In this episode of the Health and Wellness Coach Journal Podcast, Dr. Jessica Singh sits down with Clare Norman, Master Certified Coach and author of Cultivating Coachability. With over twenty years of experience in coaching and coach supervision, Clare is on a mission to encourage coaches to be more vocal about coachability, expecting more of coaching custodians and thinkers alike such that those thinkers are coaching-ready

Together, Clare and Dr. Singh explore the often-overlooked but essential concept of coachability: what it is, how it differs from coaching readiness, and why it matters. Clare offers thoughtful distinctions that speak to the heart of what many coaches experience in practice: misalignment, unclear expectations, or clients who may not yet be ready for the work coaching entails. This conversation highlights how coaches must cultivate coachability to stay aligned with their ethics and scope of practice, regardless of their niche or practice setting.

In this episode, Clare Norman also explores the often-overlooked role of the coaching custodian—those who hold responsibility for the structure, delivery, and integrity of coaching within organizations. In private practice, the coach often assumes this role themselves, making intentional coach screening and assessing whether coaching is appropriate particularly important. Clare offers thoughtful guidance on setting boundaries, screening for coachability, and reframing success in ways that support more ethical, sustainable coaching relationships. Her insights equip coaches to lead with greater clarity, care, and accountability—whether they’re working independently or within a broader system.

Whether you're a new coach navigating your first few clients or a seasoned practitioner, this episode sheds light on how to cultivate coachability for deeper, more sustainable impact.

For detailed show notes, resources, and information to connect with Clare Norman, visit: https://www.centerforhealthandwellnesscoaches.com/blog/why-cultivating-coachability-is-key-for-effective-coaching-with-clare-norman

To be notified of new episodes, subscribe here: https://www.centerforhealthandwellnesscoaches.com/stay-connected

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

1. Norman, Clare. Cultivating Coachability: How to Leverage Coaching Readiness So Thinkers Can Optimise Value. Right Book Press, 2024.
2. Norman, Clare. Mentor Coaching: A Practical Guide. McGraw-Hill Education (UK), 2020.
3. Norman, Clare. The Transformational Coach: Free Your Thinking and Break Through to Coaching Mastery. Right Book Press, 2022.

Timestamps

• 0:00 - Introduction
• 1:57 - Clare’s Summary of Cultivating Coachability
• 4:54 - Coachability: The Overlooked Essential in Coach Training
• 7:30 - How Do You Show the Value of Coaching?
• 13:05 - Coaching Readiness vs. Coachability: What’s the Difference?
• 16:59 - The Role of a Coach: Exploring the Essence of Coaching
• 28:16 - Understanding the Distinction Between Mentoring and Supervision
• 32:07 - The Essential Role of the Coaching Custodian
• 35:47 - Beyond the Initial Coaching Agreement: Recontracting
• 37:37 - Takeaways

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of the Health and Wellness Coach Journal Podcast, Dr. Jessica Singh sits down with Dean Hall, a licensed therapist and success coach with over 35 years of experience. A two-time cancer survivor and two-time world record-setting extreme distance swimmer, he is the first person in history to swim the entire 187-mile length of Oregon’s longest river, the Willamette River, which he completed as an active cancer patient, and Ireland’s longest river, the River Shannon, measuring 180 miles. These swims were not only physical feats but also marked spiritual and emotional turning points that led to an unexpected remission and ignited a powerful new calling.

Dean shares the extraordinary story of how the death of his beloved wife Mary and his own repeated brushes with mortality catalyzed a profound transformation in his understanding of healing. Instead of following the conventional advice to "fight cancer," Dean began to question the cultural conditioning around illness and realized that staying in a chronic state of fight-or-flight was preventing true healing. Inspired by a shift in perspective—from battling disease to loving life—Dean embraced the healing power of nature and purpose, leading to an unexpected remission and the founding of his initiative, Wild Cure Way, to help individuals leave behind the confines of concrete jungles and digital distractions to rediscover the transformative healing power of nature through his nature-based approach.

Throughout the episode, Dean and Dr. Singh explore how becoming one’s own best advocate, reclaiming agency, and reconnecting with nature can lead to physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. Dean reflects on how his fight against cancer evolved into a practice of surrender, presence, and purpose—urging coaches and healthcare providers alike to walk alongside patients with humility, grace, and deep listening. His story is not only a testament to the resilience of the human spirit but also a reminder that healing is not merely about pursuing a cure; it’s about reclaiming meaning and connection during the time we have.

Dean and Dr. Singh explore how purpose, immersion in nature, and mindset shifts can foster profound healing physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Dean also shares how he reframed his fight with cancer by choosing to love life rather than fight disease, and how this shift in perspective empowered his transformation.

This episode is a powerful testament to the power of purpose, the impact of nature on health and healing, and how coaches and healthcare providers can support individuals during their most defining moments through deep listening and by encouraging reconnection with what matters most.

For detailed show notes, resources, and information to connect with Dean Hall, visit: https://www.centerforhealthandwellnesscoaches.com/blog/healing-from-cancer-wild-water-swimming-and-the-power-of-purpose-with-dean-hall

To be notified of new episodes, subscribe here: https://www.centerforhealthandwellnesscoaches.com/stay-connected

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

1. Turner, Kelly A. Radical Remission: Surviving Cancer Against All Odds. HarperOne, 2014.

2. Turner, Kelly A. Radical Hope: 10 Key Healing Factors from Exceptional Survivors of Cancer and Other Diseases. Hay House, 2020.

3. Hall, Dean. The Wild Cure Way. 2023

4. Radical Remission Project. Radical Remission Project. https://radicalremission.com

5. Li, Qing. Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness. Viking, 2018.

Timestamps

• 0:00 - Introduction
• 3:23 - Dean's Healing Journey
• 15:14 - Turning Points
• 33:05 - Swimming Toward Legacy: How Deans' Dream Led to Unexpected Healing and Remission
• 39:46 - Trading Fighting Cancer for Loving Life
• 42:36 - Be Your Own Best Advocate
• 48:40 - Takeaways

In this episode of the Health and Wellness Coach Journal Podcast, Dr. Jessica Singh speaks with Leigh-Ann Webster, NBC-HWC, about the evolution and impact of health and wellness coach certification. Leigh-Ann is a recognized leader in the field of health and wellness coaching, with a career dedicated to advancing industry standards. She served as the Executive Director of the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) from 2016 until 2024, leading the organization to global recognition in training and certification and impacting over 10,000 coaches worldwide.

A passionate advocate for the profession, Leigh-Ann shares her personal and professional journey into coaching, as well as the pivotal moments that shaped the field’s evolution. From building the original competencies of the NBHWC to the landmark collaboration with the National Board of Medical Examiners resulting in the coach certifying exam, Leigh-Ann offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it took to create a nationally recognized credential for health and wellness coaches.

Together, Leigh-Ann and Dr. Singh explore the evolving role of coaching in healthcare, emphasizing the importance of research and advocacy in advancing the field through education and awareness.

This episode is a powerful reminder of the dedication required to effect change.

Whether you're a coach, a healthcare provider, or simply curious about the growth and future of the profession, this episode offers an inspiring glimpse into where health and wellness coaching began, the progress that’s brought it to where it is today, and the possibilities that lie ahead.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

1. Turner, Kelly A. Radical Remission: Surviving Cancer Against All Odds. Harper Collins, 2014.

2. Abu Dabrh, Abd Moain, et al. "Compendium of Health and Wellness Coaching: 2023 Addendum." Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine (2025).

For detailed show notes, resources, and information to connect with Leigh-Ann Webster, NBC-HWC, visit: https://www.centerforhealthandwellnesscoaches.com/blog/the-evolution-and-impact-of-health-and-wellness-coach-certification-with-leigh-ann-webster

To be notified of new episodes, subscribe here: https://www.centerforhealthandwellnesscoaches.com/stay-connected

Timestamps

0:00 - Introduction

2:49 - Leigh Ann’s Journey Into Coaching

11:15 - Insights on the Evolution of the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching

15:12 - Formation of the NBHWC Coach Certifying Exam

19:25 - The Impact of the NBC-HWC Credential

24:48 - The Value of Coach Credentialing

26:48 - An Unsolved Conundrum: Coaching in Healthcare

32:30 - Coaching in Disaster Relief: Meeting People Where They Are

35:16 - Leigh-Ann's Experience Hiking the John Muir Trail

41:04 - Takeaways