Did you know that, on average, 80% of Personal Trainers quit within their first year?
The biggest reason for this is burnout.
As introverts, we feel exhaustion more than most – so if you’re an introverted personal trainer who longs to reach more clients without feeling utterly depleted, this video is for you!
I’m Sensei Sarah and I’m an introvert just like you, so I understand that it can be challenging to maintain balance and energy while constantly engaging with others. In this episode of Sensei Sarah’s Incredible Insights, we will explore five key reasons why introverted personal trainers often experience burnout and, most importantly, how to overcome these obstacles.
So, let’s dive in!
Reason 1: Overstimulation in a Social Environment
As an introverted personal trainer, you thrive on personal connections, but excessive social interaction can quickly drain your energy levels. Spending hours with clients, juggling their needs, and engaging in small talk can be overwhelming. It’s important to recognise that this overstimulation is a common trigger for burnout… but it’s easy to miss.
When I was a mobile Personal Trainer, I thought that the time I spent in the car, driving from one client to another would be enough to give me some downtime, but in reality, I was just swapping one tiring activity for another… so, I’d be using up energy while I was concentrating in the car on the drive to and from my clients’ houses, and having to use my social energy while I was with them. It was exhausting!
Reason 2: Emotional Energy Drain
Personal trainers provide more than just physical guidance; they often become a trusted support system for their clients. As an introverted personal trainer, your empathetic nature may lead to absorbing emotional stress from your clients, adding another layer of exhaustion. To prevent emotional energy drain, establish healthy boundaries and seek support from fellow trainers or mentors.
This happened to me quite profoundly when I switched my Personal Training for sports injury treatment and I had a steady flow of patients to treat. Because I had my hands on their bodies, I could feel their energy more acutely and if I wasn’t careful, my body would start to absorb their stress and discomfort from their pain.
It felt a bit like the scene in Harry Potter when the bad guy can get inside his mind and he has to learn to put barriers up to block him out.
Eventually, I learned that I could only deal with two clients back-to-back before I needed a break, so I adjusted my online calendar to include breaks and everything became much more manageable.
Reason 3: Constant Need for Communication
Effective communication plays a pivotal role in any personal trainer’s success. However, the constant need to communicate, explain exercises, and provide feedback can be mentally exhausting, especially for introverted trainers who thrive on quiet reflection.
It’s essential to recognise that your natural analytical mind is always on when you’re around people, whether you’re speaking or not.
When you’re with clients, especially if injuries are your thing like they are for me, you’re constantly analysing their movement and thinking before you speak so that you can communicate what you see in a meaningful and useful way… and that’s tiring.
If you’re not careful, you won’t be able to switch it off, and you’ll be assessing how people move when they’re running down the street – or walking around the supermarket like I still do sometimes!
Reason 4: Lack of Personal Time
When we take this overstimulation, emotional energy drain, and constant communication – and multiply it by the number of clients it takes to fill your diary, it’s no wonder that introverted Personal Trainers burnout… we don’t get enough downtime!
As an introvert, your need for solitude and quiet time is vital because it’s how you recharge. Prioritising self-care and establishing a structured daily routine that includes personal downtime is crucial for your overall well-being.
For me, it’s a hot soak in the tub listening to a book. It doesn’t really matter what it is though, just as long as it’s time for you to be by yourself, without interruption.
Reason 5: Understimulation and Burnout
As an introvert, your interactions with people need to be meaningful and engaging otherwise you’ll likely get bored.
Unfortunately, much of our training job involves listening to mundane chit-chat or performing repetitive activities.
For introverted trainers, this sense of monotony is often overlooked as a source of stress and burnout.
This usually happens when we’re working with clients who don’t suit our personalities or interests.
To avoid this, it’s critical that you do everything you can to find clients who are perfectly suited to you.
By addressing these five reasons, you can avoid the number one reason that causes Personal Trainers to quit. Remember, as an introverted personal trainer, recognizing the importance of self-care, setting boundaries, and finding your unique balance will be key to your long-term success and fulfillment.
Oh, and if you’re ready to overcome burnout and thrive as an introverted personal trainer, then I’ve got a cool little resource for you! Head to kickasspt.com/burnout to get access to my free booklet, ‘The Ultimate Burnout Survival Guide for Introverted Personal Trainers.’ It’s packed with practical tips and strategies to help you maintain balance and energy while reaching more clients.
So, make sure you grab your copy right now, and don’t forget to let me know in the comments below, how you get on!
Thanks for watching, I’m Sensei Sarah and I’ll see you on the next episode!