Yes in 9 years I've let go I think 9 athletes because either I didn't think I was making a good impact anymore, they were making bad lifestyle decisions that was affecting my group of athletes, or the big one- commitment. And in the same light, I've had athletes "fire" me too. So it's all part of the process.
eta: and by commitment I mean they pay me to coach them to X goal/race and then only do 60% of the workouts. That's no dice for me. I'll gladly move on from you and not take your money if you can't find the time to dedicate to yourself (this is a long term process however, this isn't just a month's worth of missed classes..it's a pattern). Because at the end of the day, that athlete's result is on me. That's on me, so I'm going to do everything in my power to have the best result possible. And again, I don't have a "family" to feed, so I make decisions that other coaches would say is crazy- not taking money from athletes. But that's just my own take and decision. If your life/family/work is causing you to not have the time or energy to workout then this doesn't work. And in those cases most of the time, the athlete understands, although once....they went full nuclear on me in a context similar to ST. Athlete took it to FB group (I think she titled it, my coach just fired me now I'm pissed) and just railed on me (I never responded or saw the group itself, friends of mine told me). The funny thing about it was she was mad not that I wasn't a great coach or she loved the workouts, but that I was keeping her accountable, and suggested she just wasn't ready to do what she thought she was capable of doing because she missed so many workouts.
Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II
eta: and by commitment I mean they pay me to coach them to X goal/race and then only do 60% of the workouts. That's no dice for me. I'll gladly move on from you and not take your money if you can't find the time to dedicate to yourself (this is a long term process however, this isn't just a month's worth of missed classes..it's a pattern). Because at the end of the day, that athlete's result is on me. That's on me, so I'm going to do everything in my power to have the best result possible. And again, I don't have a "family" to feed, so I make decisions that other coaches would say is crazy- not taking money from athletes. But that's just my own take and decision. If your life/family/work is causing you to not have the time or energy to workout then this doesn't work. And in those cases most of the time, the athlete understands, although once....they went full nuclear on me in a context similar to ST. Athlete took it to FB group (I think she titled it, my coach just fired me now I'm pissed) and just railed on me (I never responded or saw the group itself, friends of mine told me). The funny thing about it was she was mad not that I wasn't a great coach or she loved the workouts, but that I was keeping her accountable, and suggested she just wasn't ready to do what she thought she was capable of doing because she missed so many workouts.
Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II
Last edited by:
B_Doughtie: Sep 14, 17 11:15