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Natural Awakenings Atlanta

Why Hire a Health and Wellness Coach If I’m Healthy?

Sep 01, 2024 06:00AM ● By Hope Knosher

Seeking the services of a health and wellness coach can be a transformative and enriching experience, regardless of the status of one’s health. Many people can benefit from the accountability, extra motivation and support for their health goals that wellness coaches provide. In fact, sometimes a health coach provides the missing piece to the client’s optimal health and wellness journey.

Ideally, the medical field would incorporate more holistic skills, more time to support people in making healthy personal choices and more understanding of what motivates someone to change than what it currently provides. That’s where a health coach comes in—to fill in these missing pieces and guide clients through successful change.

A health and wellness coach works with clients to find out what motivates them and identifies the factors that will be most effective to help them maintain their health and wellness. They also help them develop techniques that can support them in changing their lifestyles and then harness that knowledge to help improve their physical health and well-being further.

John, a client of mine, was seeking a health coach to help him counter his family’s long-term generational battle with cancer. Even though he was healthy overall, his family history of colorectal cancer worried him, and he wanted to do what he could to prevent ending up with the diagnosis himself.

I guided John to explore his “intrinsic thinking,” which is a way of thinking that values uniqueness and individuality. He told me he wanted to be around for his family and kids, be healthy and live life unencumbered with health issues. He scored high on tests that rated his likelihood of following through with changes to achieve his goals. He was, in essence, ready for change.

While I worked with him, John began to adopt and maintain several healthy habits known to reduce risk factors for colorectal cancer. I provided educational resources and information on colorectal cancer prevention and worked with him, supporting him in adopting positive changes.

John and I discussed the importance of regular medical check-ups and screenings, explored the role of diet in cancer prevention and devised a plan of action. With support and education, John was able to adopt a high-fiber diet, which can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. He began incorporating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes into his meals, and after learning that alcohol can increase the risk of colorectal cancer, he began limiting his alcohol intake.

John was encouraged to incorporate more physical activity into his daily routine, such as walking or cycling to work and taking regular breaks to move around. We devised an exercise program that included aerobic exercises, strength training and a flexibility workout.

John was in a high-pressure career. Since chronic stress can negatively impact overall health and immune function, I introduced him to mindfulness and relaxation techniques, such as meditation and yoga, to help manage stress. We also discussed addressing work-life balance to reduce stress and improve his overall well-being.

John began to involve family members in his healthy lifestyle changes, creating a supportive environment for everyone.

Throughout the process, we set SMART goals—specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-sensitive—and scheduled regular check-ins to gauge progress, celebrate wins and re-examine as needed to keep him on track.  

John’s motivation was strong, and even though he struggled to adapt to certain changes at times, with a coach’s support, guidance and help, he persevered and gained a sense of control over his well-being that he had not previously enjoyed.

He felt more empowered and proactive in managing his health, knowing that he was taking concrete steps to counter his family’s generational battle with the disease.

John’s story highlights the significant impact a health coach can have in helping individuals take steps to prevent potential future health issues and mitigate risk factors for diseases, even when they are currently healthy.

Health coaches provide personalized guidance and support. They help individuals make targeted changes that significantly improve their quality of life, even when they are already in good health. With their expertise and guidance, one can embark on a journey towards optimal health.

Putting It Into Practice

Here’s how some people who consider themselves “healthy” might take steps to improve their mental and physical well-being with a health and wellness coach.

Optimizing Health and Performance

A freelance graphic designer, Alex works with a health and wellness coach to increase his daily energy and productivity. With his coach’s help, he personalized his nutrition, physical activity and lifestyle plans to optimize his physical and mental well-being, which resulted in more energy and better productivity.

Behavioral Change Support

Emily is a healthy young woman who wants to improve her diet to have more energy and to support her long-term health. She sought out a health coach because they specialize in helping clients make enduring behavioral changes. Her coach helps her focus on integrating healthy habits into her daily routines, ensuring the changes she makes are sustainable and long-lasting. She also receives check-ins and ongoing support from her coach to help her maintain her motivation and accountability.

Better Work-Life Balance

Mark is a busy executive who feels overwhelmed by work stress and wants to improve his work-life balance. His health coach assists him with his meal planning and finding and creating time-effective exercise routines. The coach helps him optimize his daily habits to support a lifestyle that’s balanced and that prioritizes personal and professional well-being.

Support During Transitions

Lisa wants to feel her best for her upcoming wedding, and weddings, like other significant life changes, can affect one’s well-being. Her health coach gives Lisa vital support and guidance during such a transitional time and helps her manage the challenges that come with it.

Personal Development

James is a young professional who feels mentally fatigued and wants to improve his mental clarity and resilience. His health and wellness coach is helping him integrate mindfulness techniques, meditation and other mental health practices into his routines and is helping him develop a positive mindset to cope with life’s stresses and challenges. Through the process of exploring his values, strengths and areas for growth with his coach, James is increasing his self-awareness and enjoying the results of his own personal development.

Health coaches can be crucial to build proactive health management and reduce health risks. They can fill the healthcare gap and be pivotal in helping people enhance and maintain their well-being now and in the future. ❧


Based in Atlanta, Hope Knosher is the founder of Healthy Living with Hope, offering health coaching, yoga classes and retreats. She is a national board-certified health and wellness coach, a certified yoga therapist and a certified E-RYT 500 yoga teacher. Contact her at 770-789-7782. 

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