Back Room Talk Coach Spotlight: Erwin Regidor - From Fitness Enthusiast to Global Coach: Building a Career Through Relationships and Trust
In this episode of Back Room Talk, we explore the remarkable journey of Erwin Regidor, whose path from fitness enthusiast to international coach demonstrates how embracing unexpected opportunities and focusing on genuine client relationships can lead to a fulfilling coaching career. Now balancing a thriving hybrid coaching practice with a growing family, Erwin's story offers valuable insights for coaches at any stage of their journey.
The Unexpected Path to Coaching
"I never saw myself as being a coach," Erwin reflects on his early days. Initially focused on bodybuilding during his high school years, he was hesitant about becoming a personal trainer. "I thought if I told people to do something and they didn't do it, I would get super frustrated," he recalls with a laugh.
A pivotal moment came while training CrossFit in preparation for Marine Corps Officer Candidate School. Through a serendipitous connection with an elementary school acquaintance, Erwin received an unexpected proposition that would change his life: helping launch the first CrossFit gym in mainland China.
"She ended up telling me that they wanted to start a CrossFit gym, the first one in mainland China and in Shanghai," Erwin shares. Taking a leap of faith, he moved to Shanghai in 2013, embarking on a decade-long journey that would not only shape his coaching philosophy but also lead him to meet his wife and build an international coaching career.
The OPEX Impact: Shaping a Professional Coach
During his time in Shanghai, Erwin discovered OPEX (then known as OPT) and committed to his professional development through the OPEX CCP (Coaching Certificate Program). Despite the challenges of flying from China to Scottsdale three times for in-person immersions, he recognizes this investment as transformative: "It's a hundred percent shaped the way that I am as a coach and shaped my coaching career. It was like a hundred percent the best thing I've done."
The CCP Framework in Practice
The OPEX education provided Erwin with systematic frameworks that still guide his coaching today:
Basic Lifestyle Guidelines (BLGs) as the foundation for client success
Assessment protocols for movement and client intake
Program design principles focusing on individualization
Client relationship development strategies
Professional business practices
"A lot of times clients that I'm talking to want to be able to live a larger life," Erwin explains. "Understanding who you're working with and understanding what's realistic... I do try to go for small wins." This approach, rooted in OPEX principles, helps him create sustainable transformations for his clients.
Building a Sustainable Coaching Practice: The OPEX Way
The Power of Client Relationships
Applying OPEX principles to client relationship building has been key to Erwin's success, with many clients following him from Shanghai back to the United States. Some clients have been with him for three to six years, a testament to his relationship-focused approach rooted in OPEX methodology.
"The biggest thing for me was there was an unknown. We had a couple rough years when we left Shanghai... But again, coming from the stance of already building out the business that I had, retention and those clients were so good... because of the trust that you build."
The OPEX Consultation Process
Erwin implements the systematic OPEX approach to client onboarding that emphasizes:
Initial Assessment
Comprehensive client consultation
Movement assessment protocols
Basic Lifestyle Guidelines evaluation
Goal setting and alignment
Program Design
Individual design based on assessment results
Progressive implementation of BLGs
Regular client check-ins through CoachRx
Ongoing education and adjustment
Exercise Selection and OPEX Program Design
Erwin's approach to exercise selection reflects the precise, principles-based methodology taught in CCP: "Exercise selection is extremely important... mainly because each client that you're working with is unique. Overall I take pattern based approch and tailor exercise selection"
His implementation of OPEX principles emphasizes teaching clients the 'why' behind their programming: "When they start to see that from their own programming... what I love seeing is when they're able to go to another gym... they have the ability to now say, 'okay, I know why this exercise is here, I see this pattern and I can make a call based on equipment availibilty.'"
Keys to OPEX Program Design
Assessment-based exercise selection
Focus on the six fundamental movement patterns
Progressive overload principles
Building autonomy through education
Regular reassessment and program adjustment
As Erwin explains, "What I found again, like over 10 years plus now, once you have that knowledge, it's about really getting in the trenches and keeping on practicing that."
Navigating Client Relationships
Handling Difficult Conversations
When facing compliance challenges with clients, Erwin advocates for direct, caring communication: "Don't put off the conversation... If you can confront it right away, have a consultation, have a discussion, let them know that you're coming from a place of care that you're not angry with them."
His approach includes:
Addressing issues promptly
Coming from a place of care
Creating actionable plans together
Finding and celebrating small wins
Regular check-ins and adjustments
Building Long-Term Success
"For the most part, I'd say it's more process," Erwin explains about client development. He emphasizes the importance of:
Setting realistic expectations
Creating sustainable habits
Celebrating progress
Building confidence through small wins
Maintaining consistent communication
Development as a Coach: A Journey of Continuous Growth
Erwin's evolution as a coach reflects the importance of both formal education and practical experience. "When I moved out to Shanghai, it's like, I thought I knew what I knew until I didn't know what I didn't know," he reflects. This humility and commitment to learning have shaped his coaching journey.
Key Turning Points
Early Group Coaching Experience
Learning to connect with diverse clients
Understanding different motivations
Developing communication skills
Building fundamental frameworks
Learning assessment protocols
Understanding program design principles
Developing professional standards
Shanghai Business Development
Learning entrepreneurship
Building systems and processes
Adapting to cultural differences
Managing remote clients
"The biggest takeaway from a coaching perspective... was actually going through the group model of coaching into really building some biases within that as I explored individual design," Erwin explains. This evolution helped him develop his own coaching style while maintaining OPEX principles.
The Future of Professional Coaching
Looking ahead, Erwin sees several key trends and opportunities in the coaching industry:
Evolution of Client Needs
"A lot of times people now that I'm talking to, they want to be able to live a larger life," Erwin observes. He's noticed clients increasingly seeking:
Holistic health approaches
Lifestyle integration
Sustainable results
Work-life balance support
Technology Integration
While embracing new tools and platforms, Erwin emphasizes maintaining the human connection:
Using CoachRx for program delivery and tracking
Implementing video analysis tools
Leveraging communication platforms
Maintaining personal touch in digital interactions
Industry Standards
"Stick to the basics in terms of standard," Erwin advises. "You're going to have things that are out there, times are going to change, you're going to have the new bright shiny thing. But as long as you always come back to those frameworks and through those basic principles, stick with that and let that be your gold standard."
The Hybrid Coaching Model: Bridging Personal and Remote
Erwin has developed a successful hybrid coaching practice that combines the best of both in-person and remote coaching. This model has proven particularly resilient through global changes and personal transitions.
Structuring Hybrid Services
His approach includes:
In-Person Components
Initial assessments when possible
Movement pattern teaching
In persoan sessions
Remote Elements
Regular program delivery through CoachRx
Video analysis and feedback
Weekly check-ins
Ongoing lifestyle coaching
Client Success Strategies
"The clients that I have, moving back to the States have been with me for three plus years, some on the six year mark," Erwin shares. His retention success comes from:
Clear communication protocols
Consistent check-in systems
Regular progress updates
Flexibility in delivery methods
Technology Integration
Erwin leverages technology while maintaining the personal touch:
Using CoachRx for program delivery
Implementing video analysis tools
Regular video consultations
Structured communication systems
"Moving back was pretty good... going into the hybrid setting, it was just getting a feel of, again, same thing I did when I was in Shanghai, putting myself out there," he explains. This adaptability has been key to his success in maintaining and growing his practice across continents.
Connect with Erwin
Follow Erwin's journey and learn from his experience on Instagram: @CoachErwinRegidor
Next Steps
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