Health & Client-Centred Coaching - Triage Newsletter (14/07/2020)

Published: Tue, 07/14/20

Triage Method Newsletter - 14/07/2020

Introduction

In this week's newsletter, we discuss the "Coaching Footprint" concept, with a few concrete examples to really demonstrate how this applies in coaching. Additionally, as always, we have a number of recommended resources, as well as the content we shared on our social media this week.

Enjoy!

- Gary

Coaching Footprint - What is Yours?

We have written about the “Coaching Footprint” concept before, framing it specifically as “what am I leaving behind?”. Therefore, we wanted to actually share some concrete examples like the above. There are many more, some of which lie in much more grey areas and wrestle directly with some of the points shared above 👇🏼

✅What about attitudes & beliefs?

How might my advice modify someone’s attitudes/beliefs? Is my advice aligned with a specific narrative, and if so, is that a helpful one? How might this affect the way that someone views their health and fitness behaviours, and the other areas of their life?

Example: If I tell someone that they need to do specific exercises for their posture, one would assume that this aligns with the general narrative relating to posture and pain. This has the potential to reinforce preconceived notions about slouching and back pain, rounded shoulders being harmful etc.. Therefore, I must consider 1) the utility of the advice, and 2) the narrative that runs with it.

✅What about time?

How much time is going to be invested by the person if I give them this advice? If so, is it likely that the person has this much time available? If so, is this the most time-efficient way for this person to move closer toward the goals they have set for themselves.

Example: If someone starts a “stretching routine” [in addition to resistance training] that is to be performed for 30 minutes daily, that is an investment of 3.5 hrs/wk, 14 hrs/mo, or 182 hrs/yr. That is a lot of time, and hence, I would want to know that this is really in line with that person’s goal (e.g. get better at stretching vs reduce injury risk, great for the former, not for the latter).

First, Do No Harm

I would argue that a lot of the harm left behind, or, one’s coaching footprint, actually goes unnoticed. It is the fear of certain movements; of food; of weight gain; of living “impure”. It is the belief that for one to be healthy, one must reduce all life decisions to “positive” or “negative” for health.

It is the attitude that health can be viewed through a purely biomedical lens, at the expense of one’s career, relationships, and sense of fulfilment. It is a flawed understanding of the principles of nutrition. It is the misapplication of “feelings” in exercise prescription. It is the debt incurred by one’s monthly supplement bill. It is the fear of not being “perfect”.

✅Health is complicated and hence so too is coaching with health in mind. As coaches, acknowledging that responsibility can help. If nothing else, simply ask the question “what am I leaving behind?”.

Look beyond the transformation photo.

Until next time... Keep it 2ez.

Recommended Resources

Podcast: Insulin Resistance, Carbohydrate Metabolism & Obesity with Dr Brad Dieter - Metagenics Podcast

Article: Five Ways to Avoid Training Injuries - Michael Goulden

Book: M editations – Marcus Aurelius

If you want to check out more of our recommended resources, visit the link below, where we have archived all recommendations from previous newsletters.

Click Here For Archived Resources

Triage Podcast Content

Podcast Ep. 119 - Diet, Cholesterol & Heart Disease with Alan Flanagan

Click Here To Listen

Triage Written Content

Protein Timing

by Paddy Farrell

Click Here to Read

Obesity & Blood Pressure: Role of Weight Loss

by Gary McGowan

Click Here to Read

Triage Method Coaching Testimonials

I started working with Triage and Gary over a year ago. At the beginning we discussed goals and what our intentions would be. Coming from a football background, my ambition was to get fitter, leaner and stronger so that was our overarching target. We set general goals such as:

Lose weight – have dropped over 10kg (About 14% bw) slowly and steadily over this period, and it felt effortless. My body shape has completely changed and with it came an increase in fitness and confidence.

Get fitter – I went from someone who hid away in fitness drills and couldn’t run a kilometre, to signing up for and completing 5ks, 10ks and triathlons.

Get stronger – I was a regular in the gym but never saw sizeable gains. I was afraid to deadlift for fear of putting out my back. I Can deadlift 100kg easily now. I couldn’t do a single pull up, I can do ten no bother today. 2EZ.

Gary’s flexible approach with nutrition, assigning macronutrient and calorie targets made the process easy to adhere to, no rigid meal plans. I discovered a love of food and nutrition, filling up on colourful and healthy meals daily, whilst still enjoying the odd treat when I felt like it.

Even through injury, Gary adjusted the programs to suit, we were always being productive and it helped to mentally get through also. If ever there is a question to ask, Gary will always helpfully answer. If he doesn’t know the answer, he will find it. His ability to impart knowledge is one of his greatest strengths.

Nowadays, I feel we have a great working relationship whereby Gary has taught me so much that I can make suggestions for my program and we can incorporate them, whether it be in the gym, for cardio or nutrition.

When I first started coaching with Triage, I was a footballer wanting to improve so I wasn’t the last to everything. Now, I’ve realised that football isn’t everything. I’m athletic, confident, healthy and enjoying every single minute of continuous self-improvement along the way. I couldn’t recommend Gary and Triage highly enough.

Laura Fitzgerald

Aeronautical Engineer, Kerry Ladies Goalkeeper

Click Here For Coaching Information