Ep 048 - I Almost Burned Out Supporting a Client

The Efficient Coach

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on one of the most emotionally draining periods of my coaching career.

I share the story of “Sarah,” a client who came to me during one of the toughest chapters of her life. She wasn’t just navigating fitness goals - she was grappling with work stress, family struggles, and financial challenges.

As her coach, I thought it was my job to be everything for her: therapist, motivator, problem-solver.

But what started as small acts of support quickly turned into emotional burnout. I found myself drained, dreading messages, and avoiding my inbox entirely - not just hers, but every client’s.

In this episode, I dive into:

• The hidden emotional toll of over-supporting clients as a coach.
• How trying to be “everything” for one client nearly cost me my energy and focus for all of them.
• The small but powerful changes I made to take care of myself - so I could better support Sarah and all my clients.
• Why self-care as a coach isn’t selfish - it’s the foundation of great coaching.

If you’re a coach who’s ever felt emotionally drained or struggled to balance client care with your own well-being, this episode is for you.

Takeaways:

• You don’t have to stop supporting clients through emotional challenges—but you do need to support yourself first.
• Practical strategies to protect your energy without giving less to your clients.
• Why prioritising your well-being allows you to show up as the best coach for your clients.

Keywords:
Coaching burnout, emotional support as a coach, client boundaries, coach self-care, avoiding coach burnout, supporting clients through tough times, energy management for coaches, coaching mindset, work-life balance for coaches, self-care for fitness coaches, coaching strategies for tough clients, how to avoid emotional burnout, sustainable coaching practices.