In this episode of The Curious Cardiologist, Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj sits down with Sandra Scheinbaum, PhD, founder and CEO of the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy (FMCA), to explore why health coaching may be the most underutilized—and most powerful—tool in modern healthcare.
Together, they unpack the growing gap between what doctors say and what patients actually do, why behavior change is so difficult even when people know what’s “right,” and how trained health coaches dramatically improve outcomes for chronic disease, mental health, and lifestyle-related conditions.
Dr. Scheinbaum shares her journey from psychology and mind‑body medicine to founding FMCA, explains the science behind health coaching, and outlines how coaches integrate seamlessly into medical teams without replacing physicians. The conversation also tackles physician burnout, patient non‑adherence, Medicare reimbursement, and the future of collaborative care.
This episode is essential listening for clinicians, health system leaders, coaches, and anyone interested in sustainable health transformation.
Key Topics Covered
- Why the U.S. healthcare system struggles with outcomes despite record spending
- The communication gap between doctors and patients
- What health coaches actually do (and what they don’t)
- Why doctors are not trained to create behavior change
- The psychology of motivation, self‑efficacy, and lifestyle change
- Evidence and randomized trials supporting health coaching
- Health coaching for cardiometabolic disease, autoimmunity, mental health, and GLP‑1 users
- How health coaches reduce physician burnout
- Group coaching, community medicine, and peer support models
- Scope, certification, and avoiding “bad actors” in coaching
- Medicare reimbursement and collaborative care models
- Becoming a health coach: training, certification, and career paths
Episode Show Notes
Guest: Sandra Scheinbaum, PhD
Founder & CEO, Functional Medicine Coaching Academy
Certified through the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM)
What You’ll Learn
- Why knowledge alone doesn’t change behavior
- How health coaches increase adherence, outcomes, and patient satisfaction
- Why patients are often more honest with coaches than doctors
- The role of self‑efficacy in healing and long‑term health
- How lifestyle interventions can improve anxiety, depression, and quality of life
- Why community and accountability matter more than willpower
Memorable Quotes
- “Doctors diagnose. Coaches help people change when change is hard.”
- “Genes are not destiny—daily habits matter more than people realize.”
- “Health coaching doesn’t replace medicine; it completes it.”
Resources Mentioned
- Functional Medicine Coaching Academy: https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org
- National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC)
