Erika Jackson’s Post

Why Abetter? Coaching for health and wellbeing is inseparable from matters of community and justice. A field of coaching that is only empowering people with access to high-quality care and financial security is a field that risks widening the gap in health equity. I titled my coaching project “Abetter” to explicitly welcome people historically sidelined by traditional medical, political, religious, and corporate institutions. All people deserve to live a healthy, free, and joyful life. My project also explicitly calls in coaches who are passionate about large-scale impact, at the community, national, and global level alike. You are not alone. Speak truth to power. Let us organize. Coaches know that the highest forms of wellbeing, success, accomplishment, flourishing, and healthy relationships are all impossible without an environment that promotes autonomy and encourages people to get in touch with the unique way they experience intrinsic joy. Since before I developed the capacity to form memory, due to deeply-rooted and rampant gender bondage and policing, my innate expression of joy and wellbeing has been surveilled, analyzed, and punished. I was externally rewarded for making myself fit into a category and rewarded when I met certain behavioral expectations that did not align with my heart. Hoping to connect with other human beings, I learned to hide myself from even myself. To this day, I’m a monster in many people’s eye. In Florida, I’m legally considered a fraud. When I live relaxed, people perceive my movements as an act and a caricature. My existence is a scandal. They look for anything in the way I am to discredit my perspective. Finding young people like myself and supporting them embody joy is spun as sexual grooming. Feeling comfortable and finding a space for myself is seen as an aggressive encroaching on someone else’s space. “The number of anti-trans bills considered across the U.S. has broken records for four consecutive years. In 2023, the total number of bills considered surged more than three times the previous record. In 2024, we're already tracking 550 bills.” (From translegislation.com) Coaches are uniquely positioned to reach and empower marginalized and vulnerable communities. We are also uniquely positioned to advocate at a systemic level and support other players in changing the political and economic landscape to further public health and promote health equity. If you are a coach and my vision resonates with you, please get in touch. Amplify my reach. Give me a platform. And let me know how I can help you. We need to support each other.

My friend and colleague Michael Scholtz, MA, NBC-HWC, ICF-PCC and I are excited to announce details of a nature based retreat we'll be hosting later this year in beautiful Asheville, NC. We have 8 reservation spots. All are open to individuals or couples. The rooms are gorgeous, and all have a private bathroom. Our group will be between 8 and 16 participants, so space is super limited! We look forward to hosting a transformative gathering this August! Please spread the word! Registration details and more information here:

The dynamic world of ACLM's Member Interest Groups (MIGs) drive collaboration, innovation, and a sense of community within our organization. Learn how they work to foster a sense of belonging and how you can become involved in these member-led groups to help shape the future of lifestyle medicine. Read more on the ACLM blog: https://bit.ly/3xQjSPR #NationalVolunteerWeek

Here is the 4th installment in my Nature + Positivity Series. Today is all about Joy. I hope it helps brighten your day!

JOB ALERT! AMAZING OPPORTUNITY! Public Health Educator (Health Coach) @ New York City Health + Hospitals The Health Coach will be part of an interdisciplinary team in providing supportive coaching for patients in the Lifestyle Medicine program. The Health Coach will focus on behavior change and the pillars of lifestyle medicine: healthful plant-based diet, physical activity, sleep, stress reduction, social connections, and avoidance of risky substances, with special attention to sleep, stress reduction, physical activity and overall well-being. Offer regular individual follow-up via in-person and/or virtual meetings that may include goal-setting, meal planning, and motivational interviewing. Co-lead and assist in development of curricula for shared medical appointments (group sessions) focused on lifestyle change. For full description, and to apply, go to careers.nychhc.org and in the search box enter 104154.