Episode 37 - Jennifer Broxterman
Introduction
In this section, the host introduces the Coach Catalyst podcast and its purpose. He also welcomes Jennifer Broxterman as a guest on the show.
Purpose of the Podcast
- The Coach Catalyst podcast is about helping coaches grow by learning from successful mentors in the industry.
- Listeners can gain insights into motivation, success, failure, tools, tricks, and where the industry is going.
Introduction of Guest Speaker
- Jennifer Broxterman is introduced as a returning guest on the show.
- She has been in the industry for over 13 years and runs two nutrition-based businesses: Nutrition RX and Prosper Nutrition.
Overview of Episode
In this section, Trevor Whitwer provides an overview of what listeners can expect from this episode. He mentions that they will be discussing updates on Prosper Nutrition and some interesting topics related to making business work in our lives.
Topics Covered in Episode
- Updates on Prosper Nutrition
- Changes in mindset over time
- Making business work in our lives
Recap of Previous Episode
In this section, Trevor Whitwer briefly recaps Jennifer Broxterman's previous appearance on the show (episodes 1 through 5).
Previous Episode Recap
- The previous episode covered Jennifer's entire backstory and her two nutrition-based businesses.
- Listeners are encouraged to listen to those episodes if they haven't already done so.
Elevator Pitch for Prosper Nutrition
In this section, Jennifer Broxterman provides an overview of what Prosper Nutrition does and how it helps gym owners and coaches bring nutrition coaching into their business.
What is Prosper Nutrition?
- Prosper Nutrition is a nutrition certification program designed to serve gym owners and teams of coaches.
- The program focuses on habit-based coaching, motivational interviewing, and gamification to change behavior.
- Prosper Nutrition helps gyms establish or reinvigorate their nutrition programs and provides coaches with the skills and confidence to deliver year-round nutrition coaching.
Update on Prosper Nutrition
In this section, Jennifer Broxterman discusses how Prosper Nutrition has evolved in the last six months since its inception.
Accomplishments of Prosper Nutrition
- Jennifer's biggest accomplishment is her students' success. She feels like a mentor when her students succeed.
- Prosper Nutrition started in May 2022 and has already helped gym owners establish successful nutrition programs.
- Jennifer helps gym owners who have non-existent or stale nutrition programs by reinvigorating them with new life.
Conclusion
In this section, Trevor Whitwer concludes the episode by thanking Jennifer Broxterman for being a guest on the show and providing valuable insights into making business work in our lives.
Final Thoughts
- Trevor thanks Jennifer for sharing her expertise and insights into the industry.
- Listeners are encouraged to check out Prosper Nutrition if they are interested in establishing or improving their gym's nutrition program.
Celebrating Successes
The speaker talks about the success of their nutrition business and how they have been able to help gym owners and coaches achieve better results for their clients.
Key Points
- The speaker's goal was to have 20 clients in a year, but they were able to get 19 steady paying nutrition clients in their gyms faster than expected.
- They bought a great network with almost close to 300 gyms, which has helped coaches feel more confident and see better results for their clients.
- Gym owners are making more money, coaches are being paid better per hour, and end-users are getting healthier and happier.
Challenges of Growing a Business
The speaker discusses the challenges they faced while growing their business.
Key Points
- As the owner of two businesses, the speaker felt spread too thin and had full responsibility fall back on their shoulders.
- Their focus was divided between NutritionRX (their own nutrition practice) and Prosper (their second business), causing them to struggle with time management.
- They realized that they needed to make a pivot if they were going to give Prosper the fair chance it deserved.
- Two things came about from that decision: hiring really good help and investing in themselves by hiring an in-house videographer.
Importance of Having the Right People
The speaker emphasizes the importance of having the right people in your team when trying to grow a business.
Key Points
- Having the right people in the right seats can make your business much better and more fun.
- Finding good support is crucial when trying to get something off the ground; otherwise, you'll keep tripping and stumbling.
- Hiring an excellent marketer has been going super well for them, and they've also hired an in-house videographer who's on their team two days a week full-time.
- With the right people executing their vision, the speaker feels like they can take a sigh of relief that what they envisioned for content creation is finally getting done.
Finding the Right People
In this section, the speaker talks about how to find the right people for your business or project.
Connections are Everything
- The speaker emphasizes that connections are everything when it comes to finding the right people.
- They share a Tony Robbins quote that says, "so much of your worth can be connected to your network."
- The speaker shares an example of how they found a coach through their network by keeping themselves updated online and reaching out to someone who posted about their work on Facebook.
Referrals and Recommendations
- The coach wasn't the right fit for the speaker's needs, but they introduced them to someone else who was a perfect match.
- The new person had a skill set that matched what the speaker was looking for. This connection was made possible because of the coach's Facebook post and subsequent referral.
- The speaker also found their videographer through referrals from friends who were willing to put their name behind recommendations.
Putting Yourself Out There
- The speaker encourages self-employed individuals and business owners to put themselves out there by updating others on what they're doing and asking for help if needed.
- By letting people know what you're working on, you increase your chances of finding someone who can help you or connect you with others who can.
Taking Action and Asking for Help
In this section, the speaker talks about taking action and asking for help when needed in order to achieve success in business or projects.
Don't Go It Alone
- The speaker emphasizes that it's important not to go it alone and to ask for help when needed.
- They suggest that people in your circle may know someone who can help you or connect you with the right person.
Don't Get Stuck
- The speaker warns against getting stuck and trying to figure everything out on your own.
- They suggest that taking action and asking for help is a better approach than trying to do everything yourself.
Conclusion
- The speaker concludes by emphasizing the importance of connections, referrals, and asking for help in finding the right people for your business or project.
Introduction to Coach Catalyst
In this section, Kane introduces himself and his company, Coach Catalyst. He explains the four C's of coaching that his company is built on.
The Four C's of Coaching
- Content: Deliver the whole experience for the client beyond just workouts.
- Communication: Own your communication with clients by using a centralized platform.
- Community: Take ownership over your social group with Coach Catalyst communities.
- Consistency: Use Atomic Habits' fundamental principles within our app to guarantee results.
Taking a Sabbatical to Scale Prosper Nutrition
In this section, Jen talks about her decision to take a six-month sabbatical from her nutrition business, Prosper Nutrition.
Goals for Sabbatical
- Wipe calendar clean and make herself completely unavailable to long-term dependable clients.
- Film YouTube content and put out more content for coaches.
- Rest and practice self-care while reflecting on big picture goals.
- Go into sabbatical without rigid plan or expectations.
Anxiety and Resilience
Jen discusses her level of anxiety around taking a sabbatical from work and how she has developed resilience over the years.
Anxiety Levels
- Jen experiences low-level anxiety about taking a sabbatical, but it is not as severe as it would have been five to eight years ago.
- She attributes this to her increased resilience and ability to handle unexpected situations.
- In the past, Jen's anxiety would spike if she did not have everything planned out and under control. Now, she feels comfortable with uncertainty.
Taking Risks
- As an entrepreneur, Jen believes that taking calculated risks is necessary for success. However, she has enough savings set aside that even if her business makes no money, all bills can still be paid.
- She does not feel anxious because the decision to take a sabbatical is reversible, and she has other options available if needed.
Excitement for Sabbatical
Jen expresses her excitement for her upcoming sabbatical and discusses how she plans to use the time.
Projects
- Jen has a long list of projects waiting for her during her sabbatical but does not feel pressure to complete them all.
- She is excited about having the freedom to explore new ideas without any constraints or expectations.
Countdown
- Despite still being involved in day-to-day operations until Prosper's launch is complete, Jen cannot wait for her sabbatical to begin. She counts down the days with optimism and excitement.
Jen's Background
Jen discusses her background and how she started her business.
Education
- Jen graduated from university in 2010 with a degree in dietetics. She then completed a dietetic internship and started her business while also pursuing a Master's degree in foods and nutrition.
- During this time, she was growing her business from scratch while also being a full-time student. This experience taught her to manage her time effectively and prioritize tasks.
Writing Her Thesis
- To complete her Master's thesis, Jen alternated between writing for one week and seeing clients the next week. This approach helped her stay focused on both tasks without procrastinating.
Coach Catalyst
Jen talks about how Coach Catalyst has helped streamline communication with clients.
Communication Struggles
- As a gym owner and coach, Jen spent up to 20 hours per week communicating with clients via phone calls, Facebook Messenger, email, and text messages. She tried various methods to make communication more efficient but struggled to find a solution that worked well for everyone.
Streamlining Communication
- After discovering Coach Catalyst, Jen was able to cut down daily interaction time with over 300 clients to under 15 minutes per day. The software also streamlined six-week challenges, making them more manageable for both coaches and clients alike.
- Overall, Jen credits Coach Catalyst with helping her regain control of her schedule and improve client satisfaction levels significantly.
The Importance of Collaboration in Nutrition Coaching
In this section, the speaker discusses how collaboration and teamwork are essential in nutrition coaching.
Importance of Allies in Nutrition Coaching
- A good coach should consider all factors before giving advice.
- Registered dietitians are not the only qualified people to talk about nutrition.
- We need more allies to fight against obesity and chronic disease.
- Coaches should work together as a team with coordinated roles.
Scope of Practice in Nutrition Coaching
- There is a scope that needs to be respected, especially when it comes to medical concerns.
- Offering guidance and support for wellness from a habit-based behavior change perspective is within the scope of practice for healthcare or non-healthcare providers.
- Diagnoses, disease states, and medical concerns require specialized training.
The Role of Habits in Nutrition Coaching
In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of habits in nutrition coaching.
Building Healthy Habits
- Habits are automatic behaviors that can be changed through repetition.
- Small changes can lead to big results over time.
- Consistency is key when building healthy habits.
- Celebrating small wins can help build momentum towards bigger goals.
Breaking Unhealthy Habits
- Identifying triggers and replacing unhealthy habits with healthier ones is key to breaking bad habits.
- It's important to have a plan in place for dealing with setbacks.
- Accountability and support can help when breaking unhealthy habits.
The Importance of Mindset in Nutrition Coaching
In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of mindset in nutrition coaching.
Developing a Growth Mindset
- A growth mindset is essential for making progress towards goals.
- Embracing challenges and learning from mistakes is key to developing a growth mindset.
- Focusing on progress rather than perfection can help shift towards a growth mindset.
- Cultivating self-awareness and self-reflection can help develop a growth mindset.
Overcoming Limiting Beliefs
- Limiting beliefs can hold us back from achieving our goals.
- Challenging limiting beliefs and reframing them in a positive light can help overcome them.
- Surrounding oneself with positive influences and seeking out support can also be helpful.
Referring Out and Being Authentic on Social Media
In this section, the speaker talks about two things she needed to improve her mindset on. The first is referring out when necessary, even if it's within scope. The second is being authentic on social media.
Referring Out
- Dietitians are slow to train and there aren't enough of them to meet the demand for nutrition advice.
- Even people within scope should refer out when necessary.
- Helping as much as possible can make the world a healthier place.
Being Authentic on Social Media
- Used to be very professional and neutral online, but it was a disservice because it didn't appeal to anyone.
- Softened into being authentically herself online by showing a range of emotions and not just success.
- Role models healthy real-life looks like but shows a range of emotions.
- Perfection online does damage to our culture.
- Shows in-the-moment unfiltered posts that are received well by followers.
- Favorite compliment is how authentic and genuine she seems online.
- Pulled the stick out of her butt and relaxed, giving herself permission to be herself online.
- Doesn't worry about how she presents herself anymore; cares less what people think of her.
Social Media Strategy
In this section, the speakers discuss their social media strategies and how they use different platforms.
Post and Abandon
- The speaker doesn't enjoy scrolling on social media and rarely looks at other people's posts.
- She uses Instagram to post photos or blog posts when she feels inspired, writes a caption, and then closes the app. She might not open it again for weeks.
- The speaker admits that she is embarrassingly old on Instagram and doesn't know how to use all of its features. However, her strategy of posting when inspired works for her mental health.
- The speaker uses Facebook more than Instagram because it's easier to send private messages from her laptop.
- She posts sporadically and doesn't have a consistent strategy. Her approach is authentic but probably unprofessional.
Offline vs Online Presence
- The other speaker admits that he is mostly offline since his business involves in-person interactions at gyms.
- He tries to add value with his social media posts but won't put out noise just for the sake of posting something.
Is It a Real Problem?
- Both speakers question whether having a calculated social media strategy is necessary in the grand scheme of things.
- They argue that word-of-mouth recommendations, great client service, and Google reviews are effective strategies for growing their businesses.
The Impact of Screen Time on Mental Health
In this section, the speaker discusses the impact of screen time on mental health and how it affects their offline life. They also talk about the potential for addiction to social media and the importance of finding a balance between online and offline activities.
Balancing Online and Offline Activities
- The speaker acknowledges that spending more time online can lead to less time for other activities they enjoy, such as hiking or working out.
- They note that in the future, screen time may be viewed differently, with addiction to phones and social media being a bigger topic of conversation.
- The speaker tries to protect their brain from becoming addicted to technology by staying offline when necessary.
- They believe that being in control of their flow state, thinking, and creativity is important for their mental health.
Finding a Balance with Social Media
- The speaker acknowledges that social media is an important part of marketing and staying connected with people outside of their immediate area.
- However, they caution against becoming addicted to social media by being aware of its manufactured addictive qualities.
- Their strategy is to post authentically but then shut down social media and get back into the offline world.
Striving for Mastery and Excellence
In this section, the speaker talks about balancing the drive for excellence with knowing when enough is enough. They discuss how they strive for mastery in various skills while also managing their time effectively.
Striving for Mastery
- The speaker enjoys learning new skills and strives for mastery and excellence in various areas.
- They believe that having self-mastery over time management and being able to get into flow states is important for a fulfilling career.
Balancing Drive with Knowing When Enough is Enough
- The speaker acknowledges the challenge of balancing their drive for excellence with knowing when enough is enough.
- They believe that focusing on mastery and excellence as goals rather than outcomes helps them manage this balance effectively.
Focusing on Excellence and Mastery
In this section, the speaker talks about how she focuses on excellence and mastery without being anchored to a timeline of achievement. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on day-to-day habits, mindset, and environment.
Focusing on Conditions
- The speaker focuses more on conditions such as her environment, day-to-day habits, and mindset.
- She does not define success by external factors such as money or weight but rather by feeling healthy and happy.
- By focusing on excellence and mastery without being anchored to a timeline of achievement, she removes pressure and judgment from herself.
Homing in on Strategies
- The speaker explains that her strategy for focusing on excellence and mastery is something she has honed over the years.
- Her nature is to achieve but she realized that constantly comparing herself to others or even her own standards was detrimental to her physical and mental health.
- She learned to let go of obligations, relationships, and commitments that no longer served her.
Letting Go
- The speaker talks about minimalism as a way of letting go of physical possessions as well as obligations.
- She compares life to a winding river where sometimes you paddle hard while other times you ride the currents in the rapids.
- A wake-up call for her was when she was diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer at age 34 despite being a regional athlete who ate well.
Overall, the speaker emphasizes the importance of focusing on day-to-day habits, mindset, and environment while letting go of external factors and comparisons. She believes that by focusing on excellence and mastery without being anchored to a timeline of achievement, one can remove pressure and judgment from oneself.
Finding Meaning in Life
In this section, the speaker talks about how reading material about survivors and their stories helps her find gratitude and peace in her life. She also mentions two books that have had a big impact on her.
Books That Have Impacted the Speaker
- The first book is "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl, which is about finding meaning in life even in difficult circumstances.
- The second book is "The Diary of Anne Frank," which has left a big impact on the speaker due to its portrayal of people living together in hiding during World War II.
Managing Challenges as a Coach
In this section, the speaker talks about how she struggled to manage challenges as a coach with various tools like Facebook groups, Google Sheets, and email communication. She then discusses how she found Coach Catalyst and how it helped her manage challenges more efficiently.
Struggles with Managing Challenges
- As a coach running challenges, the speaker had trouble managing all the different tools she was using for community interaction, check-ins, measurements, and communication.
- As her challenges grew bigger, clients were falling through the cracks and the client experience was going down. This led her to research virtual assistants because she couldn't manage everything herself.
Benefits of Using Coach Catalyst
- A friend recommended Coach Catalyst to the speaker and it helped her run challenges with ease for 2 or 200 clients with just a few clicks. Lessons get delivered on time, accountability happens automatically, and communication is all in one spot.
- The speaker was able to create two new challenges from the Coach Catalyst library without having to change anything. She used to spend 15 minutes just trying to log into all the different apps she needed, but now everything is in one dashboard.
Gaining Perspective and Using a Non-Scoreboard Scoreboard
In this section, the speaker talks about how reading material about survivors helps her gain perspective on her life. She also discusses her personal roadmap and values that she reads daily as a non-scoreboard scoreboard.
Gaining Perspective
- Reading material about survivors helps the speaker gain perspective on her life and be grateful for what she has. It reminds her that staying in her business isn't as big of a deal as it may seem in her head.
Personal Roadmap and Values
- The speaker wrote out her personal roadmap and values in 2016 when she was doing a lot of soul searching around enough and letting go of competition. It's divided into five categories - mental health, physical health, relationships, personal improvements, and financial health - with specific goals under each category. She reads it daily as a non-scoreboard scoreboard.
Personal Roadmap
In this section, the speaker discusses her personal roadmap for success in different areas of her life.
Defining Success
- The speaker defines success as being happy and fulfilled in all areas of life.
- She believes that success is not just about achieving goals but also about living a fulfilling life.
Areas of Focus
- The speaker focuses on four main areas: physical health, relationships, personal improvement, and financial health.
- For physical health, she prioritizes sleep, nutrition, and exercise.
- In relationships, she surrounds herself with positive and inspiring people while letting go of negative individuals.
- For personal improvement, she seeks to always be better while also being content with who she is at present. She reads and works with a coach or mentor.
- In terms of financial health, the speaker lives within her means and has a savings goal. She invests in assets that work for her even on days when she doesn't work.
Checking In
- The speaker checks in with her roadmap often to ensure that she is staying aligned with her values.
- When something feels out of alignment, it serves as a reminder to get back on track.
Prosper Here Launch
In this section, the speaker talks about the upcoming launch of Prosper Here.
Launch Details
- Prosper Here will have three enrollment periods throughout the year: spring (May), fall (September), and early new year (January).
- They have an expanded team of mentors and have opened up their waitlist to the public for early access to enrollment.
- They are taking on their next large cohort of gyms, personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and wellness professionals for certification and one-on-one mentoring.
Upcoming Travel Plans
- The speaker will be flying to Sweden at the end of the month to talk about habit-based nutrition coaching and motivational interviewing within fitness facilities.
- She is passionate about helping fitness entrepreneurs become more well-rounded wellness coaches who focus on mindset, sleep, stress, and nutrition.
Transitioning from A La Carte to Cohort Model
In this section, the speaker discusses why they transitioned from an a la carte sign-up model to a cohort model with deadlines. They explain how this model allows for more focused and supportive onboarding of students and helps them achieve their goals faster.
Benefits of Cohort Model
- The cohort model with deadlines allows for more focused and supportive onboarding of students.
- Students in cohorts often have the same questions at the same time, which makes it easier to provide support.
- Introducing a deadline helps light a fire under people and makes them take action towards their goals.
- Having a deadline can help people achieve the next level of what they want to accomplish with their business.
Evergreen vs Deadline Cohort Model
In this section, the speaker discusses different models for running a coaching business, including an evergreen sign-up model and a deadline-driven cohort model. They explain how both models have their benefits and drawbacks.
Different Models for Running Coaching Business
- There are multiple ways to run a coaching business, including an evergreen sign-up model or a deadline-driven cohort model.
- The deadline-driven cohort model can help people get out of their own way and take action towards their goals.
- Having that deadline can get people out of their own way and be a good strategy if you're having trouble getting people to sign up for stuff.
Importance of Momentum
In this section, the speaker emphasizes the importance of momentum in achieving success. They explain how a challenge or deadline can be the stepping stone people need to build momentum and find success.
Importance of Momentum
- Sometimes all people need is to get the ball rolling and build a little bit of momentum.
- A challenge or deadline can be the stepping stone people need to find some momentum.
- Having that deadline can get people out of their own way and be a good strategy if you're having trouble getting people to sign up for stuff.
Starting a Coaching Business
In this section, the speaker talks about starting a coaching business and advises coaches to take action and not overthink things. She also discusses the evolution of her own business.
Starting a Coaching Business
- Don't overthink it, try something and get started.
- You can always adjust your plan as your business evolves.
- Prosper Nutrition Coaching is taking on 30 gyms for their next cohort.
- They have a small group program for two to four coaches for one price.
Contact Information
In this section, the speaker provides contact information for Prosper Nutrition Coaching.
Contact Information
- To sign up or get on the waitlist, visit www.prosperenc.com.
- Email info@prosperenci.com or send them a DM on Instagram at Prosper_NC.
Personal vs. Business Instagram Accounts
In this section, the speaker discusses whether she has separate personal and business Instagram accounts.
Personal vs. Business Instagram Accounts
- The speaker has an @nutrition_RX account that is 50/50 between personal and business content.
- She uses the @Prosper_NC account more for nutrition certification but includes some personal content as well.