Course Description

The Primal Health Coach Certification Course provides the most in-depth and up-to-date ancestral health education in the world, equipping you with an arsenal of well-informed alternative choices based on science and experience in order to best serve your clients’ goals. Using the model of Integrative Health Coaching, rooted in developmental and humanistic psychology, we shape expert coaches into persuasive catalysts for behavior change.

The program is comprised of 20 comprehensive chapters based on evolutionary health science that teach you how to reprogram genes to direct optimal cellular function. Through text, video and audio, you’ll learn how to best coach clients toward lifelong functional fitness, efficient fat burning and moderated insulin production. You’ll discover how to break through weight loss plateaus and exercise for optimal health. You’ll gain a complete understanding of the best-to-worst spectrum of food choices and how to help clients implement lifestyle behaviors that support their health and wellness goals. You’ll strengthen the coach-client bond with a practical approach to securing clients, structuring sessions, asking questions, and motivating transformation.

To learn more about the Primal Health Coach Certification Course, including how to enroll, click here to subscribe and receive a free curriculum guidebook.

Course Instructors

Co-Founder and Instructor

Mark Sisson

Mark Sisson is a celebrated best-selling health and fitness author credited as the “godfather” of paleo/primal and a leading figure in the ancestral health community. He is a former world-class distance runner, triathlete and Ironman competitor, and coach to hundreds of professional athletes. An avid academic, Mark was a pre-med candidate and earned a biology degree from Williams College. He served for 15 years as chairman of the International Triathlon Union (ITU) Anti-Doping Commission and as the ITU’s liaison to the International Olympic Committee. He began sharing his vast nutrition science knowledge with the ancestral health community by way of his award-winning blog, Mark’s Daily Apple. Mark teamed up with other leading experts to create the Primal Health Coach Institute certification program, the world’s first coaching program based on the evolutionary health movement.

Senior Instructor

Erin Power

For 25 years, Erin Power balanced her full-time Marketing and Advertising career with a part-time career in the fitness industry as a trainer and fitness instructor. She made the leap to full-time health coaching in 2004, and in that time has helped over 600 individual clients find freedom from food fixation, and achieve an effortless relationship with food. These days she's one of the leaders at the helm of developing curriculum for Primal Health Coach Institute®, and supporting the business development efforts of our graduates. She's also the co-host of Health Coach Radio, the podcast by health coaches, for health coaches. Erin lives outside of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, on a hobby farm in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

Instructor

Christine Hassler

Christine Hassler is a world-renowned master coach, a best-selling author, keynote speaker, podcast and TV host who is committed to guiding people and organizations into their highest potential. She began supporting people as a life coach and speaker in 2004 after leaving her job as a successful Hollywood agent to pursue a life she could be passionate about. Her powerful combination of qualifications and life experience has made her a world-renowned master coach who can move people out of suffering and limitation, and into fulfillment. Christine holds Masters Degrees in Psychology and Consciousness, Health and Healing, and a Masters Degree in Spiritual Psychology.

Course Curriculum

  • 1

    Welcome!

    • Welcome from Mark Sisson and Erin Power

    • Course Overview

    • Building Your Business

    • Downloading Files Within the Course

    • Meet Your Faculty and Staff
  • 2

    Legal and Support

    • Important: Legal Matters

    • Disclaimer and Copyright Notice

    • Support
  • 3

    Announcements

    • Introduction

    • Announcements **Updated March 6, 2022

    • Upcoming Webinars
  • 4

    Educational Resources

    • Introduction

    • Ebooks

    • Audiobooks

    • Archived Webinars

    • The Council of Holistic Health Educators

    • Peer and Faculty Support & Connection via Facebook
  • 5

    Why Primal?

    • Introduction Video

    • Why PHCI?

    • Why Ancestral Health?
  • 6

    Chapter 1 - Yes, You Really Can Reprogram Your Genes

    • Introduction Video

    • Chapter Overview

    • Quick Facts

    • Genes 101

    • Gene Expression, Epigenetics, and Genetic Adaptation

    • Chronic/Systemic Inflammation

    • Chapter Summary and References

    • Coaching Your Clients

    • Chapter 1 Curriculum - Audio

    • Familial Genes - Audio Supplement

    • Genetic Diversity - Audio Supplement

    • Changing Habits - Audio Supplement

    • Chapter 1 Exam
  • 7

    Business Building Task #1: Your Story

    • Introduction Video

    • What's Your Story?

    • EXERCISE: Write Your Story
  • 8

    Chapter 2 - The Clues to Optimal Gene Expression Are Found in Evolution

    • Introduction Video

    • Chapter Overview

    • Quick Facts

    • The Primal Laws

    • Evolutionary Health

    • Primal Humans; Modern Humans; and Aging

    • Chapter Summary and References

    • Coaching Your Clients

    • Chapter 2 Curriculum - Audio

    • Primal Blueprint Laws - Audio Supplement

    • Neanderthal - Audio Supplement

    • Chapter 2 Exam
  • 9

    Business Building Task #2: Your Niche

    • Introduction Video

    • Who Will You Serve?

    • EXERCISE: Determine Your Niche
  • 10

    Chapter 3 - Your Body Prefers Burning Fat Over Carbohydrates

    • Introduction Video

    • Chapter Overview

    • Quick Facts

    • The Standard American Diet

    • Metabolic Flexibility

    • Fuel Partitioning

    • Glucose

    • Fat

    • Ketones

    • Recommended Macronutrient Intake Levels

    • Chapter Summary and References

    • Coaching Your Clients

    • Chapter 3 Curriculum - Audio

    • High Carb Consumption - Audio Supplement

    • Quality Over Quantity - Audio Supplement

    • Macronutrient Calculations - Audio Supplement

    • Chapter 3 Exam
  • 11

    Business Building Task #3: Your Unique Value Proposition

    • Introduction Video

    • Write Your Elevator Pitch

    • EXERCISE: Create Your Unique Value Proposition
  • 12

    Chapter 4 - 80 Percent of Your Body Composition Is Determined by How You Eat

    • Introduction Video

    • Chapter Overview

    • Quick Facts

    • Energy Balance Determines Body Composition

    • Hormones

    • Enzymes

    • Gut Health

    • Intermittent Fasting

    • The Carbohydrate Curve

    • The "Other Twenty Percent"

    • Chapter Summary and References

    • Coaching Your Clients

    • Chapter 4 Curriculum - Audio

    • Calories In, Calories Out - Audio Supplement

    • Hormone Optimization - Audio Supplement

    • Insulin Sensitivity - Audio Supplement

    • Alcohol - Audio Supplement

    • Intermittent Fasting - Audio Supplement

    • Fasting and Exercise - Audio Supplement

    • Carb Refueling - Audio Supplement

    • Diet Is the Gateway - Audio Supplement

    • Chapter 4 Exam
  • 13

    Business Building Task #4: Your Business Name

    • Introduction Video

    • Name Your Business

    • EXERCISE: Brainstorm Your Business Name
  • 14

    Chapter 5 - Grains Are Totally Unnecessary

    • Introduction Video

    • Chapter Overview

    • Quick Facts

    • Antinutrients

    • Predominant Dietary Sources of Antinutrients

    • Chapter Summary and References

    • Coaching Your Clients

    • Chapter 5 Curriculum - Audio

    • Viewing Health Matters in Isolation - Audio Supplement

    • Chapter 5 Exam
  • 15

    Business Building Task #5: Your Web Presence

    • Introduction Video

    • Search for, and Purchase, Your Web Domain

    • Build A Website

    • Website Best Practices

    • Connect Your Website to Your Domain

    • Connect Your Email Address to Your Website

    • BONUS: Online Scheduling Tools

    • BONUS: Online Forms

    • EXERCISE: Analyze Your Web Presence
  • 16

    Chapter 6 - Fat and Cholesterol Are Not Your Enemy

    • Introduction Video

    • Chapter Overview

    • Quick Facts

    • The Lipid Hypothesis

    • Heart Disease

    • Blood Testing

    • Statins

    • The Fat, Cholesterol, and Heart Disease Myth

    • Chapter Summary and References

    • Coaching Your Clients

    • Chapter 6 Curriculum - Audio

    • Chronic Stress - Audio Supplement

    • Opposing Beliefs - Audio Supplement

    • Chapter 6 Exam
  • 17

    Business Building Task #6: Your Product

    • Introduction Video

    • Brainstorm Your Product

    • EXERCISE: Brainstorm Your Product
  • 18

    Chapter 7 - Fitness is Built on a Foundation of Frequent, Low-Intensity Movement

    • Introduction Video

    • Chapter Overview

    • Quick Facts

    • Dangers of Sedentary Modern Life

    • Fitness Mythbusting: Chronic Cardio, Caloric Compensation, and Metabolic Rate

    • Aerobic Exercise

    • Heart Rate Zones

    • Chapter Summary and References

    • Coaching Your Clients

    • Chapter 7 Curriculum - Audio

    • Sedentary Patterns - Audio Supplement

    • Exercise Mentality - Audio Supplement

    • Chronic Cardio - Audio Supplement

    • HRV Monitoring - Audio Supplement

    • Chapter 7 Exam
  • 19

    Business Building Task #7: Your Pricing

    • Introduction Video

    • How Much Will You Charge?

    • EXERCISE: Brainstorm Your Pricing
  • 20

    Chapter 8 - Maximum Fitness Gains Can Be Made in Minimal Time

    • Introduction Video

    • Chapter Overview

    • Quick Facts

    • Functional Fitness

    • High-Intensity Fitness

    • Nutritional Considerations for Exercise

    • Exercise and Longevity

    • Play

    • Recovery

    • Chapter Summary and References

    • Coaching Your Clients

    • Chapter 8 Curriculum - Audio

    • Resistance Training - Core Curriculum Audio Supplement

    • Focus on Quality - Core Curriculum Audio Supplement

    • Fasting and Exercise - Core Curriculum Audio Supplement

    • Chapter 8 Exam
  • 21

    Business Building Task #8: Payment Systems

    • Introduction Video

    • Set Up a Payment System

    • EXERCISE: Research Payment Systems
  • 22

    Chapter 9 - Eliminate SAD Foods

    • Introduction Video

    • Chapter Overview

    • Quick Facts

    • Pantry Purge Priorities

    • Fats and Oils

    • Sweets

    • Grains

    • Legumes

    • Hyper-processed Foods

    • Condiments

    • Beverages

    • Dairy Products

    • Fish and Seafood

    • Meat

    • Potatoes

    • Conducting Your Pantry Purge

    • Chapter Summary and References

    • Coaching Your Clients

    • Chapter 9 Curriculum - Audio

    • Chapter 9 Exam
  • 23

    Business Building Task #9: The Customer Experience

    • Introduction Video

    • What Is the Customer Experience?

    • EXERCISE: Perfect the Customer Experience
  • 24

    Chapter 10 - Choose (The Best) Primal Foods

    • Introduction Video

    • Chapter Overview

    • Quick Facts

    • Kitchen Restock

    • Shopping for Produce

    • Herbs and Spices

    • Meat and Poultry

    • Seafood

    • Eggs

    • Nuts, Seeds, and Derivative Butters

    • Healthy Fats and Oils

    • Beverages

    • Dairy

    • Dark Chocolate

    • Alcohol

    • Supplements

    • Chapter Summary and References

    • Coaching Your Clients

    • Chapter 10 Curriculum - Audio

    • Chapter 10 Exam
  • 25

    Business Building Task #10: Liability

    • Introduction Video

    • Protect Yourself from Liability

    • EXERCISE: Practice Writing Your Client Agreement
  • 26

    Chapter 11 - Shop, Cook, and Dine Primally

    • Introduction Video

    • Chapter Overview

    • Quick Facts

    • Practical Considerations for Eating Primally

    • Strategies for Buying Food

    • Strategies for Cooking, and Eating (and Drinking) at Home

    • Strategies for Dining Out

    • Cultivating a Successful Approach

    • Chapter Summary

    • Coaching Your Clients

    • Chapter 11 Curriculum - Audio

    • Chapter 11 Exam
  • 27

    Business Building Task #11: Setting Up your Business

    • Introduction Video

    • Business Setup Options

    • EXERCISE: Determine Which Business Type Is Best
  • 28

    Chapter 12 - Exercise Primally: Move, Lift, and Sprint!

    • Introduction Video

    • Chapter Overview

    • Quick Facts

    • Primal Fitness

    • Move Frequently

    • Lift Heavy Things

    • Sprint

    • Chapter Summary and References

    • Coaching Your Clients

    • Chapter 12 Curriculum - Audio

    • Chapter 12 Exam
  • 29

    Business Building Task #12: Uncovering Your Brand

    • Introduction Video

    • Branding Basics

    • Content

    • Email Marketing

    • Social Media

    • PHCI-Supported Marketing Channels

    • STATE OF THE UNION: Business Analysis
  • 30

    Chapter 13 - Primal Lifestyle

    • Introduction Video

    • Chapter Overview

    • Quick Facts

    • Diet

    • Exercise

    • Work

    • Sleep

    • Social Connections

    • Play

    • Nature

    • Sunlight

    • Slow Life Down

    • Chapter Summary and References

    • Coaching Your Clients

    • Chapter 13 Curriculum - Audio

    • Chapter 13 Exam
  • 31

    Business Building Task #13: Putting Yourself Out There

    • Content Creation 101: Microblogging

    • Content Ideation

    • Content Calendar

    • Exercise: Create and Post Content
  • 32

    Chapter 14 - Scope of Practice

    • Disclaimer

    • Introduction Video

    • Defining Your Value as a Health Coach

    • Scope of Practice

    • What Can Health Coaches Say and Do

    • How to Operate as a Health Coach Without Giving Individualized Nutrition Advice

    • Health Coaches and Lab Testing

    • Consult with a Lawyer

    • Publish Your Terms, Conditions, and Waiver

    • Have a Client Agreement

    • Chapter 14 Curriculum - Audio

    • Chapter 14 Exam
  • 33

    Business Building Task #14: Understanding Your Scope

    • Regional Regulations

    • WORKSHEET: Scope of Practice
  • 34

    Chapter 15 - Coaching Foundations

    • What Is Health Coaching?

    • The Primal Health Coach Model

    • Your Secret Sauce: What Kind of Coach Are You?

    • Discover Your Secret Sauce

    • Code of Ethics

    • Professional Conduct

    • The Illness-Wellness Continuum

    • Chapter Summary

    • Chapter 15 Curriculum - Audio

    • Chapter 15 Exam
  • 35

    Coaching Practicum #1: Reframing Imposter Syndrome

    • Imposter Syndrome

    • Reframing

    • Practicum: Reframing Imposter Syndrome
  • 36

    Chapter 16 - The Art & Science of Health Coaching

    • The Client-Centered Coaching Relationship

    • The Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change)

    • Self-Determination Theory

    • Social Cognitive Theory

    • Motivational Interviewing

    • Active Listening and Reflection

    • Goal-Setting

    • Accountability and Compliance

    • Goal-Setting Summary: Assess Client Confidence and Identify Barriers

    • Chapter Summary

    • Chapter 16 Curriculum - Audio

    • Chapter 16 Exam
  • 37

    Coaching Practicum #2: Coaching Role-Play

    • The Three-Way Coaching Role-Play

    • Peer-to-Peer Practicum: Coaching Role-Play
  • 38

    Chapter 17 - Advanced Coaching Layers

    • Chapter Overview

    • Introduction

    • Introduction - Audio Supplement

    • Coaching Best Practices

    • Coaching Best Practices

    • Coaching Best Practices - Audio Supplement

    • The Emotional Layer

    • Working with Clients on an Emotional Level

    • Working with Clients on an Emotional Level - Audio Supplement

    • The Behavioral Layer

    • Working with Clients on a Behavioral Level

    • Working with Clients on a Behavioral Level - Audio Supplement

    • The Mental Layer

    • Working with Clients on a Mental Level

    • Working with Clients on a Mental Level - Audio Supplement

    • The Spiritual Layer

    • Working with Clients on the Spiritual Level

    • Working with Clients on a Spiritual Level - Audio Supplement

    • The Relationship Layer

    • Working with Clients on Their Relationships

    • Working with Clients on Their Relationships - Audio Supplement

    • Chapter 17 Curriculum - Audio

    • COACHING DEMO(s): Primal Health Coaching Conversations

    • Chapter 17 Exam
  • 39

    Coaching Practicum #3: Case Studies

    • Introduction

    • Case Study #1: Sarah

    • Case Study #2: Heather

    • Case Study #3: David

    • Case Study #4: Diana

    • Practicum: Case Studies
  • 40

    Chapter 18 - The Business of Health Coaching: Programming

    • Chapter Overview

    • Coaching Formats

    • Recommendation: Begin with One-on-One Coaching

    • CASE STUDY: Beginning with One-on-One, then Scaling to Group Coaching

    • Use Short-Duration Challenges to Leverage Your Individual Program

    • CASE STUDY: Using a Short-Duration Challenge to Convert One-on-One Clients

    • The 12-Week Primal Health Coaching Program Flow

    • On-Boarding Your New One-on-One Client

    • Intake

    • After Intake: Session One

    • Bi-Weekly Education Sessions

    • Weekly Check-In

    • Coaching Conversations

    • Additional Coaching Tools

    • Tracking Progress: Successes and Struggles

    • Common Client Concerns

    • Get Ready to Graduate Your Client

    • Program Completion

    • DEMO: A 12-Week Primal Health Coaching Relationship

    • PROGRAMMING SUPPORT MATERIALS: The 12-Week Primal Health Coaching Program

    • PROGRAMMING SUPPORT MATERIALS: 21-Day Primal Challenge

    • Chapter 18 Curriculum - Audio

    • Chapter 18 Exam
  • 41

    Business Development Project #1: Develop Your Signature Program

    • Define Your Product

    • Sell Your Product

    • Copywrite Your Sales Page
  • 42

    Chapter 19 - The Business of Health Coaching: Marketing

    • Introduction to Small Business Marketing

    • Build Your Marketing Plan

    • Client Generation Blueprint

    • Inbound Marketing: Help Clients Find YOU

    • ATTRACT: Content Marketing

    • CONVERT: Build an Irresistible Website

    • CONVERT: How to Build a Website and Blog in WordPress [TUTORIAL]

    • CONVERT: Turn Traffic into Leads

    • CONVERT: How to Create an eBook [TUTORIAL]

    • CONVERT: Sample eBook

    • CONVERT: Nurture Leads with Automated Email

    • CLOSE: Set up an Autoresponder Sequence with MailChimp [TUTORIAL]

    • CLOSE: Set up an Autoresponder Sequence with Keap [TUTORIAL]

    • CLOSE: Email Examples

    • CLOSE: Making the Sale

    • DELIGHT: Impress Your Clients and Earn Referral Business

    • Marketing Glossary

    • How, When, and What to Outsource

    • Chapter Summary

    • Chapter 19 Curriculum - Audio

    • Chapter 19 Exam
  • 43

    Business Development Project #2 - Produce a 90-Day Marketing Plan

    • The 90-Day Marketing Plan

    • WORKSHEET: The 90-Day Marketing Plan
  • 44

    Chapter 20 - The Business of Health Coaching: Discovery, Sales, Enrollment, and On-boarding

    • Chapter Overview

    • Sales Isn't Scary

    • Sales Isn't Scary - Audio Supplement

    • Sales and Your Money Mindset

    • Sales Starts with Authentic Engagement

    • Sales Starts with Authentic Engagement - Audio Supplement

    • Practicing Authentic Engagement

    • Discovery: Securing Clients

    • Steps for the Discovery and Enrollment Conversation

    • Steps for the Discovery and Enrollment Conversation - Audio Supplement

    • Steps for the Discovery and Enrollment Conversation

    • Pricing: What to Charge?

    • Pricing - Audio Supplement

    • Objections Are Coachable Moments

    • Objections Are Coachable Moments - Audio

    • Turning a NO or a MAYBE into a YES

    • It's a YES: Now You're a Coach

    • Chapter Summary

    • Chapter 20 Curriculum - Audio

    • Chapter 20 Exam
  • 45

    Business Development Project #3: Create an Enrollment Framework

    • A Framework for the Discovery Call

    • Video Supplement: Sales Is Just a Conversation, with Laura Rupsis

    • WORKSHEET: Build Your Sales Framework for the Discovery Call
  • 46

    FINAL EXAM

    • Primal Health Coach Institute Final Exam

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