Health and Wellness Coaching: A Fulfilling Career Move After Burnout
After a 17-year career leading an environmental science consultancy, I experienced significant burnout and moved to southern NSW for a sea change, and to rethink my purpose and future. Little did I know that I’d discover my life’s work—coaching—which I found through a continuing education course with Wellness Coaching Australia.
Today, I’m on a mission to equip people with critical thinking and self-advocacy skills to create (and protect) positive health behaviours. I also strive to raise the visibility, professionalism, and integrity of the coaching industry.
The future of coaching is incredibly exciting. HCANZA’s role as a leading industry association for health and wellness coaches provides us with a powerful platform to amplify our voice, expand our reach, and enhance our impact. Winning the Coach Advocacy Award is a significant milestone in my career, and I am deeply honoured to be recognised alongside so many esteemed colleagues.
Supporting Improved Wellbeing Outcomes
Some of the statistics for women’s health are alarming, and a driving force in my work:
- 83% of women experience at least one menopause symptom that impacts their work.
- 26% of women either retire early, wish they could afford to, or permanently reduce their working hours.
- Women over 55 are the fastest-growing group experiencing homelessness in Australia.
- The gap between a woman’s healthspan and lifespan is currently 11.7 years.
The onset of menopause marks a time of accelerated aging and increased health issues for women. Women need education and support to understand and accept the significant changes associated with this life stage and maintain their wellbeing, despite competing priorities such as caregiving, separation, and empty nesting.
Early in my coaching career, it was incredibly rewarding to work with midlife women to help them develop a healthier relationship with food, exercise, and their bodies. Today, at Sage Women’s Health, we focus on helping women at scale by creating comprehensive support systems that equip them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to access the support they need and maintain self-care practices.
Engaging Organisations for Change
Driving systemic change has been central to our work at Sage. In 2024, we’ve made an impact through:
- Contributing to the Senate Inquiry on menopause, advocating for increased support and resources for women during this life stage.
- Creating partnerships, including:
- Collaborating with Curtin University’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) leadership team to foster a global dialogue on women’s health concerns.
- Working with Howden Global and the NSW Government’s Respect at Work Directors to educate leaders on menopause awareness, sexual harassment, psychological safety, and psychosocial hazards.
- Training workshops that increase empathy, respect and compassion, including:
- An Allyship workshop, that teaches leaders and individuals to have safe, respectful and supportive conversations, and
- A Menopause Ambassador Program, that teaches menopause advocates within organisations to educate and influence governance, advocate for systemic change, advocate with individuals, and provide individual support.
Advancing Professional Standards in Health Coaching
Advancing professional standards in health coaching has been a cornerstone of my career. It’s been a privilege to serve on the HCANZA Board, to elevate coaching standards through my work as a coach trainer with Wellness Coaching Australia, and to support graduate coaches with business skills and knowledge.
I’m also proud of the Sage team’s collaboration in drafting White Papers on menopause-specific exercise and nutrition considerations, which highlight the needs and opportunities for better education, resources, and coaching support.
Raising the Profile of Health and Wellness Coaching
Reflecting on my work, I feel deeply proud of the collective strides we’ve made in advancing health and wellness coaching. My goal has always been to improve wellbeing outcomes, support professional growth in the coaching field, and raise the profile of health coaching as a critical component of health systems. The impact of these efforts extends far beyond individual clients—it influences organisational cultures, communities, lives and livelihoods.
As I look ahead, I remain committed to advocating for women’s health and wellness. The work we’ve done as an industry has proven that health coaching can transform lives, and I’m excited to continue driving forward initiatives that will make a meaningful difference for women and communities in Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. Winning the HCANZA 24 Advocacy Award is an honour, and it’s a reminder of the incredible potential we all have to make an impact through leadership and collaboration.
Author: Melanie White
