What Is a Health Coach? Benefits, Role, and How They Can Help You
What is a Health Coach?
I’d like to start with an analogy rather than bore you with a list.
If you wanted to climb Kilimanjaro, your chances of success would be much higher with a guide. Someone who’s climbed it before, studied the trails, knows the pitfalls, and can help you navigate sudden changes in weather. They’d walk alongside you, helping you prepare, adapt, and keep going when it gets tough.
That’s what a health coach does for your health goals.
It sounds a little cheesy but it’s true. I help you get to where you want to be - guiding you through the journey using my knowledge and experience, helping you find the path that leads to lasting success.
How Does a Health Coach Differ from Other Professions?
There’s often confusion about how a health coach fits in compared to doctors, therapists, nutritionists, or personal trainers. A doctor or therapist diagnoses and treats specific conditions. I don’t replace that care - instead, I complement it, helping you build a healthier lifestyle as a whole rather than focusing on one problem.
For other professions:
A nutritionist focuses mainly on food and diet.
A personal trainer focuses mainly on exercise.
A health coach looks at the bigger picture - your sleep, stress, movement, nutrition, mindset, and habits - and helps you connect all the dots so the changes stick.
Common Client Goals or Situations
Most people come to me with one main challenge, but we quickly find that health issues are often linked. For example, poor sleep can cause low energy, which can lead to cravings, which might affect weight. This can feel overwhelming initially, but the beauty is that little improvements in each of these areas will have a wider positive impact. Also having a coach makes these changes feel manageable.
Some of the most common reasons clients work with me include:
Low energy – knackered, exhausted, fatigued - no matter how you describe it, feeling tired all the time is one of the top reasons people reach out.
Sleep issues – struggling to fall asleep, waking in the night, or never feeling refreshed in the morning.
Digestion / gut health – bloating, discomfort, or irregularity that’s affecting daily life.
Weight changes – whether it’s losing weight, building muscle, or improving body composition.
Stress – people rarely come to me saying, “I’m stressed,” but they often describe symptoms like irritability, changes in appetite, trouble relaxing, or feeling disconnected from loved ones.
My Approach: Practical, Tailored, Non-Judgmental
If you’ve explored my website, you’ll have seen that my approach is always practical and shaped around you. Every session, my clients leave with simple, realistic steps that fit into their daily lives - not a long list of “shoulds” that add more pressure.
I keep things direct and to the point. You’re taking time out of your busy day to invest in your health, so I want every minute we spend together to be useful.
Equally important - I don’t judge. Whether you’ve struggled with habits for years, or didn’t follow through on something we discussed, I meet you exactly where you are. We work together from your current starting point toward where you want to be.
What to Expect When Working With Me
Working with a health coach is a collaborative process, and my clients often say it feels both supportive and empowering. Here’s what you can expect from me:
Clear, open communication – so you always know where we’re headed and why.
Honesty – I won’t sugarcoat things, because that doesn’t serve you. My role is to help you make real progress.
Flexibility – we adjust as needed so your goals feel realistic and achievable for your lifestyle.
Joy – health is the most important thing we have (in my opinion), but that doesn’t mean the process has to be overly serious. I want our sessions to be something you look forward to.
Work With me to Improve Your Health
I hope this blog has given you a clearer idea of what a health coach does and how I work with my clients. If you want to learn more, my
FAQ page covers more details, or you can get in touch with me directly. I’d be happy to talk about how we could work together to achieve your personal health goals.