Things I’ve Learned as a Coach: It’s Not About My Resume

Things I've Learned as a Coach, It's Not About My Resume

When I first started coaching, I thought my value was in my certifications.

The courses.
The seminars.
The letters after my name.

And don't get me wrong, education matters. Experience matters. Knowing what you're doing absolutely matters.

But here's what I've learned over the years:

Most people don't care how qualified I am.

They care about three things.

1. How I Make Them Feel

No one walks into a gym thinking,
"I hope this coach has a Level 3 certification."

They walk in thinking,
"I hope I don't embarrass myself."
"I hope I can actually do this."
"I hope I belong here."

People remember how you make them feel long before they remember what you taught them.

Do they feel:

• Seen?

• Encouraged?

• Capable?

• Safe to try and fail?

Or do they feel:

• Judged?

• Intimidated?

• Behind?

• Invisible?

Coaching is emotional before it's technical.

If someone leaves your class feeling stronger mentally than when they walked in, you've already done more than count reps.

2. Are They Having Fun?

Fitness doesn't have to be miserable to be effective.

Yes, hard work matters.
Yes, discipline matters.

But if every session feels like punishment, people won't stay long enough to see results.

Adults especially, busy parents, professionals, stressed out humans, need something they look forward to. An hour that feels productive but also energizing.

Laughter during a workout.
High fives after a hard set.
Shared suffering that builds camaraderie.

Fun creates consistency.
Consistency creates results.
Results create belief.

Without fun, most people quit before the magic happens.

3. Are They Seeing Results?

At the end of the day, results matter.

Not just physical results, though those are important, but measurable progress.

• More energy.

• Better sleep.

• Clothes fitting differently.

• Lifting more weight.

• Moving without pain.

• Confidence rising.

People don't need perfection.
They need progress.

And sometimes progress isn't linear. Sometimes it's subtle. Sometimes it's just not quitting during a hard season of life.

A good coach helps clients see wins they would otherwise miss.

The Truth About Qualifications

Before I learned this, I thought the most important thing I could show people was my resume.

Over the years, I've invested deeply in continuing education so I can coach you with clarity and confidence. I've spent countless hours learning, studying, refining, and improving my craft.

But I've learned something important:

What matters most to you isn't my resume, it's how you feel, whether you enjoy the process, and whether you're seeing progress.

Here's the irony:

The more experience I've gained, the less I talk about it.

Because the real proof isn't in my certifications.
It's in the room.

It's in:

• The client who stayed consistent for a year.

• The parent who can keep up with their kids again.

• The member who used to hate working out and now won't miss a class.

Your knowledge builds the program.
Your presence builds the person.

Coaching Is About Connection

People hire coaches for guidance.

They stay because of connection.

If you make them feel capable.
If they enjoy showing up.
If they see progress.

That's what builds trust.
That's what builds loyalty.
That's what builds a community, not just a client list.

After years in this profession, I've realized:

Coaching isn't about proving how much you know.

It's about helping someone believe in what they're capable of becoming.

And that has very little to do with a certificate on the wall.

~

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