How to Quit Your Job and Become a Health Coach

Health Coaching is a booming field that shows no signs of slowing down. If you’re thinking about embarking on the journey of becoming a health coach, then hopefully this guide helps you along the way.

Before taking the leap, ask yourself these questions

• Are you passionate about nutrition, health, and wellness? It’s not enough to like it. You have to love nutrition, health, and well, and be borderline obsessed with it. You need a passion and curiosity about these three things to be a successful Health Coach.
• Are you willing to do the work? Most Health Coaches become entrepreneurs, open their own practices, host corporate wellness seminars, launch their own healthy food companies or restaurants, and/or run retreats or writing books and cookbooks. Becoming an entrepreneur is no easy feat, and no matter what direction you take it, you’re going to have to put in some blood, sweat, and tears to launch and run a successful business, which is why you MUST have passion!

How do you become a health coach?

Choose a Certified Health Coach Training Program

The Functional Medicine Coaching Academy’s training is unlike any other program in its depth and comprehensive approach to Functional Medicine and positive psychology.

We are the only program offered in collaboration with The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM).

When you graduate from FMCA, you earn the designation of a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach. This title signifies not only that you “speak the language of Functional Medicine,” but also that you know how to support patients to create real, sustainable behavior change. That you not only have the knowledge it takes to be a great health coach but that you know how to apply it. That combination of theory and application sets FMCA apart.

Build your health coaching career while you still have a steady income stream.

Once you’ve gained enough momentum in your coaching career, you can choose your future path – whichever path that may be.

You can make a good income as a health coach, but it won’t happen overnight, and it will take quite a bit of effort. When you finish your health coaching certification, clients will not automatically fall into your lap. You’ll have to find them, market to them, and work to gain their business. This requires confidence, business skills, and marketing savvy.

Have a game plan

Building a business takes time, so it’s a juggling act when you’re already working 40+ hours a week at another job.

Having a plan is essential. Decide how much time you have (even if it’s just 2-3 hours per week) and when during the week is best for you. Make that time sacred. And be clear how you’ll use that time. When you have limited time, it’s more important than ever to focus on the most important client-getting tasks.

Don’t forget self-care

Building a business while possibly working a full-time job can be extremely taxing and, at times, overwhelming.

When you have a lot on your plate and you’re looking for a way to “create” more time, often self-care is the first thing to go.

Decide what’s most important to you for self-care and make that non-negotiable. Whether it’s going to bed at a particular time, having a personal day, or if you are married with children, having your spouse take on some of the daily tasks.

Final thoughts

Evidence that people do not achieve sustainable change by being told what to eat, specific exercises to perform, and how much sleep to get each night is helping to fuel job growth in the health coaching field.

After all, Health Coaches focus on internal and external patient conditions. Additionally, the focus on reducing health insurance premiums and medical costs is encouraging a shift from repeat medical care for the same condition to less expensive sustainable care that doesn’t require a prescription or hospital visit. Following these steps is a good way to start your journey to becoming a successful health coach.

Health coaching continues to be a growing field with job growth opportunities. In addition, health coaches typically report finding their field to be highly rewarding, both emotionally and financially.