We’re delighted to introduce a newsletter made just for coaches like you...a space designed to elevate your skills, strengthen your confidence, and keep you connected to the evidence-based heart of our profession. Whether you’re just beginning your coaching journey or advancing toward the NBHWC credential and beyond, this newsletter will deliver the tools, insights, and support you need to grow with purpose.
Each month, you’ll find practical skill-building tips, research-based guidance, cohort announcements, NBHWC-exam study support, and resources you can use immediately in your coaching sessions.
Our mission is simple: to help you master your craft, stay inspired, and feel empowered as a leader in the field of professional health and wellness coaching.
Welcome to the very first edition. Let’s grow, learn, and lead...together.
Skill Builder of the Month: Mastering Reflective Listening
Reflective listening is the backbone of effective coaching and is one of the most common areas coaches want to strengthen.
Exercise: Reflection Practice
Purpose: To help coaches sharpen their ability to choose and deliver the right type of reflection in response to client language by improving empathy, accuracy, and forward movement in sessions.
Step 1: Use a single client statement, such as: “I really want to start exercising again, but every time I try, something gets in the way and I end up quitting.”
Step 2: Create 4 levels of reflection, each geared towards a different goal.
1. Simple Reflection (repeat or paraphrase)
Goal: Show you heard what the client said.
Coach Example:
“You want to start exercising again, but obstacles keep getting in the way.”
2. Complex Reflection (adds meaning or emotion)
Goal: Show deeper understanding or highlight themes.
Coach Example:
“You’re feeling frustrated because getting back into exercise matters to you, but it keeps slipping through your fingers.”
3. Amplified Reflection (turn up the volume to allow the client to hear it out loud)
Goal: Gently challenge or explore the client’s statement without judgment.
Coach Example:
“It feels like absolutely nothing ever goes right when you try to get back into exercise.”
4. Double-Sided Reflection (acknowledge both sides of ambivalence)
Goal: Show you hear the tension between desire and resistance.
Coach Example:
“Part of you really wants to build this habit, and another part feels discouraged because it’s been hard to stick with it.”
Tools, Templates, Tips
Coaching Asset: Values Discovery Worksheet plus Coach's Guide
Click Here to View and Download
Spring 2026 Coaching Cohort — Launches February 1st!
Enrollment is officially open, and we’re kicking things off with two major promotions:
Early Bird Discount: 30% Off Tuition
Available through December 31, 2025. Financing offers available.
Black Friday Special:
Enroll by November 30, 2025 and receive 3 free coaching books to help build your professional coaching library.
Click Here to view the live session calendar for Spring 2026.
Enroll Now: www.expertcoachcenter.org/store
Unsure of what to look for in a coaching program? Check out our program checklist to compare accredited programs: Click Here to View
NBHWC Exam Hub
Planning to sit for the March 2026 NBHWC exam? Your study support is ready!
Begins: January 12th
Meets: Mondays, 9–11 AM (Central Time)
Format: Live weekly sessions with peer led content + practice questions + accountability
Facilitated by Karin Mayer, NBC-HWC and ECC graduate
This study cohort is designed to reduce overwhelm, increase confidence, and help you pass on the first attempt. Updated content to include the 2026 coach competencies.
All students who participated in the summer pilot passed on their first try!
Click Here to Enroll
In need of support in obtaining your 50 required coaching sessions?
Join our Wednesday live sessions to do a 20 minute coaching session with one of our current cohort students! Sessions run from 12:30-3pm central time. We have 6 sessions left of the Fall26 cohort.
Reach out via email with interest in joining us or to be listed in our coach directory for access to other coaches who are looking to do reciprocal coaching: Emails can be sent to: [email protected].
ECC Upcoming Events
Upcoming December events:
-
Webinar: Karin and Holly will answer all of your questions about the NBHWC Exam Peer-Led Study Cohort
- When: Friday, December 5 at 12pm cst
- Click Here to receive a link to join live and/or to receive a recording! Recordings will be sent no later than December 8th.
We would love to hear from our readers!
Click Here to offer suggestions for content you would like to see in this monthly newsletter from Expert Coach Center!
Until next time, happy coaching!
~Holly
