What does a Health Coach do?
You may wonder “So, what exactly is a Health Coach and what do they do?” I hope that after reading this, you will know more about this fairly new profession in the UK.
Health Coaching is all about achieving your health and wellbeing goals.
A health coach is a trained professional who supports individuals in achieving their health and wellness goals by focusing on behaviour and lifestyle changes. Rather than simply prescribing solutions, a health coach works collaboratively with clients to create personalised strategies that fit their unique needs, values, and circumstances.
Health coaches are key figures in connecting medical advice with practical, day-to-day health habits. They help uncover what truly drives you and empower you to live your healthiest and happiest life. Health coaching isn’t just for people with health issues. It’s for anyone who wants to improve their quality of life. Whether you’re looking to boost your energy, sleep better, or simply feel happier and more balanced, a health coach can help you get there.
To give you concrete examples, here are some of the reasons the people I have worked with needed help and support: feeling tired most of the time, having energy dips in the afternoon, losing some weight (please read the note about weight loss at the end of the article), digestive issues, or improving their overall health in order to be fit and healthy in the years to come.
These are all very common “issues” but it doesn’t mean that there is nothing to do about it, which is something I often hear, especially from busy women (and I don’t blame them, life is indeed busy and a juggling act). Working with a Health Coach means you will explore underlying causes for your personal issues, by closely examining your dietary and lifestyle habits, as well as fitness and stress levels, and the quality of your sleep.
Your Health Coach will then create a plan that is specific to you and your goals, with simple and achievable actions. For example, they will help you incorporate more movement into your day, in a way that works for you and your schedule. They can also help you explore your relationship with food, understand what your body needs to feel truly satisfied and nourished, instead of wondering what you should put on your plate every day. During follow-up sessions, you review what worked, what didn’t and why, and your coaching plan can be adapted.
Health coaching stands out because it’s all about you—your individual goals, challenges, and way of life. By moving away from one-size-fits-all advice, this tailored approach helps you stay committed to your changes, leading to sustainable, long-term results.
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A note on weight loss: Health Coaching doesn’t (or shouldn’t) promote diets as a way to lose weight. Countless studies have now proven that diets don’t work in the long term, and this is not because people lack willpower, it has to do both with your body and how it is protecting you (I am hugely summarising things; if you are interested in knowing more, I recommend reading Anti-Diet by Christy Harrison, and Why We Eat by Dr Andrew Jenkinson) and the foods we are surrounded with (think UPF – ultra-processed foods, but that is an article for another time).
The way Health Coaching works in terms of weight loss is to help you establish and maintain a healthy and balanced diet among other things (stress management and movement are also key factors). Focusing on long-term lifestyle changes rather than quick fixes is the best approach to sustainable weight loss.
