I came across an old post and, rereading it, I remembered how embarrassed I felt when it actually happened. I’m sharing it again as a reminder to fitness professionals: you’re always being watched, so act accordingly.
Yesterday I felt like an asshole. Not in a jokey, “I did something goofy” sense, but truly a terrible way. I let a client down, and it was 100% on me.
I hope this serves as a lesson to every trainer: you’re always being watched, and every decision you make—directly or indirectly—affects your business and how people see you.
Before diving into that lapse, let me pause to recall a moment when I was less of an asshole. Most personal trainers and coaches work in a commercial gym at some point. It can be rough: you have to hunt for your own clients, which is daunting for newcomers and introverts.
When people ask me for advice, I tell them: act as if you’re always being observed. A good example is how you handle floor hours. Many trainers must log a certain number of hours on the gym floor each week—it’s basically hazing or probation, where you feel like you’re cleaning up after everyone else’s mess.
If I had to describe it, it’s somewhere between filing taxes and jumping into a shark tank. I used those hours as an opportunity to help people and attract potential clients. With clients I worked with, I always gave them my full attention: I’d be on time, have their programs ready, and proactively offer cues and feedback. That’s coaching.
As a result, people would approach me about openings because they’d been watching me for weeks. I didn’t realize at the time how closely I was being observed. That observation still matters to me today: the clients I’ve helped say I’m different from others because they’re coached rather than babysat.
We all mess up from time to time. Most days I arrive 10-15 minutes before clients at CORE. Yesterday I had two clients booked for 4 PM. At 3:30 I was at home finishing a blog post and catching up on emails. At 3:40, even though I knew I was pushing it, I posted the article on Instagram. Priorities, right? I told myself I’d be a little late and I’d email my clients to let them know I was on my way.
I rushed to CORE and arrived at 4:03. Joe, a client who started with me three weeks ago and has been exemplary, was waiting outside. “Hey man, it’s past 4 o’clock.” I apologized. “Sorry I’m a little late.” “Stop posting on Instagram and let’s get to work.” He had seen my post and called my BS. What an asshole I was.
Joe wasn’t malicious or angry, but his blunt feedback hit me hard. It was a wake-up call. I’m better than that. You’re better than that, too. Let this be a reminder: you’re always being watched.
