When Business and Coaching Align: A Journey of Impact in Healthcare
A story of how business and coaching, when aligned with purpose, can drive real change in healthcare—one that I hope will inspire fellow coaches to think beyond traditional models and embrace new possibilities.
The Beginning: Merging Business with Healthcare
My introduction to healthcare came in 2004 when I stepped into the role of Strategic Business Director at the Rural Doctors Workforce Agency (RDWA). My job was to support the sustainability of rural healthcare practices, helping to refine business models and strengthen operational efficiencies. I was immediately drawn to the industry—not just for the strategic challenges, but for the deep commitment of healthcare professionals to their patients and communities.
That passion was solidified in 2007 when my first son arrived ten weeks premature. This personal experience shifted my perspective on health, resilience, and the gaps that exist in patient support. Around this time, my entrepreneurial drive also led me to launch my own healthcare consulting business, helping practice owners, managers, and teams improve their business and patient care outcomes.
For over a decade, I worked in private practice settings, leading business transformations, navigating industry changes, and ensuring that clinics remained both patient-focused and financially viable. But while I loved the strategic elements, I started noticing a missing piece—the human element of behaviour change. Healthcare businesses weren’t just systems; they were people-driven. And sustainable success relied just as much on mindset, motivation, and collaboration as it did on strategy and structure.
Bridging the Gap: Business Strategy Meets Behaviour Change
After the birth of my third child, I took an intentional step back to reassess. The high-pressure world of business consulting no longer aligned with the balance I needed in my own life. During this time of reflection, I became deeply interested in the psychology of change—what drives people to take action, what holds them back, and how simple shifts in behaviour can create lasting results.
I began formalising this interest, gaining certifications in life coaching, fitness, and coaching, complementing my commerce, training, and practice management background. What emerged was a unique approach—one that didn’t separate business from coaching, but instead combined them to create something powerful.
I realised that when healthcare businesses integrate behaviour change principles into their models, they don’t just improve operational outcomes; they drive better patient outcomes. When healthcare professionals have access to coaching, they don’t just enhance their clinical skills; they build resilience, adaptability, and the confidence to support their patients in a truly holistic way.
Where I Am Now: Transforming Healthcare Through Coaching and Collaboration
As Managing Director and Lead Health Coach at Low Carb Keto Health, I integrate business strategy with coaching expertise to create a clinically effective, financially sustainable model.
One of our key growth initiatives, the Low Carb Practice Collaboration Program, is reshaping healthcare by embedding Dietitians and Health Coaches into clinics across Australia. We provide the people and processes to streamline nutrition and lifestyle services, removing the burden of building new systems from scratch. The result? Better patient care, stronger practice sustainability and, a private practice model that continues to evolve.
Winning the HCANZA 2024 Business Achiever Award is a testament to what’s possible when business and coaching align in healthcare.
Looking Forward: The Future of Coaching in Healthcare
As I look to the future, my mission remains clear: to continue bridging the gap between healthcare business strategy and coaching, creating models that empower both practitioners and patients. Traditional healthcare practices are evolving, and I believe that coaching—when embedded into these models—has the power to transform not just individual health journeys, but the entire industry.
For any coach wondering how to carve out a meaningful niche, I encourage you to think about where your strengths intersect with industry needs. The most impactful businesses aren’t just built on passion—they’re built on a deep understanding of how strategy, behaviour change, and collaboration can create lasting success.
