The Vaseline Bowling Ball Problem (and how experts avoid it)

Nutrition coaches often overwhelm clients with too much information. This post shares a powerful metaphor about simplifying your message so clients understand, remember, and take action. Learn how expert nutrition coaches communicate with clarity and get better results.

2-Tips

By Jennifer Broxterman, RD

Kind Nerd Note: The more you say, the less they remember.

Tip #1:
The Vaseline Bowling Ball Problem

A few days ago, I got an email from my friend Trevor Wittwer, the CEO of Coach Catalyst, and one of the smartest, kindest leaders in our industry.

He sent out his Fun Free Friday email, a monster packed with killer content, stats, research studies, YouTube links… the works. It’s always a goldmine.

Then he did something I really respect as a leader: he asked for feedback.

"Let me know what's landing and what's not. I want to make sure this is actually useful for you.” 

That simple question said a lot about who he is. 

Most people in his position would assume they’ve already nailed it. But Trevor was genuinely curious about how to make his message land even better.

So I wrote back and told him the truth.

“You know that ‘firehose effect’ we warn new coaches about?
When you give clients so much value that they end up overwhelmed instead of helped?
Feels a bit like that.”

That’s when I shared this metaphor from Donald Miller (Build a StoryBrand & marketing genius):

“Every idea you share is like handing someone a bowling ball covered in Vaseline.”

If you hand them one, they can probably hold onto it.

If you hand them five, they all slip away.

And that’s exactly what happens when we try to cram too many lessons into one email, or too many habits into one coaching session.

Your clients don’t need more.

They need meaningful.

Before your next post or client check-in, ask yourself:

“Am I handing them just one solid bowling ball they can actually hold on to?”

Simplicity wins. Every. Time.

Tip #2:
The Mark Twain Rule

“I didn’t have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.”
— Mark Twain

Writing short isn’t easy.

Editing, tightening, cutting away everything that isn’t essential, now that’s the hard part.

But that’s what makes the message land.

It’s true for your coaching, too. The more you simplify, the more your clients remember, and the more results they get.

So whether you’re writing an email, building a program, or coaching a client, take the time to make it short, clear, and effective.

Because clarity isn’t just respectful, it’s powerful.

Stay kind + nerdy,   

❤️🐻🌈

Jen Broxterman
Registered Dietitian
Prosper Nutrition Coaching

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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