Lift The Bar

Every coach hits a plateau at some point. Not the kind you talk to clients about in the gym, but the kind that shows up quietly in your business, your motivation, or your sense of identity. At LTB, we see this far more often than trainers realise. Feeling stuck isn’t a sign that you’re failing; it’s a sign that something in your work, or your sense of self, needs attention rather than more effort. This blog takes the core ideas from the “Getting Unstuck” workshop we held a few months ago and turns them into a reflective process you can work through at your own pace. Think of it as a guided pause, a chance to understand what’s really going on beneath the surface so you can move forward with clarity instead of pressure.

The first step is simply naming where you feel stuck. Most trainers skip this part because the instinct is to fix, optimise, or take action. But clarity doesn’t come from doing more; it comes from understanding what’s actually happening. Start by identifying what feels heavy or frustrating right now. Where do you feel friction, uncertainty, or emotional drain? Is it something to do with clients, your business structure, or something more personal? You might notice thoughts like “I’m not doing anything worthwhile.”, “I don’t know what my role is anymore.”, or “Clients don’t seem engaged and it’s draining me.”. These aren’t problems to solve immediately, they’re signals. Naming them gives you something concrete to work with instead of a vague sense that something is wrong.

Once you’ve identified the stuck points, it helps to understand whether they’re situational or identity‑based. Situational stuckness comes from external, practical issues.   Things like time pressure, inconsistent income, lack of structure, or systems that drain you. Identity‑level stuckness is deeper. It’s about who you are, what you value, and how you see yourself as a coach. It might sound like “I’m not good enough.”, “I don’t know what kind of coach I want to be.”, or “I’m not sure what I do really matters.”. Sometimes the two overlap. A practical issue can trigger deeper questions about purpose or confidence. But separating them helps you understand what kind of support or change you actually need.

From there, explore the stories you’re telling yourself. Every trainer has an internal narrative running in the background, especially during stressful periods. What story are you repeating about your business, your abilities, or your identity? Common examples include “Clients don’t care.”, “I’m not good at coaching.”, “I have no control over my situation.”, or “Coaching isn’t a real job.”. These stories often feel like facts, but they’re usually interpretations shaped by stress, comparison, or old beliefs you’ve never questioned. Say them out loud and notice how they sound. Pay attention to the language, especially words and phrases like “should”, “have to” and “need to”. Then ask yourself what evidence supports these stories and what evidence contradicts them. You’re not trying to force positivity; you’re trying to see the full picture rather than the narrow, fear‑driven version your brain defaults to.

Once you’ve done the reflective work, you can start using tools to help you move forward. The first is a values check. Your values act as a compass, even when you forget they’re there. If you already know them, review your stuck areas through that lens. If you don’t, take time to identify them. Ask whether there’s a conflict between what matters to you and how your business currently operates. For example, if fairness is a core value, charging what you need to earn may feel uncomfortable. If growth and change drive you, clients who don’t want to progress may frustrate you. If you crave structure, a flexible or unpredictable business model may drain you. Values don’t tell you what to do, but they explain why something feels off.

Another helpful tool is an energy audit. Draw a line down the middle of a page and list everything that drains you on one side and everything that energises you on the other. Review it honestly. What could you reduce, delegate, or change? What could you increase, even slightly? Where are you tolerating things that quietly exhaust you? Small shifts in energy often create big shifts in clarity and motivation.

From there, identify the smallest possible step you could take to move toward the future you want. Not the perfect step or the long‑term plan, just the smallest, simplest action you could take today or tomorrow. Something specific, achievable, and uncomplicated. Momentum rarely comes from big moves; it comes from tiny, consistent ones that build confidence and direction over time.

Finally, learn to challenge negative thought spirals when they appear. When you notice yourself looping, pause and ask what triggered the thought, what exactly you thought, whether it’s a fact or a story, and what a kinder, more balanced response might sound like. You’re not trying to silence the thoughts, you’re trying to stop them from becoming your truth. A helpful re‑centring question is: “If I were feeling just 10% less stuck, what might I do or think differently?”. Ten percent is small enough to feel possible but big enough to create movement.

Feeling stuck doesn’t mean you’re failing. Feeling uncertain doesn’t mean you’re not cut out for this work. Feeling disconnected doesn’t mean you’ve lost your passion. It usually means you care deeply about what you do, and you’ve reached a point where awareness needs to come before action. You don’t need to overhaul your business or reinvent yourself. You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to pause long enough to understand where you are, why you’re there, and what matters to you next.

For more on similar topics LTB members can access the Support Your Mental Wellbeing course or contact Claire to have a chat with one of the team.

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