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.

In my experience there isn’t much certification or continuing education providers can do to guarantee any level of or standard of quality in their fitness professionals. Let’s face it, if you know how to take a test or can spend a weekend at a conference you can get certified in pretty much anything. The fitness industry doesn’t provide any professional oversight. It’s up to the individual fitness professional to raise the bar and perhaps for our students and clients to raise their expectations.

So the next few podcast episodes we’re going to focus on that idea. How to Raise the bar as a fit pro in any format, one on one and group setting, for yourself personally, your professional credibility and your clients. Today we’re starting at the top by challenging certification mediocrity.

The number 1 career killer in the fitness industry is burnout. Where does that come from? The pay structure for fitness contractors is one culprit. Another is the lack of employer support and understanding of overtraining for instructors. And then there is the failure of instructors themselves to integrate self care to avoid that burnout.

In part 4 of our fit pro success series we talk a bit about using team building to prevent some of those things and improve turnover and relieve burnout for long fulfilling successful careers.

If you want to leverage sub opportunities into regular employment the first thing we need to do is change how we see subbing. You aren’t just a warm body in front of the class. You are a unique professional and should present yourself that way.

In part 3 of our fit pro success series we take a deep dive into the key sub skills that every instructor needs to master. And bonus those skills will elevate the quality of your instruction everywhere.

Learn how to master the Art of the introduction to set boundaries, manage expectations, build trust and rapport through permission, hold the space through energy, and practice oiling your feathers!

We also go into common mistakes that sub instructors make that undermine their credibility and confidence and a bit about how to avoid them. Hint: Be yourself!

Anyone who has been a sub knows what a gut punch it is when you step in front of an empty classroom. Or worse people actually walk out on you! This is what happens when our students imprint on us as instructors. While flattering to the ego it can make it difficult to get anyone to fill in for you and ultimately does your students a disservice.

In part 2 of our fit pro success series, we talk about the importance of breaking the guru mentality no matter what the format you teach and some ways to do that.

This is part of holding space. This is the ultimate skill as an instructor.

Setting boundaries is key. Those boundaries apply to you as the instructor and to your students and they serve to protect your entire class from things like judgment, unhealthy competition and unrealistic expectations.

Sex, religion, money and politics. Those are the taboo topics, right? I think there are some situations where in wellness coaching you may want to address sex, religion or spirituality and maybe even money. But for me politics has always been a third rail, a hard limit and here’s why.