Corry Westbrook: Connecting Health Coaching & Environmental Advocacy

After years in environmental advocacy, I realized that facts and research alone weren’t enough to inspire change. I needed a way to help people connect what mattered to them with their everyday choices. Health coaching offered that connection.

Through The Health Coach Training Program^™, I learned to ask thoughtful questions, listen without judgment, and help people work through the obstacles holding them back. I also discovered how our relationships, careers, stress, and daily habits shape both our well-being and our choices.

Along the way, I improved my own health and gained the confidence to bring my children’s book, Liam the Vegan, to life. Today, I’m bringing environmental advocacy, coaching, and writing together to help people align their lives with their values—for themselves, animals, and the planet.

Q&A: The Beginning

WHAT FIRST DREW YOU TO ENVIRONMENTALISM, AND WHAT HAS KEPT YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT HELPING PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE NATURAL WORLD?

A: Since I was a child, I’ve loved animals and nature, and I understood that everything is connected. To protect animals, we must protect their habitat—land, water, and air. I grew up knowing I wanted to stop exploitation and pollution, so I became an environmentalist.

WHAT DID YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY WORK TEACH YOU ABOUT TURNING KNOWLEDGE INTO ACTION?

A: It taught me that facts, reports, data, and science are not enough to change behavior. I was not getting through to people, and neither was the broader environmental community. We are in a biodiversity and climate crisis. People need to realize their actions and choices matter. To stop exploitation and pollution, everyone needs to change their behavior: corporations, politicians, regular people, children—everyone.

Q&A: Finding Your Way to IIN

WHAT LED YOU TO IIN AND INSPIRED YOU TO ENROLL?

A: When I changed from pescatarian to vegan in 2020, I ran into communication issues similar to those I encountered when trying to explain environmental crises; facts and science were not helping people understand. I was often confronted with false statements, such as that I would get sick, weak, or stupid due to my diet. People also incorrectly assumed I was eating mostly ultra-processed food.

I researched ways to improve my credentials and communication skills, and IIN was highly recommended.

HOW DID YOU HOPE IIN WOULD HELP YOU COMMUNICATE THE BENEFITS OF PLANT-BASED LIVING?

A: I hoped to gain solid credentials to support the benefits of a plant-based diet and help me communicate those benefits to others.

WAS THERE AN IIN LESSON OR MOMENT THAT CHANGED HOW YOU THOUGHT ABOUT HELPING PEOPLE MAKE CHANGE?

A: I learned something new with every lecture. The medical experts gave me more knowledge and confidence in my food choices. The personal stories taught me about different paths. The modules regarding high-impact questions and listening skills taught me that I could help others make meaningful changes.

WHAT DID COACHING TEACH YOU ABOUT COMMUNICATION AND HELPING PEOPLE OVERCOME OBSTACLES?

A: Listening and understanding why people make the choices they do is more important than data, facts, and science. I also learned that everything—family, career, relationships, creativity, stress, spirituality, exercise, etc.—is as important as what is on the plate. Those factors also impact choices that harm or help nature and wildlife.

Q&A: A Personal Transformation

YOU ALREADY FELT HEALTHY AND KNOWLEDGEABLE. WHAT SURPRISED YOU MOST ABOUT YOUR OWN TRANSFORMATION?

A: I went in with a slightly know-it-all attitude, but every day I learned something new that I’ve applied to my life. I now sleep better, and that improves everything. My mild digestive issues, which I thought were part of life, are gone. My annual blood work results are fantastic. The program improved my health and my life in every way.

HOW DID PRIMARY FOOD AND BIO-INDIVIDUALITY EXPAND YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF HEALTH?

A: The Primary Food concept—that all elements of life are as important as what is on the plate—is profound. Everything is connected and contributes to health and happiness. As a vegan, I know what I eat impacts wildlife and nature. Being a vegan reduces my stress because it aligns with my goals. The program’s emphasis on bio-individuality is critical. What works for one person may not work for another. We all have our own paths, and we all benefit from guidance to overcome obstacles to find health and happiness.

Q&A: Bringing It All Together

HOW DO ENVIRONMENTALISM, VEGANISM, HEALTH COACHING, AND WRITING CONNECT IN YOUR LIFE?

A: Society, the American medical industry, and individuals often put things in distinct categories and leave little room for creativity, risk-taking, or serendipity. Society often expects people to “stay in their lane” and frowns on change. Doctors may prescribe medicine to treat symptoms, or an individual may toss an object in a recycling bin to protect the environment, but these fixes seldom work long-term. Without exploring the root of the problem and discussing behaviors, real change won’t happen. A deep dive into meaningful solutions is better. I believe we should encourage creativity, curiosity, and risk-taking, whether to cure an illness, write a book, or slow global warming.

WHAT HAS USING COACHING SKILLS IN YOUR COMMUNITY TAUGHT YOU ABOUT ASKING QUESTIONS AND LISTENING?

A: It’s the only way to help people. People have to decide why they want to do something, what the purpose is, and how to align their values with their life choices. People have the solutions to improve their health and the environment; they just need someone to listen and help guide them.

WHAT DO PEOPLE NEED MOST WHEN MAKING A SIGNIFICANT LIFESTYLE CHANGE?

A: They should have clear goals and a clear vision of what they want. They should be able to imagine themselves living their ideal life—one that is healthy for their body, mind, and planet. A health coach can help flesh out the vision, find focus, and overcome obstacles.

Q&A: From Idea to Story

WHAT INSPIRED LIAM THE VEGAN, AND WHAT HELPED YOU FINALLY BRING IT TO LIFE?

A: As an adult, I get a lot of guff about being a vegan. I’ve seen little vegans be teased about their food choices, and it broke my heart. Soon after becoming a vegan, I had the idea for Liam the Vegan. I wrote the story, created a vision for the illustrations, and pitched it to my publisher. But I did not complete the project. I’ve had six science fiction novels published, and I would think, “What does a science fiction author know about children’s books?” And I wondered if a plant-based diet was really healthy for children. I allowed doubts to take over and put the book on the back burner. However, as soon as I graduated from IIN, I pursued the project again.

HOW DID BECOMING A HEALTH COACH GIVE YOU MORE CONFIDENCE AS AN AUTHOR?

A: I learned how to ask questions and listen to overcome obstacles. The program gave me confidence that a vegan diet and lifestyle are healthy for adults and children. IIN encourages people to take deep breaths and take risks. As soon as I graduated, I found a fantastic illustrator who is also vegan. Because of the confidence I gained in the IIN program, I learned to expand my lane and publish a children’s book. I graduated in November 2025, and Liam the Vegan will be published on November 4, 2026.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED TO EXPLORE NEXT IN YOUR ADVOCACY, COACHING, AND WRITING?

A: I can’t pick just one because they are all connected. My writing will bring my environmental advocacy to a broader audience, and health coaching will help others transition to a kinder diet for their body, nature, and the planet.

Q&A: Fun Favorites

WHAT SONG ALWAYS PUTS YOU IN A GOOD MOOD, OR WHAT’S CURRENTLY ON YOUR PLAYLIST?

A: When I write sci-fi, I listen to punk rock. Lately, when I’m cooking or exercising, I listen to Taylor Swift.

IF YOU COULD BE ANY FRUIT OR VEGETABLE, WHICH ONE WOULD YOU BE—AND WHY?

A: I would be a Brussels sprout because they are my favorite, and they are versatile little nutritional powerhouses.