We are after all only guides on the path to healthier lives. As guides we need to have a firm understanding of how to navigate in a trauma informed way in a trauma filled culture.. Over the past few weeks we’ve discussed the first half of that trauma informed navigation starting with the center point for yourself, co regulation and then activation. Now I want to share the secret sauce to anything trauma informed. It comes in 2 parts.

exercise and diet is one of those kinds of stresses that can be good, right? They can stress the system in a way that produces good adaptations. But they can also push us to the edge so and beyond that edge. So the challenge for fitness professionals and coaches is to understand that piece and then structure workouts, dietary protocols, nutrition plans, classes, whatever our thing is, we want to structure them in a way for the individual that makes that hard enough, challenging enough to trigger an adaptation without setting off one more internal alarm

Co-regulation is a full format communication skill that’s rooted in your own self regulation and awareness, defined by your personal and professional boundaries and directed by curiosity and discernment. These things are accessible to all of us with practice.

Welcome back to the Work IN. Today I’d like to begin a series of episodes on integrating trauma informed principles in the fitness industry. Ready or not, everyone who comes to you for health and fitness goals is also carrying some level of stress and trauma and being affected bay that in known and unknown ways. And Fun fact, you are too.

When we are looking to raise the bar for both ourselves and our students we have to start somewhere. And today's work IN we’re going to get into the nitty gritty, boots on the ground for how to integrate gold standard instructor skills that are so simple but they’ll take your craft to the next level, make you more comfortable in your own skin and inoculate you against the dreaded imposter syndrome. These are things you can apply to pretty much any area of your life where you come into contact with other human beings.

That skill is holding space. What does that mean? Safety, Predictability, Agency, Communication, Energy…

For coaches it is really easy to get that certification and then just ride it for a while. And if you’re not careful the ever changing world of wellness will leave you behind. Science changes, health recommendations changes, people and society change.  And what it means for you to be a good coach changes. And all those things are important because you never know who will be standing in front of you at any given time. And if you’re not big on self awareness and you haven’t cultivated any understanding of human nature, communication skills or holding space you risk your students.