Coach Cub talks: A Client Story That Changed Me

Coffee check? Good.

I want to share a story that really stuck with me — one that continues to shape how I think about coaching and self-acceptance.

One of my first coaching clients came to me believing his main goal was weight loss. He had struggled with body image for years and felt convinced that changing his body was the only way he’d finally feel better about himself. But as we started talking — really talking — it became clear that the deeper challenge wasn’t his weight at all.

It was how he saw himself every morning in the mirror.

That negative self-talk followed him throughout his day. It affected his confidence, his relationships, and how much space he felt allowed to take up in the world. Over time, through coaching, something shifted. He didn’t just change habits — he began to soften his inner critic. He started noticing parts of himself he genuinely liked. And eventually, he began celebrating small victories that had nothing to do with the scale.

Then one day, he told me something that still makes me smile. He said he wore a tank top in public for the first time in years. He was beaming. That moment had nothing to do with weight loss — and everything to do with self-acceptance.

It reminded me, once again, how powerful it can be to change the relationship you have with yourself.

This journey wasn’t about shrinking his body. It was about gaining confidence, feeling a sense of belonging, and allowing himself to be seen — especially within community, alongside other queer folks in bigger bodies. And as I often remind my clients, everything is interconnected. Feeling confident and connected isn’t just emotionally meaningful — it’s deeply supportive of both mental and physical health.

So I’ll leave you with a reflection today:

What small shift in how you see yourself could make a big difference?

If you feel open to it, share it with me — even just one sentence.