Nearly two years ago, we launched the Rita & Gene Presman Memorial Scholarship Program in honor of our CEO, Marina’s, late parents who were endlessly committed to providing opportunities for their loved ones. Since then, our mission has been to empower passionate coaches on their journey to becoming NBHWC-certified health and wellness coaches. Over the past two years, we’re proud to have supported many dedicated health coaches who’ve successfully passed their exams and – in select cases – have even become validated and verified contracted coaches with us at YourCoach.
We reconnected with two of these inspiring coaches, Courtney Greer, MAT, NBC-HWC and Michele Buenger, RN, BSN, CSA®, NBC-HWC, who are also currently contract coaching with YourCoach, to catch up on their journeys since receiving the scholarship and their growth with our YourCoach team. Below are some of the many opportunities these coaches highlighted from their experience receiving the Rita & Gene Presman Memorial Scholarship and beyond
Financial support can be game-changing – but that’s not all coaches receive.
When we kickstarted this scholarship program, it was our goal for cost to never be a barrier for anyone who wants to become a certified health & wellness coach. This cost can sometimes mean the difference between sitting for the exam or pushing it off indefinitely. Shares Courtney, “When I began my journey to be certified as a health coach, I knew I wanted to go as high as possible with the certification process. That meant becoming a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach. As I began the application process for the board exam, I was struck with the realization of the cost that I had already invested and have yet to invest before I have started my new career. As a family of five living off a single income, this scholarship allowed us to not have to shift money around. It allowed me to use the money we set aside to grow my business and keep up with yearly expenses.”
As part of our scholarship, we cover the full cost of the exam sitting for scholarship recipients, but we also do our best to prepare recipients for success. Adds Michele, “Because my income took such a severe hit when I quit my RN job, I felt it made sense to apply for the scholarship, but I didn’t realize that, if I was chosen, I’d be getting more than simply my exam fee covered. I have received so much more than that!” Thanks to our Director of Health Coaching Operations, and NBC-HWC, Ashlee Honeycutt, we’re able to provide exam preparation for recipients to help maximize their success.
Coaches tap into a longstanding network that supports them as much as they lean in.
This scholarship is more than just a certificate and a check – for coaches who are ready and willing to lean into the YourCoach community, we meet them where they are to support their success. This has profoundly impacted both the personal and professional lives of scholarship recipients, fostering a sense of community and support. Says Michele, “This program provided support, training, study sessions, and feedback. I was not only prepared for the exam, I was more connected with other coaches and the YourCoach team because of the program, which has been priceless. The sense of connection and the increased sense that I am valued by YourCoach has encouraged me to keep pressing forward in my mission to serve others.” Echoes Courtney, “This scholarship has connected me with the most wonderful community. Meeting Ashlee Honeycutt has greatly impacted my coaching! I have a wonderful community to reach out to for support.”
Motivated and validated scholarship recipients can also become contracted coaches with YourCoach.
Through the Rita & Gene Presman Memorial Scholarship Program, we create new bonds with dedicated coaches who showcase their passions for health coaching, firsthand, as well as their commitment to building their skillset and expertise. As such, a selection of recipients have also joined our team of contracted coaches, to deliver best-in-class health coaching services to the multitude of our Industry Partners. We’re so proud to be able to continue offering these opportunities to high-performing coaches, including both Courtney and Michele.
Says Courtney, “Due to my scholarship and my time using the Your Coach platform, I grew to know the YourCoach community and was afforded the opportunity to work as a contracted coach. It has been such an invaluable experience,” and Michele, “The staff at YourCoach had a better opportunity, as a result of my participating in the program, to get to know me better and invest more in me. It allowed me to become a contracted coach with YourCoach, has expanded my coaching reach, and has allowed me access to support and resources that I might not have otherwise had access to.”
We’re so grateful to be able to provide this scholarship each exam term and are currently accepting applications for future terms on a rolling basis (if you’re sitting for the fall exam, check out our application before September!).
A very special thank you to Courtney and Michele for being such inspiring health coaches and humans and for sharing their insights with today’s blog. We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate the two year anniversary of this program!