The global health and wellness coaching market is predicted to hit over $15 billion in 2022. Wellness is becoming more and more saturated in people’s lives – but those who are burnt out or who just started their wellness journey may not know where to begin.
This is where wellness coaches come in. Wellness coaches partner with their clients to help them find the motivation to make self-directed lifestyle changes based on what is meaningful in their lives.
Keep reading to learn how to become a wellness coach and create a career path that will be fulfilling not only for your clients, but for you as well.
Do Research About The Wellness Industry
Before you decide to work in wellness, start with some in-depth research about the industry, especially the coaching aspect. Some questions to consider are:
- Do you enjoy helping people improve their lives?
- Do you like working with people one-on-one or in groups?
- Is the wellness industry a profitable one with potential for growth?
- What’s the career path you can expect?
- How much can you grow within the industry and the coaching field?
These are all questions you need to answer to help you define your future career. This also includes researching the types of wellness coaching jobs you can expect, the annual salaries, benefits, and job responsibilities.
Define What Type of Education You’ll Need
If wellness coaching is your calling, you need to decide on the type of education you want to pursue. One option is to enroll in a college for health and wellness and then complete a certification program.
Another way is to complete a certification program, start working, and then pursue a college education. It all depends on your career goals, plans you have for the future, and the time you have to commit to the process.
Then, it’s time to choose the right school. You can choose an online program that you can follow from anywhere or a school with attendance required in person.
Get Certified
In order to work as a coach and build credibility and authority in the industry, it’s important to complete the appropriate training and education. The first step is to become a Certified Wellness Coach (CWC). This certification validates that you have the knowledge and skills to enter the field professionally and it opens up more employment opportunities.
All wellness certifications must be approved by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the American Fitness Professionals and Associates (AFPA), or the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC). The Catalyst Coaching Institute’s programs are approved by the NBHWC.
Gain Proper Work Experience
Before you can work with clients, you need to complete a level of training to gain proper work experience. Some schools offer this as a part of the program and, for those that don’t, you’ll need to gain the experience through volunteering or internships.
This is a great way to learn what type of work you want to pursue and whether you’re more skilled with one-on-one programs or group coaching. With hands-on experience you will get more familiar with the flow of the coaching conversation. You’ll get to know your clients, help them clarify their current goals and priorities, and offer encouragement and support along their wellness journey.
After completing your experience training, you can decide if you want to work for a wellness company or another wellness coach, or open your own business.
Start Your Business
Now that you have your certification, it’s time to start mapping out your wellness coach career. First, decide if you want to work for yourself and open your own company, or find a job in the wellness industry.
Then, if you decide to work for yourself, you’ll need to register a company, think of a business name, and build a website. If you decide to work for someone else, you need to review job postings and see what they offer. Finally, you can work as a corporate wellness coach. Many companies offer their employees rewards and incentives to participate in wellness coaching programs.
Create Coaching Programs
After you complete your wellness coach training, you’ll be able to create coaching programs for your clients. These can be in the form of online courses, live events, seminars, workshops, one-on-one coaching calls, or even e-books and guides.
Depending on your clients, the amount of information you’re offering, and how you deliver your programs, you can create a few tiers. This way, you can cater to both those who are just starting out with wellness and those who want to take their wellness journey to the next level.
Always remember that your clients are all unique and have different needs and backgrounds. This means you should adapt your programs accordingly and start with the basics. If you work one-on-one with clients, the client will tell you exactly what they need from you as the coach.
Promote Your Wellness Coaching Business
Now that you have your certification and website, it’s time to promote your wellness coaching business. Start posting useful content on social media, and make videos with simple tips on how people can start a wellness journey. These are two of the most powerful ways to reach a new audience and find your next customers.
Social media is also great for promoting your wellness programs, one-on-one support, and wellness offerings. People need to get to know you before they partner with you, so don’t skip the marketing step.
Another way to spread the word is to work with influencers, do giveaways, or ask for testimonials from people you’ve already worked with. You can also launch a newsletter in which you’ll send out new offers and launches, and interesting wellness content.
You can also start a wellness blog where you’ll share your knowledge and give guidance and tips to people who are starting their wellness journey for the first time.
Becoming a Wellness Coach Is Easy With These Simple Tips
Whether you’re starting a brand new career, or becoming a wellness coach is the next step in your professional journey, these tips will help you learn more about the industry and the type of work you can expect.
From learning the ins and outs of the industry to getting the proper education and certifications, becoming a wellness coach is a fulfilling career choice for making a positive impact on the world.
Ready to get certified? With our Certified Wellness Coach (CWC) program, you can start your wellness education today!
