Health Coaching in Startups: Insights With Neal Sundberg

Sep 09, 2025

Shownotes For Podcast Episode 22: Health Coaching in Startups: Insights With Neal Sundberg

In this insightful episode of the Health and Wellness Coach Journal Podcast, Dr. Jessica Singh interviews Neal Sundberg, NBC-HWC, CRC, a recognized leader in health and wellness coaching with over a decade of experience in mental health counseling, coaching, and healthcare innovation. Neal has played key roles at Ginger and Headspace, where he helped scale a 24/7 coaching platform from 500 to more than 8,000 weekly sessions—while enhancing outcomes and the overall member experience. Currently, he serves as Director of Coaching at Brightline, overseeing training and quality for Bright Life Kids, a program that offers free coaching to children aged 0 to 12 living in California. Neal is passionate about the power of coaching to transform the ways in which healthcare is delivered and is excited to talk about this here today.

Neal’s Journey To Becoming A Coach

Neal shares how his own struggles with mental health during his undergraduate studies set him on a new path. What began as an exploration in mental health counseling soon led him to discover the transformational impact of coaching work that emphasizes prevention, thriving, and accessibility over diagnoses and insurance barriers. This pivot helped him find alignment between his professional life and personal values.

Exploring Common Ground Between Coaching And Therapy And Understanding Their Differences

Drawing from his dual background, Neal explains how coaching and therapy share similarities with deep listening, partnership, and growth but differ in scope. Therapy often addresses clinical needs and diagnoses, while coaching focuses on performance, wellbeing, and moving from “surviving” to “thriving.” Neal highlights how coaching fills an important gap in proactive care.

Neal’s Insights On Coaching Leadership In A Start-Up Environment

Neal reflects on his journey from a frontline coach at Ginger to a director-level leader after the company merged with Headspace. He emphasizes how startup environments offer unique opportunities to step into leadership by identifying gaps, taking ownership, and proactively creating solutions. His advice to coaches seeking similar paths: be curious, entrepreneurial, and unafraid to offer your skills in new ways.

Neal’s Experience Coaching Kids

Now leading Bright Life Kids, Neal talks about the unique challenges and joys of coaching in pediatric contexts. For younger children, coaching often involves working with parents through evidence-based parent management training, equipping them with practical tools for behavior change and emotional support, highlighting that the ripple effect in families can create generational change.

Enhancing Coaching Impact Through Technology

From AI note-taking tools to virtual coaching accessibility, Neal shares his perspective on the role of technology in coaching’s future. While he acknowledges the fears around AI and automation, he stresses that human-to-human connection, empathy, and presence will always remain irreplaceable. Technology, he believes, should serve as an enabler helping coaches focus on coaching while expanding access to underserved communities.

Key Takeaways

Neal’s story is a reminder of how health coaching is evolving and how coaches can help shape its future. Whether through startups, pediatric coaching, or innovative uses of technology, the field is expanding in exciting directions. His journey highlights the importance of being proactive, embracing opportunities, and aligning your work with your values. For coaches and healthcare professionals, this episode underscores the transformative potential of coaching when it meets people where they are, whether in families, organizations, or broader healthcare systems.