"Things Your Coach is Doing Behind the Scenes"

I've shared another post from a friend here before. Heather is a Fitness Professional in Montreal. She posts some great stuff that I see on Linkdin, and she has done some awesome things in her 16-year career. Once again, I felt the need to share a post of hers, with my own little added comments and extras. I couldn't resist! Her words are bang on! 😉 This is a very real and raw post that spoke to me, because like our clients, we are humans too.

Without further adieu, here are "things that your coach is doing behind the scenes"...

"We spend more time thinking about your workouts than you do."

~ Heather McCurdy

Coach D's thoughts: Yep. This isn't a slight on our clients, this is just the reality. This is WHY we do what we do. We're weird that way. I had a conversation with my Nutritionist the other day about how we're taught to "not care more than the client does". However, most professionals will agree - that's an artform and experience in itself. We do what we do BECAUSE we care (sometimes too much). Good problem to continue to work on I think.

"We notice when something is off before you even say it - Your energy, your mood, posture.. everything."

~ Heather McCurdy

Coach D's thoughts:  When you spend a decade or more working with people on a personal level, with something as important as health and wellbeing, you intuitively become aware of these sorts of things. 100%. From my perspective in sharing this message, it hopefully comes across as a reminder that, as your coach/trainer/professional that YOU hired; WE SEE YOU. You have our support. And ideally, we hope to be that part of your day/week where you CAN feel a breath of fresh air (even just for a bit).

"We change your session on the spot when you walk in tired, stressed or overwhelmed."

~ Heather McCurdy

Coach D's thoughts:  I love that Heather mentioned this and this is certainly nothing new with my clients here at the studio. They know this. Often, it's our job to help our clients understand that it's OKAY to do that! You listening to your body and what it needs on a given day is going to benefit you WAY MORE than sticking to a plan "just because it's there". Teaching our clients TO LISTEN, ADAPT and BE FLEXIBLE in their health routines is what helps people build sustainable, realistic lifestyle habits.

"We remember your injuries, your fears and the exercises you secretly hate."

~ Heather McCurdy

Coach D's thoughts:  This is also why we keep notes. 😂 It also expresses the importance of client-coach communication and being open to talking about these things.

"We celebrate your tiny wins - The extra rep, heavier weight or just showing up. They are the wins that count the most."

~ Heather McCurdy

Coach D's thoughts:  This is my happy place. The feeling of pointing out something like this to a client that he/she would otherwise overlook is an incredible feeling for all involved

. It's also what keeps clients progressing and learning. Overtime, THEY begin to see these tiny wins themselves, and when THEY start calling them out, we (the professional) can't help but smile.

"We worry about you when you disappear or stop training."

~ Heather McCurdy

Coach D's thoughts:  Yep. That's been an element of my career that I continue to evolve. I enjoy working with people and connecting with people, especially on the health level. So when you lose touch, it's tough sometimes. It goes back to our first point; "This is why we do what we do ~ We care." That also puts a load on our systems too.

"We carry the emotional weight of our clients more than people realize. We are invested 110% in your wellbeing"

~ Heather McCurdy

Coach D's thoughts:  This is the BIG one from Heather's post. There's a wonderful woman named, Brenda Adams (CSEP-CEP) who's research and work is helping coaches with burnout in the profession. When you have several individuals, daily, coming in with different personalities, needs, stressors, ability levels, effort levels, attitude etc... all sharing stories (positive, negative, fun, draining etc)... It takes ALOT of you! There's WAY more understanding of this today for the professional's side than ever before, but it's still getting out there. How to balance the emotional load of working with clients, with your own wellbeing.

I've evolved a great deal from my now SIX burnouts in 25yrs and naturally much of that can transfer over to helping our clients better as well. Things like setting boundaries on work time / work related "stuff", letting yourself step away from your work at times each day, ensuring you and your health are a priority not just your client's health .... The wild part is, you learn this by jumping into the fire. We're not taught this in college/university. You learn through experience that there is a load on you and you NEED to learn tools and strategies to manage it.

"We plan workouts late at night, early mornings and in between our own life chaos"

~ Heather McCurdy

Coach D's thoughts:  This has certainly improved over time for me, but I was once there without question. Still doing so between "our own life chaos" for sure, I've learned a more balanced and manageable approach. That said, what I wanted to highlight here is the fact that when clients see us for a session, that's NOT the only thing we do for you. There is MORE work behind the scenes for each client based on their needs on any given week: programming, planning, communication, brainstorming, studying, researching etc... I compare it with playing music gigs. My Dad and I have played music locally for 11-years this year and it's the same concept; What you see when you see a live musician is only a SMALL part of the entire "job" or "process". No different than a doctor, massage therapist, physio etc.

"We're constantly learning because everyone is different"

~ Heather McCurdy

Coach D's thoughts:  100% bang on. And if your coach/trainer/professional you've hired stops learning... RUN! That's the JOY of what we do in my opinion and it's only become a stronger passion of mine the deeper I go. My learning continues to help evolve WHAT and HOW I do things with clients, while also helping me better learn how to work with people (which is also constantly evolving). The awesome part of our work is - You'll NEVER "know it all". Our physiology and health are so deep and complex, it's incredible! And THAT never gets old for me. As I was reminded in my most recent certifications; Coaching is a blend of science and art. I'll also add it's a blend of learning through study/research/reading and experience and doing.

"We're invested in your life, not just your fitness. It's never 'just another session' and your wins feel personal to us because we know how hard you've worked for them."

~ Heather McCurdy

Coach D's thoughts:  Heather says this perfectly. For my clients at Zenergy Health & Wellness, they know I'm invested in their life / lifestyle because that's the foundations of our coaching here. Fitness is a PART of the bigger picture. In the past, it WAS what I did with clients. But as experience, life and learning continue to evolve, so does my coaching and my passions which has lead me to the deep health model as my foundation in coaching others. I'll say it again too; This is why we do what we do - we care.

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When your coach/trainer has been "in the game" for a long time, that says something. I'm not trying to 'toot my own horn' but I'm damn proud that I'm still in the SAME career (with an always evolving approach) after so long. The Fitness & Health industry has a high turnover of folks who see the work as straight forward and "glamorous" (for lack of a better word); "Tell people to lift this and/or do that... they do it... I do my own exercise where I work.... and I go home". Whether you specialize in fitness itself or whether you go deeper into lifestyle, mindset and habits as I do now... it's WAY more than that (among other things such as GETTING clients and more importantly KEEPING clients).

Approximately 80% of Personal Trainers exit the industry in the first 2-years and I know THESE ARE MAJOR FACTORS. That's NOT counting your personality as a coach, ability to work with people, ability to coach people effectively, how well you balance the mental/emotional loads etc...

When you see professionals in the game for a decade or more, remember this post. Remember they are human too and it has NOT been a straightforward, smooth ride.

We ALL (clients and coaches) have our struggles, our ups and downs and our good days and bad days, weight on our shoulders from the load that life can bring...

And there is so much more going on than what a client sees for the 45-60min they spend with their Coach.