to explain coaching is taking a person from where they are to where they want to be.
I see coaching as a journey where your goal is your destination. Along the way you’ll learn about yourself, you’ll work on becoming your best self, and step by step you’ll move towards reaching your goal.
And what does a health coach do?
Most people know what a football coach does for a football team. They get the team to win a match, that's the goal of football.
So, as a coach is someone who helps people achieve a goal, a health coach will help you reach your health goals.
I’ve been trained in coaching but also in nutrition, exercise, stress management, mindfulness and sleep hygiene. Some of my clients’ goals have been to:
lose weight
eat healthier
make time for healthy habits
become more assertive
build a regular exercise practice
find a good work-life balance
improve sleep
learn how to manage stress in a healthy way
How can a coach help you?
A good coach won’t do the work for you and just tell you what to do. A good coach will help you find the solutions that work best for you and guide you in the journey of reaching your goal.
A coach isn’t always your best option
Coaches can’t treat illnesses. So, if you have an illness such as diabetes, depression, an eating disorder or post-traumatic stress, it’s probably best to see a doctor, psychologist or psychiatrist first. However, a coach can be a good support in managing your illness through a healthy lifestyle.
Would you like help achieving your health goals?
I’d love to support you on your journey to become healthier and happier. You can ask me any questions you may have at coachkempeneer@gmail.com. Or book a session through the online tool to get started right away.