Two months ago, I was digging through my Stripe settings and found a toggle I’d never noticed before. For those of you who don’t use Stripe, it’s the invoicing platform I use for my coaching services. The setting was: “Email invoice receipts”.

Most of my athletes are on automatic monthly withdrawals. They prefer to have one less step, and it saves me having to track down payments. My first instinct was to leave it off. Why remind them of the cost if they’re not thinking about it?

But then I stopped myself. I flipped the toggle on instead. Most subscription businesses would do the opposite. Keep that invoice hidden so customers don’t think about the cost. How many receipts do you receive from Netflix or other subscription services? But the more I thought about it, I more realized there was more benefit for the athlete if I did the opposite.

Every month, that invoice lands in their inbox. They see the charge. And in that moment, it reminds them of their investment. It’s not an electric bill or car payment. It’s an investment, and I’m their portfolio manager. With a little guidance and a vision of where they want to go, it has a strong potential for a big return. It’s an investment they’re making in themselves. And when you invest in yourself, you show up differently.

So how does this help me as a coach? I know that my athletes who are active participants in the process get better results. This isn’t a Netflix subscription that disappears into the background of their bank statement. This is a monthly statement with a visible return. It keeps them engaged. And when an athlete is engaged and wants to get the most out of our relationship, everything changes for me. I’m not just filling their calendar with workouts. I’m working with a partner, someone who’s collaborating in the process. That partnership is where the real transformation happens.

Hiring a coach is a big step. But it can be one of the first steps toward taking care of yourself. Toward recognizing that your training, your goals, and your growth matter enough to invest in.

Happy Training!

Interested in coaching? Schedule a call.