435-Can You Really Coach Health Without Co-Opting Diet Culture

What if your client gains weight—and wants to quit?This is one of the toughest moments you’ll face as a non-diet coach. But it doesn’t have to shake your confidence.In this episode, I’m sharing how to confidently coach through weight gain without ever selling a diet—and without losing your client.You’ll learn:Why weight gain isn’t the real problemHow to meet your client in their fear (without fixing or freezing)The 7-step coaching process to move clients from panic to peaceWhat to say when clients catastrophize their weightTools to stay grounded and confident as a coachMentioned in the show:Non-Diet Coaching Certification Waitlist: https://bit.ly/ndccpodcastsnFree Guide - What to Say When Clients Want to Lose Weight: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/guideWeight-Neutral Coaching Training: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/shop/Work With Me: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/work-with-stephanie/

Is it really possible to coach health without diet culture? The answer is yes — and in this episode, I show you how.I break down what it means to take a weight-neutral approach to health and why it’s essential for creating lasting behavior change. You’ll learn eight practical strategies to help clients improve their health without focusing on weight or restrictive food rules.Whether you’re a coach, dietitian, or fitness professional, this conversation will give you a new framework to support clients with compassion and sustainability.Mentioned in the show:Non-Diet Coaching Certification Waitlist: https://bit.ly/ndccpodcastsnFree Guide - What to Say When Clients Want to Lose Weight: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/guideWeight-Neutral Coaching Training: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/shop/Work With Me: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/work-with-stephanie/Research Health At Every Size approach: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4386524/Research on weight neutral approach to health: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24400816/Social Determinant of health: https://www.goinvo.com/vision/determinants-of-health/Link between body dissatisfaction and health behaviors: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5644896/Podcast on the failure of dieting - 286: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/episodes/dieting-failure/Podcast on set point-214: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/episodes/set-point/Podcast on BMI- 216: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/episodes/everything-the-bmi-gets-wrong/Podcast on Wellness Culture & Healthism – 228: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/episodes/healthism-wellness-culture-101/Podcast Health Goals versus Weight Loss Goal – 264: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/episodes/health-goal/Podcast on weight neutral approach to health – 208: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/episodes/health-beyond-diet-and-weight-loss/

What if your client wants to lose weight—but you don’t coach weight loss?In this episode, I’m giving you the exact tools and mindset shifts to navigate that moment with confidence and compassion.You’ll learn how to coach through the desire to lose weight—without gaslighting your client or abandoning your non-diet values.We’ll explore where this desire comes from and how to respond in a way that builds trust and drives real behavior change.You’ll learn:Why the desire to lose weight is a thought—not a factHow to uncover what’s really behind your client’s weight loss goalsThe truth about “putting weight loss on the back burner”What to say when a client says, “But I need to lose weight”Why intrinsic motivators create lasting health changesThe one question that changed my life—and how it can shift your client’s journey tooA free script you can use in your next client sessionMentioned in the show:1. In a study of midlife women, those exercising for weight loss walked 2.5x less than those motivated by stress relief or energy (Segar et al., 2006). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21884579/2 People who exercised for well-being reasons (e.g., better mood) stuck with it 1 year later.Those who exercised for appearance or weight loss reasons did not maintain the habit. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30314419/Non-Diet Coaching Certification Waitlist: https://bit.ly/ndccpodcastsnFree Guide - What to Say When Clients Want to Lose Weight: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/guideWeight-Neutral Coaching Training: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/shop/Work With Me: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/work-with-stephanie/

Behavior change doesn’t start with a fix—it starts with understanding.If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to help your clients change their habits, this episode is your breakthrough.I’m sharing the #1 mistake most coaches make—and how to shift your approach to create lasting change without trying to “fix” your clients.You’ll learn a simple, powerful 4-step method to coach behavior change that actually sticks.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why fix-it coaching leads to short-term changeHow behavior is created from thoughts and emotionsWhat a weight-neutral, sustainable approach looks like6 coaching questions to uncover a client’s inner storyThe role of compassion and safety in lasting transformationWhy cognitive behavioral coaching is the future of wellnessMentioned in the show:Non-Diet Coaching Certification Waitlist: https://bit.ly/ndccpodcastsn Non-Diet Coaching Client Assessment Tool: https://bit.ly/podcastsnassessment Weight-Neutral Coaching Training: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/shop/ Work With Me: www.stephaniedodier.com/work-with-stephanie/ 

Feel like you're not ready to coach? You're not alone—and this episode is your turning point.If you're waiting to feel ready before you start coaching, you're likely stuck in a cycle of doubt, perfectionism, and overthinking.In this episode, I walk you through the exact steps to build confidence, take action, and finally feel ready to coach—no matter where you're starting from.You’ll learn:Why waiting to feel “ready” is keeping you stuckWhat coaching really is—and isn’tThe biggest mindset blocks holding aspiring coaches backA 6-step process to feel ready and take action nowTools to shift your mindset and create real belief in yourselfMentioned in the show:Self-discovery Questions (as cited in the episode)What experiences have shaped my desire to coach?Think about times you've naturally taken on a coaching role, mentored others, or felt fulfilled by helping someone learn or grow.What challenges have I overcome that have given me valuable insights that can help others?Personal challenges can be powerful motivators for helping others navigate their own.What experiences have shaped my desire to coach?Think about times you've naturally taken on a coaching role, mentored others, or felt fulfilled by helping someone learn or grow.What challenges have I overcome that have given me valuable insights?Personal challenges can be powerful motivators for helping others navigate their own.What feedback have I received that suggests I have coaching potential?Look for patterns in positive feedback about your ability to guide, support, or inspire others. What feedback have I received that suggests I have coaching potential?Look for patterns in positive feedback about your ability to guide, support, or inspire others. Powerful question to help you build your belief in your readinessWhat would I believe about myself as a coach if I could believe anything?What would I believe about my coaching business if I could believe anything?What if I believe the opposite of what is currently creating my fear (doubt/ uncertainty)?When I believe that I’m ready to be a great coach/ transition my business/ start a new career, what will be different?Non-Diet Coaching Certification Waitlist: https://bit.ly/ndccpodcastsnNon-Diet Coaching Client Assessment Tool: https://bit.ly/podcastsnassessmentWeight-Neutral Coaching Training: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/shop/Work With Me: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/work-with-stephanie/

Struggling to feel confident in your non-diet coaching sessions?You’re not alone—and the good news is, there’s a repeatable way to coach with ease and clarity.In this episode, I show you how to coach behaviors (not bodies) with a powerful structure that gets results.You’ll learn how to:How to move from “educator” to “coach,” and finally feel legit marketing your work.Why the coaching structure sits above the processThe 3 phases to organize your coaching programsMentioned in the show:Non-Diet Coaching Certification Waitlist: https://bit.ly/ndccpodcastsnNon-Diet Client Assessment Tool: https://bit.ly/podcastsnassessmentWeight-Neutral Coaching Training: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/shop/Work with me: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/work-with-stephanie/

What if emotional eating isn’t something to stop—but something to understand?In this episode, I reveal why emotional eating is not a personal flaw and how coaches can finally support clients without using diet culture tools.You'll learn:Why emotional eating is a normal, valid responseThe real reason it’s not a “problem” to solveHow to coach without reinforcing guilt or shameTwo powerful coaching questions to use with clientsMentioned in the show:Research on eating behavior spectrum and body dissatisfaction: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/234646541_Preventing_a_Continuum_of_Disordered_Eating_Going_beyond_the_IndividualNon-Diet Coaching Certification Waitlist: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/waitlistNon-Diet Coaching Client Assessment Tool: https://bit.ly/podcastsnassessmentWeight-Neutral Coaching Training: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/shop/Work With Me: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/work-with-stephanie/

Feeling overwhelmed by GLP-1 questions from clients? Here’s how to coach without compromising your values.GLP-1 drugs are everywhere right now.As non-diet professionals, we need to lead with confidence—not confusion.This episode breaks down exactly how to support your clients with clarity, neutrality, and integrity.No food policing. No shame. Just powerful, informed coaching.What you’ll learn in this episode:How to coach around GLP-1 without reinforcing diet cultureWays to support client autonomy in decision-makingA framework for deeper conversations on body image and healthTools to guide clients in making informed, values-based choicesMentioned in the show:Ragen Chastain Substack: https://weightandhealthcare.substack.com/Ragen Chastain- Analyzing Claims of GLP-1 Health Benefits: https://weightandhealthcare.substack.com/p/analyzing-claims-of-glp-1-healthMSSI Informed Consent handout: https://sizeinclusivemedicine.org/glp1/Non-Diet Coaching Certification Waitlist: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/non-diet-coaching-certification/Non-Diet Coaching Client Assessment Tool: https://bit.ly/podcastsnassessmentWeight-Neutral Coaching Training: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/shop/Work With Me: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/work-with-stephanie/

Join me, Stephanie Dodier, a non-diet nutritionist and educator, in the It's Beyond The Food podcast for coaches and health professionals aiming to challenge traditional coaching methods. This show focuses on coaching health behaviors without emphasizing body size, rooted in weight-neutral practices and genuine coaching skills. In the first episode of the season, I dive into discussing weight with clients confidently and effectively, offering practical tools and honest conversations absent from conventional coaching programs.

If you freeze when clients talk about weight... this episode is your guide.Learn how to hold powerful, non-diet conversations that actually support healing—not harm.Here’s what you’ll learn:How to stop avoiding weight conversations in coachingWhy over-intellectualizing can shut down your clientThe exact questions that uncover what’s really driving weight concernsHow to shift from fixing bodies to transforming beliefsMentioned in the show:Non-Diet Coaching Certification WaitlistNon-Diet Coaching Client Assessment ToolWeight-Neutral Coaching TrainingWork With Me