Courtney Handeland,
NBC-HWC, CHES, CWP, RYT-200
A bit about me…
I love being active outdoors, exploring new places, savoring delicious food and beverages, and trying my hand at new hobbies (currently crocheting, and water color painting) — all of these are most enjoyable when I can do them with friends and family. My husband and I have been blessed with two beautiful girls and the most patient rescue dog.
“Cultivation to the mind is as necessary as food to the body.”
— Marcus Tullius Cicero
With over a decade of coaching experience and a background in wellness programming and presentation facilitation, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to my work. I love learning new things, and over the years have accumulated a number of professional credentials and have participated in many specialty training within each certification. Click the arrow on each certification below to learn more. As your coach I am mainly here to listen, but know that I am also able to provide education as requested.
National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBCHWC)
The esteemed NBC-HWC credential represents training, education, and assessment standards, allowing for the profession to advance in all aspects of health care and wellness. Individuals with the NBC-HWC credential have demonstrated a high level of knowledge, practical skills, and professionalism in the practice of health and wellness coaching. They have undergone rigorous training and assessment to meet the industry standards set by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching in partnership with the National Board of Medical Examiners.
As part of my continued training, some of my favorite courses have been on women’s health, menopause, and mindfulness & meditation.
Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)
The CHES® designation signifies that an individual who has met the required academic preparation qualifications, has successfully passed a competency-based examination, and who satisfies the continuing education requirement to maintain the national credential. NCHEC’s vision is to promote, improve, and protect the health of people through upholding the highest quality standards in health education certifications. The mission of NCHEC is to enhance the professional practice of Health Education by promoting and sustaining a credentialed body of Health Education Specialists.
Some of my favorite education courses for this certification have been on weight loss in menopause, understanding diabetes, deep dives on nutrition, and environmental sustainability. These training’s have aided in my ability to facilitate many successful programs, events and education initiatives over the years. Many of which were for local government groups and employees (County, City, and School District levels), as well as programs within my community.
Certified Wellness Practitioner (CWP)
The Certified Wellness Practitioner credential elevates professionals’ reputations, recognizes their competence in the five domains of the NWI Wellness Promotion Competency Model, and demonstrates their commitment to ongoing professional development and professional standards. The CWP credential is awarded to individuals from multiple disciplines and backgrounds, such as worksite wellness, coaching, public health, education, human resources, counseling, nutrition, social work, and more, who meet eligibility criteria and successfully complete the CWP certification examination. This certification is governed by The Wellness Alliance. The Wellness Alliance unites the strengths of the two most recognized and influential professional associations in the wellness industry: NWI and the Wellness Council of America (WELCOA). The Wellness Alliance elevates and empowers professionals so they may positively impact the health and well-being of individuals, workplaces and communities.
Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT – 200)
Yoga Alliance offers credentials for yoga providers that encourage quality teaching and inclusive yoga spaces.
Yoga Alliance Standards form the foundation of each credential and establish the ethical and educational framework for yoga providers globally. Credentials are granted to individuals and schools that meet these Standards and adhere to the Ethical Commitment. The shared Ethical Commitment unifies Registered Yoga Teachers (RYTs) and Registered Yoga Schools (RYSs) around shared principles to strengthen and uphold the highest ethical standards in yoga instruction to pursue progress towards a more equitable and harmonious community, where all individuals can find their place in a yoga practice. The 200 signifies the 200 hours of training I have completed as part of earning this credential.
One of my favorite training that I have completed as an RYT was a 30 hour course called MenoYoga – Yoga for Managing Menopause. This course was very insightful. I am feeling less fearful for the years ahead and more empowered. In this course I learned many strategies for combating and even preventing many of the common struggles women face in the years leading up to and following menopause.