By Sue Sveum
Between work, family commitments and trying to squeeze in a little me time, we often put our own health on the back burner. But carving out time for wellness is essential and that’s where a health coach — someone who helps clients create realistic, doable and healthy lifestyle habits that support physical and mental wellbeing — can come in, offering individualized coaching that goes beyond fitness.
“Health coaching supports people in making lifestyle and behavior changes that lead to better overall health and wellbeing,” explains Kari Mysker, founder and owner of Ether Wellness. “My coaching blends [in] yoga, breathwork, meditation, strength training, Pilates, nutrition and lifestyle coaching. No two women are the same, so I always start with where she’s at, what she needs and what stage of life she’s in.”
Dani Muntner, owner of Rise With Dani, agrees.
“I truly believe that real transformation begins from within, so I focus on a holistic approach that creates lasting change by addressing both physical and mental aspects of health,” she says. “Fitness goals are awesome to have, but they should be part of a bigger picture of overall wellness.”
It’s no coincidence that both coaches chose this field after experiencing mind/body issues of their own. Muntner struggled with body dysmorphia, an eating disorder and self-worth regarding how she looked. For Mysker, the stress of a corporate job led to gut issues, anxiety and fatigue.
“The way you see yourself and your approach to fitness can drive your actions,” says Muntner. “Mental health has a huge impact on physical health because the body always follows what the mind is thinking. If your mind is overwhelmed, stressed or stuck in negative patterns, it affects how we feel and how we take care of ourselves.”
Many women struggle with certain mindsets about food, nutrition and the number on the scale. “If a client is under-eating, I’ll gradually increase calorie intake,” Muntner explains. “Fueling their body properly will [result in] improved energy and feeling better — making it easier to accept eating more.”
Another area Muntner and Mysker address with clients is their hormones.
“When your hormones are off, it affects energy, sleep and mood,” says Muntner. “And when your body is under that stress, your hormones can get messed up, sleep suffers and you might even experience irregular periods.” It’s a vicious cycle.
“Mainstream health and fitness [advice] often overlooks the unique hormonal changes of women during menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause and beyond,” says Mysker. “Understanding these connections and making small shifts can create a big impact over time.”
Mysker has helped many women find success with cycle syncing — aligning movement, nutrition and self-care with the four phases of their menstrual cycle — to support hormone balance and help them feel more in sync.
While there’s no national licensure requirement for health coaches, a health coach may seek credentialing from the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC), which ensures the training a coach has is “rigorous and reputable,” according to Cleveland Clinic.
Many coaches have additional specialty training. Both Mysker and Muntner are certified personal trainers and nutrition coaches, and both hold other health and wellness-related certifications. (Note that health coaches don’t diagnose medical conditions or treat disease.)
Muntner offers in-person training, online coaching with personalized workout and nutrition plans, and her Empower HER course, which dives deeper into overall health.
Beyond one-on-one coaching, Mysker’s Ether Wellness also hosts workshops and offers education on women’s health, hormones and movement.
“Women deserve support [and] a space to reconnect with their bodies and sense of self,” says Mysker. “Your body is wise — and when you learn to work with it instead of against it, everything begins to shift.”
