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The Coaching Lab: Health, Wellness & Performance (Brad Cooper, PhD)

Advertise on podcast: The Coaching Lab: Health, Wellness & Performance (Brad Cooper, PhD)

Rating
★★★★★
4.9
from
108 reviews
This podcast has
399 episodes
Language
English
Date created
2018/08/24
Latest episode
2026/10/19
Average duration
61 min.
Release period
14 days

Description

Welcome to The Coaching Lab podcast, your trusted source for engaging, evidence-based, thought-provoking health, wellness & high-performance insights for those looking to improve their lives (or coaches/clinicians looking to enhance client outcomes). The Coaching Lab is the evidence-based journey toward better! If you've been looking for a health & wellness podcast that avoids the fluff and the headline-chasing fads while providing practical, real-world guidance, you just found it. We bring together the world's foremost experts, from world-class researchers and best-selling authors to elite athletes and coaches, sharing their insights about how to make the most of your personal and professional life. If you're looking for an entertaining format to help optimize your own health, wellness and performance through such evidence-based practices, this is the place for you! The Coaching Lab podcast is hosted by Dr. Brad Cooper, who brings a uniquely expansive background to the table. He has a PhD in performance psychology along with Masters degrees in both physical therapy (MSPT) and business (MBA) and a Bachelors degree in biology. He is CEO/Co-founder of Catalyst Coaching, an internationally recognized speaker, and elite masters endurance athlete (11 time Ironman, including 4 times at the Hawaii Ironman World Championship, winner of the 2-person 3,000 cycling Race Across America and 2:47 marathoner). Most importantly, he's husband to Suzanna (celebrating 30 years of marriage) and Dad to three amazing kids, now ages 30, 28 and 25. You can tap into Dr. Cooper's "NOT DONE YET!" (Fitness & Life After 50) publication free of charge at https://betterpath.substack.com/ 

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Listen in on a Real, Live, Unscripted Coaching Session
2026/10/19
It seems there's a person claiming to be a "coach" around every corner. But what is it like to experience a real coaching session from a credible, nationally board-certified coach with a real client? Today's episode allows you to be a fly on the wall as an experienced Catalyst Coaching 360 coach (Leigh) coaches Suzy. This is a real session. No script. No pre-planning. The real deal. If you'd like to tap into your own, personal, nationally board-certified coach with additional specialty training in functional mental toughness & resilience, details are available here. If you've considered becoming a coach and would like to explore options through Catalyst Coaching Institute, one of the first NBHWC-approved programs that has been training coaches since 2007, you can access details here. Info re earning your health & wellness coaching certification, annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium & more via https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/  Best-in-class coaching for Employers, EAPs & wellness providers https://catalystcoaching360.com/ Tap into the home of the (freely available) Not Done Yet! articles on unlocking life's 2nd half here. YouTube Coaching Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CoachingChannel Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @Catalyst2Thrive Website: CatalystCoaching360.com If you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218.  This is a wonderful group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more.
HotWired Author Bill Gifford: Sauna Science, Brain Health & Heat Adaptation
2026/10/05
What if heat, which as long been treated as something to fear—is actually one of the most accessible tools for a longer, healthier, sharper life? Bestselling Spring Chicken author Bill Gifford joins Brad Cooper to unpack his new book HotWired and the fast-growing science behind sauna use, heat exposure, and heat adaptation. We dig into the landmark Finnish studies linking regular sauna use to dramatic drops in heart attack risk and Alzheimer's, why "moderate" beats "maximum" for many benefits, and the ideal temperature, time, and frequency Gifford would choose himself. Bill also shares how he trained his heat tolerance to conquer the brutal Hotter Than Hell 100 mile ride, what every endurance athlete should know about heat training and hydration, and why saunas may act on the brain much like antidepressants. For coaches, athletes, and anyone chasing better long-term health, this conversation separates influencer hype from real evidence—and shows how "easily accessible discomfort" might be the upgrade your routine is missing. Info re earning your health & wellness coaching certification, annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium & more via https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/  Best-in-class coaching for Employers, EAPs & wellness providers https://catalystcoaching360.com/ Tap into the home of the (freely available) Not Done Yet! articles on unlocking life's 2nd half here. YouTube Coaching Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CoachingChannel Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @Catalyst2Thrive Website: CatalystCoaching360.com If you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218.  This is a wonderful group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more.
Dr. Bill Miller: Creator of Motivational Interviewing (All-time #1 Episode)
2026/09/21
To celebrate the end of Season 8, we went back to see what was the single most popular episode out of our library of 397 episodes to date. To nobody's surprise, it was the one-and-only Dr. Bill Miller, co-creator of Motivational Interviewing. The story about how it began is fascinating, and the impact it has in the world of coaching, counseling, leadership, addiction recovery and more is powerful. Enjoy! Info re earning your health & wellness coaching certification, annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium & more via https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/  Best-in-class coaching for Employers, EAPs & wellness providers https://catalystcoaching360.com/ Tap into the home of the (freely available) Not Done Yet! articles on unlocking life's 2nd half here. YouTube Coaching Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CoachingChannel Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @Catalyst2Thrive Website: CatalystCoaching360.com If you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218.  This is a wonderful group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more.
The Case for Quitting: Why Knowing When to Walk Away Makes You a Stronger Performer (Lindsay Crouse)
2026/09/08
We're told that winners never quit — but what if strategic quitting is the skill high performers are missing? In this episode, Brad sits down with Lindsay Crouse, author of The Case for Quitting and former New York Times editor and writer, to challenge the "never give up" mindset that quietly works against ambitious people. Lindsay shares her own journey from Harvard to career heights at the Times — including elevating women Olympians' voices to win maternity protections for pregnant athletes and commissioning the Times' first Academy Award–winning film — and how her superpower of relentless perseverance eventually started to undermine her performance and happiness. Together, Lindsay and Dr. Cooper unpack how perseverance and quitting are companion behaviors, not opposites. You'll learn why "Why am I continuing?" is a more useful question than "Should I quit?", how to tell the difference between healthy drive and fear-based grinding, and how to set "kill criteria" before you're too invested to think clearly. They dig into the spotlight effect and our overblown fear of judgment, why we regret inaction more than action, and the coach's wisdom to never quit on a bad day. Lindsay closes with a practical framework for anyone standing at a crossroads: picture the morning after you walk away, get clear on what you're moving toward (not just what you're escaping), and build a financial parachute so the choice is deliberate rather than impulsive. A must-listen for high achievers — and the coaches who guide them. Info re earning your health & wellness coaching certification, annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium & more via https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/  Best-in-class coaching for Employers, EAPs & wellness providers https://catalystcoaching360.com/ Tap into the home of the (freely available) Not Done Yet! articles on unlocking life's 2nd half here. YouTube Coaching Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CoachingChannel Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @Catalyst2Thrive Website: CatalystCoaching360.com If you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218.  This is a wonderful group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more.
The GLP-1 "Wild West": Why Weight-Loss Drugs are Optimized Through Coaching — with Erin Chain & Dr. Sheri Poznanovic
2026/08/31
GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro have reshaped the weight-loss landscape almost overnight — but the way they're often prescribed leaves people under-fueled, losing muscle, and going it alone. In this episode of The Coaching Lab, host Leigh Baker sits down with National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach Erin Chain and triple-board-certified physician Dr. Sheri Poznanovic of Optin Health & Nutrition to unpack what's really happening in the GLP-1 era — and where health and wellness coaching fits into the care plan. Together they explore why so many people on GLP-1s aren't eating or hydrating enough, how rapid weight loss can mask dangerous muscle mass loss, and why a "prescribe-and-disappear" model falls short. Dr. Poznanovic explains the multidisciplinary approach the Obesity Medicine Association recommends — combining medication, nutrition, body composition testing, VO2 max assessment, and coaching — while Erin shares real-world stories of clients navigating low energy, food noise, protein gaps, medication interactions, and the stigma of being on a GLP-1. Whether you're a coach, a clinician, an employer weighing GLP-1 coverage, or someone considering these medications yourself, this conversation offers a grounded, human look at doing weight loss in a way that protects strength, health span, and quality of life — not just the number on the scale. In this episode: • Why coaching alongside a GLP-1 changes outcomes • The under-eating and muscle-loss risks no one warns you about • Protein targets, carbs, and why "anti-carb" advice backfires • Body composition and VO2 max testing in weight management • Medication interactions as you lose weight • Navigating stigma and the joy of food • What employers and coaches should know before adding GLP-1s Coaches: Explore CE credits at catalystcoachinginstitute.com Employers: Learn about Catalyst Coaching's GLP-Whole offering — [email protected] Join us this fall at the Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium: catalystcoachinginstitute.com/retreat Info re earning your health & wellness coaching certification, annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium & more via https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/  Best-in-class coaching for Employers, EAPs & wellness providers https://catalystcoaching360.com/ Tap into the home of the (freely available) Not Done Yet! articles on unlocking life's 2nd half here. YouTube Coaching Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CoachingChannel Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @Catalyst2Thrive Website: CatalystCoaching360.com If you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218.  This is a wonderful group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more.
Leaving Everything to Find More — Navigating Life's Next Chapter (Kathy Robinson)
2026/08/17
What happens when the toolkit that built your success stops working for the life you actually want to live? In this episode, Brad Cooper sits down with Kathy Robinson — former Wall Street veteran and chief audit executive turned author and coach — for a wide-ranging, rabbit-trail conversation about reinventing the next phase of life. After 33 years in corporate (18 on Wall Street, 15 at a Fortune 250 company), Kathy walked away at 55 — a full decade before she'd planned. Here she unpacks the messy, unmapped "liminal space" between chapters and why high achievers can't think their way through it: they have to feel their way forward. Along the way, Brad and Kathy dig into doing "the wrong work the right way" versus "the right work the wrong way," why success can be the very thing that traps us, how longevity has quietly rewritten the entire retirement playbook, and why the smartest move isn't burning the ships — it's running parallel until you're certain. Whether you're 37 or 72, dreaming of "someday" or standing at the edge of a leap, this conversation offers a grounded, honest map for finding purpose in the years you didn't used to count on. Kathy's advice for anyone feeling the pull but held back by responsibility: stay until you're certain, don't do anything reckless, and remember — it's not binary. Website:  https://athenawellness.com Free PDF: The Sage Discovery Kit: A Field Guide to Your Future Self Book:  Walking with the Sage, A Story of Leaving Everything to Find More Info re earning your health & wellness coaching certification, annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium & more via https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/  Best-in-class coaching for Employers, EAPs & wellness providers https://catalystcoaching360.com/ Tap into the home of the (freely available) Not Done Yet! articles on unlocking life's 2nd half here. YouTube Coaching Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CoachingChannel Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @Catalyst2Thrive Website: CatalystCoaching360.com If you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218.  This is a wonderful group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more.
The Human Side of Coaching: Emotions, Scope, and What Actually Drives Change (Dr. Michael Arloski)
2026/08/03
Many coaches will back away the moment a client's voice cracks. Dr. Michael Arloski thinks that instinct — however well-intentioned — is quietly undermining the behavior change we're hired to create. Michael has been in the wellness field since 1979. He's a licensed psychologist, a National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach, an ICF Professional Certified Coach, CEO of Real Balance Global Wellness Services, author of one of the foundational texts in our field (Wellness Coaching for Lasting Lifestyle Change), and the creator of the Wellness Mapping 360 model. Few people alive have watched this profession grow up the way he has. In this conversation we get specific about the line between coaching and therapy — where it actually sits, versus where anxious coaches imagine it sits. Michael unpacks what happens to lasting change when a coach sidesteps emotional content entirely, what it looks like to tap into a client's emotion without drifting into therapy, and the go-to move he uses when a client is clearly sitting on something they haven't named. We also get into the part nobody talks about: how much of this depends on the coach's own emotional regulation and self-awareness rather than technique. If you've ever felt under-qualified to sit with a client's emotion, this one's for you. Info re earning your health & wellness coaching certification, annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium & more via https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/  Best-in-class coaching for Employers, EAPs & wellness providers https://catalystcoaching360.com/ Tap into the home of the (freely available) Not Done Yet! articles on unlocking life's 2nd half here. YouTube Coaching Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CoachingChannel Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @Catalyst2Thrive Website: CatalystCoaching360.com If you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218.  This is a wonderful group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more.
Boost Your Brain Health at Every Age: The Science of Cognitive Wellness with Trish Turo, NBC-HWC
2026/07/20
Whether you're 25 or 75, protecting and enhancing your brain health matters right now. In this episode of The Coaching Lab, Dr. Brad Cooper and co-host Sabryna Liddle sit down with Trish Turo—brain health educator, researcher, yoga teacher, and National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach—for a conversation that spans every age and stage of life. As Director of Brain Health with the Virtual Brain Health Center and Director of Wellness with Kenosis Counseling Center, Trish brings deep expertise from her work with leading digital health organizations including Noom, Hinge Health, Together Senior Health, and Linus Health. With a Master of Science in Health Psychology, she's designed behavior change programs for people across the lifespan—from authoring "A Kids Book About Healthy Habits" to building dementia-prevention programs for older adults. Tune in to discover practical, evidence-based strategies for keeping your mind sharp, the habits that support long-term cognitive wellness, and why brain health is a lifelong pursuit worth starting today. Whether you're a coach looking to expand your impact or simply someone who wants to think clearer and live better, this is an episode you won't want to miss. As a bonus, here is link to a brand new research study Trish was involved in designing/researching. Info re earning your health & wellness coaching certification, annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium & more via https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/  Best-in-class coaching for Employers, EAPs & wellness providers https://catalystcoaching360.com/ Tap into the home of the (freely available) Not Done Yet! articles on unlocking life's 2nd half here. YouTube Coaching Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CoachingChannel Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @Catalyst2Thrive Website: CatalystCoaching360.com If you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218.  This is a wonderful group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more.
What We Wish We Knew as New Coaches: 20 Years of Lessons from Two Seasoned Pros
2026/07/06
What do you wish someone had told you on day one of your coaching career? In this episode of The Coaching Lab, host Leigh Baker sits down with Sabryna Liddle, VP of Coaching Excellence at Catalyst Coaching 360, for a candid conversation about everything they wish they'd known as new health and wellness coaches—drawing on decades in the field since Catalyst launched in 2007. Whether you're fresh out of your training program, prepping for your board exam, or a seasoned coach looking to grow, Leigh and Sabryna unpack the real lessons that only experience can teach: Why taking fewer notes can make you a more present, more effective coachThe trap of over-structuring sessions—and how to find the right balance between framework and flexibilityTalking less, listening more, and getting comfortable with silenceWhy you're the expert in behavior change—and how that frees you from intimidation, even with physicians and executivesHandling "guns-blazing" clients and sensitive topics with curiosity instead of judgmentHow coaching skills transform your relationships beyond work—as a parent, spouse, and friendSabryna's mantra to always be curious and experiment, and Dr. Cooper's advice to "look for the 7s"—those glimpse moments that point you toward your sweet spotIf you're a coach or aspiring coach craving an honest, encouraging conversation between two pros who've watched the industry evolve over two decades, this one's for you. 🎙️ Join us September 25–27 for the 8th Annual Coaching Retreat & Symposium in Estes Park, Colorado: catalystcoachinginstitute.com/retreat Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Reach out at [email protected] If this episode helped you, share it with a fellow coach and leave a review—it helps us keep these conversations coming. Info re earning your health & wellness coaching certification, annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium & more via https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/  Best-in-class coaching for Employers, EAPs & wellness providers https://catalystcoaching360.com/ Tap into the home of the (freely available) Not Done Yet! articles on unlocking life's 2nd half here. YouTube Coaching Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CoachingChannel Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @Catalyst2Thrive Website: CatalystCoaching360.com If you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218.  This is a wonderful group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more.
Coaching In Uncertain Times
2026/06/22
Life is uncertain. How can credible, board-certified health & wellness coaches make a positive difference in the midst of the uncertainty and how might an individual personally benefit from working with a coach? From fears around AI to ongoing life transitions, wellbeing pursuits and more, we take a deep dive in this special episode, featuring Leigh Saner Baker and Sabryna Liddle. Info re earning your health & wellness coaching certification, annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium & more via https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/  Best-in-class coaching for Employers, EAPs & wellness providers https://catalystcoaching360.com/ Tap into the home of the (freely available) Not Done Yet! articles on unlocking life's 2nd half here. YouTube Coaching Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CoachingChannel Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @Catalyst2Thrive Website: CatalystCoaching360.com If you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218.  This is a wonderful group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more.
Wellness Myth-busting: Ice baths, hydration, recovery tools and more!
2026/06/08
Ice baths. Electrolyte drinks. Infrared saunas. Recovery boots. The wellness industry has never been louder — or more expensive. But which of these tools actually move the needle, and which are just well-marketed noise? In this episode of The Coaching Lab, we cut through the hype and get honest about recovery. Dr. Brad Cooper explores the science behind today's most talked-about wellness practices — from hydration and electrolytes to sauna use, cold-water immersion, and the growing world of recovery technology. What you'll walk away with: The truth about electrolytes (and when you probably don't need them)Why frequent sauna use has some of the most compelling cardiovascular data in the wellness spaceThe surprising caveat about cold plunges and muscle-buildingLow-cost recovery strategies that routinely outperform expensive gadgetsA rapid-fire verdict on the biggest trends: overhyped, appropriately hyped, or underappreciated?Recovery isn't a luxury — but it doesn't have to be complicated or costly. This episode helps you separate signal from noise so you can invest your time, energy, and money where it actually counts. Info re earning your health & wellness coaching certification, annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium & more via https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/  Best-in-class coaching for Employers, EAPs & wellness providers https://catalystcoaching360.com/ Tap into the home of the (freely available) Not Done Yet! articles on unlocking life's 2nd half here. YouTube Coaching Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CoachingChannel Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @Catalyst2Thrive Website: CatalystCoaching360.com If you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218.  This is a wonderful group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more.
Thrive on the Road: Travel, Sleep & Wellbeing for Busy Professionals — Beth Jennings, PT, NBC-HWC
2026/05/25
Work travel can quietly drain your energy, wreck your sleep, and leave even your highest-performing clients coming home depleted. In this episode of The Coaching Lab, host [Host Name] sits down with Beth Jennings, PT, NBC-HWC — a physical therapist and National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach — to unpack what real wellbeing looks like for professionals who live out of a suitcase. Beth breaks down the hidden toll of frequent business travel on the body, mind, and routines your clients rely on, then shares practical, no-willpower-required strategies coaches can bring straight into their next session. You'll learn how to help clients protect sleep through early flights, late nights and time-zone changes; stay active without adding stress to a packed schedule; and design sustainable travel rituals that support recovery instead of burnout. Whether your clients are road warriors, consultants, executives, or traveling leaders, this conversation gives you a coach-ready toolkit for helping them thrive — not just survive — on the road. In this episode, you'll learn: How Beth's dual lens as a PT and health coach reframes "wellbeing on the road"The most common ways travel disrupts the body, sleep, and performanceTop sleep strategies for early flights, late nights, and jet lagRealistic pre-trip and on-trip habits that actually stickHow to stay active when schedules are packed and unpredictableWhat most professionals get wrong about recovery after a work tripBeth's #1 mindset shift for every coaching client heading into travelAbout the guest: Beth Jennings is a licensed physical therapist (PT) and National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) who helps high-performing professionals build sustainable health habits in a demanding, travel-heavy life. Learn more about or reach out to Beth at BethJennings.com Info re earning your health & wellness coaching certification, annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium & more via https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/  Best-in-class coaching for Employers, EAPs & wellness providers https://catalystcoaching360.com/ Tap into the home of the (freely available) Not Done Yet! articles on unlocking life's 2nd half here. YouTube Coaching Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CoachingChannel Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @Catalyst2Thrive Website: CatalystCoaching360.com If you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218.  This is a wonderful group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more.
You're a Certified Health & Wellness Coach. Now What? (Career & Business tips)
2026/05/11
You passed the NBHWC exam — congratulations! Now what? In this episode of The Coaching Lab, Dr. Cooper and Leigh deliver the post-certification roadmap every new National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) needs. Whether you're aiming for a salaried role at a hospital, corporate wellness program, or insurance company, or you're ready to launch your own coaching practice, this episode walks you through every step. What you'll learn: How to leverage your NBHWC credential on LinkedIn, your resume, and professional bios to signal credibility to employersWhich professional associations are worth joining (National Wellness Alliance, American College of Lifestyle Medicine, and more)The real pros and cons of employment vs. contractor work vs. entrepreneurship — plus hybrid models that let you do bothWhere health and wellness coaches are actually getting hired right now (hospitals, corporate wellness, health insurance, gyms, EAPs) and what salary to expectHow to start your own coaching practice: business structure (LLC vs. sole proprietor), setting your rates, landing your first clients, and the tech stack you need (scheduling, payments, video, notes)Marketing that works for health coaches: niching down, building an online presence without burnout, content creation, in-person networking, referral partnerships, and Google Business ProfileScope of practice, liability insurance, client agreements, intake forms, and HIPAA basics for clinical settingsRecertification planning (36 CEs every 3 years), advanced credentials, mentorship, and peer supportMindset essentials: navigating imposter syndrome, setting boundaries early, and building a sustainable practice instead of burning out in year oneWhether you're a brand-new health coach, a wellness professional adding NBHWC to your credentials, or an aspiring coach planning your next move, this episode is the practical, no-fluff guide to turning your certification into a thriving career.  Info re earning your health & wellness coaching certification, annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium & more via https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/  Best-in-class coaching for Employers, EAPs & wellness providers https://catalystcoaching360.com/ Tap into the home of the (freely available) Not Done Yet! articles on unlocking life's 2nd half here. YouTube Coaching Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CoachingChannel Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @Catalyst2Thrive Website: CatalystCoaching360.com If you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218.  This is a wonderful group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more.
Margaret "Coach Meg" Moore: Pioneer of Health & Wellness Coaching
2026/04/27
We are thrilled to have one of the pioneers of health & wellness coaching, Wellcoaches founder Margaret Moore (you likely know her as Coach Meg) join us on this special episode of The Coaching Lab podcast! Info re earning your health & wellness coaching certification, annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium & more via https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/  Best-in-class coaching for Employers, EAPs & wellness providers https://catalystcoaching360.com/ Tap into the home of the (freely available) Not Done Yet! articles on unlocking life's 2nd half here. YouTube Coaching Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CoachingChannel Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @Catalyst2Thrive Website: CatalystCoaching360.com If you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218.  This is a wonderful group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more.
The Science of Slowing Down: Mindfulness, MBSR, and the Coaching Edge with Serena Jain, NBC-HWC
2026/04/13
Most people think mindfulness means downloading an app or sitting quietly for ten minutes. Serena Jain is here to respectfully challenge that assumption — and to show coaches and high performers what's actually possible when mindfulness is practiced with intention and depth. In this episode of The Coaching Lab, host Dr. Brad Cooper sits down with mindfulness teacher and MBSR practitioner Serena Jain for a conversation that is equal parts science, application, and experience. Serena unpacks what Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction actually is, how it differs from general meditation practice, and why it's become one of the most evidence-backed tools available for addressing chronic stress, improving self-awareness, and creating lasting behavioral change. For health coaches, this one goes beyond theory. Serena walks through how mindfulness can deepen the coaching process, practical ways to incorporate it into sessions while staying within scope of practice, and what to say to clients who are convinced they're simply "bad at meditation." And in a rare moment for a podcast episode, she guides listeners through a live mindfulness practice — so you don't just hear about it, you experience it. Whether you're a seasoned coach looking to add a powerful tool to your practice, someone considering the coaching profession, or a high performer navigating a relentlessly demanding life, this conversation offers both the why and the how. Topics covered: mindfulness-based stress reduction, MBSR, mindfulness for coaches, health coaching tools, stress management, chronic stress, mindfulness vs meditation, mindfulness in coaching practice, coach self-awareness, mindfulness for high performers, mindfulness for beginners, Serena Jain, how to start mindfulness practice, mindfulness exercise, coaching techniques, wellness coaching, performance coaching, mindfulness research, scope of practice, The Coaching Lab podcast, Catalyst Coaching 360 Serena's Website: https://serenajain.com/Link to Serena's guided meditations: https://serenajain.com/mindfulness-programs/guided-audio-meditations/.  This guided audio can also be accessed on SoundCloud, which can be downloaded as an app onto a smartphone: https://soundcloud.com/user-869280929. Info re earning your health & wellness coaching certification, annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium & more via https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/  Best-in-class coaching for Employers, EAPs & wellness providers https://catalystcoaching360.com/ Tap into the home of the (freely available) Not Done Yet! articles on unlocking life's 2nd half here. YouTube Coaching Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CoachingChannel Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @Catalyst2Thrive Website: CatalystCoaching360.com If you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218.  This is a wonderful group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more.

Podcast reviews

Read The Coaching Lab: Health, Wellness & Performance (Brad Cooper, PhD) podcast reviews


4.9 out of 5
108 reviews
★★★★★
Katherine Wacker 2023/03/22
Fantastic Interviews
Brad and his team do an excellent job interviewing top thinkers and leaders in the health and wellness space. I really appreciate the natural, organic...
★★★★★
Donna Rita 2022/11/02
The best in class
These podcasts with Dr. Brad Cooper and Guests are best in class for everyone. Take the time and really listen. Changing your mindset does result in ...
★☆☆☆☆
COVID-Election Episodes 2021/10/25
CDC
Anyone trying to cite the CDC as a credible science-based source only diminishes their own credibility.
★★★★★
tayleit 2021/05/03
Great Podcast
Easy to listen to and helpful whether you are a coach or not!
★★★★★
The Blue Goat 2021/04/28
Great info and more than just a podcast for coaches
Dr. Coopers podcast has been great in helping me though a major injury and now the recovery process. Topics like preparing for surgery to mental tough...
★★★★★
eMMMma loO 2021/02/11
This podcast is my aid station.
I found out about Catalyst while studying for my national board exam in early 2020 and have tuned every week since! I’m so grateful for these intervie...
★★★★★
Athlete gal from Colorado 2020/04/10
Insightful and relevant!
Interesting topics, world-class guests, and always something new to learn! A must-listen-to podcast for anyone interested in health, wellness or perf...
★★★★★
N. Mosher 2020/03/29
Excellent Topics and Guests
I enjoy the interview style that is employed in this podcast. I’ve found that often in podcasts, the interviewer is talking more than the guest. Bra...
★★★★★
SansegoCoach 2020/03/23
Great interviews
You can tell the host is passionate about delivering relevant topics for health and wellness coaches. Guests are top notch.
★★★★★
ann-s-73 2020/03/23
Practical and positive
Practical and positive, this helped me gain some perspective on some current life issues.
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