Should You Become A Health Coach? 5 Things To Consider
If you're wondering whether you should become a Health Coach, here are five things to consider. This will help you decide whether you should (or shouldn't) become a health coach.
Reasons You Should Become a Health Coach
You Enjoy Helping People
The gift of good health - of living a pain-free and happy existence - is the best gift you could possibly give someone. When we feel better, our entire life becomes better. Personally, I became a Health Coach because I was outraged that no one ever told me that my acne, digestive issues, chronic illnesses, and weight issues were directly related to what I was eating. No doctor, dermatologist, or nurse ever brought up nutrition.
I thought I was eating healthy with my low fat cheese and whole grain cereal. So many people think they eat healthy, but can't understand why they can't lose weight or are struggling with various chronic conditions. The definition for "eating healthy" is slightly different for all of us, and no one is teaching us how to figure it out.
We don't learn it in school. We don't learn it from our doctor. And our parents are usually just as clueless as us. Health coaches are sorely needed to educate the public about healthy eating.
You Want to Improve The Health Of Yourself or Your Family
Even if I never coached or worked a day as a Health Coach, I would still be grateful for my time spent training and getting a health coach certification. I learned, grew, and improved my own health as a result. The Institute for Integrative Nutrition introduced me to new concepts - from Ayurveda to food politics, and to new teachers, from Harvard's Walter Willett to motivational and meditation guru Gabrielle Bernstein.
You Want to Create a Wellness Business - Not Necessarily Coaching
Integrative Nutrition grads, myself included, go on to do many things beyond, or even instead of one-on-one health coaching.
They start healthy food companies such as Sakara Life Organic Meal Delivery, Purely Elizabeth granola, and Love Grace juice.
They open healthy restaurants, such as Green Bar & Kitchen in Florida or Organic Avenue in New York.
They write books, such as my Real Food Grocery Guide, The Idiot's Guide to Ayurveda, or Mama Glow.
They write cookbooks such as Clean Food Dirty City.
They host retreats all around the world.
They run corporate wellness programs for huge companies.
The list goes on. Once you decide to become a health coach, the possibilities are endless. It really lights a fire under your ass to start something that makes a meaningful difference.
Reasons You Shouldn't Become a Health Coach
You Expect to Make Tons of Money Right Off The Bat
I did the 1 year Integrative Nutrition Health Coaching Certification program while I was working full time (at the school, in fact). While the program is a year in length to make sure you are well rounded in nutrition, coaching, and running a business, you can start coaching clients after 6 months. I got my first two clients in my 9th month of the program, and I continued to be a health coach part time while still working full time.
Most people work, so they wanted night and weekend appointments anyway, so it worked out well. I had steady income from my full time job while I built a solid foundation of clients and an online presence. While I was able to cover the cost of the tuition within 6 months of graduating, it took me about 2 years to make an amount of money I would consider a "full-time" health coach salary.
Now, I do make a full-time salary doing what I love, but I put in ALOT of effort, work, sweat, and tears to get to this point. In the beginning I worked 7 days and nights a week.
You Expect It to Be Easy
You can be the best Health Coach in the world, but if no one knows you exist, you'll be out of business fast. In addition to being a wellness wiz, if you want to have a successful health coaching business, you’ll also have to learn about marketing.
There are a number of ways to find clients (or better yet, have clients find you):
word of mouth referrals from friends, trainers, or doctors
working in a doctor or holistic practitioners office a couple days a week
public speaking events or workshops
online through your website
online through your social media
You must actively market yourself - no matter what business you're in - in order to find clients. Entrepreneurship isn't for everyone. There are a number of functional medicine doctors and wellness centers that are now hiring health coaches. But, they are often part time, and the earning potential is limited (although it's an excellent start!) It's a good idea to link up with different doctors, chiropractors, or fitness studios in your area for referrals.
If you want to learn how to market yourself authentically as a health coach without feeling like a used car salesman, and help clients find YOU (instead of you finding them) check out my Health Coach Business Bootcamp.
