From Doctor to Health Coach: Why I Do Both
- Dr. Gio Feliciano
- Apr 23
- 3 min read
Hello everyone, this is Gio here.
As many of you already know, I’m a medical doctor and a certified health and wellness coach. People often ask me about the difference between these two roles, and today I want to share more about what sets them apart—and how both have shaped how I serve my clients.
The Doctor’s Role: Diagnosing and Treating Symptoms
As a medical doctor, I listen to my patients' concerns about their symptoms.
For example, when I worked in urgent care, people came in because something was bothering them—like a sore throat, a headache, or body aches. Others came in because their blood pressure was too high, or they had an injury in their leg—and since they were diabetic, they were afraid of losing their limb.
In those situations, I would listen, perform a physical exam, maybe order labs, and provide the right treatment, usually including medication. That’s the medical side of care—and I truly enjoy it. I love being a doctor.
But in urgent care, the emergency room, or even a typical office visit, time is limited. Doctors often want to offer more support, but the system simply doesn't allow it. And what I’ve learned over time is that every patient has a deeper health story that needs more than just a few minutes to unfold.
Illness Often Has Deeper Roots
Some people get sick more often because they’re overwhelmed, anxious, or going through depression. Someone with high blood pressure may be eating a salty diet and not even know it. A diabetic patient might be eating too many refined carbs or saturated fats—not because they’re careless, but because they’re under stress and using food as a way to cope.
What I see clearly now is that illness often goes beyond what we can see in a quick visit. Many patients need more than a prescription—they need a lifestyle shift.
Chronic conditions are often linked to:
Stress and emotional strain
Disconnection from the body
Poor sleep habits
Inadequate nutrition
Lack of physical activity
Over time, these patterns weaken the body’s natural ability to restore balance and maintain wellness.
Health Coaching: Supporting the Whole Person
That’s where my work as a health and wellness coach comes in.
I'm not treating a disease—I'm supporting a person. People are not just a collection of symptoms. They're complex, whole beings with stories, emotions, habits, and dreams. And healing happens when we honor that wholeness.
As a coach, I offer something that traditional healthcare rarely allows: time, deep listening, and personalized support.
Together, we create a health plan that helps clients:
Manage blood pressure and diabetes
Build emotional resilience
Navigate stress, sadness, or depression
Strengthen physical, mental, and spiritual health
My goal is to help people go from surviving to living. To feel vibrant, confident, and supported—not just symptom-free.
Let’s Begin Your Wellness Journey
Live your best life. With personalized health plans and compassionate coaching, your life can truly be transformed.
Curious about how health coaching could support your goals? We’d love to tell you more.
👉 Apply here for a free discovery call to explore if this approach is the right fit for you.
🕒 We’re offering a special introductory rate, available only to the next three clients who sign up.
Don’t wait—your journey to lasting wellness can start today.
Reflection Questions
Take a few moments to pause and reflect:
🌀 How is your health right now?
🌀 How does your daily life impact your physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being?
🌀 What habits are currently supporting your health?
🌀 Is there anything you’ve been thinking about changing to feel better?
Comments