Being able to work with clients was amazing

Anastasija Den Blanken – Health Coach Graduate

Flexibility was key for me as at the time I pregnant with my third baby

What did you do before studying at CNM?

I used to work in Finance and Accounting. In 2017 I become a mom and I just knew that it’s time for change. I could not go back to office as it felt like waste of time. I was a bit lost as I did not know what I wanted to do and for person that ALWAYS has a purpose that was devastating. I wanted to do something that matters and makes the difference. So I started to search for my new passion. It took me 3 years to discover my passion for health and nutrition, but once I found it, it changed everything.

What made you want to become a Health Coach?

I started Biomedicine (Nutrition Diploma) in 2020 with CNM and after first two lectures I just knew that Biomedical science is my passion, I wanted to know everything and more about it! So I decided to go back to university and study BSc Biomedical science. HOWEVER, I still had passion for Nutrition, Health and wanted to help people. I looked into health coaching and what it is and realised that this is something really really important. You can know all about nutrition and advise clients on their diet, but if you do not know or have skills to help them implement these changes… you and your clients are stalled. I knew this from my own health experience when I was losing weight. Only when I assigned specific goals and created clear action plan for myself, only then I started losing weight and stick to the plan.

What attracted you to CNM’s Health Coach course?

It took me some time to research all the possibilities, but as I have done a course with CNM before and knew that the Health Coach course from CNM will be very well written, recorded and also flexible. Flexibility was key for me as at the time of doing this course I was studying in university (BSc Biomedical science) and being pregnant with my third baby. People were telling me that it’s impossible, but thanks to the flexibility of the Health Coach course it wasn’t!

Another element I loved about the course at CNM is possibility to have 6 cases to immediately implement all you learned from the course into practice. I really enjoyed this part of the course and this showed me even more that I want to help people after I graduate.

What did you enjoy most about the course?

I enjoyed every module, to be honest. The slides from the lectures are so easy to follow and understand, that it is a pleasure to study. As mentioned before being able to work with clients during the course (during the coaching module) was amazing too. At the time when I was researching, not many courses offered this.

How has studying the Health Coach diploma changed your life?

I noticed that I implement coaching skills in everything I do! For example, when my kids do not want to eat certain foods I ask them right questions that encourage them to try new foods. This course also taught me to listen to what people say more.

When it comes to my own health, the course transformed that too. Besides great knowledge about nutrition, it also helped me deal with stress and the feeling of being overwhelmed better. It really provides amazing tools to help people and also to use in your own life.

What are you doing now that you are qualified?

I qualified in April 2022 and gave birth to my baby boy (third child) in June 2022. I took some time to enjoy the early days of newborn snuggles and to recover from pregnancy. September 2022 I have opened my health and nutrition coaching clinic and I am excited to start this journey! I specialise in women’s health: from fertility to postpartum health. Each day I learn something new and keep getting better at it. If you are someone who embraces the challenge then this type of job is for you!

What do you love about being a Health Coach?

This job is great for people who enjoy working with people and can listen too. I enjoy talking to my clients and help them find the balance they wish to find. This can be to improve their health and wellbeing, or assistance with symptoms they experience. Another great element in being a Health coach is that you have so many options: you can work with one to one clients, you can create group sessions, you can come to companies to help busy and stressed corporate clients, and you can also chose to work for NHS as CNM’s Health Coach Course is accredited by them. So many possibilities and this is exciting. I must say that it is challenging as well as if you chose to be self employed you will need to build everything from zero… but it is fun and worth it for sure – when you see people smile after you helped them it is amazing.

Got another question about health coach training? Here are some useful posts which may help or contact us directly.

How do I train to be a Health Coach?

What skills does a Health Coach need? 

How to get your Health Coach certification

Why is CNM’s Health Coach course unique?