Humber College’s Wellness Coaching Ontario Graduate Certificate program teaches students a skillset that benefits “anyone in any position,” according to Program Coordinator Noah Gentner. 

“Wellness coaches help people increase their self-awareness so they can intentionally live their life in a way that supports their well-being,” he said. 

It’s a helping profession, and it attracts people of all ages and experiences. 

Gentner has taught people who trained as psychologists and kinesiologists, experienced nurses, social workers and physiotherapists and many people shifting careers to the wellness space. 

“A lot of people think that wellness coaches are personal trainers or dietitians, but we’re very holistic in our view of things. We want people to be their best, but it also includes stress management, mindfulness and social relationships.” 

Wellness is as multidimensional as this year’s cohort.  

Doug McKeown worked in IT for 30 years before applying to the Wellness Coaching program, but he wasn’t new to wellness. He took courses in health and fitness for years. 

“I have longed to feed my passion to help people, but in a wellness environment,” he said. 

The program’s online delivery made learning more accessible for McKeown, who lives outside the Greater Toronto Area. He continues to work in addition to attending virtual classes. 

“I hope to coach other baby boomers on incorporating wellness into their retirement plans, no matter what their stage of life or health,” he said. 

When Chynna Ho-Young Cadogan came across the Wellness Coaching program, something clicked. 

She previously struggled with wellness after she suffered brain injuries from playing competitive sports, but once she did some research and made small changes, she learned how powerful it can be to invest in herself. 

“The courses are amazing and cover critical aspects to being a wellness coach while engaging the students into the experience of wellness coaching practices,” she said. 

“Wellness coaching can change your life and others.” 

Jasmine Bhangoo describes herself as “a girl who lifts weights and loves to be healthy and fit.” She wants to help other women struggling to manage their work stress and lifestyle, and those who have weight issues. 

“I have personally come across tons of females who have had stress due to not losing weight or not being able to fit into their favourite dresses,” said Bhangoo. 

Her goal is to build stress-busting mindfulness classes and programs in a traditional studio environment and outside, in beautiful natural settings. 

Bhangoo also holds a Masters of Biotechnology and works in Clinical Operations at the Region of Peel. 

Farid Yaghini is active in the mental health community and applied to the Wellness Coaching program to further support those he works with. 

“I am the chairperson for Camp Aftermath, a registered charity supporting veterans living with PTSD or experiencing mental health problems as a result of their duties,” said Yaghini. 

Camp Aftermath is a year-long program that includes volunteering, therapeutic activities and a one-year follow-up, aiming to provide participants with tools to manage their conditions. 

To learn more about Wellness Coaching, click here.