Episode 58
Sandra Scheinbaum:A Health Coach Might be the Help You Need
Sandra Scheinbaum:
A Health Coach Might be the Help You Need
In this episode we are talking about the effectiveness of health coaching. My friend and mentor Dr. Sandra Scheinbaum joins us to explain why coaches are important for healing chronic illness, what coaching is, and how you can work with one, or even become one.
First Aired on: Oct 24, 2022
Episode 58
Sandra Scheinbaum:A Health Coach Might be the Help You Need
Sandra Scheinbaum:
A Health Coach Might be the Help You Need
In this episode we are talking about the effectiveness of health coaching. My friend and mentor Dr. Sandra Scheinbaum joins us to explain why coaches are important for healing chronic illness, what coaching is, and how you can work with one, or even become one.
First Aired on: Oct 24, 2022
Table of Contents:
Table of Contents:
In this episode:
In this episode:
In today's episode, Dr. Sandra Sheinbaum shares about the field of health coaching and how working with a coach can be especially helpful for chronic illness.
Dr. Sandi is the founder and CEO of the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy, a collaboration with the Institute for Functional Medicine. She is a leader in the field of health coaching. She is the author of How to become a Health Coach, Functional Medicine Coaching, and Stop Panic Attacks in 10 Easy Steps.
Dr. Sandi began her career as a teacher and then became a licensed clinical psychologist. She founded FMCA when she was 65 years young, along with Elyse Wagner.
"We don't go it alone."
What is a Health Coach?
Health coaches are behavior change specialists that support you in getting from where you are to where you want to go.
Health coaches educate, listen, foster trust, create rapport and accountability, cheer lead...
Heart centered coaching can also support emotional and mental health for those reasons.
Coaches are sub-clinical providers in that way.
We help you initiate and SUSTAIN change.
A randomized clinical trial shows that participants with coaches maintained their work out routines a year after starting, while those without a coach were much less likely to still be working out.
"What is real in the mind is real in the body."
Mindset is a powerful healing tool.
Coaches work in a variety of settings.
Some physician offices have coaches on staff, or can recommend a coach.
Some work in private practice.
Many work virtually/some in person.
Group coaching programs offer a sense of community.
Dr. Sandi's one thing:
When you are down, or struggling, ask yourself "am I in the gap, or the gain?"
You are in the gain when you are noticing how far you have come. The progress you have made.
Look over your shoulder and notice the improvements you have made.
And be grateful.
Gratitude is healing!!!
Dr. Sandi is the founder and CEO of the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy, a collaboration with the Institute for Functional Medicine. She is a leader in the field of health coaching. She is the author of How to become a Health Coach, Functional Medicine Coaching, and Stop Panic Attacks in 10 Easy Steps.
Dr. Sandi began her career as a teacher and then became a licensed clinical psychologist. She founded FMCA when she was 65 years young, along with Elyse Wagner.
"We don't go it alone."
What is a Health Coach?
Health coaches are behavior change specialists that support you in getting from where you are to where you want to go.
Health coaches educate, listen, foster trust, create rapport and accountability, cheer lead...
Heart centered coaching can also support emotional and mental health for those reasons.
Coaches are sub-clinical providers in that way.
We help you initiate and SUSTAIN change.
A randomized clinical trial shows that participants with coaches maintained their work out routines a year after starting, while those without a coach were much less likely to still be working out.
"What is real in the mind is real in the body."
Mindset is a powerful healing tool.
Coaches work in a variety of settings.
Some physician offices have coaches on staff, or can recommend a coach.
Some work in private practice.
Many work virtually/some in person.
Group coaching programs offer a sense of community.
Dr. Sandi's one thing:
When you are down, or struggling, ask yourself "am I in the gap, or the gain?"
You are in the gain when you are noticing how far you have come. The progress you have made.
Look over your shoulder and notice the improvements you have made.
And be grateful.
Gratitude is healing!!!
Other Resources:
Other Resources:
Connect with Sandra Scheinbaum
Connect with Sandra Scheinbaum
Watch this interview:
Watch this interview:
Episode Transcript
[00:00:00]Julie Michelson: Welcome back to the inspired living with autoimmunity podcast. I'm your host, Julie Michelson. And today we are joined by Dr. Sandra shine, Baum, founder, and CEO of the functional medicine coaching academy, which is a collaboration with the Institute for functional medicine. You may have guessed it. We are talking about health coaching from what is a health coach to why have a health coach and how to [00:01:00] become a health coach.
[00:01:01] We're covering it all. And Dr. Sandy, a true leader in the field shares her knowledge and inspiration with us
[00:01:08] dr Sandy, welcome to the podcast.
[00:01:11]Sandra Scheinbaum: Oh, it is such a pleasure to be here, Julie.
[00:01:14]Julie Michelson: I I'm so excited for this episode. As you know, FMCA is very near and dear to my heart. And I'm, I'm really excited to introduce the audience to just the other than from me, because this is my passion, the importance of health coaching and the, the contribution you are making to really the world by, by.
[00:01:38] Your, your passion and sharing training, coaches, sharing, coaching with all the medical communities around the world. And it it's, it's so exciting to have you here and get your perspective on health coaching.
[00:01:53]Sandra Scheinbaum: Thank you.
[00:01:54]Julie Michelson: So I'd love to start with story. I would love to know, I would love listeners to know [00:02:00] a little bit about your background and, you know, how does one decide to really pioneer this field of functional medicine, health coaching?
[00:02:10]Sandra Scheinbaum: Well, where I started is definitely not where I landed. And if anyone had said back in the sixties, when I was.
[00:02:28]Julie Michelson: Oh, those days. Hang on.
[00:02:35]Sandra Scheinbaum: If anybody had told me back in the sixties, when I was deciding about a career that I would be establishing a company to train health coaches in my seventies. I would've said you are crazy. Because back in the day there were few choices open to women. You were a teacher, you were a nurse, you were. Secretary.
[00:02:57] And while I chose to train to be a teacher, and I [00:03:00] did spend years as a teacher, primarily as in special education. And that led to a strong interest in helping parents. And so I was running stress management groups, and then I got my doctorate in clinical psychology, and I was a Renegade when I was a psychologist, because I was not interested in.
[00:03:19] The conventional more psychoanalytic type model, very popular at the time in the seventies, early eighties. And I was exploring the effectiveness of mind, body medicine practices, teaching people how to breathe. And I was pairing that with helping them sort through their thought patterns. What were they thinking about that was resulting in emotional distress?
[00:03:42] and then I discovered functional medicine and I went through training at these do for functional medicine. So I put that into the mix and now people were saying, you know, I trained as a health coach and I just don't feel prepared. And I love your model. Would you ever consider training health coaches and then [00:04:00] it started and we don't.
[00:04:02] Alone. And so I had a wonderful partner, Elise Wagner. She was a whole lot younger than I was. And we partnered with the Institute for functional medicine. So they trained the doctors. We trained the health coaches, and this came about, I was 65. I had zero, I mean, zero business experience. I learned quickly and it's completely mission driven.
[00:04:28] I'm inspired to train thousands of health coaches to partner with people to help them lead healthier, better lives.
[00:04:36]Julie Michelson: Oh, my gosh. Amazing. And for anybody who hasn't is not yet familiar with Dr. Sandy talk about inspiring. And I love that you threw in that Elise is younger. You have more energy than most people and gumption as, as they say. And I love that nothing calls you back. You're like, oh, there's a need and we're gonna.
[00:04:58] We're gonna do this and that E [00:05:00] that evolution is perfect. I don't think I had, I've interviewed one person yet on the podcast that, you know, is, is doing, you know, what they thought they'd be doing when they were younger. And this is living and growing and expanding. And so I, for 1:00 AM really grateful because literally.
[00:05:19] The first time I heard about the functional medicine coaching academy and its partnership with if FM I signed up. And it has certainly been a life changer for me. I was already coaching functional medicine is my passion. I didn't know. There was an opportunity to blend the two and the rest is history, shall we say?
[00:05:39] So I'm so excited that, and the pro just watching the program grow. And grow, which I know is your vision, right? A health coach in every office and this access to health coaching for everyone.
[00:05:54]Sandra Scheinbaum: Yeah. And we're seeing. About who knew when I started this, [00:06:00] that there would be a great movement even to have services of health coaching reimbursable through insurance, through medical practices, and just so much growth every day, I pick up a newspaper and there's some article about. Health coaching yet.
[00:06:16] So it's, it's been really rewarding to see this field grow because our healthcare system needs help. And especially we saw during the pandemic, the incidents of chronic diseases. I mean, it is abso astronomical six and 10 people have. For some chronic condition and healthcare is also unaffordable for so many people and health coaching is an affordable model.
[00:06:42] And what's more, if you wanna get into the field, the bar for entry is really low. You don't need to come from a healthcare profession. You don't need to go back to school for four or six years. You don't need to take out high student loans to do it or disrupt your whole life. You get a certificate and then you're off to the race.[00:07:00]
[00:07:01]Julie Michelson: I love that. And I, I love what, one of the things that was so important to me is. That when somebody goes through the program at F M C a, they are qualified to sit for the national boards, which is really saying a lot as somebody who was a coach before I became a certified health coach, for me, it was important.
[00:07:22] To, to, you know, unfortunately anyone can call themselves a coach and there's such a variance in the quality of programs and training. And so it's one of the things that really makes FM C a stand out is this is the, the top training and you're qualified for the top certification in this country. And, and I know in other countries, you know, even if you're not national board certified, you're still, you're getting the best education you.
[00:07:50]Sandra Scheinbaum: Thank you. I appreciate
[00:07:51]Julie Michelson: Thank you. Thank you for all your hard work. I love it. So let's talk about, you know, people, listeners are familiar [00:08:00] with me. They know I'm a health coach, but I've honestly never gotten into what is a health coach. So share with us. What is a health coach?
[00:08:08]Sandra Scheinbaum: Sure. So if you ask people. You're likely to get answers like, oh, aren't they like a nutritionist don't they help people with what to eat and yes and no. So health coaches educate people about what might be the evidence based best weight for them. It's personalized, but they don't make that decision because they're not licensed healthcare providers.
[00:08:31] That is for a nutritionist for a medical doctor, but the health coach. Has the real crucial role because how many people get advice, they get the diagnosis and then they they're told what to do and they don't do it. And then may, may search out another expert. For example, health coaches are behavior change specialists.
[00:08:57] They help people change when [00:09:00] change is hard, you Julie help somebody get from where they are. To where they wanna be. And you as the coach, aren't the one that makes that decision. You don't decide where they wanna be. You're not saying, okay. I think this person should be a vegan. And so I'm going to develop a plan for them.
[00:09:20] That would be not the coach approach and it fails. They as the client make that decision. And I interviewed so many health coaches when we were writing a book, how to become a health coach. And they all said what really is so crucial is when they see their client have that aha moment. Yes. They make the decision to change.
[00:09:46] They've dug deep into that heart centered feeling. What, what matters most to me? What do I want my health for? And from there, they make that decision to change things. [00:10:00] And the rest is implementation and learning and coaches support learning. They help people become accountable. How many times have people, you know, they are making their new year's resolutions in January, but by February, March, they're, they've already given it up.
[00:10:19] A health coach can help make sure they stay on track. In fact, there was this amazing randomized controlled trial that looked at people who were coached on an exercise program. And those who had the health coach by their side a year later were still keeping up the exercise. Whereas those who didn't have a coach had already failed and they had already abandoned it.
[00:10:42] So this is highly significant because. We know that when you have an ally, when you have a guide, when you have a personal cheerleader support, that is absolutely crucial when you are making big changes, cuz let's face it. Lifestyle changes. The kind of [00:11:00] changes we're talking about are hard. Those are changes in areas like.
[00:11:04] How do I wanna eat every day? And what about sleep? And what about my exercise and real and movements and, and dealing with the stress in my life. So those are the areas that health coaches work with people on, but it is all client driven. Again, it's not the coach saying, I want you to do this. They're not, they're not acting as a coach.
[00:11:28] If they
[00:11:29]Julie Michelson: I love that explanation. I, I often say I I'm the how, you know, I'm not telling you what to do. And I part, and I have people show up all the time that are just tell me what to do. And I'm like, no, that's not how that works. But. Executing. I, I, I work often in partnership with a, a functional medicine doctor and you know, when, hi, hi, his cue to recommend me is when somebody want, you know, they're, they're coming to see him.
[00:11:56] They wanna change. They, they wanna be healthy [00:12:00] and they keep showing up in the same place and he keeps telling them what to do and they're not doing it. And that's when he says, oh, obviously you need some support. You know, we're talking about often decades of pattern.
[00:12:13]Sandra Scheinbaum: Yes.
[00:12:14]Julie Michelson: To to that need changing. And, and so I always tell people, you know, one person's approach, isn't gonna be the same as somebody else's because your lifestyle, I work with people who don't cook and I work with people who love to cook, you know, different approaches for sure.
[00:12:31]Sandra Scheinbaum: Exactly. It's it's personalized, you know, you mentioned something crucial, and that is decades of patterns, because another way that there's confusion about what a health coach does. Well, isn't like a therapist then. and the answer is yes and no. So coaches can support mental, emotional health. They are great listeners.
[00:12:53] And so the relationship that forms between you as the coach and the client is one [00:13:00] that's is based on trust. It's based on rapport and empathy. And as a result, people who are coached feel better. Depression lessons. There's been a lot of research on that as well, but they're not diagnosing a medical or a psychiatric condition.
[00:13:18] They are not providing psychotherapy. They're not doing that deep dive into patterns that are resulting in clinical disorders. So they are what we call subclinical providers. And there is growing interest in that, particularly since the pandemic, because we have a severe shortage of mental. Professionals and people are waiting.
[00:13:40] They're not getting treatment. And often they think they are crazy. When often it's working with a coach who can normalize these experiences and feelings and all of a sudden, well, they are feeling better. Then when you add the functional medicine or the lifestyle element, like they're going out for a walk and then, oh, I'm, I'm less depressed.
[00:13:58] I'm not, my mood is [00:14:00] better. And coaches can guide people to engage in those healthy lifestyle habits that will have direct impact on mood.
[00:14:08]Julie Michelson: Absolutely so well said. I always say I, and I believe the, the biggest gift. The clients working with a health coach receive is feeling heard, having that container, that safe space, creating that rapport, as you mentioned, and, and feeling comfortable to share what they need to share to make progress. And it is very different from therapy, but it, it can have amazing results.
[00:14:38] And as you mentioned, the pandemic, I mean the, the mental health crisis right now is, is skyrocketing, but it it's a health crisis period. And, and so that's why it's a wonderful thing that you've got so many people going through the program and, and getting that training. Let's focus in a little bit [00:15:00] on auto immunity.
[00:15:01] And again, I, I feel like I could just kick back and I know why, I mean this, I know, I know what health coaching and, and auto immunity, you know, why it's so effective and, and can be so empowering for people. But I would love to hear from your perspective, you know, again, you mentioned I'm not a, I'm not a medical provider.
[00:15:24] And so when I'm often, I, I will see people who are new to functional medicine and I will refer them to a provider so that they can get full care. I love partnering with all sorts of doctors and providers that they don't have to be functional medicine providers. As long as they're forward thinking and open.
[00:15:43] But so someone has the, has a doctor kind of, I just, one of the things I just mentioned, right? If you're showing up all the time and you haven't been able to execute between appointments obviously there's a, a, an indicator that, that some support would be good, but if someone has this great functional medicine [00:16:00] doctor, they love, why might they still need a health coach?
[00:16:03] If they're struggling with auto immunity?
[00:16:07]Sandra Scheinbaum: Often what happens when you see a functional medicine provider, you get a whole laundry list of recommendations. And they're good. They may include supplements. They may include exercise prescriptions. They may look at well an elimination diet, for example, and people may be gung ho. But then when they get to the actual, how, as you said earlier, I'm the how person, how do I do this?
[00:16:35] They may run into obstacles that they didn't anticipate, like family members are in a subtle way or not so subtle way tempting to sabotage their efforts. And so they now have stress piling up as a result of that. So they have a need for an ally to break it down for them. Starting with what this condition is.
[00:16:58] Cause that's a hard concept to wrap your head [00:17:00] around, you know, the traditional way of thinking. I'm walking down the street as Dr. Bob Roundtree says, and oops, I got like, I got rheumatoid arthritis. It just like hit me. Like
[00:17:10]Julie Michelson: just happened. Go
[00:17:12]Sandra Scheinbaum: got it. I'm mobi business and oh, got rheumatoid arthritis. I got eczema, got hypothyroidism and the coach can help.
[00:17:20] To explain. And it can be a dialogue where it's a discovery process, where you go back to, when was the last time you felt well, how do you feel when you eat a certain food versus something else? And so they're starting to become their own detectives. And that creates that sense of empowerment because when you understand what could have triggered this.
[00:17:40] Maybe I'll do an experiment with this elimination diet. What would it be like if I eliminated gluten or dairy, for example, how would I feel? And the coach supports them on that journey. Whereas if somebody just says, okay, you need to go on a gluten free dairy, free egg, free soy free diet. Well, that can be overwhelming.
[00:17:59] In fact at [00:18:00] FM C a, we are engaged in research with the Institute for functional medicine, where our graduates are being are working with their trainees. These are doctors who are perhaps still in they're employed by a hospital, but now they're intrigued by functional medicine. They're studying with IFM and they are being asked to do an elimination diet as part of the training.
[00:18:20] And so they are being coached as on that. And so they're experiencing that process. It is helping somebody to initiate change and also, which is even harder sustain it. So somebody might start off and okay, I'm gluten free and I'm dairy free. And then they're at an event and well, a little bit won't hurt me and then they have a setback and maybe now they're demoralized.
[00:18:46] Maybe they're blaming themselves and feeling like a failure. And when. Yeah. Yeah. And then if they sort that all out with their coach, they are feeling a renewed sense of optimism. [00:19:00] Hope that yeah, I can, I can I can heal. And the other part of it is that again, the mind what's real in the mind is real in the body.
[00:19:08] That was my mantra for years as a clinical psychologist. And so connecting your thoughts, your emotions, seeing yourself as. I can do it as opposed to I have this debilitating condition it's only gonna get worse. And so picturing health, using positive imagery and really garnishing your strengths, your ability to be grateful, to have hope, to laugh, to experience your essence of those strengths, which we teach at F M C a is really helpful for dealing with autoimmune conditions.
[00:19:45]Julie Michelson: So amazing. There's about three hours of content. I'd love to circle back and talk about in there, or at least highlight. One of, of which is how I've evolved as a coach. You hit all of it. You know, I [00:20:00] remember I used to start with. Diet right. Because I know how, how to me, it's kind of low hanging fruit.
[00:20:08] If that's that they start to feel, people start to feel empowered when they know can notice what's affecting them with what they're eating. And thank goodness for my clients. I, I, then I realized, oh, wow, I'm really adding stress. We're starting right away. Just putting more stress on before we even get to managing their current stress level that they came in with.
[00:20:32] And so then I evolved and we, you know, I always kind of started and it's all of it. Right? You mentioned these, these lifestyle areas. There's no one magic. It's not just food. It's not just. Or just anything you can fill in, in that blank. And but then it evolved where I realized, you know, what, if we start with mindset, gosh, the results can be so much more powerful, [00:21:00] so much more quickly.
[00:21:01] And it, and so many people, like you mentioned, oh, you know, RA doesn't just happen. Right. You're not walking down the street. And, oh, I, I got RA, but I, I have so many people who show. And their identity is wrapped up in their diagnosis and that's a thread that we need to start to pull and so that they can envision and under, you know, I, I can be whole, I can heal, I can again, fill in the blank with every positive so that the body.
[00:21:30] Can start to heal. And my favorite is people say, well, I don't have a diagnosis. I'm like, great. you're
[00:21:36]Sandra Scheinbaum: Yes. I love
[00:21:37]Julie Michelson: we don't, we don't have to worry about changing that identity and that and I, and I say this from experience, I, I was that way, you know, I, my life eventually, as it got smaller, became more and more centered around, you know, I was a person with RA, as opposed to you.
[00:21:58] First being, you [00:22:00] know, a mom, a friend, all the other wonderful things. And, and so I, I love that you brought up how important our mindset is and how, what we believe can become our reality, which is not, is the opposite of showing up at the doctor's office and having them say it's all in your head. That's not what we're saying, but the
[00:22:21]Sandra Scheinbaum: You didn't imagine
[00:22:22]Julie Michelson: no,
[00:22:23]Sandra Scheinbaum: arthritis. It's real.
[00:22:24]Julie Michelson: It is real. And you know, now is something I really don't think about at all because it's luckily, you know, for me, it's not a, it's not a part of my daily routine anymore. But we can all create that change. And, and for me, it's an honor to stand with people and, and watch them do that. And, and so it's the, again, it comes back to that.
[00:22:48] How there can, it can be so overwhelming if like I just mentioned, it's not one thing, even just the elimination, an elimination diet of whichever one you're doing [00:23:00] can be so overwhelming and then add in all these other lifestyle areas. And that to me, I think is where the, the, having a coach, having somebody to partner with you Is can really make all the different, I wish I had one, it took, I always say having a coach to, to, in my opinion, you know, what took me years and years and years of figuring out and, and you can really just figure it out so much quicker.
[00:23:28] And like you said, that, which is the key it's not for anybody can do anything for a short period of. But we're talking about true lifestyle change. We wanna be like the people that are still working out a year or so later. I don't know that gym owners are gonna be thrilled. The more and more coaches there are cause they make their money on the people that only show up in January. But, but that yeah is such a, is such a tremendous. It, it's just a really [00:24:00] incredible gift. And so, you know, this understanding of that, the coach isn't telling you what to do. Again, sometimes can be confusing for people cuz they think that's what they're coming for. It's like, well, no, you've been told what to do already.
[00:24:16] You know, or you've read the book or like you said, or you find a different expert and this didn't work. And I know, and I, I love the study that FM C a coaches are participating in supporting those docs. I think every doc should have to do an elimination diet to learn, you know, to really experience some of these parts and pieces that that people need to do to heal for sure.
[00:24:39]Sandra Scheinbaum: Absolutely.
[00:24:41]Julie Michelson: For sure. The other thing I wanna touch on is that empowerment, the word. I, I have a program called take your power back. It's all that, that's the key. And, and so. When working with people, we start, we're looking for small wins, you know, again, people sh show up and they've got the big [00:25:00] lofty goal and the bar's really high and it's like, okay, but , let's, let's really break it down and that's how we make it doable.
[00:25:06] But that's also how you create that momentum and really. Feel empowered. I tease my clients. I, I, I, the elimination diet is so powerful, whatever structure you're you're doing. I'm also an auto autoimmune paleo coach. And, and so you know, D depending, and we do a lot of testing at the clinic too. So there'll be personalized according to sensitivities, but I joke, because I know in a year nobody's gonna care that Julie says gluten and autoimmunity don't mix.
[00:25:39] But when you get to a point where you can feel like it does what it's doing to you, that you remember, and there's the power that's where you can make that decision. And it's the same with, do I sit on the couch or do I get up and take a walk? You know, you remember how you feel?
[00:25:57]Sandra Scheinbaum: Absolutely. And in fact, what I love is [00:26:00] focusing on your future self. In fact, there's a great book by Ben Hardy, be your future self now. So you're deciding, should I sit on the couch? Should I go take a walk? What would your future self say for you to do so that that future you and you wanna be alive and around and healthy for that future self would say, you know, take a walk because you will be energized that a step towards health and I will thank your future self will.
[00:26:24] Thank you.
[00:26:25]Julie Michelson: I love that. And again, for anybody who's not familiar with Dr. Sandy, the hunter down and, and you will see she, she is that inspiration. It's like, there are no limit. You can do anything. I know we're here to talk about coaching and FM C a. But you it's talk about, you know, I know you're not sitting on the couch when you have that.
[00:26:49] If you even have that thought. I, I love just again, watching you always learning, always growing, and the way you take care of your physical self [00:27:00] is, is inspiring for all of. So thank you for, for being the example for.
[00:27:07]Sandra Scheinbaum: at, at my age, there's no option. so
[00:27:11]Julie Michelson: Well, I , it's good. That it's good that you, you know, I, I, you know, know a lot of people that aren't getting stronger at your age and aren't working out in hotel rooms when they're at a conference and, and doing the, the fun things and enjoy, but you're enjoying it. It, the, the smile on your face says it all.
[00:27:33] And, and so this. That's powerful that, right. This is a choice you're making.
[00:27:38]Sandra Scheinbaum: Yeah, exercise has to be fun. You choose something that will light you up. So this morning I did some yoga. I did Pilates. I jumped on the trampoline, did some weight bearing exercise. And then my favorite of all, I go to my ballet class. It is amazing. I was never like good as a dancer. I always loved it though.
[00:27:57] And so I've gotten back into it and it's [00:28:00] just incredible. It's good for your brain. It's a social experience. love to be in flow for the music and yeah. Get to wear cool ballet slippers. So it's something that is that one time for an hour where I. Nothing else, you know, I'm totally focused and present and that can be healing.
[00:28:18] And many people don't realize that the power of that. And, and in fact there was somebody there with some knee conditions and she just said, yeah, like I, I make modifications, but I do it. And it's healing.
[00:28:29]Julie Michelson: It is absolutely. And you just gave the perfect example of why there's no, you know, one approach, right? When people say, well, what do you do for exercise? Well, I love to ride horses. That's my ballet. Like that's where I'm a hundred percent present. But I don't think I would, I would light up if I were in a ballet class like you do, and this, this is why we're all unique individuals and, and it's not about grunting through and doing something you don't enjoy.
[00:28:59] It's [00:29:00] about finding ways. I love to use the word movement instead of exercise. because oftentimes I have clients and they'll they'll, they don't even realize how much movement they have in their day. And it's like, okay, but what, but what do you enjoy? You know, is it hiking? Is it so I, I love that and I love that you just gave us, you you're exercise routine today is basically.
[00:29:25] What most people try to get in in a week. so again, thanks for, thanks for raising the bar. I'm gonna go work out when we're, when we're done recording love it. So let's talk a little bit about how people can work with health coaches. We, we mentioned and I there's a variety of ways and you'll share in a way I, I mentioned, you know, I, I work.
[00:29:49] With a clinic here. I work with the clinic. I don't work for the clinic and I know there are clinics that have full-time health coaches all, all kinds of different ways. [00:30:00] So let's talk a little bit about the idea of brick and mortar versus virtual and how somebody may go about working with a coach.
[00:30:07]Sandra Scheinbaum: Sure. So more and more doctors are engaging health coaches to be part of their team. So you may go to a doctor and they may say, okay, now I'd like to see my health coach. Some practices, the health coach is the one starting off the encounter. So they are like the. Concierge. They're like your friend in the practice.
[00:30:23] They're the liaison. They can help troubleshoot if you have an issue, even with your billing, for example. So there's also coaches who work privately and there are people who work remotely. There are people who are working in a physical location. More and more, there are people who are running groups and that is a way that you can feel like you're not alone.
[00:30:48] And so it's very powerful for just looking at working on your health goals with another group of people that are having often the same goals or [00:31:00] establishing that. And so that community. Can be the medicine itself, so to speak. And there are some coaches who are working in insurance based practices and that for some people that is going to be really important for them, coaches can be the monitors.
[00:31:17] Of what we call remote monitoring devices. So things like con continuous glucose monitors, or some of the other app based fitness devices, and they can work in a practice and they can help you sort out the data. So if you are. Seeing a doctor and they don't have a coach, you can say, yeah, I'd like to work with a health coach.
[00:31:37] Do you have one in your office or can you recommend somebody to me? If you want somebody in your area, you can go to our website, which is functional medicine, coaching.org. You can go to find a coach and you can search by your zip code and you can see who might be available. And again, it's not one size fits all.
[00:31:56] So you want to see just like when you are finding a [00:32:00] therapist, Who do you connect with? Who is going to have that a rapport with you so that you feel really comfortable in this relationship? So those are just some of the ways that coaches work and it's growing.
[00:32:14]Julie Michelson: ways. And I do love that you, that you hit on, they can go to, to the website and, and find a coach. Cuz we, we talked about a little bit about, you know, doctors, whether there's a coach, you know, incorporated. In the office or they're referring. So, you know, for listeners that are, are listening and they're intrigued and, and wanna know more or think like, Ooh, this would, this is the missing piece, right?
[00:32:36] This is something that I could see would really help move my needle. You don't, it's not, you don't need a doctor referral. And I love the idea of starting. If you, if you have a, a practice that you're already. You know, ask them, do they have a recommendation? But often even if they don't, again, I know myself and, and many of the other coaches I know, you know, we enjoy [00:33:00] collaborating with, we become part of a collaborative care team.
[00:33:03] And, and we're here to, to support the plan that the doctor puts into place for you.
[00:33:09]Sandra Scheinbaum: I love that there's one other way. And that is you may wanna become a coach yourself. If you've been inspired, almost everyone who comes. To study to become a coach or comes to functional medicine is because they had a chronic condition. They're suffering from one right now. And they're finding answers through functional medicine or through coaching, and now they wanna give back, they wanna serve.
[00:33:32] And typically it is those with autoimmune conditions that are now studying to be a coach. And they find that that process of. Becoming a coach is personally transformative as well as a way to be inspired, to work in an area that really nurtures your soul and provides meaning and purpose in your life.
[00:33:53]Julie Michelson: Absolutely. I know, even in the cohort that, that I moved through the program with. You know, I know there are a [00:34:00] lot, there are a lot of people that join not to become a coach. They, they want the education and the information and the experience. And then , by the time they get to the end of the program, they're like, Ooh, I think there's a career change in
[00:34:15]Sandra Scheinbaum: Yes. Yes.
[00:34:17]Julie Michelson: which I love. And we should all wake up and, and be blessed to feel passionate about what we do. And so I say for those of you that are, that are. Thinking about it. Check out functional medicine, coaching academy. It is such an amazing, not only educational experience, but community. I mean, truly, which is why I was so excited to have Dr.
[00:34:39] Sandy on today. Cuz I, I miss seeing you all the time.
[00:34:42]Sandra Scheinbaum: And, and Julie, you are an exemplary coach. I mean, you get it. It's mission driven, it's from the heart. And so that is why you have been instrumental in changing the lives of, of so many people that you've worked with.
[00:34:59]Julie Michelson: I [00:35:00] thank you so much. And, and again, I continue to be inspired by you. I, I get to see you in person soon and give you a hug. I'm excited about that. And this is why we're here having these conversations so much. I, I, I felt like I joke. I used to say, like, I thought I was smart, you know, there, there was this whole world.
[00:35:19] I had no idea about. Before I had found functional medicine before I found coaching. And which is exactly why we're talking today so that listeners can check it out for themselves and see whether it's to study, to be a coach, whether it's to find a coach. I, I cannot recommend. Enough to go. If you're looking for a coach for yourself directly go through functional medicine, coaching academy to their find a coach.
[00:35:46] Because again, unfortunately, anybody can say that they're a coach and you wanna make sure you're getting what you think you're getting.
[00:35:55]Sandra Scheinbaum: That's so important.
[00:35:56]Julie Michelson: Yes. Oh my gosh. Dr. Sandy, thank [00:36:00] you so much for this. This has been amazing. Listeners know what's coming next. And this may, I didn't warn you ahead of time, so , I'm sure you'll have an answer for us. It might be hard to have just one. What is one step that listeners can take today to start to improve their health?
[00:36:20]Sandra Scheinbaum: I think what they can do is ask when they're stressed, when they're upset. Even when they're in pain to ask themselves, am I in the gap or the gain? This comes from my friend, Ben Hardy again, and Dan Sullivan of strategic coach. It sounds simple. When you are in the gap, you are comparing yourself to others.
[00:36:41] You are comparing yourself to how you think you want to. And that caused a tremendous amount of stress. When you are in the gain, you are looking backwards, you are looking at how far you've come, perhaps how far you've come dealing with your autoimmune condition or how far you've come in, any other area [00:37:00] and focusing on the gain in the experience, maybe you've failed at something.
[00:37:05] But what did you gain? Did you gain some wisdom? Did you gain a, an approach that you might apply next time? That situation comes up. So just ask yourself, am I in the gap? Am I in the gain? Put yourself in the gain. Think about gratitude in the moment. And that is profoundly healing down to every cell. It is.
[00:37:26] Anti-inflammatory.
[00:37:29]Julie Michelson: Oh, my gosh. Amazing, amazing gold. Love that. And, and you reminded me of something you had said earlier, which this is totally exemplifies coaching for me, the most important. Occasions during the coaching process or the things that didn't go as planned. That's where that that's it. That's what it's all about.
[00:37:56] And so I love this idea. I say that all the time, I, [00:38:00] I feel like my, the, one of the biggest pieces in my job is helping people look over their shoulder to, to be in the gain, right. To see like, okay, well, I didn't stick with the eating plan, but you know what. Five days outta seven. I, you know, I was eating way better than I was eating two months ago.
[00:38:18] So this is, this is a gain. This is a good thing. I, I. Just absolutely love that. And I love how you always tie in, you know, gratitude has come up a lot. Listeners, if you missed it, gratitude is healing. It is anti-inflammatory, it will change your life. So Dr. Sandy, thank you so much for all of the amazing gold you've shared with us today.
[00:38:47]Sandra Scheinbaum: Thank you. Thank you for all the good that you are doing in your work. I'm grateful to know you and thank you for having me on as your guest today.
[00:38:56]Julie Michelson: My absolute pleasure. We'll have all [00:39:00] of your info in the show notes, but where the, for the people that are like, who is this amazing woman who is such a rock star, where's the best place for people to check you out? If they're like me, I listen on the go. I might, I'm not always good about checking show notes.
[00:39:14]Sandra Scheinbaum: Sure. So it is Instagram is at Dr. Sandy. Our business page is at functional med coach. And also I'm on LinkedIn as Sandra Scheinbaum. And also starting a series fresh from FMCA where it's short, 15 minute little snippets about coaching. So you can look through look for that. Wherever you get podcasts.
[00:39:36]Julie Michelson: Love that amazing for everyone listening. Remember you can get the show notes and transcripts by visiting inspired living.show. I hope you had a great time and enjoyed this episode as much as I did. We'll see you next week.
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Sandra Scheinbaum
Dr. Sandra Scheinbaum trains people to become Functional Medicine health coaches because she believes that growing the health coaching profession will be the solution to combatting chronic disease and reducing healthcare costs. As founder and CEO of the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy, a collaboration with The Institute for Functional Medicine, Sandra is a leader in the field of health coaching education. An educator and licensed clinical psychologist for over 35 years, she was a pioneer in blending Functional Medicine principles with positive psychology, cognitive-behavior therapy, and mind-body medicine. Dr. Scheinbaum is the author of How to Become a Health Coach, Functional Medicine Coaching and Stop Panic Attacks in 10 Easy Steps.
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