I bumped into a mate the other day.
We spoke about family, a few things going around town, work he had on, his recent holiday overseas and he asked me “What have you been up to mate?”
“Health coach”
“What’s that?” he says
Good question and is certainly one that I hear often.
We have all heard of and had a bit to do with Doctors, Specialists, Acupuncturist and Optometrists but not so much health coaches.
Do you remember the last time you went to your GP for whatever?
How long was your appointment? 15 or 20 minutes tops?
In that time the doctor does a quick assessment and then plans the next step from here….tests, specialists appointment or script for meditation.
Then onto the next patient.
Not even much time for anything else….not even a quick chat.
What about your nutrition, exercise, sleep or stress levels? Things that may help keep you out of the doctors clinic to start with.
And to add to this is the health of typical patients with less acute illness and more chronic illness
According to a report prepared by the Grattan Institute we spend $320 million on chronic disease every year.
“More than 1 in 3 (39%) of potentially preventable hospitalisations in 2013–14 were due to the 8 chronic diseases“
“More than 11 million Australians (50%) reported having at least 1 of 8 chronic diseases in 2014–15“
“Around 1 in 3 (30%) problems managed in general practice in 2014–15 were associated with the 8 chronic diseases 87% of people aged 65 and over had at least 1 of 8 chronic diseases in 2014–15 compared with 35% of people aged 0–44“
But unfortunately as many chronic diseases are the result of our poor modern diet and lifestyle many are preventable and cant be fixed with a quick pill or two.
This is where health coaches come in.
Many of them, like myself, have moved into the role after a personal experience and a need to fill a gap in our health system.
So in short health coaches help clients to achieve health goals with lifestyle changes, from losing weight, to reducing stress, to re-gaining energy and improving nutrition.
Health coaches listen, inspire, motivate, mentor and educate clients to change.
Most people know what we should do to be healthy, but they just don’t do it…..a Mars Bar is not on that healthy list…that’s a no brainer.
But most of us still don’t do it.
Health coaches are now partnering with many different health and exercise professionals to tackle many chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and some cancers, all caused by our modern lifestyle.
So if this sounds like you or someone you know, feel free to drop me an email and we can have a chat.
I am Rod Bucton. This is Sports Adventure.
I offer private online health coaching to feel great, get fit and bring back the energy to do the things you love to do.
To apply for a free discovery call visit www.sportsadventure.com.au