What is an Integrative Health Coach?

Hi, i’m Kaelyn!

Wife, mom, emergency room nurse, and certified integrative health coach.

My background in health care

I remember being in 8th grade and first thinking that I wanted to pursue a career in health care. I had always considered myself a “people person” and wanted to do something that helped others. In the town I grew up, we had a small medical charter high school that tailored their curriculum to being medical- focused, and preparing students for future careers in health care.

It sounded like a great way to “test the waters” and learn more about a career in nursing without spending thousands of dollars in college, so I applied to their lottery admissions and a few months later found out that I had gotten in!

I spent four years in high school job shadowing, learning medical terminology, doing surgical tours, becoming a certified nursing assistant, and getting some of my college prerequisites out of the way. And through it all, I continued getting more and more excited about the idea of becoming a nurse.

My senior year of high school I got my first “big girl job” as a CNA in a local assisted living home so that I could get the required six months of experience to apply to the local hospital. Exactly six months later, I started at the hospital where I would spend (so far) the next ten years of my working life.

I worked in the emergency room as a nurse assistant throughout nursing school and four years later, transitioned to a working as a registered nurse in that same emergency room! It was the most amazing experience and I got to learn such a wide variety of skills, knowledge, and critical thinking. It was also the place where I experienced my first dose of burn out…

How burn out inspired me to try something new

After four years as a registered nurse, I found myself having worked through a pandemic in the state’s busiest emergency department. I had just given birth to my first daughter and found myself dreading going into work-I was burned out and overwhelmed. I had always known I wanted to help people and healthcare had seemed like a good fit. Could I have gotten it wrong all this time?

I decided that if I was going to be able to sustain a career in nursing, I had to step away from the ER for awhile. I found a lower acuity department and accepted a part-time position. But the longer my primary role was as a bedside nurse, the more I realized I was not helping promote wellness, but rather helping people cope with their symptoms and disease.

I started brainstorming different ideas that would complement my strengths and allow me to continue doing work I am passionate about: encouraging women in their health journey’s and finding true holistic wellness.

My Journey as a Health Coach

That was when I found Institute of Integrate Nutrition and started completing their certification program to become an integrative health coach.

Simply put, a health coach is a wellness expert and mentor who helps their client to achieve their health goals.

They are experts are tapping into their clients motivation, triggers, and patterns to help them make lifelong changes and healthy habits.

The really exciting thing about health coaching is that it is becoming more and more popular and I think there will continue to be a lot of growth in this industry. Why?

Because our society continues to get sicker and sicker. Everything from obesity and diabetes to autoimmune disorders and hormone imbalances are becoming more common for people to deal with.

With a growing population, we also have limited health care providers per person. This has created an amazing opportunity for health coaches to partner with providers.

The hospital I have worked at for the last 9 years has recently began hiring health coaches. The doctor’s office I personally go to also has a health coach on staff. And more and more virtual health coaching services are becoming available across the world.

What is a health coach NOT?

A health coach is not a medical provider.

They should not be diagnosing, prescribing, testing, interpreting medical results, or writing nutrition plans.

They are there to help support and guide you to achieving your wellness goals.

They are there to help motivate, encourage and hold you accountable.

They are there to create a safe space for you to talk about what you’re struggling with and what you hope to achieve.

They are there to hep you establish new and lasting health habits.

Is a health coach right for me?

Are you lacking motivation?

Always “starting again” on Monday?

Struggling with knowing where to even start?

I work with women looking to simplify wellness and make holistic life changes. No fad diets, crazy restrictions, or confusion.. Just quieting the noise and focusing in on what YOUR body needs.

And the secret? Most of the time it’s remembering the fundamentals of wellness and prioritizing those — nourishment through real foods, sleep, hydration, stress management, moving your body, and connecting with nature.

As your health coach I will help you to set attainable goals and create lifelong habits to support your health holistically.

I will meet you where you are on your personal health journey and we will partner together to make improvements in small and sustainable steps.

And to honest, there will probably be a lot of laughter and silliness along the way.

If you are interested in more information or have questions about the process, click the link below to check out my coaching page!