How do you become a coach (and actually make it work) without having it all figured out first? If you’ve ever thought, “I’d love to be a coach, but I’m not sure I’m qualified… and also I have no idea how the business side works,” this conversation is for you. Megan and Danna sit down with Ben Fox to unpack what it really looks like to grow into coaching, build credibility (even when you’re young), and create a sustainable path that doesn’t require perfection, a polished brand, or seven social platforms. Ben shares how he went from calling himself a broad “life coach” at 25 (boldly, as one does) to becoming a career transformation coach working with people navigating big professional pivots. A big theme is that coaching skill isn’t the same as industry expertise. Listening, reflecting, and helping someone move forward are transferable skills, and in many cases, the thing that makes someone a great coach is less about knowing the “right answers” and more about being able to hold space and ask the right questions. Then we get into the part most new coaches quietly dread: marketing. Ben doesn’t sugarcoat it, but he does make it feel doable. He talks about focusing on one platform (LinkedIn, in his case), using consistent outreach, and understanding the funnel. Not everyone responds, not everyone is your client, and that’s normal. The goal is reps, clarity, and a system you can keep doing when you’re tired, busy, or doubting yourself. Finally, the conversation zooms out to a freeing reminder: you can be a coach without being a full-time entrepreneur. Megan reflects on realizing that solo entrepreneurship wasn’t the right fit, while coaching still absolutely is. You can coach in a corporate job, in your community, inside a larger organization, or as a contractor. The question isn’t just “How do I become a coach?” but “What version of coaching actually fits my life, values, and nervous system?” Get in touch!We always looks forward to hearing from you! Send us an Email Send us a Voicemail Check out the So Frickin' Healthy Podcast Support the Show Chapters00:00 — Intro: rebooting Becoming a Health Coach + why Ben’s story matters 01:45 — Ben’s coaching identity: life coach → career transformation coach 03:45 — Age vs credibility: earning trust when you’re young 07:10 — Do certifications matter (and what programs can really give you) 10:00 — “Just go coach”: learning by doing and getting comfortable sucking first 12:00 — Finding a niche: from scattered marketing to a clear focus 15:30 — First paying clients: why charging changes everything 20:45 — The marketing mindset shift: LinkedIn outreach + consistency 24:15 — One platform wins: why omnichannel made Ben miserable 29:00 — Rejection rates and funnels: what conversion can look like 32:10 — “Who Not How”: hiring help to learn marketing and business 34:30 — Coaching as a contractor: tradeoffs of “just showing up to coach” 38:00 — Ben’s current offer: 1:1 package + building community 39:30 — One piece of advice: how do you know you want to be a coach? 41:00 — Megan’s reflection: coaching without entrepreneurship + experiment first 47:00 — Biggest myth: you don’t need expertise to be a great coach Becoming a Health Coach provides resources and inspiration for anyone interested in becoming a health coach. Recorded and Produced in Switzerland. Member of the SwissCast Podcast Network. Mentioned in this episode: Institute for Integrative Nutrition Special Deals IIN is expensive but they always have special deals going on. Check out their catalog of classes by clicking on my ambassador link to automatically get the best deal being offered. You can also use MEGANMCCRORY20 at checkout. We appreciate your support! Get big discounts on IIN Courses Are you So Frickin' Healthy? Check out the other podcast I co-host with Danna Levy Hoffmann from Organilicious.ch. We are both IIN Health Coaching graduates who got together for our love to talk about all things health related. We have some serious guest experts but we always make them laugh while we learn something new. Click the link to listen to the latest episode. Check out the So Frickin' Healthy Podcast Becoming a Health Coach is a proud member and production of the SwissCast Network The SwissCast Podcast Network is here to amplify the diverse voices and unique stories of Switzerland—all in English. Whether you're a Swiss local fluent in English, an expat, or simply curious about Swiss culture, SwissCast offers engaging content that speaks directly to you. Our mission is simple: to create a space where Swiss life and English voices connect, bringing you meaningful conversations, expert insights, and compelling stories from all over the country. Our podcast shows are made by, for, or in Switzerland and range from Health, Business, Career, Travel, and more. Check out more great podcasts on the SwissCast Network
