The future of Health Coaching

Last week I attended and spoke at a conference of 300 health coaches and from the stage, I could see the future of health and well being in Australia.

I was a presenter at the second annual Australian conference for students and graduates of the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, and surrounded by people of various ages and backgrounds with one thing in common: they are all dedicated to helping and supporting others to better health and wellbeing.

Heath coaches have come a long way since I was the pioneer as the first IIN HC in Australia six years ago and the movement is giving rise to some amazing personalities helping spread the wellness word in their own style and way.

Charlotte Carr is having a massive impact bravely sharing her story of her son’s experience with extreme sensory processing issues and travelling Australia spreading the message of healing traditional foods for babies, toddlers and children. Lee Holmesis doing all sorts of wonderful helping people heal their gut and is just publishing her 5th Supercharged book. Sheridan Buchanan is making the world easier for her 40K mum followers of Sugar Free Mum. Lizzy Williamson, one of the happiest people I’ve met, teaching mums how to get their body back through fun exercise.The bubblyMerrymaker Sisters are taking flight with their recipes and their enthusiasm for life! On a more celebrity note, chef Pete Evans is leading a paleo shift and Sarah Wilson’s I Quit Sugar message has gone global.

Then there are those who I most admire: health coaches working at a grass roots level, steadily helping people change their lives one step at a time.

People like:

• Kris Barrett – Besides being a Nutrition and Health Coach for families who have children with autism, ADHD, learning difficulties and behavioural challenges, Kris has authored a book about her personal autism recovery with her son No Cows Today. Told with honesty and hope, it is a love story of the best kind. Kris has courage beyond measure and is an inspiration to many, many families (and me!) – more than she will ever know.

 

• Brenda Janschek – Brenda is like my partner in ‘healthy’ crime. We live in neighbouring suburbs and have a similar approach to wellness as we are both deeply passionate about families. Brenda’s Breakthrough! E course is the ultimate guide to losing stubborn weight. Not only is Brenda a dear friend, but a fellow crusader in ‘crime’.

 

• Kate Barnes – Kate’s down to earth approach coupled with her strong background in microbiology make her a perfect health coach. I love talking to Kate as her low key demeanour reminds me of what I love about health coaching. Kate is an impact player and I know her clients are immensely grateful for her commitment and enthusiasm.

 

• Stacey Clare, a Healthy Mum is a real live living role model as she shares her journey of living healthfully as the mother of young children. Wonderfully inspiring to young mums with her easy recipes that are bursting with goodness. Stacey is so relatable to the new mum, she makes the an excellent health coach.

I believe these are the people who are the missing link in the health and wellness sector.

Health coaches who can meet people where they are, and help people actually make the changes they need, rather than just tell them what to do.

The health and wellness sector is expanding, to be more holistic and beyond a doctor’s surgery or chemist counter.

Now, I see mothers in my inner circle combining conventional medicine with a personal support team of holistic wellness practitioners like acupuncturists, kinesiologists, and naturopaths. This would have been inconceivable decades ago. Combined with an awareness around mindfulness that is brewing, and you can feel the tide changing.

People are taking more responsibility for their own well-being and making efforts to understand the plethora of information on nutrition out there. It is becoming more and more mainstream to see kale, quinoa and almond milk grace the menus of our most popular cafes.

Just as hiring a personal trainer is now widespread for those who need motivation and support for fitness, health coaches will fill that role for those who need support to make changes to their diet, mindset and overall lifestyle, and to stick with them.

Finding information is now easy. The missing link is the support to implement this knowledge. Health professionals send patients and clients home with a list of changes and wonder why they can’t do them.

That’s where health coaches will, and do, fill that void.

Because awareness and knowledge aren’t always enough. In my practice, I see parents who need a PLAN and SUPPORT for their family, so that they can make the changes they know need to happen.Support and ideas to implement changes in the real world, in real situations, like:

What to pack for school lunch that won’t end up in the bin?
What to make for dinner that will have my child going back for seconds (of veggies)?
What foods will make my child thrive, what should we eat more or less of?
What’s the deal with Paleo? Are grains and dairy really to be avoided?

This individual help is what families, and individuals looking for change, need.

As a health coach, I go into intense detail with my clients to design a sustainable plan that suits their individual circumstances.  I’m with them for several months to help them make changes that become new habits.

Is this easy? Nope. Rewarding and worthwhile? Heck ya!

I feel hopeful for our future.  I’m genuinely excited to be a pioneer of this movement in Australia, and grateful to be a part of amazing group of talented, passionate change makers facilitating healthy living in our world. I’d love to hear what you think, Do you feel the changing of the tide in your pocket of the world? 

Best wishes,
Marla