As I complete the 27 modules, 3 weekend retreats, and 6 coaching calls with my Master Coach, I am reflecting on all that I have learned in the Women’s Health Coach Program at IWHI (Integrative Women’s Health Institute). There are many core foundations that are similar to my year studying at IIN, but the approach to coaching is very different. According to my first module of the program, The Integrative Women’s Health Institute, “Coaching is unlocking a woman’s potential to live a healthy, vibrant, and purposeful life as a whole feminine human being by her definition. Coaching is supporting her to transform with a full suite of resources and skills, rather than fixing her.” Jessica Drummond, the founder, based her definition on The MicroBalance LivingTM Principle: Being in balance with her cells, her microbiota, and in her day-to-day life. Purposefully choosing what is on her plate (schedule) each day, living her definition of a healthy life, and then practicing presence to experience, enjoy, share, and connect through each day of her life.”

Where my approach to coaching (and life) has changed:

I have realized through our practice sessions and the retreats with other students, this is not a prescriptive program. My clients, though some may want me to, will not be sent home with step by step instructions to “be fixed.” In the sessions, we can see an organic unlocking of a woman’s intuition of what she needs when given the space and support to be heard. Yes, I have tools, resources, and an education to share a wealth of health and nutrition knowledge from a functional medicine approach, but what truly comes from a coaching session is a deeper understanding of self. When I take a minute to “coach myself” to be present, mindful and patient, I know what my next steps need to be to course correct my health.
Everything should be celebrated. As women, we celebrate others with ease. Birthdays, your child’s mastering a skill, a spouses’s win at work, and so much more. Why can’t we celebrate ourselves? If we let go of the belief that it is selfish or wrong to celebrate our victories, our milestones, and our “aha” moments, we will have so much more progress and JOY!
Health is so much more than the food on our plate. Integrative health encompasses so much more than food nutrition. Calories in/calories out is not the only answer to weight loss, better health, and more energy. A deeper dive into all facets in life- career, relationships, spirituality, finances, creativity, home environment will show deficits that contribute to our well being. With the IIN Wheel of Life AND the IWHI Holistic Women’s Health Assessment, I can help a client see where her strengths and weaknesses fall to create a plan that incorporates those into a wellness program.
Women need different coaching than men. There is so much I can say here but I will keep it brief. Even going back to the IIN wheel that is gender neutral vs the Holistic Women’s Health Assessment and how they are set up, a woman needs to look at her connections, contributions, attention, rest, strength and perspective. We need to break down barriers in our own minds based on family traditions, culture, society, and negative self talk. So many women I know today (myself included) spread themselves so thin caring for their families, working at their careers, being there for friends and family. Coaching can help them to decide which items on their plate can come off and what must stay. Where in their day they can make time for themselves to focus on their health goals, and how much of a priority that will be for them.

Covid and the world shutting down that followed gave me the time to reflect on what was truly important to me, the role I play in my family, and the contribution I can make to women’s health in a crumbling system that needs changing. Helping women find natural ways to reduce stress, increase movement, incorporate whole foods, and live a full life is what I want my contribution to be in this world.