Hi, I’m Ashley Medina bsn, rn, CHC

Originally from Arizona, I moved to Texas in 2014, where I pursued my passion for healthcare. I graduated from Austin Community College with a Nursing degree in 2019 and went on to earn my Bachelor’s in Nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2021. My journey has taken me from Atlanta to Arizona and back, enriching my experiences along the way.

With a decade of experience as a medical assistant in dermatology, I transitioned to Nursing, focusing primarily on Pre-Operative and Post Anesthesia Care as well as Pediatric Home Health. Outside of my professional life, I’m an avid traveler and scuba diving enthusiast, having explored 20 countries so far.

I enjoy daily morning walks around Town Lake with my significant other, along with meditation, cold plunging, pilates, and weight lifting. I’m also passionate about reading non-fiction to expand my mind and knowledge. With an open heart and an open mind, I’m dedicated to both personal growth and giving back to my community through my volunteer work with Austin Pets Alive!

What is a Certified health coach?

A Certified Health Coach is a healthcare professional who combines nursing expertise with coaching techniques to empower individuals to achieve their health and wellness goals. This role involves:

  1. Personalized Guidance: Health coaches work closely with clients to assess their health status, understand their needs, and develop personalized plans that align with their values, lifestyle, and goals.

  2. Education and Support: They provide education on various health topics, such as nutrition, exercise, stress management, and chronic disease prevention, helping clients make informed decisions about their health.

  3. Behavior Change: Using motivational interviewing and behavior change strategies, health coaches encourage clients to adopt healthier habits and overcome barriers to change.

  4. Holistic Approach: They take a holistic view of health, considering physical, emotional, spiritual, and social factors that influence a person’s well-being.

  5. Accountability: Health coaches help clients set realistic goals and hold them accountable for their progress, fostering a supportive environment for lasting change.

  6. Accessibility and Time: Health coaches often have more flexibility in scheduling and can provide longer sessions, allowing for deeper conversations and more thorough exploration of lifestyle changes compared to typical doctor appointments.

  7. Collaboration: They often collaborate with other healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive care and support for their clients.

Overall, health coaches play a vital role in promoting wellness and improving health outcomes through a supportive, individualized approach.

Disclaimer: the health coaching encounter does not replace the guidance and/or prescription of a physician or licensed healthcare prescriber. These health coaching sessions disclaim any particular result or outcome for the patient/client. 

Health coaching is not:

  1. Medical Diagnosis or Treatment: It does not involve diagnosing medical conditions or prescribing treatments, medications, or therapies. Health coaches focus on wellness and lifestyle changes rather than acute medical care.

  2. Substituting for Medical Care: While health coaches can support health and wellness, they do not replace the need for regular medical check-ups or treatment from healthcare providers.

  3. One-Time Interventions: Health coaching is not a brief or one-off consultation. It involves ongoing support and a commitment to long-term health goals rather than quick fixes.

  4. Therapy or Counseling: While it may address emotional and behavioral aspects of health, Health coaching is not the same as therapy or mental health counseling, which require specialized training.

  5. Rigid or Prescriptive: It is not a strict, one-size-fits-all program. Health coaching is personalized and adaptable to each individual's unique needs, preferences, and circumstances.

  6. Focus on Nutrition Alone: While nutrition is an important aspect, health coaching encompasses a broader range of topics, including exercise, stress management, and overall lifestyle changes.

By understanding what health coaching is not, individuals can better appreciate its unique role in promoting health and wellness alongside traditional medical care.