Health Coaching as a Whole-Person Approach to Health with Izabella Natrins | HCA Talks Health

In this episode, we’re joined by Izabella Natrins, CEO of the UK & International Health Coaching Association (UKIHCA), a health research psychologist, registered Health Coach, trained chef and author of The Real Food Solution. With nearly 40 years across nursing, research, corporate leadership and coaching, Izabella brings a rare depth of insight to the conversation about why health coaching places the person, not the problem, at the very heart of lasting change.Izabella shares her path from corporate life to chef training in Ireland, where she learned that food and health "start in the soil", and explains why clients are the real experts in their own lives. We talk about behaviour change, the importance of professional standards in a largely unregulated space, and our lost connection to real food and cooking.In this episode, you will discover:- Why health coaching focuses on behaviour change and self-empowerment rather than delivering treatment- How a whole-person approach weaves together our biological, psychological, social and spiritual wellbeing- What truly separates a well-trained, accredited Health Coach from the "Instagram health coach" crowd- How holding space for the messy, non-linear reality of health helps clients thrive- How reconnecting with real food and cooking can become a quiet act of self-care- Izabella reminds us that health isn’t about chasing perfection, but about reconnecting with what makes us human and taking the lead on a life that truly flourishes.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction & welcome00:01 – Izabella's background & career journey00:03 – From corporate life to chef training at Ballymaloe00:04 – Launching a cookery school and stepping into health coaching00:07 – The mission & vision of UKIHCA00:09 – Why health coaching matters00:13 – Self-empowerment vs empowerment00:14 – Anecdote: the client who already had the answers00:16 – The future role of Health Coaches00:20 – Accreditation & what sets a trained coach apart00:25 – The challenges facing Health Coaches00:27 – The "Take the Lead On Your Health" campaign00:31 – Anecdote: scrapping the intake form00:37 – Defining whole person health00:41 – Food, cooking & "The Real Food Solution"00:45 – IPM Conference: "Unprocessed: Taking Back our Plates"00:49 – How Izabella's definition of health has evolved00:53 – Personal reflections on ageing, movement & creativity00:56 – What's for dinner: the yuk sung recipe01:01 – Where to find UKIHCA01:03 – Closing message: health is deeply humanConnect with Health Coaches Academy:📸 Follow HCA on Instagram: @healthcoachesacademy🌿 Explore a rewarding career in Health & Wellness Coaching: https://www.healthcoachesacademy.com🔔 Subscribe & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe  nd leave a review!