I already know a ton about health and nutrition. Why do I need to get certified as a Health Coach to start a Health Coaching business to help people?  -Rich, Santa Barbara

I totally understand where this question comes from. If you feel like a health expert, you’re probably thinking, “Why pay money for a program when I can just do it myself?” It’s a legitimate question, but there are also legitimate reasons why a Health Coach Training Program is worth the investment. To decide whether it’s the right choice for you, I’d start by asking yourself the questions below. 

Have you started a business by yourself before? 

If the answer is no, you’ll probably have a lot of questions.

Where do you start? How do you register a business? What services should you offer? How do you set up a website? What should you charge? Do you need a business plan? 

Sounds a little daunting doesn’t it? 

If you don’t want to try to figure all this out on your own, then Integrative Nutrition’s program is for you. It teaches you how to do all of the above, plus so much more. It’s difficult to start from scratch, but IIN breaks it down into manageable steps so you can actually accomplish your goals instead of just talking about them. 

What about if you have started a business before? I have three more questions for you: 

Are your clients getting the results they want and you want for them?

Are you making a living off of your business?

Do you feel like you’re working all of the time?

If you answered no to any of these questions, then you need Integrative Nutrition. Sometimes you know a ton about health, but you don’t actually know how to coach someone to help them achieve their goals. This can be frustrating for both of you. When we know so much, it can be difficult to convey it all to someone who is just starting their health journey without leaving them feeling bombarded and overwhelmed. 

IIN teaches you not only nutrition knowledge but also coaching skills to really break down barriers and help clients get to the root of their issues and become happier and healthier than ever. You’ll learn a specific 6-month program with clear guidelines on how to provide your clients with the right amount of information each session to help them see major change without completely overwhelming them. 

If you’re not making a living off of your business, wouldn’t it be nice to? Do you give out a ton of free advice because you don’t really know how to say no and you really do want to help?  Remember as a Health Coach, part of your job is taking care of yourself, and you need to have money to do that. Integrative Nutrition teaches you how to ask for the rates you are worth, and that begets the type of work you are doing with your client. Once you understand the true monetary value of your work, you can work fewer hours, make more money, and attract the right people to work with you—those motivated in making an investment in their health. 

IIN also teaches you how to capitalize on online programs, which specialties Health Coaches have had success with in the past, and how to present yourself to maximize chances of closing the deal. What does this mean? Multiple revenue sources, doing the kind of work you love. 

Everyone who goes through our program is passionate about health and wellness either for their own benefit or to help others. Knowing more than the average person is what attracts people to IIN. Those that enroll want to take that knowledge to a whole new level, become an expert in the field, and have the rocking business they know they deserve.  

Do you have a question for Health Coach Shannon? Send it to healthcoachshannon@integrativenutrition.com, or Tweet it to us @nutritionschool with the hashtag #healthcoachshannon

Shannon Brennan-Cressey is a graduate of Integrative Nutrition’s 2008 Health coaching class and NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. She has worked in wellness centers, with private clients, and coached other prospective Health Coaches as a member of the admissions team at Integrative Nutrition. Shannon supports woman is finding better balance in their lives and in finding peace with food. She also runs a health and wellness blog where you can find her posting about things like green wedding planning, body image issues, self-empowerment, and healthy delicious recipes.