Health Coach Talk: Conversations About Wellness Through Functional Medicine Coaching

True health is not done in isolation, it takes collaboration. This week Dr. Sandi welcomes Dr. Monisha Bhanote, one of the few quintuple board-certified physicians in the country. Dr. Bhanote is passionate about creating a happier and healthier world, and she does so by working closely with health coaches to form an exceptional collaborative care team for her patients.

While doctors and physicians possess extensive knowledge in diagnosing and treating ailments, effective communication with patients can sometimes be a challenge. This communication gap can often lead to confusion and misunderstanding on the part of the patient. That's where health coaches come in. They bring a unique set of communication skills that complement the expertise of doctors. This powerful combination of medical knowledge and communication skills is the secret behind achieving optimal health outcomes.

In This Episode:

• What are the benefits of health coaches working alongside physicians?
• See what a collaborative care team looks like from a doctor's point of view.
• Learn how Dr. Bhanote uses mind-body medicine to un-stick her patients.
• Check out Dr. Bhanote's book, The Anatomy of Well-Being.

Discover groundbreaking developments in health coaching research! In this week's episode, Dr. Sandi presents new findings exploring profound impact health coaching can have on preventing and treating cognitive decline. She also shares research highlighting the potential of adopting a systems biology approach, revealing how addressing nutrient deficiencies can improve or even eliminate various symptoms. Lastly, Dr. Sandi unveils a compelling report that spans nearly two decades of research, evaluating the overall effectiveness of health coaching.

Visualization and imagination are powerful tools that can be used to help you achieve your goals. This week, Dr. Sandi discusses the power of Functional Imagery Training (FIT) with industry leader Joanna Grover.

Grover was trained in FIT and made it her mission to give others access to the world of imagery to help shape human behavior. FIT uses imagery to override natural imagery to help people reach a goal. Whether that goal is to live a healthier lifestyle, manage stress, or overcome fear and hesitation. Grover shares success stories from athletes and business leaders. Learn how you can use the power of FIT in your own life or in your coaching practice.

In this episode, join Dr. Sandi as she sits down with Stefanie Defiglia, a highly experienced Functional Medicine Nurse Practitioner. With a background as a John Hopkins trained nurse practitioner, Stefanie felt compelled to explore new avenues beyond the limitations of conventional medicine. This journey led her to discover the power of Functional Medicine and IFM.

As an IFM certified practitioner, Stefanie is an expert in addressing health concerns using cutting-edge tools like the IFM Elimination Diet. However, embarking on behavior changes can be challenging for patients. Tune in to discover how Stefanie works with health coaches to provide the best outcomes for her patients.

Who helps healthcare professionals stay healthy? How can they feel supported in their self-care? This week Dr. Sandi is joined by Dr. Robyn Tiger, the founder of Stress Free MD. Dr. Tiger's mission is to help support people with their self-care, specifically in the physician community. Doctors across the medical field are burning out, overworked, and frustrated with the healthcare system, which can affect how they work with their patients. Dr. Tiger works to partner doctors with health coaches.

In this episode:

• Learn how health coaches can help doctors with self-care.
• What can doctors learn from health coach training?
• How does AI fit into the future of health coaching?
• How do patients benefit from their doctors working with a health coach?

Join Dr. Sandi on a riveting journey through the cutting-edge world of functional medicine health coaching. In this episode, she unveils three groundbreaking research papers that shed light on the profound impact of health coaching in the realm of chronic illness management. Dr. Sandi always says, "Health coaching is the new primary care," and these new studies showcase the truth in that statement. According to one study, health coaching improved workforce outcomes. Another showed the benefits of collaborative care teams for both patients and physicians. Health coaching is improving healthcare and the research confirms it.

In This Episode:

• Learn how health coaching resulted in positive outcomes for aging adults.
• See what doctors are saying about working in collaborative care teams
• Does health coaching improve labor outcomes?
• How is health coaching improving outcomes for patients with type 2 diabetes?

This week, Dr Sandi speaks with health coaching superstar Hally Brooke about how she went from FMCA student to thriving business owner. After graduating from FMCA, Hally started discussing health coaching with her personal training clients.

Thanks to the power of word-of-mouth marketing, before she knew it, her calendar was full and her new business was growing exponentially. Today, Live Nourished Coaching is a premier health coaching agency connecting clients and physicians with health coaches. Learn how to start building a business that helps you achieve your coaching mission.

In This Episode

• Learn how Hally started building a business through word-of-mouth.
• Tips and tricks to starting your own thriving health coaching business.
• Understand how coaches and coaching businesses can work with functional medicine physicians.
• See what Live Nourished Coaching can do for FMCA graduates.

Explore the transformative power of muscle-centric medicine. Dr. Gabrielle Lyons, the author of "Forever Strong," delves into the crucial role of skeletal muscle as a vital endocrine organ and its profound influence on other facets of our well-being, particularly as we age. Discover why skeletal muscle is the key to longevity and more than mere physical strength. Dr. Sandi and Dr. Lyons unravel the significance of muscle, the effectiveness of weight training, and the pivotal role of protein.

In This Episode:

• What is muscle-centric medicine and how it can help with longevity?
• Learn more about Dr. Lyon's new book, Forever Strong.
• Tips and tricks for weight training no matter your age.
• Hear about Dr. Sandi's personal experience with weight training.

When Beth Lambert became a mother, she started noticing that children were not okay. Many were suffering from gut health issues, sensory issues, autism or ADHD. She wanted to find out what was wrong with this generation of kids and how to combat it. After studying functional medicine and holistic medicine, Beth created Epidemic Answers, a resource for parent and professionals who want to know more about how to treat these conditions through lifestyle changes. Her goal is to show that there is hope in overcoming these chronic illnesses.

In This Episode:

• What makes this new generation of children different?
• Explore Epidemic Answers and how it can help parents.
• Discover how health coaches are making a difference with families.
• Learn about the Documenting Hope Project.

How can tracking health data enhance overall healthcare? This week, Sandi sits down with FMCA graduate Omar Shaker to discuss doctor burnout and health data. After working as a doctor, Omar experienced burnout firsthand. He thought he was the only one, but it turns out burnout is common among healthcare workers. After this experience, he looked into ways doctors can re-engage with their patients. Turns out, the answer can be found in data tracking.

What inspires a health coaching journey? On this episode, Sandi is joined by Alessandra Miele, who shares her journey from running a Yoga studio to becoming a health coach. So many people who discover functional medicine and health coaching do so after a health diagnosis or another life event. Allesandra shares what inspired her, and discusses what it's like to be a student at FMCA. Listen along!

Robert Luby, Director of Medical Education at IFM and FMCA faculty member, discusses how doctors and health coaches can work together to transform healthcare. With the democratization of healthcare and patients looking to take their health into their own hands, doctors want to go beyond the conventional to improve patient outcomes.

Doctors ask “What is wrong with you,” while health coaches ask “What is strong with you?” Together it equals progress for patients.

Functional Medicine is all about addressing the root cause of illness. FMCA graduate Matt Portwood has taken the principle of "searching for the root cause" to another level. Matt explains how he went from job-hopping to graduating from FMCA and owning his own business. Now he addresses not just health concerns, but business problems with a "searching for the root cause" mentality.

Matt Portwood owns Chronic Health Club and founded Healthy + Whole, which works to make health coaching available to all regardless of income. He hopes to expand his efforts. You can follow him @healthyandwholeyou on social media.

FMCA graduate and serial learner Ashley Taylor Haupt sits down with Dr. Sandi on this week's episode of Fresh From FMCA. Ashley started her journey to becoming a health coach as a board-certified nurse. She first enrolled in the Health Coach Institute, but felt she needed more practice and wanted to qualify to take the NBHWC board exam. This led her to FMCA.

After completing two health coaching programs and her years of education to become a nurse, Ashley is still learning something new every day. She shares how she continues to learn and grow with every client she works with. What's more, she discusses ways she can see health coaches and nurses can work together after working as both a nurse and health coach in a hospital setting.

Chris McClay, FMCA graduate, plant-based chef, and Recode 2.0 coach, shares her story about how she was able to coach her mother through her Alzheimer's disease, which lead to significant improvements in cognitive behavior. Chris also shares about finding her niche in health coaching, as well as how she was able to help others through her video, "Saving Livia."

Dr. Sandi sits down with Suzie Glaskie, founder of Peppermint Wellness and host of the Midlife Illuminated Podcast, to talk about shifting careers into health coaching. Glaskie is a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach and a graduate of FMCA. Her first career was as a PR boss, but after a loss in her family and a strong draw to holistic healing, she decided to make a big career change. She found health coaching and is now using both her PR and health coaching skills to help others thrive.

Glaskie admits that changing her career was scary, but she followed her passions and kept moving forward. Listen as she and Dr. Sandi share stories of her first AIC conference, how she made so many mistakes while interviewing Dr. Mark Hyman, and just how terrified she was before starting her podcast.

Join Dr. Sandra Scheinbaum, FMCA Founder & CEO, and Dr. Nathan Price, Chief Scientific Officer of Thorne Healthtec and author of The Age of Scientific Wellness, as they discuss how health coaches will make an impact during an age of Scientific Wellness.

Scientific Wellness focuses on preventative medicine, addressing health issues before there are even symptoms if possible. By focusing on four important Ps of health - Predictive, Personalized, Preventative, and Participatory - Scientific Wellness will be a major factor in future wellness. People want care that focuses on prevention, which is where Functional Medicine health coaches can make a significant impact.

To learn more about FMCA and Functional Medicine health coaching, follow us on social media and explore our website.

Can leveraging accountability, community, and empathy transform the healthcare paradigm?

Join Dr. Sandra Scheinbaum, FMCA Founder and CEO, with Sachin Patel, Founder of Perfect Practice Mentorship, as they discuss one of the most important roles in healthcare: the health coach. By focusing on a whole body plan, partnering with a health coach can create results when all else has failed. Helping others see what they don't see in themselves is the transformative catalyst.

"Coaches teach you skills ... not pills." – Sachin Patel

Join Dr. Sandi, FMCA Founder and CEO, and Ellen Rudolph, Founder + CEO at WellTheory and FMCA graduate, as they delve into supporting women with autoimmune diseases. Embracing whole-body care, education, and community is the support that enables them to become the best version of themselves.

WellTheory is on a mission to reverse the autoimmune epidemic. Combining food as medicine, community care, and personalized insights from health data to build a membership experience that supports women in their autoimmune journey.

Supported by data-driven, science-based research, and published studies.

FMCA graduate draws on health coaching as she specializes in strategic and organizational development.  

Join Dr. Sandi, FMCA Founder and CEO, and Rebecca Thieneman, Vice President, Nutrition of Monj Health, in this inspiring conversation about the ever-expanding landscape of health coaching. FMCA recently partnered with Monj to offer Continuing Education Units to our alumni community.

MonjCOOKS™ for Coaches is the perfect course to keep coaching credentials current while learning how to make healthy food taste delicious from Chopped Champion Chef Eliza Martin. Plus, get the scoop from our Head of Coaching on how to level up coaching skills beyond motivational interviewing, and help clients reach their food goals.

Supported by data-driven, science-based research, and published studies.

How does "reimbursable value" drive the expansion of the health coaching industry? 

Dr. Sandi, FMCA Founder and CEO, with Leigh-Ann Webster, the Executive Director of The National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) give an inside view of the Category I CPT code with reimbursable value for the health and wellness coaching industry. The NBHWC recently applied for the Category I code and is set to present its case to the American Medical Association (AMA) CPT Panel Review. 

As a reimbursable service, the health and wellness coaching industry is projected to be widely recognized in healthcare, industries, employee health plans, unions, digital health companies, technology, school systems, government entities, all branches of the military, and entrepreneurial businesses.

There’s never been a better time to train as a health coach and enter this rewarding profession. As of 2022, there were approximately 23,000 health coaches in the United States. This figure will increase rapidly, as health coaching is poised for tremendous growth.

Choosing where to train can be confusing, as the number of programs keeps growing. Currently, 114 schools earned approval from the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC). Many other programs offer certification but are not NBHWC-approved. Although most of these schools share some standard features, such as remote learning, their philosophies, type of training, and the overall quality of the educational experience vary widely.

Join Dr. Sandi as she identifies the most important questions to ask when choosing the best program for you.

"At the end of the day, YOU know which program feels right. Find a program that aligns with your values, one that resonates with your passions and goals."

– Dr. Sandi

Can the impact of health coaching shift the worsening trend of physician burnout?

Dr. Sandi, FMCA Founder and CEO, with Dr. Robyn Tiger, lead faculty and stress management subject matter expert for the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and founder of StressFreeMD, join perspectives on the documented value of health coaching. The inhibitor in our current system is not seeing the human as the whole person. Re-imagining the basis of "what's the matter with you?" toward the more empowering "what matters to you?" is the catalyst.

We're on the same team, how can we help each other? – Dr. Robyn Tiger

Supported by data-driven, science-based research, and published studies.

Research continues to support the feasibility and effectiveness of health coaching. The results are suggesting a greater level of immerging value. 

Listen as Dr. Sandi, FMCA Founder and CEO, summarizes three studies (RCTs) with health coaching as the intervention addressing lifestyle factors: improving risk management and combatting chronic conditions.

Supported by data-driven, science-based research, and published studies.

FMCA is providing this podcast as a public service, but it is neither medical advice nor a statement of FMCA policy. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by FMCA. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed during the podcast do not necessarily reflect the view of FMCA or any of its officials.

The acceptance and growth of the Health Coach industry is credited to the influx of research. The value is clear when you provide impact evidence supporting the effectiveness of coaching intervention. But, how do you know which study or journal is a trusted resource?

Listen as Dr. Sandi, FMCA Founder and CEO, provides insight into evaluating reports and why it's significant. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) are considered the gold standard because they deliver the highest level of evidence, due to their potential to limit bias and subjective influence.

References

1. Effectiveness of Short-Term Health Coaching on Diabetes Control and Self-Management Efficacy: A Quasi-Experimental Trial
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2019.00314/full

2. A personalized multi-interventional approach focusing on customized nutrition, progressive fitness, and lifestyle modification resulted in the reduction of HbA1c, fasting blood sugar and weight in type 2 diabetes: a retrospective study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36419152/

3. Effectiveness of a Health Coaching Intervention for Patient-Family Dyads to Improve Outcomes Among Adults With Diabetes: A Randomized Clinical Trial
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36374502/

Supported by data-driven, science-based research, and published studies.

With Health Coaches, your patients feel respected and heard, versus being told what to do.

Dr. Paula Kruppstadt and Dr. Sandra Scheinbaum emphasize the impact of lifestyle changes, especially nutrition, and sustainable treatments through the inclusion of Health Coaches.

Supported by data-driven, science-based research, and published studies.

Health Coaching is changing the client conversation from What are you going to do for me? to What can we achieve together?

Kara Ware and Dr. Sandra Scheinbaum discuss an innovative system design that supports the providers and patients to work within a successful, equal, therapeutic partnership. Health Coaches are regarded as equally important and necessary in a collaborative care team.

Supported by data-driven, science-based research, and published studies.

Foundational data to support standardization within the health coaching industry.

Kasia Smith @ Pillar with Dr. Sandi discuss the latest industry report "The State of Health Coaching" - a cross-sectional research study assessing the state of health coaching today. The report sheds light on the professionalization of coaching and data on this growing workforce of allied health professionals, with training approved by the National Board of Medical Examiners. 

Supported by data-driven, science-based research, and published studies.

"I can't think of one example where you can be successful alone. Unless we are able to coach our patients to change their habits or implement the guidance given by their doctors, their lifestyles will not change. It takes teamwork. " – Dr. Sibal

Dr. Priti Nanda Sibal with Dr. Sandi connect in this energetic and inspiring conversation. Listen, as the dynamics of health as a priority, unfold through the perspectives of each industry influencer.

Supported by data-driven, science-based research, and published studies.

New approaches including Health Coaches in wellness environments continue to rise.

Join Dr. Sandi, FMCA CEO and Founder, as she highlights more growth in the health coaching landscape. Each example gives an inspiring view into emerging possibilities.

Supported by data-driven, science-based research, and published studies.

Implementation: How we can shift into a value-based healthcare system.

Johannes R. Fisslinger with Dr. Sandi connect in an inspiring conversation about reprioritizing our healthcare focus. Shifting our perspective to include three value-based components: prevention, life-style medicine, and health coaching. We are not lacking in information, but in IMPLEMENTATION.

"We need about 100,00 well-paid health coaches in the U.S. alone. If we had that, we can totally transform healthcare."

"The community builds itself, and they start connecting, and the coach is holding the container."

Elizabeth McHugh with Dr. Sandi connect in an inspiring view of coaching in groups. Demystifying personal boundaries and championing this affordable approach, the focus is on coaching with curiosity and humility, rather than a need to control.

Group coaching is being able to sit in that objective space and allow to see what happens.

"Roll up your sleeves and get to work, because we need ALL HANDS ON DECK!"

Experience Tara Garrison's energy for health coaching. As she shares her own journey, the excitement of helping others feel better and live life at a new level is the very core of health coaching.

Help people see the good in what they are doing, and encourage them to stay aligned with themselves. —Coach Tara Garrison

Dr. Kristi Morlan-Hughes reflects:  “She changed the world with her vision and determination. If you ever wonder if one person can really make an impact on the world, Maev is a stellar example of what passion, purpose, and tenacity can create. One person can change their part of the world for the better, forever.”

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Maev's family and friends, her FMC Ireland team, and functional medicine colleagues as we mourn the loss of her brilliant light.

Why is the character strength of grit so important to a flourishing life?

Join Caroline Adams Miller, the world's leading expert on the science behind goal setting, its connection to happiness, and the use of good grit to achieve hard things. Listen as she explores the research-based, actionable strategies to help cultivate good grit and what it embodies.

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The power of the therapeutic alliance is the foundation of health coaching, but does it replace therapy?

Join Dr. Sandi, FMCA CEO and Founder, as she reviews how health coaches are the sub-clinical providers in supporting mental and emotional wellness.

Supported by data-driven, science-based research, and published studies.

Blending opportunity with experience, Keri Sitrick is defining her career to fit her lifestyle. She is advancing as a health coach by building upon her existing professional community. "Keep moving forward. I don't think you'll be disappointed."

Dr. Christensen, Institute for Functional Medicine faculty member and certified Functional Medicine Health Coach, was on a quest to solve the riddle of her and her family’s complex health challenges. The catalyst was severe toxic mold exposure.

Join Dr. Christiansen in describing her passion for educating about root causes and whole-systems medicine!

Supported by data-driven, science-based research, and published studies.

Dr. Gapin saw men grappling with issues of brain fog, difficulty in focusing, problems with physical performance, and remaining engaged and present. That inspired him to focus on men’s health.

Dr. Gapin is a board-certified urologist, world-renowned men’s health expert, best-selling author, and professional speaker

Supported by data-driven, science-based research and published studies.