HEALTHY VISION

DR. SANDRA SCHEINBAUM believes that health coaches are key to combating chronic disease. As founder and CEO of the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy (FMCA), a collaboration with The Institute for Functional Medicine, she trains people to become Functional Medicine Certified Health Coaches, and then helps practitioners and businesses hire them. An educator, clinical psychologist, author, and public speaker for more than 40 years, Dr. Scheinbaum is on a mission to grow the health coaching profession so that millions of people can get the support they need to lead healthier lives.

What does the idea of power mean to you? I think of power in terms of energy and vitality, which comes from physical strength, a sense of purpose, and community. To create impact as a “power woman,” it’s critical to prioritize self-care by addressing nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress, and relationships.

What are you most proud of doing? The Functional Medicine Coaching Academy has trained close to 5,000 graduates, representing every state and more than 60 countries. I’m proud of these mission-driven individuals who are truly making a difference by inspiring people to transform their health and reverse chronic lifestyle-driven disease.

What’s the greatest risk you’ve taken as a professional? In 2015, I took a huge risk by leaving a thriving career as a clinical psychologist to establish a global online school to train health coaches. At age 65, a time when most people think about retiring, I chose instead to shift careers. With the bold mission of seeing a health coach serving patients in every medical office, I set out to create a training program that would become the gold standard for health coach education.

For more information, visit functionalmedicinecoaching.org.