What does a health coach do?
Hiring a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) can be a game-changer if you're serious about lasting, meaningful changes to your health and lifestyle. A National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach is your change partner—an expert in evidence-based theories of behavior change; they help you stop starting over… and, finally, make changes stick.
An NBC-HWC takes a holistic approach to health. The Wellness Wheel to the right, created by The University of New Hampshire, is a complete view of all of the aspects of Wellness and Health that support you on your Health and Wellness journey and that you may focus on in partnership with your Health Coach.
Contrary to what many think, Health and Wellness Coaches go beyond thinking about nutrition and exercise and instead discuss all areas that may impact your health, including spiritual, emotional, environmental, social, physical, financial, occupational, and intellectual. As stated in the diagram to the right, Well-being goes beyond the physical.
Here’s why it’s worth it:
🔹 1. Proven Expertise & Training
NBC-HWCs are certified by the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) in collaboration with the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). That means they’ve:
Completed rigorous, science-based training
Passed a comprehensive national exam
Demonstrated mastery in behavior change theory, motivational interviewing, and lifestyle medicine
They’re not just giving advice—they’re trained to help you transform.
🔹 2. They Help You Turn Knowledge Into Action
Most people know what they “should” be doing—eat better, move more, sleep well, reduce stress. A health coach helps you:
Clarify what actually matters to you
Break big goals into doable steps
Stay consistent even when life gets chaotic
🔹 3. Personalized Support Without Judgment
You’ll get:
Accountability without pressure
Empathy without enabling
A trusted guide who listens deeply and helps you overcome obstacles, including emotional and behavioral barriers to change
🔹 4. They Fill the Gaps in Healthcare
Doctors are often overbooked and focused on diagnosing/treating disease. Health coaches:
Spend more time with you
Focus on preventive care and healthspan
Collaborate with your healthcare team to support goals like reversing prediabetes, managing stress, improving sleep, or navigating chronic illness
🔹 5. It’s All About You—Not Just a Program
No cookie-cutter plans here. Whether you’re an athlete optimizing performance or someone recovering from burnout, they tailor everything to fit your life, personality, and values.
Want personalized support to find your WHY and make meaningful change?
Let’s work together to uncover what’s holding you back—and create a plan that helps you thrive.
