CHALK TALK

Coaching Observations & Being a Professional Vibes Reader

In this week’s episode we discuss some underrated aspects of coaching along with some observations and my own reflections. Maybe underrated isn’t the word choice for these, but these are things that absolutely impact the delivery, flow, and facilitation of a training session (or practice). Things like providing autonomy, spatial awareness, and reading the room.  We dive into the importance of providing autonomy and how that can be impactful for an individual (as per the Self Determination Theory) along with long-term skill acquisition. We discuss the importance of spatial awareness and knowing when to be more hands-on vs. when to give the athlete/ client space. Finally, we discuss the concept of “reading the room” when it comes to how we’re communicating, coaching, and facilitating (and essentially how we read the VIBES of the room).  I also share a little more information about some upcoming in-person continuing education opportunities like the NSCA Ontario Clinic [https://www.nsca.com/events/state-and-regional/ontario-provincial-clinic/] on Saturday May 23rd at McMaster University and the McMaster Performance and Wellness Workshop [https://mcmaster.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=1721] held the next day on Sunday May 24th.  CONNECT WITH TRAINING2XL: Website: www.training2xl.com [http://www.training2xl.com]  Email: alena@training2xl.com [alena@training2xl.com]  Instagram: www.instagram.com/training2xl/ [http://www.instagram.com/training2xl/]  Coaching Foundations Course: https://www.training2xl.com/coaching-foundations-course [https://www.training2xl.com/coaching-foundations-course]  1:1 Remote Programming + Coaching: https://www.training2xl.com/shop/remote-programming-coaching [https://www.training2xl.com/shop/remote-programming-coaching]  1:1 Mentorship Intake: www.training2xl.com/11-mentoring [https://www.training2xl.com/11-mentoring]  NSCA Ontario Clinic: https://www.nsca.com/events/state-and-regional/ontario-provincial-clinic/ [https://www.nsca.com/events/state-and-regional/ontario-provincial-clinic/]  McMaster Performance & Wellness Workshop: https://mcmaster.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=1721 [https://mcmaster.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=1721]

EPISODE 51: The Concept of Duality and How it Pertains to Coaching, Sport & Life

In this week’s episode we discuss the concept of duality and how it pertains to coaching, entrepreneurship, and life. Duality is understanding that things can co-exist (especially opposing thoughts, feelings, emotions, interests, etc). It’s actually a really awesome concept that I’m working on embracing in both my professional and personal life.  I think this is actually something that should be discussed more in the coaching world because I feel like it’s a common misconception that you need to act, dress, or be a certain way in order to be respected and seen as professional. I’ve spent many years not showcasing certain aspects of myself out of fear of not being taken seriously in a male-dominated field, but the older I get, and the longer I’ve been in this industry, the more I realize that it’s actually an asset to be myself.  When we show up in a way that’s authentic, we give permission to others to do the same and that’s a powerful tool for building culture and community. As always, feel free to comment below or send me an email to chat further! CONNECT WITH TRAINING2XL: Website: www.training2xl.com [http://www.training2xl.com]  Email: alena@training2xl.com [alena@training2xl.com]  Instagram: www.instagram.com/training2xl/ [http://www.instagram.com/training2xl/]  Coaching Foundations Course: https://www.training2xl.com/coaching-foundations-course [https://www.training2xl.com/coaching-foundations-course]  1:1 Remote Programming + Coaching: https://www.training2xl.com/shop/remote-programming-coaching [https://www.training2xl.com/shop/remote-programming-coaching]  1:1 Mentorship Intake: www.training2xl.com/11-mentoring [https://www.training2xl.com/11-mentoring]

EPISODE 50: This One’s for the Girls (and men that want to be better)

In this week’s episode, we discuss something that is currently circulating in the social media world about the US men’s hockey team mocking the US women’s hockey team with their president in the comfort of their locker room.  It’s not so much that they laughed … it’s the principle of it. It’s the fact that their women fought hard to win a gold medal on the same stage they did but became the butt of a joke, and no one was there to defend them or stand up for them in that room. It’s that women everywhere have experienced this and feel exhausted constantly trying to defend themselves in different situations.  I wanted to use this space to share more about where my own rage is stemming from after doing some reflecting and want to open up the conversation to share some perspective as a woman in a male-dominated industry.  If you want to continue the discussion, please email me at alena@training2xl.com [alena@training2xl.com] - my inbox is always open! CONNECT WITH TRAINING2XL: Website: www.training2xl.com [http://www.training2xl.com]  Email: alena@training2xl.com [alena@training2xl.com]  Instagram: www.instagram.com/training2xl/ [http://www.instagram.com/training2xl/]  Coaching Foundations Course: https://www.training2xl.com/coaching-foundations-course [https://www.training2xl.com/coaching-foundations-course]  1:1 Remote Programming + Coaching: https://www.training2xl.com/shop/remote-programming-coaching [https://www.training2xl.com/shop/remote-programming-coaching]  1:1 Mentorship Intake: www.training2xl.com/11-mentoring [https://www.training2xl.com/11-mentoring]

EPISODE 49: Staying in Your Professional Lane

In this week’s episode, we’re discussing the concept of staying in your professional lane. This is something that I’ve wanted to share more about for a while now because of several conversations I’ve had with TRAINING2XL teammates. If you are a service provider, it’s really important to understand the role you play in their journey based on your strengths, skill set, and education.  Of course there is going to be overlap amongst movement professionals, but having self + professional awareness around what you offer that differs from another professional is important, and it’s important we don’t get territorial over the individuals we work with - we are stronger as a team!  I truly believe in collaboration over competition, but have felt frustrated with some recent experiences where that respect is not reciprocated (and it doesn’t feel great). This episode is meant to share some insight and hopefully spark some conversation! If you are a movement professional looking for continuing education, I just opened up the  Q1 Cohort of the Coaching Foundations Course [https://www.training2xl.com/coaching-foundations-course] for registration and we kick off live sessions at the end of the month! Check out the link for more information, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions.  CONNECT WITH TRAINING2XL: Website: www.training2xl.com [http://www.training2xl.com]  Email: alena@training2xl.com [alena@training2xl.com]  Instagram: www.instagram.com/training2xl/ [http://www.instagram.com/training2xl/]  Coaching Foundations Course: https://www.training2xl.com/coaching-foundations-course [https://www.training2xl.com/coaching-foundations-course]  1:1 Remote Programming + Coaching: https://www.training2xl.com/shop/remote-programming-coaching [https://www.training2xl.com/shop/remote-programming-coaching]  1:1 Mentorship Intake: www.training2xl.com/11-mentoring [https://www.training2xl.com/11-mentoring]

EPISODE 48: How to Spot a Good Apple

In this week’s episode, we discuss what to look for when you’re seeking support from a professional in the movement field. I go through some key characteristics that separate individuals in the field, and ensure you’re getting care from the right person. This is specific to the field of strength and conditioning and/ or personal training, but many concepts covered can be carried into other fields as well. We discuss certifications, qualifications, insurance, and experience. Whether you are an athlete in sport or athlete in life looking for someone to write a program for you, or you’re a coach yourself and want to ensure you’ve covered all your bases, this episode will provide insight to ensuring you’re taking the right steps forward! Shoutout to my friend and fellow S&C coach + entrepreneur Justin Vince for sharing similar insight on his blog - find it HERE [https://prototypesportsperformance.com/training/hiring-a-personal-trainer/].  If you are an athlete in sport or athlete in life, there are spots open for my 1:1 Remote Coaching [https://www.training2xl.com/shop/remote-programming-coaching], and if you’re an S&C coach, personal trainer, or movement professional wanting to continually learn and evolve as a practitioner, the Q1 Cohort of the Coaching Foundations Course [https://www.training2xl.com/coaching-foundations-course] opens for registration at the beginning of February!  CONNECT WITH TRAINING2XL: Website: www.training2xl.com [http://www.training2xl.com]  Email: alena@training2xl.com [alena@training2xl.com]  Instagram: www.instagram.com/training2xl/ [http://www.instagram.com/training2xl/]  Coaching Foundations Course: https://www.training2xl.com/coaching-foundations-course [https://www.training2xl.com/coaching-foundations-course]  1:1 Remote Programming + Coaching: https://www.training2xl.com/shop/remote-programming-coaching [https://www.training2xl.com/shop/remote-programming-coaching]  1:1 Mentorship Intake: www.training2xl.com/11-mentoring [https://www.training2xl.com/11-mentoring]