Discovering the Power of Listening
What have I learned from health coaching at Avidon Health?
If you had told me 20 years ago that I would become a health coach, I would have scoffed. Not that I didn’t value the idea of coaching; I just didn’t see myself in that role. At the time, I was deep in the throes of corporate life; always problem solving, always trying to come up with the next and best program or challenge. To say I wasn’t good at deep listening was an understatement. I also wasn’t very good at sitting in silence and letting others solve the problem. I loved the challenge of coming up with a creative solution.
Health coaching class gave me permission to let go; to realize that I didn’t have to have all the answers all the time. I also didn’t have to solve someone else’s problem for them. What a freeing experience!
I now love coaching. I love it when someone comes up with their own solution to their own problem. You can hear it in their voice; the enthusiasm to try a new solution to an old problem. It’s even better when they come back the following week, all excited to tell you about their success.
A favorite quote that applies is: “You have two ears and one mouth; you should listen twice as much as you speak.”
From Corporate to Health Coaching: A Personal Shift
That same curiosity and openness I’ve gained as a coach has carried over into my personal life—especially in how I approach learning and wellness in small moments.
Over the years, I’ve seen health coaching evolve. We’ve gone from in-person workshops and print handouts to webinars, trackers, and now highly personalized digital platforms. The tools have changed, but the goal is still helping people feel better, stay motivated, and create lasting change.
Health coaching has become more than just a profession for me, it’s been a journey of learning, connection, and growth. Along the way, it has also led to personal growth through coaching, helping me better understand myself while supporting others in their goals.
Learning, One Click at a Time
The new Avidon Health app is fun. If I have a few minutes (like waiting at a doctor’s appointment), instead of scrolling through social media, I’d rather learn something new. So, I just open the app and find a fun topic to explore. Today I read about “Deskercise” – taking mini breaks during the day to combat the effects of sitting too long at a computer. The beginning has a cute question to answer (I won’t give it away) that really makes you think about how long you sit and the cumulative effects of being sedentary. There were also some quick movement suggestions that encouraged me to get up and try them. So, it was time well spent.
While in the app, I saw a bunch of other health topics that I would like to explore, such as getting a good night’s sleep or how to create a habit. Looking forward to learning during my mini app break tomorrow.
Still a Coach, Still a Learner
Even as I’m health coaching, I’m still learning—and I love that Avidon makes it easy to keep growing in small, meaningful ways. Whether I’m guiding others or exploring something new for myself, I’m reminded that change doesn’t always come from having the perfect answer. Sometimes, it comes from simply being curious enough to ask the next question.
Health coaching keeps shaping not just how I support others, but how I take care of myself, too. It’s a path I’m grateful to keep walking.
