HCA Talks Health

Lifestyle Medicine in Schools | Dan Newman on Transforming Student Wellbeing | HCA Talks Health

Zena Le Roux

 Why are more children than ever struggling with anxiety, ADHD, and poor health — and what can schools do about it? In this episode of HCA Talks Health, we speak with Dan Newman, founder and CEO of Lifestyle First, who is on a mission to make health a priority in education.

A former PE teacher with over 20 years in education, Dan shares how he’s integrating Lifestyle Medicine and health coaching into school communities to improve attendance, wellbeing, and academic engagement. He reveals the environmental factors affecting children’s physical and mental health — from ultra-processed diets to reduced movement and family stress — and how his holistic approach is changing outcomes for students, staff, and parents.

🎧 In this episode, you’ll discover:

The six pillars of lifestyle medicine and how they fit into school life

How modern environments affect children’s health and behaviour

Why staff wellbeing is key to student success

Strategies to engage parents in creating healthier home environments

How Health Coaches can work within schools to drive cultural change

⏱ Timestamps:
0:00 Welcome & introduction to Dan Newman
1:00 Why Dan focuses on school communities
2:00 Changes in student fitness, coordination, and resilience
3:00 Rising anxiety, depression, and behavioural issues
6:30 The role of environment in children’s health challenges
7:00 Metabolic health, diet, and brain function in young people
10:00 Parent-child attachment and coping mechanisms
12:00 The impact of constant distraction on emotional regulation
13:00 Results from schools using this approach (attendance & wellbeing)
14:00 Why staff wellbeing must come first
16:00 Engaging parents in health education
18:00 Launching a PSHE curriculum based on lifestyle medicine
20:00 Applying the six pillars of lifestyle medicine in schools
22:00 Behaviour change through awareness and experimentation
24:00 Practical assignments like sleep trackers and lifestyle awards
26:00 Empowering students to take control of their health
30:00 Creating a culture shift within school communities
32:00 How health coaching fits into education
35:00 Training health coaches and teachers to work in schools
36:00 Models for health coaching in education settings
38:00 How to approach schools with health coaching services
39:00 The long-term value of lifestyle medicine in schools
40:00 Dan’s personal morning routine and active lifestyle
42:00 Inspiring others through role modelling
44:00 Final message for Health Coaches

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