Health Coaching
Get the support you need as you work toward improving your life and health.
A health coach is your guide.
Like the mountain guide supporting your belay rope while you climb, your health coach supports you on your health journey.
Coaching like a mountain guide
As a 17 year old young person, I loved technical rock climbing in the Rocky Mountains. During the summer before I left my childhood home for college at the largest state university in Illinois, I had an amazing opportunity to climb The Grand Teton with my dad, my brother, and Alex Lowe, our guide and one of the most well known mountaineers of his time.
Some of my key memories of Alex are of him teaching me how to tie specific knots, and giving me pointers on foot holds that would support me better than the ones I was using. I most vividly remember Alex bandaging my feet after my heels blistered from boots that hadn’t worn in as well as I’d thought. Alex wrapped my feet every couple hours as we hiked, and then checked my knots and held my belay rope to support me as I climbed up to the summit and rappelled off giant cliffs. He even tied special aide climbing supports together for areas where I couldn’t reach the holds.
During his life, Alex supported many young climbers like me over the years and even rescued several climbers in harrowing situations. In death, his legacy continues to inspire mountaineers all over the world (1). Because of his joy and enthusiasm for life and his work, Alex was more than just another mountain guide. To many he was an inspiration or a legend, but to me, he was my friend and he was my coach.
Reach your goals with a health coach by your side.
Empower yourself.
A few years after I summited The Grand Teton, my health had deteriorated to the point that I needed a wheelchair for mobility. My condition slowly continued progressing over many years until I was finally diagnosed with a genetic mitochondrial myopathy when I was 33 years old. Diagnosis and treatment was life saving for me. As I found medical providers who understood my condition, as well as alternative treatment modalities, my health began to improve.
Some of the most beneficial changes and improvements in my life have come through lifestyle changes that I implemented with support from physicians, nurses, coaches, holistic medical practitioners, spiritual guides and mentors. I have spent many years supporting individuals who are also coping with chronic conditions and disabilities. I appreciate being able to share my knowledge gained through research, learning and personal experience. My college experiences led to a dual Ph.D. in neuroscience and psychology. More recently, I have enjoyed extending my education through health coaching certification so I can help more people on their health journeys.
what is a health Coach and how can they help?
Health coaches provide evidence and experience-based knowledge about health and wellness to their clients (2). They use an open and supportive approach. This support combines traditional, alternative and new approaches to health and wellness which are chosen based on the needs and wants of the individual. Health coaches empower their clients to choose the specific means and goals that will work best for them to improve their health and wellness.
Like the mountain guide supporting your belay rope while you climb, your health coach supports you on your health journey. They don’t climb the mountain for you, or tell you what choices to make, but they can help make your journey safer, easier and more productive. Your health coach provides the encouragement you need to take the next steps toward a more healthy and balanced life.
COaching Provides Encouragement and Accountability.
Health coaches offer evidence-based knowledge of traditional, alternative and new approaches to health and wellness .
The growing field of health coaching is becoming increasingly recognized as more individuals realize the importance of viewing health and wellness from a more holistic perspective (3). Many physicians and health care providers are employing health coaches as research is showing that patients with chronic health conditions who work with health coaches have better health outcomes (4,5). Many individuals are also recognizing that physical health is not the only important aspect of wellness, but that mental, emotional and spiritual health are crucial components as well (6,7,8).
Are you struggling with chronic health issues? Do you feel stuck or overwhelmed by frustrating symptoms? Maybe you are feeling ignored or have been gaslighted by people you thought would help you? Perhaps you have considered alternative healthcare options or lifestyle changes? Are there things that have helped you in the past? Are there new things you would like to try now? A health coach may be a great option for you to begin working toward the changes you want for yourself. Like Alex and many other coaches have done for me, I am here to help support you as you find your way to begin growing forward.
References
(1) https://www.alexlowe.org/about/
(2) https://www.integrativenutrition.com/blog/what-does-a-health-coach-do
(3) https://www.marketresearch.com/Marketdata-Enterprises-Inc-v416/Health-Coaching-35859888/
(4) Kivelä K, Elo S, Kyngäs H, Kääriäinen M. The effects of health coaching on adult patients with chronic diseases: a systematic review. Patient Educ Couns. 2014 Nov;97(2):147-57. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2014.07.026. Epub 2014 Aug 1. PMID: 25127667.
(5) Boehmer KR, Álvarez-Villalobos NA, Barakat S, de Leon-Gutierrez H, Ruiz-Hernandez FG, Elizondo-Omaña GG, Vaquera-Alfaro H, Ahn S, Spencer-Bonilla G, Gionfriddo MR, Millan-Alanis JM, Abdelrahim M, Prokop LJ, Murad MH, Wang Z. The impact of health and wellness coaching on patient-important outcomes in chronic illness care: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Patient Educ Couns. 2023 Dec;117:107975. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2023.107975. Epub 2023 Sep 15. PMID: 37738790; PMCID: PMC10964774.
(6) Saijonkari M, Paronen E, Lakka T, Tolmunen T, Linnosmaa I, Lammintakanen J, Isotalo J, Rekola H, Mäki-Opas T. Promotive and preventive interventions for mental health and well-being in adult populations: a systematic umbrella review. Front Public Health. 2023 Aug 31;11:1201552. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1201552. PMID: 37719731; PMCID: PMC10501832.
(7) Miller L, Wickramaratne P, Hao X, McClintock CH, Pan L, Svob C, Weissman MM. Altruism and "love of neighbor" offer neuroanatomical protection against depression. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging. 2021 Sep 30;315:111326. doi: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2021.111326. Epub 2021 Jul 1. PMID: 34265626; PMCID: PMC8672211.
(8) Kor A, Pirutinsky S, Mikulincer M, Shoshani A, Miller L. A Longitudinal Study of Spirituality, Character Strengths, Subjective Well-Being, and Prosociality in Middle School Adolescents. Front Psychol. 2019 Feb 27;10:377. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00377. PMID: 30873082; PMCID: PMC6400865.
