My Coaching Journey… So Far

If you haven’t figured it out yet—I’m training to become a coach! This journey kicked off back in March/April 2024, but not exactly how I expected. That’s when I found out I had not one, but two hernias (because, of course, I don’t do things by halves). This meant time off work—yay! But also time away from the gym—oh, hell no! Cue the return of Moon Face Ant.

Sitting around feeling sorry for myself wasn’t exactly my style, but I had to do something. Thankfully, my mate Simon helped put things into perspective. He reminded me that this wasn’t the end of the world—it was just a detour. And that’s when it hit me: I wanted to be thatperson for others. Someone who could reassure, guide, and support people on their fitness journey.

Step One: Figuring Out How to Become a Coach

In Australia, becoming a fitness professional requires two certifications:

✅ Certificate III – Group Instructor

✅ Certificate IV – Personal Trainer

Easy enough, right? Now, where do I get those?

A quick Google search bombarded me with online course options. Naturally, I picked the cheapest (rookie mistake). It promised a qualification in 12 weeks, all online, at my own pace. Perfect! I dove right in, scrolling through PDFs, smashing out assignments, and learning the theoretical basics—anatomy, client assessments, even how music impacts a workout.

The Reality Check

A few months in, I reached the practical component. That’s when reality hit me like a loaded barbell:

💭 I don’t actually know what I’m doing.

💭 Am I even doing these exercises with proper form?

💭 How can I coach someone else when I’m not 100% confident myself?

I realized the hard way that reading PDFs and answering quizzes wasn’t making me a coach—it was just teaching me how to press CTRL+F. I needed real, hands-on experience. So, at the end of 2024, I scrapped the online course and enrolled with Athletes Authority.

The Game-Changer: Athletes Authority

What convinced me? A brutally honest Facebook ad that called out online PT courses for being useless. (Great marketing, guys—message received!)

Unlike my previous course, this one is completely immersive. For the next six months, I’ll be training in person at Athletes Authority’s Sydney gym, learning both the theoretical and practical aspects of coaching. No shortcuts, no skimming PDFs—just real, hands-on education in a structured, professional environment.

The Next Chapter Begins

This week, I officially start the course, and I can’t even describe how excited I am. Of course, there’s a bit of nervous energy too—new location, new people, stepping out of my comfort zone. But if moving to Australia taught me anything, it’s that pushing myself into new experiences always pays off.

So, here’s the plan: throughout this blog, I’ll be sharing my journey, the lessons I learn, and insights that can help anyone on their own fitness path. If you’re thinking about becoming a coach—or just leveling up your training—stick around. This is going to be a ride!

Stay tuned! 🚀