The KInd Life Community Forum
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This is exactly what I would love to do too! It's so inspiring to hear others are so passionate about spreading the word and helping people change their lives!! I am currently getting a Health Fitness Specialist degree but really want to focus more on the food end of it but I'm not sure how to go about it. I live in Central MN and there aren't any colleges that offer a nutrition degree (hence why I'm going for Health Fitness) and relocating my family is not an option. I once looked into the Clayton College of Natural Health but was undecided about that so how have those of you that are wellness coaches or something to that degree gone about getting certified? Also, how did you find clients and get everything up and running? My concern is the economy and I wonder how many people are able to afford to hire a wellness/health coach????
Hi All! Well, I bit the bullet this wknd and enrolled in the Institute for Integrative Nutrition! I received all my books/iPod and now the hard part is going to be waiting until classes start in August!
Tina, I know I can't give too much info since I'm just starting out, but this program seems amazing!! I read through all the materials, went to the student forum website, listened to some lectures and read the founder's book. All wonderful. If you do the distance learning (I am) it's $5,000 but I think if you were referred by someone you get extra discounts, like I did, as well as for paying in full. I am also concerned about people paying for these services in times like these, BUT every single graduate I spoke to (not associated with the school) has a thriving practice, so it sounds pretty promising. And I know nothing about business, but the books they sent by themselves have so much info that it's starting to make sense to me already.
If you want any more info, you can email me at jesroyston@me.com!
Thanks for the info Jessica, I'd love to hear what you think about the classes once you get going! I honestly feel I have the experience to go out on my own w/o a degree or whatever under my belt but I know people feel more assured when there is so that's why I'm looking at what I need to do to get started.
Hi All! Well, I started the Summer Session at Institute for Integrative Nutrition and I absolutely love it!! Classes don't even technically start until August 1st, but the Fundamental Courses are amazing. I am hooked! I wanted to let you all know what if you are thinking about enrolling, if you give my name and sign up before June 30th you get a month of school for free (which you will need because even the Fundamental Classes have a ton of info!) and you will also get a discounted price. I was going to wait until August, but am very glad I didn't. I saved almost $1,000! I encourage you all to take another look and email me with any questions. I research this school ad nauseum before enrolling and DEFINITELY feel I made the right decision! Please email me with any questions at all: jesroyston@me.com
Hi Jessica -
I am really fascinated by this and I would really love to hear more about it, so please keep us posted! I have been pursuing my Life Coaching certificate for a year or so now, but I have kinda stalled out and I am note sure why. But I am now! Since I became vegan 6 months ago, my life has turned around for the better in soooo many ways and I can see now that what we eat is so much more important than we know. I have been looking for a way to combine life coaching and nutrition, with an emphasis on nutrtion becasue I see now that if one is eating healthy, the rest of your life can fall into place much. much easier.
Thanks so much for posting!
I think its great what everyone is doing! One thought regarding the school of integrative nutrition - a friend of mine did that program (and loved loved LOVED the material), but it seems the school really emphasizes the business end of things. I referred two of my patients to him at separate times once he was done with the program, and both were turned off and never went back to him because of this "tough sell" approach that he had been taught. At their first visit, my patients were told they could sign up for X amount of times to see him at Y price, but they had to decided NOW. If they waited to think about it, they would lose the opportunity for the good price. Both of them were upset by that hard sell approach and never went back, and I was upset that I had put two patients in that situation so never referred another patient to him - or anyone from that program, out of apprehension it would happen again. So get the info, but be selective in how you use it! Everyone wants to make a living, but maybe doing a hard sell approach for people's health and well being isn't the best choice and you can all use your own approach to get and retain clients using the great info you will learn in the program to help them - and if you help them, you WILL get referrals from them and slowly build your business that way. Good luck everyone!
Ann, thanks for posting. I heard that before as well, but after reading through the material, I feel like I could make it a little less "sign here now for a deal" and be more patient realizing that it takes some people longer than others to come to a big decision like signing on to a six-month health program. I already know that in my practice, I want to focus on getting my clients to feel comfortable with me and really want to pay the money to have me help them, not feel obligated. I am thinking that the hardest part of this for me (not ever being in sales) is getting clients, but I will chose to do so in more of a way that proves I don't want to sell them something, I want to help them. I am hoping that they will see that and sign on! I do feel it's important to have the business side of the program only because I would have no idea how to go about even reaching out to people for a service like this. Like you said, it's what you do from the info. I agree about not being pushy! And I am confident that I can get clients in my own way as well.
Glad everyone is enjoying this post - please reach out to me for any info! I'm thrilled to help!
Jessica - I'm an acupuncturist and it was hard for me to build a business - not being comfortable with the hard sell and just feeling funny asking for money to help people! but over time it just all worked - I was myself (very low key) and people who liked that approach liked me and my practice, and would then refer their friends and family. It was a practice that built up slowly over time, but word of mouth is the best way to go - people who come in from an ad or brochure are curious and might try it, some may become patients, but the ones who come from referrals seem already committed, and I love that I have husbands and wives, then they bring an aunt, a mother, a child, a co-worker - from one person I will end up with about 10 patients. Give it all time though - I believe its fair to say give it three years to build a solid practice - thats what I tell the students where I teach - if it isn't going full-on after a year or two, don't give up - give it time! If you love what you do and want to help people, it will happen, and it sounds like you have a great idea of how you want to practice - and that program is some great info!
Thanks, Ann! I will remember your patience and advice. I want referrals to be my main source of clients as well because that will mean I am doing a fabulous job :)
Congratulations on your acupuncture practice. Sounds like you made yourself an amazing career!
Hi Jessica and Sierra - I am currently attending IIN as well (distance learning). I think i'm going on my fifth month now and I LOVE the content. Both the nutrition and the business content is fabulous. I'm still nervous about getting clients, etc. but I'm just going to give myself time and try to get through all the material as best I can (there's a lot!). I also signed on at the last minute before classes were starting so I didn't get a head start like you Jessica. Enjoy it! Use the time to go through as much of the material as you can before the modules start. I still feel like I'm a little behind.
Good luck and please keep in touch!
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