Don’t Make This Critical Mistake as a Health and Fitness Coach

Fifteen years ago, I knew I wanted to help people meet their health and fitness goals. Sounds simple enough, right?

Except the approach I was using at the time didn’t actually suit the clients I wanted to serve.

The single most important thing I’ve learned since is that it’s not about what you coach, but why you coach.

The Wake-Up Call

Let’s rewind. Early in my career, I was gung-ho about a certain methodology, CrossFit, specifically.

It worked for some clients, but it didn’t align with the group I was truly passionate about helping: older adults.

If your “why” is to help seniors maintain their independence and live healthier, happier lives, does “constantly varied high-intensity functional movement” really cut it for that specific audience?

Not necessarily.

Define Your Legacy

If I could talk to my younger self, I’d hand him a whiteboard marker and say, “Write down exactly what you want from your coaching career.”

Then I’d ask questions like:

• Who do you want to serve?

• What long-term impact do you hope to have on them?

• What legacy do you want to leave behind?

For me, the answers came back to older adults, those 50 and beyond, who want to keep living independently, stay strong, and enjoy life without being limited by their bodies.

Reevaluate Your Methods

Once I clarified that I wanted to help older clients thrive, I looked at what I was actually teaching.

CrossFit is great for certain demographics, but it wasn’t ideal for the 50+ crowd I envisioned.

Repetitive movements, specificity, simplicity, and repeatability, those elements needed a bigger spotlight if I was truly going to help them reach their goals safely and consistently.

The Shift in Programming

At that moment, I realized I had to pivot my entire approach.

Instead of random WODs and high-intensity everything, I started focusing on:

• Gradual Progressions: Emphasizing exercises that can be easily scaled and repeated week after week.

• Foundational Movements: Prioritizing strength, balance, and core stability.

• Routine & Consistency: Creating a predictable schedule that helps older adults feel comfortable and confident.

It may not look as flashy as a typical CrossFit box, but it absolutely gets the job done for the people I’m committed to serving.

Your Turn: Get Clear on Your “Why”

You can do the exact same exercise I did, without the years of trial and error:

1. Grab a Whiteboard or Notebook: Jot down what you want from your career in health and fitness.

2. Ask Big Questions: Where do you see yourself in 20, 30, or even 40 years? Who do you want to be helping?

3. Align the Method to the Mission: Once you know your “why,” check if your current “what” supports it. If it doesn’t, don’t be afraid to change course.

Final Thought

Sometimes, we think the new, trendy workout style is the best way to go.

But if it doesn’t serve the community you’re aiming for, it’s time to rethink your methods.

Defining your “why” is the first step toward designing a program that actually works for the people you care about helping.

You might just surprise yourself with how clear, and rewarding, your coaching path becomes once you figure that out.