What Makes a Great Health Coach?

What does it take to not just be a health coach, but a great one? Is it about having all the answers, or is it something deeper—like connecting with clients in ways that truly empower them?

At FMCA, we believe that greatness in health coaching stems from qualities like curiosity, creativity, and a genuine desire to help others discover their potential.

Read on to explore the traits that make a health coach exceptional and how FMCA helps aspiring coaches embody these characteristics. Plus, uncover valuable insights from a video featuring experienced health coaches discussing what makes their work so impactful.

Watch FMCA Graduates Discuss Health Coaching Greatness

In this video, FMCA-certified health coaches share their perspectives on what sets a great coach apart:

Asking thoughtful questions that spark self-reflection.
Actively listening and showing a desire to keep learning.
Using creativity to meet clients where they are.
Helping clients reconnect with untapped parts of themselves.

Watch the video below to hear their inspiring words in full!

1. Asking the Right Questions

At the heart of great coaching is the ability to ask powerful, open-ended questions. These questions don’t just provide clarity—they create space for clients to explore their goals, challenges, and potential.

As one coach in the video explains, “A great coach is one that asks really good questions.” By focusing on curiosity rather than judgment, coaches can guide clients toward meaningful breakthroughs.

👉 Learn more about this coaching superpower in our blog: Health Coaching Superpower.

2. The Power of Creativity

“Health coaching is creativity,” says another coach in the video. Creativity allows coaches to design tailored strategies that resonate with their clients’ unique circumstances.

For example, a coach focusing on midlife women can draw on personal experiences to connect more deeply with clients, crafting solutions that feel personal and impactful. Whether it’s through innovative goal-setting or reimagining habits, creativity is key to creating transformative client experiences.

3. Listening and Learning

To be a great coach, you must listen—and listen well. This means giving your full attention to the client, understanding their perspective, and responding with empathy.

But listening isn’t the only skill; learning is equally vital. As one coach says, “A great coach has to, A, want to learn and, B, listen.” A commitment to lifelong learning ensures coaches stay adaptable, informed, and prepared to meet their clients’ evolving needs.

👉 Learn how understanding listener types can deepen your connection with clients: Health Coach Listener Type.

4. Helping Clients Connect with Themselves

“A great coach is someone who is willing to help people recognize and get more familiar with parts of themselves that have always been there—they just haven’t necessarily been in touch with them.”

This profound statement from the video captures what makes health coaching so transformative. Great coaches help clients reconnect with their strengths, desires, and untapped potential, fostering a sense of empowerment that extends beyond the coaching relationship.

👉 Discover your unique coaching style: What’s Your Coach Approach?.

Take the Next Step

At FMCA, we’re dedicated to helping aspiring health coaches cultivate these traits and more. Whether it’s through asking the right questions, applying creativity, or fostering deep connections, our program prepares you to be not just a good coach but a great one.

Enrollment for March 2025 for FMCA’s program is closing soon—don’t miss your chance to join a community of transformative health coaches.