PRECISION NUTRITION

VIDEO COURSE
LESSON 1
WHAT IT MEANS
TO BE AN EFFECTIVE
NUTRITION COACH

10 KEY
MENTAL
SKILLS
 10 KEY MENTAL SKILLS
Nutrition coaching isn’t just about the food.
Both coaches and clients need mental skills to deal
with change -- and the discomfort of change.
Master these and you’ll be unstoppable. Remember, like all skills, mental
skills can be learned, practiced and improved. Just start where you are.
MENTAL SKILL 1
Focus
Description
Deciding on a course of action and then staying true to it.
Ignoring distractions.
What it might look like for a coach What it might look like for a client
Giving clients your full attention Sticking to a single eating plan
during sessions. rather than jumping from diet fad to
Focusing on your clients’ goals and diet fad.
priorities, even if other options seem Doing one habit at a time.
more appealing.

MENTAL SKILL 2
Re-focusing
Description
Getting back on track after getting distracted or “falling off the wagon”.
What it might look like for a coach What it might look like for a client
Having a way to “switch gears” Scheduling a session with coach
between clients so that each client immediately after the holidays.
gets a “fresh coach”. Having a plan to get back into
Showing up to each coaching normal routine after a disruption.
session as your “best self”, no matter
what happened previously.

Precision Nutrition Video Course | Lesson #1: What It Means To Be An Effective Nutrition Coach precisionnutrition.com
MENTAL SKILL 3
Setting goals
Description
Having a clear idea where you want to go.
Adjusting as needed, when things change.
What it might look like for a coach What it might look like for a client
Working as a team with your client Asking: “Where do I want to be at
to set clear objectives that are the end of 4 weeks? Why is that
meaningful to them. important?”
“What specifically will I work on this
week?”

MENTAL SKILL 4
Following the “inner compass”
Description
Knowing and living your core values and priorities.
What it might look like for a coach What it might look like for a client
Coaching with integrity despite Saying things like: “I value my
temptations to “sell out” or take the family and being there for my
path of easy reward. children. So I want to get healthy to
be a role model for my kids.”
Deciding purposefully how you want
to “show up” as a coach — what kind “I value confronting life’s
of coach you want to be, and what’s challenges. So I’m going to push
important to you. my limits a bit, on purpose, as part
of growth.”

Precision Nutrition Video Course | Lesson #1: What It Means To Be An Effective Nutrition Coach precisionnutrition.com
MENTAL SKILL 5
Self-awareness
Description
Noticing and naming thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and how all of these
things are related.
What it might look like for a coach What it might look like for a client
Staying “checked in” with your own Asking “How might my emotions
thoughts, feelings, responses and affect my eating behavior?”
actions as you work with clients.
“How does my 7 AM breakfast
Noticing which clients or situations affect my 9 AM workout?”
“trigger” you into feeling annoyed,
frustrated, etc.
Choosing to act maturely.

MENTAL SKILL 6
Reframing and rewriting stories and scripts
Description
Noticing when we are writing scripts and stories for ourselves to explain
the facts of our lives. Then, consciously reframing and rewriting the
endings.
What it might look like for a coach What it might look like for a client
Reframing “I don’t know enough” to Reframing “I hate cooking” to “I
“I’m always learning and growing”. prefer simple food preparation
strategies”.
Reframing “I don’t want to make
mistakes” to “It’s important to me to Reframing “I fail every diet” to “I
do a good job. I’ll try my best.” have fallen down a lot but have
always picked myself back up and
tried something else.”

Precision Nutrition Video Course | Lesson #1: What It Means To Be An Effective Nutrition Coach precisionnutrition.com
MENTAL SKILL 7
Confronting anxieties, fears, or worries
Description
Dealing directly with anxieties, fears, and worries rather than avoiding
them or trying to make them go away. Allowing “failure” to be an option,
so that it becomes less of a threat.
What it might look like for a coach What it might look like for a client
Focusing on what you are learning Speaking openly with your coach
and doing well as a coach. about what you’re worried about.
Taking risks. Experimenting. Focusing on what can be learned
from setbacks so that “failure” is
Treating all setbacks as not paralyzing.
opportunities to learn and grow.

MENTAL SKILL 8
Recognizing and changing limiting factors
Description
Identifying the things that hold you back or block you from moving
forward, then either removing them or working around them.
What it might look like for a coach What it might look like for a client
Thinking about what is working and Thinking about what is working
how to do more of it. Or how to and how to do more of it. Or how
remove or work around blocks. to remove or work around blocks.
Sample limiting factors can include Sample limiting factors can include
a heavy client load or a tough work a stressful job or not having
schedule that makes it hard for you cooking skills.
to take care of yourself, or spend
time learning.

Precision Nutrition Video Course | Lesson #1: What It Means To Be An Effective Nutrition Coach precisionnutrition.com
MENTAL SKILL 9
Self-regulation
Description
Being aware of and managing emotions and impulses.
What it might look like for a coach What it might look like for a client
Noticing when a client interaction is Noticing when you may eat
frustrating or annoying you. impulsively or emotionally.
Having techniques to calm and Having techniques to help
refocus yourself. yourself pause and choose more
thoughtfully.

MENTAL SKILL 10
Discomfort tolerance
Description
“Sitting with” uncomfortable sensations or thoughts, without rushing to
respond.
What it might look like for a coach What it might look like for a client
Allowing a few moments of silence “Sitting with” urges to over-eat or
in a client conversation to let a client make a poor food choice.
share an idea. Learning a new habit.
Allowing a client to progress more “Feeling silly” while learning a new
slowly than you would like, because movement.
it’s better for them.

Precision Nutrition Video Course | Lesson #1: What It Means To Be An Effective Nutrition Coach precisionnutrition.com
Want to learn more?
If you’d like to learn more about helping people find the best way of
eating for them, check out our Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certification
program; the next group kicks off soon.

The Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certification is the world’s most

respected nutrition education program. It gives you the knowledge,
systems, and tools you need to really understand how food influences
a person’s health and fitness. Plus the ability to turn that knowledge
into a thriving coaching practice.

Developed over 15 years, and proven with over 100,000 clients and
patients, the Level 1 curriculum stands alone as the authority on the
science of nutrition and the art of coaching.

Whether you’re already mid-career, or just starting out, the Level

1 Certification is your springboard to a deeper understanding of
nutrition, the authority to coach it, and the ability to turn what you
know into results.

Visit this link for more information:

http://get.pn/level-1

[Of course, if you’re already a student or graduate of the Level 1

Certification, check out our Level 2 Certification, an exclusive year
long Master Class for elite professionals looking to take their nutrition
knowledge and coaching techniques to the highest possible level.]

Precision Nutrition Video Course | Lesson #1: What It Means To Be An Effective Nutrition Coach precisionnutrition.com