Dr. Sears Health Coaching Program Review
I completed the Dr. Sears Health Coaching Program in 2013 so I wanted to share my honest thoughts and reviews about the program.
Why I Wanted to Be a Health Coach
I had been thinking about it for a couple of years and I wanted to learn more about health and wellness, as I expanded the topics on my blog.
How I Picked a Coaching Certification
I considered Dr. Sears Wellness Institute, the Integrative Nutrition Institute, and the Duke Integrative Medicine Program. Dr. Sears’ program was one of the more affordable options and the program was entirely online and fairly quick. I still wasn’t exactly sure how I wanted to use my certification, so it seemed like the right place to start.
What exactly is a health coach?
Truthfully, this is still being defined. Generally, it’s someone who can help you create healthy habits that fit into your lifestyle. Health coaches are not medical professionals and they can’t give medical advice. Health coaches typically aren’t covered by insurance although I think this is started to change.
A Review of the Dr. Sears Wellness Institute
The program I completed was a three part series that focused on health coaching for families.
- Part 1 focused on basic nutrition and lifestyle changes
- Part 2 was all about coaching methods
- Part 3 focused on marketing yourself as a coach
I found the curriculum to be pretty basic and the nutrition portion was very high level. The coaching methods were helpful as I thought about what it would look like to work with clients, but it was a very cookie-cutter approach.
In terms of marketing myself as a coach, I wasn’t as interested in that section, since I already had my blog up and running. They don’t give you a lot of specific information around pricing, packages, etc. So you still have to figure out a lot of it on your own.
Would I recommend Dr. Sears’ program?
It depends. For me, I wasn’t sure I really wanted to do 1 on 1 coaching. I just wanted to get a better understanding of health and nutrition for my blog. In that regard, I think it was the right fit for me. But I don’t feel equipped to do anything beyond very basic coaching tasks. (For example, I’d be comfortable walking someone through a grocery store and helping them find healthy food options. But I wouldn’t be making someone a meal plan.)
If you have an interest in health and wellness and want to get a basic understanding of nutrition principles, I think it can be a good investment. If I was interested in full-time coaching, I think I’d consider a dietetics program or one of the more advanced health coaching programs as I don’t think this course is comprehensive enough. To be fair, I took this program in 2013 and I’m sure it’s evolved over the years. I can only speak to the course when I took it.
I hope this helps as you evaluate the right health coaching program!
Health coaching sounds like so much fun! You’re the perfect person to do it! 🙂
I haven’t tried any of her workouts, but from your description, I think I would like them! I’m always looking for workouts that don’t require weights so that I can do them in my dorm room when I go back to school. And I like how you mentioned that they’re low impact. I have the exact same problem with me knees 🙁
Aw thanks Alex! You’re so sweet 🙂 And knee pain is such a bummer!
Yay Liz! Congratulations! You will be a terrific health coach!
Aw, thanks so much Ashley! Hope all is well in Columbus 🙂
I actually have her full on 3 month program which you pick your body type and then get a set of custom DVDs. I found the dance cardio she had in the DVD really repetitive and very hard on my ankles and knees. The other movements were tough but I’m not sure if it actually works or not as I read a lot of information that was really skeptical on her claims about not ever using heavy weights at all. They are a great workout but because it is completely different to a normal gym mentality after 2 months I decided not to keep going with it.
That is so exciting about your health coaching!! I can’t wait to hear more about it and how you are going with it. I think you would be so great at it 🙂
Hmm that’s interesting, Jan! I’m glad you told me you have the 3 month program. I was looking at trying it out, but it’s so expensive, I wanted to learn more about it. I’ll have to find our more details of what you liked and didn’t like! 🙂
That health coaching program sounds so exciting! Good for you Liz 🙂 I wish I could do something like that. I’ve heard of Tracy Anderson’s workouts but never tried them! Now I’m inspired to. Have a great weekend!
Congrats on the health coach thing! That sounds really interesting!
And I may have to look up these workouts. I’m tired of listening to Jillian Michael’s voice…
How exciting that you’re going to be a health coach! And yes, I have a friend that was super into Tracy Anderson. I like the small movements aspect of her work-outs, as well. Thanks for posting this, you’re motivating me to do some of them on YouTube!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE SHOUT OUT LIZ!
I have tried to do this everyday (but lets be real, I only really do them like 4 times a week) and legitimately have seen results! Also…wait for it…. I SAW TRACY YESTERDAY! Her studio is in Brentwood and I had a meeting at a Starbucks in the area so it wasn’t so out of the ordinary…but she sat next to me and bitched about her car being scratched or something on the phone!
She is microscopic. I mean she is teeny on those videos and all, but in real life this lady looks like a Slim Jim reincarnated. All muscle, no fat, probably shops at baby gap. It took all of my strength not to be like “Hey Trace- I just did your work outs in my living room, can you tell??”
Anyway. I love her work outs, my arms hate me, thank you for the mention!!
Hahaha this is too funny. I’ve been trying to do at least one of her videos in the morning (because they’re pretty short) but that is SO crazy that you saw her. I’m not surprised that she’s tiny. She seems like she would be. But those tiny muscle movements seem to be working! I’m hoping it’ll tone me right up 😉
P.S. I miss you! Come back to RVA 🙂
Ohh that looks like a tough workout! And what a great opportunity! I’d love to do the same someday :). Get it girl!
Super exciting! Congrats on taking that first step!
Congrats, Liz! So happy to see you going after your passion. I have no doubts that you will have lots of people eating and loving their veggies soon! 🙂