Introduction: Sports coaches have unique roles given their career demands to optimize the physical health and sport performances of their athletes. Recent coach research has focused on the psychological aspects of the coaching profession, such as burnout, stress, and work/life balance. Research related to the physical health of coaches is scarce. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was administered in 2016 to swim coaches using snowball sampling. Information was obtained on years in coaching, location of coaches, former athlete status, and thoughts on the health and well-being of coaches. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS while qualitative data was analyzed using a 3-person coding team and MAXQDA software. Results: Most of the coaches identified as former athletes (98.7%). The majority of the sample coached in the United States (85.2%). Three themes arose from the question on health and well-being: 1) Lifestyle Medicine, 2) Coaching Environment, and 3) Coaching Beliefs. Discussion: Coaches identified a number of positive and negative health implications of being a coach. The expression of struggles with physical activity, nutrition, and sleep, highlights the unique perspective that just because someone was previously an athlete, does not mean they maintain those habits post-retirement. This also speaks to the demanding nature of the profession and the importance of resources, support, and time management. Baseline health statistics for the coaching profession need to be understood so programming and interventions can be developed, and so future coaches can make well-informed decisions about their profession and health behaviors.
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