Health Coaching and Beyond

Ollie and Tim
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This podcast champions the belief that Health Coaching can change the world for the better! Your hosts Drs Ollie Hart and Tim Williams, are UK Family Doctors (GPs), who learnt to health coach with their patients over 40 years + combined experience. They found it so successful for their patients and themselves, they set up a company to teach others the skills....www.peakhealthcoaching.com Now they bring their enthusiasm for the topic to the airwaves, to encourage and promote the growth of health coaching in the NHS, in businesses, and any where that people matter. They will chat about current affairs related to person centred care, and topics related to health coaching. Some episodes involve carefully selected guests, others conversation between the 2 of them. They aim to inspire your confidence and knowledge to embrace health coaching and all the benefits and joy it can bring.

  1. 3d ago

    Episode 34 - Finding Your Next Steps in Health Coaching

    Summary In this episode, Tim is joined by health and wellbeing coach, supervisor and facilitator Laura Williams to explore where a career in health coaching can lead. Laura shares her journey from veterinary nursing and primary care into social prescribing, NHS health coaching, supervision and staff wellbeing. She reflects on what first drew her to coaching, particularly the realisation that even good advice does not always lead to meaningful change when it doesn’t fit into the realities of someone’s life. The conversation explores the shift from telling people what to do towards creating the space for them to think, reflect and find their own way forward. Laura talks about learning to move from being on “transmit and do” to “receive and be”, and why listening well is something coaches continue to practise throughout their careers. Laura also speaks openly about being made redundant from her NHS health coaching role and the uncertainty that followed. She and Tim discuss changing NHS priorities, the value of building a varied career and the different ways coaching skills can continue to be used beyond a traditional health coaching role. A key part of the episode focuses on supervision, what it offers, why it is different from line management or clinical supervision, and how it can support coaches with confidence, boundaries, reflection and the emotional demands of the work. Takeaways There is no single career path after training as a health coach.Good advice does not always translate into lasting change.Health coaching creates space for people to reflect and find their own solutions.Moving from advice-giving to coaching takes practice, patience and good listening.Coaching skills can be used across a wide range of roles and settings.Changing NHS priorities can create uncertainty for health coaches and the wider workforce.Supervision can help coaches feel supported, confident and safe in their work.Coaching supervision is different from line management and clinical supervision.Training as a supervisor can also strengthen your own coaching practice.

  2. Sep 2

    Episode 33 - What the New NHS Framework Means for Health Coaching

    Summary Tim and Ollie are back together this week, chewing over one of the biggest recent developments for health coaching in the NHS - the newly refreshed NHS Health and Wellbeing Coaching Framework. Three years on from the original framework, the pair explore what has changed, what feels particularly significant and what the update might tell us about where health coaching is heading. For both Tim and Ollie, the refreshed framework feels like an important step forward. At a time of significant change across the NHS, it offers a welcome reaffirmation of the health and wellbeing coach role, while also recognising the growing potential for health coaching beyond primary care, including in secondary care, community services and the voluntary sector. A big focus of the episode is supervision. The new framework places much greater emphasis on dedicated health coaching supervision, clearly distinguishing it from line management, clinical and safeguarding support. Tim and Ollie discuss why this matters, particularly for coaches starting out and navigating complex, emotional and sometimes challenging conversations. They also look at career progression and the four tiers of health coaching practice. More broadly, they reflect on the role health coaching can play in shaping NHS culture - helping people build agency, improving conversations and moving away from the idea that professionals always need to have all the answers. Takeaways The refreshed NHS Health and Wellbeing Coaching Framework is a significant reaffirmation of the health coaching role.Health coaching is increasingly being recognised beyond primary care, including in secondary care, community services and the voluntary sector.The framework recommends at least one hour of health coaching supervision per month, particularly for those earlier in their practice.Becoming a health coaching supervisor can offer an important route for career development.The four health coaching tiers provide a structure for progression, but clearer approaches to assessing competence could strengthen the profession further.Hours of practice alone do not necessarily demonstrate the quality or maturity of someone's coaching.Protecting coaches from excessive caseloads allows time for reflection, supervision, administration and better conversations.Health coaching principles have the potential to influence the wider culture of healthcare, not just the work of dedicated health coaches.Building people's confidence, agency and ability to contribute to their own care can also reduce the pressure on professionals to provide every solution.As digital tools and AI become more prominent in healthcare, questions about the uniquely human elements of support and coaching will become increasingly important. If you’d like to explore some of the topics discussed in this week’s episode, you can find more information below: NHS Workforce Development Framework for Health and Wellbeing Coaches https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/workforce-development-framework-for-health-and-wellbeing-coaches-2/#7-competency-framework The King’s Fund - Is the NHS ready for the AI-powered patient?https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-analysis/long-reads/nhs-ready-for-ai-powered-patient?utm

  3. Aug 26

    Episode 32 - From Patient to Partner: The Power of Lived Experience

    Summary In this episode, Ollie is joined by Frank, a former patient who, over more than a decade, has become a colleague, peer supporter and friend. Frank was the first person Ollie had met with type 2 diabetes who had managed to come off insulin injections. His experience began a shared journey of learning about metabolic health, self-management, social prescribing and, importantly, the value of lived experience in helping others. Frank reflects on his diagnosis with type 2 diabetes, his experiences of feeling intimidated by healthcare and the shame and stigma that can surround weight and long-term conditions. After years of trying different approaches, he began making significant changes to his health himself – at first without clinical support – eventually losing weight, reducing his medication and coming off insulin. The conversation explores what happened next. As Frank became more active, cycling became not only a way of supporting his physical health but a source of friendship, community and purpose. What began with joining an adult cycling group eventually led him to establish his own, creating a supportive community where people look after one another and nobody gets left behind. Ollie and Frank also reflect on how their relationship evolved from a traditional doctor-patient dynamic into a genuine partnership. Together, they went on to develop diabetes remission groups, roadshows and peer-led support, combining clinical knowledge with Frank’s ability to speak from experience and connect with people in a way that felt relatable, safe and free from judgement. Throughout the episode, they explore the importance of creating healthcare environments where people feel able to ask questions, build knowledge and take a more active role in their own health. They also consider how peer support can help reach people who may feel excluded or intimidated by traditional healthcare, and why services work better when they are designed with, rather than simply for, the communities they serve. Takeaways Supporting self-management means helping people build the knowledge, skills and confidence to take an active role in their health.Lived experience can bring a perspective and credibility that clinical knowledge alone cannot always provide.Peer support can help people feel understood, particularly when they are navigating stigma, shame or difficult lifestyle changes.Social connection can be just as important as the activity itself when supporting long-term health and wellbeing.Social prescribing can help people discover activities, communities and relationships that support sustainable change.Health professionals can learn enormously from the people they support when there is space for genuine partnership.Co-production means designing support with communities and responding to what works for them, rather than assuming what they need.Healthcare becomes more person-centred when people feel safe to ask questions, challenge assumptions and share what life is really like.Supporting people to become confident self-managers does not replace medical care – it can make that care more effective.Peer supporters can play an important role in helping others see that change is possible without blame or judgement.Sometimes the person who first comes through the door as a patient can ultimately become a teacher, colleague and source of support for many others.

  4. Aug 19

    Episode 31 - Health Coaching and the Evidence: What Does the Research Really Tell Us?

    Summary In this episode, Ollie is joined by Peak Health Coaching’s Education Director, Dr Caroline Hart, to take a closer look at the growing evidence base around health and wellbeing coaching and importantly, how we make sense of it. Drawing on two recently published studies, Ollie and Caroline explore what research can tell us about the impact of coaching in very different healthcare settings. The first looks at health coaching alongside blood pressure monitoring for women following pregnancy, where coaching support was associated with greater engagement in follow-up care and better blood pressure control. The second explores the use of coaching in dementia care communities, including its potential impact not only on person-centred care, but on staff confidence, satisfaction and wellbeing. But the conversation goes beyond the headline findings. Ollie and Caroline explore what we mean by “evidence” in the first place. Clinical outcomes and statistics matter, but they are only part of the picture. Patient experience, confidence, engagement, staff wellbeing and the stories people tell about change can offer equally valuable insights into whether an intervention is making a difference. The discussion turns to how those working in health coaching can evaluate their own impact without needing to run a large research trial. From gathering simple baseline information to looking again at the middle and end of an intervention, the message is to keep measurement meaningful, consistent and useful. Takeaways The evidence base around health and wellbeing coaching continues to grow.Headline research findings are useful, but understanding the context behind them is essential.We need to be clear about what is actually meant by “health coaching” within individual studies.Research from one healthcare system, population or setting may not automatically translate to another.Health coaching may influence engagement and confidence before changes appear in longer-term clinical outcomes.Relationships, trust and feeling supported can play an important role in helping people engage with their health.The impact of coaching may extend beyond patients and clients to staff wellbeing, confidence and job satisfaction.Quantitative and biometric data can tell us part of the story, but qualitative evidence can provide important depth and context.Stories, experiences and perceptions are valuable forms of evidence, particularly when trying to understand complex human change.Co-production can help ensure we measure outcomes that actually matter to clients, practitioners, colleagues and funders. Research featured in this episode Health coaching support for blood pressure follow-up after hypertension during pregnancy - Care Navigation, Self-Measured Blood Pressure, and Health Coaching for Postpartum Care: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2852539 Coaching care staff to support more person-centred care - Evaluating a Coaching Intervention for Dementia Care Practice Recommendations in Care Communities: https://academic.oup.com/gerontologist/advance-article/doi/10.1093/geront/gnag183/8756713?utm

  5. Jul 31

    Episode 30 - Public Health, Prevention and Who Shapes Our Health?

    Summary In this episode, Ollie is joined by Greg Fell OBE, Director of Public Health for Sheffield and President of the Association of Directors of Public Health, to explore one of the biggest questions in health today: how much responsibility for health sits with individuals and how much is shaped by the systems around us? The conversation explores the relationship between personal agency, health coaching and public policy, challenging the idea that behaviour change alone is enough to improve population health. Greg shares why creating environments that make healthy choices easier is just as important as supporting individuals to make change. Together they discuss obesity as the "new tobacco", the growing influence of the commercial determinants of health, and what can be learned from decades of successful tobacco control. They also reflect on why prevention often goes unnoticed, despite quietly improving lives over many years through policy, community action and healthcare. The discussion moves beyond healthcare into workplaces, employment, lifestyle medicine and physical activity, highlighting how health is shaped by much more than medical care alone. Throughout the conversation, a recurring theme emerges: lasting change happens when individual support and system-level action work together, rather than being seen as competing approaches. Whether you work in healthcare, public health, leadership or simply have an interest in creating healthier communities, this episode offers a thoughtful and balanced perspective on what it really takes to improve health at both an individual and population level. Takeaways Health outcomes are shaped by both personal choices and the systems people live within. Health coaching and public health are complementary approaches, not competing ones. Creating healthier environments makes behaviour change more achievable. Obesity is becoming one of the biggest public health challenges of our time. The commercial determinants of health play a major role in influencing behaviour. Prevention often goes unnoticed because it prevents problems before they happen. Long-term public health successes, such as reducing smoking rates, have relied on sustained policy alongside individual support. Work, housing, income and transport all have significant impacts on health and wellbeing. Supporting people's agency is important, but so is creating environments that enable healthy choices. Physical activity remains one of the most powerful tools for improving health across a population. Lasting change requires collaboration across healthcare, communities, employers and policymakers. Further Reading During the conversation, Greg references the following report from Nesta on obesity policy: A Blueprint to Halve Obesity in the UK

  6. Jul 22

    Episode 29 - What the New NHS Musculoskeletal Guidance Could Mean for Health Coaching

    Summary In this episode, Ollie and Tim explore NHS England's newly published Adult Community Musculoskeletal Service Specification and what it could mean for the future of musculoskeletal care. Rather than simply summarising the guidance, they reflect on the wider shift it represents. The conversation explores how the document places greater emphasis on person-centred care, self-management, prevention and supporting people to build the confidence and skills to manage their own health, principles that closely align with health coaching. They discuss why this change matters, not just for clinicians working in MSK services, but for anyone interested in improving health outcomes through better conversations and more collaborative care. Ollie and Tim consider what these changes might look like in practice, the opportunities they create for health coaches and some of the challenges that services may face as they move from policy into implementation. Throughout the episode, they reflect on the importance of moving beyond traditional models of care, where success is measured purely by appointments and interventions, towards approaches that help people become more active participants in their own health. The discussion offers a hopeful perspective on the direction of travel within the NHS and why this latest guidance feels like another positive step towards more personalised, preventative healthcare. Takeaways  NHS England's new MSK service specification signals a continued move towards person-centred care. Supporting self-management is becoming a core expectation of modern MSK services. Health coaching principles are increasingly reflected within national NHS guidance. Building people's confidence, knowledge and skills is just as important as delivering treatment. Prevention and early intervention remain central to improving long-term outcomes. Collaborative conversations can help people take a more active role in managing their health. Implementing these changes will require cultural as well as organisational change. Clinicians may need new skills and support to deliver more person-centred care consistently. Policy documents provide direction, but meaningful change depends on how they are put into practice. The future of MSK care is likely to rely on stronger partnerships between professionals and the people they support. NHS England - Adult Community Musculoskeletal (MSK) Service Specification: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/adult-community-musculoskeletal-service-specification/

  7. Jul 15

    Episode 28 - The Foundations of Great Coaching

    In this episode, Ollie is joined by executive coach, researcher and author Dr Rob Kemp to explore one of the biggest questions facing the coaching profession: what makes health coaching different from coaching more broadly? Drawing on over two decades of coaching experience across leadership, higher education and organisational development, Rob reflects on the core principles that underpin all forms of coaching. Together, Ollie and Rob discuss where health coaching naturally sits within the wider coaching landscape, arguing that many of the skills, values and approaches are shared, even if the context and focus may differ. The conversation explores why health and wellbeing are often overlooked in leadership and workplace coaching, despite being fundamental to performance, resilience and sustainable change. They discuss the importance of agency, self-awareness, trust and person-centred conversations, and why lasting change rarely comes from advice alone. The episode also tackles one of the biggest emerging topics in coaching: artificial intelligence. Rob explains why he believes AI can become a powerful tool to support coaches, while questioning whether it should ever be described as an "AI coach". Together they explore the importance of relationships, ethics, trust and human connection, and consider what these developments might mean for the future of coaching. Takeaways Health coaching shares many of the same foundations as coaching in leadership, business and education. Strong coaching is built on trust, partnership and meaningful human relationships. Sustainable performance depends on health and wellbeing, not just knowledge or technical skills. Lasting behaviour change comes through agency, reflection and person-centred conversations rather than advice-giving. Leadership coaching naturally includes discussions about wellbeing, work-life balance and resilience. Health is shaped by far more than medical treatment alone. Coaches need to recognise the boundaries between coaching and therapy while working alongside people experiencing health challenges. AI has significant potential to support coaching practice but should be introduced thoughtfully and ethically. Human qualities such as trust, shared inquiry and ethical judgement remain central to effective coaching. Greater collaboration between health coaching and the wider coaching profession would benefit both fields.

  8. Jul 8

    Episode 27 - Listening, Trust and Healthier Working Lives

    Summary In this episode, Tim is joined by Paul Houseman, PCN Manager at Belgrave and Spinney Hill in Leicester, and Senior WorkWell Coach for the city. Paul shares his journey from banking, consultancy and aerospace into primary care, reflecting on what nearly four decades in different sectors has taught him about people, leadership and the conditions that help teams thrive. The conversation explores the WorkWell pilot in Leicester, which supports people with health conditions to stay in work or return to work. Paul describes how the programme quickly revealed the complexity of people’s lives, from housing and food poverty to confidence, language, health and trust. Rather than offering simple advice or isolated signposting, the work required strong community relationships and skilled conversations. A central theme of the episode is what happens when health coaching principles are applied not only to patients and clients, but also to staff teams. Paul reflects honestly on how coaching and supervision challenged his assumptions as a manager, particularly the need to stop fixing, listen more deeply, and create safer spaces for people to talk about what really matters. The episode explores why trust is so important in healthcare workplaces, especially in systems often shaped by pressure, targets, policies and sickness management processes. Paul shares powerful examples of how listening to staff differently has led to greater openness, creativity, confidence and innovation within his team. Throughout the episode, a clear message emerges, healthier working lives are not created through policies alone. They are built through trust, listening, relationships and the courage to do things differently. Takeaways WorkWell supports people with health conditions to stay in work or return to work. Employment, health and wellbeing are closely connected. People’s barriers to work are often shaped by wider factors such as housing, poverty, language, confidence and caring responsibilities. Trust is essential when working with communities and individuals. Health coaching skills can support better conversations with both patients and staff. Listening is often more powerful than trying to fix or advise. Managers may need to unlearn habits of stepping in with solutions. Staff wellbeing cannot be separated from patient care. Sickness management processes can reduce absence on paper while damaging trust and morale. Creating safe spaces helps people talk about what is really affecting them. Lived experience can be a powerful strength within healthcare teams. Small changes in how managers listen can lead to greater creativity, confidence and ownership. Supporting staff to develop skills can have a lasting impact across an organisation. Healthier workplaces depend on relationships, trust and leadership culture, not just policies. Looking after teams is an essential part of delivering better care.

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About

This podcast champions the belief that Health Coaching can change the world for the better! Your hosts Drs Ollie Hart and Tim Williams, are UK Family Doctors (GPs), who learnt to health coach with their patients over 40 years + combined experience. They found it so successful for their patients and themselves, they set up a company to teach others the skills....www.peakhealthcoaching.com Now they bring their enthusiasm for the topic to the airwaves, to encourage and promote the growth of health coaching in the NHS, in businesses, and any where that people matter. They will chat about current affairs related to person centred care, and topics related to health coaching. Some episodes involve carefully selected guests, others conversation between the 2 of them. They aim to inspire your confidence and knowledge to embrace health coaching and all the benefits and joy it can bring.

Information

  • Creator
    Ollie and Tim
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Ollie and Tim

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