AdminMost people know they “should” eat well, exercise regularly, get enough sleep and reduce their stress. However, actually implementing these changes consistently is often difficult.
Wellness coaches help clients change their behaviors in ways that support a healthy lifestyle. They do so with a non-judgmental partnership and advocacy. They also educate their clients about the various factors that contribute to a healthy lifestyle.
Qualifications
If you’re thinking of becoming a wellness coach, there are some qualifications you should look for. First, you’ll need to have a solid understanding of health and wellness. This includes nutrition, fitness, and behavioral science. In addition, you should be able to communicate clearly and efficiently with your clients.
A wellness coach is a person who teaches people how to make good choices about food, exercise, and other lifestyle habits. They also help them overcome the obstacles that may stand in their way. Their training program often includes insights from psychological theories concerned with motivation and behavior change.
Some wellness coaches have a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology, counseling or psychology, nutrition, or dietetics. Others pursue a master’s degree to become certified in their specialty area. They also must complete continuing education courses to keep up with the latest research and industry statistics. Additionally, they should have a strong network. This allows them to connect with other professionals who can help them grow their business.
Areas of Expertise
A wellness coach is a guide for a client through their own personal journey of well-being. They help them adopt healthy behaviors and habits, improve their physical health, reduce stress levels, build positive relationships, and cultivate a life of meaning and purpose.
A successful wellness coach is a passionate leader who has energy and enthusiasm for their work. They are able to motivate their clients to take action and inspire them through the tough times. They also help their clients understand the link between different areas of their lives and how they influence their behaviour.
They also support their clients in developing strategies for self-care, and have strong problem-solving skills. They are able to develop and implement long-term plans for their clients. They may be required to travel to meet with their clients, so they must be comfortable travelling and working remotely. Other responsibilities include scheduling sessions, maintaining an active communication line with staff and ensuring facilities meet the needs of their clients.
Certifications
Having a certification can give you an edge over your competition, and will show that prospective clients have confidence in your abilities to help them achieve their goals. You can obtain a certification from a variety of programs. Some offer self-paced training, while others require attendance at a live virtual course.
Other programs, such as the Duke Integrative Health Coach Training program, are a university-level certification that requires a commitment of time and energy. These courses are based on years of medical research and clinical expertise.
Other wellness coaching certifications are available through online programs like the Catalyst Coaching Institute. This program is approved by the NBHWC and offers complimentary pre-exam study sessions to prepare coaches for the national board exam. It also includes weekly synchronous interactions and practice coaching sessions with peer groups. Lastly, the International Association for Worksite Health Promotion has a comprehensive online certificate course that teaches how to develop workplace health and wellness programs.
Salary
There’s no hard-and-fast rule to how much a wellness coach makes. Many coaches work part-time to supplement their existing income while building their coaching practice, and others quit their day jobs entirely to pursue health and wellness coaching full time.
Moreover, how a wellness coach sets their rates is a huge factor in how much they earn. Some wellness coaches choose to offer packages, while others work 1-on-1 with clients for a fixed fee. New wellness coaches often start with lower rates to establish a client base and build momentum.
Life coaches focus broadly on various domains of life like career, relationships, finances, and spirituality while wellness coaches delve into specific habits that influence overall well-being such as sleep, movement, nutrition, stress management, and behavioral change. Some wellness coaches also have additional streams of income by maintaining a monetized blog or selling specialized products. This gives them more flexibility and freedom to make money in the ways they want.