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The Episode: How to Help Clients When Life Throws Them a Curve

All of us go through the ups and downs of life, no matter who we are. As an online trainer, you’ll sometimes have clients who turn to you for help when they experience something difficult. The better you manage those situations, the better it will be for your clients and your business.

In This Episode

  • Avoiding toxic positivity when dealing with clients’ emotions [0:11:22]
  • How personal discomfort leads to unhealthy reactions [0:17:26]
  • How Jonathan found his way out of a downward spiral [0:22:08]
  • Where our emotions come from, and how to handle them [0:27:12]
  • Finding a niche and catering directly to a specific need [0:31:00]
  • Holding space, providing what’s asked for, and respecting a client’s autonomy [0:33:29]
  • Setting clear boundaries and remembering the limits of your role [0:35:44]

“An emotion is not an objective experience. Things are not intrinsically good or bad.” — Jonathan Goodman

Less Is Sometimes More

Positivity can help clients, but it’s not always the answer. By allowing negative emotions in ourselves and others, it becomes possible to move through them at a healthy and realistic speed. Most people don’t want to, and shouldn’t want to, be talked out of a depression.

Understanding Emotions

Although we have to draw boundaries with our clients, emotions will always find ways to blur the lines. A more intimate understanding of the roots of our feelings can make them more manageable, and help us in our work with clients.

You Are Not a Therapist

A client comes to you for the training you offer. The limitations of that role serve you and the client. It’s up to you to set the tone and define the boundaries for your interactions.

Ready to scale up your online fitness business?

Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2

Sponsors

This episode is brought to you by PT Distinction, the cutting-edge software designed purely for online coaches, to help them save time, expand their reach, and get back to doing what they do best—helping clients get amazing results.

As an added bonus for our listeners, get a full 60-DAY FREE TRIAL to test-drive PT Distinction. Start today at OnlineTrainer.com/ptd

This episode is brought to you by the Online Trainer Academy Certification and Mentorship, the leading business development course for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners to responsibly and successfully start, build, and grow your online fitness or nutrition coaching business.

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The Author

Jonathan Goodman is the founder of the Personal Trainer Development Center and author of multiple bestselling books for personal trainers. In addition, Jon founded the first-ever certification for online fitness trainers, the Online Trainer Academy. Originally from Toronto, Jon and his wife Alison spend their winters traveling the world with their baby boy, Calvin.