Nick Bates is a passionate chronic illness coach based in Norfolk, England. With a wealth of experience in supporting individuals with chronic conditions, Nick empowers clients to build resilience, set meaningful goals, and cultivate healthy habits. Through personalized coaching, Nick guides clients towards a balanced and fulfilling life despite health challenges.
Nick Bates, Mindset Coach specialising In Chronic Illness
How did your own experience with chronic illness inspire you to help others?
My experience with chronic illness greatly inspired me to help others. Born 11 weeks premature with chronic breathing issues, I spent much of my childhood in and out of hospitals, struggling to attend school and make friends. Despite numerous tests, my condition remained undiagnosed until I was older, leading to severe asthma and Tracheobronchomalacia (TBM).
In adulthood, my health issues affected my ability to maintain steady employment, forcing me to quit jobs that aggravated my condition. In 2019, a move to Norfolk brought me effective treatment from a supportive GP and specialised asthma team, transforming my outlook on managing chronic illness. Inspired by motivational speakers and driven by my journey, I trained as a life coach, becoming certified in August 2023.
In January 2024, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, adding another layer to my health challenges. My aim is to use my experiences to support and guide others with chronic illnesses, helping them find balance, resilience, and fulfilment despite their challenges. My journey has equipped me with the empathy and knowledge to make a meaningful impact on others' lives.
This personal journey of overcoming significant health challenges has given me the insight and compassion needed to effectively help others facing similar struggles, making me committed to making a positive difference in their lives.
What were the lowest points in your journey with chronic illness, and how did you find the strength to keep going?
The two lowest points that I can remember would be when I was diagnosed with Covid. I really didn't think I would be able to bounce back from that. But somehow I did, and secondly, when I had the operation for my Tracheobronchomalacia, I developed cellulitis, and I honestly had never felt so ill. It was my family that kept me going.
How did these experiences shape your perspective on life and your desire to help others?
You have to push forward. It is way too easy to think 'fuck it' and let all of these bad times and illnesses take control of your life. I have decided that I am not going to let my illnesses stop me from achieving something in my life and also I am determined to make my family and daughter proud. I realise I will never be as fit as others and I realise I have a hell of a lot getting in my way and trying to hold me back, illness-wise, but I am not a quitter and I will not give up!
How do you plan to translate your personal experiences into a supportive and effective coaching approach for your clients?
I am an accredited coach and I am also continuously looking at ways I can improve myself and help others.
Can you elaborate on the specific coaching techniques or modalities you employ to support clients with chronic illnesses?
As a chronic illness coach, I offer a personalised approach to help individuals find balance, peace, and satisfaction in their lives. My coaching focuses on overall well-being and is tailored to each client's needs. We work together to build healthy habits and set achievable goals, empowering clients to face life’s challenges confidently.
I help clients build resilience to manage setbacks and provide effective time management strategies to balance work, life, and health. Self-care is a priority in my coaching, and I support clients in developing routines that enhance their well-being. Rediscovering passions is another key aspect, bringing joy and motivation back into their lives.
Stress management techniques are included to promote peace and balance. My coaching is based on empathy and support, creating a safe space where clients feel valued and understood. By addressing emotional, physical, and social aspects of life, I help clients gain the tools they need to thrive despite obstacles.
How do you address the unique challenges faced by individuals with different types of chronic illnesses? Can you provide examples of how you adapt your coaching approach based on specific conditions?
The first thing I do with every new client is have a discovery call, in this discovery call we find out if we can work together, I find out as much as I can about the prospective client and see what I can do to help. If, for some reason, we are still unsure, we can always set up another call to go through everything in more detail, and this will also allow me to do research into their conditions so that I know more and also so I can figure out a few ways in which I can help. All of my coaching is specific to the person.
What do you see as the biggest challenges faced by people with chronic illnesses in terms of seeking support and managing their conditions?
I don't think that there is enough support out there for people with chronic illnesses. With so many chronic conditions little is known about them. Most of them there isn't a cure and all the doctors seem to do is tell you to get on with it as there isn't a cure. That doesn't help anyone, does it? I am not claiming I can cure your chronic illness, but I can guarantee that I can improve your health physically and mentally and improve your life from where you are currently.
How do you envision your coaching services making a difference in the lives of individuals with chronic illnesses, and what impact do you hope to have on the broader healthcare landscape?
I personally wouldn't be where I am without personal development and coaching. I have had 3 coaches so far and am looking forward to my 4th. I think we need to continually work on ourselves to make ourselves as good as we can. If it isn't helping me then it's to help others. My dream for the future is to create a supportive foundation that can work with healthcare professionals to get the voices of the chronically ill known.
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