With nearly a decade of experience as a personal trainer in Sevenoaks, I've encountered many different types of people that want to hire me for a multitude of different reasons. Some want to lose weight, some want to get fit, while others are in a complete and utter rut with their lifestyles.
However, there are people out there that think they need a trainer to get fit and healthy but In fact, don't.
During my initial consultation, I ask a very simple question. "Why? Why do you want this? Why do you need my help?"
If they say they want to lose weight. I ask "have you tried before?" If they answer yes and failed I then go on to ask them two further questions. "What did you try previously?" and "what has changed in your life to want to try again?"
If the first answer comes back with something ridiculous however rather popular. ie they've previously done the "Atkins, Cambridge, juicing or any other faddy diets". Then that is part one that we can rectify and work together on. However, the second question is a little more complex.
"what has changed in your life to want to try again?"
The answer to this needs to be powerful. It needs to be something like "I've lost confidence", "I have had a health scare" or god forbid "a family has died from their lifestyle choices".
If the answer is anything less powerful than the above then your motivation, desire and will be strong enough to make a long-term difference in your life.
If you simply want to fit into your pretty black dress for Christmas or bikini for the beach, then the likelihood is your "why" isn't strong enough to help you succeed. Let alone keep the weight off in the future.
At this point, I am honest with my potential client and say to them that "I don't think you're ready for me as your personal trainer." Maybe someone else can help them. However, I don't feel comfortable taking your time and money for a purpose that I feel is not powerful enough.
You may disagree with me. And that's fine. Because my WHY for doing what I do is to change peoples lives from dark despair. Not just to lose a stone or two so they can fit into a skimpy piece of material.
Educate and Dominate
Daniel Welstead
Plant-Based Personal Trainer in Sevenoaks