Health coaches can often be mistaken for nutritionists or fitness instructors.
We spoke with experts in the field for insights on starting a fulfilling career in health coaching.
What is a health coach?
Health and well-being coaches empower clients to improve their healthbe it by eating healthier or getting more sleep.
Health coaching hasproven effective in clinical trials1.
Unlike doctors, health coaches do not prescribe medication, make diagnoses, or interpret lab results.
Instead, they offer support, motivation, and positive psychology to help clients make behavioral change.
Health coaches canbe employed in a number of different settingsfrom hospitals to functional medicine practices to universities.
Some health coaches also opt to open their own coaching businesses.
Summary
How do you train to be a health coach?
The first step tobecoming a health coachis to go through ahealth coaching program.
These programs are generally offered through nutritional schools or other health and wellness organizations.
Health Coaching Certification
A best-in-class, board certified curriculum grounded in a holistic approach to healing.
set you up to take the NBHWC board exam and become a certified health coach.
Not all practicing health coaches are certified.
However, the NBHWC certification enhances a coach’s credibility and sets them up to take on more clients.
To become NBHWC certified, health coaches must pass a rigorous final examination following their training program.
Health coaches are qualified for a variety ofdifferent types of jobs.
There are also many remote jobs for health coaches, through digital coaching platforms likeNoomorOptavia.
How much money do health coaches make?
Health coach salariesvary depending on location, certification and qualifications, and level of experience.
The most lucrative U.S. cities for health coaching include San Francisco, New York, and Boston, perSalary.comdata.
RDs can prescribe dietary interventions and recommend supplements, while health coaches cannot.
Though food does play a role, health coaches also consider lifestyle factors, such as movement andstress management.
Another distinction is that RDs can prescribe dietary interventions and recommend supplements.
Health coaches don’t prescribe medication, diagnose patients, or interpret lab results.
What makes a good health coach?
Good health coaches keep the individual needs of a client in mind.
They also never stop learning.
Consider which aspects of the job appeal to you and which don’t.
Write down your responses, and weigh the various pros and cons.
Reaching out to other health coaches and gaining insight into their day-to-day responsibilities could also be helpful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do health coaches work?
Can you make good money as a health coach?
Certified health coaches can expect to make $62,000 to $102,000+ a year depending on their experience.
Is becoming a certified health coach worth it?
Is it hard to get clients as a health coach?
What is the average age of a health coach?
The average age of a health coach is 42 years old, according toZippia data.
Health coaching is also a popular post-retirement career, and it can be great for remote workers too.
Ready to take the leap?
Here are the year’sbest health coaching programsfor receiving your training.
