There is no hard-and-fast rule of what differentiates a nudist from a naturist. But through my own experiences and education, I’ve come to learn nudism as being a fulltime nude lifestyle where naturism is more about regular nudity, often for the purposes of recreational activities, and often done in a natural or nature based setting.

It’s fairly simple. The coach and the client strip down to a state of undress that is at the client’s current comfort level. It can either be fully nude or partially nude. No one is ever required to be fully nude until they are comfortable doing so.

The main stipulation is that both coach and client be equally nude and, if virtual, showing equal amounts of ourselves on screen. This is because we are a team and neither person should feel as though they are more vulnerable than the other.

No. Nudism and naturism are the practices of nudity in a non-sexual way, so Beyond Bare follows that same principle. But clients are welcome to discuss and work on issues of sex and sexuality if that is their challenge or goal. We just cannot engage in physical sexual interaction with one another in order to maintain a proper code of conduct.

Please note that unintentional arousal can be a perfectly normal side effect of undressing with another person, even if the intent is not sexual. If an erection happens to pop up (so to speak), it is not a problem and nothing to be embarrassed about. It is part of the human body and we are here to honor that without shame.

Mostly. For legal reasons, the free consult session is done with clothing.

Since everyone’s experience with (and relationship to) nudism and naturism is different, I do not assume every client wants to be fully bare at all times. And if any client, for any reason, wants to retain some level of dress during a session, they have the right to do so. (Hey, we all have bad days.) Therefore, consent to the amount of undress is established at the beginning of sessions.

Please note that the initial intake session involves asking detailed and sensitive questions to better understand the Client’s needs and comfort levels, as well as to establish rapport and trust with one another. Some Clients may want to consider these aspects when deciding their preferred level of undress for this first session.

If you are not a nudist or are new to naturism, and would still be interested in coaching and wellness, then please feel free to check out my other practice First Brick: Gay+ Life Coaching, Counseling, and Wellness.

I will be happy to work with you through First Brick. And if, at any point, you would like to transition over to Beyond Bare, then that option is available to you upon your request.

Yes, nudist life coaching and wellness is legal since these types of counsel are non-clinical. This is why coaching does not require any type of licensure in order to practice. Unlike psychiatrists and therapists, coaches cannot diagnose or treat any mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc, and therefore do not hold any type of clinical advantages over the client.

Coaching is a collaborative process, meaning coach and client work together as equals in a teamwork format. Coaches do not have any type of clinical training that could have authority over clients, and clients are always in control of what is right and wrong for them.

But it's still important to note that life coaching is a professional service that typically occurs in a private and professional setting. So, it's essential to ensure that all activities adhere to ethical and legal standards. Beyond Bare adheres to such standards in the following ways:

Consent and Boundaries:

The key to legality in any coaching setting, including a nudist one, is informed and voluntary consent from all parties involved. Clients must be fully aware of the nature of the coaching sessions and agree to participate willingly at each session.

Privacy and Confidentiality:

Ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of coaching sessions is paramount. Legal frameworks often require coaches to protect the confidentiality of client information, regardless of the setting.

Non-Sexual Nature of Coaching:

Coaching is a professional service focused on personal development, and nudism/naturism is a lifestyle focused on participating in a state of nudity that is non-sexual. While clients may want to work on challenges or goals related to sexuality, any activities that could be interpreted as sexual in nature will not be permissible by either coach or client. *Note that unintentional arousal is a legitimate physical response as it can still happen accidentally without the intention of engaging in sexual conduct.

Consistency with Professional Standards:

Coaches must ensure that coaching practices align with professional standards and norms. Any unconventional coaching practice still needs to utilize the standard coaching models of the industries as well as the specialized standards and practices specific to our certifications.

Client Well-Being:

Legal considerations often revolve around ensuring the well-being of clients. If there are any indications that clients feel uncomfortable or coerced, the client retains the right to notify the coach and terminate service.

Even though we, as nudists and naturists, may be accustomed to socializing and interacting with others in the nude doesn’t mean we aren’t ever vulnerable. Sadly, there are people out there who will use the labels of nudist or naturist to push their ulterior motives. Therefore it is incredibly important for both the client and the coach to feel safe in every session.

While I can’t verify the safety of other potential clothing optional practices, Beyond Bare follows the coaching industry’s code of ethics that practitioners must adhere to. These codes typically emphasize maintaining professionalism, respecting boundaries, and ensuring the well-being of clients. Please see the previous section “Is nude life and wellness coaching legal?”

The first way in which I establish safety is to complete our initial consult with clothing. This is a time where we might discuss some sensitive information and, since no two people are alike, this is an opportunity to establish a sense of rapport and trust with one another, discover our comfort levels, and figure out our boundaries.

From there, in each session without clothing, measures are taken in order to make sure the client and coach are utilizing this unconventional practice in ways that adhere to the industry’s code of ethics while also adhering to privacy and confidentiality, and that neither coach or client are being coerced into something they are not comfortable with, and that we are working together as equals and neither are assuming a position of power over the other. More details on this can be discussed during the initial consult session.

As man who has a lot of background with the male experience, I prefer to primarily work where my expertise lies. But even though I am gay, I am not at all shy or uncomfortable with the female body (thanks to many years of being a naturist).

So, I am not opposed to working with female clients if the circumstances seem like they are a good fit. This is something we can determine together in the free consult session. Don’t hesitate to reach out if this format of coaching feels like it’d be truly beneficial for you.

I proudly received my certification from The Integrative Wellness Academy (IWA), which is currently the only life coaching program that utilizes a holistic and integrative approach. I also have additional certifications in fitness coaching and nutrition coaching from The Nutrition and Fitness Academy.

Being “unregulated” means that life coaches (unlike therapists) do not require a specific type of education or licensure. Therefore most legitimate coaches seek out certifications from highly reputable programs.

Some practitioners may state that coaching is a regulated industry by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). However, this claim is not accurate. A regulated industry requires a license to practice. Therefore, ICF does not and cannot provide any type of licensure. Rather, they have created a standard of curriculum for programs that seek their stamp of approval.

The ICF has strict rules that life coaches cannot use tools outside of the coaching norms. Since I work from a holistic and integrative approach, I choose not to seek ICF approval. But my coaching education and certification with IWA does meet their curriculum standards. My certification just goes above and beyond what ICF requires by using certain therapy based modalities in a non-clinical way.

The great thing about coaching is that no two sessions are alike. With my work, we begin with a comprehensive process to make sure we are looking at any issues or challenges from all possible angles. From there, we work together to hone in on what feels most significant to you, and start tackling it in ways that are personally tailored to your life.

Typically, coaching sessions are closed-ended (meaning only the intended topic/goal is discussed) where as therapy is open-ended (the client can come to table with whatever feels most important to them that week). My goal is to meet the client where they are at. I do not decide what is most important for them. They do. And so sessions can be either closed-ended or open-ended.

Coaching sessions are typically one hour and done on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. We can meet virtually or in-person (if you are located in or near Denver, CO). Because coaching is more action-oriented than therapy, we figure out action steps to take in between each sessions. Think of it like homework. Except, unlike high school geometry, this is stuff we actually would use in our daily lives.

Whether sessions are open-ended or closed-ended, the action steps are an incredibly important part of the process and your ability to find resolution. This is because true change does not just come from the insights, but from the choices and practices we make based on those insights. So, an investiment of both time and energy are necessary to move forward in your growth.