DOES YOUR COACH?

Does your coach knock your socks off?

Every single time?

Being a great coach is complicated affair.

It is a formidable science.

And a beautiful art.

Now getting those two things in separate servings is one thing.

But getting them served up as a single gourmet option, is an entirely different dish.

I am of course talking about coaches that make a difference.

The coach that everyone remembers.

The one everyone talks about.

The one that brings in fresh air, that’s fun to hang around.

That’s the one who changes lives.

Now THAT’S a coach!

On the other hand, anyone can count your reps. That’s the easy part.

Even the guy who came last in class can be rightfully called a personal trainer.

Anyone can brag and bullshit – but few can toe the line.

In fact, right now, we have a record high in the industry of “coaches” I wouldn’t trust to guide me into tying my shoelaces.

I just heard a so called life coach today tell people they can get all the exercise they need by lifting those dandy little water bottles. No weights needed.

OK, I nearly had a damn aneurism right there!

Seriously man…what de fuque?

(That’s French for acrobatic aerial intercourse with rolling pastries…)

Why do you think the so called “fitness” industry is hurting the way it is?

Let’s be honest about it, shall we?

Because a lot – make that way too many – “fitpros” in the industry are so full of shit, they squelch when the walk.

And it’s killing a profession I hold dear and it’s making the good people in it – the dedicated ones, the ones that truly live for this – look like fools by association.

And I don’t want to look like an idiot just because Cheap PT Jack up the street chooses to be an imbecile.

So, talk is cheap. We should all know that by now.

Walking the walk is the hard part.

Because walking takes dedication, discipline and sacrifice.

And LOTS of time spent learning and applying the craft.

So, what is it all about?

It’s about knowing the game inside and out.

About loving it, living it, and doing it. Day in, day out.

Here are a few things that truly make a great coach.

#7 – A GOOD COACH NEEDS TO HAVE BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT

They need to have trained at high levels. Hit the workouts…HARD. Sweated blood and shed tears. Tried out nutrition programs personally. Tested supplements on themselves to see how they work and how they really feel.

How else can someone guide you properly if they have not lived it, breathed it and tasted it?

Case in point – how can you teach someone to squat properly, if you have not done it yourself to a very high degree?

Ah, yes, you can teach them to do it – only it will be pretty fucking badly.

I have seen that so many times, it’s just not funny.

I was myself a victim of an idiot coach in my earlier days.

So I know what it feels like to be screwed over.

And I would not wish that on anyone.

#6 – A GOOD COACH NEEDS TO BE HUNGRY FOR INFORMATION

Perenially hungry.

You never know enough. You have never learnt enough.

You can never lie back and bask in your supposed guru status.

Or worse, stoke your own fires, or blow your own trumpet.

Each day needs to be an involved learning experience.

And learning can come from different places.

It can come from books. It can come from seminars. It can come from mentors.

And it can come from the new guy who just walked into the gym for the first time ever.

Pride is no one’s friend.

You need to listen everywhere.

Because you are NEVER too good to listen.

#5 – A GOOD COACH NEEDS TO BE ENTHUSIASTIC

Enthusiasm generates positivity, and marks you out as a person to follow.

It helps breed fervour in your clients and makes you a reference point.

It makes you fun to be around, and it makes your listeners want to give the best of themselves.

It is how a winning mentality is generated.

Enthusiasm is the fire of success.

#4 – A GOOD COACH IS RESPECTFUL

They give everyone their needed space and their time.

They do not try to enforce their opinions, but rather offer them up for discussion and evaluation.

Respect is always paid forward first.

It is something that is earned and not asked for.

And if you deserve respect, it will come to you.

#3 – A GOOD COACH KNOWS WHEN IT’S TIME TO LISTEN AND WHEN IT’S TIME TO SHUT UP

Because listening can make all the difference in the world.

And unloading brings peace and a good shoulder brings solace.

So never miss out on a chance to listen to someone.

Or being there for anyone, even if it means you have to give up a little of your time.

You could be saving their life.

And I mean that in the most sincere of ways.

Never underestimate the power of lending an ear to someone.

#2 – A GOOD COACH NEEDS TO BLEED DISCIPLINE

It’s pretty dumbass if you can’t live by your own code, yet you expect others to adhere to it.

Talk about being a hypocrite.

Either have the discipline to show others how it’s done, or just get out of the kitchen

And out of the business too.

Just stop stinking the place up.

Which leads us to the next point, as a progression of discipline:

#1 – A GOOD COACH LEADS BY EXAMPLE

They practice what they preach.

This shows dedication. It is a mark of integrity.

And it provides a path for others to follow and someone to emulate.

It shows a good coach believes in what they do.

And they are prepared to pave the way for others to follow.

It’s about living it up, not just soaping it up.

AND YET…

With all that said, a truly life changing coach is so much more than that.

It’s true that these are some of the qualities of a good coach.

But there are so many more qualities that separate good from greatness.

It goes a lot deeper than just that.

A good coach does all the aforementioned points well.

A great coach also operates on an emotional and spiritual level.

They instinctively know that great physical performance and outstanding physical achievements (whether these be losing 10lbs or winning an Olympic event) can never be accomplished without emotional and spiritual peace.

And the focus of internal harmony.

And so, that becomes part of the holistic approach.

You need to be connected to your client on all three levels in order to bring out the best in them.

So let’s make a list, albeit an incomplete one, of some of the things a good coach needs to do.