You’ve set up your business website, and you’re spreading your brand message using social media, but have you considered how the terminology you use to describe your profession may impact your health coaching business and the type of clients you’re likely to attract?
The term health coach has a very broad meaning. It provides insight into your services as an advisor to sustainable health and lifestyle change. However, it doesn’t inform potential clients on what’s at the core of your business.
Here we’ll explore some of the different terms used to describe health coaches, so you can decide which title is the best fit for you and your business brand.
1. What Is a Health Coach?
A Health Coach advises and guides their clients to achieve sustainable health and lifestyle change.
The relationship between a health coach and their client is different to that of a GP, nurse, or dietitian. Rather then “having all the answers,” a health coach arms their clients with the tools they need to make sustainable lifestyle adjustments.
They help their clients set goals and implement strategies to help them strive towards a healthier way of life, which may include seeking further guidance from accredited professionals, such as a GP, a counselor, or a personal trainer, so they can live the healthiest, happiest life possible.
2. What Is a Holistic Health Coach?
A holistic approach looks to address the underlying causes of poor health by working with clients to build healthier lifestyle habits.
At the very heart of holistic health is the philosophy that our mind and body are not separate entities, but are part of a continuum. In other words, how we feel, in terms of our stress and anxiety can influence our health and bodily functions.
By describing yourself as a holistic health coach, you will raise awareness that your coaching style takes into account your clients’ entire life rather then purely focusing on nutrition or exercise, and for many people this holistic approach may feel more sustainable in the long term.
3. What Is a Wellness Health Coach?
Wellness is a dynamic concept, and does not necessarily require a health goal, such as losing weight, or improving gut health.
A wellness health coach works with clients to achieve balance with all aspects of their lives including physical, social, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, environmental, and occupational well-being.
Describing yourself as a wellness health coach will give your clients an indication that they don’t have to have a specific health problem in need of correction to seek out your services.
4. What Is a Primal/Paleo Health Coach?
The title paleo health coach or primal health coach immediately defines you as someone that coaches using the principles of evolutionary biology and ancestral health.
To set yourself apart from other paleo health coaches, consider becoming a Primal Health Coach. This title can only be used by graduates of the Primal Health Coach program. Primal Health Coaches are highly-trained and qualified individuals who have undergone extensive studies and examination. As such, the name “Primal Health Coach” carries special cachet and prestige.
People already familiar with the Primal Blueprint principles and/or Mark’s Daily Apple may specifically seek out your services if you choose to use the title primal health coach, as they are already aware of your approach to health and wellness.
Here’s a quick summary of the different health coaching descriptions:
1. Health coach – works with clients to achieve health goals through sustainable lifestyle change.
2. Holistic health coach – takes into account both mind and body to bring about health change in clients.
3. Wellness health coach – works with clients to achieve a balanced lifestyle, and isn’t necessarily goal-orientated.
4. Primal/Paleo health coach – uses ancestral health concepts to help clients achieve their health goals.
How you present yourself and your health coaching business can make a substantial difference to the type of clients you will attract.
When deciding on a professional title, you must consider your credentials, where your passion lies, and ultimately the type of client you would like to work with.
As you can see from these examples, subtle changes in your professional title can make a huge difference to how your business is perceived to the rest of the world.
It’s up to you to decide which title fits you and your health coaching business.
