Reflection

Interview with Nutrition Coach, Khieanne Dawson  Every day, health coaches support their clients and patients in making lasting life changes. I had the pleasure of interviewing one such health coach who has been coaching since 2019. Meet Khieanne Dawson from New York. Read about her life experiences and how faith fuels her role as the health coach she is today.    What motivated you to become a health coach?  Over 34 years ago, at the age of 12, I was diagnosed with rheumatic fever, which involved a heart murmur and edema in my arms and legs. My doctor told me that I had to [...]

Setting SMART Goals with Biblical Wisdom As health coaches, we play a crucial role in helping clients turn their aspirations into reality. Often, clients have a clear vision of the results they want, but without proper guidance, these visions can remain elusive. By guiding them in setting SMART goals, we offer them a roadmap to success. This process not only helps them achieve tangible health outcomes but also instills discipline and focus that can be applied in other areas of life. For Christian health coaches, combining the SMART framework with biblical wisdom can create a holistic approach that honors both [...]

Cognitive Distortions: When Our Mind Deceives Us  Cognitive distortions or thinking errors are irrational thought patterns that can negatively impact how a person perceives themselves, others, and situations. This skewed perception can lead to poor decision-making, negative emotions, and contribute to mental health issues (1). Health and wellness coaches need to be familiar with these distortions so they can help their clients become aware of them. Moreover, this type of thinking can keep a client stuck in pre-contemplation and prevent them from moving forward with their goals. So, how can a health coach help a client overcome these thinking errors?   [...]

Becoming an NBC-HWC: A Reflective Chronicle One day, as I was driving to run errands, I listened to a health coaching podcast and heard about the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC). Intrigued, I wondered what this organization was about. At that time, I was studying to become a certified health coach through the American Council on Exercise (ACE). As I continued to listen to the podcast, I had more questions than answers. Once I got home, I researched to find out more about the NBHWC. The NBHWC provides training, certification, and professional standards [...]