“When news came through of this award being bestowed, I was both humbled and honoured — and, truthfully, more than a little emotional. It is a wonderful feeling to receive recognition for work that I am so passionate about, and I am incredibly grateful to HCANZA for honouring me in this way. Rather than speak about why I may or may not deserve it, I prefer to offer a brief account of my journey in the third person. I have loved, and continue to love, my work in this field, as I truly believe health and wellness coaching is the way forward.”
A Career Dedicated to Health and Wellness Coaching
Fiona Cosgrove has been a leading figure in the Health and Wellness Coaching (HWC) industry since 2006. After years working in health and fitness, and completing several postgraduate degrees — including a Master’s in Counselling — she discovered the emerging field of health and wellness coaching. It provided the missing link she had been seeking: a way to bridge behaviour change with holistic, client-centered support.
Soon after completing her training, Fiona self-published Coach Yourself to Wellness, a practical guide to using the coaching model for lifestyle change. The book has sold widely and remains a popular resource for both new coaches and the public.
As founder and managing director of Wellness Coaching Australia, Fiona oversees the training of more than 6,000 students. The organisation’s Professional Certificate of Health and Wellness Coaching became the first international program outside the United States to be approved by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) for eligibility for Board Certification, reflecting the highest global standards of practice. Wellness Coaching Australia continues to be a leading provider of health and wellness coach education, approved by more than ten professional bodies.
In recent weeks, Fiona has launched The Synergy Space, a Community of Practice created to bring health and wellness coaches together and as a way of giving back to the industry. Recognising that many coaches work in isolation, the Synergy Space was developed as a hub for connection, inspiration, and professional growth.
Championing the Profession – From the Early Days
Fiona’s commitment to advancing the field began early. Drawing on her background in health club ownership, she travelled Australia conducting workshops to educate the fitness industry on the value of coaching. She also played a pivotal role in raising awareness by bringing renowned coaching leader Margaret Moore to Australia.
Internationally, Fiona has long represented Australian coaching on the global stage. She was one of only two non-Americans invited to the 2010 Boston Summit on the future of health and wellness coaching. Since then, she has regularly attended international conferences and worked tirelessly to advocate for the inclusion of international programs under the NBHWC certification pathway.
Her speaking engagements have included major conferences across sectors, including the Australasian Lifestyle Medicine Association, Health and Productivity Institutes of Australia (HAPIA), International Coaching Federation (ICF) Australasia, Fitness Summits, Novartis Health Symposiums, and the British Psychological Society’s Coaching Psychology conference in London.
Fiona has contributed to education at the tertiary level, co-authoring and teaching a module on Wellness Coaching within RMIT University’s Master of Wellness program. She also integrated the coaching model into guest experiences during her tenure as National General Manager of The Golden Door health retreats.
Beyond training, Fiona has personally coached clients from all walks of life and implemented workplace wellness coaching programs for corporate organisations. She is an NBHWC certified coach and holds the PCC accreditation with ICF.
Contributing to Research and Global Thought Leadership
In recent years, Fiona has extended her contribution to academic research. Completing a Master of Philosophy, she published two peer-reviewed journal articles focusing on the coach experience within the profession. She was also an active member of the Global Wellness Institute’s Wellness Coaching Initiative, co-authoring three White Papers on the use of coaching in wellness, corporate, and DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) contexts.
A former Board Member of HCANZA, Fiona continues to serve on technical committees and advocates strongly for professional standards and membership pathways in Australia and beyond.
Her enduring passion and consistent efforts over two decades have helped shape the health and wellness coaching profession into what it is today.
Learn more:
🌿 The Synergy Space
🌿 Wellness Coaching Australia
