HEALTH COACH: WHAT THEY DO AND WHY I CHOSE TO BECOME ONE

Many people ask me what I mean when I say I'm studying to become a Health Coach — a professional figure that is slowly beginning to emerge in the world of health and wellness.

So, what will I do, how will I be different, and most importantly, how will I not replace the role of a medical doctor?

A Health Coach supports individuals in achieving their health, wellness, and lifestyle goals.

You could think of this role as a guide — a motivational figure who works closely with clients to help them improve their overall well-being through sustainable and positive changes.

The approach focuses on improving general wellness and takes into account the whole person, considering aspects such as nutrition, physical activity, stress management, sleep, and daily habits.

A Health Coach can be helpful for those who want to:

• Improve their nutrition

• Lose weight or manage their weight in a healthy way

• Develop a consistent exercise routine

• Manage stress and improve sleep quality

• Foster a better work-life balance

The process is based on collaboration between coach and client. The goal is to build a relationship of trust, based on listening to the client’s needs, concerns, and objectives, and to create a personalized action plan. This includes ongoing support, motivation, and feedback to facilitate change.

Coaching focuses on strengthening self-efficacy and accountability, helping the client make informed decisions that lead to lasting results.

A Health Coach encourages healthy behaviors and helps individuals make conscious, informed choices.This encouragement NEVER involves prescribing diets, meal plans, or medications, nor does it include diagnosing or treating medical conditions. A good Health Coach knows when it’s time to refer the client to a doctor or other healthcare professional if symptoms appear that may be related to a medical issue.

Let’s look at a concrete example:If a dietitian or nutritionist is responsible for creating a diet plan for a patient, the Health Coach can work with that same patient by supporting them throughout the journey. The goal is to motivate and encourage the person to reach their goals by making the most of their own resources and potential.

More specifically, in terms of training, a Health Coach is typically educated in areas such as basic nutrition, stress management, physical activity, and interpersonal communication. The curriculum can vary depending on the training program, but generally includes:

• Basic knowledge of balanced diets and healthy approaches to improve nutrition

• Techniques to motivate and support behavior change

• Guidelines for integrating appropriate physical activity

• Strategies to manage stress, improve sleep, and support mental well-being

• Skills to help clients set realistic goals and achieve them effectively

In short, a coach can truly make a difference in helping clients maintain motivation and discipline over the long term, and above all, is someone who gently takes your hand and guides you on a journey toward deep self-care.

I chose to start studying to become a Health Coach primarily to deepen my knowledge of health, wellness, and nutrition.My passion for sports and for a healthy, balanced lifestyle has shown me, day by day, how essential well-being has become for me — and how much it supports my mental, emotional, and physical state.I would be happy to help anyone who wants to achieve this same overall sense of well-being.

I began this journey by first becoming my own client, and I hope that in the near future I’ll be able to guide many others who are ready to bring lasting, meaningful changes into their lives.