Hey there. There’s a big misconception that fitness professionals have everything figured out. That they never miss a workout, always drink enough water, and are full of motivation every day. But let me tell you... that is far from the truth.
I’m a fitness coach and I still struggle with a lot of the same things you do. The biggest one? Sleep. I try to get at least seven hours a night. When I do, I feel great, I’m focused, and I can handle my day. But every once in a while, I only get four or five hours and somehow still feel okay. Then I convince myself I can keep doing that... until it all catches up with me. I’ve learned the hard way that cutting corners on rest isn’t sustainable.
And when sleep is off, so is hydration. More coffee means I need even more water. It’s a cycle I’ve seen with a lot of fitness professionals. Sleep and water are the two things we tend to overlook, even though they’re foundational to everything else.
Just like anyone else, fitness professionals fall into routines and patterns. We do what we enjoy most. That might mean neglecting parts of our own training. Some coaches love lifting but hate cardio. Others might avoid strength training altogether. Balance is something we’re all trying to work on.
I think what matters most is realizing that we’re all human. The people you follow on social media or see leading fitness classes have real lives. Most of us are juggling jobs, families, and everything else. In my case, I work full-time at a marketing agency. That means long hours at a desk, trying to stay active throughout the day, and doing my best to avoid the candy dish in the office.
The truth is, real-life experience makes us better coaches. It gives us more empathy. It helps us relate when someone says, “I just don’t have time.” We’ve been there too.
If you’ve ever thought about getting into fitness coaching yourself, it’s worth exploring. Whether you’ve lost ten pounds or one hundred, your experience matters. And if you want to help others while building something meaningful, there’s room for you here.
If you’re ready to build a sustainable lifestyle and maybe even share that with others, join The YLF Experience. Let’s take your journey to the next level together.