A Conversation I Have With Almost Every New Client
Every time I start working with a new client, the beginning feels exciting.
Motivation is high. Emotions are high. There’s usually a strong desire to make a change, now. And that energy is a beautiful thing. It matters. It’s often what gets someone through the door in the first place.
But early motivation alone isn’t what creates lasting change.
That’s why one of the very first conversations I have with almost every new client centers around three things: expectations, patience, and confidence.
Prefer to listen? Watch the full conversation here.
Let’s Talk About Expectations
When someone starts coaching, it’s easy to dream big, and that’s not a bad thing. But we also need to ground those goals in reality.
If weight loss is the goal, we talk about what a realistic rate of weight loss actually looks like and how long it may take. Not what sounds exciting, but what’s sustainable and healthy.
If workouts are part of the plan, we talk honestly about frequency.
Hitting five days a week might sound amazing, especially at the start, but is it realistic for this season of life?
Because consistency doesn’t come from doing the maximum amount.
It comes from doing what you can repeat.
Two or three workouts done consistently will always beat five workouts done for two weeks before burning out.
Setting realistic expectations doesn’t lower the bar, it protects momentum.
Why Patience Matters More Than Motivation
Next, we talk about patience, and this is often the hardest part.
Any goal worth achieving takes time:
Losing weight
Eating healthier
Rebuilding a workout routine
Changing long standing habits
And almost always, it takes longer than we want it to.
This isn’t about dragging your feet or settling. It’s about understanding that real change happens gradually, especially when you’re not just chasing a result but trying to become a different version of yourself.
We’re not just aiming for a number on a scale or a short-term streak. We’re creating habits, routines, and an identity shift, and that takes time.
Patience isn’t passive.
It’s the willingness to keep showing up while the work compounds quietly.
How Confidence Is Actually Built
Finally, we talk about confidence, and this part is crucial.
Confidence does not come from:
Setting goals that are way too hard and failing over and over
Or setting goals that are so easy they don’t inspire effort
Both approaches undermine trust in yourself.
Real confidence is built when you set a goal that’s just slightly out of reach, challenging enough to matter, but realistic enough to pursue.
From there, we focus on creating simple, repeatable systems:
Workouts you can realistically fit into your week
Nutrition habits you can maintain even on busy days
Routines that support progress without requiring perfection
Each time you follow through on those habits, confidence grows.
Not because you were “motivated,” but because you proved to yourself that you can show up.
The Bigger Picture
This is why coaching isn’t about pushing harder or demanding more willpower.
It’s about:
Setting expectations that support consistency
Practicing patience while habits are built
And protecting confidence so progress can actually last
When those three things are aligned, change stops feeling like a constant uphill battle, and starts feeling steady, grounded, and sustainable.
And that’s where real transformation happens.
