The Art Of Coaching w/ James Fitzgerald

James Fitzgerald, founder/director of OPEX Fitness, has over 20+ years of experience when it comes to coaching. This episode is special to me because we talk about the craft itself with a lens that really illuminates what it means to be a coach. I wanted to understand how he organizes his thoughts, views the integration of systems, and structures high level thinking. If you’re a coach, you do not want to miss this episode. If you’re an athlete, you’ll walk away with a whole new appreciation for the level of depth that goes into coaching.

Show Notes:

• (6:00) - Before Opex was founded in 1999

• (9:12) - Making an impact on fitness

• (10:31) - Becoming an original artist

• (13:45) - Drive, patience, introversion, execution at the right time

• (15:06) - Technician to Craftsman to Master

• (18:02) - Becoming knowledgeable of the integration of everything

• (21:08) - True depth & influence of coaches

• (24:09) - Why do individuals need fitness coaching

• (33:07) - How James organizes his mind and views systems

• (36:30) - Using writing to organize your thoughts

• (37:15) - Thoughts

• (42:06) - Note taking in your phone

• (46:35) - Awareness

• (48:33) - Relationship between a coach and client

• (53:50) - Fitness delivery vs science education

• (56:03) - Plus, minus, equal learning theory

• (1:00:08) - How does the OPEX model work

• (1:02:16) - Business systems

• (1:07:26) - Start with why

• (1:15:30) - Providing value -- what does it mean?

• (1:17:20) - Defining your priorities

• (1:21:18)  - Inner narrator

• (1:23:18) - Intuition

• (1:24:18) - Functional bodybuilding

Resources we may have talked about:

• Episode w/ CJ Martin

• Episode w/ Marcus Filly

• Bernie Novokowsky

• Start With Why

• Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers

• The Way of The Superior Man

• The Values Factor

How you can connect with James:

• http://opexfit.com

• Instagram: @jfitzopex

• Facebook