CategoriesMotivational psychology

How to Motivate Your Clients

My wife walked out of her office the other day and stopped in her tracks. It looked like the opening shot of an episode of Forensic Files.

There I was lying sprawled out on the living room floor motionless.

“Are you okay? Are you sick or something?”

“No, I’m not sick” I said. “My workout was brutal today. I can’t move. I just need a few more minutes to allow my soul to reenter my body.”

“Oh, okay then. That’s nice babe. Don’t forget to put your gym bag back where it belongs.”

What can I say: What we have is true love.

All kidding aside, while it may not seem so obvious to begin with, this example of marital magic serves as a nice primer on motivation and how that interplays with one’s desire (and rationale) to exercise consistently.

How to Motivate Your Clients

What I described above is not an exaggeration.

I had just gone through a pretty brutal workout where I hit close to max numbers on all three of the “big 3” (squat, bench press, deadlift) despite having just deadlifted fairly heavy the day prior.

It’s a split I wasn’t accustomed to, and by the time I got home my body felt like it had been put through the ringer. I was basically reliving Rambo: First Blood, except without a cave full of rats, and an asshole local sheriff busting my balls.

Oh, and there was no torrential rainfall.

But here’s the thing.

I knew heading into that workout that I was going to feel like garbage afterward. But I did it anyway. Not because I wanted (or even strive) to feel like that, but rather because the alternative – not doing it – goes against my inner fabric.

Working out consistently is part of my identity, it’s part of what makes me me; much like listening to 90’s hip-hop, wearing groutfits, and ordering chicken at a seafood restaurant is also part of what makes me me.

This is a form of motivation that’s referred to as Integrated Regulation.

It describes many coaches/fitness professionals, as well as those people who would rather commit seppuku than miss a workout.

It’s admirable, but IT IS NOT THE END-ALL-BE-ALL GOAL OR FORM OF MOTIVATION.

Motivation comes in different varieties and iterations and it’s imperative (especially as a coach) to NOT hold our clients to the above standard.

Instead, it behooves us to lean into whatever (extrinsic) reason motivates our clients to exercise. For some it’s because they want to look hot, for others it’s because their doctor suggested they need to or risk more dire consequences, and of course, there’s tacos.

Taco. Mexican tacos with beef meat, corn and salsa. Mexican cuisine. Banner

ALL are forms of motivation and should be encouraged and embraced.

Another thing to consider (and something my colleague, Derek Stanley, wrote about recently), is this idea that discipline is the underlying “x-factor” when it comes to motivation.

“I wasn’t motivated to train, but I did it anyway.”

This is actually a high-degree of motivation! As alluded to above this person does it anyway because it’s a part of their identity. They’re just trying to brag a bit and earn a few social media likes…;o)

As Derek notes:

“Ironically, we say this to try to motivate people. It’s well-meaning. But it’s still unhelpful. The underlying assertion is that it’s all about discipline, not motivation. If you skip your workouts, you’re lazy or undisciplined.

Just do it.”

The bigger picture to appreciate here is that even if you’re thinking about working out, you have all the motivation you need.

You have the juice.

As Derek further elaborates, “if you weren’t motivated, then it wouldn’t even be on your radar.”

You’d just keep living your Tuesday.

Fitness professionals need to stop being such hardos when it comes to this stuff. Motivation and facilitating change is a spectrum and these are skills that don’t come naturally to most. It rarely comes squarely down to will-power (or lack thereof) or “not wanting it enough.”

Your clients have motivation, you’re likely just looking for it through the wrong lense.

👇👇👇

How to Motivate & Facilitate Change

There’s only a few more days to take advantage of the sale price for Psych Skills for Fitness Pros.

(FYI: Sale ends Sunday, 3/13).

This course was developed by my wife (yep, the one referenced above) to help coaches/trainers/PTs better understand motivation and how to become a more well-rounded professional.

 

If you’re looking for something different than continuing Ed focused on sets and reps, stability and mobility, or other “nuts and bolts” aspects of training, this is the course for you!!

In this course, you will learn AND gain skills for:

1. Leveraging your clients motivation,

2. Progressing your clients to encourage positive behavior change,

3. Working through barriers to change, “loss” of motivation, and other psychological challenges that ALWAYS HAPPEN in coaching!!

Give it a look HERE.

Thought process and psychology concept.Categoriespsychology

Why the Soft Skills of Coaching Matter

Which is the more valuable skill to have as a coach or personal trainer:

  • The Nuts & Bolts (I.e., turning people into deadlifting Terminators)?
  • The Soft Skills (I.e., fostering “connection” with clients/athletes, as well as planting deeper seeds for improved motivation)?
  • Biceps (I.e., biceps)?

Okay, taking biceps out of the conversation (because that’s the right answer), I think both – nuts & bolts and soft skills – are equally important skills to have as a fitness professional. It’s silly to suggest one is better or more robust of a skill to possess over the other.

However, the soft skills is the part most fitness professionals gloss over.

And they shouldn’t.

Thought process and psychology concept.

Why the Soft Skills of Coaching Matter

The most obvious question out of the gate is:

“What are the nuts & bolts and what are the soft skills of coaching?”

Nuts & Bolts: Anything under the umbrella of assessment, program design, anatomy, technical understanding of exercise technique, or otherwise being able to execute a well-designed program effectively and without causing harm.

Soft Skills: The ability to communicate in a way that makes the athlete/client feel understood, supported, and excited.

This can include but is not limited to…exhibiting empathy, having time management skills, understanding the nuances and stages of motivation (intrinsic vs. extrinsic for example), being an attentive/active listener, as well as not being afraid to admit that Notting Hill is one of your favorite movies of all time.

Come at me, Bro!

Why am I even bothering bringing this up or going out of my way to make a distinction?

Well, the impetus stems from a Tweet I saw recently from another coach in the industry (who, admittedly, I don’t know well or have any relationship with):

I’m paraphrasing:

“All I see nowadays are people referring to the ‘soft skills’ of coaching.

Lame!

When did this become a thing? When did knowing how to write effective programming and then executing that programming not take precedence?

Just get your clients squatting.

#creatine.”

This is bull to the shit at best, and a woefully narrow-minded train of thought at worst.

Talk about lame.

If all it took to be a great and effective coach was knowing how to breakdown squat technique or being able to distinguish an acetabulum from an asshole (both of which, mind you, are important) we’d have a bunch of Brett Bartholemews, Nick Winklemans, Erica Sutters, Mark Fishers, and Molly Galbraiths walking around.

HINT: We don’t.

Effective coaching is a teeter-totter.

On one end you have the technical and more hands-on component(s), and on the other you have the you’re-not-working-with-robots-but-human-beings-component(s).

The idea isn’t to balance the two of course. A non-moving, stagnant, completely horizontal teeter-totter is never the goal, or that fun.

Conversely, we also don’t want a scenario where one end overwhelms or dominates the other. One end of the teeter-totter shouldn’t be cemented to the ground indefinitely.

That’s not fun either.

Think of it this way: Every individual will vary in terms of the amount of each “end” they need/require on a weekly basis (if not daily) in order to help them be successful.

Yes, writing coherent, well-thought out programs matching sets, reps, loads, and exercises to the needs, goals, and ability level of every client is important. As is being able to effectively coach those programs so people don’t hurt themselves.

But equally as important is understanding you’re not Leonidas leading 300 Spartan soldiers into battle.

via GIPHY

Clients are intimidated by the weight room, sleep deprived, have sick kids, are stressed out, maybe have marital issues at home, lack competence, or, I don’t know, have a boss they’d like to kill with a stapler.

All of the above can affect one’s motivation and willingness to workout.

Coaching isn’t just about telling someone to suck it up and deadlift.

Every individual will vary in terms of what end of the teeter-totter will need to be prioritized in order to keep the darn thing moving up AND down.

For some it will indeed be the more tactical, hands-on elements of coaching. For others it’ll come down to having a simple, human conversation with them.

And this fluctuates all…the…time.

A good, effective coach understands the teeter-totter should always be moving.

Psych Skills for Fitness Pros

Full Disclosure: This course was developed by my wife, Dr. Lisa Lewis so I’m a teeny-tiny bit biased. That said, she developed it in large part from my incessant insistence that the health/fitness industry NEEDED a resource like this. I’ve routinely leaned on her experience and expertise as a psychologist throughout my career in helping navigate my clients’ needs.

What stresses me out the most working with clients isn’t so much the x’s and o’s of program design or figuring out why their shoulder hurts.

Rather, for lack of a better way of putting it, it’s dealing with THEIR shit.

Psych Skills for Fitness Pros is the only resource specifically catered to personal trainers, strength & nutrition coaches, and manual therapists to help them develop better communication and motivational skills.

What’s more, it isn’t developed by someone who says they’re a “mindset coach” because (s)he read a book on motivational interviewing once. It’s developed by an ACTUAL doctor of psychology (who also happens to be diesel and likes tot lift heavy things).

The course can be completed in the comfort of your own home at your own pace, includes an abyss of information, case studies, and easily applicable concepts to make you a better coach, as well as includes interviews from some industry leaders like Mark Fisher, Molly Galbraith, Georgie Fear, Dean Somerset, Meghan Callaway, and myself on how we’ve used the same information to hone our coaching skills and to enhance our careers.

Plus you can earn CEUs via the NSCA and NASM.

Dr. Lewis only puts this course on sale sporadically and TODAY is the start of a new open enrollment window that will last one weeks 3/13).

BONUS: Anyone who purchases the course within the first 48 hours will receive access to a LIVE (group) consult with Dr. Lewis at a later date.

Hurry. The clock is ticking.

Check it out —-> HERE

Categoriescontinuing education

Announcing the Inside the Coach’s Mind Workshop: Boston

I’ve long stated that the largest “gap” in knowledge for most fit pros isn’t the area of program design or the “x’s” and “o’s” of how to improve scapular upward rotation.

It’s the soft skills of coaching.

I.e., what’s going on in your head.

Copyright: branche

Inside the Coach’s Mind

In more sage words…

…what’s really lacking in most fit pros’ repertoires is how to leverage your own way of thinking, feeling, and behaving in order to maximize your effectiveness as a coach, your rapport & working relationships with clients, and your own resilience and mental health.

Being an effective, professional coach isn’t about barking orders or putting on a facade of a hard-ass.

Dr. Lisa Lewis (my wife) released Psych Skills for Fit Pros last year and it helped many coaches realize the importance of “mindful” coaching and how to better build motivation.

This Fall, in Boston, she is going to continue the conversation with a brand new 2-day event that will dig deeper into the coach’s mind.

It’s focus is to enhance your own understanding of psychology and how to use it to enhance and best utilize coaching skills.

The weekend’s curriculum includes:

But also…

  • Mental Preparation – for coaching and training
  • Character Strengths – Know them. Leverage them. 
  • Professional Orientation – Mission, values, philosophy. Name them. Practice them. 
  • Unconscious Processes in Coaching – Transference, Framing, Psychological Dynamics
  • Professional Boundaries – Set them. Maintain them. 
  • Self-Care – For sustainability, efficacy, and mental health.

When: Saturday, November 6th and Sunday, November 7th, 2021

Where: Ethos Fitness & Performance (in the beautiful South End of Boston)

Cost: $699 (until 9/30), $799 (from 10/1 till day of the workshop)

👉 CEU’s will be made available via the NSCA

👉 Come enjoy a splendid fall weekend in Boston!

👉 Click HERE to Register 👈

Categoriescoaching psychology

Building and Sustaining Resilience

Today’s guest post comes courtesy of Dr. Lisa Lewis (AKA my wife).

Earlier this year she released her Psych Skills for Fitness Professionals course which was designed to help fill a gap where many fitness professionals lack formal education: psychology, motivation, and the “softer skills” needed to coach effectively and help clients attain their goals.

I’ve long noted that what burns and stresses most coaches/trainers out isn’t the x’s and o’s of program design or breaking down someone’s squat technique…

…rather, it’s the ongoing attempts to maneuver around the dark recesses of our clients’ psychological needs (particularly when it comes to motivation).

Of more relevance, COVID-19 has really done a number on just about everyone’s life in 2020 and the importance of motivation, healthy habits, and resilience through stress and uncertainty has never been more apparent.

Lisa has just opened up enrollment for her course,  with a NEW, just-added module focusing on how fitness professionals can better build immunity to stress and uncertainty for themselves AND their clients/athletes.

If no foreplay is needed, you can dive right in HERE.

For a little more insight read below…

Copyright: deeaf / 123RF Stock Photo

Building & Sustaining Resilience

Worry.

Fear.

Crisis.

Stress.

Uncertainty.

In 2020, this sequence of emotions, and the resulting toll they take is familiar to us all. Whether your personal, professional, or financial life has been stressed, shaken, or stamped out by the pandemic, chances are you have been significantly impacted by closings, stay-at-home orders, and social-distancing mandates.

When we have a stressful day, most of us can cope well.

We may become flustered, negative, or pessimistic, but a trusted coping strategy can typically help us to recover and turn the page quickly, like dinner with friends, a big hug from a loved-one, a good training session, or a hot bath.

But when days turn into weeks, and weeks into months, we all need more than a good pump and steamy soak in the tub. We need skills that can help us to persist.

To maintain hope.

To help us access our strengths in the face of long term adversity.

via GIPHY

Starting in April and May of this year, I have been asked to contribute to articles and podcasts on “coping with the pandemic,” or “coping with stress,” or some similar topic.

As a psychologist, these requests and their resulting discussions and writings led me to explore the current literature on resilience, and this in turn focused my attention on the field of positive psychology.

Over the past 20 years, positive psychology has offered evidence-based recommendations for living well, coping effectively, and thriving (Peterson, 2006). The benefits of optimism, positive emotions, personal strengths, gratitude, meaning, healthy relationships and other optimal experiences in life have been examined, evaluated, and clearly identified as real, measurable, and worth-while.

This research, and the resulting recommendations for coping and living well offer a rich variety of skills that are relevant, important, and even essential in the current climate.

For example, as I read up on how to build and sustain resilience, I learned about “mental agility” from Karen Reivich (2002), who explains that we can learn and practice thinking flexibility and more effectively. Reivich states that by recognizing our tendencies to think in overly-rigid ways, intentionally changing direction, and carefully planning for negative outcomes, we can be more productive, efficient, and hardy in difficult situations.

Dr. Karen Reivich

The same way fitness professionals and enthusiasts can practice skills and drills for physical agility, so too can we work on mental agility.

If your thinking sometimes gets you stuck in negative, ruminative, unhelpful patterns of all-or-nothing, catastrophizing, or “poor me” thinking, then working on your mental agility could help you to think more objectively, effectively, and productively.

In addition to mental agility, challenging life events require us to not only work on our deficits, but also to draw on our strengths. In my work with patients, clients, and fitness professionals, I’ve found that most people gravitate toward addressing weaknesses, blindspots, or shortcomings in their thoughts and behaviors. However, understanding and leveraging the best of you is also a rich and potent source of resilience (Petersen & Seligman, 2004). Your personal character strengths can contribute to coping and even thriving in adversity  – especially now!

Whether they be optimism, diligence, spirituality, or a great sense of humor, the best of you has so much to offer in the face of the worst times in life.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

When you feel weak, remind yourself of your strengths. Life has a funny way of bringing out our weaknesses. This week I’ve been dealing with lots, and LOTS of technology. To say that techie stuff is a weakness for me would be an understatement! So the past two days have been beyond frustrating, and I’ve noticed the typical negative attitude and self-talk accompanying the screw-ups and error messages. Those thoughts and feelings are deflating and unhelpful. At the gym today, I noticed myself trying to fight off the negativity- but not very well. Then, after a set of these “elbows up” band press, I noticed my coach @tonygentilcore watching… “Your back looks strong!” So I thought, “I wanna see!” Seeing my shoulders and back reminded me of a strength – to work hard on my body and build myself up. That reminder helped to temper the frustration of the last few days. So instead of focusing (and over-focusing) on weaknesses, can you remind yourself of one of your strengths? It has way more to offer your thinking and emotional life!!

A post shared by Dr. Lisa Lewis (@drlewisconsulting) on

Do you know how to practice flexible, agile thinking?

Are you familiar with your character strengths? Do you appreciate them and harness them intentionally in the face of adversity?

This summer, I’ve designed a curriculum for developing and practicing these skills, and added them, for free, to my Psych Skills for Fitness Pros course. This curriculum has been included as a bonus module for students of Psych Skills for Fitness Pros, and covers the following content:

  1. An Introduction to Resilience
  2. Optimism
  3. Mental Agility
  4. Character Strengths
  5. Implementation and Practice

In addition, this bonus module includes an interview with Mike T. Nelson, Ph.D., who discusses the concept of anti-fragility, and it’s parallel to stress hardiness and resilience! Dr. Mike and I explore the physical and psychological benefits of anti-fragility, as well as how to promote anti-fragility with your clients.

All of this free content is an addition to the existing Psych Skills for Fitness Pros, Volume 1: Motivate and Facilitate Change. If you haven’t heard about the course before, you can learn more HERE.

Psych Skills for Fitness Pros offers not only a review of theory and research, but also real life applications for coaches in fitness, wellness, and nutrition. Here’s what a recent graduate of the program had to say about her experience in the course:

“Coaching is about so much more than exercise selection and macros. I’m always looking to get better at the psychological side of coaching so that I can help my clients actually make the changes they want to make.  Psych Skills for Fitness Pros was exactly what I needed.  It was not just theoretical, but practical. “Here are the theories and here’s how you can use them in your day to day work.” 

As a result of practicing the skills Lisa teaches I am better at meeting clients where they’re at with regards to motivation while helping them to develop along the motivation continuum and using motivational interviewing techniques such as helping clients work through their ambivalence. You will without a doubt be a better coach after taking this course.” 

– Kim Schlag

Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach

kimschlagfitness.com

Resilience.

Optimism.

Mental Toughness.

Mental Agility.

Character Strength.

For the rest of 2020, and beyond, these skills and assets are what I hope you can draw from, lean on, and utilize to cope with the pandemic and all that it brings. But even more than that, I hope we can all develop more strength, agility, and skill as a result of having to cope with the pandemic. If we can endure this year, good – but if we can thrive and improve ourselves as a result of it, great!

Please read more about Psych Skills for Fitness Pros, Volume 1, HERE.

If you want to see more of my writing and approach to interlacing strength training and physical activity with mental skills and positive psychology, follow me on Instagram, HERE. If you want to learn more about positive psychology, mental agility, and/or character strengths, check out the fabulous content at the Positive Psychology Center at UPenn, HERE.

References

Peterson, C. & Seligman, M. (2004). Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification. Oxford University Press: NY.

Peterson, C. (2006). A Primer in Positive Psychology. Oxford University Press: NY.

Reivich, K. & Shatte, A. (2002). The Resilience Factor: 7 keys to finding your inner strength and overcoming life’s hurdles. Broadway Books: NY.

CategoriesStuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work Uncategorized

Stuff to Read While You’re Stuck At Home Not Wearing Pants: 6/19/20

Copyright: maglara / 123RF Stock Photo

THE WEEKLY BRIEF UPDATE

1. I’ll start with a brief #achillesgate2020 update.

I had my first post op with my surgeon earlier this week and, once the faint Cheetos smell dissipated after removing the bandaging I had on for two straight weeks, the doc said everything looked swell.

I was quite shocked at the lack of blood and gore:

Stitches were taken out, rubbing alcohol never felt so lovely, and I was put into a short cast that I’ll be wearing for the next two weeks.

The goal now is not to be an asshat and do anything stupid to risk stretching the Achilles.

I guess that means I won’t be participating in this year’s Hunger Games.

2. Check out my latest podcast appearance on Coach Gethin Radio:

3. Oh, hey, have you checked out my new CORE @ Home platform yet?

It’s designed so that I can deliver workouts you can perform at home – pants optional – using minimal equipment.

You have two options:

1. Subscribe for FREE and receive one workout per week.

2. Subscribe for $29.00 and receive three workouts per week (in addition to special bonus content).1

My hope is that it helps take the thinking out of things and keeps people more accountable to workout more consistently.

For more information go HERE.

SOCIAL MEDIA SHENANIGANS

Twitter

Instagram

STUFF TO READ WHILE YOU’RE AT HOME NOT WEARING PANTS

Motivation: Use the Motives That Move You, Right Now – Dr. Lisa Lewis

Motivations manifests from a variety of sources.

My wife’s, Dr. Lisa Lewis, latest article on Pez Cycling News digs deep(er) into what motivates people to do what they do and how you can stay more consistent with your health/wellness goals.

Adding Hybrid Personal Training to Your Business: An Interview With Pat Rigsby – StrengthPortal.com

If you’re a current gym owner (or aspiring to be one) Pat is the shit.

Listen to him.

The World’s Simplest Nutrition Approach – Tony Bonvechio

The K.I.S.S principle applies to pretty much everything.

Especially nutrition.

(and yes, eat the fucking apple).

CategoriesStuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work Uncategorized

Stuff to Read While You’re Pretending to Work: 3/6/20

Copyright: olegdudko / 123RF Stock Photo

I’m currently in Paris.

It’s a detour I’ve made in between two weekends of teaching workshops (last weekend in Athens, Greece and this coming weekend in London).

I love it here. I only had one full day at my disposal so I made the most of it. I adore walking around European cities so I coordinated my iPhone with Google Maps and hit up Musee d’Orsay, Louvre (just to see it), Arc du Triomphe, Eiffel Tower (whoa), and Notre Dame.

Not too bad, right? Most of the “big hits.”

Sadly, it’s been a swift 36 hours and it’s time to pack, head to the train station, and take the Chunnel to London.

BUT FIRST…I’M LIKE, REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT

(Things I’ve appeared in, places I’m going, you know, important stuff)

1. Strategic Strength Workshop – Detroit, MI: April 5, 2020

This will be my first ever workshop in the region!

I’m expecting ticker tape parades.

2. Strategic Strength Workshop – Washington, DC: May 17, 2020

SOCIAL MEDIA SHENANIGANS

Twitter

Instagram

STUFF TO READ WHILE YOU’RE PRETENDING TO WORK

Psych Skills for Fitness Pros – Dr. Lisa Lewis

This is the ONLY resource out there designed specifically for personal trainers, strength & nutrition coaches, physical therapists, athletic trainers, and, I don’t know, bomb sniffing dolphin trainers to accelerate their communication and motivational skills to help their clients’ get results.

What bogs us down as fitness professionals isn’t the nuances of improving scapular upward rotation, bench press technique, or figuring out the optimal sets/reps for someone.

Nope, it’s other people’s shit.

Those clients who are inconsistent, unmotivated, relapse, or altogether quit.

Like it or not, if you’re a coach you ARE utilizing psychology everyday and it’s these “soft skills” of coaching that will help offset burnout.

  • Study at home at your own pace.
  • CEUs available.
  • Learn from an actual doctor (and not some Instagram mindset coach asshat).

Psych Skills for Fitness Pros is on sale NOW through March 18th at $100 off the regular price.

Interactive Bullshit Detector for Health Products & Services – Dr. Bill Sukula

This has a few LOLs (and I always love a good rant/takedown piece).

5 Simple Steps to Better Squats and Deadlifts – Sivan Fagan

She had me at deadlifts.

Categoriescontinuing education

Psych Skills for Fit Pros Now Available

I’m excited to announce that Dr. Lisa Lewis’s brand new resource, Psych Skills for Fit Pros, is now live and ready to purchase/melt people’s brains.

This resource was made specifically to help personal trainers, strength & nutrition coaches, and physical therapists accelerate their clients’ results (and YOUR success) by mastering communication and motivational skills.

I.e., What often separates great coaches from the average ones isn’t so much their ability to break down shoulder assessment, deadlift technique, design the perfect concurrent periodized program, and/or discuss the intricacies of gluconeogenesis – although those are all pretty baller skills to have.

Rather, what really separates the great fit pros from the masses are their SOFT SKILLS of coaching.

Eleven Years In the Making

Full Disclosure: For those unaware, Dr. Lewis is my wife.

See, here’s proof:

We met in 2009 while I was a coach at Cressey Sports Performance and she was finishing up her doctorate in Sports Psychology at Boston University.

It wasn’t long into our relationship when she noticed I had amazing pecs I’d sometimes come home zapped and frustrated.

For starters I’m an introvert through and through and after eight straight hours of coaching athletes and listening to Metallica and Rage Against the Machine I’d want to sequester myself in my Fortress of Solitude with a book whenever I arrived home.

“Hi Babe. How was your day? Bye Babe.”

But too, what drained me the most was the mental gymnastics tethered to keeping certain clients motivated and consistent with their training. I’d come home mad at myself that “so and so wasn’t getting results” and then either start crying in the corner in the fetal position or jump through a pane glass window.

Okay, neither of those happened…but the discontent was real.

Lisa, thankfully, was always more than happy to help talk me through things and provide a “script” or blueprint or lesson plan to take with me back to work to implement with my clients.

After like the 47th time I came home asking her for advice it dawned on me…

…the health/fitness industry NEEDS her and her expertise.

It needs an ACTUAL DOCTOR in this shit (and not some tool on Instagram who labels themself a “mindset coach” because they read a book once) who actually lifts to come up with a resource.

Something to help health/fitness professionals to develop their people skills and to build better rapport with their clients/athletes. I mean, like or not, there’s A LOT of psychology stitched in with being a coach.

The seed was planted.

Now, Fast Forward Moving-In Together, Getting Married, Adopting a Cat, Starting Our Own Separate Businesses, and Having a Kid.

Lisa started officially working on this project in April 2019.

  • She did the research
  • Infused her own expertise and skillsets
  • Recorded all the presentations
  • Edited everything
  • Re-edited
  • And edited again

And Now Psych Skills for Fit Pros is available!

We all have clients who are noncompliant, dropout, relapse, or just straight up give-up on their health/fitness goals.

And it really grinds our gears.

Psych Skills for Fitness Pros addresses a gap in the nutrition and exercise science knowledge base – psychology. This online, do-at-your-own-pace course provides an introduction, theoretical review, and extensive application of psychological processes that are central to working with clients.

The course is divided into 6 chapters, and each chapter contains 4-6 modules of content. These modules include webinars, quizzes, interviews, and worksheets for self-reflection and practice. Specifically, the course content includes the Self-Determination Theory, the Transtheoretical Model of Change, and Motivational Interviewing.

Of Note: the interviews include some names you might be familiar with (and how they used these very skills to help build their businesses and brands): Mark Fisher, Molly Galbraith, Dean Somerset, Meghan Callaway, Kelly Coffey, Georgie Fear, and some jallopy with the last name Gentilcore.

This product is ON SALE at 20% off the regular price today though the next two weeks.

What Else Can You Expect?

  • Continuing Education credits have been approved via the NSCA  (and NASM is pending)
  • You have the option to either purchase in full or take advantage of a payment plan.
  • Gluten free.

There’s no other resource out there like this specifically designed for trainers and coaches.

—> Psych Skills for Fitness Pros <—

CategoriesStuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff to Read While You’re Pretending to Work: 12/6/19

Copyright: perhapzzz / 123RF Stock Photo

BUT FIRST…I’M LIKE, REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT

1. (Even More) Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint – Athens, Greece: Saturday, Feb 29th & Sunday, March 1st, 2020

This will be the first leg of mine and Dean Somerset’s European extravaganza in early 2020. The second leg will take place in…

2. (Even More) Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint – Maidenhead, U.K: March 7th & 8th, 2020

There’s an Early Bird rate for both of these events, so keep that in mind before you decide to hold off. Dean and I are really excited for this and hope to see you there!

SOCIAL MEDIA SHENANIGANS

Twitter

Instagram

STUFF TO READ WHILE YOU’RE PRETENDING TO WORK

Bulgarian Split Squats: A Superior Alternaive to Barbell Back Squats? – Charley Gould

Personally I think the whole Split Squat vs. Back Squat (which is better?) is a silly debate.

Do both!

To be fair, though: This is not a debate article. But rather a nice summary on both sides of the fence with TONS of actionable content.

Build a Monster Squat – Travis Mash

And speaking the back squat: There aren’t many coaches I’d listen to more on the topic than Travis Mash. Dude builds some MONSTER squat numbers with his athletes.

I hate him.

3 Psych Skills for Strength Training – Dr. Lisa Lewis

Proud husband moment.

My wife, Dr. Lisa Lewis, had her first article published on T-Nation yesterday.

Pretty sure this makes us one of the most diesel couples on the internet now.

Categoriespsychology

3 Psych Skills for Strength Training

Copyright: tonobalaguer / 123RF Stock Photo

Don’t Roll Your Eyes. This Stuff Works

It was a beautiful Fall day in Boston. My wife and I were walking home one night after running a few errands and she could sense I was a bit “off.”

I hadn’t spoken much, which, in of itself wasn’t unusual. But as we were crossing the street, infant in tow, her Spidey-sense psychotherapist intuition kicked in:

Her: “Okay, what’s on your mind?”

Me: “It sounds silly, but I’m nervous about my lift tomorrow. It’s THE day.”

Her: “The day?”

Me: “Yeah, I’m testing my deadlift tomorrow and making a go for 600 lbs. I’m just really nervous and anxious about tomorrow.”

[SIDE NOTE: The 600 lb deadlift had been a long-standing goal of mine and something that had been alluding me for a few years. I finally hired my own coach – Greg Robins of The Strength House – to take over my programming and it was time to test the fruits of my labor).

Her: “What are you nervous about?”

Me: “That I won’t hit it, that I won’t hit my goal. I’m nervous about failing.”

Her: “Have you worked hard?”

Me: “Yes.”

Her: “Have you followed your program?”

Me: “Yes.”

Her: “Have you hit all your reps leading up to this point?

Me: “Yes.”

Her: “Then what’s the problem? You’ve prepared. You’re ready. You’ve got this.”

Me: “I am so turned out right now. Let’s go make out.”

Okay, that last part didn’t happen.1

But what did happen was that my psychologist wife punched my proverbial negative self-thinking asshatedness in the mouth and I went to the gym the following day and did this:

3 Psych Skills for Strength Training

We’re often our own worst enemy. We humans have a knack for playing mental mind-games with ourselves that can ignite all sorts of clusterfuckery into the mix.

It can stagnate and impair progress.

It can suck.

My wife is the shit (<– I’m biased) and she’s awesome at what she does. A meathead and former high-level athlete herself she has a unique way of incorporating her expertise as a mental health therapist and applying it towards enhanced performance in the weight room.

I can attest that this stuff works.

Check out her latest article on T-Nation.com which goes into more detail  – HERE.

CategoriesStuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff to Read While You’re Pretending to Work: 11/15/19

Copyright: perhapzzz / 123RF Stock Photo

BUT FIRST…I’M LIKE, REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT

1. (Even More) Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint – Athens, Greece: Saturday, Feb 29th & Sunday, March 1st, 2020

This will be the first leg of mine and Dean Somerset’s European extravaganza in early 2020. The second leg will take place in…

2. (Even More) Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint – Maidenhead, U.K: March 7th & 8th, 2020

There’s an Early Bird rate for both of these events, so keep that in mind before you decide to hold off. Dean and I are really excited for this and hope to see you there!

SOCIAL MEDIA SHENANIGANS

Twitter

Instagram

 

View this post on Instagram

 

We’re often infatuated with bravado. . Take dips for example. We’re told that we HAVE to go as deep as possible in order to reap the best benefits; similar to squats. . Deeper the better. THIS.IS.SPARTA. . I’ve long championed that “deep” squats are 100% safe and an effective approach. However, access to depth is contingent on a few factors…with anatomy being a big one. . Some people picked the right parents for deep squatting. . Now, let’s discuss dips. I’ll never say never, but I’d suspect most trainees are better off reducing their ROM in order to keep the shoulders from feeling like they’ve been put through a meat grinder. . Unlike the hips, the glenohumeral joint is much more shallow and there’s less “heft” providing support and stability. The shoulder is a bit more vulnerable. . The deeper one goes with their dips, the higher the risk of the shoulders dumping forward (scapular anterior tilt) which can then have ramifications on the humeral head sliding more aggressively forward. . Ouch. . For my money (and if training long term is the goal)…a little less ROM on dips is the smarter play for most people.

A post shared by Tony Gentilcore (@tonygentilcore) on

STUFF TO READ WHILE YOU’RE PRETENDING TO WORK

The Ultimate Calorie, Portion, & Macro Calculator – Brian St. Pierre

I was given a sneak peak of Precision Nutrition’s latest resource – their Ultimate Calculator – and it’s going to save a lot of people a lot of guess work (and time).

There’s nothing out there like it and it’s very intuitive to use. It bases calculations off the basic stuff like height and weight, but also takes into account goal weight, training goals, and eating/lifestyle preferences…and then offers a “menu” that can be followed using the palm of your hand as a guide.

You don’t have to be Dr. Manhattan or a master of long division to figure it out.

Bookmark it!

#Instagram Engagement Is Dead. Here’s the Six Things You Must Focus On – Jonathan Goodman

Adapt or “fitness influencer” status will be revoked.

Psych Skills for Fitness Pros – Bros Do Science & Dr. Lisa Lewis

Dr. Lisa Lewis has been working on her upcoming project, Psych Skills for Fit Pros – a 12 hour course on motivational interviewing, how to build and maintain motivation with clients, as well as a plethora of other topics – for the past year and this interview with Rocco Venizelos of Bros Do Science provides an amuse bouche of what to expect.

Industry….

…be ready.