Sometimes being a PT can be a lonely place

A place where everyone looks to you for answers

A place where there is a lot of pressure to deliver results

A place where sometimes people like to put the blame on you for their lack of effort and results

A place where people will unfairly judge you

This morning i had a consultation over the phone with a lady who has just finished her 3 week trial with us at Bootcamp

I was looking forward to speaking with her to discuss how she has found everything and was delighted to hear that she had thoroughly enjoyed the trial

The lady had completed 4 sessions the first 2 weeks and 3 the last week and missed her last session with us this morning.

Its so nice to receive positive feedback from something you have created yourself from nothing

Some thing you put a lot of work into on a daily basis

However, then the call turned

For those that know me, i wear my heart on my sleeve

I am very approachable and always looking to help people on a daily basis

A lo of the time as i put myself second

I enjoy helping

However, in this instance i was speechless

I simply could not believe what this lady said to me

There were 2 things

It went like this

The lady said she had 2 things she wanted to raise with me

1) Im not sure i understand the clothing you wear at sessions. I mean, does a hoodie really make you look fit?

Really!?

After 3 weeks of helping somebody lose some weight, lose some inches, eat better, get a shed load of support in private groups, accountability and a heck of a lot of coaching at sessions i have planned and taken myself

I AM JUDGED ON THE CLOTHING I WEAR!

Considering the lady in question trains very early in the morning, i didnt realise that i was expected to wear t-shirt and shorts when its cold!

In 5 years of doing this job not 1 person has ever judged me on my clothing NOT 1

2) I am a little put off that you do not train with us, all Gym classes i have ever done, the trainer trains with us

Yet again, the lady seems to be comparing herself to me which i really dont understand!?
The reason i dont train with my clients is because i run a coaching programme. A coaching programme that wants to see people training, help them where needed, check form, check that they are ok, watch out for a purple face that might end up throwing up and offer support where needed

All of these things you will not get in a gym class

I am not advertising a gym class so why compare me to one?

The biggest reason i dont train with my clients is to prevent injury.
Imagine if i am training not watching this lady using a kettlebell and her back goes from poor form, where does the blame go?

YEP, ME!

I am my business, i need my business to operate effectively and offer people support that they need, not to show people that im fitter than them.

As someone that has previously battled with his weight and suffered from Anxiety which i still suffer from now i have been left feeling pretty sh*t from these comments

I want to explain something

A PT is someone that helps people exercise safely and effectively
I also think a PT should be able to communicate well and get on easily with people

What they wear or how much they work out has no bearing on their job (well, within reason, they need to be in shape)

I am in good shape, my results with clients speak for themselves and my training is worth every penny i charge

I work hard for all of my clients and i am always looking to improve my service where i can

I also except you cannot please everyone however

The comment about what i wear crossed the line for me

Stop judging people you dont know

Everyone is on a journey and trust me, when you judge them or make a stupid comment IT HURTS AND RUINS THERE DAY

Dont be that person to make the comment