Wondering what it’s really like to work as a health coach? The ups, the downs, the successes, the disappointments, the wish-I-knew-then-what-I-know-now situations…
Whether you’re newly certified, a seasoned pro, or on the fence about enrolling in a program like the Primal Health Coach Institute, read on, because today I’m taking you behind the scenes with six women and men making names for themselves in the health and wellness industry.
From Primal Health Coaches to Holistic Healing Experts, I’ll be sharing their most memorable moments, plus advice they have for health coaches just starting out.
Laura Leike-Speed | Primal Health Coach & Certified Holistic Health Coach
Years in practice: 3
What’s been your greatest moment so far?
“When my clients trust me enough to work on the mental, emotional and spiritual side of things. The light goes on and they are willing to put those goals ahead of nutrition and exercise. I literally get giddy.”
How about your most disappointing one?
“The day I realized that not everyone wants my help. Especially the ones closest to me. I thought that I had all the answers to their problems, but they didn’t want or need my help, and that’s okay! I learned to not take it personally.”
What’s one piece of advice you want to share?
“Show up without worrying if you have enough knowledge. Building a relationship with clients is far more valuable than just talking at them with all that information. People usually want to feel like they’re not alone in their struggles, so it has always been my goal to be transparent with my struggles without being unprofessional.”
Courtney Klop | Self-Care Guide & Educator, CPT, RYT, NTP
Years in practice: Over 7
What’s been your biggest success so far?
“Utilizing the power of collaborating on Instagram to build community, which has led to establishing international clients and friendships. It’s left me with a deep sense of awe and gratitude over the true, deep human connection we can create in the vast expansiveness of the internet.”
How about your biggest let down?
“After spending months putting together my first online course, my grandmother was the only person to sign up!! However, it was also my greatest learning lesson and I have zero regrets whatsoever. Cheers to always moving forward!”
What’s one piece of advice you want to share?
“You’re going to fail—but think of it as learning to fly. Once you’ve learned to fly, you can no longer fall. Also, get clear about your core values, both in your business and your personal life. Keep them close to heart and allow them to guide you through what you say yes to and what you pass on. Most of all, make sure you’re enjoying yourself!”
Joy Gawor | Primal Health Coach & Licensed Therapist, LCT-C, CCC, RHC
Years in practice: Less than 1
What are you most proud of so far?
“Being able to actually leave teaching high school math and science (something I’ve done for 18 years) and open my own practice, which involves a unique approach in combining health coaching and counseling in some cases.”
Any disappointments?
“In terms of my practice, I honestly cannot think of anything. I am very grateful for my practice and the clients I work with.”
What’s one piece of advice you want to share?
“If fear is keeping you from starting your own business, take a deep breath, focus inward, tune in to your body, and identify the emotion—fear in this case. Determine where the fear is coming from, process it, then take the first step that feels right to you toward starting your business!”
Chris Prior | Primal Health Coach
Years in practice: 501 days (but who’s counting?)
What’s been your favorite moment so far?
“Too many to name, but one recent one sticks out. A former client texted me, down 45 pounds since we started, completely reversed his diabetes, and called me “a saver of lives.” There’s nothing more rewarding and humbling than something like that!”
How about your least favorite one?
“I had a client cuss me out in an email. He was completely irritated that he hadn’t lost more weight in the first 2 months. He apologized 3 hours later, but it rattled me a little. Great learning experience for me to not take any client frustrations personally. Although, by the end of our coaching relationship, he’d lost a ton of weight and inches off his belt size, and became one of my biggest success stories!”
What’s one piece of advice you want to share?
“I think a lot of us have this idea that as soon as we hit the “publish” button on our website or send out a social media post, our phones will start ringing off the hook. There seems to be a few overnight successes, but this is not the norm! Stick with it. Be consistent. Show up regularly. Work at it with everything inside of you. Do it for the long haul and I promise clients will slowly begin to trust and reach out to you.”
Rachel Barber | Health Coach & Holistic Healing Expert
Years in practice: About 1.5
What’s been your greatest success so far?
“My biggest success was switching over to only group coaching and becoming a 6-figure online coach this year!”
How about your biggest let down?
“When clients don’t do the work. I watch them self-sabotage and there is nothing I can do to stop it. It’s heartbreaking.”
What’s one piece of advice you want to share?
“For anyone just starting out, I highly recommend hiring a business coach that has been a successful coach themselves in the past. Learn from the best.”
Laura McQueen | Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner
Years in practice: 2
What’s been your proudest moment so far?
“Watching clients take action, take control of their health, and seeing it reflected many times in their lab work—especially my concussion clients. Those emails, texts, and conversations over labs and numbers make my heart melt. It makes me so proud of my clients and proud of myself that I could help them.”
Any regrets?
“That it took me so long to realize I needed a business coach. I needed her help to get a different perspective on my business. It’s true, even coaches need coaches!”
What’s one piece of advice you want to share?
“You don’t have to have everything in place to start working with clients. You don’t have to have a website right away. You don’t have to have group program ready to launch. You don’t even need an office space (unless you want one). If you have a voice and a way to communicate and network, that is often all it takes. Share what you do with others. Spread the word and show your passion. Others will see this and hear this, and the referrals will start coming!
