Coach HubAdherence first, but not soft
The best plan is the one the client will actually follow. A client who hits 90% of a moderate plan will beat a client who hits 60% of an aggressive one, every time. But lifestyle-first does not mean soft. Clients pay you for visible change, and you hold them (and yourself) to that.
Too rigid: how you lose them
I've lost clients by being too rigid. One was sick, and I told them to just focus on their steps for the week. To me that was the easy option. To them it felt like too much pressure, and they left.
We're here to create an environment where people can learn and progress. When life hits, the plan bends. Pick one small thing that keeps them moving, and make sure it actually feels small to them.
Too soft: the nice-coach trap
The nice-coach trap is people-pleasing. It shows up two ways:
- Changing the plan to suit the client, over and over. If the plan keeps changing to fit the client, the client never changes. They need to adapt to the plan. You just need to listen.
- Only ever celebrating wins. Blowing smoke every week and never having the hard conversation.
Almost every client says in their intake that they want accountability. Then coaches are too scared to give it. The result is a client who leaves at the end of their minimum term because they were never pushed or challenged.
People like to be challenged, but they like to make their own decisions. So challenge them with options, not orders. Name the problem honestly, give them two or three ways forward, and let them choose.
When to hold the line
This is where 1.6 comes back in. If they're progressing and happy with the pace, keep things moving and keep them happy. Get more direct when they're not progressing, or when they don't realise they're not progressing.
If they can only give you one thing
When life is full and a client can only focus on one or two things, the default priority is:
- Food adherence
- Steps
- Sleep
That order changes from client to client, but it's where to start.