I am a coach, a Transformational Life Coach, for that matter. Have you ever wondered what people who carry the title “coach” actually do? Why would anyone need to work with a coach, anyway? Is it even necessary?
If you’ve ever asked these questions, you’re not alone. The coaching industry is vast and diverse, with niches that cover just about every area of life you can imagine—relationship coaching, parenting coaching, career coaching, business and entrepreneurship coaching, transition coaching (navigating major life changes like career shifts, relocation, divorce, widowhood, retirement, or adapting after a serious health diagnosis).
As a trained, certified, and practicing Transformational Life Coach—specializing in health and wellness among other niches—I often encounter curiosity (and sometimes skepticism!) about what this type of coaching involves. Health and wellness coaching, in particular, remains one of the least understood but arguably most crucial coaching areas today.
Let’s take a closer look.
The Silent Epidemic: Lifestyle Diseases
You may have heard of non-communicable diseases (NCDs)—also called lifestyle diseases. These are conditions that develop over time, often silently, and account for a massive share of global illness and death. In 2021 alone, noncommunicable diseases were responsible for 43 million deaths worldwide. What’s even more alarming? Over 80% of these deaths occurred in low and middle-income countries.
These diseases—including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer, kidney failure, and others—don’t happen overnight. They typically develop over years, even decades. The body sends signals along the way, warning signs that something isn’t right:
- Weight gain, especially belly fat
- Chronic fatigue
- Joint pains
- Frequent urination
- Gut issues like bloating, constipation, diarrhea
- Blood pressure problems (high or low)
- Iron deficiency or anemia
- Painful or excessive bleeding during periods
- Sleep disturbances
These symptoms are the body’s way of waving a red flag, indicating an urgent need for lifestyle changes. Yet, many people ignore them or suppress them with over-the-counter remedies: painkillers, antacids, laxatives, antihistamines, and even prescribed medications like blood pressure drugs or iron supplements. The underlying problem continues unchecked, and years later, they’re faced with life-threatening diagnoses they could have prevented.
Prevention: The Missed Opportunity
Here’s the hopeful part! There’s a window of opportunity for individuals with lifestyle conditions to stop the progression of these conditions—or even reverse them. Sadly, far too many people miss this window. They focus on silencing symptoms rather than addressing the root causes.
If you find yourself frequenting your local pharmacy for emergency pills, antacides, painkillers, etc., think again. You need urgent help.
Today, lifestyle diseases are striking people at younger and younger ages—even children. But prevention is possible. It’s better, smarter, and far more affordable than treatment.
This raises an important question:
Are doctors and healthcare facilities best positioned to walk with people on the journey of prevention?
What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts—feel free to share them in the comments below. If you have questions, ask away!
Why Coaching Is Essential?
Countless people could avoid developing serious health conditions if they had the right guidance and support. Did you know that:
- Taking diabetes medications faithfully does not necessarily protect someone from complications like kidney failure or blindness.
- Those medications manage blood sugar by either pushing excess glucose into already full cells or flushing it out through the kidneys—neither of which addresses the root cause of why YOU HAVE BLOOD SUGAR PROBLEMS IN THE FIRST PLACE.
- The same goes for blood pressure meds. They lower the readings but often don’t address the reasons behind the elevated pressure. The disease process continues in the background, undeterred, leading to serious consequences such as kidney failure, heart disease, and cancer, among others.
For many, the knowledge of what to do exists. But self-discipline, accountability, and personalized support are missing pieces. This is where transformational life coaches, nutrition coaches, and lifestyle coaches step in.
You may have heard people make fun of these professionals, calling them names like “online nutritionists” or questioning the value of coaching altogether. Maybe you’ve done it yourself! If so, you’re not alone. But let me invite you to take a closer look.
What Transformational Life Coaching Involves
Coaching isn’t just about giving advice or sharing information. That’s teaching, not coaching. Effective coaching requires:
✅ Deep knowledge and continuous learning
✅ Strong communication skills, including empathetic listening
✅ Adherence to ethical standards, including confidentiality
✅ An ability to inspire, motivate, challenge, and support clients through change
As a coach, you wear many hats: teacher, cheerleader, motivator, accountability partner, and sometimes, a gentle but firm instigator of positive change. It’s about helping people bridge the gap between knowing and doing. It’s also about helping them stay consistent by turning healthy choices into lifelong habits.
Coaching is a balancing act. It’s like keeping several balls in the air at once—educating, motivating, holding accountable, and helping clients celebrate their wins, however small. This process empowers people to take control of their health before it’s too late.
Is Coaching Worth the Investment?
Working with a professional coach often involves an investment of time, effort, and yes, money. But compare that to the cost – financial, physical, emotional and the challenge treating chronic, life-threatening diseases. Prevention is not just cheaper, it’s life-changing.
If you don’t feel capable of stopping the progression of a health condition on your own, seeking help from a coach is part of that prevention. There’s no shame in getting support. It’s one of the most proactive, empowering decisions you can make.
What about you? Have you ever wondered about coaching, maybe even judged it?
Do you have personal experiences or questions about preventing lifestyle diseases?
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Coach Susan
