9 years ago, I left my job to start my coaching business. (yes it wasn't what it is today) Today it's a 7 figure fitness business. Here are 6 harsh truths I wish I knew when I got started: 1) Quit searching for the sexiest skills Build a business on your existing skills, figure out what you're already good at. 2) Avoid shiny new thing syndrome It's impossible to excel at something unless you... - Actually comprehend the thing - Love doing it - Stick to it for long enough to see results 3) Don't stress about stress I spent 1000+ hours stressing over things that never happened. Control what is actually controllable by yourself. Focus on daily actions and movements. Not your latest "competitor" 4) Nothing in business is personal A prospect saying no doesn't make you a failure, they're just not ready. Be stoic, not a cry baby. Take everything as feedback - not a personal attack. Use it to improve the service, sales, marketing etc. 5) Iterate and experiment The one antithesis from a champ and a loser is this: Winners keep trying new things Losers stop trying after they hit a bump in the road. 6) Play the 90 minute match not the half time show. Don't chase short-term cash. When I started I charged £300 for 12 months of coaching, whereas competitors where charging £10,000 for the same exact thing. I was confident of the value I could provide in the long run. My competitors who charged high fees then are no longer comparable to the value we give our clients in our business today.

On Monday, I closed a 5-figure client from LinkedIn. The same one I turned away 6 months ago: - I wrote a LinkedIn post 6 months ago about Muslim Health - A brother booked a call from that post - I took the call They wanted to start fast, but: - They weren't ready for our services - I didn't think they'd see the right ROIs - They needed to fix some foundational lifestyle choices So I gave them some homework - Linked them some reset training guides - Subscribed them to my email list - Sent them to my Youtube channel Fast forward 6 months - "I fixed the stuff you mentioned" - "When can we get started, Aran" - "I don't want anyone else to coach me" Lesson here: Do what's right for the client And they'll do right by you. A No yesterday can be a Yes today.