Becoming a Health Coach

Are you exploring a career in health coaching? Wondering if the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) is right for you? In Becoming a Health Coach, Meg shares her unfiltered experience going through the IIN Health Coach Training Program—module by module. You'll hear about holistic wellness, habit change, mindset shifts, and what it's really like to train as a certified health coach. Perfect for aspiring coaches, wellness enthusiasts, and anyone curious about a more meaningful, purpose-driven path.

  1. 10/02/2025

    Ep. 34 Pairing Functional Medicine with Health Coaching

    Megan and fellow coach Danna revisit an early episode to unpack functional medicine—what it is, how it differs from conventional care, and how a functional approach can sharpen a health coach’s practice. Expect practical examples (BP meds, antibiotics + probiotics), how to vet providers, and what extra training changed in Danna’s client work. Back in 2018, Megan introduced functional medicine as an option when conventional care feels stuck on symptom relief. In 2025, she and Danna (a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach) compare notes: What does “root cause” really mean? How do labs, lifestyle, and nutrition fit together? And how can coaches collaborate with (or simply vet) doctors who think more holistically—without abandoning standard medicine when it’s needed? Timestamps00:00 Introduction and Podcast Background 01:04 Understanding Functional Medicine 02:25 Functional Medicine in Practice 13:17 How Functional Medicine Informs Your Coaching Practice Key takeawaysRoot cause ≠ anti-medicine. Functional medicine uses meds when necessary, then investigates lifestyle, nutrition, hormones, gut health, and environment to address why symptoms persist.Broader data, better decisions. Full labs (and sometimes stool/urine testing) + food/lifestyle mapping can reveal patterns a 7-minute visit can’t.Clinician fit matters. You want curiosity, clear explanations, and collaboration. Titles help, but how they listen is the tell.Coaching upgrades. FM knowledge helps coaches guide clients to targeted doctor questions, low-cost experiments (e.g., trial eliminations), and realistic next steps—especially when budgets/insurance are tight. Resources & CTAShare your questions or stories: leave us a voicemail Explore more episodes of Becoming a Health Coach on the SwissCast Network.Connect with Danna for functional-medicine-informed coaching. Disclaimer: Educational content only; not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.

    15 min
  2. Diagnosing ADHD ft. Kelly Brändli

    10/09/2024 · BONUS

    Diagnosing ADHD ft. Kelly Brändli

    You've taken the online quizzes. You've seen yourself in every TikTok. You're 97% sure you have ADHD... but now what? In Episode 2 of our ADHD series, Kelly Brändli breaks down the entire testing and diagnosis process—from self-assessment to sitting in the psychiatrist's office. What You'll Learn: First step: Take a proper self-assessment (Kelly recommends ADHD UK's website)What separates "everyone loses their keys" from actual ADHD: the 96th percentile rule, 6+ months of symptoms, impact in 2+ life areasWhy wait times are brutal (9-18 months in Switzerland/UK)The emotional rollercoaster of adult diagnosis: relief vs. "Why didn't anyone catch this?"What testing actually looks like: questionnaires, cognitive exercises, clinical interviews Real Talk: Megan realized at 39 she'd been self-medicating with caffeine for years. When she quit? Her brain went haywire. Danna cried at her diagnosis, remembering every time she was called "lazy." Key Takeaway: Don't wait for official diagnosis to get help—you can work with an ADHD coach while you're on that 12-month wait list. Coming Up: Episode 3 dives into medication! Visit https://sofrickinhealthy.com/episodes/kelly-brandli for more information and resources. Join the So Frickin' Healthy Community Get access to extended episodes and support the show! Join the So Frickin' Healthy Community Check Out Organilicious Jump on a free discovery call with Danna! Book Your Free Call

    26 min
  3. Unraveling ADHD ft. Kelly Brändli

    10/02/2024 · BONUS

    Unraveling ADHD ft. Kelly Brändli

    Got it! Here's the title and show notes: Title:Wait, I Have THAT Too?! The Signs of ADHD Nobody Talks About ft. Kelly Brändli Show Notes:Three women with ADHD walk into a podcast booth... and somehow actually finish recording an episode. 🎉 This is Episode 1 of our deep-dive ADHD series with Kelly Brändli, ADHD and relationship coach, mom of two ADHD boys, and partner to a late-diagnosed man. Kelly joins your favorite ADHD hosts (yes, both Megan AND Danna have it) to decode what ADHD actually is—and bust the myths you probably still believe. What You'll Learn: ADD vs. ADHD: There's literally no difference (and why they used to call it "minimal brain dysfunction"... ouch)The three types of ADHD: inattentive, hyperactive, and combinationRejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD): Why that email from your coworker feels like a personal attackThe eight areas of executive function—and why "you've met one person with ADHD, you've met ONE person"Why women get diagnosed at specific life stages: university, after having kids, and menopause (hello, estrogen-dopamine connection!) The Stuff Nobody Tells You: Beyond the classic "can't focus" narrative, Kelly breaks down the overlooked symptoms: emotional dysregulation that looks like anger issues, not noticing you're hungry until you're starving, being "clumsy" all the time, not realizing how loud you're talking, and that mental hyperactivity that means your brain NEVER shuts up (Danna has 10 voices in her head at all times—most of them negative). Real Talk Moment: "ADHD is not about the things you know, but not doing what you know." — Dr. Russell Barkley (This one hit different.) Rapid Fire Myth Busting: ❌ Kids with ADHD can't focus → They hyperfocus on things they love (have you seen an ADHD kid game?)❌ No hyperactivity = no ADHD → Nope, inattentive type exists❌ ADHD is caused by bad parenting → It's genetic, proven by millions of participants in studies❌ Stimulant meds lead to addiction → Actually, UNtreated ADHD increases addiction risk Coming Up in This Series: Episode 2: Understanding Testing & DiagnosisEpisode 3: ADHD Medication Deep DiveEpisode 4: Hacking Your ADHD Superpowers Visit https://sofrickinhealthy.com/episodes/kelly-brandli for more information and resources. Join the So Frickin' Healthy Community Get access to extended episodes and support the show! Join the So Frickin' Healthy Community Check Out Organilicious Jump on a free discovery call with Danna! a href="https://www.organilicious.ch/" rel="noopener...

    36 min
  4. What standout features of the certification program did you find particularly beneficial? featuring Danna Levy Hoffmann

    01/12/2024 · BONUS

    What standout features of the certification program did you find particularly beneficial? featuring Danna Levy Hoffmann

    Thanks for listening to Becoming a Health Coach with Megan J. McCrory . This episode of Becoming a Health Coach features a discussion between host Megan McCrory and guest Danna Levy Hoffmann. They discuss the reasons behind Danna's choice to become a health coach and her journey through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition's certification programs. Danna shares her insights on how the program provided a foundation in coaching and business skills alongside her pre-existing knowledge of holistic health. Both Megan and Danna also reflect on the changing structure of the courses and the importance of picking more specific topics for further education. They conclude the discussion with some advice for prospective students, highlighting affordability, flexibility, and focused learning depending on an individual's background and expertise. Guest: Danna Levy Hoffmann 0:00 What standout features or aspects of the certification program did you find particularly beneficial? 00:00 Introduction and Background 00:39 Standout features you found beneficial 02:14 Reflections on the Coaching Journey and Future Directions Mentioned in this episode: 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 Discover more shows from the SwissCast Network SwissCast Network

    10 min
  5. Ep. 31 Behind the Scenes: Tips for Aspiring Health Coaches featuring Michelle Leotta

    01/03/2024

    Ep. 31 Behind the Scenes: Tips for Aspiring Health Coaches featuring Michelle Leotta

    Hello, and thanks for listening to Becoming a Health Coach with Megan J. McCrory. When Michelle Leotta became a certified health coach, there was no such thing as board certification and most people had never heard of kale. Join this lively conversation about the industry's evolution and how to get started on your health coaching path from someone who has been in your shoes and continues to move the industry forward. Michelle Leotta has combined 13 years as a practicing health coach with 20+ years of online marketing experience, to help aspiring coaches earn a living doing the work they love. She is the creator of Healthy Profit University, an online learning center to move your business forward. Michelle's Links: Michelle's Facebook group @healthcoachpowercommunity on Instagram Michelle's Website Research Links: Mental Health for the Internet | Healthy Gamer - Mental health for the internet generation Helping people take control of their livesNational Board for Health and Wellness Coaching - The National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) has collaborated with the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) since 2016 to provide a robust board certification examination which has led to more than 9,400 National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coaches that hold the NBC-HWC credential. The esteemed NBC-HWC credential represents training, education, and assessment standards, allowing for the profession to advance in all aspects of health care and wellness.International Coaching Federation- Professional Coaching Association - After 25 years, the International Coaching Federation (ICF) has evolved to become the hub for all things coaching. We’re more than a membership organization for trained professional coaches – we’re bringing together, in one place, several key aspects of the growing industry. Discover the ICF ecosystem of six family organizations, created to better serve you on your journey to empower the world through coaching. Mentioned in this episode: Discover more shows from the SwissCast Network SwissCast Network Become a member of the show! If you want more of me or just to show your support consider becoming a member of the show. The ‘Health Enthusiast’ is a free membership tier and a way to let me know you’re out there and listening. The ‘Wellness Insider’ is a paid membership tier at $5 per month, for that you’ll have access to exclusive Q&A sessions with me and my guests, early access to episodes and member-only webinars. Support the Show 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

    47 min
4.8
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Are you exploring a career in health coaching? Wondering if the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) is right for you? In Becoming a Health Coach, Meg shares her unfiltered experience going through the IIN Health Coach Training Program—module by module. You'll hear about holistic wellness, habit change, mindset shifts, and what it's really like to train as a certified health coach. Perfect for aspiring coaches, wellness enthusiasts, and anyone curious about a more meaningful, purpose-driven path.

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