Health Coaching and Beyond

Summary

In this episode, Ollie is joined by Peak Health Coaching’s Education Director, Dr Caroline Hart, to take a closer look at the growing evidence base around health and wellbeing coaching and importantly, how we make sense of it.

Drawing on two recently published studies, Ollie and Caroline explore what research can tell us about the impact of coaching in very different healthcare settings. The first looks at health coaching alongside blood pressure monitoring for women following pregnancy, where coaching support was associated with greater engagement in follow-up care and better blood pressure control. The second explores the use of coaching in dementia care communities, including its potential impact not only on person-centred care, but on staff confidence, satisfaction and wellbeing.

But the conversation goes beyond the headline findings.

Ollie and Caroline explore what we mean by “evidence” in the first place. Clinical outcomes and statistics matter, but they are only part of the picture. Patient experience, confidence, engagement, staff wellbeing and the stories people tell about change can offer equally valuable insights into whether an intervention is making a difference.

The discussion turns to how those working in health coaching can evaluate their own impact without needing to run a large research trial. From gathering simple baseline information to looking again at the middle and end of an intervention, the message is to keep measurement meaningful, consistent and useful.

Takeaways

• The evidence base around health and wellbeing coaching continues to grow.
• Headline research findings are useful, but understanding the context behind them is essential.
• We need to be clear about what is actually meant by “health coaching” within individual studies.
• Research from one healthcare system, population or setting may not automatically translate to another.
• Health coaching may influence engagement and confidence before changes appear in longer-term clinical outcomes.
• Relationships, trust and feeling supported can play an important role in helping people engage with their health.
• The impact of coaching may extend beyond patients and clients to staff wellbeing, confidence and job satisfaction.
• Quantitative and biometric data can tell us part of the story, but qualitative evidence can provide important depth and context.
• Stories, experiences and perceptions are valuable forms of evidence, particularly when trying to understand complex human change.
• Co-production can help ensure we measure outcomes that actually matter to clients, practitioners, colleagues and funders.

Research featured in this episode

Health coaching support for blood pressure follow-up after hypertension during pregnancy - Care Navigation, Self-Measured Blood Pressure, and Health Coaching for Postpartum Care: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2852539

Coaching care staff to support more person-centred care - Evaluating a Coaching Intervention for Dementia Care Practice Recommendations in Care Communities: https://academic.oup.com/gerontologist/advance-article/doi/10.1093/geront/gnag183/8756713?utm

Summary

In this episode, Ollie is joined by Greg Fell OBE, Director of Public Health for Sheffield and President of the Association of Directors of Public Health, to explore one of the biggest questions in health today: how much responsibility for health sits with individuals and how much is shaped by the systems around us?

The conversation explores the relationship between personal agency, health coaching and public policy, challenging the idea that behaviour change alone is enough to improve population health. Greg shares why creating environments that make healthy choices easier is just as important as supporting individuals to make change.

Together they discuss obesity as the "new tobacco", the growing influence of the commercial determinants of health, and what can be learned from decades of successful tobacco control. They also reflect on why prevention often goes unnoticed, despite quietly improving lives over many years through policy, community action and healthcare.

The discussion moves beyond healthcare into workplaces, employment, lifestyle medicine and physical activity, highlighting how health is shaped by much more than medical care alone. Throughout the conversation, a recurring theme emerges: lasting change happens when individual support and system-level action work together, rather than being seen as competing approaches.

Whether you work in healthcare, public health, leadership or simply have an interest in creating healthier communities, this episode offers a thoughtful and balanced perspective on what it really takes to improve health at both an individual and population level.

Takeaways

Health outcomes are shaped by both personal choices and the systems people live within.

Health coaching and public health are complementary approaches, not competing ones.

Creating healthier environments makes behaviour change more achievable.

Obesity is becoming one of the biggest public health challenges of our time.

The commercial determinants of health play a major role in influencing behaviour.

Prevention often goes unnoticed because it prevents problems before they happen.

Long-term public health successes, such as reducing smoking rates, have relied on sustained policy alongside individual support.

Work, housing, income and transport all have significant impacts on health and wellbeing.

Supporting people's agency is important, but so is creating environments that enable healthy choices.

Physical activity remains one of the most powerful tools for improving health across a population.

Lasting change requires collaboration across healthcare, communities, employers and policymakers.

Further Reading

During the conversation, Greg references the following report from Nesta on obesity policy: A Blueprint to Halve Obesity in the UK

Summary

In this episode, Ollie and Tim explore NHS England's newly published Adult Community Musculoskeletal Service Specification and what it could mean for the future of musculoskeletal care.

Rather than simply summarising the guidance, they reflect on the wider shift it represents. The conversation explores how the document places greater emphasis on person-centred care, self-management, prevention and supporting people to build the confidence and skills to manage their own health, principles that closely align with health coaching.

They discuss why this change matters, not just for clinicians working in MSK services, but for anyone interested in improving health outcomes through better conversations and more collaborative care.

Ollie and Tim consider what these changes might look like in practice, the opportunities they create for health coaches and some of the challenges that services may face as they move from policy into implementation.

Throughout the episode, they reflect on the importance of moving beyond traditional models of care, where success is measured purely by appointments and interventions, towards approaches that help people become more active participants in their own health. The discussion offers a hopeful perspective on the direction of travel within the NHS and why this latest guidance feels like another positive step towards more personalised, preventative healthcare.

Takeaways 

NHS England's new MSK service specification signals a continued move towards person-centred care.

Supporting self-management is becoming a core expectation of modern MSK services.

Health coaching principles are increasingly reflected within national NHS guidance.

Building people's confidence, knowledge and skills is just as important as delivering treatment.

Prevention and early intervention remain central to improving long-term outcomes.

Collaborative conversations can help people take a more active role in managing their health.

Implementing these changes will require cultural as well as organisational change.

Clinicians may need new skills and support to deliver more person-centred care consistently.

Policy documents provide direction, but meaningful change depends on how they are put into practice.

The future of MSK care is likely to rely on stronger partnerships between professionals and the people they support.

NHS England - Adult Community Musculoskeletal (MSK) Service Specification: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/adult-community-musculoskeletal-service-specification/

In this episode, Ollie is joined by executive coach, researcher and author Dr Rob Kemp to explore one of the biggest questions facing the coaching profession: what makes health coaching different from coaching more broadly?

Drawing on over two decades of coaching experience across leadership, higher education and organisational development, Rob reflects on the core principles that underpin all forms of coaching. Together, Ollie and Rob discuss where health coaching naturally sits within the wider coaching landscape, arguing that many of the skills, values and approaches are shared, even if the context and focus may differ.

The conversation explores why health and wellbeing are often overlooked in leadership and workplace coaching, despite being fundamental to performance, resilience and sustainable change. They discuss the importance of agency, self-awareness, trust and person-centred conversations, and why lasting change rarely comes from advice alone.

The episode also tackles one of the biggest emerging topics in coaching: artificial intelligence. Rob explains why he believes AI can become a powerful tool to support coaches, while questioning whether it should ever be described as an "AI coach". Together they explore the importance of relationships, ethics, trust and human connection, and consider what these developments might mean for the future of coaching.

Takeaways

Health coaching shares many of the same foundations as coaching in leadership, business and education.

Strong coaching is built on trust, partnership and meaningful human relationships.

Sustainable performance depends on health and wellbeing, not just knowledge or technical skills.

Lasting behaviour change comes through agency, reflection and person-centred conversations rather than advice-giving.

Leadership coaching naturally includes discussions about wellbeing, work-life balance and resilience.

Health is shaped by far more than medical treatment alone.

Coaches need to recognise the boundaries between coaching and therapy while working alongside people experiencing health challenges.

AI has significant potential to support coaching practice but should be introduced thoughtfully and ethically.

Human qualities such as trust, shared inquiry and ethical judgement remain central to effective coaching.

Greater collaboration between health coaching and the wider coaching profession would benefit both fields.

Summary
In this episode, Tim is joined by Paul Houseman, PCN Manager at Belgrave and Spinney Hill in Leicester, and Senior WorkWell Coach for the city. Paul shares his journey from banking, consultancy and aerospace into primary care, reflecting on what nearly four decades in different sectors has taught him about people, leadership and the conditions that help teams thrive.

The conversation explores the WorkWell pilot in Leicester, which supports people with health conditions to stay in work or return to work. Paul describes how the programme quickly revealed the complexity of people’s lives, from housing and food poverty to confidence, language, health and trust. Rather than offering simple advice or isolated signposting, the work required strong community relationships and skilled conversations.

A central theme of the episode is what happens when health coaching principles are applied not only to patients and clients, but also to staff teams. Paul reflects honestly on how coaching and supervision challenged his assumptions as a manager, particularly the need to stop fixing, listen more deeply, and create safer spaces for people to talk about what really matters.

The episode explores why trust is so important in healthcare workplaces, especially in systems often shaped by pressure, targets, policies and sickness management processes. Paul shares powerful examples of how listening to staff differently has led to greater openness, creativity, confidence and innovation within his team.

Throughout the episode, a clear message emerges, healthier working lives are not created through policies alone. They are built through trust, listening, relationships and the courage to do things differently.

Takeaways

WorkWell supports people with health conditions to stay in work or return to work.

Employment, health and wellbeing are closely connected.

People’s barriers to work are often shaped by wider factors such as housing, poverty, language, confidence and caring responsibilities.

Trust is essential when working with communities and individuals.

Health coaching skills can support better conversations with both patients and staff.

Listening is often more powerful than trying to fix or advise.

Managers may need to unlearn habits of stepping in with solutions.

Staff wellbeing cannot be separated from patient care.

Sickness management processes can reduce absence on paper while damaging trust and morale.

Creating safe spaces helps people talk about what is really affecting them.

Lived experience can be a powerful strength within healthcare teams.

Small changes in how managers listen can lead to greater creativity, confidence and ownership.

Supporting staff to develop skills can have a lasting impact across an organisation.

Healthier workplaces depend on relationships, trust and leadership culture, not just policies.

Looking after teams is an essential part of delivering better care.

Summary

In this episode, Ollie and Tim come back together to reflect on some of the conversations, conferences and ideas that have been shaping their thinking over recent months.

They begin by exploring two events that left a lasting impression: the Move More conference in Sheffield and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals' What Matters To You conference. Both highlighted a growing shift away from focusing solely on individual behaviour change and towards creating systems, environments and cultures that make healthier choices easier for people.

The conversation then turns to Peak Health's work with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, supporting the rollout of What Matters To You training across the organisation. Ollie and Tim reflect on how person-centred conversations can improve experiences not only for patients, but also for colleagues and teams, creating stronger relationships and healthier workplace cultures.

They also revisit two recent podcast episodes that generated significant discussion. The first explored patient activation with Alf Collins and Jag Mundra, examining how confidence, knowledge and skills underpin people's ability to manage their health. The discussion considers how activation can move beyond individual patients and become a way of thinking about teams, organisations and communities.

The second revisits the rapidly evolving world of GLP-1 medications with Nikki Coughlan. Rather than viewing these treatments as a simple solution, Ollie and Tim explore the importance of behavioural and emotional support alongside medication, and the valuable role health coaching can play in helping people make lasting changes.

Finally, the conversation looks ahead to one of the biggest questions facing healthcare and coaching: the rise of artificial intelligence. They discuss where AI tools may help increase access to coaching approaches, while reflecting on the uniquely human elements of empathy, presence and shared experience that remain central to meaningful conversations.

Throughout the episode, one theme keeps resurfacing - whether supporting patients, staff or communities, lasting change starts with helping people feel heard, valued and capable of shaping their own future.

Takeaways

Health is shaped as much by systems and environments as it is by individual choices.

Creating opportunities for movement often matters more than simply encouraging motivation.

What Matters To You conversations can improve experiences for both patients and staff.

Person-centred approaches work best when they become part of organisational culture rather than isolated initiatives.

Patient activation is about building confidence, knowledge and skills, not simply delivering information.

Simple questions can sometimes provide more useful insights than complex measurement tools.

Activation can be considered at individual, team, service and community levels.

Supporting staff wellbeing is essential for delivering better care experiences.

GLP-1 medications create opportunities for change but work best alongside behavioural support.

Health coaching can help people navigate the emotional and psychological aspects of weight management.

AI coaching tools are likely to become increasingly important, but human connection remains valuable.

The future of health coaching may involve combining technology with human relationships rather than replacing them.

Helping people feel valued, capable and listened to remains central to improving health and wellbeing.

Summary

In this episode, Ollie is joined by health coach and nutritional therapist Nikki Coughlan to explore one of the fastest-growing areas in healthcare - the rise of GLP-1 medications such as Mounjaro, Wegovy and Ozempic. Drawing on more than four years of experience supporting people using these medications, Nikki shares what she has learned from working at the forefront of obesity care.

(You can find more details of her support at https://www.glp1coach.ie

The conversation explores how GLP-1 medications work, why they have generated so much interest and the opportunities they can create for people living with obesity. While these treatments can significantly reduce appetite and food cravings, Nikki explains why medication alone is rarely enough to support long-term health and wellbeing.

A central theme of the discussion is the emotional and psychological impact of changing someone's relationship with food. For many people, food is far more than fuel. It can be tied to comfort, stress management, identity, culture and connection. The episode explores what happens when those patterns change, and why some people find the experience unexpectedly challenging.

Ollie and Nikki discuss the importance of wraparound support, including health coaching, psychological support, nutrition and lifestyle change. They explore how health coaches can help people navigate appetite changes, build sustainable habits, manage side effects and develop confidence in maintaining progress over time.

Throughout the conversation, there is a strong focus on compassion, self-management and recognising obesity as a complex, long-term health condition rather than a simple issue of willpower. The episode highlights how health coaching can help people make the most of the opportunity these medications create, while supporting healthier and more sustainable outcomes for the future.

Takeaways

GLP-1 medications are transforming obesity care and access to treatment is increasing rapidly.

These medications work by reducing appetite, increasing feelings of fullness and altering food reward pathways in the brain.

Medication can create a valuable "window of opportunity" for health behaviour change.

Long-term success often depends on the support people receive alongside medication.

Many people experience significant emotional adjustments as their relationship with food changes.

Food often plays an important role in coping, comfort, identity and social connection.

Health coaching can provide a safe, non-judgemental space to navigate these changes.

Appetite suppression can make it difficult for some people to eat enough nutritious food.

Developing sustainable habits is crucial for maintaining progress over time.

Obesity is a complex chronic condition influenced by biology, psychology and environment.

Weight regain after stopping medication is not simply a matter of willpower.

Effective obesity care benefits from integrated support involving clinicians, health coaches, dietitians and psychological services.

Self-compassion and self-worth are important foundations for long-term health behaviour change.

Health coaching can help people build confidence, resilience and self-management skills alongside medical treatment.

Summary

In this episode, Ollie is joined by two leading voices in the field of patient activation, Professor Alf Collins and Jag Mundra.

Together, they explore why patient activation, the skills, knowledge and confidence people have to manage their own health and wellbeing, has become such an important concept in modern healthcare, and why it may hold the key to creating more sustainable health systems.

The conversation traces the origins of patient activation, from the academic work of researchers, through to its application in real-world healthcare settings today.

Alf reflects on his experience leading personalised care within NHS England and the role activation has played in shaping approaches such as health coaching, social prescribing and care coordination. Jag shares how his work has focused on making activation practical and scalable, including the development of a simple single-question approach that can help identify people's readiness and confidence to manage their health.

The discussion explores how activation can be understood not only at an individual level, but across teams, organisations, neighbourhoods and communities. They consider the role of health coaches, social prescribing link workers, peer support, group-based approaches and digital tools in helping more people take an active role in their health.

Throughout the episode, a central theme emerges: if healthcare systems are serious about prevention, they must move beyond treating illness alone and create the conditions that help people build confidence, capability and agency in their everyday lives.

Takeaways

Patient activation describes the skills, knowledge and confidence people have to manage their own health and wellbeing.

Higher levels of activation are associated with better health outcomes and lower healthcare utilisation.

Traditional activation measures have strong evidence behind them but can be difficult to implement in routine practice.

Simple activation questions can help start meaningful conversations and identify where support is needed.

Building agency is relevant not only for individuals but also for clinicians, teams, systems and communities.

Health coaching, social prescribing and care coordination can all play a role in increasing activation.

Group-based approaches and peer support can be powerful ways to support behaviour change at scale.

Small conversations and simple nudges can have a significant impact on people's health behaviours.

Digital tools can help extend the reach of personalised support while maintaining human relationships at the centre.

Prevention requires more than services alone, it depends on helping people feel capable, connected and supported.

The biggest opportunities may come from activating entire communities rather than focusing solely on individual interventions.

Lasting change often starts with one simple question and one meaningful conversation.

Summary

In this episode, Ollie and Tim return to a topic that has shaped much of their work together: chronic pain. Drawing on recent training, emerging evidence and their own experiences in practice, they explore how understanding of persistent pain continues to evolve.

The conversation focuses on newer approaches including Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) and Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET), both of which are attracting growing interest in the field of chronic pain management. Ollie reflects on his recent training with the Pain Psychology Center in the US, while Tim shares insights from learning about emotional awareness and expression approaches.

They discuss how many persistent pain experiences may be driven less by ongoing physical injury and more by the brain and nervous system’s learned protective responses. Importantly, they emphasise that all pain is real, regardless of its underlying mechanisms.

The discussion also explores how health coaching principles fit naturally alongside these emerging approaches. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution, the focus remains on helping people develop confidence, skills and understanding so they can take a more active role in their own recovery.

Throughout the conversation, Ollie and Tim reflect on the importance of remaining curious, avoiding certainty and recognising that no single technique works for everyone. As new ideas emerge, they argue that the most effective support continues to come from working alongside people, helping them discover what works for them and keeping them firmly in the driving seat of their own health.

Takeaways

Understanding of chronic pain continues to evolve, bringing new possibilities for recovery and self-management.

Pain Reprocessing Therapy is generating growing interest as an approach to persistent pain.

Many chronic pain experiences may involve neuroplastic changes within the nervous system, rather than ongoing tissue damage alone.

Building confidence and reducing fear can play an important role in recovery.

Techniques such as somatic tracking encourage people to become more curious about their pain experience.

Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy explores the role of unexpressed emotions in persistent pain.

There is no single solution that works for everyone living with chronic pain.

Health coaching provides a flexible, person-centred framework for integrating different approaches.

New techniques should complement, rather than replace, existing approaches to pain management.

Remaining curious and open-minded is essential as the evidence base continues to develop.

Sustainable change happens when people feel empowered to understand and manage their own health.

Effective support means working alongside people rather than telling them what to do.

The goal is not dependence on practitioners, but helping people build their own confidence, skills and self-belief.

Summary

In this episode, Ollie is joined by fellow GP Dr Ben Allen to explore what really creates healthy, high-performing teams in healthcare. Drawing on a newly published paper in BMJ Leader, co-written with Dr Natalie Jones, Ben reflects on the journey of transforming his GP practice in Sheffield over several years and the lessons learned along the way.

The conversation centres around what Ben and Natalie describe as the “social determinants of team health” - the cultural, relational and behavioural foundations that allow teams to thrive. While healthcare systems often focus on targets, outputs and operational pressures, Ben argues that long-term improvement comes from investing in trust, communication, relationships and psychologically safe environments.

Ollie and Ben explore practical examples from general practice, including how distributed leadership, intentional recruitment, team connection and patient engagement helped improve continuity of care, staff wellbeing and patient satisfaction.

The episode also reflects on leadership, vulnerability and the importance of creating workplaces where people feel safe to speak honestly, contribute ideas and bring their full selves to work. Throughout the conversation, there are strong parallels with health coaching, person-centred care and the wider shift towards neighbourhood working and collaborative healthcare systems.

Takeaways

High-performing teams are built through culture and relationships, not just processes and targets.

Psychological safety and trust are essential foundations for effective teamwork.

Vulnerable and emotionally intelligent leadership can strengthen team culture.

Distributed leadership helps teams feel more engaged, empowered and connected.

Diverse perspectives improve decision-making and organisational understanding.

Recruitment based on values and character can be more impactful than focusing solely on skills.

Team connection and empathy are not “soft extras” - they are critical to sustainable performance.

Patient engagement becomes more meaningful when organisations communicate openly and transparently.

Long-term change often requires patience, intentionality and trust in the process.

Investing in team wellbeing can improve continuity of care, morale and patient outcomes.

Many principles of healthy teams closely align with health coaching and person-centred care.

Links and resources mentioned in this episode

Reimagining general practice for the NHS 10-year plan: organisational culture as the social determinant of team health: 

https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/id/eprint/236941/1/Reimagining%20General%20Practice%20for%20the%20NHS%2010%20Year%20Plan%20.pdf

Read Ben Allen’s LinkedIn blog expanding on the themes discussed in the conversation:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ben-allen-a96460207_we-rightly-talk-a-lot-about-the-social-share-7458071880348971008-V9cr/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAikt9oB-kaAUGEn9eWV6xyHXtQSK86lXS4