Holistic Coaching Explained: A Simple Guide For Beginners

Let’s talk about feeling stuck

Ever feel like something in your life is a little... off?

You’re doing all the right things - setting goals, practising positive thinking, maybe even making lifestyle changes - but something still doesn’t click.

It’s frustrating, right?

That’s where holistic coaching comes in. Instead of focusing on just one area of your life, it helps you look at the big picture - mind, body, emotions, and spirit. So you can feel more balanced, more in control, and more like yourself again.

So, what exactly is holistic coaching?

Think of your life like a puzzle.

If one piece is missing - whether it’s your emotional well-being, physical health, or sense of purpose - the whole thing just doesn’t feel right. Holistic coaching helps you put those pieces back together.

Unlike traditional coaching, which might zoom in on just your career or fitness goals, holistic coaching looks at how everything connects. Because let’s be real, your stress at work doesn’t just stay at work.

It spills into your relationships, your energy levels, - even your sleep. Holistic coaching helps you untangle that mess and get back to feeling good in all areas of life.

“The awareness and tools I have gained during our sessions have changed what I make things mean and how I show up with the people that mean the most to me in my life. I have been able to delve into aspects of my past that have shaped who I am, and create new stories and meaning for how they can serve me best today….”
Dan

What does holistic coaching cover?

You know that point you reach where your brain's running a million miles an hour, your body’s tired, and emotions... well, they’re all over the place?

Yeah. Dan’s been there…

He wanted to start holistic coaching because he was sick of getting in his own way. Time after time, he had the best of intentions but always seemed to find new ways to sabotage himself.

Holistic coaching looks at all of that — not just your mindset, but what’s going on with your body, your heart, and that deeper part of you that’s quietly asking, “Is this it?

Here’s how it breaks down:

Mind

That voice in your head that says, “I’m not doing enough”? Holistic coaching helps you spot that loop and learn how to shift it. It’s about building awareness, not just ‘thinking positive’.

Like: “Wait… I always panic when I get feedback. Why’s that?”

That awareness? It’s powerful.

Body

Stress doesn’t just live in your mind — it shows up in your body, too. Tight shoulders, gut flutters, exhaustion after doing… nothing. Coaching helps you tune in and reconnect with what your body’s trying to tell you.

“I thought I was just tired. Turns out, I’d been holding my breath all day.”

Emotions

We’ve all been taught to bottle it up, right? But emotions don’t disappear. Holistic coaching creates space for you to feel your stuff — safely, and without judgement.

Because crying in the shower isn’t a long-term strategy.

Spirit

Not in a woo-woo way, think of it like purpose. Fulfilment. That deep “this feels right” kind of knowing. Holistic coaching helps you get closer to that part of yourself.

You don’t have to go on a soul-searching retreat. But a little quiet can go a long way.

Everything’s connected. If stress keeps you up at night, you wake up exhausted. If you ignore your emotions, they build up and come out in ways you don’t expect.

Holistic coaching helps you get back in sync.

How holistic coaching actually works

So... what does a holistic coaching session look like?

Is it sitting cross-legged while someone reads your aura?

Nope. (Unless you’re into that.)

Most sessions feel more like a really good chat, but with purpose. You get space to be real, with a guide who asks the kind of questions that stop you in your tracks, and tools that actually help you shift.

Here’s a rough idea of what you can expect:

Clarity & Awareness

We start with what’s feeling off. What’s heavy? What you’re avoiding. But we also zoom in on what’s working, because hey, you’re not a total mess! You’ve got strengths, too.

“I feel stuck... but I’m not even sure why.”

That’s a great place to begin.

Experimentation

Part of the fun of holistic coaching is that we get to actually try things on for size to see how they fit - to test the experience. This is done through experimentation and while it can feel a little awkward at first, it is one method we use to demonstrate how the physical, mental and emotional aspects are connected.

Practical Tools

Depending on what’s going on, you might use:

Mindfulness (because being present is underrated)
Journaling prompts (not the cringe kind)
Breathwork or grounding exercises
Techniques to help release emotional tension

These aren’t band-aids. They’re the kind of tools you can carry with you for life.

Reflection & Action

You leave each session with small, doable steps, nothing overwhelming.

And the next time you meet, you reflect, adjust, and keep going.

Progress over perfection, always.

Real Talk

Holistic coaching isn’t therapy. You won’t be digging into deep childhood trauma, but it is more than just a productivity chat.

It’s about learning how to be in your life in a way that feels clear, connected, and sustainable. No pressure to perform.

Just honest growth, at your pace.

Why people love holistic coaching

You know what’s exhausting? Constantly trying to “fix” yourself with hacks and tips and systems... and still feeling stuck.

Holistic coaching isn’t about fixing. It’s about reconnecting.

Here’s what people say they get out of it:

Less stress & overwhelm, more breathing room

That feeling of being overwhelmed all the time? It eases. You learn how to respond, not just react.

More self-awareness

You start noticing your patterns. The ones that keep tripping you up. And then, here’s the good bit, you can actually change them.

Better relationships

Turns out, understanding yourself helps you understand other people too. Go figure.

Clearer decision making

No more spinning in circles over what to do next. You’ll get better at trusting your gut.

More energy & motivation to actually live your life

When your mind, body and emotions aren’t at war, things feel lighter.

A sense of purpose that actually feels like yours

Not what you’re “supposed” to do. What feels right for you.

“Rick has a great way of asking the right questions so that you can figure out the right answers for yourself. The life-changing thing about being coached this way is it immediately gives you the power to shift your own life rather than believing someone else will do it for you..”

Is holistic coaching for you?

Look, this stuff isn’t for everyone.

If you’re after a 3-step hack to become wildly productive before sunrise… holistic coaching might not be your vibe. But...

If you’ve been doing all the “right” things and still feel off…
If you’re tired of surface-level advice and want something that actually sticks…
If you’re craving a deeper kind of change — one that starts with understanding yourself, not fixing yourself...

Then yeah. Holistic coaching might be just what you need.

You’ll probably love it if:

You feel stuck or disconnected (even if everything looks fine on the outside)
You’ve read the books, done the courses, tried the apps… but something’s still missing
You want to look at your life as a whole — not just your career, not just your habits, but everything that makes you, you
You’re open to stuff like mindfulness, experimentation or exploring emotions (even if it feels a bit weird at first)

You might not love it if:

You want fast results without much reflection

You’re not into inner work or emotional exploration (which is totally fine — just not what this is about)

No shame either way. It’s about finding what actually supports you.

And if this feels like a maybe? That’s still worth exploring.

How to get started

So you're curious. Maybe a little unsure. Maybe a little “this sounds like something I need but... where do I even begin?”

You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight. In fact, please don’t.

Here’s where most people start — small, simple, no pressure.

Try a self-check-in

Grab a notebook (or open that notes app) and ask yourself:

What’s feeling out of sync lately?
Where am I just going through the motions?
Which part of me feels ignored — mind, body, emotions, or purpose?

No need to get it perfect. Just start the conversation with yourself.

Test a tool

Pick one thing and try it for a few days:

A five-minute journaling practice in the morning
A breathwork video on YouTube before bed
A quiet walk with no phone — just your thoughts

Notice how it feels. Not whether you “did it right” - just... What's changed?

Book a clarity session

Most holistic coaches (myself included) offer a free intro chat. It’s zero pressure. You get to see if we vibe, ask questions and talk about what’s been going on for you.

It’s not a sales pitch. It’s a “does this feel supportive?” kind of convo.

Final Thoughts

Holistic coaching isn’t about fixing you — because you’re not broken.

It’s about helping you reconnect with the parts of yourself that have been drowned out by the noise, the stress, the “shoulds”.

It’s about building a life that feels aligned. Not just successful.

If any of this has you nodding along or whispering “this is me,” maybe it’s time to take that next step.

Let’s chat - click here to reach out