Should You Choose Your Coach Based on Body Type?
By Karen Kondor
I recently listened to a podcast with a nutrition coach who self-described as “someone who doesn’t have the body of a nutrition coach.” She isn’t shredded, and although she is going through a fat loss phase right now, that hasn’t been her focus of late, so she is walking around a few pounds heavier than what some would say is appropriate for someone who guides others through fat loss and body re-composition. She spent part of the podcast discussing how some people will choose their coach - nutrition and fitness - based on body type.
It struck me that it goes both ways. There are people who will look at someone who isn’t shredded, and say, “Oh, they can’t possibly be a good coach, because they don’t LOOK like they know what they are doing.” They aren’t shredded, therefore, they don’t eat in a nutritious way, and/or they don’t actually exercise.
I’ve personally experienced the opposite. I don’t describe myself as shredded, but I do have abs (partly because of the effort I put into maintaining a certain physique, but also because I genetically don’t hold my fat there), and people regularly tell me that I am “jacked.” I am proud of that, not offended by it, and don’t care if people think I am too muscular for a woman. I love that my body allows me to be involved in the activities I am involved in, at the level of activity I regularly keep. And, I have a preference for a muscular physique. I feel strong and empowered. In short, it works for me. BUT, I have also had people shy away from working with me as a fitness and/or nutrition coach, because they feel intimidated by me and my body.
While there is value in working with a coach who walks their talk, you will never know whether they are walking the talk until you spend some time chatting with them about what they do, who they are, where they have come from, and what they offer to their clients. PLUS, learning the backstory of the coach will help you understand whether they are a good fit for you - many, many coaches have not only education, and experience with clients to draw upon, but also personal experiences to share that can be monumentally helpful as a person goes through the coaching process.
Also, consider that having preconceived notions about a coach (they aren’t shredded enough - they are too shredded and intimidating) says something about your own thought processes that might be limiting beliefs that are holding you back #fixedmindset
A personal experience to share with you: back when I wanted to start working out and lose weight, I occasionally went to my local YMCA. There was a personal trainer there that I saw on the floor regularly. She looked like she knew what she was talking about, and clients seemed to enjoy their time with her, but as I did my walks around the track, what kept going through my mind was, “She is too fit and pretty for me. She intimidates me.” WHATTTT??? How does internal dialogue like that help in any way, whatsoever?? Once I realized that *She* wasn’t intimidating…*I* was intimidated (i.e. I was responsible for the feelings and emotions I had around working with her, and the way she presented had little bearing on the story I was creating for myself…nobody was asking me to be as fit and pretty as her, besides my own comparison demon), I was able to get over myself, and start working with that trainer. It resulted in being a turning point in my health and wellness.
Don’t let limiting beliefs, shitty self talk, and preconceived notions talk you out of what could very well be a game changer for you.
🤍 Keep coming forward - Coach K