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.
Episodes
From Hamburgers to Hormones: Vanessa Gaitlin's Coaching Journey
Back to Her: Coaching Through Perimenopause and Everything ElseWhat happens when your own body keeps throwing you curveballs — burnout, single motherhood, perimenopause symptoms nobody warned you about — and coaching becomes both your business and your survival tool?Megan and Danna sit down with Vanessa Gaitlin, an IIN-trained coach (and one of Megan's earliest connections in the coaching world) w
Meet Tina - Coaching Series
Welcome to another coaching series where we do a coaching debrief after a real coaching session. Let's meet Tina - this is her Health History.Chapters:00:00 Welcome and Goals00:51 Why Coaching Now06:58 Mom Guilt and Stress08:07 Sleep and Gut Deep Dive16:43 Holistic Plan and Wrap UpMentioned in this episode:Missed an episode?Don't worry, we have you covered.
Check out the link below to the playlist
Are you allowed to be a coach before age 30? featuring Ben Fox
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),
How do I make things stick when things are hard? Evaluating the Sixth Session with Joanna
How Do I Make It Last?Joanna walked into her final session with the only question that matters: How do I make this stick when things are hard?Travel. Illness. Holiday season. She's exhausted again—and she knows exactly why. A few months ago, she wouldn't have noticed the difference. Now her body tells her immediately when she's off track. That awareness? That's the win.She asked about dinner burno
The Honeymoon Phase is Ending: Evaluating the Fifth Session with Joanna
She Came ReadyJoanna walked into session five with a list. "I have a lot of stuff." That's exactly what a coach wants to hear.She was ready to move on to movement—nutrition felt handled. But Danna pulled her back for a moment. There was something in how Joanna talked about "falling off the wagon" with food logging. Was she disappointed because it actually helped her? Or because she felt like she s
Thank yourself - You did all the work: Evaluating the Fourth Session with Joanna
She Feels It NowJoanna messaged before the call: "I haven't kept up with it." Danna braced for bad news. But here's the twist—it was just the logging that slipped. The eating habits? Those stuck. She has energy. She's feeling the difference. That's the whole point.Remember session one, when Joanna asked "How will I know it's working?" She wanted black-and-white proof, and Danna couldn't give it to
The Value of Health Conferences: Unlocking Opportunities
Conferences and Congresses - no matter what you call them, they are an excellent resource for health coaches.In this episode, Megan talks about why you should consider attending health conferences, how to prepare before you go, and what to do while you're there.We love to hear from you!Send us a VoicemailSend us an EmailTakeaways:Attending health conferences provides invaluable networking opportun
When Tracking Becomes the Trap: Evaluating the Third Session with Joanna
She's Doing the Hard WorkGood news: Danna's awake this time. And Joanna? She came in hot—full of data from her CGM experiment, eager to keep going, and finally seeing real results.But Megan caught something in this session: a little miscommunication around food logging. Joanna was trying to figure out how to track (weighing her go-to foods once so she'd know the portions forever), and Danna pushed
Health Coach Self-Care, Burnout Prevention, Stress Management: How to Stay Grounded While Building Your Coaching Career featuring Gretchen Larsen
If you’re becoming a health coach (or you’re early in your coaching career), you’ve probably felt the pressure to “have it all together” while the world feels… like a lot. In this episode, mindfulness practitioner and certified coach Gretchen Larsen shares practical ways to stay grounded, reduce stress spirals, and prevent burnout—without pretending you’re fine.We talk about why overwhelm can shri
Coaches Are Human Too: Evaluating the Second Session with Joanna
When Your Coach is Human TooDanna's been up since 4:30am. She's brain foggy, running on fumes, and didn't have time to review her notes before the session. Megan's listening and thinking: come on, Danna, you can do it.And that's the point. Coaches are human. There's no such thing as a perfect session every time—and showing that to clients matters. Life gets messy. You show up anyway.The real takea
The Art of Coaching: Evaluating the First Session with Joanna
Behind the SessionThe first session is done—and Danna and Megan are debriefing. What just happened? What worked? What do listeners need to know about getting the most out of health coaching?Joanna came in like a lot of first-timers: a little anxious, full of questions, not quite sure how coaching works. She wanted a program. A protocol. Something concrete. But that's not how this goes. Good coachi
Joanna's Health History - Special Coaching Series
Chapter 0: Before We BeginMeet Joanna: working mom, twin wrangler, cheese enthusiast. She's got four-year-old twins, a ten-year-old who moonlights as a paid babysitter, and a brain that hasn't known single-tasking in years.She's here because of the afternoon crash—that 2pm slump that wipes her out. She wants her focus back, her energy back, her brain back. But she's also clear about what she's not
A Real Client. Six Sessions. One Coaching Series. (Here’s How to Listen)
Thanks for listening to the introduction episode for our coaching series with Joanna.This project follows a real three-month coaching engagement with six coaching sessions. We recorded the coaching sessions themselves, plus Joanna’s full health history, plus debrief episodes where Danna and I reflect on the coaching session and break down what we were listening for.Here’s the easiest way to listen
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
Ep. 33 “It’s Not All in Your Head”: Advocacy, Intuition, and Better Doctor Visits
Megan and fellow health coach Danna revisit an early episode on patient advocacy, reflecting on what still holds up in 2025. They cover why women are disproportionately dismissed, how to prepare for medical appointments, when to switch doctors, and how to use online research without catastrophizing.Episode descriptionBack in 2018, Megan shared Jennifer Esposito’s years-long road to a celiac diagno
Podcast Introduction
In this trailer episode of 'Becoming a Health Coach,' Megan McCrory introduces her background and the reasons for starting the podcast in 2018 while attending the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN). Megan reviews the structure of her podcast, highlighting early episodes that chronicle her learning experience, as well as popular episodes and interviews. She also announces a new co-hosted sho
Ep. 32 AI, Wearables, and Data Privacy: The Future of Tech & Health Coaching
Embracing Technology in Health Coaching: Telehealth, Apps, Wearables, and EthicsIn this episode Megan explores how technology is revolutionizing health coaching. The discussion covers telehealth platforms, apps, and wearables, emphasizing their benefits and challenges, including data privacy and ethical considerations. Megan also shares insights on AI-powered coaching, advanced wearables, and the
So Frickin' Healthy Bonus Episode: Diagnosing ADHD
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 l
Bonus Episode: Unraveling ADHD from the So Frickin' Healthy Show
Got it! Here's the title and show notes:Title:Wait, I Have THAT Too?! The Signs of ADHD Nobody Talks About ft. Kelly BrändliShow 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 jo
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 pro
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 th
How did you choose the Institute for Integrative Nutrition as a certification program? featuring Danna Levy Hoffmann
Choosing the Right Certification: Becoming a Health Coach Bonus EpisodeIn this bonus episode of 'Becoming a Health Coach', host Megan McCrory speaks with fellow health coach Danna Levy Hoffman about her journey into health coaching. Danna shares her reasons for choosing the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and how convenience and cost factored into her choice. Danna also discusses the initial o
Why did you become a health coach? featuring Danna Levy Hoffmann
Hello, and thanks for listening to Becoming a Health Coach with Megan J. McCrory.This bonus episode features host Megan McCrory in a conversation with fellow health coach, Danna Levy Hoffmann.Danna shares her journey of becoming a functional medicine health coach and how her grandmother's ill health, passion for food, and her previous business, which was about healthy cooking for kids, influenced
Ep. 30 20 Profitable Niches for Health Coaches
In this episode, Ep. 30 20 Profitable Niches for Health Coaches , your host Megan McCrory discusses the concept of niches in health coaching. She outlines the ways these specialized market segments can aid in customer acquisition and specifies how certain niches can be narrowed down even further. A variety of niches, from weight loss and management to family health and nutrition, are discussed in
Ep. 29 Sparketypes - What are they and how to use them in your practice
In this episode, Megan discusses how Sparketypes can be used in coaching to help clients find work that brings them joy and fulfillment. She explains the process of diving deeper into understanding the different Sparketypes and how they relate to individuals. Megan shares the importance of having conversations with clients to articulate their thoughts and feelings about their Sparketype profiles.
IIN's Black Friday Sale - Bonus Episode
Hello, and thanks for listening to Becoming a Health Coach with Megan J. McCrory. This Black Friday, you can experience this transformative journey, too, by enrolling in IIN's Health Coach Training Program at an incredible 45% off using the code MEGANMCCRORY20 or clicking this link https://sldr.page.link/gDVvNeed someone to practice with? Schedule time with me; I'm happy to help :) https://calendl
Ep. 27 Unpacking the Profitability of Health Coaching: Is it Worth the Investment?
Hello, and thanks for listening to Becoming a Health Coach with Megan J. McCrory. Save 20% off IIN or Chopra Certification courses by using my referral code:MEGANMCCRORY20Ep. 27 Unpacking the Profitability of Health Coaching: Is it Worth the Investment? In this episode, Megan McCrory, a certified International Integrative Health Coach, explores whether health coaching is profitable and worth inves
Ep. 26 How to Coach when you have no Clients
Ep. 26 How to Coach when you have no Clients Whether you're a fresh newbie just starting or you've completed your certification long ago but haven't taken the leap, it's crucial to make coaching a habit in your daily routine. Think of it like learning a new language or honing a musical talent, the art of coaching demands consistent practice to become an expert.Download the free episode summary han
Ep. 25 It’s been a day… or 1150 (Part 2)
Well, here we are again. I’ve been promising a new episode since November 2019 and it’s finally here. This is a two-part episode where I explain what I’ve been doing for the past 1150 days and my current coaching business. Are you looking to take your personal development journey to the next level? Look no further than the MyBestSelf Coaching & Community! Our community of like-actioned individ
Ep. 24 It’s been a day… or 1150
Well, here we are again. I’ve been promising a new episode since November 2019 and it’s finally here. This is a two-part episode where I explain what I’ve been doing for the past 1150 days and my current coaching business. Are you looking to take your personal development journey to the next level? Look no further than the MyBestSelf Coaching & Community! Our community of like-actioned individ
Ep. 23 REVIEW OF THE INSTITUTE FOR INTEGRATIVE NUTRITION’S ADVANCE COURSE - HORMONE HEALTH
Hello, and thanks for listening to Becoming a Health Coach with Megan J. McCrory. Leave your comments or connect with me at becomingahealthcoach.ch.In this episode, I’m reviewing one of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition’s Advanced courses, Hormone Health. I completed the 7-month course in 2019 and I am excited to tell you all about it.Mentioned in this episode:Becoming a Health Coach is a pr
Ep. 22 WELLBEING DAY LIVE - MY FIRST PUBLIC PRESENTATION AS A HEALTH COACH
This week is a break from my normal episode format. I recently had the opportunity to present as a health coach at a corporate wellbeing day event. I'd thought this might be interesting for you to hear as an example of how to talk about health coaching. The event format had 5 different topics in which therapists and other health care professionals were to present how they could support that topic.
Ep. 21 GLUTEN-RELATED DISORDERS, LISTENING TO YOUR BODY, INTUITIVE COACHING
This week in Module 18 we learned the importance of listening to your own body and advocating for your health, we learned the history of grains and their role in the diet, we learned how to classify gluten-related disorders, we took the DiSC behavior style evaluation to better relate to clients, and finally, we learned how to coach potential clients through perceived limitations to signi
Ep. 20 COACHING THROUGH SECONDARY FOOD, IIN PLATE, CRAVINGS, FOOD TRACKING
This week in Module 17 we learned more about coaching through Secondary food, we look at the Integrative Nutrition Plate, we then get into cravings and food tracking. Mentioned in this episode:Becoming a Health Coach is a proud member and production of the SwissCast NetworkThe SwissCast Podcast Network is here to amplify the diverse voices and unique stories of Switzerland—all in En
Ep. 19 CIRCLE OF LIFE, COACHING THROUGH PRIMARY FOOD, RELATIONSHIPS
This week in Module 16 we are learned more about coaching through Primary Food in the area of relationships and using the circle of life tool.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 h
Ep. 18 LIFE UPDATE
Every few weeks a take a break from talking about the class and instead turn the focus completely on how I’m building my business and using the tools from the course in my life. So this week it’s a Life Update episode.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
Ep. 17 6-MONTH PROGRAM, CLOSING THE DEAL, PROGRAM ADD-ONS
This week in Module 15 we are introduced to the 6-month program, the value and significance of the 6-month program, how to close the deal and add-ons for the program.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 thin
Ep. 16 SLEEP, CAFFEINE, ACTIVE LISTENING
This week in Module 14 we explore sleep quality and quantity, the hot-button topic of caffeine, and more on how to effectively coach.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
Ep. 15 CLEAN EATING, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
In this week's lesson, Module 13, we learned about clean eating and how to take small steps toward a diet based on whole foods, the importance of physical activity and its impact on health and happiness, the effects of exercise that contribute to improved health, longevity, and a reduced risk of disease. We explored physical activity options that align with our own bio-individuality and practiced
Ep. 14 CHALLENGING THE OBESITY DOGMA
This week's lesson, Module 12, is the importance of walking my talk as a health coach. Guest speaker, Gary Taubes challenges the current understanding of the causes of obesity. We also learn about the concepts of volumetrics, metabolic type, calorie density, and the usefulness of traditional weight and BMI measurements as a measure of health. Mentioned in this episode:Becoming
Ep. 13 SUGAR, FINANCES, MYERS-BRIGGS
This week's lesson, Module 11, focused on all things sugar. Where is it found and what is the effect on the body. We also learned about the primary food area of finances and how it impacts your health and happiness. We took the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and also learned more about conducting a health history.Mentioned in this episode:Becoming a Health Coach is a proud member and production of th
Ep. 12 LIFE UPDATE
Some weeks we don't have a new module so I'm sharing with you what I'm doing with the information I'm learning.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
Ep. 11 CARBOHYDRATES, HEALTH HISTORIES
This week's lesson, Module 10, focused on understanding the last macronutrient, carbohydrates, including the types, dietary sources, and effects on the body. We get into the pros and cons of carbohydrates in the diet and how to prepare and cook grains. On the coaching side, we learned about the value of becoming a health coach, learned the concepts of coaching skills, and were introduced to Health
Ep. 10 PROTEIN, SELF-CARE
This week's lesson, Module 9, focused on understanding another macronutrient, protein. Also, we dive into the protein-based dietary approaches most notably the Atkins diet, the Primal Blueprint, and Paleo diets, and to round it out we learned more about self-care on a regular basis.Mentioned in this episode:Are you So Frickin' Healthy?Check out the other podcast I co-host with Danna Levy Hoffmann
Ep. 9 FATS, FOOD AS MEDICINE, CREATIVITY
This week's lesson focused on understanding the basics of fat and the effects on the body, how inflammation plays a role in health and disease, real food vs. industrial food, using food as medicine, the dairy debate, and lastly focusing on the area of creativity and its impact on health and happiness.Mentioned in this episode:Are you So Frickin' Healthy?Check out the other podcast I co-host with D
Ep. 8 WHOLE FOODS, ACCOUNTABILITY COACH
This week's lesson focused on the healing capacity of whole foods, how a nutrient-dense diet can aid in disease prevention, and accountability coaching.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 rela
Ep. 7 ORGANIC, RELATIONSHIPS, COMMUNICATION
This week's lesson focused on the great organic debate, the value of eating locally grown food, holistic, sustainable farming, the importance of relationships as primary food, and how to communicate more effectively with the people in my life.Mentioned in this episode:Becoming a Health Coach is a proud member and production of the SwissCast NetworkThe SwissCast Podcast Network is here to amplify t
Ep. 6 LIFE UPDATE
With a break in the Modules, I'll fill you in on what I'm doing and how I'm applying what I'm learning.Mentioned in this episode:Becoming a Health Coach is a proud member and production of the SwissCast NetworkThe 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 curi
Ep. 5 SUPERFOODS, CAREER, MONEY
This week's lesson focused on raw food and superfoods, juicing and blending, career satisfaction, fear and taking action, the relationship between money and self-worth.Mentioned in this episode:Becoming a Health Coach is a proud member and production of the SwissCast NetworkThe SwissCast Podcast Network is here to amplify the diverse voices and unique stories of Switzerland—all in English. Whether
Ep. 4 HEALTH COACHES, DIETICIANS, AND NUTRITIONISTS, OH, MY!
This week's lesson focused on the unique roles of health coaches, dieticians, and nutritionists, how people learn about nutrition, and the role of joy in our health and happiness.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 a
The Politics Behind Your Plate and Healthy Cooking Tips
Week 3: Food Politics and Simple Cooking TipsIn this episode, Megan discusses week three of her journey to becoming an integrative nutrition health coach, focusing on food politics and cooking.Highlights include insights from a lecture by Marian Nessel on the correlation between obesity rates and industry deregulation, and practical tips from Joshua's 17 keys to healthy cooking.Megan also shares h
Integrative Nutrition Theories: Discovering Primary Food and Bio-Individuality
Diving Into Module 2: Integrative Nutrition Theories and Self-DiscoveryIn this week's podcast, Megan dives into her second week of health coaching program at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN). She reviews the key theories of the school, including primary food, bio-individuality, and the circle of life.Megan shares insights about how diet influences health, discusses her journey of self
The Start of My IIN Journey to Becoming a Health Coach
Week 1: Exploring the Foundations of Health CoachingIn the first week of the Health Coach Training Program (HTCP) at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN), the focus is on understanding the program's mission to improve health and happiness, and the role of health coaches.Participants learn the importance of self-reflection and intention setting, which are foundational skills for personal g
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