Daniel Frankel, a seasoned Strength Coach and Physiotherapist, discusses his transformative journey from traditional clinic work to the client-centered model at Propel Fitness Solutions. He emphasizes the importance of tailoring approaches to individual client needs while balancing research evidence with personal experience. The conversation dives into effective communication strategies, the evolution of personal identity post-injury, and the significance of continuous learning, all while advocating for a holistic view of health and performance.
Dan Frankel highlights the necessity of client-centered care by empowering individuals to be active participants in their treatment plans.
He explores the balance between training for performance and health, emphasizing the importance of overall well-being alongside athletic achievements.
Frankel advocates for adaptability in coaching practices, stressing that flexibility is crucial for navigating unforeseen challenges and achieving success.
Deep dives
Journey Through Coaching and Physiotherapy
The guest speaker, Dan Frankel, shares his journey in becoming both a physiotherapist and a strength and conditioning coach. He initially began coaching at a local gymnastics club during his teenage years while also participating in gymnastics, which laid the groundwork for his future career. As he progressed through his education, he became involved in diverse coaching settings, including working with individuals at various fitness levels in a CrossFit gym. This multifaceted experience allowed him to blend coaching and clinical practice, leading to the establishment of his company, Propel Fitness Solutions.
Client-Centered Care in Coaching
Frankel emphasizes the importance of client-centered care, which requires drawing from the client's personal history, the clinician's expertise, and the best available evidence to create an effective treatment plan. This approach contrasts with traditional clinical models that focus solely on the clinician's authority over the patient, often missing the complexities of the individuals they are treating. By empowering clients and making them active participants in their care, Frankel believes it significantly improves treatment outcomes. This model positions the client as the hero of their own story, fostering a more holistic and personalized approach.
The Art of Balancing Training Goals
Frankel explores the distinction between training for performance versus training for health, noting that the two are often at odds. Training for performance typically involves a rigid regimen that prioritizes specific goals, which may sacrifice overall health and well-being, while health-focused training promotes general fitness and release from strict performance targets. He argues that while athletes may strive for high achievement, it's crucial to maintain an understanding of health as a broader objective, allowing for enjoyable participation in life activities. This reflects an integrative approach that balances the pursuit of athletic goals with a lifestyle that supports overall longevity and enjoyment.
Learning from Experience
Frankel emphasizes the value of real-world experience over theoretical knowledge in coaching. He believes that coaches should engage with as many diverse individuals as possible to foster critical analysis and adaptability in their approaches, noting that this practice accelerates their learning process. By working with various populations in different settings, coaches can develop a rich understanding of human movement and issues beyond textbook cases. This hands-on experience also helps in communicating effectively when transitioning to an online coaching model, as the nuances of direct interaction can shape personalized guidance.
Adaptability in Coaching and Life
A significant lesson Frankel has learned is the importance of adaptability in both coaching and personal life. He stresses that successful plans must remain flexible as unforeseen circumstances can disrupt even the most thought-out strategies. Acknowledging that life is unpredictable means that coaches need to be prepared to pivot, understanding that rigidity can lead to failure in achieving goals. By embracing malleability in coaching practices, both coaches and clients can navigate challenges and adjust their paths toward success without feeling defeated by setbacks.
In this episode, I sit down with Strength Coach and Physiotherapist, Daniel Frankel. Daniel and I met when he was in his first year of undergraduate studies at Queen’s University, while I was serving as the school’s first Head Strength and Conditioning Coach. Since then, Daniel has gone on to become a Physiotherapist and transitioned away from the conventional in-clinic model to launch Propel Fitness Solutions. He has been a coach for over 15 years in varying capacities and espouses a client centred approach, addressing each person as an individual and providing guidance specific to their needs. Outside of coaching and practicing, Dan is an avid hammock reader and National Level Olympic Weightlifter.
We discuss: The Journey to Strength Coach and Physiotherapist Why Transition into the Online Space? Client-Centered Care: Finding a Balance between Research Evidence and Experimenting with Your Clients Drawing and Coaching Experience to Learn at a Higher Rate Communication Strategies and Coaching Consciousness in the Learning Process The Role of Reading in the Journey Training for Performance vs. Training for Health: How Do We Find a Balance Between the Two? Goals and the Requirements to Reach Them Performance, Identity, and Injury: Who Are You as a Person? How Does That Play Into the Coaching Practice? Working with Aging Clients and Seeking Progression Everything We Do Centers Around the Client What Were Your Most Valuable Lessons? What Were the Biggest Mistakes You've Made?
Find Daniel: Website - https://propelfitness.ca/ Instagram - @dan.propelfitness __________ Paul's singular goal is to raise the bar for coaching. He is committed to being the signal through the static of the fitness and health industry.
If you're a coach looking to take their education to the next level, make sure to visit www.coachescorneru.com.
If you're interested in coaching from Paul and his team, please visit www.masterathletic.com
Find him on Instagram: @pauloneid, @coachescorneru, @masterathleticperformance __________ -🌟 Make More Money and Improve your Services as an Online Fitness Coach: www.coachescorneru.com 💪 Use Training and Nutrition for Peak Performance: www. masterathletic.com
Who am I and why should you listen to me? Paul is a Coach, Educator, Mentor, and Athlete with a single goal - to raise the bar for online coaching. He holds Master of Science Degrees in both Exercise Science and Sports Management. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Certified Exercise Physiologist, and Certified Olympic Weightlifting Coach with 15 years of experience as a Strength and Conditioning Coach in varying capacities from youth to professional athletics.
RAISING THE BAR FOR ONLINE COACHING!
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