Transforming Client Mindset for Long - term Pain - free Fitness: A Holistic Approach

Introduction

After over 11 years in the coaching realm, it has become evident that nearly every individual seeking training with me grapples with some form of pain. Pain is a universal experience. For some, it has emotional roots, while for the vast majority of adults, it manifests as daily physical discomfort. As coaches, the instinct might be to devise the perfect training program to alleviate this pain. However, the OPEX Coaching Certificate Program (CCP) has illuminated a different perspective: the training program is but a fraction of assisting clients in attaining a pain - free life.

Shifting the Mindset

The majority of people are impatient, yearning for immediate results. This is why individuals attempt muscle - ups when they can't even perform a strict Chest - To - Bar (CTB) pull - up. It's not their fault; we've all been bombarded with messages like:

• Achieve abs in seven minutes.

• Lose 30 pounds in 30 days.

Regrettably, the journey to enhanced fitness and reduced pain is a gradual one. The crux lies in guiding our clients to shift their mindset, embracing a long - term, patient approach to fitness and pain - free living. Here are three crucial steps often overlooked in changing mindset and achieving lasting pain relief.

Step 1: Understanding the Starting Point

“Meet them where they’re at,” as articulated by OPEX CEO Carl Hardwick, a seasoned coach with nearly 20 years of experience. The fundamental concept is to comprehensively understand various aspects of your client:

• Training history

• Injury history

• Nutrition habits

• Sleep habits

• Wants and needs

• Goals, schedule, and priorities

Based on this understanding, an effective program can be designed, taking into account their entire life. However, a common issue is that many clients lack self - awareness. They may not even be clear about their fitness objectives. Some may have arbitrarily decided that snatching and learning a muscle - up seem appealing, yet they overlook their physical limitations, such as the inability to raise their hands overhead without hyperextending their spine (or may not even be cognizant of this issue), and the pain they experience during snatching. Others set goals without considering the necessary steps for achievement. For instance, a client may express a desire to lose 20 pounds and do a pull - up, but their actions, like neglecting pull - up homework and indulging in Taco Bell, don't align with their goals.

Sorting out this emotional and physical pain begins with awareness. As Firass El Fateh, the owner of OPEX Abbotsford in British Columbia, explained, helping clients identify their intention or “why” is the initial step in uncovering, addressing, and eliminating their pain. This process commences on day one, during the initial consultation. “It’s about setting proper expectations from the start, going through the assessment together, and providing the client with a clear understanding of their physical status,” El Fateh added.

Emotionally, when clients are honest about their willingness to make sacrifices, like losing 50 pounds, they are more likely to shed emotional burdens and work towards resolving their issues. Practically, a thorough assessment enables clients to recognize their limitations. For example, if a client fails a shoulder flexion test, they are more likely to understand that overhead barbell work may not be advisable at present, and this may be the root cause of their pain. From here, a path can be charted to address this weakness and relieve pain. The mindset shift starts with understanding what causes emotional and physical pain and clarifying what they wish to achieve.

Step 2: The Elegance of Simplicity

Recall the elementary - school adage: Keep it Simple, Silly (KISS). As coaches, we often strive to reinvent the wheel to maintain client interest and showcase our knowledge. Another valuable lesson from the OPEX CCP is the beauty of simplicity, encapsulated in what Hardwick refers to as the “Basic Lifestyle Guidelines (BLGs).”

“Start with lifestyle,” Hardwick emphasized. First, assess the client's existing fitness routine and whether they are performing inappropriate contractions and movements. Then, examine their activities during the other 23 hours of the day. Evaluate their sleep hygiene, nutrition hygiene, and stress levels. Teach them how these factors contribute to pain, poor recovery, and fatigue. “If the client isn't sleeping well, drinking enough water, or getting sufficient sunlight, delving deep into program design is futile,” El Fateh concurred.

Beyond sleep, stress, sunlight, and nutrition, Hardwick encourages coaches to consider factors such as daily step count, water intake, and bowel movements. As OPEX Founder James Fitzgerald noted, if you're uncomfortable discussing bowel movements with your clients, you're missing a vital aspect. “It's an undeniable health barometer... You must discuss it with your clients.”

“Identify the most easily - addressable lifestyle habits,” Hardwick advised, “and focus on these before crafting a complex training program with lofty promises.”

Step 3: Educating on the “Why”

Anyone can teach the mechanics of squats, presses, hinges, and pulls. However, for clients to genuinely commit to a long - term journey towards better health and pain - free living, they need to understand the rationale behind their actions. This understanding fosters the crucial element of “buy - in,” as Hardwick explained.

“It begins with the ability to educate our clients,” Hardwick stated, not only through principles and science but also via personal and other clients' experiences. El Fateh concurs. Once his clients have a clear understanding based on the OPEX assessment, he can then “link how the program will guide them from their current state to their desired destination.”

He added, “Explaining the ‘why’ behind the program is essential... When people understand the purpose of their actions, they are more likely to persist.” The more self - sufficient and autonomous clients become, the more likely they are to make informed decisions even when the coach is not present, ultimately leading to long - term pain relief.