The Magic of Being Unapologetically You in Fitness Instruction

(And why it matters more than any certificate ever will)

Let’s be honest: most of us didn’t join this industry because we wanted to “build a scalable business.” We came in because we wanted to help. Maybe because fitness saved us. Maybe because we didn’t see the role model we needed growing up. Maybe because we’ve overcome serious health issues and wanted to gift that blueprint to others.

But here’s the thing nobody tells you early on:You can’t help everyone. And you shouldn’t try.

In my early years, I was buried in the work — taking every client, filling every time slot, hiring staff, building programs. But even then, I could feel it: I was playing a losing game. Not because I wasn’t working hard… but because I was trying to be all things to all people.

That’s why I started Sweat Equity Coaching.To teach other professionals what I had to learn the hard way:

⚡ You will help the most people by being more YOU — not more generic.

👀 Clients know when you’re not being authentic.

Whether they can name it or not, people are attuned to your tone, your values, your vibe. With social media, everyone’s got a gut feeling about whether you’re the real deal or just faking it for the ‘gram.

So if you’re trying to copy someone else’s persona — if you’re diluting your language, changing your style, holding back your truth — your ideal clients won’t find you. Worse, they won’t even feel welcome.

🌪 I’ve had the trolls. I’ve had the tears.

I remember my first solo group fitness class. I was 16, understudying an experienced instructor when I got asked — last minute — to run the whole session alone.

I was thrilled.I nailed the setup. The music. The cues. I gave my all.

And at the end, two women waited until everyone left to spend 30 minutes… tearing me down.Not for my knowledge. But because I called a move by a different name. Because of my accent. Because I was young and new and different.

I remember walking away and just sobbing.That gut-empty, can’t-catch-your-breath kind of cry.

But I didn’t quit.And what I’ve learned since is this: that kind of criticism almost always comes from someone else’s fear.

🤯 People’s reactions are rarely about you.

The client who told me I’d “put on weight” after a holiday wasn’t trying to be cruel — she was afraid. She was spending thousands on a food delivery and weight loss program. Her biggest fear was gaining weight, and my presence (as a happy, healthy coach enjoying life) triggered something in her.

And honestly? It had nothing to do with me.People project. Especially in gyms.

🎯 So who are YOU… really?

• What do you believe in?

• What do you stand for?

• Who do you feel most alive working with?

• What are the common threads between the clients who light you up?

Don’t ignore those. That’s not coincidence. That’s your calling.

When I look at my favorite clients, they’ve all had:

• A few physical niggles or past injuries

• A complex history of chronic illness or burnout

• A cheeky sense of humor, even when they’re overwhelmed

• A desire to reconnect to their bodies — safely, functionally, and joyfully

That’s who I built my programs for. That’s who shows up.Because when you speak directly to the people you’re meant to help… they hear you.

🔥 It also shows up in how you instruct.

If you’re a bootcamp instructor who thrives on high-energy, military-style motivation — own that. Your people love that style.

Me? I’m not a yeller. I’m a projector.I connect one-on-one, even in a large group. I use eye contact, tailored cues, and body language reads to guide form, encourage effort, and celebrate wins.

I adjust my tone based on class type:

• Softer, slower, and more fluid for Pilates or mind-body formats

• Sharp, energetic, and rhythm-focused for high-intensity formats

• Clear, confident, and direct when rehab or injury awareness is involved

Your music, your cueing, your pace — it all matters.And when aligned with your authentic self, it lands better every time.

🧠 Final thought:

If you’re not being yourself, you’re depriving people of the one thing only you can offer.

You.

Your lived experience.Your philosophy.Your quirks.Your way of making someone feel seen and safe in their body.

And that?That’s more powerful than any certificate on your wall.

Want to learn how to channel your authentic voice into your teaching style, client journey, and studio brand?Check out our course: Instructor Magic — where we help you bring your fullest self to your group fitness, rehab, and coaching delivery.

Or reach out to us for a chat. We love helping good humans become unforgettable coaches.