I sometimes wonder if I was wholly committed to wearing a full face of make up daily and getting some of those floss-up-your-arse-crack Gym Shark leggings coupled with a sports bra with more straps than a set of bondage trousers, whether I’d have millions of dedicated IG fans and a whole lot more influence across the wider world.
As it is, I brush my hair twice a week, wear whichever t-shirt is clean for the gym and often have visible back overhang from my well-structured running bra whenever I’m in lycra. I’m not here for show, I’m here for dough.
One of the most significant challenges we face in the wellness and health industry is the pervasive misconception that a coach’s physical appearance is the gold standard for their expertise, knowledge, and competence.
My brand of coaching is drawn from my scientific knowledge and appraisal skills, but also from my years of experience working with people on behaviour change. I think the value of my words is far more important than how I appear on the grid and quite frankly, given all the work I have to do as a bloody good coach, I don’t have time to be curling my hair and taking a selfie 10 times with 5 different filters before I can share it with the world!
The Allure of Appearance
I get it. “They have a six pack, they are committed, I should do what they do because they are the pinnacle of human success.”
We live in a visually driven society where physical appearances often dictate our perceptions. We’re driven, as animals, to respect and follow those who look like “perfect physical specimens.” Plus, we all want to appear a “perfect physical specimen” in order to feed our inmate drive to find a mate. The animal kingdom says, if you are attractive to the opposite sex the way your species defines attractiveness, you will be successful in finding a mate and you will pass on your genetic material. This is the evolutionary definition of success.
But, unfortunately we let this bias extends to the wellness and health industry, where people are inclined to trust coaches who display “ideal” body types or physical fitness. Social media platforms are rife with ‘fitfluencers’ who, while looking the part, may not have the appropriate long term approach to help you find what you’re looking for. Just because someone has worked hard and achieved something you see as “success”, doesn’t mean:
A) That is plausible for your circumstances.
B) They can teach you how to do the same!
Why Looks Can Be Deceiving
Firstly, it’s important to remember that everyone is unique. What works for one person may not work for another. A coach who has a lean, muscular physique may have achieved it through methods that would not be suitable or healthy for others. Furthermore, genetics plays a substantial role in how our bodies look and respond to exercise and diet, making it impossible to guarantee that following a coach’s regimen will lead to the same results.
Secondly, a perfect physique does not equate to health. A coach may look fit and healthy, but that doesn’t tell us anything about their blood pressure, cholesterol levels, mental health, or any underlying conditions they may have. It’s also worth noting that a person can look fit while practicing unhealthy behaviors, like over-exercising, under-eating, or using performance-enhancing drugs. And let’s not forget all the photo-enhancing, angle changing, filter engaging and basically the knowledge that half of what we see on the internet is literally NOT REAL anyway!
Finally, a fit body does not mean a fit mind. Nutrition coaching isn’t just about prescribing diets or exercise plans; it’s also about understanding human psychology, behaviour change, and emotional well-being. A coach with appropriate qualifications, or years of experience, may be better equipped to guide you towards sustainable lifestyle changes, even if they don’t have a six-pack.
The Value of Knowledge and Experience
Knowledge and experience are paramount in a good coach. An accredited nutritionist or dietitian has gone through rigorous training and education to understand the complexities of the human body, diet, and exercise. They can provide personalized advice based on your body type, lifestyle, and health goals. A coach with extensive experience has likely worked with a diverse range of clients and can use this knowledge to tailor their coaching to your unique needs.
Rather than bookmarking all the things you see under your favourite hashtags on TikTok and Instagram, why not engage in conversation with the people you want to learn from and see whether they really understand your circumstances? You might find out that what you’re trying to achieve with the methods you’re trying to use, might in fact be totally the wrong approach for your lifestyle and what you actually want to get out of life.
So what should I do instead?
By all means, follow the motivational stuff on IG, the stuff that gets you fired up and out of bed in the morning. Save the mantras and the useful stretch routines, the slow cooker recipes and the tips for improving time efficiency. But be careful when you sign up to one narrow field of knowledge. Be careful when you put your faith in someone purely because of how they look. Their journey is likely very different to yours and choosing to pay homage to someone purely based on their body fat percentage, could lead you to sabotaging yourself and feeling worse than when you started, if you don’t go in with your eyes wide open and consider what’s on the other side of the fence.