Most plant-based coaches have an origin story. For Jennifer Ernst, MSCN, PN1 it started at 10 when her grandfather suffered a heart attack and the family decided to adopt healthier eating practices; that decision ultimately lead them toward plant-based living; they simply didn’t know it then!

Most of their meals were composed of homegrown produce. “We lived on a farm and grew vegetables,” recalls Leigh Anne. “Plus we kept chickens and cows!

As Ernst aged and moved further from her farm, she felt uncomfortable purchasing meat that wasn’t directly from it.

She had no issues with eating meat per se; it just felt wrong without knowing its source or method of production.

Scott Burgett, CSCS and PN1 officially decided to go vegan after watching a Netflix documentary.

He had been slowly moving towards a more plant-based lifestyle over the course of several years.

But after watching a documentary that revealed the tragic fate of male baby chickens used in egg production (they’re often killed after just one day since they can’t lay eggs), he knew it was time to switch over to a plant-based diet.

Ernst and Burgett have both become highly successful plant-based nutrition coaches. Their stories illustrate important moments in their lives where their values became impossible to ignore; that eventually put them on the path they’re on today.

If you are reading this article, chances are good that your story can relate.

But personal stories alone don’t always work in helping others alter their behavior. Accomplishing plant-based eating for yourself and helping other people do it are two distinct endeavors.

So we spoke with established coaches about becoming plant-based nutrition coaches, and how you too can assist clients benefiting from this way of eating.