008 | Is a Coach Really a Coach?

Let’s talk about the oversaturation of online coaches. Whether you’re actually looking for information, support or guidance for something, or someone just randomly drops into your social media messages, there’s no denying that “coach” carries a little bit of a connotation that isn’t taken real seriously.

Because for real, it’s like everyone and their mom is a coach these days. Especially since the pandemic hit and quarantines were our reality.

This is unfortunate and troubling because there are a lot of really great coaches out there who work really hard, leaning into their expertise, and creating great opportunities for people to learn and grow in whatever way they want or need.

The problem is there are a lot of people out there who are using the word “coach” as a superfluous title with no credentials and messed up training, much of which comes from multi-level marketing companies (MLMs) that will tell you pretty much ANYTHING to buy the product and sign up for their “business opportunity.”

It’s this sort of thing that makes real coaches look bad, makes it hard for them to stand out online in the inundating sea of “coaches,” and makes it SUPER difficult for you, the consumer, to find a legit coach to help you achieve your goals. How are you supposed to know who’s legit and who’s worth whatever money you’re willing to spend?

In this episode, I take you on a journey. We’ll wander down some YouTube rabbit holes, talk about coaching credentials and scope of practice, MLM scams, and most importantly, these 10 tips to help you identify if a coach is legit:

Check out their social media bios. If they don’t list any sort of credentials, it’s probably because they don’t have any. You can check their website if they list one, but if nothing is listed in either place, they probably don’t have any certifications or training.
Look at what they’re selling. It’s outside a health coach or personal trainer’s scope of practice in the United States to create personalized meal plans or recommend supplements.
Beware of heavy supplement pushing. Supplements are not regulated by the FDA, so if a supplement company is saying they are, they’re lying to you at worst, misleading you at best. Either way, supplements are not required to live a healthy life. You don’t need supplements.
Try to find their origin story. Their origin story is where they come from, what their experience is. If they’re a former fitness competitor, make sure they have some form of certification. Fitness competitors are very disciplined, but many of the practices are extremely unhealthy. It’s a sport. If someone isn’t certified, they may approach all clients from this same extreme view, which is not safe and not recommended for most people.
Check out their programs. One of the most common things you’ll see, especially from a fitness perspective, is cookie-cutter workouts. You buy a PDF with a workout that is going to be the exact same workout as anyone else who clicks on that link. These can be OK, but don’t spend much money on it. It’s rare that these types of programs are worth more than $50, and there are very few that I think are even worth that much. If you’re going to spend money, try to find something personalized, or at least inexpensive.
Look for content related to safe practices. If you’re following someone on social media, look for examples of demonstrations for practicing exercises safely, speaking to body mechanics and safe movement to prevent injury. They are more likely (though not always) to know what they’re talking about and have your best interest at heart.
Look for return/refund/money back guarantees. Anything you have to jump through hoops for to get your money back is probably not worth it and likely not legit.
If they try to sell you on a business opportunity or spending money to earn a discount, it’s a scam. Politely decline, and if they keep pushing, practice some assertiveness and stand up for yourself. Signs of trying to sell a business opportunity is a huge red flag for an MLM and I can promise you there are better ways to work from home, be your own boss, and have more control over your financial freedom. Don’t fall for MLM manipulation.
Google the business or coach. Take the two minutes to do a quick google search and see what you find related to MLM, scam, law suits, or whatever else.
If they offer a quick fix, move along and find a different coach. Three-day cleanses, detoxes, and bullshit like that is not only unsustainable, it’s dangerous. For a lot of reasons. Yo-yo dieting can screw with your metabolism, contribute to disordered eating behaviors, and keep you stuck. Look for lifestyle support. Anything that doesn’t describe long-term lifestyle changes is probably a gimmick and if it’s a gimmick, it’s risky. Nothing is so important that you need to put your health at risk for a quick fix. I promise you that.
Bonus tip: You can’t spot-reduce fat. Period. End of story. So if you hear “burn belly fat” or anything like that, put them on the no-fly list. Anyone who tells you otherwise doesn’t know what they’re talking about, and you should find a more credible source for information.

Coaches have a wealth of knowledge and big hearts. There’s so much value in finding a good coach, even if you’re just engaging with their free content. Maybe taboo for me to say as a coach whose goal is to make a living through coaching – but there’s a lot of great information out there for free. The difference is that free content will usually be more generic, while anything you pay for should be more detailed, specific, or even individually tailored to you. (That’s a bonus tip for you!)

Put on your sassy pants and get comfy. This is gonna be a fun one!

What are your thoughts about online coaches? I want to hear from you! Connect with me: