Coaches Talk- Part 2: Why Mastery, Mentorship, and Obsession With the Craft Still Matter
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Great coaching is built on mastery, not trends.
Longevity in the industry comes from reps, mentorship, and an obsession with the craft — not chasing what’s popular or flashy.
Mentorship is a responsibility, not a buzzword.
The best coaches don’t just seek guidance; they give it back, raising the standard of the entire industry in the process.Integrity is the real business strategy.
Building something you’re proud of ten years from now requires patience, values-driven decisions, and a commitment to doing coaching the right way.
Some conversations are too important to squeeze into a single episode. That’s exactly why this podcast with Luka Hocevar became a two-part series — and honestly, why it’s becoming something much bigger than that.
This episode marks Part 2 of an ongoing coaching conversation between Luka and me — a dialogue rooted in decades of combined experience inside the fitness and coaching industry. This wasn’t an interview. It wasn’t a highlight reel. It was two coaches sitting down to talk shop about the thing we’ve both dedicated our lives to: coaching done right.
If you haven’t listened to Part 1, you’ll want to head over to Luka’s show — the Vigor Life Podcast — and check that out first. We designed this intentionally as a two-part exchange, spanning both of our audiences, because we believe the future of coaching depends on conversations like this.
Catch the full episode here:
Why This Series Exists
Luka and I go way back. I met him when I was 18 years old. He took me under his wing, mentored me, coached me, and eventually employed me. I trained in his gym for over six years before leaving to build Tailored Coaching Method. Years later, we reconnected — not just as former coach and athlete, but as peers, business owners, and leaders in the same industry.
What’s funny is that once we reconnected, we realized something quickly:
We never stopped obsessing over coaching.
Not content.
Not algorithms.
Not trends.
Coaching.
This series exists because there aren’t enough long-form, honest conversations about what it actually takes to:
Become a great coach
Stay a great coach
Build a career that lasts
Lead people responsibly
Mentor the next generation
And protect the integrity of the industry
That’s what this is about.
Coaching Is a Craft — Not a Trend
One of the biggest themes of Part 2 is the idea that coaching is a lifelong craft, not a phase or stepping stone.
The fitness industry moves fast. New certifications, methods, business models, and marketing tactics show up every year. And while innovation is important, Luka and I both agree on something fundamental:
Trends don’t build great coaches — reps do.
Great coaching comes from:
Time under the bar
Time with real clients
Time failing and adjusting
Time mentoring others
Time being mentored
Time refining communication
Time learning how humans actually behave
You don’t shortcut that. And if you try, it always shows.
This part of the conversation is especially important for younger coaches entering the industry. If you want longevity, you can’t just chase what’s popular — you have to fall in love with mastery.
Why Mentorship Still Matters
Another major focus of this episode was mentorship — not as a buzzword, but as a responsibility.
Neither Luka nor I built what we have alone. We were shaped by mentors, challenged by peers, and refined by teaching others. That cycle matters.
In Part 2, we talk about how mentorship:
Accelerates learning
Prevents unnecessary mistakes
Builds confidence and clarity
Keeps ego in check
Raises industry standards
But we also talk about the other side of mentorship — the obligation it creates. When you’ve been in the game long enough, it becomes your responsibility to give back, to teach, and to help younger coaches avoid the traps you already fell into.
That’s a big reason this series exists. We want to create content that actually moves the needle for coaches — not just entertains them.
Coaching Beyond Programs and Nutrition
One thing Luka and I align on deeply is that coaching is never just about sets, reps, or macros.
Those are tools.
The real work is human.
In Part 2, we talk about:
Communication skills
Leadership presence
Emotional intelligence
Accountability without ego
Building trust
Creating buy-in
Helping people think for themselves
A coach’s job isn’t just to prescribe — it’s to guide. To help clients understand why they’re doing something, not just what they’re doing.
That skill separates average coaches from great ones.
Business, Integrity, and Playing the Long Game
We also dig into business — but not in the “get rich quick” sense.
We talk about:
Building sustainable coaching businesses
Protecting your reputation
Making decisions you can live with long-term
Saying no to shortcuts
Avoiding burnout
Creating systems that support your values
The truth is, it’s easy to make money in the fitness industry if you’re willing to compromise. What’s hard is building something you’re proud of ten years later.
This episode is for coaches who care about doing it the right way, even when it’s slower or harder upfront.
Why This Conversation Is Ongoing
This isn’t a one-off collaboration. Luka and I plan to do these conversations regularly — a recurring “coaches talk” series where we sit down, remove the fluff, and talk honestly about what matters in coaching, leadership, and business.
Because the industry needs more:
Depth
Honesty
Mentorship
Perspective
Responsibility
And fewer:
Gimmicks
Ego-driven content
Shortcuts
Noises
Final Thoughts: Obsession With the Craft Is Still the Standard
Part 2 of this conversation is a reminder that great coaching doesn’t come from being loud — it comes from being committed.
Committed to:
Learning
Teaching
Improving
Serving
Leading
Staying curious
Staying humble
If you’re a coach — or someone who wants to be — this series is for you.
And if you care about the future of coaching, you’ll understand why Luka and I are so passionate about continuing these conversations.
Next Steps
Listen to Part 1 on the Vigor Life Podcast
Listen to Part 2 right here on the Choose Hard Podcast
Follow Luka and Cody for future episodes and content
Reach out if there’s a topic you want us to cover next
There are many more conversations coming — and this is just the beginning.