Podcast Summary: The MSing Link, Episode 263
Title: Health Coaching for MS: Research Shows 85% Feel More Confident Managing Their Symptoms
Host: Dr. Gretchen Hawley, PT, DPT, MSCS
Guest: Amy Beheimer, NBC-HWC, PharmD, MS Advocate
Date: December 17, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode dives into the role and impact of health coaching for people living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Dr. Gretchen welcomes Amy Beheimer — a board-certified health and wellness coach specializing in autoimmune diseases, a Doctor of Pharmacy, and a person living with primary progressive MS for nearly 14 years. Together, they unpack the definition, purpose, and proven benefits of health coaching for chronic illnesses, especially MS. The conversation is grounded in the latest research, including a study by the National MS Society showing that 85% of participants felt more confident managing their MS symptoms after coaching.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Introduction to Amy’s Triple Perspective (02:09–03:51)
- Amy introduces herself:
- Nationally Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach for autoimmune disease.
- Doctor of Pharmacy, passionate about evidence-based medicine.
- Living with MS for nearly 14 years gives her first-hand understanding.
- Quote:
"I'm doing this work with everybody listening. And we're all human and we have a lot of similarities."
— Amy Beheimer [03:51]
2. What is Health Coaching, and Why Should We Care? (04:31–08:04)
- Dr. Gretchen prompts Amy to relate coaching to everyday experience.
- Amy uses the metaphor of a plane to Hawaii: Hawaii symbolizes health goals; the plane represents coaching, often overlooked but critical for reaching that "destination."
- Coaching is effective, research-based, and underutilized in health, unlike in business or sports.
- Quote:
"Health coaching or coaching in general as the plane...not one that we should overlook, not one that we should resist, but maybe even get excited about because it really is one of the most effective, underutilized."
— Amy Beheimer [05:28]
3. Types of Coaches and Credentials—What’s Legitimate? (08:04–11:50)
- Differentiation between health/wellness coaches (now nationally board certified) and life coaches (less regulation, variable rigor).
- Future vision: Board-certified coaches embedded in every physician’s office; currently, there’s a 17-year lag between research and standard medical practice adoption.
- Misconception: Believing one "should" manage alone is a major barrier.
- Quote:
"We're in that middle ground where people are still telling themselves over and over, I should be able to do this on my own. I shouldn't need help with this. And really, that's one of the biggest misconceptions and barriers to coaching."
— Amy Beheimer [09:55]
4. Coaching versus Therapy: What's the Difference? (14:48–17:32)
- Coaching helps clients learn about themselves, set and work toward forward-thinking goals, and gain actionable insights—often compared to therapy but focuses on forward progress rather than healing the past.
- Quote:
"Therapy can often be thought of as almost looking back...coaching is a lot of looking forward—a lot of 'Where am I going?'"
— Amy Beheimer [15:18]
5. The Science: Research Outcomes of Health Coaching for MS (17:32–26:32)
- Amy helped lead a National MS Society study of newly diagnosed MS patients:
- 6 months of one-on-one coaching
- Participants included those up to 8+ years into diagnosis
- Outcomes:
- 85% felt more confident managing MS
- Improved self-efficacy (belief in one’s ability to create positive change)
- Higher quality of life
- Self-efficacy explained:
"Imagine walking around all day with a little inner voice that's telling you you can do this and what you do matters."
— Amy Beheimer [20:52] - Higher self-efficacy links to lowered inflammation, improved immune function, making the effects far from “fluff.”
- Emotions create the foundation for habit change.
"Emotions create habit."
— Amy Beheimer quoting BJ Fogg, [22:18]
6. Further Evidence & Group Coaching Benefits (27:49–29:19)
- 2024 study (Journal of MS and Related Disorders): Lifestyle interventions + coaching improved cognition, decreased fatigue, and boosted confidence and fitness.
- It's not just about the content (diet, exercise), but how to implement change—coaching addresses this.
7. Finding the Right Coach: What to Look For (29:19–34:15)
- Key attributes:
- Relevant credentials (NBC-HWC preferred)
- Resonance/"vibe check"—spend time with the coach before deciding (consults, podcasts, classes).
- Experience working with similar issues.
- Client testimonials ("Amazon reviews" approach).
- Personalized, not generic, interventions.
- Community, group support, or interaction can amplify benefit.
- Clear, practical process that makes sense to YOU, not just expert dictation.
- Analogy:
"If you try one therapist...the same goes for a coach. If you have worked with a coach you didn't vibe with, don't throw out the whole profession."
— Amy Beheimer [29:58]
8. Common Barriers and Misconceptions (34:15–38:31)
- Top barriers: Perceived need to “do it alone,” cost, and time.
- Cost: Don’t see it as payment for the coach, but for your destination; research shows coaching saves money by improving outcomes.
- Time: No perfect time; integrating coaching into “real life” is more effective than waiting for a lull.
- Quote:
"We're not paying for the coach, we're paying for that destination. We're paying for where we're getting."
— Amy Beheimer [34:15]
- American Medical Association now supports the value and cost-savings of health coaching.
9. Insurance, HSAs, and Access (38:34–39:50)
- Coaching has a billing code, but insurance coverage is still rare.
- HSA and FSA accounts (pre-tax medical funds) can be used to pay board-certified coaches.
10. Working with Amy—Her Approach (40:07–42:37)
- Group coaching program: “The Club” (Club Habit Hub)
- Focus: Curriculum, live coaching, community, habit-building pillars, all designed to boost self-efficacy.
- Draws directly from proven research.
- Encourages enjoyment and sustainability ("health is an infinite game").
- How to learn more: Visit amybeheimercoaching.com/join or find her on Instagram at @amybeheimercoaching
- Free quiz available to help you identify your #1 habit.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Emotions create habit.” — Amy Beheimer quoting BJ Fogg [22:18]
- “Imagine walking around all day with a little inner voice that's telling you you can do this and what you do matters.” — Amy Beheimer [20:52]
- “Health coaching… is one of the most effective, underutilized [tools].” — Amy Beheimer [05:28]
- “We're not paying for the coach, we're paying for that destination.” — Amy Beheimer [34:15]
- “All of us watching also were like, oh, okay, I can see how that pertains to me and this goal that I'm working on. So it was really cool in that moment to see, like, I am sure right after that session she felt better and more clear.” — Dr. Gretchen Hawley [26:32]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 02:09 – Amy introduces her triple perspective
- 04:31 – Defining health coaching and the "Hawaii" metaphor
- 08:04 – Types of coaching and certifications (NBC-HWC)
- 14:48 – Coaching vs. therapy
- 17:32 – National MS Society coaching study overview
- 20:52 – Self-efficacy explained
- 22:18 – The science of emotion and habit formation
- 27:49 – Second research study—lifestyle intervention and coaching
- 29:19 – Choosing the right coach
- 34:15 – Barriers: self-sufficiency, cost, and time
- 38:34 – Insurance, HSA/FSA coverage
- 40:07 – Amy’s “Club” group coaching program details
Conclusion
Health coaching is an evidence-based, empowering tool to help people with MS (or other chronic illnesses) bridge the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it. With research supporting significant gains in confidence, quality of life, and the ability to manage symptoms, coaching is poised to become a standard part of holistic MS care. For best results, seek a certified coach who resonates with you, look for opportunities to use HSA/FSA funds, and consider coaching an investment in your own health “destination.”
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