Spend a few minutes with DFL Institute founder Robert Ferguson and discover how the certification works, what you'll learn, and how you can use your training to help others improve their health.

Spend a few minutes with DFL Institute founder Robert Ferguson and discover how the certification works, what you'll learn, and how you can use your training to help others improve their health.

Do I need to be a health or nutrition professional to enroll?
No. You do not need a background in nutrition, healthcare, or fitness. The certification takes you step by step through nutrition, the Diet Free Life methodology, and practical coaching skills so you can develop the knowledge and confidence to help others.

What certification will I earn?
After successfully completing the program requirements, you'll earn the Certified Nutrition, Health & Weight Loss Coach credential through the DFL Institute.

Your certification also trains and authorizes you to coach clients using the Diet Free Life methodology and its associated coaching framework and resources, subject to DFL Institute certification requirements and your appropriate professional scope of practice.

What makes this certification different from other nutrition and health coaching certifications?
One of the biggest differences is that you don't simply graduate with nutrition knowledge and a certificate.

As a Certified Nutrition, Health & Weight Loss Coach through the DFL Institute, you are trained and authorized to coach using the Diet Free Life methodology—an established, evidence-based program developed and refined over more than 30 years and applied in clinical and real-world settings.

Many people complete nutrition or health-coaching education and are then faced with another question:

“What program am I actually going to use with my clients?”

With DFL Institute, you're not starting from scratch. You receive an established methodology, coaching framework, practical training, tools, resources, and ongoing support to help you put what you've learned into action.

Don't just get certified. Get a methodology.

Is this a turnkey coaching opportunity?

That's one of the primary goals of the certification.

Rather than spending years trying to develop your own nutrition and weight-management program, DFL Institute gives you an established methodology and coaching system, practical tools, client resources, training, and mentorship designed to help you begin coaching within your appropriate scope of practice.

Learn the methodology. Become certified. Start coaching.

Will DFL Institute help me get my first clients?
Yes. Your certification includes built-in mentorship designed to help you move from becoming certified to actually coaching people.

We don't want you to finish your certification and be left asking, “Now what?”

As part of your mentorship, we'll help you develop a strategy for identifying, approaching, and enrolling your first five coaching clients. You'll learn practical ways to introduce your services, communicate your value, and begin building your coaching practice.

The goal is to help you put your certification to work and begin creating a potential return on your investment.

Client acquisition and income cannot be guaranteed and will depend on factors such as your effort, execution, pricing, market, and individual circumstances. What we can provide is the mentorship, strategy, tools, and support to help you get started.

Get Certified. Get Mentored. Start Coaching.

Is the certification online and self-paced?
Yes. The certification is online and designed to give you the flexibility to learn from virtually anywhere and progress through the training around your schedule.

What will I learn?
You'll study nutrition, Food as Medicine, metabolic health, weight management, behavior change, mindset, exercise and physical activity, coaching skills, and the Diet Free Life methodology—with an emphasis on turning what you learn into practical strategies you can use with real people.

Will I actually learn how to coach people?
Yes. That's an important distinction. This isn't simply a nutrition-information course.

You'll learn how to coach, communicate effectively with clients, apply the methodology, support behavior change, and help people turn knowledge into sustainable action.

How was the Diet Free Life methodology created?
The original concept behind the Diet Free Life methodology began in 1995, when founder Robert Ferguson set out to create a different approach to nutrition and weight management—one that gave people practical knowledge they could use in everyday life rather than another restrictive diet they would eventually stop following.

But the methodology didn't remain the same.

Over the past 30+ years, Diet Free Life has continued to evolve through research, real-world application, and contributions from professionals across multiple disciplines, including medical physicians, registered dietitians, clinical nutritionists, registered nurses, microbiologists, exercise and fitness professionals, and behavioral health experts.

The methodology has also been strengthened through real-world clinical experience, including successful clinical trials with Aetna in 2014–2015 and Wholemark Health in 2020.

Today, Diet Free Life integrates principles from nutritional science, exercise science, metabolic physiology, behavioral psychology, and coaching science into a practical methodology designed to help people improve their health, manage their weight, and create sustainable lifestyle change.

While the science and methodology have continued to evolve, the philosophy that started it all in 1995 remains:

Give people knowledge they can use for the rest of their lives—not another diet they eventually quit.

Is the Diet Free Life methodology evidence-based?
Yes. The Diet Free Life methodology incorporates established principles of nutrition, metabolic health, physical activity, weight management, and behavior change.

The methodology is designed to align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and recognized public-health recommendations and best practices, including guidance promoted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Does Diet Free Life have a history in professional fitness education?
Yes. Diet Free Life has been involved in professional fitness and nutrition education for decades.

The Diet Free Life methodology was offered as nutrition education to certified trainers and instructors through the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) before AFAA was acquired by the organization associated with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and before those organizations expanded their own nutrition-related courses and certifications.

Can I earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs)?
Yes. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) may be available for qualifying DFL Institute education, providing additional value for fitness, health, and wellness professionals who maintain certifications requiring continuing education.

What resources and support will I receive?
Your certification includes access to coaching tools, educational resources, client-support materials, Coach's Corner, ongoing education, mentorship, and the DFL coaching community.

Our goal isn't simply to help you complete a course and receive a certificate. It's to give you the knowledge, methodology, tools, resources, mentorship, and support to become an effective coach.

Can I start my own coaching business?
Yes. Your certification can prepare you to provide coaching services within your appropriate scope of practice.

Some graduates build their own coaching businesses, while others incorporate their training into an existing career, fitness or wellness practice, organization, ministry, corporate wellness program, or community.

Where can I use my DFL coaching certification?
There isn't just one path.

Depending on your professional qualifications, interests, role, and appropriate scope of practice, you may use your training for individual coaching, virtual coaching, fitness and wellness environments, community programs, workplace wellness initiatives, or as an additional service within an existing business or profession.

How much does the certification cost?
Current tuition and available payment options are provided on the enrollment page.

You can register immediately or schedule a free consultation if you'd like to speak with us before making your decision.

Still Have Questions?
We're here to help you determine whether becoming a Certified Nutrition, Health & Weight Loss Coach is the right next step for you.

BECOME A CERTIFIED COACH →
REGISTER NOW →
SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION →