The 4 Levels of a Run Coaching Business
The way I see it, there are 4 levels in run coaching businesses:
A new coach (0-2 athletes)
Part time coach (3-20 athletes)
Full time coach (20+ athletes)
Leader coach (Full time + leading other coaches or a group etc)
In the last 10 years as I’ve built a thriving six figure + run coaching business, I’ve hit every level (sometimes 2x as I rebuilt!) on this list.
What It Takes to Level Up as a Run Coach
And every time I level up, I face the same harsh reality:
You have to level up your belief, mindset and skills BEFORE you level up your income.
You’ll have to spend money, time, energy and face a lot of uncomfortable feelings in the process.
What Stops Part Time Run Coaches From Going Full Time
When I was a part time coach, I was constantly worried about where my next new athlete would come from. I worried people would leave (spoiler: no matter how great you are, they DO leave), I was worried my social media content sucked (spoiler: it did at first) and that my friends and family were judging me, I was worried that people would think I was just trying to make money and didn’t care about them.
How do you create belief that you can be a full time coach when you have when you only have 5 paying clients and one has a marathon next month and you’re 99% sure they’re going to cancel after?
How do you improve your mindset when your best friend and your mom think your coaching job is a cute little hobby?
How do you work on your skills when you are working a full time job on top of coaching, taking your kids to school every day and trying to train for a marathon yourself?
This is exactly why most run coaches get stuck at one level for years, or maybe forever. Or they quit.
Because they aren’t willing to invest the time, energy and money in improving their skills, belief and mindset BEFORE they get the rewards of the next level.
How to Build Belief, Mindset & Skills to Increase Run Coaching Income
Belief —> Get clarity on your goals (where are you going with your business in 3 years, not 1 month?) and spend a little time every day showing your brain proof that you can succeed (and don’t scroll IG so much in comparison mode)
Mindset —> Surround yourself with people who are rising up and read books or listen to podcasts hosted by people already at the level you want to go.
Skills —> Invest in systems, coaching and skills of the level of business you DESIRE before you actually have it.
That next level is waiting for you. Stop letting doubt and fear stop you.
Runner Rising Podcast- Business Tips & Mindset Podcast for Growing Run Coaches
This week’s Runner Rising podcast goes deeper into this topic and I share some of the ways I’m currently leveling up & why its uncomfortable.
