Top 10 Health and Sports Industry Leaders

Screenshot 2023 03 27 at 3.31.10 PM

Health and wellness coaches play a vital role in helping people achieve their fitness goals and lead healthier, happier lives. These coaches are passionate about helping their clients and work tirelessly to develop personalized plans and strategies that fit their individual needs.

In this article, we will explore the profiles of ten health and wellness coaches who are making a positive impact on their clients’ lives. Each of these coaches has a unique approach to coaching, but all share a commitment to empowering their clients to succeed.

From Coach Nicko’s focus on accountability to Ashley Dwyer’s inside-out approach to wellness, these coaches offer a range of services and strategies to help their clients achieve optimal health and wellness. Whether it’s through a holistic approach like Sofia Klof or a relationship-based approach like Nate Jackson, each coach has a unique philosophy that sets them apart. 

1. Coach Nicko

Screenshot 2023 03 27 at 3.28.23 PM

Plenty of fitness gurus will take on any client, even if they won’t benefit from their coaching. Not Coach Nicko. He and his team love to help ex-military personnel, healthcare professionals, business owners, and C-level executives lose unwanted body fat. But ultimately, the only requirement to become one of Nicko’s 1000+ healthier clients is a good work ethic.

That doesn’t mean Nicko won’t help you if you fall off track. In fact, accountability is one of his core principles. Alongside a discipline system familiar to ex-service people, he gives his clients a dedicated accountability coach who provides one-on-one support on nutrition and other aspects.

You shouldn’t ever fall behind with Nicko, though. His plans are constantly evolving for the client’s individual characteristics. In fitness, you’re only accountable to yourself, so you need a program tailored to you to achieve your desired results.

 2. Sofia Klof

Screenshot 2023 03 27 at 3.28.31 PM
Sofia is a Holistic Health Coach who specializes in gut health and founded “Sofia Klof Health Coaching”. Her passion is helping women with chronic health issues to heal holistically.

She has developed a 14-Day Detox Ebook and Guide to Wellness 2023 Planner to provide a step-by-step approach for her clients to reach their health goals.

Sofia’s personal experience with chronic migraines, hypothyroidism, and gut health problems drove her to take control of her health through lifestyle changes. When she did not receive much help from medical professionals, she decided to take matters into her own hands. Today, she empowers others to do the same and achieve their health goals with confidence.

Sofia’s coaching approach emphasizes the importance of addressing gut health, which is critical to overall well-being. With her guidance, her clients can make small changes that compound over time, resulting in significant improvements in their health and quality of life.

3. Nate Jackson

Screenshot 2023 03 27 at 3.28.54 PM

‘Relationship’ is a word often used in the world of coaching but not in fitness. Nate Jackson is the exception to the rule. He’s not just there to draw up workout routines or diet plans. He has a connection to his clients outside the gym, which helps them find success inside it.

Industry leaders have long separated wellness from traditional physical training. When leaving the corporate world to start a fitness company, Nate noticed an opportunity to change the community for the better. A relationship–based approach is not only beneficial for client outcomes, but it also helps him maintain high service standards.

Above all, he genuinely cares about the people he mentors, which makes improving their lifestyles a guarantee. Combining this holistic philosophy with tried-and-true motivation and planning techniques could bring about a new horizon in fitness. 

4. Ashley Dwyer

Screenshot 2023 03 27 at 3.28.58 PM

Ashley Dwyer is a powerhouse in the world of women’s health and wellness. As the CEO of TeamBDN Coaching, Ashley is the go-to professional for women looking to achieve weight loss and metabolic health goals. What sets Ashley apart from others is her commitment to taking an inside-out approach. She believes in fixing underlying health issues before working on the physical results. This approach has helped her clients achieve the best results in their lives.

With over 750 clients across the United States and around the world, Ashley’s expertise and experience have helped women achieve optimal health levels. She has even hired other coaches to join her team to help others achieve their passions for helping people.

Ashley’s 1-1 coaching includes a custom nutrition protocol using macros, fitness programming, community support, mindset work, behavior change, and emotional support via a Mental Health Coach. As a retired pharmacist, Ashley believes in a more functional and integrative approach to health and wellness, and her results speak for themselves. If you want to achieve your health goals, Ashley Dwyer is the person you need on your team.

5. Reena Vokoun

Screenshot 2023 03 27 at 3.29.13 PM

Reena Vokoun is the Founder and CEO of Passion Fit, a company that focuses on empowering women to achieve their personal and professional goals through wellness. With a background in business, communication, and health coaching, Reena has created a unique company that offers a range of products and services, including books, online courses, activewear, coaching, consulting, and more.

Passion Fit is distinguished by its dual focus on both consumer and corporate wellness. Reena’s holistic approach to wellness, blending Eastern and Western practices, is evident in the company’s offerings, which cater to individuals, companies, non-profits, universities, schools, and the media.

Reena’s achievements speak volumes about her commitment to her mission. She is an award-winning author of The Wellness-Empowered Woman™, a best-seller, and a TEDx speaker in Los Angeles, where she discussed “Why Wellness Is the Secret to Personal and Professional Success.”

Through Passion Fit, Reena has helped numerous people achieve their wellness goals and lead happier, healthier, and more productive lives. Her dedication and vision make her a thought leader and inspiration in the health, wellness, and fitness industry.

 6. Dr. Onyedikachi Ibeji

Screenshot 2023 03 27 at 3.29.18 PM

Dr. Onyedikachi Chigoziri Ibeji is a highly accomplished health and wellness professional with over 21 years of experience as a personal trainer. He is the founder of Onyx Fitness Therapy, a company that promotes holistic healing and utilizes fitness as therapy.

Dr. Onyedikachi is a veteran who served in the Iraq War and is passionate about working with the veteran community’s non-profit organizations, such as the 482nd EOD Family Foundation.

Onyx Fitness Therapy intends to establish a hand and upper extremity rehabilitation practice inside its gym, promoting a new “occupational fitness” concept.

Onye has trained thousands of clients, including bodybuilders, pro athletes, and law enforcement personnel. He has also created innovative fitness concepts such as Parkinson’s Boxing, the “Beach War,” and “Escape” events. Onyx Fitness Therapy is a Health Promotion company that promotes community programs by supporting outreach programs in the local and extended communities.

Dr. Onyedikachi’s biggest achievement is establishing Parkinson’s Boxing, which received national recognition and enabled healthcare companies to establish fitness programs in their facilities.

7. Gregory Shelnutt

Screenshot 2023 03 27 at 3.29.45 PM

Golf is a sport all about precision. So Gregory Shelnutt, Head Golf Coach at GreenLifeGolf, makes sure he adapts precisely to his players so they can reach their potential.

Many may pick up a club and, within an hour, feel like they aren’t right for the sport. But there’s a good chance they just haven’t been taught in a way that suits them. Gregory incorporates video analysis into his coaching for visual learners, while, for more practical players, he encourages the use of feedback stations.

Being a great leader means helping your pupils reach their potential. Gregory’s proudest achievement is taking a beginner to the sport and getting them into their high school varsity team in four months. It’s not about prestige for him, though. He just wants to see his players achieve their goals.

8. Nimisha Gandhi

Screenshot 2023 03 27 at 3.29.55 PM

Nimisha Gandhi is a well-respected nutritionist, researcher, educator, and community builder who founded Moon Cycle Nutrition. Her passion for preventative healthcare is evident in her work, which emphasizes the mind, body, and soul.

Nimisha combines ancient Ayurvedic principles with functional medicine nutrition to create personalized eating and lifestyle plans for her clients. Her work integrates ancient principles and modern science with 15 years of experience in clinical research and counseling in Ayurveda and functional nutrition.

Nimisha approaches each client with a holistic perspective of the person, mindful of their relationship to food, culture, and past experiences. Her empathetic, nurturing, and perceptive nature, combined with her deep knowledge of nutrition and health, allows her to create sustainable and lasting changes for her clients. In addition, Nimisha provides tools such as personalized meal plans, supplements, guided meditations, mindfulness activities, cycle syncing rituals, and sleep hygiene tips to equip her clients to take full accountability for their health journey.

Nimisha is also an educator, teaching online classes for schools and companies and regularly teaching nutrition and cooking classes to local schools. Her commitment to women’s health and school nutrition programs is a testament to her passion for preventative healthcare. Overall, Nimisha Gandhi is a leader in her field and a true inspiration to those seeking to improve their health and well-being. 

9. Elizabeth Colen

Screenshot 2023 03 27 at 3.30.03 PM

Elizabeth Colen, the CEO of Ms. FitOne Lifestyles, has discovered that achieving wellness is crucial for weight loss and overall health. Unlike rigid plans that offer temporary solutions, Elizabeth’s clients come to her for long-lasting wellness and vitality. If a slimmer physique is the outcome, it’s merely an added bonus.

Elizabeth’s formula for success, named ‘F.I.T.’- for Focus, Fitness, and Transform, can be followed through online courses. In addition to her coaching work, Elizabeth also shares her insight on TV, radio, and other platforms. Women who are unhappy with their bodies have achieved significant improvements in less than ten minutes of speaking to Elizabeth.

A 12-week course with Elizabeth can make a significant difference in achieving complete physical and mental betterment. By emphasizing the importance of overall wellness, Elizabeth helps her clients make sustainable lifestyle changes that lead to long-term health and happiness.

10. Yash Vardhan Swami

Screenshot 2023 03 27 at 3.30.20 PM

Yash Vardhan Swami, founder, and CEO of TrainedByYVS and Fitness Business Accelerator, has the answer to any fitness question. With a mission to be one of the first pioneers in the growing Indian fitness industry, Yash covers all the bases to help his clients achieve their personal and commercial fitness goals.

TrainedByYVS focuses on the mentalities that keep individuals stuck in unhealthy lifestyles, making their next diet their last. The program has helped over 4,000 clients lose weight and make positive lifestyle changes.

For those who share Yash’s enthusiasm for the emerging fitness market, Fitness Business Accelerator is an ideal choice. This program equips clients with the necessary tools to become pioneers in the fitness industry. It’s an excellent opportunity for fitness enthusiasts with an entrepreneurial spirit who need a mentor to reach their goal of generating six-figure revenue.

By combining his expertise in fitness and business, Yash helps individuals transform their lives and realize their potential in the dynamic and rapidly growing Indian fitness industry.

In conclusion, the world of health and wellness coaching is a diverse and ever-evolving field. From holistic approaches to relationship-based techniques, these six coaches have demonstrated their unique abilities to help clients achieve their health goals. They each bring a wealth of experience and expertise, and their passion for helping people improve their lives is evident in their work.

Whether you’re looking to lose weight, improve your gut health, or simply lead a happier, healthier life, there’s a coach out there for you.

So don’t be afraid to seek out the guidance and support you need to achieve your wellness goals. With the right coach by your side, anything is possible.

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.