Science and Soul: How Health Coaching Elevated My Nutrition Practice
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When I mentor students, I’m often asked if getting a particular credential is “worth it.” My answer is always that it depends on what you want to do with that credential. For me, becoming a registered dietitian when I was 27 was the right move. My education and experience have allowed me to do meaningful work I’m proud of.
However, a few years in, I realized that something was missing.
Learning Through Life’s Challenges
I felt very confident in my ability to provide quality medical nutrition therapy, interpret labs, create therapeutic diet plans, and offer support for patients and clients navigating complex medical issues. However, I wanted deeper training to help me assist my clients with making lasting behavior changes. I also wanted to learn about other aspects of health, such as sleep, stress management, and the art of building sustainable healthy habits.
I started the program at IIN when I was 30. I don’t really believe in coincidences, so when I look back, it’s interesting to me that I was on this path of learning about holistic wellness when my dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and I had to turn my life upside down to help take care of him—all while running a business that required showing up to support other people.
Balance in the Chaos
Yes, I was learning to offer better care to my clients, but other things I learned in the IIN coursework, especially about time and energy management and building a practice, really helped me find a little bit of balance in an intense time and advance my career despite juggling caregiving with work and life.
While my intention for that period of time of supporting my dad through his illness was just to stay afloat and be present for him, I found that the mindset shifts I was going through and the skills I was learning helped me make better use of my time in work as well as in life.
A Holistic Approach
Today, I’m known for my mind-body-spirit approach to wellness in my coaching, writing, and speaking and for helping people connect the dots between diet, lifestyle habits, and mental and physical health.
While my clinical training has provided a strong foundation (and I still do lots of continuing education in this area), the skills I’ve developed as a health coach help me bring everything together. It also gave me the confidence to later become a certified Pilates instructor and a reiki practitioner so I could integrate movement and energy work into my practice for those needing additional support.
Freedom to Thrive
One of my favorite things about my career is that I get to bring a little of everything I love to my work. Whether it’s with my individual clients, group programs, or when I’m presenting in a speaking engagement or workshop, I can offer dynamic resources that are tailored to the occasion.
From a business standpoint, being a health coach, in addition to being a dietitian and fitness instructor, has provided me with the ability to create unique services and more opportunities to develop income streams that are aligned with my values. I’m happiest and do my best work when I have freedom in my professional life, and being able to carve my own path by combining health coaching with my other work has allowed me to do that.
Learn from the world’s leading experts in topics such as integrative nutrition and nutrition science, functional medicine, wellness concepts, personal development, coaching methods and theories, and business-building and marketing skills. Enroll in our Health Coach Training Program today. Use code JESSCORDINGXIIN for special pricing.
Published: January 23, 2025
Updated: January 23, 2025