Jessica Matthews, DBH, NBC-HWC, DipACLM, FACLM

Dr. Jessica Matthews is an award-winning educator and innovative curriculum designer having created and implemented graduate degree and professional certificate programs at several colleges in Southern California, including the Master of Science in Integrative Wellness program at Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) where she serves as Associate Professor and Program Director. Additionally Dr. Matthews serves as Director of Integrative Health Coaching at UC San Diego Health. There she spearheaded the establishment of health and wellness coaching services within clinical practice and research, to include assembling and supervising a team of national board certified health and wellness coaches (NBC-HWCs) in the Centers for Integrative Health.

A passionate advocate for lifestyle medicine and whole person health, Dr. Matthews serves as Vice Chair of The National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) and was among one of the first national board certified health and wellness coaches in the country. Additionally, she is board certified in lifestyle medicine (DipACLM) and also serves on the board of directors for the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM). In 2021, Dr. Matthews was named a Fellow of ACLM for outstanding achievement in the field of lifestyle medicine and exceptional dedication to advancing the organization’s mission.

With extensive professional experience, including as a wellness entrepreneur and co-creator of The Health and Well-Being Coaching Conference— the first dedicated professional conference for health and wellness coaches— Dr. Matthews is a highly sought after consultant, senior advisor and keynote speaker who for the last 15 years has regularly contributed as a health and wellness expert to numerous national media outlets, including, but not limited to, CNN, Women’s Health, NPR, and O, The Oprah Magazine. She has also authored and edited a number of academic textbooks, chapters and articles on topics ranging from health behavior change theory and health and wellness coaching skills, to stress management, mindfulness and happiness science. In 2019 Dr. Matthews delivered a TEDx talk titled “Reclaiming Wellness” and for her nearly two decades of leadership in the field of health and fitness, in 2017 she was honored as the IDEA Fitness Instructor of the Year—a top award recognizing superior instructional abilities and positive influence in the global health and fitness industry.