The Email I Sent the NBHWC
I’ve made a little mention (here and there) that I’m pursuing certification to become a holistic health coach. It’s something that I’m incredibly excited about and I’ve spent a ton of time researching the industry and programs.
During that search, I was led to The National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC). It’s a newly formed organization that’s leading the charge to regulate the industry. At first, I was really excited about this because I’m a nerd and I believe in education and I think there’s tons of value in making sure that people know their stuff. (Hence why I’m pursuing certification.)
As I dug a little deeper though, I came across a few things that made me incredibly uncomfortable. The first being that there isn’t any diversity on their staff, board, or advisors. I rarely have conversations around diversity/race (even with friends) because as an HSP (highly sensitive person) I have a great amount of empathy (even when others think it’s misplaced), I can easily see all sides of a situation. I also believe in the overwhelming power of love and being able to create change through positivity instead of anger.
However, I just couldn’t let it go that a health organization that was created to decide who can be board certified had zero diversity when everyone in the health industry knows that some of the most serious illnesses disproportionately affect people of color. I can let go of Adidas not having diversity (not saying it’s ok), but a health organization?! That’s just kinda nuts and I take umbrage with that.
I sat for a long time with this and wondered if I should be ruffling feathers in the industry that I’m about to be a part of. In the end, I decided that I had a responsibility to say something. I could have probably left a line or two out, but here’s the email that I sent.
Hi Kristy!
I'm at the beginning of pursuing my health coaching certification. I've researched programs and came across a few that have your seal, but I don't see them listed on your website. They are the programs by AFPA and IIN. Are these programs currently eligible to sit for the board exam? Will they be eligible in the future?
Also, as I researched NBWHC, I couldn't help but notice the lack of diversity on the board, staff, emeritus board, and council of advisors. I did see on your social media accounts that you're developing a plan to lead a diversity and inclusion movement for health and wellness coaching. It's a great initiative and a step in the right direction. However, since health issues disproportionately affect people of color, I think it's an egregious oversight that representation was not built in when developing a governing body in the health and wellness industry. (One person of color out of 29 isn't diversity, it's tokenism.) It makes me question the entire process for how this organization was created, why it was created, who it was developed for, and how qualifying programs are selected. It seems incredibly elitist and like yet another system created to keep certain people in and others out.
Kind regards,
Shannon
I’m interested to see if they respond. (I would sincerely like to know if those programs are accepted). However, it’s ok if they don’t. I’m going to keep going because there is so much that I want to do to help people live the best life that they can. I know everything will work out exactly how it should.
Oh! Quickly…I might write another post about this, but here are some of the other things that I find concerning about the NBHWC: 1) The organization was co-founded by the owner of a health and wellness coaching program. Seems kinda like a conflict of interest and an easy way to select the criteria that most benefits you. 2) The board is made up of people from very specific types of programs. It seemed that everyone was an MD. Modern medicine clearly has a place in health and wellness. However, historically those from the medical field have been behind in the role of nutrition as well as other factors, on health and wellness. Maybe these board members have been into nutrition their whole lives…I still think it’s imperative to have other types of voices (like meditation experts) that champion different methodologies for optimal health to be a progressive health and wellness organization.