The Health Coach Show

The Health Coach Show

The Health Coach Show by Shivaun Conn and Sharon Curtain is a podcast all about the science, tips, tools and the practicalities of changing behaviour. As dietitians and HCANZA accredited health coaches we’ve got 50 years experience between us, supporting others to create healthier lifestyle behaviours and habits. We’ll be talking about the skills of coaching, what’s helpful and surprisingly unhelpful and we will share practical strategies that you can use to help clients get motivated, get unstuck and take action towards living as the healthiest version of themselves.

  1. 09/05/2025

    Utilising AI for better client outcomes | Ep. 30

    In this episode of the Health Coach Show, we discuss the role of AI powered tools to streamline data collection to save time, reduce admin and create better outcomes for our clients. Shivaun Conn, a HCANZA accredited health and wellness coach and dietitian, is joined by Robbie Clark, dietitian, exercise scientist, and Director and Co-founder of HealthBank.io, an AI-powered digital clinic software. We discuss: How we utilise 'data' in healthcare How AI can be utilised to streamline data collection and help us to make more better clinical decisions How AI powered tools can support and empower our clients What health coaches should know about privacy and safety of AI The Healthbank platform - AI powered digital clinic software Building visibility online, networking and mentoring for health coaches Follow on resources: Health Bank website: https://www.healthbank.io/ Interested in learning more about health coaching? We offer short self paced courses that will give you tools and strategies to support clients, and we also offer interactive, accredited courses that teach the foundation skills of health coaching, and courses that provide gap training and skill mastery for those who are looking to expand their skill set and become nationally recognised with the Health Coaches Australia New Zealand Association (HCANZA) Our courses are fully online, with webinars delivered via zoom. To access free resources or to book one of our upcoming courses visit our website: www.accreditedhealthcoaching.com.au If you find this podcast valuable, please share, follow, and leave a review. You can also follow us on social media If you would like to provide feedback, ask a question or suggest a topic, please contact us via our email, info@accreditedhealthcoaching.com.au Thank you for listening, your support is appreciated. Proudly a HCANZA accredited course provider.

    54 min
  2. 08/05/2025

    Know Your Worth, Clarify Your Niche(s) & Grow Without Burnout | Ep. 29

    In this episode of the Health Coach Show, we discuss how to know your worth as a health coach, find and clarify your niche, and grow and scale your practice online without burning out. Shivaun Conn, a HCANZA accredited health and wellness coach and dietitian, is joined by Rebekah Jones, a registered dietitian, private practice business mentor, and creator of the Scalable Practice Framework™. We discuss: How to scale our practices without burnout Service options and modes of delivery Business mapping - designing a strategy that aligns with our lifestyle, supports our goals, and delivers ideal client outcomes Niches - do we need one? How do we niche in a way that suits us? Knowing our worth and overcoming imposter syndrome - using logic, data, and evidence Follow on resources: "Niche Clarity Coach: Find Your Niche & Ideal Client (In Minutes - with AI)” : https://rebekah-jones.mykajabi.com/protocol-builder-bot-1  Rebekah Jones website: https://rebekahjones.com.au/ 10% discount code for programs: AHCA10 Interested in learning more about health coaching? We offer short self paced courses that will give you tools and strategies to support clients, and we also offer interactive, accredited courses that teach the foundation skills of health coaching, and courses that provide gap training and skill mastery for those who are looking to expand their skill set and become nationally recognised with the Health Coaches Australia New Zealand Association (HCANZA) Our courses are fully online, with webinars delivered via zoom. To access free resources or to book one of our upcoming courses visit our website: www.accreditedhealthcoaching.com.au If you find this podcast valuable, please share, follow, and leave a review. You can also follow us on social media If you would like to provide feedback, ask a question or suggest a topic, please contact us via our email, info@accreditedhealthcoaching.com.au Thank you for listening, your support is appreciated. Proudly a HCANZA accredited course provider.

    50 min
  3. 05/08/2025

    Self Determination Theory in a Coaching Context with Gordon Spence | Ep. 28

    In this episode of the Health Coach Show, we’re discussing Self Determination Theory (SDT), a key theory of motivation that underpins the work health coaches do. Sharon Curtain, dietitian and HCANZA accredited health coach, is joined by Gordon Spence, a coaching psychologist, exercise scientist, educator, researcher, private practitioner and an expert in SDT. We discuss: Why SDT is a robust theory of optimal functioningThe mini theories Basic Needs Theory and the guidance is gives us to create an optimal experience for coaching clientsWhat makes it different from other motivation theoriesThe Extrinsic to Intrinsic motivation continuumHow to facilitate a shift in motivation by connecting to beliefs, values and intrinsic motivatorsAllowing space for clients can be  Gordon has just had a new paper published - The Health Activation Process: An autonomy-supportive coaching model for facilitating sustainable active living. He is now building on this, using guided autobiography to get people to reflect on memories of physical activity which can result in leaning in to positivity, changing perspectives towards being active. Gordon is a Senior Lecturer in the Master of Science in Coaching Psychology program, University of Sydney, he’s published many scholarly articles and book chapters, two books on healthy ageing, provides evidence-based coaching & consulting services and sits on the board of Health Coaches Australia New Zealand Association (HCANZA). You can contact Gordon at info@drgordonspence.com You can read more about coaching and self determination here:  Spence, Gordon & Oades, Lindsay. (2011). Coaching with self-determination in mind: Using theory to advance evidence-based coaching practice. International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring. 9. 37-55. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313707730_Coaching_with_self-determination_in_mind_Using_theory_to_advance_evidence-based_coaching_practice To learn more about health coaching, access free resources or to book one of our upcoming courses visit our website: www.accreditedhealthcoaching.com.au Proudly a HCANZA accredited course provider.

    33 min
  4. 01/28/2025

    Rewards - Are they useful in behaviour change | Ep. 25

    In this episode of The Health Coach Show, we discuss how rewards can be useful to help clients change their behaviours. The big question is 'Are rewards helpful and do they help with long-term behaviour change?' How rewards can support behaviour and habit change: Rewards provide positive reinforcement Rewards can give us that little motivation boost on days when we don’t feel like it - especially useful during the early stages of change when motivation is low.  Rewards bring benefits into the present: providing immediate feedback that the behaviour is worth doing - particularly useful when changes may not be noticed for a few weeks. Examples of effective rewards in health coaching: Celebrating small milestones /consistency - reward yourself with a new book, water bottle or workout mat Replacing alcohol with zero alcohol drinks Buy the expensive chocolate (and therefore eat less) Non-food rewards - bath,  listening to a podcast, going to a movie, reading a book/magazine for pleasure, permission to do nothing When rewards can be unhelpful: Extrinsic vs. intrinsic motivation: when we rely on the external rewards - ie the only reason we engage in a behaviour is to get the reward, we’re extrinsically motivated - once the reward is removed, the motivation to do the behaviour stops. Risks of relying on rewards: Short-term compliance without long-term behaviour change. Creating dependency on rewards rather than fostering internal motivation.  Reward chasing: Constantly using rewards can reduce their effectiveness. We can lose interest in routine rewards and look for additional rewards to stay motivated. Using unhealthy rewards: e.g. going out for a big breakfast after a gym session, or rewarding a long day with a glass of wine - can un-do the good work of the behaviour itself.  In coaching, we can use both intrinsic and extrinsic rewards - the extrinsic can be really valuable in the early stages of change- while connecting to intrinsic ones over time. This might look like: Encouraging self-chosen rewards aligned with values. Social recognition (sharing progress with friends/family). Celebrating achievement with meaningful experiences (e.g., self care/connecting - a client rewarding themselves with a massage after sticking to a new routine for a week) Self-reward through positive self-talk and reflection on progress Connecting to how it makes you feel immediately or later that day - eg  more energy, better sleep. Mini rewards to help stick to a behaviour  Alternative treats Tracking progress can serve as a motivating reward: Visual progress (habit trackers, fitness apps) provides immediate feedback. Self-monitoring increases self-awareness and accountability. To learn more about health coaching, access free resources or to book one of our upcoming courses, visit our website: www.accreditedhealthcoaching.com.au

    19 min
  5. 07/24/2024

    Getting found as a health coach - with Health Hunter | Ep 23

    In this episode of The Health Coach Show, Sharon Curtain talks to Brianna Vidal and Sarah Mullens about the creation of a preventive health ecosystem for health coaches, health professionals and those who are looking to manage their health. Health Hunter is a digital platform that connects people with preventative health practitioners, providers and services. Sarah and Brianna, the co-founders, believe that a healthier, happier life starts with prevention. The reason for Health Hunter was quite simple, 1 out of 2 Australians are living with a chronic health conditions and it is estimated that 33% of these chronic conditions could be prevented if they were addressed earlier. The problem is, people don't always know about the services and health professionals that may be able to help them with prevention and early intervention.  Health Hunter provides access to practitioners that are hard to find. Search by your particular health concern for specialists in your location, all with a focus on preventative, women’s and chronic health issues. These are doctors or allied health practitioners have particular health interests and specialist areas of practice (i.e Gut issues or Women’s Health). Here is an example of the women's health ‘condition’ page https://www.healthhunter.au/conditions/womens-health   Health Hunter recognises the essential role health coaches play in helping individuals implement lifestyle changes and are currently onboarding health coaches in the practitioners section, searchable by their speciality or expertise. This is the perfect place to register your health coach business, promote your expertise, network with other health professionals and stay up to date with the latest tech. Please check it out…. https://www.healthhunter.au  You can also read our post about the value of health coaches! https://www.healthhunter.au/post/unveiling-the-role-of-a-health-coach-your-personal-wellness-guide

    37 min

About

The Health Coach Show by Shivaun Conn and Sharon Curtain is a podcast all about the science, tips, tools and the practicalities of changing behaviour. As dietitians and HCANZA accredited health coaches we’ve got 50 years experience between us, supporting others to create healthier lifestyle behaviours and habits. We’ll be talking about the skills of coaching, what’s helpful and surprisingly unhelpful and we will share practical strategies that you can use to help clients get motivated, get unstuck and take action towards living as the healthiest version of themselves.