When I was going through graduate school for a master's in public health, I loved the idea of prevention.
I wanted to help people from getting sick, being overweight, and to have access to fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, and sadly, what I have learned over the years being in the health profession is people do not care about prevention, or even slightly concerned about it.
Of course, there are people who do care about their health, but majority of people do not think about prevention specifically.
2020 Health Data
In February 2020, the Center for Disease Control released new data indicating around 40% of Americans are Obese. These findings are according to 2017-2018 data. This means that around 4 out of 10 Americans are Obese.
Sadly, these numbers continue to rise.
So, what do people care about? For the most part, people will tend to care more about their health once they have been diagnosed with a health issue.
This is a time when people may start looking for a health coach.
Reasons to Become a Health Coach
The first reason to become a health coach is because health coaches are needed.
Once people are diagnosed with pre-diabetes, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, or other health issues, they need help.
Most often chronic diseases are preventable. As I mentioned before, people are not concerned with prevention, however, being diagnosed with a chronic health condition may lead them to start taking action to improve their health.
The second reason to become a health coach is because you have a desire to help people.
If you love helping people and you are passionate about health and wellness, then you should be great as a health coach.
Health coaching can be an extremely rewarding career, better yet, having your own coaching business. There are plenty of people that need help and you can be the one to help them.
A third reason is because doctors are short on time.
Doctors are under a lot of time constraints. Unfortunately, they are unable to spend a lot of time with their patients.
Most often a doctor will prescribe eating healthier, eating less salt, or start an exercise program. These instructions may seem simple, but for the average adult, they would have no idea where to begin.
As a health coach you would help lead the way by providing support and accountability. Of course, you are not trying to convince them to change their unhealthy behavior, that is on them, you are there to guide them to take ownership of their current way of living and lead them to self-efficacy.
A fourth reason is you can do something you love and turn it into your own business.
This is what I did. I loved being a health educator. I loved everything about my job, however, I wanted more freedom and more time off.
I took all my education, business and professional skills, and my life experiences and turned it into a coaching business.
Now, I get to do what I love and have the time and freedom to enjoy my life, travel, and live anywhere I choose.
Reason number five is because you can help more people and do it from anywhere.
When I started my coaching business, I wanted to be able to do it from anywhere in the world. I did not want to be tied down to any office or location. And this is exactly what I have done. I have traveled to several countries while running my business. I also have been living abroad for the last two-years.
Are you interested in becoming a coach? Here are some tips that will help you eliminate the frustration of trying to figure it all out on your own when just starting out. Click here to Learn more.
