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A landmark paper in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine argues that what coaches have always known is now a clinical imperative For twenty-five years, Wellcoaches has trained health and wellness coaches to start where the client is — not with a diagnosis or a diet plan, but with what matters most to them. What gives their life direction? What they’re willing to fight for when motivation fades, and old habits reassert themselves. Now, a sweeping new supplement published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine  argues that mainstream medicine should do the same. The paper, “Meaning, Purpose, and Spirituality in the Clinical Practice of Lifestyle Medicine,” represents the output of a national summit convened by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) and the Global Positive Health Institute, bringing together nearly 100 experts to examine how meaning, purpose, and spirituality — collectively termed MPS — can be woven into clinical care. We’re proud that one of the paper’s authors, Tracy Yates, NBC-HWC, ICF-PCC , is a senior Wellcoach whose work exemplifies the integration this paper calls for. The Core Argument: MPS Is the “Why” Behind Behavior Change The paper’s central insight will sound familiar to any trained coach: sustained behavior change doesn’t come from information or willpower alone. It comes from connecting daily choices to something deeper — a sense of purpose, a web of relationships that matter, a framework of meaning that makes the effort worthwhile. The authors frame MPS as the motivational foundation beneath lifestyle medicine’s evidence-based behavioral interventions. When clinicians help patients link health behaviors to their sense of purpose — exercising to sustain energy for caregiving, preparing nourishing food as an act of love for family, caring for the body as sacred — motivation and adherence strengthen. Purpose-driven goals create what the authors describe as a mutually reinforcing cycle: pursuing health goals promotes positive affect, which in turn deepens purpose. This is not a peripheral add-on. The paper argues explicitly that MPS is “not an optional add-on but a foundational component of quality whole-person lifestyle medicine practice.” What the Evidence Shows The evidence base is substantial. Decades of research link MPS to reduced mortality, improved quality of life, greater resilience, and stronger health behaviors. The paper notes that the Joint Commission has recommended spiritual assessment in hospitals since 2001, and that the American Medical Association passed a 2024 resolution formally recognizing the need for spiritual care access and education in medical training. Public demand is there too. Gallup data from 2023 indicate that 80% of U.S. respondents identify as religious or spiritual. Research shows that a third of patients want clinicians to ask about their beliefs — a number that rises to 70% among those facing serious illness. Yet despite this convergence of evidence, policy support, and patient preference, MPS remains systematically underaddressed in routine care. The authors point to a deep cultural bias: modern Western healthcare was built on biomedical reductionism that effectively defined the spirit out of human nature. Academic and scientific communities tend to be less religiously affiliated than the populations they serve, and this gap has shaped what gets studied, taught, and valued. Where Coaching Fits — Front and Center The paper identifies health and wellness coaches as essential members of the interprofessional care team for MPS integration. Coaches are positioned alongside physicians, behavioral health professionals, chaplains, nurses, and social workers — each contributing complementary expertise to whole-person care. What distinguishes the coaching role is precisely what Wellcoaches has always emphasized: helping patients translate their values into achievable goals that support sustained behavior change. This is the connective tissue between what a patient discovers matters most to them and what they actually do on a Tuesday morning. The paper presents several clinical tools — FICA, HOPE, CLEAR, the HOPE Note model — that give clinicians structured ways to open MPS conversations. But coaches will recognize that the underlying competency is one we train for explicitly: the ability to hold space for a person’s whole story, to listen for what’s underneath the presenting concern, and to help them find their own language for what gives life meaning. Tracy Yates’s involvement in this work is no accident. Her career reflects the integration the paper advocates — bridging the rigor of board-certified coaching with deep attention to the spiritual and existential dimensions of health. Her presence among the authors signals that the coaching profession isn’t waiting to be invited into this conversation. We’re already there. What This Means for Coaches in Practice Several implications stand out for the coaching community: MPS is not a specialty — it’s a stance. You don’t need chaplaincy training to ask a client what gives their life meaning. The paper emphasizes that MPS conversations can be brief, natural, and embedded in routine interactions. A question as simple as “What gives you strength?” can open a doorway. The shift from “what’s the matter with you?” to “what matters to you?” is a coaching move. The paper names this reframe as transformative for clinical encounters. Coaches have been making this shift for decades. The wider healthcare system is now recognizing its power. Self-awareness is a prerequisite. The authors stress that clinicians should apply MPS tools to themselves first — exploring their own sources of meaning, values, and biases before engaging clients. This mirrors the reflective practice that is foundational to quality coaching. Community connections extend the work. The paper highlights group-based care, faith communities, recovery groups, and other community resources as essential for sustaining MPS engagement beyond individual sessions. Coaches are natural connectors to these resources. A Moment of Convergence This paper represents something significant: the formal recognition by a major medical specialty that the dimensions of human experience coaches have always centered — meaning, purpose, values, spirituality — are not soft extras but hard necessities for health. For Wellcoaches, it’s a validation of what we’ve built and a call to go further. As lifestyle medicine expands its framework to include MPS, coaches who are skilled in these conversations will be indispensable. The evidence is clear, the policy environment is shifting, and the patients are asking for it. The question was never whether meaning and purpose matter for health. It was when medicine would be ready to act on what it already knows. That moment is here. Tracy Yates, NBC-HWC, ICF-PCC, is a senior Wellcoach and co-author of “Meaning, Purpose, and Spirituality in the Clinical Practice of Lifestyle Medicine,” published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine (April 2026). With three other Wellcoaches, all part of the NIH UCSF Tools to Be Fit cancer survivorship study, Tracy Yates created Global Health Coaching, designed to interface with both primary care and oncology organizations, physicians, and patients to improve outcomes.

Wellcoaches is recognized by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) as an accredited continuing education provider. ACE has evaluated our course materials to ensure it meets industry standards and is valuable to fitness professionals. Our ACE continuing education courses are for fitness professionals and Personal Trainers who want to build their expertise, sharpen their skills, and prepare for recertification . We offer synchronous (live) course formats. Earn your ACE CECs today! Enhance Your Expertise with Approved ACE CECs Core Coach Training: Module 1 5 CECs for virtual classroom Attend in our virtual classroom with real-time instruction Make a great impact as a fitness professional with the skills of health coaching! Completion of Module 1 (including 100% attendance, completion of all lesson feedback surveys and a score of 80% or greater on quizzes) is required for course completion and to receive a Certificate of Attendance. See all upcoming classes . Lesson topics include:​ ​​Differentiating the coach from the expert How to establish growth-promoting relationships Coaching presence Expressing compassion through empathy Building positive emotions for resilience Eliciting motivation Building self-efficacy Readiness to change Building powerful visions Crafting designs for behavior experiments Creating generative (ah-ha!) moments Appreciative goal review Coaching habits e-course "I personally had such an amazing experience, I honestly didn’t want it to end! Thank you for your time and dedication to our training. You created a welcoming and comforting environment for all of us, which I believe was a crucial part of the training success and how we all felt as participants. I am very excited to have had this opportunity and look forward to continuing to grow and expand my knowledge in the coaching area. I also hope to continue working with you!" - Erica Cook, Wellness Program Coordinator, Clinical Exercise Physiologist Reporting ACE Continuing Education Once all requirements are complete, a Certificate of Attendance will be provided to the student. Personal Trainers will use this certificate to report completion of the course to ACE. Have questions about a course? Your Coach Concierge, assigned by the first letter of your last name, is here to support you: Telephone: (866) 932-6224 (866 WE-COACH) Your Last name A - G : Julie Cummings [ext 712 ] Your Last name H - O : Joanna Thomas [ext 743] Your Last name P - Z : Angela Carter-Lanon [ext 742]

Wellcoaches supports nursing professionals throughout their careers by providing high-quality, engaging continuing education that meets ANCC Commission on Accreditation’s standards. Our ANCC continuing education courses are for: Registered Nurses (RN), Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN), and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) seeking to expand professional knowledge and competency in the nursing field. Wellcoaches partners with The University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, which is an accredited and approved provider of the American Nurses Credential Center (ANCC). ANCC’s Commission on Accreditation has evaluated the nursing continuing education course materials to ensure it meets industry standards and is valuable to nursing professionals. Earn your ANCC continuing education today! ANCC Approved Continuing Education for Nurses Core Coach Training: Module 1 - Cohorts prior to April 2025 =38.25 CEs Cohorts between April 2025 -Aug 2025 = 49.5 CEs Cohort after Sept 2025=80.5 CEs Attend in our virtual classroom with real-time instruction Enhance your impact as a nurse by integrating health coaching skills. Completion of Module 1 with Wellcoaches Habits course (including 100% attendance, completion of all lesson feedback surveys and a score of 80% or greater on quizzes) is required for course completion and to receive a Certificate of Attendance. See all upcoming classes . Lesson topics include:​ ​​Differentiating the coach from the expert How to establish growth-promoting relationships Coaching presence Expressing compassion through empathy Building positive emotions for resilience Eliciting motivation Building self-efficacy Readiness to change Building powerful visions Crafting designs for behavior experiments Creating generative (ah-ha!) moments Appreciative goal review "After 44 years in nursing, your program reset my clock. I start with the positive and carry that through with all my patients. I just wanted you to know the impact you're making!" - Susan Murphy, RN Core Coach Training Module 2 - Classes taken prior to April 2025 =10 CEs Classes taken between April 2025- Aug 2025 = 45.5 CEs (all live classes must have been taken AFTER 4/1/2025) Classes taken after Sept 1, 2025 = 28.5 CEs (all live classes must have been taken AFTER 9/1/2025) Attend in our virtual classroom with real-time instruction along with numerous e-course offerings. Continue your journey of becoming a certified health coach. Module 2 was created to further deepen coaching skills through demonstration and practice opportunities. Participants will hone in on the specific topics: Organize Your Emotions, Organize Your Mind, Wellness Visions, Generative Moments, Diversity Informed Coaching, Coaching in the Context of the Client’s Environment and Considering Mental Well-being within Coaching. A "Certificate of Attendance" is provided following class attendance, completion of feedback surveys and passage of all knowledge assessments. Wellcoaches Habits Taken outside of Module 1 as a Stand alone course ONLY! Classes taken after Sept 1, 2025 = 18.75 CEs Self-paced, self-directed e-course The 10-hour habits course includes 8 collections of self-paced video lessons to explore common growth edges that hold us back as leaders and professionals, our signposts for new insights and wisdom. The Wellcoaches habits system is designed for any coach, team or organization that aspires to a culture of coaching where everyone is growing and thriving together. The course includes a Habits Library with several collections to choose from. Our collection includes: Behavior Change Communication Connection Leveraging Emotions Cultivating Capacities Burnout Prevention Transformational Leadership The Declipse Technique ™ (preview here) Each habit (70+ habits to choose from) comes with a 5-10 minute video, resources, reminders and tracker. A "Certificate of Attendance " is provided following course completion, submission of feedback survey/reflection and passage of knowledge assessment. ANCC Disclosures Joint Provider Statement : The University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing and Wellcoaches School of Coaching, INC are jointly providing nursing continuing professional development (NCPD) contact hours for the following educational activities. Module 1 = 80.5 nursing continuing professional development (NCPD) contact hours and Module 2 = 28.5 nursing continuing professional development (NCPD) contact hours and Habits (Stand alone ONLY) =18.75 nursing continuing professional development (NCPD) contact hours for cohorts after Sept 1, 2025. Please see above hours for previous cohorts. Accreditation Statement : The University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. Successful Completion Requirements : Nurses completing the entire activity and the evaluation tool will be awarded a maximum of 80.5 contact hours for Module 1 (after Sept 2025), 28.5 contact hours for Module 2 (after Sept 2025) and 18.75 for Habits (stand alone only ) of nursing continuing professional development (NCPD) Please see above hours for previous cohorts Relevant Financial Relationships It is the policy of the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing to require nursing continuing professional development program faculty and planning committee members to disclose any financial relationship with companies providing funding or manufacturers of any commercial products discussed in the educational activity. The program faculty and the planning committee members report they do not have financial relationships with any manufacturer of any commercial products discussed in the activity. Content Expiration Date: Module 1 - Sept 1, 2028 Module 2 - August 1, 2026 Habits - Sept 1, 2028 Commercial Support : This educational activity has not received any form of commercial support. Non-Endorsement of Products: The University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) does not endorse the use of any commercial products discussed or displayed in conjunction with this educational activity. Have questions about a course? Your Coach Concierge, assigned by the first letter of your last name, is here to support you: Telephone: (866) 932-6224 (866 WE-COACH) Your Last name A - G : Julie Cummings [ext 712 ] Your Last name H - O : Joanna Thomas [ext 743] Your Last name P - Z : Angela Carter-Lanon [ext 742]

CHEF Coaching Faculty Culinary Health Education Fundamentals (CHEF) Coaching is a two-part evidence-based program focused on culinary coaching—an innovative telemedicine approach to improve nutrition through culinary training, combined with health coaching principles. Complete our two-part program and earn a “Certificate of Completion in Culinary Coaching” from Wellcoaches School of Coaching Part 1 – CHEF Coaching the Basics (skill-based culinary coaching classes) Part 2 – CHEF Coaching Beyond the Basics (small group practice sessions in culinary telemedicine) Our History In 2014, a culinary coaching approach was developed by Rani Polak, MD, CHEF, Health Coach, at the Institute of Lifestyle Medicine, Harvard Medical School, to improve nutrition through a two-pronged approach, combining culinary training and coaching. Culinary coaching is defined as a “behavioral intervention that aims to improve nutrition and overall health by facilitating home cooking through an active learning process for participants that combines culinary training with health and wellness coaching competencies.” Why choose CHEF Coaching? CHEF Coaching is the only culinary medicine program focused on overcoming proven barriers to home cooking using behavioral change techniques. CHEF Coaching is a unique, tele-medicine approach, decreasing culinary education costs and improving program access. CHEF Coaching is a culinary medicine program applicable to all diets and healthy eating plans. CHEF Coaching Program Accomplishments 2014 CHEF Coaching for Patients was successfully developed and piloted 2015 CHEF Coaching for Patients implemented as a service at Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA The first culinary medicine program to be presented during an American College of Lifestyle Medicine annual conference The first culinary medicine program to be presented during Harvard Medical School, Department of Nutrition grand rounds CHEF Coaching Module integrated as part of the Lifestyle Medicine rotation for the Yale School of Medicine’s combined Internal Medicine/Preventive Medicine residency program CHEF Coaching for Clinicians approved for continuing education credits by Wellcoaches® 2016 CHEF Coaching for Patients is first program of its kind to be approved for health insurance billing Approved as a program within The Institute of Lifestyle Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School Receives grant from Vela Foundation to develop CHEF Coaching for clinicians CHEF Coaching for clinicians implemented as a service at  Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital , Harvard Medical School American College of Preventative Medicine selects CHEF Coaching to develop the  Culinary Medicine  module of the National Lifestyle Medicine Core Competencies Curriculum Harvard Medical School approves onsite component of Clinician CHEF Coaching for Continuing Medical Education credits 2017 Paper with culinary coaching definition accepted for publication in peer-reviewed  journal Harvard Medical School approves small group practice component of Clinician CHEF Coaching for Continuing Medical Education credits Culinary coaching module included in Veterans Administration’s physicians’  assistant training program A Culinary Medicine Task Force, led by the CHEF Coaching program director, founded as one of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM) communities CHEF Coaching for clinicians implemented as a service during  Lifestyle Medicine, Tools for Promoting Healthy Change  conference, Harvard Medical School 2018 Cook With a Doc: culinary telemedicine module that allows clinicians to cook with their patients added to CHEF Coaching for Clinicians CHEF Coaching wins three-year grant to evaluate the impact of the culinary coaching program on patient’s BMI First report to describe the impact of the CHEF Coaching for Clinicians training  published CHEF Coaching for Clinicians approved for continuing education credits by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics CHEF Coaching for Clinicians included during  Lifestyle Medicine In Day-to-Day Practice  conference, Harvard Medical School 2019 A new stand-alone CHEF Coaching enduring material CME program was founded by Harvard Medical School A new stand-alone remote live CHEF Coaching CME program was founded by Harvard Medical School First report to describe the impact of the Culinary coaching on cafeteria food  published Culinary coaching module developed for the  Lifestyle Medicine for Coaches  course offered by American College of Lifestyle Medicine Published  first study to identify the value of live online cooking with a chef module for clinical practice 2020 Over 1,000 participants have completed CHEF Coaching the Basics Culinary coaching chosen as the Culinary Medicine module at the Department of Lifestyle Health Sciences,  University of North Texas Health Science Center Culinary coaching program chosen as the nutritional intervention for patients with spinal cord injury at  Providence Care Hospital  CHEF Coaching selected as an instructional course at the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine 2021 First article on culinary coaching’s impact on mental health during the COVID19 pandemic  published Culinary coaching featured in the first Global Positive Health Institute summit Culinary coaching featured at the International Congress on Metabolic Syndrome 2021 Queen’s Medical School wins grant to evaluate the feasibility of a culinary coaching medical education program as part of medical school education Culinary coaching featured at the Indian society of lifestyle medicine 2021 Culinary coaching featured at the Malaysian society of lifestyle medicine 2021 First article on culinary coaching, as part of a Whole Health curriculum for physicians assistants in the VA  published Paper describing the impact of a Whole health curriculum that includes culinary coaching  published 2022 Spanish language cohort added to the CHEF Coaching offerings Began study at Queen’s Medical School providing CHEF Coaching training and evaluating the competency of medical students to prescribe nutrition recommendations Approved CE Course for National Board of Health & Wellness Coaching Approved CEH provider for the American Culinary Federation Concluded Queen’s Medical School research pilot study on culinary coaching health outcomes in patients with spinal injuries Paper describing emotional impact of culinary coaching  published 2023 New Member of the Teaching Kitchens Collaborative Approved Continuing Education Provider American Culinary Federation Approved Maintenance of Certificate, CME program, for the  American / International Board of Lifestyle Medicine

CHEF Coaching Graduate Spotlight ~~ Theresa A. Stone, MD  shares both her experience implementing the training she received from the CHEF Coaching Program and patients success stories. May 2021.  Learn and Listen . “Thank you, Rani, Sara, Shirley, Jane, and the entire CHEF crew! The tools that I learned in the CHEF Coaching Program equipped me to bridge the gap between nutritional knowledge and patient self-care empowerment. I enjoy sharing whole food recipes and cooking tips with my patients. It is wonderful to watch many of my patients try new recipes, increase the number of home-cooked meals, change dietary patterns, and enjoy becoming full participants in the management of their healthcare. The absolutely delicious recipes, the all-encompassing library of culinary medicine research studies, and the helpful “starting your culinary medicine practice” how-to tips provided a wealth of information. The friendliness, depth of knowledge, and accessibility of the Chef Coaching staff are remarkable. Thank you for creating this brilliant combination of Culinary and Coaching skill building!” ~ Theresa A. Stone, Physician, Medstar Institute of Innovation     Nivi Jaswal, BA Psychology, MBA, NBC-HWC, MVLCE (Main Street Vegan Academy),  shares her experience applying skills learned in CHEF Coaching. Katie Van Dorn, Health and Wellness Coach, Chef   “I am so grateful to Dr. Rani Polak and the Harvard Institute of Lifestyle Medicine for developing this excellent culinary coaching program. The content of the program was very comprehensive, and the research literature shared to back up the methodology was well documented. I look forward to integrating these culinary coaching techniques into my wellness coaching work, as well as in my effort to provide cooking courses to patients and members of the public.” Kimberly Parks, Medical Director, Synergy Private Health and Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School “The Clinicians CHEF program helped form the foundation for creating a culinary medicine program within my own practice. I learned the potential that culinary coaching has to help transform patients’ lives, and I was given the resources I needed to become established in the culinary medicine community. I would recommend this course to any provider who wants to improve their own skills or learn how to coach others.” Alyssa Dalos, Medical Educator, Owner Alabama Functional Herbalism  "Through the Certificate in Culinary Coaching program, I gained greater familiarity with the use of culinary language; gained access to copious “curated” resources; and, solidified my habit of batch cooking and meal prep that I am happy to say continues to make my life easier and more delicious!"

CHEF Coaching Articles Spice up Your Cooking to Cut Down on Salt  - Harvard Hart Letter  Culinary Medicine: A Recipe for Better Health  - US News & World Report  Your new Rx for patients health: a good home-cooked meal  - American Medical Association  Culinary Medicine: A Prescription for Healthier Eating - Scientific American Practice Culinary Medicine in Your Own Kitchen  - Heraldtribune Beans: tools to improve health  – Vascular Medicine  Chef coaching – Joslin Diabetic Center Blog CHEF Coaching – translating nutritional  science  into practical tools  - Alternative and Complementary Therapies The Art of Cooking for Health: Culinary Medicine  – American Society for Nutrition Is there a doctor in the kitchen ? Proto, Massachusetts General Hospital  Home Cooking – Good for Your Health  – Harvard Health Publishing  Culinary Medicine: A Collaboration Not Competition Between Physicians and Dietitians – Today’s Dietitian  Food For Thought  - National Culinary Review  CHEF Coaching Graduates in the News Culinary Medicine Program Debuts at MedStar Health , Fox5 Learn to Cook Healthy , Boston Daily Democrat  Living the Good Life: Lifestyle Changes for a Healthier You , Los Angeles Public Library

Patient Outcomes Explore selected studies on the impact of culinary coaching interventions across various patient populations and their potential to improve outcomes. Innovation in Diabetes Care: Improving Consumption of Healthy Food Through a “Chef Coaching” Program: A Case Report A case report describing the outcomes of the first culinary coaching program, delivered in 2014.  We concluded that a culinary coaching program could help people with diabetes improve their culinary skills, nutrition, and overall self-care and health.  Improving patients' home cooking - A case series of participation in a remote culinary coaching program This case series presents a positive outcome of the culinary coaching program on participants' home cooking. This program might be a viable response to the need for effective and scalable health-related culinary interventions. This publication also includes the definition of culinary coaching.  Improving Adherence to Mediterranean-Style Diet With a Community Culinary Coaching Program: Methodology Development and Process Evaluation This report examines the feasibility of a Community Culinary Coaching Program to improve residents' nutrition in communal settlements. The residents, central kitchens, preschools, and communal dining rooms were identified as areas for intervention. Evaluation included goal accomplishment assessed by food purchases by the central kitchens, and residents' feedback through focus groups.  Improving the quality of foods available in a rural kibbutz cafeteria in Israel to align with a freshly prepared Mediterranean-style diet through a community culinary coaching programme This report examines the impact of a community culinary coaching programme on cafeteria food alignment with a freshly prepared Mediterranean-style diet, and diners' consumption habits and satisfaction. Intervention cafeteria food improved significantly in all Mediterranean index categories except nuts, and in the proportion of ultra-processed and unprocessed or minimally processed foods categories of the NOVA classification.  The Impact of a Culinary Coaching Telemedicine Program on Home Cooking and Emotional Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic A study that found a positive impact of the culinary coaching telemedicine program on emotional well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Culinary coaching via telemedicine may be an effective intervention for teaching home cooking skills and promoting self-care as a coping strategy during times of stress.  Expectations from a Home Cooking Program: Qualitative Analyses of Perceptions from Participants in "Action" and "Contemplation" Stages of Change, before Entering a Bi-Center Randomized Controlled Trial. The purpose of this report is to explore the expectations of participants in different stages of change from a culinary coaching program. While action group participants were looking to expand existing knowledge and techniques, contemplation group participants were focusing on acquiring culinary knowledge and skills. This can potentially contribute to developing effective, personalized nutrition interventions. Personalized Culinary Medicine: Qualitative Analyses of Perceptions from Participants in Action and Contemplation Stages of Change Through a One-Year Bi-Center Randomized Controlled Trial This paper assesses participants' perceptions of accomplishments, challenges, and needs up to 1 year after a culinary medicine program, according to their stage of change at entry. Perceptions were related to (1) acquire culinary and nutritional knowledge; (2) improve culinary and self-regulatory skills, (3); and (4) address the sustainability of health changes. This information can help reform effective personalized culinary medicine programs. Medical education outcomes Explore selected studies about the impact of culinary coaching medical education interventions, and learn about their potential to improve trainees' self-care and competencies to deliver culinary medicine interventions.  Innovation in medical education: a culinary coaching tele-nutrition training program This study describes the positive impact of the first Clinicians CHEF Coaching training (CHEF Coaching the basics together with Beyond the Basics) on health coaches’ confidence in delivering culinary coaching programs up to 6 months after the training, including high use of culinary coaching principles and tools in patient programs. This suggests that the culinary coaching model can be successfully expanded to health coaches, thus improving nutritional care. Cooking Online With a Chef: Health Professionals’ Evaluation of a Live Culinary Coaching Module This report presents and evaluates the live online “cooking with a chef” module that allows health care professionals to deliver cooking workshops from their own kitchens. The module was well received by self-selected health care professionals. Training Physician Assistant Students to Provide Evidence-Based, Holistic, Patient-Driven Care: a Novel Curriculum This paper describes and evaluates the implementation of a novel Whole Health/lifestyle medicine (WH-LM) education initiative that includes a culinary coaching module for physician assistant (PA) students embedded within a clinical rotation at the VA Boston Healthcare System (VABHS). Students demonstrated increased knowledge of WH-LM principles and greater self-efficacy in applying them following training. Evaluation of a Whole Health-Lifestyle Medicine Curriculum for Physician Assistant Students: a Mixed Methods Analysis This paper extends previous quantitative findings from the Whole Health-Lifestyle Medicine Curriculum, including a culinary coaching module, and reveals positive qualitative changes in PA student language and approach to clinical vignettes.  Culinary Medicine publications The CHEF Coaching team also contributed several studies that advanced the field of culinary medicine. To learn more about our contribution here.

This is a sample timeline, assuming the student begins in a January cohort. Please note we launch cohorts every month, so the timeline would adjust accordingly.

Left to right, Simon Matthews, Susan Benigas, and Dean Ornish Felicitations to the 2025 ACLM Fellows ! A special hurrah to the Wellcoaches community members amongst them!: Qadira Ali, MD, MPH, DipABLM, FACLM , Deborah Chielli, MSN, APRN, AGNP-C, FACLM , Amy Comander, MD, DipABLM, FACLM, MSCP , Sarah-Ann Keyes, EdD, PA-C, DipACLM, FACLM , Simran Malhotra, MD, DipABLM, CHWC, FACLM , and Shanna Mello, EdD, MS, DipACLM, FACLM . Congratulations to UNT Health Fort Worth, Debbie Gillespie , & Misti Zablosky !  Wellcoaches is proud to be their partner and provide the coaching component for their Master of Science in Lifestyle Health Sciences & Coaching  degree program. At LM2025 they were awarded ACLM’s Special Recognition Award in the Graduate Category.  Presenting the award on behalf of the Awards Committee, Sami Bég said, “Drs. Zablosky and Gillespie showed remarkable vision in bringing lifestyle medicine into the academic setting with this first-of-its-kind program. Their leadership is playing a pivotal role in advancing lifestyle medicine as the future of healthcare and educating the next generation of professionals.” Margaret Moore and Joe Sage At his Candid Medical practice in Oregon, Wellcoach  Joe Sage  (Dr. Joe) provides individual coaching and lifestyle medicine.  He also uses his Wellcoach training and physician leadership training to help healthcare teams with workplace well-being.  At LM2025 he shared his wisdom regarding the latter in his LM2025 presentation, “Longevity and Legacy: How to Practice Medicine without Burnout.” Sage described how “work culture, work practices, and personal resilience interact as a framework for professional fulfillment.”   Conference attendees can access his presentation’s slides through the conference’s website.  ( Other Wellcoaches who have also made their presentation slides available include Ziya Altug & Wendy Farnen-Price, Melissa Reznar, Simon Matthews, Kara Tibbe, and Michelle Crawford. Plus, you can see the slides for Margaret’s “Coaching is Healthcare: Next steps for Medical Practices.”)   You’ll be able to learn more about Dr. Joe on an upcoming Wellcoaches Inside podcast episode! Rani Polak and Margaret Moore   Also at LM2025 were poster presentations by several Wellcoaches, and we have been given permission to share the posters with you.  Along with colleagues from Sheba Medical Center, our faculty person Rani Polak  conducted a study on “ Coaching for individuals with end stage lung disease ” – both coaching to help prepare for lung transplantation, and coaching to help improve outcomes afterwards. Their 24-month RCT compared individuals who participated in a Health Coaching Telemedicine Program with a control group who was simply given lifestyle-related reading material.     Wellcoach Sylvia K. Perry, DNP  and Elizabeth Abraham, RN  shared their poster presentation  on a study they conducted about the impacts of a lifestyle medicine program – PAVING the Path to Wellness - on healthcare workers’ well-being.  The study looked at the program’s impact on two cohorts, one of clinical research staff and one of advanced practice providers.  PAVING the Path  was originally developed by Wellcoach alum Beth Frates, MD  and has been supported by Amy Comander, MD , Michelle Tollefson, MD , and Valeria Tivnan .  Beth originally developed PAVING to use with stroke survivors, Amy adapted it to use with breast cancer survivors, and Sylvia and Elizabeth adapted it to use in the workplace.

Polypharmacy is defined , usually though not formally, as regular, concurrent use of five or more medications. Meeting this definition is relatively easy for older adults who, on average, take four daily medications.  15% of older adults are taking eight or more meds!  This is not a problem confined to those over 65. The young and middle-aged often take prescription medicines to treat depression, pain-remediation, risk factor mitigation, and disease control.  We can easily imagine a patient with hypertension and diabetes having a daily management regimen exceeding five prescriptions. Over-the-counter medications can add to the medicinal pile-up as they may also interact with prescribed meds. Polypharmacy is often necessary  and appropriate to treat multiple chronic diseases.  However, it is also possible for polypharmacy to be inappropriate and result from years of medical treatment without regular, careful reevaluation of patient status. The consequences of polypharmacy  are many and can be seen at the systemic, societal, and individual levels. Excessive medication costs and greater hospitalization burden the healthcare system, while patient debilitation can strain families, friends, and communities. A patient can suffer from a multitude of adverse effects of medicines, ranging from loss of appetite to decreased interest in usual activities and potentially mental confusion. There is also danger in poor adherence to essential medications when so many pills are to be remembered and juggled daily. Recognizing the adverse effects of polypharmacy  is not easy because many of the signs and symptoms can be attributed to other aspects of illness and disease. Notwithstanding that, some adverse effects of polypharmacy can be sleeplessness, decreased alertness, GI problems, depression, and greater incidents of falls.  In fact, taking four or more medications is known to be associated with a greater likelihood of falling.   Health and well-being coaches (HWC) are impactful  in helping people with multiple conditions improve their health. Coaches can also help patients take responsibility for adhering to their medication regimens.  Studies show that HWC can support a patient’s goals regarding medication adherence by facilitating coaching conversations that include discussion about a client’s medications.  The alert and caring HWC can encourage a patient to recognize the risks of polypharmacy and support the patient’s efforts to engage with their physicians on reducing these risks.  Coaches working with patients managing polypharmacy in clinical settings and integrated into patient care teams will need to acquire the knowledge and develop the skills to effectively support polypharmacy discussions with patients.  This can be accomplished on the job or in training programs consistent with the HWC scope of practice. Patient-driven behavior change, as supported by the HWC , can lead to health improvements. Changing physical activity and diet patterns, loss in body weight, and improved mental outlook (e.g., reduced anxiety) can all change the need for prescription medications.  The vigilant HWC recognizes this possibility and supports patients' understanding that changing their lifestyle behavior can also affect their medication needs  HWC's scope of practice  must be carefully considered when assisting a client who is potentially dealing with the adverse effects of polypharmacy.  The HWC should not undertake responsibility for a client’s compliance with their prescriptions.  Instead, the coach should enable patients to be self-accountable for managing their medications.  The coach can be familiar with their clients’ prescriptions but not responsible for tracking them.  The National Board of Health and Wellness Coaches and the law are clear: unless authorized by license (e.g., MD, NP, PA), a HWC can never prescribe, adjust, or recommend any changes to a client’s medications.  Directing a client to alter medication can be a life-threatening action while also putting the HWC in a legally dangerous situation. The HWC can help  clients identify resources to increase their medication literacy and understand each of the medications they are taking.  HWC can collaborate in the development of the client’s plan for following their medication regimen.  And importantly, the HWC can support the clients’ preparation for visits (list of all meds, symptoms) with the prescriber. HWC promotes self- efficacy by encouraging clients to voice concerns, ask questions, and have conversations about medications with healthcare providers.  Empowering clients to care for themselves is a central role of the HWC.  In summary , the HWC needs to operate within the HWC’s scope of practice while assisting clients who are negatively impacted by polypharmacy.  The HWC who is working with a patient with comorbidities needs to be effectively integrated within the patient’s health care team.  While a HWC has no role in medication prescription, if properly trained the HWC can effectively coach clients to understand potential adverse impacts of polypharmacy and to self-monitor themselves for such adverse effects. Through empowerment and referral to education and care coordination resources, the HWC can help clients in their medication optimization efforts.  The coach’s client-centered approach makes them a valuable ally in the healthcare team’s efforts to enhance patient well-being while mitigating the risks of polypharmacy.  On a broader scale, these efforts can help alleviate patient suffering, reduce healthcare utilization, and lower the overall costs associated with widespread polypharmacy in our healthcare system. Bibliography Dusetzina SB, Besaw RJ, Whitmore CC, et al. Cost-Related Medication Nonadherence and Desire for Medication Cost Information Among Adults Aged 65 Years and Older in the US in 2022.  JAMA Netw Open.  2023;6(5):e2314211. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.14211 Halli-Tierney AD, Scarbrough C, Carroll D. Polypharmacy: Evaluating Risks and Deprescribing. Am Fam Physician. 2019 Jul 1;100(1):32-38. PMID: 31259501. National Board of Health and Wellness Coaches.  Scope of Practice.  https://nbhwc.org/scope-of-practice/ Tsang JY, Sperrin M, Blakeman T, Payne RA, Ashcroft D. Defining, identifying and addressing problematic polypharmacy within multimorbidity in primary care: a scoping review. BMJ Open. 2024 May 24;14(5):e081698. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-081698. Varghese D, Ishida C, Patel P, et al. Polypharmacy. [Updated 2024 Feb 12]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532953/ Whitman STK, Westervelt K, Weinand RL, Sibold J, Thompson TL, O'Farrell KD, Wolever RQ. Health and Wellness Coaching in Clinical Care: A Call to Action. J Integr Complement Med. 2025 Oct 30. doi: 10.1177/27683605251392361 Wolever, R.Q. and Dreusicke, M.H., 2016. Integrative health coaching: a behavior skills approach that improves HbA1c and pharmacy claims-derived medication adherence.  BMJ Open Diabetes Research and Care ,  4 (1), p.e000201.

Curiosity, Concern , or Contribution? Artificial intelligence (AI) is not a distant or merely possible concept in the coaching world. It is here. Now. AI in Coaching: Here and Now Over the past few years, discussions about AI in coaching have broadened and deepened. The questions being asked about AI reflect the same level of concern about any new technology which might upend the status quo: Will it remove value from a practice built on empathy and human connection? Will it compromise the essence of coaching? Will it displace coaches altogether? Could private information be inadvertently (or even deliberately) exposed? Will bias and skew become “baked in” to AI algorithms? The research and the blogosphere conversations reflect both excitement and caution. Some see AI as “democratizing”—making coaching more accessible, affordable, and scalable. Others discuss the risks of overreliance, arguing that the nuances of human intuition, trust, and presence cannot be replicated by a machine. Regardless of the views we all might have, the truth is that the technology is here, and the coaching profession needs to decide how best to engage with it. What AI Does Well (and maybe not so well) Some recent systematic reviews and other empirical studies point to AI coaching tools being effective for specific well-defined tasks such as goal setting and attainment, behavioral change processes and supporting psychological well-being. In fact, some of this research suggests that AI matches the efficacy of human coaches in these areas 1 2 3 . Perhaps unsurprisingly, AI currently appears to fall short of the mark in areas of coaching engagement which depend on deep engagement, highly individualized attention and the formation of a strong coaching alliance 4 5 . I speak, teach and write extensively about the role of coaching alliance in behavioral change (and in a therapy framework, the complementing “therapeutic alliance”). Common Factors Theory 6  tells us that the factor which accounts for most of the beneficial variance in coaching and therapy outcomes is the client’s own resources, skills, abilities, beliefs, attitudes, values, supports, learnings, knowledge, motivations, networks, tools, role models and personal narratives. The next most influential factor is the coaching alliance. For me, it’s unsurprising that coaching can be so effective – coaching directly harnesses the most powerful factor in change! And… for AI to harness the power of common factors, it must be able to learn about the individual resources of the client at hand and not simply rely on a generic pool of skills and talents that individuals may have. (If you’d like to read more about common factors in coaching, the work of Erik de Haan is essential 7 8 9 10 ) Within this broader discourse, there is a promising application for AI which stands out (to me at least!): AI as a training aid for coaches. Simulation and Feedback for Coach Training For trainee and newly certified coaches, practice is essential. Opportunities to coach “real” clients can be scarce – trainees typically harness existing networks which often means that family, friend and acquaintances offer assistance. And that’s the challenge – the “client” in this instance is engaging not because of their own need for personal change but because of a desire to support their friend or family member. In my experience as a coaching educator, this often leads to a situation where the client is “going easy” on the coach by being very compliant, or they’re acting as a challenging client, in the mistaken belief that this will aid development. (This is a little like a driving instructor giving a novice student challenges like controlling a car on an oily road or in the midst of heavy, high-speed traffic). Peer coaching, role-plays, and a small number of volunteer clients are helpful, but they typically don’t provide enough volume or variety to build strong skills quickly. Unlike aviation and medicine, where simulations are standard for training, coaching has lacked an equivalent. Until now. Simulated coaching conversations with AI-generated “clients” are feasible and can offer a way to practice in a safe, low-risk environment. Coaches can rehearse, make mistakes, and try again—without worrying about harming a client relationship. Beyond role-play clients, AI can also be used to provide mentor like feedback. Frameworks already exist for assessing coaches against established competencies 11 12 , and these same frameworks can be used to teach AI models what they should be looking for in coaching performance.  The key benefits which I see in using AI to support coach training are that accessibility to practice is increased: coaches can practice anytime, anywhere, without needing to coordinate schedules; transcripts and recordings of simulated sessions can be deconstructed during supervision and/ or mentoring; and, there is a “failsafe” inherent in the process. It is impossible to precipitate distress or harm in another person using a simulation. Of course, the AI simulation practice itself is of little value without an opportunity for reflection and learning which can be strengthened through a supervisory or mentor relationship. In this way, as far as I can tell at the moment, human coaches will always need to be a part of the process. This mirrors the aviation environment in which simulations can be used for training, and aircraft can be flown using the Autopilot function, but always with the presence and attention of a human pilot. As more coaches test these tools, I believe attitudes will continue to shift. Beginning with the premise of AI not as a replacement for human clients or mentors, but as a supplement—the technology can be harnessed as a practice ground that strengthens the ability of coaches to show up fully in real conversations. At the same time, the limitations are clear. Emotional nuance, intuition, and the lived complexity of client stories are not easily simulated. Feedback from AI is structured and consistent and currently also lacks the deep resonance of human mentoring.  Human-led Coaching, with AI as Support The ultimate solution is likely one of integration. Coaches can use AI to gain more practice, accelerate learning, and receive structured feedback, while still engaging in real human interactions for the depth, empathy, and presence that define excellent coaching. Students can benefit from extra practice opportunities, and certified coaches can use AI mentors alongside human mentors to continue refining their skills and perspectives. The broader coaching community continues (and should continue) to debate the role of AI. In my view, the training and development pathway already looks practical and promising. By situating AI as a practice partner and a means of providing mentor like feedback, coaches at every level can extend their learning without compromising the human essence of their work. The future of coaching won’t be about coaches versus  AI—it will be about coaches with  AI. And those who learn to use these tools thoughtfully will find themselves better prepared, more confident, and ultimately more effective in serving their clients. PS…I’ve received ethics approval to conduct a study on the feasibility and usability of AI in learning coaching skills. If you’re currently enrolled in the Wellcoaches Core Coach Training program, you’ll be shortly receiving an invitation to participate in the research. Citations 1 Passmore, J., Olafsson, B., & Tee, D. (2025). A systematic literature review of artificial intelligence (AI) in coaching: insights for future research and product development. Journal of Work-Applied Management.   2 Terblanche, N., Molyn, J., De Haan, E., & Nilsson, V. (2022). Comparing artificial intelligence and human coaching goal attainment efficacy. PLoS ONE, 17. 3   Aggarwal, A., Tam, C., Wu, D., Li, X., & Qiao, S. (2023). Artificial Intelligence–Based Chatbots for Promoting Health Behavioral Changes: Systematic Review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 25. 4 Plotkina, L., & Ramalu, S. (2024). Unearthing AI coaching chatbots capabilities for professional coaching: a systematic literature review. Journal of Management Development 5 Bachkirova, T., & Kemp, R. (2024). ‘AI coaching’: democratising coaching service or offering an ersatz?. Coaching: An International Journal of Theory, Research and Practice, 18, 27 - 45. 6 Asay, T. P., & Lambert, M. J. (1999). The empirical case for the common factors in therapy: Quantitative findings. In M. A. Hubble, B. L. Duncan, & S. D. Miller (Eds.),  The heart and soul of change: What works in therapy  (pp. 23–55). American Psychological Association. 7 de Haan E, Duckworth A. The coaching relationship and other ‘common factors’ in executive coaching outcome. In: de Haan E, Sills C, eds. Coaching Relationships: Relational Coaching Field Book . Faringdon: Libri; 2012:185-196 8 de Haan E, Duckworth A, Birch D, Jones C. Executive coaching outcome research: the predictive value of common factors such as relationship, personality match and self-efficacy. Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research . 2013;65(1):40-57. 9 de Haan E, Grant AM, Burger Y, Eriksson P-O. A large-scale study of executive and workplace coaching: the relative contributions of relationship, personality match, and self-efficacy. Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research . 2016;68(3):189-207. 10 de Haan E, Gray DE, Bonneywell S. Executive coaching outcome research in a field setting: a near-randomized controlled trial study in a global healthcare corporation. Academy of Management Learning & Education . 2019;18(4):581-605. 11  https://coachingfederation.org/credentialing/coaching-competencies/icf-core-competencies 12 https://www.ukihca.com/images/2024-UKIHCA-Standards---COMPETENCIES---ALL.pdf

The professional lives of nurses demand the highest-ever levels of internal resources and well-being to meet the growing challenges faced by patients, as well as healthcare practices and organizations.   ​ As a Nurse Wellcoach ® , or health & well-being coach, you can become a new force for good - helping your patients, colleagues, and leaders tap into their deepest motivation, draw out their strengths, set their compass on their best selves, and shift their mindsets and behaviors to enable positive, lasting change.  ​ All the while, you will be transformed through your own self-coaching journey, rediscovering your deepest values and resources, and rising above the tide of burnout. ​ Why become a Nurse Wellcoach ® ? Improve your own well-being.  Learning about, and applying, key coaching concepts like self-compassion, growth-mindset, and wellness visioning will inevitably have a positive impact on your own life. Increase patient satisfaction and engagement.  Your patients will experience you as a more empathetic listener who delivers patient-centered care. Change the culture of your organization.  Gain valuable skills for communicating with colleagues and building trusting, and collaborative relationships. Enjoy your professional development and earn CEs. Module 1 of our Core Coach Training is approved for 38.25 CEs , and Module 2 for 10 CEs. Wellcoaches also supports nurse well-being through our affiliation with Nurses Feed their Young (NFTY). NFTY founder Teresa Sanderson created Thriving Nurse Network, a supportive and empowering community. If you are interested in joining it, learn more here . Curious about your own well-being? Wellcoaches has developed a validated inventory to support you in reflecting upon your own well-being in the areas of life, work, body, and mind. Take the Inventory or share it with a patient! Coach with confidence When you use our coaching tools, you can be assured that they work!  The Wellcoaches Protocol of health/well-being coaching is the most thoroughly tested coaching protocol in the healthcare and well-being domains, resulting in positive, statistically significant outcomes in all 22 peer-reviewed studies. 194 coaches, 30,984 patients/clients, 128,076 coaching sessions What you will learn The keys to improving patient well-being (and your own) How to differentiate the coach approach from the educational approach How to establish growth-promoting relationships Ways to display deep coaching presence Expressing compassion through empathy The value of building positive emotions for resilience Strategies for eliciting motivation The process for building self-efficacy The stages of readiness to change The protocol for building powerful visions Inquiries for crafting designs for behavior experiments What it takes to create generative (ah-ha!) moments Meet a Few of our Faculty and Team Members who are Nurses Kim Poyner, RN, PN, PCC, NBC-HWC Kim has an extensive history working with medical centres and Primary Health Networks to train medical professionals in behaviour change therapy and chronic disease management. She was awarded the 2015 Australian Best Practice Nurse award in Chronic Disease Management. She is currently training Health Professionals across Australia in chronic disease management, prevention screening, and Quality Improvement strategies. She regularly presents at national conferences as a keynote speaker on Change Management, Teaming, Coaching, Chronic Disease Management, Creating Efficiency in General Practice and Care Co-ordination. Darlene Trandel, PhD, RN/FNP, MSN, CPP, PCC, NBC-HWC With over 25 years of clinical practice, research and teaching background in the healthcare industry, Darlene is an experienced family nurse practitioner, professional coach, consultant, educator, and researcher. Darlene received her academic training at the Universities of Virginia, Washington, North Carolina and Harvard and has many years of clinical, research and faculty appointments at these institutions. Darlene is faculty in multiple ICF-Approved Coaching Programs and graduate university programs, delivers workshops in evidence-based coaching strategies and provides services as a health/well-being coach and consultant to individuals and organizations. Darlene is a guest lecturer for the Science of Coaching courses at Harvard and a contributing team member for NBHWC. Beth Tansey Peller, RN, BSN, BS, NBC-HWC, PCC Beth is a Certified Professional Health and Wellness Coach, an ICF PCC, and National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach. She has served as a Wellcoaches Certification Examiner and Mentor Coach for many years, wrote Going from Beginner to Brilliant, A Practical Guide to Passing Your Practical, and contributed to our National Board Prep Exam and Lifestyle Medicine for Coaches modules. Beth is our Wellcoaches Student Enrollment Coach. She facilitated an affiliation with Nurses Feed Your Young and serves as a Coaching Expert for Thriving Nurse Network . Learn more about Beth at www.bewellwithbeth.com . Participating in the 4-day Wellcoaches training & certification process was a rewarding experience. The pace of the program was just what I needed as a busy mom with a demanding career in healthcare. The curriculum was well put together and the instructors were simply amazing. I loved that they offered real life experiences and presented the content in a manner that was easily understood. The self paced modules provided me with an opportunity to review them at my convenience, some of which I reviewed multiple times because the information was so intriguing. At the completion of the Wellcoaches training & certification program, I feel I have learned priceless skills that I can use in my everyday life as a nurse, leader, coach, and entrepreneur. I am thankful to have found such an amazing program that has provided me with a solid foundation to coach clients with confidence. Kai Lang DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CHWC Meet a Few of our Nurse Graduates Kathleen Kerstetter, Registered Nurse, MSN, NBC-HWC, DipACLM, Certified Wellcoach At  Beet Wellness , we offer a variety of  individual and group coaching options  to help you explore your path to wellness in a way that works best for you. Some thrive with one-on-one coaching, receiving personalized guidance and support. And for others, group coaching creates the perfect environment for motivation, connection, and shared learning. Either way, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Christine Buckley , DNP, Certified Wellcoach As a Professor of Nursing at  Endicott College, she focuses on integrating mindfulness and resiliency training into the formal education of nursing students as a tool to cultivate resiliency and mitigate burnout. She offers Mindful Wellbeing & Resiliency programs in academic and clinical settings and teaches Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction at the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts. Her individual and group Mindfulness Based Health and Wellness Coaching fosters the creation of sustainable, personalized pathways for mindfulness and well-being. Elizabeth Peltz , RN, Certified Wellcoach , NBC-HWC Elizabeth lives in Wyoming and devotes one to two days per week to coaching. She has a strong interest in collaborating with primary care providers to support patients in making and sustaining lifestyle changes. Elizabeth also does pro bono coaching for  www.anisehealth.co , a startup created by fellow Wellcoaches graduate, Alice Zhang. Doretha Anthony Thomas , LPN, NBC-HWC, Certified Wellcoach Doretha is focused on caregivers to provide coaching to them as they navigate often challenging times. She works part-time as a nurse as she is building her coaching business.  Nancy Miller , BSN, RN, Certified Wellcoach After becoming a Certified Life Coach through Wellcoaches and AG Coaching, Nancy's dream of starting her own business became a reality when she took early retirement from being a School Nurse. Shawna Oliver , RN, Certified Wellcoach, NBC-HWC Shawna considers herself fortunate to be Wellcoaches certified and a member since 2012 . "The camaraderie from other members and the assistance from the leadership team is invaluable. The Wellcoaches curriculum positions members to be in an ideal place to sit for the National Board of Health and Wellness Coach Exam and its CEUs count towards that renewal. Above all, continuing educational classes provide opportunities that allow members to evolve as coaches and serve clients with the latest information on behavior change and to be informed on how to address current societal well-being issues."