David Younkins

Certified Health Coach in Richmond, VA

Note: Access to David and our team of health coaches is included in the cost of your PartnerMD membership.

David Younkins, Health Coach in Richmond, VA

Meet David

As a certified health coach in Richmond, VA, David Younkins combines exercise, nutrition coaching, and behavior change to help patients accomplish their goals.

With a master's degree in nutrition and a nutrition specialist certification from the American Nutrition Association, David is particularly knowledgeable about all things food and diet.

David’s passion is seeing how the relationships between the body’s different systems and parts affect how a person is feeling. He also has a special interest in pain science and how chronic pain and chronic disease tend to be connected.

David Younkins, a health coach at PartnerMD Richmond

David first became interested in health and wellness while studying at the University of Maryland.

"During college, I worked in a gym for a year and learned about muscles, joints, and exercise physiology, and I got hooked," he says. "I switched my major and finding new ways to help people move and feel better has been a passion ever since."

When working with patients, David likes to create something akin to a professional friendship. To establish goals, he often advocates what is called a toddler self-test.

"When you have a goal in mind, ask yourself WHY is this important," he says. "Ask yourself why enough times in a row, and you’ll discover the areas that most motivate you."

David believes one of his most important jobs is to teach patients how to change their behavior and sustain it. And that comes from personal experience.

"When I served in the Marine Corps, I became a smoker. I smoked for years," he says. "It was a struggle to quit. It took a change in environment, replacing a bad habit with a good one – jogging, and the support of loved ones, to stop. I know firsthand how hard meaningful change can be, and how many factors can help or hinder."

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"David provided some great recommendations to enhance my wellness from both a dietary and physical perspective. He really listened to my concerns and tailored his recommendations to my specific needs. Health coaches are such a great complement to the care provided by the wonderful doctors at PartnerMD." - Jean G, PartnerMD Patient

David's Credentials

Education
University of Maryland - Kinesiological Science (B.S.)
California University of Pennsylvania - Rehabilitation Sciences (M.S.)
Liberty University - Public Health and Nutrition (MPH)

Certifications & Training

American Nutrition Association - Certified Nutrition Specialist
Precision Nutrition - Level 1 Coach
National Academy of Sports Medicine - Corrective Exercise Specialist
Functional Movement Systems - Functional Movement Screen (Level 1), Selective Functional Movement Assessment (Level 1)
VA Board of Nursing - Licensed Massage Therapist
Rocktape - FMT Basic
Academy of Clinical Massage - Certificate in Orthopedic and Rehabilitative Massage

Health Coaching Philosophy

"There are many ways up the health mountain for you. Start with a path that seems easiest to manage, then watch your confidence propel you up those rockier trails."

Favorite Part About Being a Health Coach

"I enjoy seeing how patients improve their lives in many dimensions, beginning with small changes in their behavior."

Wellness Tip

"Through coaching, we can assist you in devising good systems and behaviors that can help you create new habits over time. Hitting your goals will follow!"

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Life Beyond Health Coaching

David has spent most of his life in Virginia and Maryland, growing up in Harrisonburg, VA; Hagerstown, MD; and Rockville, MD.

He moved to Richmond in 2013 for a job in health coaching at DuPont and hasn’t looked back.

He now lives in RVA with his wife, Angela; is active in his church and community; loves to read philosophy, science, and history; and plays guitar and piano. He is hoping to learn more drums.

"My wife and I also enjoy finding new places to hike to burn calories," he says. "And then new restaurants to try to replace them."

Get Started with Membership

Embrace a healthier lifestyle.

PartnerMD includes access to our health coaches in every membership. Your health coach works hand-in-hand with your physician to build a roadmap to better health and help you pursue it.

Complete the form to start the membership process. One of our membership experts will contact you within 2 business days to answer your questions.

Are you a current PartnerMD member? Call your local office and ask for a health coaching appointment to get started with your personal coach.

Melissa Gifford, PartnerMD membership expert

Here are three things you can expect during your first call.

We will answer all of your questions about concierge medicine and PartnerMD.
We will provide a full accounting of the cost of your membership and how payments work.
If necessary, we will help you schedule a free meet-and-greet with your potential new physician so you can get to know them more before you officially decide.

Embrace a healthier lifestyle.

PartnerMD includes access to our health coaches in every membership. Your health coach works hand-in-hand with your physician to build a roadmap to better health and help you pursue it.

Complete the form to start the membership process. One of our membership experts will contact you within 2 business days to answer your questions.

Are you a current PartnerMD member? Call your local office and ask for a health coaching appointment to get started with your personal coach.

Here are three things you can expect during your first call.

We will answer all of your questions about concierge medicine and PartnerMD.
We will provide a full accounting of the cost of your membership and how payments work.
If necessary, we will help you schedule a free meet-and-greet with your potential new physician so you can get to know them more before you officially decide.