Am I Just Moving the Goalposts in My Fitness Career?

There’s a pattern I see again and again in the fitness industry.

People don’t usually say they’re scared to start.
They say they’re “just not quite ready yet”.

They want to get a bit fitter first.
They want to feel more confident.
They want to learn a bit more.
They want to wait until things feel clearer.

On the surface, that all sounds sensible. Responsible, even.

But sometimes, without realising it, those sensible reasons quietly become a way of standing still.

This article is about that moment.
The moment where preparation turns into delay, and where waiting to feel ready starts holding you back more than it helps.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re genuinely preparing for your next step, or just moving the goalposts, this is for you.

What “moving the goalposts” actually looks like

Moving the goalposts rarely feels like procrastination.

It usually looks like progress.

You tell yourself:

• I’ll enrol once I’m fitter

• I’ll start my business once I know more

• I’ll take clients once I feel confident

• I’ll post online once I look the part

Each goal feels reasonable in isolation.
The problem is that when you reach one, another appears.

The finish line keeps shifting.

And without realising it, months or years can pass while you stay stuck in preparation mode.

Why this happens at every stage of a fitness career

This doesn’t just affect people thinking about starting a course.

I see it with:

• people delaying enrolling

• students halfway through qualifications

• newly qualified Personal Trainers

• coaches years into their career

The common thread is this. Confidence is being treated as a prerequisite, not an outcome.

We tell ourselves, “When I feel confident, then I’ll act.”

In reality, confidence comes after action, not before it.

The myth of the “finished product”

Social media hasn’t helped.

It has created a distorted idea of what a Personal Trainer or coach is supposed to look like. Perfect physiques, perfect lighting, highlight reels, and polished confidence.

It quietly suggests that you’re meant to be the finished product before you start.

The truth is, you never are.

Even people in incredible shape, with years of experience, still notice flaws. Still question themselves. Still feel like they could be better.

That doesn’t go away.

And it doesn’t need to.

Why waiting to feel ready doesn’t work

Here’s the uncomfortable but freeing truth.

If confidence hasn’t arrived yet, more waiting probably won’t create it.

Getting fitter might improve your fitness.
Learning more might improve your knowledge.

But neither automatically removes self-doubt.

What actually builds confidence is:

• applying what you’re learning

• helping real people

• being supported while you grow

• realising you don’t need to be perfect to be effective

That process only starts once you step into it.

This isn’t actually about you

This is often the turning point for people.

Becoming a coach is not about being impressive.

It’s about being helpful.

Your future clients don’t need a finished product.
They need someone who understands struggle, uncertainty, and progress.

Your own journey, including the doubts you’re experiencing right now, often becomes one of your biggest strengths as a coach.

Waiting until you feel flawless doesn’t help them.
Learning while you go does.

A better question to ask yourself

Instead of asking, “Am I ready yet?”

Try asking, “What support do I need to move forward?”

The right environment matters.

Supportive education, guidance, reassurance, and real-world context make a huge difference to confidence. Not because they remove doubt overnight, but because they help you grow with it rather than waiting for it to disappear.

If this sounds familiar

If any of this feels uncomfortably accurate, that’s not a sign you’re failing.

It’s a sign you’re human.

Almost everyone in this industry has questioned whether they’re fit enough, good enough, or ready enough, including people who’ve been doing this for decades.

The difference between those who move forward and those who stay stuck is not confidence.

It’s action, taken with support.

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Next Steps

If you’re questioning whether you’re moving the goalposts in your fitness career, the most helpful next step is often a conversation, not another delay.

You can:

• explore the blog and podcast for honest guidance around becoming a coach

• fill out the contact form if you’d like support deciding your next step

• or simply stop waiting to feel ready and start building confidence through progress

You don’t need to be the finished product to begin.

You just need to begin.

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