Health Coach Certifications by Roxana Soetebeer, MPHC, NNP, MHP, PFC
Health Coach Certifications
Sometimes, friendly members of Facebook groups ask me, "Are you a doctor or what?" I have to admit that I feel humbled that they value my opinion so highly; they think I hold a medical degree. Kidding aside, I respond, "I am not a medical doctor, but I am a Metabolic Health Practitioner." That and my other credentials usually impress the doubters enough to shut them up. But obviously, these credentials don't make me an expert on metabolic disease, and ironically, the same is true for medical doctors. What I can claim, though, is that I reversed several metabolic conditions, some of which are considered chronic progressive. Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease, which even has the word chronic in it. Read about my 4 year ketoversary here.
I'm often asked about my certifications. People see “Metabolic Health Practitioner” or “Master Primal Health Coach” and wonder if that’s where I learned how to reverse diabetes or coach others through addiction. The short answer is no ... and yes. I didn’t learn how to heal through formal training. I learned it by living it. What the certifications provided was the science behind why this worked and the tools to support others more effectively.
When I first started helping others, it drew from my own experience. I shared what I had done, what worked, and what didn’t. But over time, the questions got more complex. People wanted guidance around behaviour change, addiction patterns, emotional eating, or how to talk to their doctor. I realized I needed better tools to help people navigate those kinds of issues more effectively. I purchased a few courses on ketogenic nutrition to expand my knowledge. Then, a good friend introduced me to the Nutrition Network Pathway and the process of becoming a Metabolic Health Practitioner, and I fell in love with the idea. This certification would add letters after my name (MHP), which would lend me more credibility.
Metabolic Health Practitioner:
This program consists of several courses laid out here combined with CMHE credits (Continuous Metabolic Health Education), which are required to complete the Pathway as laid out by the Society of Metabolic Health Practitioners. The training covered science, coaching, ethics, the scope of practice, and a full toolbox to use in my daily practice. The courses mostly recorded video lectures or PowerPoint presentations. As a visual learner, I thrived on this format. There is no time limit on completing the courses. The accreditation as a Metabolic Health Practitioner comes from the Society of Metabolic Health Practitioners, which has helped me connect with a broader clinical community and validate the work I was already doing.
Nutrition Network Coach Practitioner:
This was a more interactive course. It included weekly Zoom sessions, peer interaction, essays, and a more in-depth exploration of the science and coaching skills. At the end, we submitted both a recorded coaching session and completed an oral exam. Our cohort became close. We’re still in contact years later. Nutrition Network Coach Practitioner
Watch for Black Friday sales for Nutrition Network courses. The discount is often 50%.
Primal Health Coach:
This course was divided into three sections: science, coaching, and business. There was no time limit, but I moved quickly because I was motivated. It provided a solid scientific foundation for low-carb, therapeutic carbohydrate restriction and ancestral health, along with coaching strategies you can apply right away. One recorded coaching session was required to pass. Primal Health Coach
Master Primal Health Coach:
This was the Advanced Coaching Expert (ACE) program. Combined with my Primal Health Coach certification, it allowed me to earn the “Master Primal Health Coach” title. It ran for 12 weeks, with two live Zoom sessions per week: one focused on theory and the other on practice. This course emphasized motivational interviewing and helped me refine my approach to supporting clients through resistance and relapse. Completing it also qualifies me to sit for the national board exam (NBC-HWC). Master Primal Health Coach
The Proper Human Diet Health Coaching Certification Program, developed with the proper human diet in mind, has it all. It is a six-month comprehensive program consisting of PHD and Ancestrally Based Living, Marketing and Sales, Coaching Skills, Business Ownership, and ongoing support after graduation. It covers everything to become a successful health coach. Proper Human Diet Health Coaching Certification
If you’re planning to coach professionally, I recommend getting trained. Especially if you’ll be working with people who are navigating years of chronic illness or addiction. Certifications don’t make you credible; your results do. But the knowledge acquired through the certification process makes you more effective. That said, if you’re trying to help a loved one or fix your own metabolic health, none of this is required. Much of the information is freely available online and easy to find. But good programs, like the ones offered by Nutrition Network and Primal Health, bring it all together in one place. No need to scour the internet.
One of the problems in this space is that people hide behind their titles. I’ve seen plenty of certified professionals who still give terrible advice, like “eat sugar in moderation.” A certificate doesn’t mean someone understands addiction, fear of change, or struggles. It doesn’t mean they’ve ever reversed anything themselves. I went through these programs after I already had results. The lived experience came first. However, the certifications added a wealth of knowledge and provided me with a comprehensive toolbox that I can use to help clients.
Even if you never plan to coach, some of these programs might still be worth it if you’re the kind of person who wants all the information in one place. The Nutrition Network program, for example, is well-organized and beginner-friendly. The Primal Health Coaching program is more technical in nature. However, both are useful if you prefer structured learning and want to gain more confidence in explaining these concepts to others, especially to skeptical family members or even doctors.
If you're thinking about enrolling, ask yourself what you're trying to get out of it. If you are looking for structured learning and in-depth understanding, great. If it’s credibility or permission to help others, rethink that. People respond more to your story, your outcomes, and your integrity than to titles. The piece of paper is optional. However, understanding the science, mastering the messaging, and knowing how to support someone through relapse or resistance takes real work, whether you’re certified or not.
I didn’t start this journey looking for credentials. I was looking for answers. The certifications came later, when I wanted to help more people, and help them better. They’re not required. But if you do get certified, make sure it adds to what you know, rather than replacing your experience. No one needs a title to tell the truth.
These programs aren’t cheap. Most of them cost several hundred to several thousand dollars. If you're investing in one, make sure you’re doing it for the right reason. The Primal Health Coach Institute now offers an All Access Pass that includes every current and future course, plus a lifetime license to use their Primal Pro software.
If you are a lifelong learner, go for it. Getting these certifications has been life-changing for me. Not because they gave me permission to help others, but because they helped me do it better.
Eat like it matters.
—Coach Roxana
Written by Roxana Soetebeer, MPHC, NNP, MHP, PFC
Published June 21st, 2025
If you're stuck and/or want to improve metabolic symptoms, or if you just need personal, face-to-face support, I run weekly Zoom group sessions through Patreon.
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You're welcome to join us if you need a place to meaningfully connect.
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