2024 health coach certification review: Catalyst Coaching Institute

This is driven by the rise in prevalence of preventable diseases as well as an increased focus by some individuals to more closely manage their health. But they can’t do it alone—that’s where health coaches come into the center picture.

For those interested in becoming a health coach, navigating the education ecosystem can be complicated, especially with the industry becoming saturated with ways to seemingly learn the skills needed for success.

However, for the Catalyst Coaching Institute, it’s more than an industry—it’s a “joy.”

The health coach program was deemed “best overall” by Fortune’s inaugural list of the best health coach certifications—in part due to human-centered teaching and flexible learning opportunities.

“We were one of the first approved programs. I myself am a National Board Certified Health and Wellness coach, so I took the very first exam as well, along with many of our mentor coaches. We have a very, very experienced team.” says Suzanna Cooper, Catalyst Coaching Institute‘s co-founder and chief learning officer. The organization’s other co-founder is her husband, Brad.

The training institute was founded in 2011 as an offshoot of their organization focused on corporate wellness education. 

If Catalyst has piqued your interest, especially considering its top spot on Fortune’s list, keep reading to become informed more about the program and the questions to answers you may have.

Catalyst Coaching Institute program overview

Catalyst offers two training programs: the fast track wellness coach certification and the master certified wellness coach.

The fast track program costs $1,992 and consists of a two-day live virtual training via Zoom as well as 12 wellness webinars lasting 90 minutes each. Three practice coaching sessions, mentorship opportunities, and an online final exam are also included.

Its master certified wellness coach program puts students on the path toward becoming certified by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC). The program costs $1,768 when purchased independently. It consists of nine two-hour long live training sessions, 12 recorded wellness webinars, and more. If both are booked together, the price is $3,360.

Suzanna Cooper says building personal connection is paramount to health coaching, which is why the programs include live sessions via Zoom.

“We feel like it’s really important for students to connect with each other, so not just during the weekend training, but then to connect outside of the training,” she says. “Brad and I are the ones that actually run that core training on the weekend, and we do it because we love doing it; we want that personal feel.”

Catalyst Coaching Institute curriculum and instructors 

Catalyst’s curriculum is guided by the standards set by the NBHWC on topics of health and wellness coaching, such as ethics, growth mindset, and motivational interviewing. But elective webinars also touch on areas like midlife transitions, weight management, and mental toughness. 

Catalyst’s instructors and mentor coaches are all listed on its website, and according to Suzanna Cooper, all are NBHWC coaches. The organization’s team and their experience is what she says sets them apart from other programs—along with having small class sizes.

“If you had a room full of them on Zoom, I think you would see their faces light up as they’re talking to you about loving coaching and why they why they love it,” Suzanna says—adding that the coaches all have different interests and expertise, such as subjects like stress, healthy eating, and exercise.

Suzanna herself has a background as an occupational therapist and Brad has a background in physical therapy—along with having an MBA.

Catalyst additionally has a podcast, a live retreat every September, and a mentor program for graduates called Catalyst Connect.

Catalyst Coaching Institute transparency 

With the founders running the program year after year, they are constantly innovating to make the industry better—and ultimately, the health and wellness of the world.

“I always recommend talking on the phone with someone from a program,” Suzanna says. “There truly are so many programs out there, and my recommendation is always to go to one of the programs from the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching—from their list.”

Many students noted that upon calling Catalyst, it is often the founders themselves—the Coopers—who are the ones picking up the phone to answer any and all questions. They are also always willing to sit down and have one-on-one meetings to figure out whether becoming a health coach is even the right path for someone.

While Catalyst is a business, the Coopers treat it like a passion. 

Catalyst Coaching Institute’s student experience and outcomes 

John Feeny was working as a graphic designer at a commercial real estate firm when life threw at him some unexpected challenges. At that point, he decided it was time for a change and for him to take charge of the rest of his life. 

“You can’t help others unless you can help yourself,” he says.

He was referred to Catalyst and says he was sold after being able to pick up the phone and have a heart-to-heart conversation with Suzanna herself—regardless of whether he was actually going to attend the program.

After graduating with a certification, he is now the founder of Redux Wellness Coaching, and he has found quick success in helping his clients harness their own self belief. 

“It’s not an effort—it’s a joy,” Feeny says.

For individuals thinking about getting into the health coach space, he encourages people to define themselves first—then find the program to fit around you and your goals.

Clare Wilkinson had a similar career transition story. As a British expat living in Portland, Oregon, she converted from working in philanthropy to health and life coaching.

“I think with Catalyst, and I remember saying this to Susanna, I felt I was coming home,” she says. “Which sounds really pathetic, I know, but I really did feel that they are such warm and welcoming, there’s no judgment—which is what coaching at its best should be.”

She explains that Catalyst truly helps individuals become behavior change specialists. For those interested in the program, she also encourages people to take their time, as health coaching is something that can’t be learned in a day or week.

“I think being clear on your why and giving yourself enough space to really and to allow the information to absorb. Because if it’s new to you, things like motivational interviewing and the transtheoretical model of change—it’s quite a mind shift to get your head round, so you’d kind of need to allow it to sink in,” Wilkinson shares.

She completed Catalyst’s certified wellness coach program last fall and sat for the NBHWC exam over the summer. 

Is Catalyst Coaching Institute’s health coach certification worth it?

Catalyst Coaching Institute was deemed the best overall health coach certification by Fortune for a reason. The program strikes an appropriate balance between affordability, practical skills learning, and mentorship opportunities.

While the program does not have the best website user experience—it makes up for it with an emphasis on synchronous learning. While it may be more convenient for some students to learn asynchronously, the reality is that health coaching is a space that thrives on building human connections.

Moreover, the enthusiasm embodied by Catalyst’s founders is clear. Their willingness to discuss the health coach space with any prospective student—and aren’t necessarily in it to sell their product—says a lot about their mission and ultimately their teaching philosophy.

“We are doing what we love to do,” Suzanna says. “The coaching is core to what we’ve done for so long, and we’re not going anywhere.”

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Check out all of Fortune’s rankings of degree programs, and learn more about specific career paths.