Wellness Coaching Initiative

2024 Trends

TREND 1:
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB)

Multiple studies have shown that Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging are vital to creating and maintaining business success and are recognized as among the hottest global topics of our decade (Milanesi, 2023). Anchored in the principle that everyone can thrive personally and professionally, DEIB is about giving everyone a sense of safety, respect, connection, and belonging. So, DEIB directly impacts well-being. 

 As our global economies become more diverse, leaders of all levels need to create safe, equitable, and inclusive environments. Macro-level global issues, such as war, pandemics, or climate change, affect people differently, largely due to existing inequities. The challenge is knowing how to root DEIB initiatives in sustainable and impactful ways with this worldview (Krause, 2022). 

TREND 2:
Beyond Workplaces

Beyond workplaces, firmly rooted in our communities and lives, supporting a diverse group of people from a range of generations, backgrounds, ages, and health statuses, DEIB is among the most critical challenges today. 

Health and Wellness Coaching is not credentialed or regulated globally. The United States and the United Kingdom, where it is most advanced, have led the development and establishment of this emerging profession (Global Wellness Institute, Global Coaching Initiative, 2021). 

TREND 3:
Diversity of Health and Wellness Coach Specialties

Health and Wellness Coaching is a diverse field, and coaches often specialize in various areas to meet the unique needs of their clients depending on their training, interests, and certifications. Coaches may choose to focus on one or more of these areas to provide specialized support to their diverse clients. As human health evolves, Health and Wellness Coach specialties evolve, too. A non-exhaustive list of Health and Wellness Coach Specialties (ever evolving): 

• Medical Coaches 
• Nutrition Coaches 
• Fitness Coaches 
• Stress Management Coaches 
• Mental Health and Well-Being Coaches 
• Smoking Cessation Coaches 
• Chronic Disease Management Coaches 
• Weight Loss Coaches 
• Holistic Health Coaches 
• Lifestyle Coaches 
• Senior Health Coaches 
• Youth and Teen Health Coaches 
• Corporate Wellness Coaches 
• Cancer Wellness Coaches 
• Gut Health Coaches 
• Pregnancy and Postpartum Coaches 
• Wellness Coaches for Specific Populations 
• Wellness Coaches for Aging in Place 
• Addiction Recovery Coaches 
• Holistic Nutrition Coaches 
• Wellness Coaches for Specific Conditions 

TREND 4:
Accreditation and Training Are Following the Trend

The leading global providers of certification, including the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC), The International Coaching Federation (ICF), and the United Kingdom & International Health Coaching Association (UKIHCA), have each demonstrated a commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) within the coaching profession. Recognizing the importance of staying abreast of the current DEIB trends, these organizations have diligently established comprehensive policies and procedures. These frameworks are designed to not only align with evolving DEIB standards but also to guide practitioners in fostering inclusive coaching environments (ICF, 2023; NBHWC, 2023; UKIHCA, 2023) 

TREND 5:
Relying on Health and Wellness Coaching to Help Meet Modern-Day DEIB Objectives

Today’s trend relies on Health and Wellness Coaching to help conquer this challenge and meet modern-day DEIB objectives through personalized attention where everyone feels they belong. 

Health and wellness coaches’ skills and knowledge enable them to navigate the complex landscape of human health and well-being, fostering inclusivity and equity in their practice. By prioritizing DEIB principles, these coaches contribute to the holistic betterment of their clients and society, embodying agents of positive change in the realm of wellness. 

The collective efforts of Individuals, Leaders, Service Providers, and Advocates of DEIB can bring about positive change, fostering a global environment where everyone can thrive and enjoy optimal well-being.  

Sources:

• Global Wellness Institute, Wellness Coaching Initiative. (2022, January). Wellness coaching initiative resources. Global Wellness Institute. Retrieved May 1, 2023, from https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/initiatives/wellness-coaching-initiative-resources/ 
• International Coaching Federation. (2022). State of diversity – coachingfederation.org. International Coaching Federation. https://coachingfederation.org/app/uploads/2022/10/ICF-State-of-Diversity-Whitepaper.pdf?trk=public_post_comment-text  
• Krause W. (2022). “Diversity, equity and inclusion as fertile foundation for workplace well-being, optimal performance, and planetary health,” Leading with diversity, equity and inclusion. Eds. Marques J., Dhiman S. (Cham: Springer International Publishing (Future of Business and Finance), 263–279. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-95652-3_16 
• Milanesi, C. (2023, April 20). The business impact of Diversity, equity and inclusion. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinamilanesi/2023/04/20/the-business-impact-of-diversity-equity-and-inclusion/ 
• NBHWC. (2023, September 1). Home. NBHWC. https://nbhwc.org/ 
• UK & International Health Coaching Association Ltd. (2023). UKIHCA: Edi policy. UK & International Health Coaching Association Ltd. https://www.ukihca.com/edi-statement