In the first few months of 2025, we’ve already seen more health coaching interest through our Industry Partners and their clients, members and employees than in the years past. We couldn’t be more thrilled to meet so many new individuals who are committed to their health change and excited to work with their very first health coach. We couldn’t be more thrilled to meet so many new individuals who are eager to commit to their health journey and excited to work with their very first health coach. This wave of enthusiasm brings lots of great questions, like, “Where and how do I get started?
Deciding to work with a health coach is an exciting first step towards becoming a healthier, happier version of YOU! And It’s okay if your goals feel unclear – your health coach is here to support you through the process and you don’t have to decide on anything just yet. This is a commitment to your long-term wellbeing and a powerful decision to take charge of your health – whether you’re looking to manage your weight, combat burnout, or set your sights on any number of health and wellbeing goals. Like any meaningful commitment, it’s completely normal to feel both excited and a little overwhelmed at times.
The good news is that you’ve already done what most people find incredibly difficult. You’ve taken the first step. By seeking out the support of a health coach, someone who’s trained in the science-backed techniques that are proven to help you commit to your health goals and make them a reality, you’re already on a path towards lasting change. In today’s blog, we lay out a step-by-step guide to help you prepare for a successful health coaching journey.
Spend time reflecting honestly about where you are now.
The first step towards effective change requires having a strong understanding of where you are now. Reflecting honestly about your current health, habits and mindset is crucial to setting realistic, achievable and meaningful goals. Take note of your routines, your energy levels, your stress triggers, and anything else that could be relevant to your health journey. While this step might seem straightforward, we recognize it can be emotionally taxing. Give yourself grace during this step and throughout your health journey. Remember, every journey starts somewhere – whether you’re building healthy habits for the first time or refocusing after life’s challenges. Wherever you’re starting from, it’s okay. What matters most is the decision to move forward. You don’t need to have everything figured out to get started – just start where you are, and let each small step bring you closer to creating healthier, sustainable habits. This mindset will make your journey feel more achievable, and ultimately, more sustainable.
Calibrate your mindset and set your intention.
Especially after you’ve taken time reflecting on where you are, the natural next step is to start thinking through where you’d like to be. Start thinking through what specific health goal you’d like to tackle with your health coach. You don’t have to decide on anything before your first health coaching session, but putting initial thought into your health focus area ensures you approach your first session – and every session after that – with intention and focus. This intention will serve as your anchor, guiding your decisions, actions, and mindset throughout the process. If you feel uncertain about what your intention should be, don’t worry. Many clients feel the same way at first, and your coach will be there to help you clarify and refine your vision and goals in a way that feels right for you. You could even begin to embrace a mindset of growth, by starting to tell yourself change is possible. Make a commitment to see challenges as opportunities to learn and improve, not as barriers to success. Your health coach will be there to help you nurture intention and a positive mindset, no matter where you’re starting from.
Make your health coaching commitment a priority.
Setting yourself up for success takes reflection and intention, but it also takes logistical preparation. Make room in your calendar for regular health coaching sessions and check-ins. This means carving out important – and uninterrupted – time to focus solely on these sessions and during times when you have the brainspace and energy to focus. Consistency is key, so treat these sessions as non-negotiable appointments with yourself. It might mean communicating your commitment to close friends and family members so they can help you make this space for yourself and support you in your health journey. It’s okay to ask for help—whether it’s for managing your schedule or maintaining motivation. The more support you have from those who understand your goals, the easier it will be to stay focused and motivated.
In addition to scheduling, don’t forget to take care of the technical details. Make sure you enable notifications for any reminders or updates related to your sessions. Check that your microphone and camera permissions are set correctly ahead of time to ensure smooth communication, and find a quiet, relaxing place where you can focus. This way, you can show up to each session without any distractions, ready to focus fully on your health goals. Remember, prioritizing your health means not only making time for your sessions but also setting yourself up for success to ensure you can fully engage and be present with yourself.
Complete any pre-session materials.
Many health coaches will share thought starters or surveys ahead of your health coaching session to ensure you have a productive first meeting. This may vary depending on initial conversations with your coach, but will likely include some brief questions asking you about who you are, what you’re looking to focus on, what your communication preferences are and more. Taking the time to thoughtfully complete these materials is incredibly valuable (and some of these previous steps will set you up for success in this last step!). The more honest and detailed you can be, the more your coach will understand your unique needs and the better they can tailor their approach to suit you. This step is a reminder that the health coaching journey is collaborative; that you’re working together to create your goals; meet them; and celebrate your ongoing achievements.
The very last step towards preparing for your first health coaching session is congratulating yourself. It’s not easy to decide to make lifestyle changes that put your health and wellbeing first. Not only that, but you’ve done your research and have recognized that achieving real health change is made more possible when working with a health coach. The best part? You won’t be doing this alone. Your health coach will be there every step of the way to offer personalized support and encouragement through every challenge and every triumph. And in addition to your health coach, the entire YourCoach team is here, cheering you on and celebrating every success, no matter how big or small. You’ve got a team behind you, every step of the way!
If you’ve read through this guide and haven’t yet set up your first health coaching session or aren’t sure how to get access to a health coach, you’re STILL in the right place. You can:
- Reach out to your employer to see if they offer YourCoach health coaching
- If not, send us a note to team@yourcoach.health to learn more on how we can bring REAL health coaching to your organization!