In this inspiring episode of our podcast, we hosted Sohaib Ziad, a prominent figure in personal training and sports management, to discuss his professional journey and how his perspective on the role of a coach evolved—from simply leading training sessions to becoming a leadership figure combining scientific knowledge, sales skills, and management.
The Coach Is More Than Just a Trainer Initially, Sohaib’s understanding of the coach’s role was limited to the technical side of exercises. After joining Fitness First, his perspective changed completely. He realized that a successful coach needs more than exercise knowledge—they must also understand the basics of sales, management, and achieving financial stability. His philosophy is based on a simple yet profound principle: when the coach achieves their goals and feels financially and mentally comfortable, this directly reflects on the client’s satisfaction and well-being.
Training: Science and Art Sohaib believes that science is the foundation of coaching, but the most important skill is delivering that knowledge clearly and practically to the trainee. A successful coach communicates from a place of study and knowledge, not personal assumptions or improvisations. According to him, an effective coach combines scientific knowledge, professional appearance, sales skills, and a constant curiosity to ask: Why? And how can I improve?
Numbers Are Not the End of the Story He emphasizes that targets and numbers are not obstacles; they are indicators that can be surpassed through continuous development. Achieving goals is possible but requires adjusting methods and using data analysis effectively. Common excuses like "clients don’t have money" or "they prefer training alone" are just mental barriers that can be overcome by focusing on solutions rather than limitations.
Club Identity Makes the Difference Sohaib notes that every gym has its own culture and community. When opening a new gym, it’s essential to conduct a market study to understand competitors and identify what makes the new gym unique. While services may be similar across gyms, the experience and identity create the difference. A successful gym has a clear culture that members connect with and feel part of.
Artificial Intelligence: The Modern Coach’s Tool He warns against ignoring AI tools, considering them essential rather than optional. A coach who doesn’t invest in these tools risks falling behind, especially as clients may already use them. Using tools like ChatGPT, coaches can improve their services by preparing answers for common questions, delivering professional training content, and enhancing their training plans’ presentations.
Traits to Avoid Sohaib identifies traits coaches should avoid:
Traits of a True Leader The qualities that distinguish a coach as a leader include:
