Myth-Busting on Health Coaching.
Do You Really Know What a Health Coach Is?
Hands up — when you hear health coach, what pops into your head?
A gym buddy in Lycra shouting motivational quotes? A diet guru telling you what you can’t eat? Or maybe some kind of pricey lifestyle luxury only available to those with deep pockets?
If so, you’re not alone. In the UK, we’re a little behind the curve when it comes to health coaching. Many people don’t actually know what it involves, and even fewer realise how much support it can bring. But here’s the thing: health coaching is quietly reshaping the way we think about our wellbeing — and I honestly believe it deserves a spotlight.
Myth-Busting: What Health Coaching Isn’t
First things first: health coaching is not counselling, therapy, or a replacement for your GP. And it’s definitely not about someone telling you how to live your life.
Instead, think of it as a bridge — connecting the medical advice you’re given with the practical steps you need to actually make changes. It’s about clarity, consistency, and accountability. In other words: having someone on your side who sees the whole you, not just your symptoms.
Health Coaching in the GP’s Surgery
Here’s something exciting: more and more GPs are now adding health coaching skills to their toolkit. And honestly? This is a game-changer.
We’ve all had those 10-minute consultations where you’re in, out, and left with more questions than answers. It’s not the GP’s fault — the system just doesn’t allow much time. That’s where health coaching comes in.
Imagine a space where you’re asked questions like:
What matters most to you right now?
What have you already tried?
What’s getting in the way?
Then, together, you map out an action plan. Step by step. With someone walking alongside you, helping you join the dots. Sounds good, doesn’t it?
Health Isn’t Just Biology
Here’s the part most of us already know deep down: our health is never just about what’s happening in our bodies. It’s shaped by our environment, culture, community, and even inequality.
As my colleague Laura Williams, a UKIHCA Registered Health Coach, put it so well:
“It’s shaped by culture, community, environment and inequality. From housing to employment, from education to food access, the conditions people live in influence the choices they can make, and the chances they have to thrive.”
That’s why coaching goes beyond numbers on a blood test. It’s about looking at the bigger picture — your life, your habits, your circumstances — and finding ways forward that actually fit.
My Coaching Approach
I’ve been a registered Health Coach for years, but my roots are in community development. That means I’m passionate about what people can do, not what they can’t. I use the Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) approach, which is all about building on strengths, not just fixing problems.
Put simply? I believe we already have the capacity to change. My role is to help people tap into that — to lead their own journey, with the right support.
The Bigger Picture: Why Coaching Matters
The NHS has a 10-year plan that hints at prevention and lifestyle support, but let’s be real — health coaching doesn’t yet have a prime seat at the table. The pharmaceutical industry, tech innovations, and consultants hold most of the influence (and budgets).
But here’s why health coaching should matter more: it saves money and improves lives. Research from the Centre for Health & Social Care Research (2016) shows that for every £1 invested in health coaching, there’s a £3.44 return. That’s not just good for patients — it’s good for the NHS too.
As Dr Andy Knox, author of Sick Society, says:
“We need to be much more proactive in how we create health and wellbeing together in our communities… it’s about building strong relationships, really listening, co-designing and co-creating solutions.”
That’s health coaching in a nutshell.
So… Is It Time to Rethink Health Coaching?
Maybe it’s time we stopped seeing health coaching as a “nice little extra” and started recognising it as an essential skill — one that helps people feel heard, supported, and able to take real steps towards lasting health.
Because here’s the truth: when someone really listens, when they ask the right questions, when they walk with you through the ups and downs — things change. Health improves. Confidence grows. And lives can look completely different.
👉 Curious about what health coaching could do for you?
Visit Golden Years Coaching or email me at carole@gyc.org.uk to book an appointment.
