You passed the NBHWC exam — congratulations! Now what? In this episode of The Coaching Lab, Dr. Cooper and Leigh deliver the post-certification roadmap every new National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) needs. Whether you're aiming for a salaried role at a hospital, corporate wellness program, or insurance company, or you're ready to launch your own coaching practice, this episode walks you through every step.

What you'll learn:

• How to leverage your NBHWC credential on LinkedIn, your resume, and professional bios to signal credibility to employers
• Which professional associations are worth joining (National Wellness Alliance, American College of Lifestyle Medicine, and more)
• The real pros and cons of employment vs. contractor work vs. entrepreneurship — plus hybrid models that let you do both
• Where health and wellness coaches are actually getting hired right now (hospitals, corporate wellness, health insurance, gyms, EAPs) and what salary to expect
• How to start your own coaching practice: business structure (LLC vs. sole proprietor), setting your rates, landing your first clients, and the tech stack you need (scheduling, payments, video, notes)
• Marketing that works for health coaches: niching down, building an online presence without burnout, content creation, in-person networking, referral partnerships, and Google Business Profile
• Scope of practice, liability insurance, client agreements, intake forms, and HIPAA basics for clinical settings
• Recertification planning (36 CEs every 3 years), advanced credentials, mentorship, and peer support
• Mindset essentials: navigating imposter syndrome, setting boundaries early, and building a sustainable practice instead of burning out in year one

Whether you're a brand-new health coach, a wellness professional adding NBHWC to your credentials, or an aspiring coach planning your next move, this episode is the practical, no-fluff guide to turning your certification into a thriving career.

Info re earning your health & wellness coaching certification, annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium & more via https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/

Best-in-class coaching for Employers, EAPs & wellness providers https://catalystcoaching360.com/

Tap into the home of the (freely available) Not Done Yet! articles on unlocking life's 2nd half here.

YouTube Coaching Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CoachingChannel

Contact us: Results@CatalystCoaching360.com
Twitter: @Catalyst2Thrive
Website: CatalystCoaching360.com

If you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218. This is a wonderful group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more.