Do you dream of helping people finally ditch bad habits, feel better in their own skin, or transform their lives – but have no idea where to start? I get it. The idea of turning your passion for health into a full-blown online health coaching program can feel like climbing Mount Everest barefoot.
I’ve been there. Back when I started, I had all the doubts – imposter syndrome, the “Am I even good enough to do this?” voice in my head, and a pile of excuses that kept me stuck.
But here’s the thing: you don’t need to have it all figured out today to become a health coach. What you need is a business plan that works and a bit of guts to get started.
This guide will walk you through exactly how to start a health coaching business step by step. From understanding what health coaching actually is to creating offers people will pay for and even setting up shop right at home – it’s all here.
By the end, you’ll have the clarity and confidence to finally take action. Ready to stop spinning your wheels and start building a successful health coaching business that changes lives, starting with yours?
Table of Contents
What is a Health Coaching Business?
At its core, a health coaching business involves helping people improve their well-being – whether that’s through better nutrition, fitness, mental health, or lifestyle changes. Think of it like guiding someone through a personal health and wellness journey, giving them the tools and strategies they need to succeed.
You’ve probably seen health coaches popping up everywhere – online and offline – from Dr. Josh Axe, who focuses on ancient nutrition and wellness, or Stephanie Dodier, who specializes in intuitive eating and self-care. There’s a variety of niches within health coaching.
The beauty of any health coaching practice is that it’s incredibly flexible and can be tailored to almost any specialty or audience. From fitness coaches helping clients crush their health goals to mindset coaches guiding individuals through mental clarity and stress management – there’s a space for everyone.
Check out these health and wellness coaches below and see what makes their health and wellness businesses successful.
Emily Schromm: The Empowered Fitness Coach
Emily Schromm is a former reality TV star turned fitness and nutrition coach who’s built a thriving online coaching business. She focuses on empowering people through strength training, nutrition programs, and even her own line of wellness products.
Her success comes from her ability to connect authentically with her audience and offer a mix of coaching, online courses, and physical products that complement her expertise. Emily shows that combining passion with a strong personal brand can create a highly profitable health coaching business.
Michael Morgan: The Alzheimer’s and Longevity Coach
Michael Morgan, founder of Preventing Alzheimer’s, focuses on improving brain health and longevity, with a special emphasis on preventing Alzheimer’s disease. His health coaching services use advanced techniques, including craniosacral therapy, to help coach clients and optimize their mental and physical health.
Michael’s approach is deeply rooted in science, and his dedication to addressing a specific issue has made him a leader in the holistic health industry. He worked with us at EHQ and saw incredible results: “I generated $40,000 in the first 30 days of using this system.”
His success demonstrates the potential of specializing in a highly impactful niche while leveraging proven business strategies to achieve financial and professional freedom.
Abel James: The Fat-Burning Man Revolution
Abel James, aka “The Fat-Burning Man,” runs a wildly popular health coaching business. He’s known for his Wild Diet coach training program, which teaches you how to burn fat, help you build muscle, and feel amazing without extreme dieting.
Abel has turned his expertise into books, podcasts, and coach training programs, making him a household name. His story shows that combining personality with a unique angle can turn a niche idea into a global brand.
Bill Free: The Coach Bridging Health and Spiritual Awareness
Bill Free blends health coaching with spiritual awareness, focusing on personal transformation and mindfulness. His work revolves around helping clients break free from limiting beliefs and find inner peace through practices like meditation and self-reflection.
By combining physical wellness with mental clarity, Bill has carved out a unique space in the health coaching industry. After working with us at EHQ, Bill shared: “This is the best money I have ever spent on a training course. The success of this summit is 10 times better than prior to meeting Liam.”
Bill’s health and life coaching career shows how pairing mindfulness with effective business systems can build a more successful business in health coaching.
Marisa Moon: The Intermittent Fasting Coach
Marisa Moon focuses on helping clients adopt intermittent fasting as a sustainable lifestyle change. Her coaching is all about making nutrition and wellness approachable without overwhelming her audience.
By focusing on a specific niche – intermittent fasting – Marisa has carved out a space where she stands out and thrives. Her successful health and life coaching business highlights the power of focusing on one thing and doing it really well.
Starting a Health Coaching Business Checklist
Starting your own health coaching business is easier when you know what to focus on first. It’s not always about having the fanciest website or perfecting every detail from day one – it’s about ticking off the essentials and creating a coaching business plan that sets you up for success.
From finding your health coaching niche to keeping things professional (even if you’re working from your kitchen table), this checklist will guide you through the key steps to launching your health coaching business. Here’s how to tackle the most important pieces.
Step 1: Getting over the “Am I good enough?” hurdle
Every coach starts here – that little voice asking, “Who am I to do this?” You’ve probably seen others, like Kelly LeVeque or Mike Dow, smashing it in the health coaching world, and you wonder if you can get there, too. The truth is, you won’t know until you start.
You have the knowledge and experience to build a profitable health coaching business – now it’s just about putting yourself out there.
Action Steps:
- Write down your top three strengths and how they can help clients in achieving their health goals.
- Reflect on a time you helped someone reach their health goals or improve their well-being and the difference it made.
- Start small by offering one free or low-cost session to someone who could benefit from your health coach training program.
Step 2: Find your focus: Choosing a niche that feels like you
A niche is your health coaching sweet spot – the area you’re most passionate about and where you can truly make an impact. The best niches are the ones that align with your experience and interests.
Think about what lights you up – is it wellness? Nutrition? Spiritual? Empowerment? Or even something more specific, like working with nurses or moms?
Look at Ben Azadi, who focuses on keto nutrition, or Tina Anderson, who specializes in gut health. Their focus resonates because they built their businesses around what they know and love.
A clear focus sets you apart and makes marketing your expertise much easier.
Action Steps:
- Brainstorm three areas you’re passionate about (e.g., nutrition, wellness, recovery, mental health).
- Research what successful coaches in those niches are doing and look for gaps you could fill.
- Test your niche by offering a free mini-session or workshop to see what resonates best with your ideal clients.
Step 3: Stop overthinking and create your first offer
No need to complicate things here. A great way to get started is with something simple and actionable. Create a workshop or coaching offer that solves a specific problem. For example, you could offer a “5-Day Gut Health Reset” workshop or a “Stress Management for Busy Professionals” package.
You don’t need to create a giant course right away – focus on helping people see real results quickly.
Action Steps:
- Choose a specific health challenge or goal to focus on (e.g., weight loss, hormone balance, mental clarity, improving sleep quality, or reducing sugar cravings).
- Create a simple, step-by-step program or workshop (e.g., a 4-week nutrition overhaul or a 3-session stress management series).
- Set a price that reflects the value you’re providing but still feels accessible to your ideal clients.
Step 4: Setting up shop without spending a fortune
You don’t need a massive budget to start your health coaching business. Focus on the basics – website, social media, and a simple client booking system. You’ll be amazed at how far you can go with just the essentials.
Action Steps:
- Create a health coaching website that’s simple and easy to navigate with WordPress or Squarespace (no need for advanced features).
- Set up a social media presence where your audience hangs out most (Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn) and post consistently.
- Use a tool like Calendly to manage books and appointments and Stripe or PayPal for payments.
Step 5: Social media without the stress (building a presence that gets clients)
Social media isn’t about chasing followers – it’s about connecting with your audience and building trust. Share tips, client wins, and personal insights to show people why you’re the coach they need to succeed.
Action Steps:
- Post three times a week. Focus on helpful content, testimonials (if you have any already), and your story.
- Use Instagram Stories to share daily health tips or behind-the-scenes moments to make yourself more relatable and accessible to your ideal clients.
- Join relevant Facebook groups to answer questions and connect with potential clients.
Step 6: Create a lead magnet to attract your ideal clients
A lead magnet is a free resource that solves a small problem for your audience, like a quick guide or a checklist. It’s a great way to build your email list and start a relationship with potential clients.
Action Steps:
- Create a short PDF supportive guide for clients or a mini-course (e.g., “3-Day Meal Plan for Busy Professionals” or “5 Tips to Reduce Stress Right Now”).
- Use Canva to design your lead magnet quickly and professionally.
- Promote your lead magnet on your website and social media.
Step 7. How to find clients who will pay you
This one is simple: go where your audience is. Whether it’s virtual summits, webinars, or workshops, people are always looking for solutions. Focus on providing value and guiding them through their health journey – you’ll attract clients who are ready to invest.
Action Steps:
- Participate in webinars, networking events, and local health expos in your field of health coaching your audience cares about.
- Collaborate with fitness centers, yoga studios, or wellness retreats to reach more people.
- Offer a free 15-minute consultation to help potential clients understand how you can help them.
Step 8: Build your email list for long-term success
An email list is a goldmine for growing your coaching business. It allows you to stay in touch with your audience and consistently share valuable content, offers, and updates. Take it from Carl Cincinnato, founder of Migraine World Summit, who grew his email subscribers to 100,000 by following the roadmap we designed for him.
Action Steps:
- Use tools like MailChimp or Kit to set up your email list.
- Send out weekly emails with helpful tips, success stories, or offers your audience will love.
- Encourage social media followers and clients to join your list for exclusive content.
Step 9: Stay consistent (even when you feel like quitting)
Every business has its ups and downs, but the key is showing up consistently. Your audience needs to trust that you’ll be there to guide them – even when you feel like quitting.
Action Steps:
- Set weekly goals and track your progress (e.g., number of client sessions, new email subscribers, new clients, engagement, referrals).
- Celebrate all your small wins to keep your momentum and inspire you.
- Reach out to a support system – a mentor, coach, or fellow health professional – for accountability and motivation.
How to Start a Health Coaching Business Online
So, why start a health coaching business? Because it’s not just rewarding to help others – it’s also a highly profitable venture if you approach it with the right intentions and strategies.
Overwhelmed by tech? Here’s what you actually need
Setting up your online health coaching business doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s all you actually need to get started:
- Zoom for virtual coaching sessions – no fancy tech needed, just a webcam and stable Wi-Fi.
- A simple website (more on that below).
- Email to keep in touch with clients and grow your business without relying solely on social media.
- Use a free or low-cost email marketing tool like MailChimp or Kit to manage client communications.
How to run Zoom coaching calls smoothly
Zoom has become a staple for health coaches. It’s user-friendly and reliable, and we’ve used this here at EHQ to run our virtual summits, too.
To ensure smooth calls:
- Test your audio and video setup beforehand.
- Prepare a few prompts or key discussion points to guide the session.
- Keep the session structured with clear, concise communication.
- Use screen sharing to enhance explanations, especially for topics like nutrition or wellness.
Create a simple website that works (without a developer)
A professional, easy-to-navigate website is your home base. You don’t need a developer for this just yet. Here’s how you can do it:
- Use platforms like WordPress or Squarespace with templates designed for health coaches.
- Highlight your services, share testimonials, and provide booking links.
- Add sections for your bio, services, and contact form.
Use email to stay connected (and get bookings)
Email is still one of the most effective ways to keep your clients engaged and get them to book more sessions. You can set up automated emails to nurture leads:
- Welcome sequence for new subscribers.
- Follow-ups after sessions or workshops.
- Regular newsletters with tips, advice, and updates.
You can also create a simple lead magnet (e.g., free guide, mini-course) to grow your email list. Don’t forget to segment your email list based on interests (wellness, nutrition, etc.) for targeted communication.
How to Start a Health Coaching Business from Home
Starting a health coaching business from home isn’t as complicated as it might sound. In fact, it’s more doable than ever. With the right mindset, tools, and strategies, you can turn your home into the ultimate coaching HQ and connect with clients who value the results you deliver.
Turn your spare room (or corner of the living room) into coaching HQ
You don’t need a fancy office to start coaching from home. A quiet space, free from distractions, is all it takes. Whether it’s a spare room, the corner of your living room, or even your favorite nook in the kitchen, having a dedicated spot at home helps you stay focused and signals to your clients that you’re serious about the work that you do.
Here’s my workspace in my home in Malta:
Here’s how to set it up:
- Find a space in your home with minimal distractions (good lighting and privacy are huge bonuses).
- Set it up with the basics: a comfortable chair, desk, and reliable internet connection.
- Add small touches like a plant or a simple background for video calls to make your space look more professional and inviting.
How to make clients take you seriously (even if you’re coaching in sweatpants)
You can absolutely coach from home in your comfiest clothes without sacrificing professionalism. In fact, I’ve been running coaching sessions since 2015 – all in jeans and a t-shirt – while maintaining a high level of authority, and so can you.
Here’s what works:
- Upgrade your Zoom setup: Use a quality webcam and microphone for clear video and audio. A ring light can also do wonders for lighting.
- Set boundaries: Define your work hours and stick to them. Communicate these hours to your clients to set expectations. The last thing you want is to experience burnout when you’re trying to work from home.
- Streamline your onboarding process: Use tools like Google Forms or ClickUp to create a smooth, professional experience for your new clients.
- Dress the part (if needed): While sweatpants are fine, opt for a clean and casual look that aligns with your brand during client calls.
Running a professional business from home
Working from home has its perks, but it also comes with its own set of challenges – like keeping work-life boundaries clear. With the right systems in place, you can stay organized, avoid burnout, and run your business like a seasoned professional.
Keep these in mind:
- Use a project management tool like ClickUp (our personal favorite here at EHQ), Trello, or Asana to manage client workflows and stay on top of tasks.
- Schedule personal time off: Block off time for self-care, exercise, and breaks to recharge. You are in the health and wellness industry, so it only makes sense to take care of yourself, too.
- Create templates for emails, client check-ins, and session notes to save time and stay consistent.
- Keep your finances organized with tools like QuickBooks or Wave to track income and expenses.
Finding clients who don’t care where you work – they just want results
Clients don’t care if you’re coaching from a penthouse or your kitchen table – they want results. The key is showing them how your health coaching program can help, build trust, and deliver real value. Your location becomes irrelevant when you prove you’re the coach who can help them achieve their goals – whether you’re coaching them in sweatpants or a suit.
Here’s how to find clients while building your health coaching business:
- Host live workshops or webinars that address common challenges your audience faces. Offer actionable tips on aspects of health and wellness to build credibility and attract potential clients.
- Create valuable content. Share blog posts, film videos, or record podcasts that position you as an expert. Platforms like Talks are perfect for building authority, reaching new audiences, and connecting with experts in different niches.
- Engage on social media. Share testimonials, client success stories, and educational content. Use platforms like Instagram and Linkedin to build connections and grow your network.
- Partner with professionals in the health industry, local businesses or online communities. Collaborate with gyms, yoga studios, wellness retreats or other health and wellness entrepreneurs to expand your reach.
Ready for the Win?
Starting a health coaching business might seem like a big step, but with the right approach, it can be a rewarding and profitable journey. The key is to keep things simple, authentic, and aligned with your goals.
By setting up your business with a solid foundation – starting with a clear coaching niche, offering valuable services, and staying consistent – you’ll be well on your way to creating a thriving online coaching business.
If you’re ready to take the next step and learn how to start a health coaching business that generates consistent, high-ticket clients, check out my FREE in-depth coaching training.
In this comprehensive training, you’ll discover how to:
✅ Identify your niche and ideal client
✅ Develop a high-ticket offer in any industry
✅ Attract leads who are ready to invest in your offers
✅ Create a highly profitable coaching business and work less
No matter where you are on your coaching journey, this system provides actionable steps to achieve predictable income freedom.
Don’t miss the opportunity to turn your expertise into a thriving, scalable business. Get a copy of my 3-Step Coaching Blueprint here.