The Two Sides of a Great Coach

Why True Coaching Mastery Lives Between Mechanics and Connection

Being in coaching development as much as I am, I get asked all the time:
What makes a great coach?

And over the years, I’ve come to believe that greatness lives in the ability to hold both sides of the spectrum.

On one side is a deep, almost obsessive understanding of the mechanical side - movement, programming, progressions, physiology, and all the context that surrounds them. It’s not about being rigid or having “the one right answer.” It’s about knowing enough to see the bigger picture and adapt on the fly.

On the other side is connection - the ability to truly see the people in front of you. To read them, understand them, meet them where they are, and draw out the best version of them.

Because if you want to be a coach who doesn’t just make people’s squats better but actually makes their lives better — you need both.

You need to be mechanically sound and emotionally intelligent.
A teacher and a guide.
Precise and personal.

Ask yourself:
Which side are you weaker on?
And what can you do today to start closing that gap?

The truth is, you will never fully “arrive.”
Coaching is an eternal growth journey on both sides - and that’s exactly what makes it so powerful when done well. My guess is AI won’t be coming for great ones.

Stay Virtuous,

Pat