When Brian and I were first married, we got the privilege of visiting Maui for our honeymoon. After an amazing couple of weeks, we prepared to return home. Our flight was scheduled in the evening, so we decided to go hiking in the Iao Valley State Park before driving to the airport. Knowing this park was highly visited by tourists, we decided to hike off the beaten path in search of a “true” Hawaii scene. We hiked past streams and rivers and crossed many branches on our adventure. After about an hour, we had gone as far as we could on our little path and found ourselves stepping on overripe guavas and swatting at swarming mosquitoes vying for unbitten skin.

Resolved that we had seen all we were going to on this outing, we turned around to backtrack to our starting point. En route, we happened upon another Hawaiian who was out for his daily hike through the jungle. After striking up a conversation, he invited us to join him. He took us down a different path and gave us a mini tour of the landscape, the culture and some hidden waterfalls. It was amazing! The memorable views we were seeking were not far from where we hiked. We just didn’t know how to get to them. And the life of the jungle took on a whole new meaning when the local explained their details and highlighted their beauty.

What I had been looking at for the past hour didn’t catch my attention because I didn’t know what to look for. He showed me what I was missing. That last day is one of my treasured memories because we got what we desired, a unique experience with someone who knew where he was going and had the knowledge to share.

Personal coaching (or training) is the same way. It might not be the Iao Valley, but there are exciting things to see. Sometimes you walk right past what you’re looking for because you didn’t know you need to stop and focus on something small. Sometimes your trajectory is a little skewed. A good coach will re-align your thoughts, your focus and your movements. Other benefits of having a personal coach:

• Breakthroughs- either achieving that elusive goal, or achieving the goal faster
• Peace of Mind- you now have an outlet to ask your burning questions (or just simmerings)
• Guidance in Unknown Territory- what to eat? when to eat? what workouts? That all becomes charted territory.
• Affirmation and Confidence- time focused on you, your goals, your situation
• Being on a Team- tackling your goal together instead of going at it alone
• Accountability-  holding you to the goal that’s been swimming in the back of your mind and just needs to be done
• Growth- through homework and challenges (nutrition and exercises)

Want to explore the Iao Valley with a local?  Lose those last 10 pounds? Exercise consistently? Increase your clean and jerk? Get a coach.

Sign up for a free consultation here:

[zenplanner_button url=”https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=12171180&appointmentType=8163389″ target=”blank” size=”13″ center=”yes”]Book a No Sweat Consultation [/zenplanner_button]
Priscilla Jones is a mother of four and co-owner with her husband of Blue Wave Fit: Home to CrossFit 1088, a family-friendly personal training and CrossFit raining facility in Ocala, FL. You can reach her at priscilla@bluewavefitocala.com.