Coach Smarter: Build a Thriving Health Coaching Business

<p>You became a health coach to change lives, but now you’re trying to figure out how to stand out, deliver real results, and build a sustainable business without drowning in all the details. <br /><br />Maybe you’re unsure how to coach effectively, overwhelmed by the endless marketing advice, or struggling to balance it all while still staying true to your mission. You’re passionate about helping others, but you didn’t expect building a coaching business to feel this confusing.<br /><br /></p><p>That’s where Coach Smarter comes in. I’m Stephen Box, National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach and founder of Unshakable Habits. With more than a decade of experience, I know that thriving as a coach isn’t about doing more—it’s about focusing on what matters most: developing your coaching skills, finding your unique voice, and simplifying your business so it works for you.<br /><br /></p><p>Each week, I’ll help you coach with confidence, market with clarity, and build a business that lasts. If you’re ready to become a better coach and finally feel confident in your approach, hit the + follow button and join me every week on Coach Smarter.</p>

The 5-Step Blueprint for a Referral-Driven Coaching Business

Do you ever feel like getting new clients is an endless grind? You’re spending hours on social media, creating content, and still not seeing results. But what if that’s actually what’s holding you back? In this episode, Stephen Box breaks down how to build a referral-driven coaching business—without feeling pushy, begging for testimonials, or relying on complicated marketing strategies. Learn how to create an amazing client experience that naturally leads to referrals and the simple systems t...

03-20
22:18

Do You Have a Coaching Business—Or Just Another Job?

You started your coaching business for freedom—but does it actually feel like a business, or just another job? Too many coaches unknowingly bring the same habits from their 9-to-5 into their coaching business, leaving them overwhelmed, stuck, and chasing external validation instead of real impact. In this episode, Elona Lopari shares her journey from corporate success to entrepreneurship and the key mindset shifts that allowed her to build a business that truly serves her. If you’re feeling l...

03-13
26:13

The Wake-Up Call That Changed One Coaches Business Forever | Business Sustainability | Coach Smarter

Imagine grinding your way to a seven-figure business—only to have it nearly kill you. That’s exactly what happened to today’s guest, Colby Wegter. After pushing himself to the brink and experiencing not one but two major burnouts, Colby was forced to rethink everything about how he worked and ran his business. In this conversation, we dive deep into the hidden dangers of burnout, why taking a break isn’t enough, and the mindset shift that helped Colby finally build a sustainable business. If ...

03-06
34:53

Turn Strangers Into Coaching Clients With These 5 Essential Questions

Ever had a conversation with someone who seemed like the perfect client—only for them to walk away after you gave them your best advice? You answered their questions, shared insights, and maybe even coached them a little… but instead of taking the next step, they just say, “That was really helpful!” and move on. Why does this keep happening? And more importantly, how do you turn these conversations into paying clients—without feeling pushy or giving away free coaching? In this episode, I’ll s...

02-28
17:44

Why Introverts Make Some of the Best Coaches—And How to Leverage Your Strengths

Many coaches have been told that success requires being outgoing, high-energy, and always “on.” But if you’re an introverted coach, that approach can leave you feeling drained, overwhelmed, and questioning whether coaching is really the right fit. Today’s guest, Stacey Chazin, is a leadership coach who helps introverts transform their natural strengths into professional assets. In this episode, we explore the biggest myths about introversion, and how introverts can approach client...

02-20
29:14

The Hidden Mistakes Preventing You From Growing Your Coaching Business

Most coaches don’t actually have a time management problem—they have a decision-making problem. And if you don’t get a handle on it, your business will start running you instead of the other way around. If you’ve ever said, “I need to get [X] done, but I just don’t have time”, this episode is for you. My guest, Scott Maderer, sees this all the time—coaches who sacrifice family time, skip meals, or take on last-minute clients because they feel like they have to. But the truth is, every t...

02-11
39:28

Zero Engagement In Your Facebook Group? Here's Why...

You set up a Facebook group, invited people to join, and started posting consistently… but no one is engaging. Sound familiar? Many coaches assume that creating a group equals building a community—but without real engagement, it’s just another dead space online. In this episode, Paul Gowder, founder of a 130,000+ member community, reveals why most Facebook groups fail and what it really takes to build an engaged, thriving community that grows itself. By the End of This Episode, You'll K...

02-10
23:41

Add Automation to Your Coaching Business (Without Losing the Personal Touch)

You started your coaching business to help people—not to spend hours scheduling calls, chasing invoices, and managing emails. But somehow, the admin work never stops. You’ve probably thought about automating some of it, but you don’t want your business to feel impersonal or “robotic.” That’s exactly where Joe Casabona found himself. As a former software engineer turned solopreneur, he thought working harder was the answer—until he nearly burned out. That’s when he discovered that automation i...

02-03
28:27

Always Busy, But Never Getting Ahead? Here’s the Fix.

Most coaches think productivity is about doing more—but what if the real key is doing less? If you feel like you're constantly busy yet not making real progress, it’s time to rethink how you work. In this episode, I sit down with Mark Struczewski (aka Mister Productivity) to uncover a simple yet powerful shift that will help you: By the End of This Episode, You’ll Know: ✅ Cut through distractions and stop spinning your wheels ✅ Get clear on the one thing that moves your business forward ✅ R...

01-30
27:51

From Burnout to Breakthrough 5 Keys to Building Sustainable Success as a Coach

In this episode of Coach Smarter, Stephen Box sits down with performance coach Rob Tracz to explore how coaches and entrepreneurs can overcome burnout and build a business they love. Rob shares his personal story of hitting rock bottom and reveals his six core principles for resilience, alignment, and success. If you’re feeling stuck or out of balance, this conversation offers practical insights to help you regain control and move forward with clarity. By the End of This Episode You'll Know:...

01-27
22:29

Get More Clients From Free Consults Using This 4-Step Framework.

In this episode of Coach Smarter, Stephen Box dives into how health coaches can transform free consultations into paying clients. He introduces a simple, four-step framework to guide discovery calls with confidence and authenticity, helping you connect with potential clients and build trust without feeling salesy. By the End of This Episode You'll Know: Why listening is the most important skill in discovery calls.The key question to create a warm and welcoming environment.How to avoid overwhe...

01-24
17:11

What Successful Health Coaches Know About Niching Down

In this episode of Coach Smarter, Stephen Box breaks down the power of niching down for health coaches. He explains why having a specific niche is the difference between struggling to find clients and having a waitlist. Stephen shares practical steps to identify and refine your niche, blend demographics with psychographics, and test your messaging to stand out in a crowded market. If you're tired of trying to help everyone and ready to draw your line in the sand, this episode will...

01-17
19:38

Take Your Coaching Business from Unprofitable to Thriving with One Simple Shift

Are you feeling stuck in your coaching business, spinning your wheels on tasks that seem productive but don’t actually bring in clients? In this episode of Coach Smarter, Stephen Box and business coach Kay Phillips dive into the common traps that keep coaches working hard without results. From procrastination disguised as productivity to the fear of success that stops many in their tracks, this conversation will help you identify and focus on the actions that truly move the needle. By the end...

01-15
24:37

Behind the Scenes: What's New in 2025?

There are a couple of big things happening in 2025 and today I'm giving you a behind-the-scenes peek into the changes and the reasons. Have a question or episode suggestion? Send us a text, we'd love to hear from you! Support the show MORE RESOURCES Join my weekly newsletter and get notified when new episodes drop—plus insights to help you coach smarter and grow your business. Cick Here to Join - It's Free! Join the pre-sale list for the Coach Smarter Mentorship Program (Launching August...

01-09
04:31

The Hard Truth About Starting a Successful Coaching Business

Are you spending hours trying to perfect every detail of your coaching business before taking action? In this episode of Coach Smarter, Stephen Box uncovers the number one mistake new coaches make and why it’s keeping so many stuck. From choosing the perfect niche to pricing your services and deciding if you really need a website, Stephen tackles the most common questions that new coaches wrestle with—and shows you how to avoid the traps that hold you back. By the end of this episode, you’ll ...

12-19
15:23

Neglect These 6 Coaching Skills If You Want Your Business to Fail

Feeling stuck in your coaching business and unsure how to move forward? Whether you’re just starting out or struggling to gain traction, there are six key skills you need to focus on to ensure long-term success. In this episode of Coach Smarter, Stephen Box reveals these essential skills, the order to prioritize them, and how to start developing each one today. By the end of this episode, you’ll discover: Why technical expertise alone isn’t enough to grow your business.The critical importance...

12-13
20:45

Build Your Coaching Skills With This Game-Changing Approach: The 10-80-10 Principle

Feeling overwhelmed by all the skills you need to master as a coach and entrepreneur? You’re not alone. In this episode of Coach Smarter, Stephen Box introduces the 10-80-10 Principle, a simple framework for skill-building that will completely shift how you approach growth in your business. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your expertise to the next level, this principle helps you prioritize what matters most while reducing overwhelm. By the end of this episode, you’ll disc...

12-05
16:52

Avoid High Achiever Burnout in Your Coaching Business by Using This Daily 5-Minute Practice

Are you constantly chasing the next goal, striving for success, but finding it harder to stay present in the moment? As high-achieving coaches, that drive can take a toll on your energy, relationships, and overall well-being—leading straight to burnout. In this episode of Coach Smarter, Stephen Box shares a simple, science-backed practice that takes just five minutes a day but can dramatically shift your mindset and protect your energy. By the end of this episode, you’ll discover: Why your r...

11-28
14:29

Own Your Calendar is Now Coach Smarter - Here's why!

Successful business is all about alignment. You've heard me talk about this multiple times and today I'm leading by example. You may have noticed that the podcast named changed from Own Your Calendar to Coach Smarter. In this short bonus episode, I explain why I changed the name and what it means going forward. Have a question or episode suggestion? Send us a text, we'd love to hear from you! Support the show MORE RESOURCES Join my weekly newsletter and get notified when new ep...

11-21
06:08

5 Stress-Free Strategies to Keep Your Coaching Business Visible Over the Holidays

The holiday season is busy—family gatherings, travel, parties—but it doesn’t mean your coaching business has to take a backseat. In this episode of Coach Smarter, Stephen Box breaks down why shutting things down completely during the holidays could cost you clients and revenue. More importantly, he shares five simple strategies to stay visible and top of mind without overwhelming yourself or missing out on holiday fun. By the end of this episode, you’ll discover: Why stepping away from your b...

11-21
18:07

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