What IS Coaching—And Why It Matters for Maximizing YOUR POTENTIAL
No seriously…WHAT IS COACHING?
The use of the word coach and coaching seem to be everywhere at the moment. And, honestly I won’t split hairs on how it’s being used so much as I’ll invite you into a new and meaningful understanding.
Because well, I have a confession to make…seriously. A number of years ago when I started out as a personal trainer and fitness nutrition specialist, I used the word coach.
I recognize now that it was not because I fully understood the meaning of the word, but because instead I knew deep down that I was so much more—in general and for my clients—than either a personal trainer or a nutrition specialist.
I could feel in my bones. Deeply in the core of who I am, or maybe would be…perhaps destined to be, is the embodiment of that word. Coach.
Is a coach different from a personal trainer?
Let’s dive into this….
As a personal trainer, I provided prescriptive exercise programming for my clients. As a nutrition coach I discussed and guided my clients with regard to their nutrition and nutritional habits.
Through those lenses and as a sleep, stress and recovery coach I collaborated on the various lifestyle habits, mindsets, and delved into biofeedback parameters as my clients implemented new ways of being to more closely align their thoughts and actions with the goals they had created for themselves.
It would be deeply gratifying and humbling (enter imposter syndrome) when clients would describe me as their life coach because of the multiple areas we considered and progressed in on their path to their better selves.
The reality is that right from the start, I appreciated that there was no goal, or action that would take hold and flourish within any client to effect outward lasting change without the harnessing of their attention, intention and motivation from deep within.
Here’s where the word coach starts to take on it’s more full meaning
The psychology of it all continued to beckon to me and has led me into the space I now happily inhabit—the zone of COACH. Not therapist, or counsellor and certainly not whip-cracking dictator (you KNOW who those trainers are in the gym…it’s the stereotypical hardass drill sergeant that everyone hopes will NEVER be their trainer).
So really. WHO is a COACH and what constitutes coaching?!
A coach is one who partners, collaborates, facilitates, inspires, guides, educates, supports and holds one accountable on their path to maximizing their full personal and professional potential by tapping into sources of imagination, productivity, effectiveness, self-mastery, and leadership.
I invite you to read that again. Pause, reflect, absorb.
In essence—a coach is a co-creator along your path THRIVING!
Ladies, hang on for a sec. I need to talk to the guys for a minute here
And now, a moment to turn to look at the guys in the room.
It’s pretty obvious to me, and I think to you as well that the world of coaching, particularly in the spaces of personal thriving, has long been the domain of women based on societal patterns. Most guys will unconsciously equate coaching—in any way that doesn’t involve that drill sergeant above—with therapy…and that’s work for the ladies, right?
I get it. I’ve 100% been there.
true strength
For us guys, even the strength and fitness-focused world of personal training and fitness-lifestyle coaching is held back by the macho image of ultimate physical performance with a very dominant mindset, which interestingly enough also intersects with the ego-driven idea that we already have all the information and can definitely do it all on our own. We’re strong, confident and self-reliant.
BUT, what if we just tell ourselves we’re all those things while at the same time also knowing (and most likely ignoring) that there’s more we could know, do, and be if we harnessed our real strengths strength to put that overbearing machismo aside just for a second?
In fact, isn’t that true strength?
Isn’t it the mark of a strong man to show willingness to cultivate a growth mindset where lessons are everywhere, potential is limitless, and effectiveness and efficiency byproducts of as-yet-untapped knowledge of a suitable coach?
I mean, The Daily Stoic and all…(just saying)
For me, it was when I was 37 (if you’re interested in the story, drop a comment). Since then, I’ve worked with multiple coaches and mentors and still do to this day.
The experience and value of coaching is one that cannot be accurately captured in words, but one that I wish for you to all have at some point in your life’s journey.
We’re all here to find and live out our purpose in ways that bring us satisfaction, meaning and happiness.
The choice to uncover this more quickly by engaging with a coach is entirely up to you.
But the recognition of this truth, whether today or sometime in the future is inescapable.
To learn more about either my experience with coaching or how I work with my clients, feel free to reach out. Let’s chat!
Coach Jason
