What does a vitality coach do? Here’s what to expect

A Vitality Coach. You’ve probably heard of the term before. Perhaps a colleague has worked with a vitality coach, or you’re considering such an intervention for an employee. But what exactly does a vitality coach do? And when does it make sense to bring one in?

At Capability, we believe in positive health: looking further and broader, focusing on what is possible. A vitality coach fits seamlessly with this approach. Rather than only taking a medical angle, we focus on a more human approach. Not waiting around, but taking action with high-quality interventions. Because attention always goes hand in hand with action. In this article, you’ll discover what a vitality coach does, how vitality coaching works, and what it can deliver for you and your organisation.

What do we mean by vitality?

Vitality is all about resilience, energy and motivation. It’s much more than simply being fit. It reflects someone’s overall outlook on life – physically, mentally and emotionally. A vital employee feels energised, engaged and balanced, both at work and beyond.

Yet vitality doesn’t come naturally to everyone. High workloads, personal worries, unhealthy lifestyle habits or a loss of control can easily throw someone off balance. You can’t always see it on the outside, but it often drains energy – and increases the risk of absence or burnout. That’s exactly where a vitality coach can make a difference.

What does a vitality coach actually do?

A vitality coach helps people regain their energy and take back control. The focus is on practical and personal coaching. A good vitality coach works with the employee to explore:

• What is going on right now?
• Where is energy leaking away?
• What are their personal goals and wishes?
• Which steps can be taken, both short- and long-term?

The coach always works in a solution-focused way. Sometimes that means finding a healthier work–life balance. Sometimes it’s about lifestyle changes, sleeping better, or learning to manage stress. And sometimes it’s simply about regaining grip on the day.

So what does a vitality coach do? They listen, ask questions, reflect and activate. The approach is entirely focused on attention and action – exactly what Capability stands for.

What does a Vitality Coaching Programme look like?

A Vitality Coaching Programme always starts with an intake. Together, we discuss the employee’s current situation, their needs, and the goals they want to achieve. This is followed by a series of coaching sessions (on average four to six), agreed with both the employee and the employer.

Every vitality coach we bring in (specialists from our sister organisation Adaptics) is carefully selected for their experience, empathy and effectiveness. Just as important: the match with the employee in question. Because vitality coaching only works if there’s a genuine connection.

A programme is always tailored, but often includes:

• Gaining insight into lifestyle, workload and energy drivers/drainers
• Working on behaviour patterns and limiting beliefs
• Concrete tools to regain control
• Positive behavioural change and sustainable choices

What are the benefits of vitality coaching?

A vitality coach doesn’t just help prevent absence – they also help employees enjoy their work with more energy and motivation. And that has a positive impact on the whole organisation.

Here’s what you can expect when you invest in vitality coaching:

• Reduced absence and faster reintegration
• Greater resilience and job satisfaction among employees
• Higher engagement and productivity
• Better self-awareness and healthier choices

Vitality coaching isn’t a luxury – it’s a smart investment. Especially in times where pressure, stress and mental health issues are on the rise.

Who is vitality coaching for?

The support of a vitality coach is valuable for employees who:

• Feel more tired than they’d like
• Struggle with setting or respecting boundaries
• Experience stress but are not (yet) on sick leave
• Want to build a healthier lifestyle
• Feel stuck at work or in their personal life
• Need support with personal development

Vitality coaching is also effective in absence prevention. By making adjustments early, you can prevent employees from dropping out altogether.

Capability: vitality with attention and action

We always look at the whole picture: the person behind the employee and the context of your organisation. That’s why we deliberately choose interventions that have a lasting effect. No quick fixes, but practical solutions that work both now and in the long run.

Our vitality coaches are part of a broader approach to employability and job satisfaction. Discover more about our way of working.

Ready to work with a vitality coach?

Get in touch with us. We’d be happy to explore which approach best suits both your employee and your organisation.

Read more about vitality coaching