How do I choose where to study to be a health coach?

Part II: Making the choice

Hi, me again, Leanne Cooper. You've probably by now had a good think about the top 4-5 options in the way of health coaching colleges and it's likely come down to us and another college. So, why Cadence Health you ask? What do we do that no other college does? What is it that we offer that others don't, your one deal-breaker priority? Let's see if in this blog we can help you to come to your own fully informed decision so you can put a plan into action.

Oh hang on, did you miss Part 1: Making the comparison?

Studying to find your purpose

We've looked at comparing colleges by their reach, that is the extent to which you hear and see the college. The appeal, for example, the people represented on the website, regardless of their input or connection. And, the unique proposition, that is the 'one thing' that sets the college apart from the rest, this could be something they present on their site or something they do or offer such as payment plans, subjects that you have a passion for and so on. Based on these characteristics there are really only 4-5 colleges in the leader group. 

In our experience more often than not future health coaches are people who've experienced a life-changing challenge, whether this be a family member challenge, health issues that have led them to re-orientate their lifestyle, or life stage changes for example moving from work to parenthood, and then reinventing themselves, there has been a road, that's taken a meander through some wooded areas, but eventually opened out to a beautiful clearly. Many health coaches are dusting off the scraps and foliage from trips and stumbles, looking at themselves through microscopes (sometimes too much so), and asking themselves 'what's my purpose?'. What is it I am to learn, and when I do how can I share this to help others through their path?

So with this in mind, future health coaches have a picture of the type of college they want to go to that will both appreciate this, be understanding of this road and how it can leave you a little battered, one that is truly there for their good, for their personal growth, for them to reconnect with their inner confidence so that these become part of their tools you use as a coach to help others. 

A college that reflects coaching itself

I encourage you once again, find a college that 'speaks', really 'speaks' to you, it doesn't matter if it isn't us, if in reading this you've found some message that gives you drive to move closer to your you, then that is awesome. 

Yes, we have invested in an excellent learning system that allows you to read, watch, listen, and experience your learning. We have awesome people, all of whom have chosen to study with us, not the other way around, our content walks the fine line between evidence-based and holistic, and we offer extensive registration options with accrediting bodies. But, you are right, that's the easy stuff to tick off.

What we do that others don't

We are immensely proud to say that we actually practice what we teach. I would confidently say that few other colleges actually 'walk the talk' around:
  * 'Leading from behind' to allow the client (in this case students) to 'direct the traffic' while you help navigate
  * Supporting clients to see they have their own answers
  * Listening to hear not to just to respond

We listen to hear, Cadence Health continually grows and morphs based on what we hear from students, new electives to fill knowledge gaps, payment plans that won't leave you broke, business coaching that is tailored to your needs and not ours, support that encourages self-confidence and growth.

We have created the opportunity for students to be co-creators of their learning. A great example is our 'Create your own elective' option where you get to create your own business elective made up of smaller modules. Remember, that is one of the many benefits of a medium-sized college, the 'ship can turn and respond', where larger ones are more rigid and invested in set content and infrastructure.

​Our core beliefs are 3 simple (that's one of them) words

Responsible         Simple         Connected     

Responsible

We believe it's essential that Cadence Health, its training, and its people work from an intention of integrity. Take for example our payment plans. I personally believe that as a business we have an obligation to act responsibly. The increasing levels of personal debt and a world where economics has gone mad, we offer payment plans by the subject. For each new subject you take, you create a new payment plan. It takes no time at all, and you aren't stuck in a hard-to-get-out-of payment plan that locks you into large monthly payments for the whole program. We are not into having our students wrack up enormous credit card balances or 'putting our hand' directly into your bank account.
 
Cadence Health is committed to encouraging a strong awareness of scope of practice (SoP). We recognise the critical role health care professionals play in community health so we train our students to work within their relevant SoP and to be respectful of all health care professionals. For example, a health coach doesn't prescribe, diagnose or treat, rather they work collaboratively with clients to support them in changing their habits, without judgement. Supporting clients to be masters of their own fate, offers far reaching benefits over simply telling clients what to do. 

Simplicity is the greatest sophistication...

We love this, Da Vinci said that. I particularly love this, I guess I am a ‘simple-ist’.  I will admit up front I have long followed Taoism. If you are anything like me you'll find that the 'white noise' of life in the 21st century can make it a challenge to ‘go with the flow’ and be that 'empty vessel'. Cadence Health is a Taoist. We are committed to the big picture, to honour intuition, to be mindful of this moment that we have right now, and to seek not to be distracted by miniscule detail. You can’t see a beautiful sunset if you are looking at it through a very strong telescope. You can see some wonderfully interesting things that help you understand it, but to see it you may need to step back and take the whole thing in. Joy can so often be found in simple, common sense, intuitive processes and connections with others.
​

Connectedness

Just like this blog, everything we do radiates out from connection, we endeavour to truly SPEAK to you. Our blogs, our site, our courses, everything is designed to speak as if we are literally talking to you, no stuffy, pompous bla bla that does little to assure you a real person is actually at the other end. We believe that a connection to others is increasingly important in life and that is why we are committed to including training in mental health in our program. 

Being connected means valuing quality service. Who doesn’t love honest to goodness great service, not just lip service with a faint tinge of a forced smile, but to speak to a staff member who connects with you because they clearly love what they do, who gets the importance of health and wellness! If you don’t get a person on the other end of the phone or Skype screen who oozes a passion for health then maybe the universe is sending you a message?
 
Being connected also means ensuring we offer personalised support. We have a fantastic collective of students, staff and graduates in our study support group so you have round the clock support. You can jump into free tutorials, chat to students and staff about assessments or the latest in health, and benefit from shared knowledge. You'll have opportunities to connect in meaningful ways with your peers and our mentors.

I would hazard a guess that we are also the only college that can say where needed we personally connect with students to support them. Students who overthink, or who feel they aren't good enough, parents trying to work out how to fit everything in, through to those who are anxious about the moment of actually coaching, we are there. ​​

​The spend is on you

Maybe all of this has made the decision harder? Like I said we love ‘simple’, so I encourage you to choose a college that makes you smile, one that you are excited to join, one that speaks directly to a voice inside you, not one in your head, but one deep inside you. Trust the universe will direct you to the right place and trust in your own intuition, you’ll need it to coach so why not use it now.

​Words by
Leanne Cooper, Reg. Nutritionist and Director Cadence Health Pty Ltd

If you are like me you'll take a message from the fact you've stumbled upon this. Make this your defining moment. Start your journey to career freedom and joy. 

Enrol today to become a Recognised Nutrition & Health Coach