Here we take an inside look at a wellness coach, the choices made on the road to success, and the challenges ahead.
Michelle Greenman, certified health and wellness coach.
HIN: What was your first job out of college and how did you get into health coaching?
Michelle Greenman: My first job out of college was working at a private school teaching English as a second language (ESL). I had been teaching and tutoring before graduating and now was ready to move on. My husband and I moved to Lillooet, British Columbia from Toronto, Ontario and after two years of teaching and working with bands, I wanted to take on more of what I felt was my calling. My mom sent me the information for coach training, but I was in a car accident and couldn’t go to the training. I spent three months away from work and reading health books. After recovering about 40 percent, I decided to go and do the health and wellness coach training in South Dakota.
Have you received any health coaching certifications? If so, please list these certifications.
I am certified as a Christian health and wellness coach from Black Hills Health and Education Center in South Dakota. It is a lifestyle center that handles illness, drug and surgery free. Although I do consider myself a Christian, the certification means that we did not study hypnotism and neuro linguistic programming (NLP) like other coach programs teach. Instead we learned and I practice the art of hydrotherapy, herbal medicine and natural drug free healing.
Has there been a defining moment in your career? Perhaps when you knew you were on the right road?
At the training, through the help of classmates and teachers, I was able to make huge strides in recovery. Leaving there I was pretty close to pre-accident status. This was my own miracle, because the doctor suspected I might suffer from chronic back pain for the rest of my life; a scary prognosis for anyone. By using what I had learned, I was able to lose weight and recover from the accident injuries. I couldn’t wait to share all of what I had learned with others, and that’s when I started writing my first book, “Lose Weight Gain Health.”
In brief, describe your organization.
I am the sole proprietor of Michelle Greenman — Natural Health Educator and Wellness Coach. We teach classes, facilitate workshops and do individual and group coaching. We utilize proven comprehensive health principles and goal-oriented development to reach an international audience as an expert and activist for holistic natural healing and wellness. Our aspiration is that each client will recognize, prioritize and achieve their health potential and to enable each to experience wellness.
What are two or three important concepts or rules that you follow in health coaching?
We are committed to the audience of one, dedicated to providing each client with honesty and confidentiality. We exhibit genuine respect for values, caring for experiences and honor for personal truths.
What is the single-most successful thing that your company is doing now?
We teach people and write newspaper articles on RENEWAL; seven accessible, comprehensible, principles to wellness. These seven principles are the foundation of health for body, mind and soul. We believe each part must grow in unison to achieve wellness. RENEWAL stands for Rest, Environment, Nutrition, Exercise, Water, Alternatives and Limits. I also produce personalized health plans for clients based on these seven ideals.
Do you see a trend or path that you have to lock onto for 2011?
We are working to set up monthly coaching by subscription; delivering beneficial information and coaching questions to subscribers. However, we are almost finished with 2011, and looking forward to 2012, we want to have corporate coaching contracts.
What is the most satisfying thing about being a health coach?
Results! Seeing people get better and reach their health goals. Giving them hope that they can reach their goals, then seeing or hearing them do it. For instance, getting the notes back that say, “I have lost 30 pounds since we finished.”
Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in downtown Toronto.
What college did you attend? Is there a moment from that time that stands out?
I graduated from the University of Toronto. At the end of my second year, I had a dream and woke up thinking I am not going to be a psychologist, but a teacher. Teaching would allow me to positively mold impressionable minds like some of my favorite teachers did.
I lived in Taiwan for a year, teaching before returning to Toronto. I changed majors and got married the end of my third year. Changing my major was definitely for the best, and getting the experience teaching and traveling definitely served me very well.
As a side story, the winter holidays of my first year at the university I traveled to the U. A. E. to visit my aunt who was working as a nurse there. Together we vacationed in Istanbul for a week. That experience as well as attending the university, told me that anything was possible to achieve. My plan after returning from Taiwan was to graduate and go back to the Middle East to teach. Getting married changed that, but coaching to me is a way of achieving the career and life I want.
Are you married? Do you have children?
I just celebrated my five-year anniversary with no children and no plans for children either.
What is your favorite hobby and how did it develop in your life?
My favorite hobby is to study the Bible. I love to search its pages and build studies to teach and publish. I have always had a connection to God. I have learned much about the best, holistic practices to regain health from the Bible. It does say “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”
Is there a book you recently read or movie you saw that you would recommend?
I will always recommend the Bible. It is an anchor of a book that has worn out many hammers. It is profound, angering, loving and hope filled all at the same time. Movies that have impacted me profoundly are “The Day My God Died” (difficult to watch), “Earthlings” (very difficult to watch), “Stuff” (makes you want to change), and “Food Inc.” (always gets me a bit upset).
Any additional comments?
This is a career that does all I ever wanted and I love it very much. No matter how much work there is, it’s great to help others. I encourage people to check out my Web site and contact me for any questions or help. Plus I am on Twitter and Facebook.
My vision is to change the world by empowering the individual with holistic natural health activism, education and coaching and encouraging each to achieve wellness.
