Hello hello and welcome back to Rising Coaches with Sophia Bernardi. Today I’m going to talk about how the coaching industry has changed in the last few months and years, and how to keep growing despite all of those changes.

First, I just want to thank everyone who reached out after last week’s episode where I shared a vulnerable moment about how I was feeling and the struggles I was going through. Your support—clients, friends, and listeners—truly meant the world to me. I’m feeling so much better each day, and it reminded me how important it is to talk about the hard moments in business, because everyone experiences them. Whether it’s payment failures, client issues, or just general stuckness, it’s normal—and you’re not alone.

During that tough season, I focused heavily on my habits. I’ve been doing a minimum of 10,000 steps a day and a Pilates class daily for the past few weeks. It’s been amazing for my mindset. Even Jordy came with me to a class recently—which, by the way, was hilarious because he was the only guy there and couldn’t handle the ankle weights or resistance bands. But beyond the laughs, it’s been a game-changer for my energy and mental clarity.

I’ve also started stacking small habits that support my wellbeing. We go to bed around 8pm now, dim the lights early, and avoid phones before bed. We’re also doing regular saunas and cold plunges. These little changes have made such a difference. I used to be a night owl, but now I’m up early, feeling grounded, and starting my day tech-free—no Slack, no email, no Instagram. That’s helped me feel far less reactive and much more in control.

On the health side, I’ve been eating really well, but also keeping balance. Jordy and I go out for date nights every week and enjoy treats guilt-free. It feels good to be consistent most of the time so we can truly enjoy those spontaneous moments when we let loose. It’s all about balance, right?

Outside of health, I’ve noticed how much these routines have impacted my creativity. Just the other day, I created 14 new modules for my clients—packed with examples, strategies, and step-by-step breakdowns. It felt so good to finally be in flow again. I’ve also been building a refreshed strategy for my own business and sharing it with my clients in real-time so they can adapt with me. And that’s what I want to talk about today—because the industry is shifting fast.

If your content isn’t hitting like it used to, if engagement is down, or your last launch flopped—you’re not imagining it. Things are changing. What used to work a year or even a few months ago just doesn’t work the same anymore. Coaches are trying to scale using outdated strategies that the market has outgrown—and then wondering why it’s not working. I’m not saying you need to burn it all down. But you do need to evolve.

So, let’s break it down. What’s no longer working?

Surface-level content. “3 tips” style posts are too generic. People want depth, nuance, and personal storytelling. They want to feel seen—like you’re in their head.

One-size-fits-all launches. Copying someone’s formula without understanding the psychology behind it isn’t enough. You need to adapt your launch strategy to your unique audience.

Broad messaging. Vague statements like “love yourself from the inside out” don’t convert. Specificity is everything now.

Single-mode event strategies. Relying on just live or just evergreen isn’t enough anymore. You need a full, intentional strategy behind whichever you choose.

Low-effort marketing. Posting a few times a week, launching when you feel like it, and emailing only during promotions isn’t going to cut through anymore. Consistency and quality are essential.

Now let’s talk about why so many coaches are feeling stuck—even if they’re showing up daily. The first major reason? Unclear messaging. If you don’t deeply understand your audience’s real problems and how your offer solves them, your content won’t convert—period. And no, ChatGPT can’t fix that for you unless you understand your niche.

The second reason is lack of a consistent client attraction system. If you’re relying on motivation instead of a strategy, your visibility will be inconsistent. I kept showing up even during my tough weeks because I had systems in place—and that’s why I continued growing.

The third reason? Misaligned offers. If you’re trying to sell high-ticket to cold leads or you’re constantly dropping your prices hoping for sales, you’ll stay stuck. One solid, well-priced, strategically packaged offer is far more powerful than five poorly sold ones.

And perhaps the biggest block? Fear of evolving. You know your strategy needs updating, but you’re afraid to change what you’ve built. I get it. But resisting evolution is the fastest way to fall behind. Instead of making it mean something’s wrong with you, look at it as a sign to adapt. That’s normal—and necessary.

So what is working right now?

Crystal clear messaging that makes your dream clients say “She’s talking directly to me.”

Strategic nurturing through long-form and video content like podcasts, lives, and weekly emails that build trust.

Real conversations—actual connection in the DMs, not just broadcast-style content.

Simple, scalable funnels that move people from stranger to buyer with one clear path.

Intentional sales processes that include follow-up and personalization, not just “post and pray.”

And finally, emotional leadership. Your audience is watching how you lead during this season. The more clearly you show up, the more they’ll trust you.

If this resonated with you and you know something needs to shift—whether that’s your strategy, your offer, or your mindset—I’d love to support you inside Scale School, my mastermind for coaches ready to scale to consistent $30K months using sustainable strategy, simple systems, and seamless sales. DM me the word “scale” on Instagram @sofiarosebernardi and let’s talk. Thanks so much for tuning in. If you loved this episode, share it on your stories and tag me—I’d love to hear your biggest takeaway!