Healthcare Intelligence Network

This month’s inside look at a health coach, the choices she made on the road to success, and the challenges ahead.

Tiffini Holmes, B.A., MBA, CHC, Owner, Health Coach at Total Transformation Wellness Coaching

HIN: What was your first job out of college and how did you get into health coaching?

(Tiffini Holmes): My first job out of college was as a human resource (HR) assistant for an insurance company. While there I worked my way up to HR manager and began career and personal development coaching.

Have you received any health coaching certifications? If so, please list these certifications.

Yes, I am an American Council on Exercise (ACE) certified health coach.

Has there been a defining moment in your career? Perhaps when you knew you were on the right road?

My defining moment was when my first health coaching client hit their first target goal. I don’t know who was more excited — me or the client. But to be a part of that moment when someone who thought they would never be able to lose weight experienced their first of many victories and to know that in some way I helped them achieve that confirmed that there is nothing else I would rather do with the rest of my life.

In brief, describe your organization.

Total Transformation Wellness Coaching (TTWC) provides individual or group coaching that promotes mental, physical, and emotional wellness. Our organization believes that optimal physical fitness is not enough if the mental or emotional fitness is not in alignment as well. We work with our clients to achieve balance of the mind, body and spirit.

What are two or three important concepts or rules that you follow in health coaching?

• My number one rule is: No gimmicks! We do not subscribe to quick fixes. We believe in making lifestyle changes that are sustainable.
• Another rule is we don’t judge at TTWC. We assess where you are on your journey and where would like to be and help you get there. That’s it, that’s all. We don’t judge the why, the how, etc. We just work to fix it.
• Finally, we have a collaboration rule. Health coaching is a partnership. Goals are set together and a supportive environment is nurtured to further ensure success.

What is the single-most successful thing that your company is doing now?

The single most successful thing we are doing is partnering with The Fitness Representative Personal Training to conduct interactive educational workshops for schools and youth groups to provide vital wellness information and create a fun workout environment to assist them in creating healthy mental, physical, and emotional habits early.

What is the single most effective workflow, process, tool or form that you are using in coaching today?

The most effective tool I am using is a readiness for change questionnaire. The clients take the quiz themselves and score it afterwards to see for themselves if they are really ready to make changes. It is a great discussion tool to get clients up open up about their barriers to change and how we can help them overcome those barriers.

Do you see a trend or path that you have to lock onto for 2013?

Corporate wellness is a trend that TTWC would like to lock into in the coming years. With healthcare reform, the increased costs of healthcare, and employers recognizing the importance of a healthy workforce, corporate wellness programs are becoming more popular. We would like to begin assisting with organizations in developing or improving existing wellness programs.

What is the most satisfying thing about being a health coach?

For me, it’s helping people to live a healthier life, which leads to more enjoyment. When your mind is clear, your body is in great condition, and your spirit is at peace you can really appreciate the fullness of life. The fact that I get to help people with that is a blessing.

What is the greatest challenge of health coaching, and how are you working to overcome this challenge?

People don’t understand what health coaching is all about and they are reluctant to pay for it. I am working to overcome this by partnering with other healthcare professionals like doctors and chiropractors, to pair services and continue to get the word out about how important health coaching is. Additionally, using as many platforms as possible (social media, blogs, health fairs, etc) to educate people on health coaching and wellness in general.

Where did you grow up?

I was born and raised in Evanston, IL, just north of Chicago, where I still live today. I love it!

What college did you attend? Is there a moment from that time that stands out?

I went to college at Michigan State University where I met some of my closest friends! However, I graduated college from DePaul University with a B.S. in management. I also received an MBA from University of Illinois at Chicago and a M.A. of Psychology from National-Louis University.

Are you married? Do you have children?

No husband or kids yet but both are coming soon, I hope. I do have a fabulous niece, though, and I love her to pieces.

What is your favorite hobby and how did it develop in your life?

My favorite hobby is traveling. I am not sure how or when it developed but it’s a very big world out there and I want to see as much of it as possible.

Is there a book you recently read or movie you saw that you would recommend?

I recently read and highly recommend, The Wealth Choice, by Dennis Kimbro. It is a book of success secrets of African American millionaires. Not only does it give you keys to financial wealth but the same principles can be applied to many other areas of life, including health. My favorite quote in the book says, “Others are quick to point out what you should be, but you’re the only person who can decide what you will be.”