What Is Health Coaching - And Does It Actually Work?

Most people know what a personal trainer does. Most people know what a dietitian does. But health coaching - the rapidly growing professional field that sits at the intersection of these disciplines and behavioral psychology - is less well understood.

What Health Coaching Is

Health coaching uses coaching methodology - goal-setting, powerful questioning, accountability, and behavioral science - applied to physical wellbeing. A health coach doesn't prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or replace a physician. What they do is close the gap between what a person knows they should do and what they actually do.

This is the most significant gap in modern healthcare: compliance. We know how to prevent most chronic diseases. The problem is behavior change at scale. Health coaches are specifically trained in exactly that.

The Evidence

• A meta-analysis of 284 studies found health coaching improved physical activity, nutrition, and chronic disease management
• A study in the American Journal of Health Promotion found health coaching produced sustained improvements in weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar for up to 12 months post-intervention
• Kaiser Permanente reported that patients with health coach support reduced ER visits by 15% and hospital admissions by 10%
• The Mayo Clinic has integrated health coaches into their clinical care model, with strong outcomes data

What to Expect From a Health Coach

• An initial session focused on your health history, current habits, and specific goals
• Regular check-ins (weekly or biweekly) focused on behavior change and accountability
• Support with nutrition, sleep, movement, stress management, and lifestyle habits
• A non-judgmental, collaborative relationship focused on your specific context
• Referrals to healthcare providers or specialists when appropriate