Health Coaches are shaping the future of nutrition and health care...and Integrative Nutrition graduates are leading the pack!

In our current healthcare system, almost no time is spent discussing daily diet and lifestyle choices. Yet our world is in the midst of a massive shift – people are beginning to understand the importance of living a healthful lifestyle.

These days, the media is paying more attention to Health Coaches than ever before and it's no wonder –people are dissatisfied with our current health care system and are in desperate need of nutrition education and high quality preventative care to find their way back to health.

Just recently, four of our graduates were featured in the March 2011 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine!

If you are curious about what a Health Coach is and how to become one, you’ve come to the right place.

So, what is a Health Coach?

A Health Coach is a wellness authority and supportive mentor. Health Coaches educate and support clients to define and achieve their health and wellness goals through lifestyle and behavior adjustments. Clients learn to develop a deeper understanding of the food and lifestyle choices that work best for them, and implement lasting changes that improve their energy, balance and health.

What are some attributes of a successful Health Coach?

A Health Coach has good listening skills, a compassionate and patient demeanor and has the genuine desire to work with and help others. Many people who are already giving advice on health and wellness often find health coaching a seamless career transition to getting paid for something they already do naturally. Often Health Coaches maintain a healthy lifestyle themselves with regular exercise, eating and cooking whole, nourishing foods and having a balanced life overall.

What is the demand like for Health Coaches?

The demand for well-trained Health Coaches increases every day. The health and wellness industry is rapidly expanding as the need for preventative health care grows. Not only is health coaching widely needed, it is now an expanding career opportunity. Over the past few years, numerous health insurance companies have begun to employ Health Coaches to work with the people they insure. This is a win-win situation, as the insured stay healthier and Health Coaches are seeing an incredible demand for their services. Supporting and educating people in ways to improve their health and happiness can be an incredibly fulfilling and lucrative career.

Where do health coaches work?

Many Health Coaches have private practices, but others work in different settings such as hospitals, wellness centers and gyms, or have started their own health coaching business. The flexibility and independence of being a Health Coach is often one of the many exciting reasons to create a career as a Health Coach. Earning potential for Health Coaches can be significant, and if you work to become an effective Health Coach and develop a steady practice, it is possible to make up to $200 per hour with each client. Your personal income as a Health Coach totally depends on the kind of services you offer, your niche client market and how much time you plan to work with clients.

How do I become trained as a Health Coach?

An important part of becoming a Health Coach is finding a quality program that offers solid Health Coach training, support and certification. As you begin looking for a Health Coach Training Program, be sure to choose one that offers training in health topics, counseling skills, and business development. If becoming a Health Coach interests you, reading this is a great start.

The next step would be to see if you are a good fit for becoming a Health Coach and find a program that works for you. Integrative Nutrition offers a flexible online Health Coach Training Program that makes it affordable and realistic for people who have other things going on in their lives. Becoming a Health Coach can be a great career that fulfills you and helps others all at the same time!