What a Health & Lifestyle Coach Really Does—And How It’s Different from a Doctor or Therapist
What a Health & Lifestyle Coach Is (and Is Not)
I always had a passion for health and wellness. I would spend most of my free time reading up on trends, and devouring podcasts on healthy living. This “obsession” helped me on my own health journey. I knew I could apply this knowledge to help others lead a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Yet, coaching is not about what I know. It is about what you know about yourself and helping you realize your strengths as you become a better version of yourself.
Most clients initially come to me with the expectation that I am going to teach them something - how to make a meal plan or set up an exercise routine. However, research has shown that sustainable health outcomes are not attained when someone is told how to live a healthier life.
Whether you could verbalize it today or not, you have the capacity and know how to make change happen. I am here to help you uncover those traits and unlock your inner motivation.
I’m not here to diagnose, prescribe, or treat disease.
I partner with you to explore your goals, challenges, and what you want from your health and life.
Why not just work on your health goals with your doctor?
How much time do you have with your doctor during a visit? 20 minutes (at best)? Does it often feel you are rushing through your symptoms and your concerns?
Doctors are essential for diagnosing and treating medical issues—but they often don’t have time or training to support behavior change.
For example, a doctor may tell you to reduce sugar for diabetes. I help you create a plan, understand cravings, and stick with it in real life.
I support you between appointments—where real life happens.
Is coaching like therapy?
As a licensed social worker, I am experienced in providing a safe, collaborative space for my clients, as well as exploring and facilitating discussion around emotional wellbeing. Emotional health is part of your overall health and is imperative to be aware of as you are reaching for your goals. I hold space for overwhelm, burnout and belief systems.
However, when you meet with me, I’m not working with you as a therapist. While therapy often focuses on looking back and processing the past, coaching is about looking forward—creating practical strategies and building the future you want.
In a coaching session, we will be focused on action, not treating trauma or exploring the past. We will work on building new habits, thoughts, and routines to move you toward your future.
If you are in therapy, I can collaborate with your mental health professional to help support you on your journey.
Coaching doesn’t replace your doctor or therapist—it complements them.
What’s it like to work with a coach? (Me in particular)
So, hopefully now you have more clarity on what sets coaching apart. But what does it look like exactly?
We will meet weekly (virtual or in person, location dependent) for 50 minutes. We will explore what is happening in your life. You bring what is most important to you - I bring structure, strategy and accountability.
Examples what my clients have wanted to work on:
Energy & sleep
Blood sugar & food habits
Setting boundaries
Movement and exercise
Creating routines that fit their life
For anyone, it’s simply not realistic—or sustainable—to tackle every health goal at once. Motivation is often at its highest when you first start, but it naturally fades over time. That’s why so many of us end up stuck in the cycle of yo-yo dieting or abandon our New Year’s resolutions by February.
This is where the magic of coaching comes in. By setting small, meaningful goals and building on them week by week, you don’t just maintain momentum—you grow it. Even better, you’re creating habits that fit seamlessly into your daily life, which is exactly what leads to lasting results and real transformation.
Who is coaching for?
Coaching is for those out there who feel they have tried it all, or maybe they feel stuck, overwhelmed or unsupported. If you feel like something’s missing between diagnosis and lasting change, that’s where I come in.
Curious what it would be like to work together? Let’s chat! Schedule a free coaching call here!
