Dr. Sandi Scheinbaum
Episode Description:
In this compelling conversation, Dr. Sandi Scheinbaum, founder of the Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach Institute, joins Pedram to discuss the transformative power of health coaching in our broken healthcare system. With over 50 years in the field and 5,000+ coaches trained worldwide, Dr. Sandi shares her journey from special education teacher to clinical psychologist to pioneering health coach educator.
The discussion explores how health coaching addresses the critical gaps in modern healthcare—from the loss of bedside manner to the rush of 7-minute appointments—by empowering individuals to take charge of their own health journey. Dr. Sandi reveals innovative approaches including whole-systems thinking, group coaching models, and the art of asking the right questions rather than prescribing one-size-fits-all solutions.
Listen to the episode on Spotify here or on your favorite podcast platform and check out the Urban Monk Academy here.
Podcast show notes:
Key Topics Covered
The Evolution of Healthcare
- The shift from community-based family medicine to impersonal acute care systems
- How modern healthcare has lost the art of listening and bedside manner
- The growing shortage of primary care physicians and its impact on patient care
The Health Coaching Revolution
- Why health coaches fill the critical gap between acute medical care and chronic disease management
- The difference between being told what to do vs. being guided to discover your own solutions
- How coaching addresses the whole person: psychology, nutrition, lifestyle, and social factors
Breaking the All-or-Nothing Mindset
- Understanding why “diet mentality” fails and creates cycles of shame
- Cognitive behavioral techniques for reframing failure and building on small wins
- The importance of data collection and celebrating incremental progress
The Power of Community
- Why group coaching models are both effective and affordable
- How loneliness has become an independent risk factor worse than smoking
- The healing power of peer support and social proof in behavior change
Innovative Healthcare Models
- Group medical visits that combine insurance billing with coaching support
- Scaling personalized care through community-based approaches
- Making health coaching accessible beyond one-on-one sessions
Notable Quotes
“It’s not about you as the coach, it is about that individual. It’s what are their beliefs, what do they want, and you ask the right questions.”
“The community then becomes the medicine and it is affordable.”
“There’s this real awakening where people are wanting to take charge of their health. And they are awakening to that there has to be a better way.”
“You coach by asking the right questions, asking things like what matters most to you.”
Resources Mentioned
- Book: “Your Health Coach Will See You Now” by Dr. Sandi Scheinbaum
- Website: functionalmedecinecoaching.org
- Instagram: @Dr.Sandi or @FunctionalMedCoach
- Training Program: Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach Institute (FMCA)
Affiliate Link
Health Coach Certification Training: If you’re interested in becoming a certified health coach through Dr. Sandi’s program, you can learn more here: Health Coach Certification Online | Functional Medicine Training
Guest Bio
Dr. Sandi Scheinbaum is a clinical psychologist, health coach educator, and founder of the Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach Institute. With a background spanning special education, clinical psychology, and functional medicine, she has trained over 5,000 health coaches worldwide. Dr. Sandi developed the health coaching curriculum for the Institute for Functional Medicine and is a leading advocate for integrative, whole-person healthcare approaches.
Connect with the Show
This episode highlights the urgent need for a more personalized, empowering approach to healthcare—one that honors the whole person rather than treating symptoms in isolation. As our healthcare system faces increasing challenges, health coaching emerges as a vital bridge between medical care and sustainable lifestyle transformation.
This episode is for educational purposes only and not intended as medical advice. Consult with qualified healthcare practitioners for personalized guidance.
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