To say I was excited when I found out that Fit For Birth (FFB) would begin offering a Pregnancy Safe Coach membership program would be an understatement. As a graduate of Fit For Birth’s PPCES and PPDCC courses, I credit my success with my ability to translate the principles of FFB coaching into real-world application with clients. The foundation of my coaching and that of my studio, was established with the high-quality training I received from FFB. So I read all the details, and was completely on-board. With one reservation. There was no provision for a limit on the number of license holders in a geographical area.
Whoa. Wait. What?!?
You mean there could be a coach or facility a block away from me with the same license? No way. I was sure this was just an oversight on their part – had to be. Nobody wants competitors right down the street! I wanted exclusive access to this goodness. So I sent an email to Joanie Johnson asking for clarification. She responded immediately and we set up a time to talk.
And then a piece of pie. It was humble pie. And I’m not going to lie, it got a little stuck in my throat.
Because Joanie, in her kind, patient way, reminded me that FFB operates from an abundance mindset. Its mission is to educate as many coaches as possible in order to positively impact as many women as possible. And as she was talking, I was thinking, “Yeah, me too! I practice abundance in my life! I want women to thrive!”. But the words that came out were all about scarcity, “Yeah, but Joanie, I’ve worked really hard to launch my business, to open my studio. Exclusivity will lead to an abundance of clients. I need this to set myself apart. To succeed”.
Yikes. Sounds crazy right?
But here’s the thing. It’s not. Because you and I both know the fitness industry has made its living on scarcity. It has groomed us (as both consumers and providers) to believe that time is not on our side: Limited time offer so nevermind my credentials just give me your money; Only 2 spaces left in this body-blasting bootcamp; Summer’s almost here so you better join now or you won’t be bikini-body ready. True confession. How many of us are guilty of using the same strategies in our business, with clients, or colleagues? And you know what? It’s ok. Because that was before.
Now we know better. So we go do better.
For me, that meant signing on to the Pregnancy Safe Coaching program. Now, the scared, cynical, small part of you might be thinking, “Well of course they don’t want to limit licenses. It’s more money in their pocket”. But that would show how little you really know about the FFB team. They’re not in this for the money or the fame or the likes. They’re in it for you. And me. And a healthier humanity. Literally. Their goal is to flood the fitness industry with highly-educated, supremely qualified coaches who constantly strive to know more and do better for their clients. Who the hell can argue with that??
So just like that, my scarcity turned to abundance. And ever since, I’ve been calling myself out for small thinking, and that scared, limited vision that holds me and my industry back. Some days are easier than others – but that’s why it’s called “practice”. And enough of it makes perfect-ish.
Robin Taylor is a Fit For Birth Pregnancy Safe Coach and the owner of MVMNT Studio (https://mvmntstudio.com/) in San Diego, California, a private/semi-private training studio that specializes in Pre & Post Natal personalized coaching. Her certifications include: Fit for Birth PPN-CES / DCC, NASM-CPT, FRCms, IBBFA, TRX
@mvmntstudiosd