4 Things I've Changed My Mind About
The best coaches learn, un-learn, and re-learn constantly. I want to share 4 things I've changed my mind about as a nutrition coach, and I'm also going to challenge you to do a self-reflection exercise to do the same.
Over the past 5 years...
• In what areas have you grown as a coach?
• What information have you had to unlearn?
• What have you changed your mind about?
• Can you come up with 4 areas where you now think differently as a coach?
I recently completed this exercise at a coaching retreat with my team, and wanted to share my own real life examples in 4 areas where I've changed my mind.
1. RDs are the only qualified nutrition coaches ← I changed my mind.
In school, I was brainwashed into believing that Registered Dietitians (RDs) were the only people qualified to offer nutrition coaching, and everyone else was "out of scope". Holy moly, was I wrong! 🤦♀️
Of course, RDs still play a pivotal role, especially when overseeing Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT).
But when it comes to the general population and healthy eating? We need more caring and qualified nutrition and fitness coaches helping people lose weight and get healthier, not less. Today, I see us all as allies and teammates.
2. It’s unprofessional to show your personal life ← I changed my mind.
I remember a university communications class that hammered into us how we must always communicate with professionalism. We were taught to use neutral tones and language that appeals to everyone.
The problem with professionalism? If you try to appeal to everyone, you appeal to no one.
I now know the value of sharing my life authentically, whether it’s pictures of:
• my dog
• my workouts
• books I’m reading
• my wins AND my struggles
Opening up and sharing more of my own life has helped me become more relatable and build a tribe of people who connect with my humanity.
3. Say YES to grow quickly. ← I changed my mind.
When you're first starting out as a coach it's easy to say YES to every single opportunity that comes your way. But saying yes to everything can be a slippery slope to burnout.
I've learned that saying no is a secret superpower!
• It helps me set boundaries
• I attract more of the right kind of opportunities I want to say yes to
HELL YES, or NO: A One Year Experiment
I forced myself to say "no" as my default answer for an entire year, and actually kept count. In total, I said no to 212 professional opportunities because they weren't the right fit, including turning away non-ideal clients. It was hard and scary. But it was undoubtedly the right choice. That same year was my highest earning year up to that point in my career. All because I was able to get crystal clear on what the right kind of yes looks like for me.
4. More Information = More Value. ← I changed my mind.
Less is better. End of discussion.
Kidding! But in all seriousness, beginners complicate, experts simplify. I used to run into the trap of overwhelming new clients with too much information, thinking that showing how much I knew was the way to add value. In reality, it just made new clients feel like they were drinking out of a fire hose. What's worse, I was being an unhelpful showoff.
Nowadays, I view each client like a book. I see which chapter they are on (chapter 1, chapter 21, chapter 101), and help them develop a plan to keep progressing, instead of giving them the entire book to read on day 1.
Famous Phrase:
"Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better."
- Maya Angelou
Self-Reflection Coaching Exercise:
• In what areas have you grown as a coach?
• What information have you had to un-learn?
• What have you changed your mind about?
• Can you come up with 4 areas where you now think differently as a coach?
❤️🐻🌈
Jen
Jen Broxterman
Registered Dietitian
Prosper Nutrition Coaching
P.S. This #short from @lennnie the blob is pretty cute about being allowed to change our minds.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/JQLQdsnCPV0
Thanks for reading. Here are a few additional ways I might be able to help you.
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Jennifer Broxterman, MSc, RD
REGISTERED DIETITIAN & SPORTS NUTRITIONIST
• Award-winning Foods & Nutrition University Professor
• Successful entrepreneur of owner of NutritionRx
• 16 year CrossFit affiliate owner with my husband
• Founder of Prosper Nutrition Coaching & lead nutrition coach
