What is Health Coaching?

Written By Jenny Goldner

The content on this blog is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. I am not a licensed healthcare professional, and the information shared here reflect my personal knowledge and experience. By using this blog, you acknowledge that you are responsible for your own health decisions and that individual results may vary.

According to the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC), health and wellness coaches partner with clients seeking to enhance their well-being through self-directed, lasting changes aligned with their values.

In other words, a health coach is your thought partner in wellness—not someone who tells you what to do, but someone who helps you discover what’s possible and stay supported as you make meaningful changes.

Health coaching focuses on:

  • Clarifying your vision for health and what matters most to you.

  • Identifying habits or patterns that may be getting in the way.

  • Taking small, doable steps that add up to sustainable progress.

  • Building the confidence and skills to maintain change long term.

What the Research Shows

Health coaching isn’t just “feel-good” support—it’s backed by growing scientific evidence.

  • A 2020 systematic review found that health coaching led to measurable improvements in physical activity, weight management, and heart-health markers like blood pressure and cholesterol.

  • Studies of diabetes management show that clients working with a health coach experience better blood sugar control and improved medication adherence.

  • In healthcare systems such as the U.S. Veterans Affairs Whole Health model, participants who received health coaching reported improved quality of life, decreased pain, and even reduced opioid use.

  • Reviews of coaching across many settings highlight gains in self-efficacy—the belief that you can create change—which often leads to lasting success.

Photo by Tanya Trukyr on Unsplash

“My work as a health coach is about easing suffering through presence and partnership, walking beside others as they rediscover their capacity to flourish.”
— Jenny, Tend to Flourish

Why It Works

Health coaching combines science and compassion. Coaches are trained in behavior-change psychology to help clients move from intention to action.

The key ingredients?

  • Empowerment over prescription: You decide your goals; your coach helps you stay on track.

  • Accountability with compassion: Regular check-ins keep progress steady without guilt or pressure.

  • Whole-person focus: Wellness includes your body, emotions, relationships, and purpose.

How It Fits Within Wellness Care

Health coaches complement, not replace, medical providers. While doctors, dietitians, or therapists focus on diagnosing or treating conditions, coaches help you integrate professional guidance into everyday life.

Together, these partnerships bridge the gap between clinical recommendations and the daily habits that bring them to life.

Why I Offer Health Coaching

My work as a health coach is rooted in a lifelong passion for wellness and a simple belief: when we are supported with care and compassion, we can flourish.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to understanding how people heal, grow, and reconnect with themselves. Health coaching allows me to bring that passion to life walking beside others as they navigate their own paths toward wellbeing.

I see coaching as a way to alleviate suffering through presence and partnership. I aim to create space where people feel seen, supported, and capable of change. Together, we clarify what matters most, tend to what’s getting in the way, and nurture small, steady steps toward a life that feels healthy, whole, and true.

Through Tend to Flourish, my intention is to offer that gentle, evidence-based support—so you can feel grounded in your process and flourish in your own unique way.

I’d love to speak with you more about health coaching and my approach, book your free information session today!

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Jenny Goldner https://tendtoflourish.com