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Every week, join Brittany, Shed’s Social Media Manager and Health Coach, on The Shed Podcast as she takes a deep dive with industry experts to discuss important health topics and leave you with the information you need to feel empowered in your health journey. You’ll also have an opportunity to hear personal stories from people like you, as they navigate their health journeys and share their insights.

In this episode, Brittany’s joined by Elizabeth, Shed’s Senior Health Coach Manager. They discuss the ins and outs of coaching and what people can expect from Shed’s unique Health Coaching program.

Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to catch our next podcast episode and keep reading for some key highlights.

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What is Health Coaching?

Elizabeth:
Health Coaches are behavior change experts. We're trained in coaching strategies that help clients feel in control and really get to the root of what they want to change, why they want to change, and how they're going to do it.

A Health Coach helps you create an action plan and continues to tailor that plan to help you overcome challenges, leveraging your strengths so that your change is long-term and sustainable.

When you see a professional like a dietitian, personal trainer, or doctor, they often give you prescriptive advice. It’s, "I want you to do X, Y, or Z."

While those recommendations are important, Health Coaches don't lecture you. We understand that it’s not about what you know, it’s about how you're going to implement it in your real life.

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How Health Coaching impacts behavior change

Elizabeth:
Once a coach and client identify what’s been getting in the way or what’s worked in the past, they can experiment with small, manageable changes.

Let’s say the client is exhausted after work and doesn’t want to cook, so they default to takeout. That’s super common. We’d explore, “What’s one thing you could do to make sure you have something ready to eat?” Some people say meal prep and others say, “Absolutely not.” That’s okay—we don’t need the gold star solution. We help them find better options, not perfect ones.

Maybe they like Chipotle—great! We might say, “Next week, try picking two takeout options that have protein, fiber, and veggies.” That becomes the goal. Next session, we reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and adjust.

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Common coaching myths

Elizabeth:
That in order to be successful, you have to give up carbs completely. I’ve heard people say, “I won’t eat a potato or piece of fruit ever again,” but in the same breath, they’ll justify their daily Starbucks with syrup or a glass of wine. It’s wild.

Weight loss is simple, but not easy. People often search for extreme solutions when really, success is about consistency, balance, and enjoying foods you love in moderation. That all-or-nothing mentality? It sets people up to fall off track and regain the weight. Coaching is about helping people find the middle ground and master the art of “good enough.”

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Maintaining weight

Elizabeth:
GLP-1 medication can help quiet the food noise and make change feel doable, but it’s not magic. You still have to make consistent choices. Coaching helps people use that window to build habits and develop the self-monitoring skills needed for long-term success, even when the medication is no longer part of the picture.

I had a client just yesterday say, “I’m one pound from my goal weight and I’m terrified of gaining it all back.” That’s where coaching plays a huge role—helping people transition into maintenance and feel confident doing it.

I had a client in a high-powered executive role with a super stressful life. She wasn’t sleeping, always working, and constantly frustrated. We hit a wall, until we made one small change: Setting boundaries at work. That led to better sleep. Then, she started waking up with the energy to exercise.

That tiny change triggered a domino effect. She eventually lost over 50 pounds and kept it off. No change is too small. Tiny shifts, when consistent, can transform a life. 

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Why people should consider Health Coaching

Elizabeth:
You’ve got nothing to lose. Our data shows coached clients lose more weight, lose it faster, and stick with the program longer.

And the other cliché? “Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for life.” That’s what Health Coaching is. We teach you to “fish”—to stay on track, course-correct, and live your healthiest life long-term.

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