“We have helped clients with some very difficult fertility struggles but we have also helped clients lose over 20lbs, beat anxiety, improve sleep, clear skin rashes – I really could go on because natural health truly is powerful!”

Collaboration in health coaching has the power to create lasting impact. Health coaching business partners, Samantha Harnish and Alyssa Burke, founders of Balanced Friends, prove this with their inspiring journey. Their partnership shows how shared goals can empower each other and their clients. In this blog, we will explore their success, how working together enhanced their practice, and how their clients have thrived as a result.

How Balanced Friends Started as Health Coaching Business Partners

Balanced Friends began unexpectedly. “We never intended to have a business – life organically pushed us into Balanced Friends,” shared Samantha and Alyssa. What started as a fun, health-focused Instagram page quickly evolved into a serious venture. Both dental hygienists, they faced personal health struggles that led them to explore holistic solutions.

Alyssa struggled with digestive issues for years, visiting numerous doctors without finding answers. After working with a naturopathic doctor and following the CBO protocol, her symptoms disappeared.

Samantha, inspired by Alyssa’s success, ran labs and discovered mold toxicity and nutritional deficiencies, which she also addressed. Disillusioned with the dental industry’s focus on sales rather than patient care, they knew they wanted a change.

After discovering Dr. Cabral’s teachings and completing their IHP Level 2 Certification at the Integrative Health Practitioner Institute (IHPI), they realized they had found their true calling. IHP allowed them to help others while building a business aligned with their values, and from there, Balanced Friends was born.

The Benefits of Partnering in a Health Coaching Business

Being health coaching business partners has brought countless benefits for Samantha and Alyssa. They often say, “I wouldn’t want to do this without you!” In addition, running a small business while raising toddlers is no easy feat, but their partnership lightens the load. “Balanced Friends has been a good distraction from the demands of motherhood,” they noted.

Their collaboration also provides a creative outlet that fuels their passion and allows them to support their clients more effectively. For example, their teamwork helps with brainstorming ideas, tackling tasks, and even hosting local community events. These events, which they view as “fun moms’ nights out,” are opportunities to share their passion for health and build connections with others.

Client Success Stories: The Power of Teamwork

The impact of being health coaching business partners extends beyond their partnership—it transforms their clients’ lives. For instance, Samantha and Alyssa shared, “We have helped clients with some very difficult fertility struggles but we have also helped clients lose over 20lbs, beat anxiety, improve sleep, clear skin rashes – I really could go on because natural health truly is powerful!”

Their combined knowledge has helped clients overcome significant health challenges, and their holistic approach has led to impressive results. Moreover, one particularly moving story involved a client who had experienced six miscarriages. After participating in their detox programs, she successfully gave birth to twins. The results speak for themselves.

Growing as Health Coaching Business Partners

The Balanced Friends duo has worked diligently to grow their practice. Initially, they focused on client referrals and expanding through word-of-mouth. Later, their dedication led to features on local news channels, magazine articles, and guest podcast appearances. Their community involvement included hosting health-focused events, which further established their reputation.

The education from IHPI equipped them with the tools needed for client success. “It’s so much more than handing clients supplements and sending them on their way,” they said. Their approach emphasizes removing toxicities and replenishing the body with essential nutrients. This comprehensive method has been crucial to their clients’ positive outcomes.

The Most Rewarding Aspect of Running Their Health Coaching Business

For Samantha and Alyssa, the most rewarding part of running their business is witnessing their clients’ wins. “Every positive pregnancy test or client win means everything to us. In fact, it helps us to know that we are exactly where we should be,” they shared. The joy of knowing they’ve made a difference in someone’s life keeps them motivated to continue their work.

Shifting Their Focus to Detoxification

Samantha and Alyssa made a significant shift in their business over the last year. That is to say, they transitioned from focusing primarily on fertility and women’s health to a broader emphasis on detoxification. “We used to focus primarily on fertility and women’s health, which we loved since it’s close to home. However, that niche felt too tight. Our community was asking us for more – so we have made the shift to detoxification.”

They now focus on all things toxins—how to avoid them and remove them from the body. “The journey will be different based on the individual, and thankfully we have the lab tests to thank for cutting through the fluff so we can see exactly what toxins a client is dealing with.”

Looking to the Future: Health Coaching Business Goals

As IHP Certified Health Coaches, Samantha and Alyssa’s goals remain focused on helping others. “Our main goal is to help people, and organically life seems to push us exactly where we need to be.” They aim to continue growing their practice, expanding their services, and supporting their clients’ journey to better health. “More than anything, we want to keep pushing the holistic healthcare movement so that everyone can have access to natural health."

Advice for Aspiring Health Coaches

Samantha and Alyssa believe being part of a supportive community, like the one at IHPI, is invaluable. For this purpose, they encourage aspiring health coaches to “seek a mentor to guide you and consider doing it with a friend.” The duo’s partnership highlights how having health coaching business partners can transform not only the way a business operates but also the results clients achieve.

Are you ready to follow in the footsteps of Samantha and Alyssa and build your health coaching career? Schedule a call with our admissions team to start your journey to becoming a Certified IHP Health Coach today.

Are you inspired by the journey of Samantha and Alyssa? Their story is just one example of how the Integrative Health Practitioner Institute empowers individuals to create impactful health coaching practices.

If you'd like to discover another transformative journey, we invite you to read about Ellen Savary Long’s experience in “A Health Transformation Journey with Ellen Savary Long.” Her story showcases the incredible potential of natural health solutions and the power of becoming an IHP Certified Health Coach.