I was really making progress on my third NLP when COVID-19 hit. I screwed around the first time and, in a non-training incident, I damaged a nerve in my foot the second time. There is a squat rack at work that's been locked up for months now, but they've finally allowed us to train with it. I've never liked training at work because of the distractions, but since my gym is still too worried about opening, it's my only opportunity to train. Taking Rip's advice from the podcast the other day, I did some warm ups and did a gentle intro to 155 to "knock the scabs off."
Afterwards, I had a coworker express interest in my squat technique. I told him about SS, the program, etc... and how it works the greatest amount of muscle mass over the longest range of motion. Being a smart guy, he lit up and wanted to know more. He got out of the hospital a year ago and lost a significant amount of weight (mostly muscle) after a two week stay and now he's missing half a lung. He's had issues gaining the weight back ever since. He's 6'0" and 178 lbs. He asked me to show him how to squat. I referred him to Rip's videos and the blue book, but I truly get the sense he isn't interested in reading/watching any materials. He wants me to coach him.
I am ambivalent about this because I still am not confident in many of my lifts. Hell, I've failed the NLP twice already and I struggle with depth! I've been studying as much material as possible over these last few months to learn everything I can about the lifts, what to watch for, etc... I watch a lot of the technique submissions, and read what Pete Troupos, et al. have to say. Still, I feel like I miss a lot and that I am very unqualified to train him. That said, today he pressed me to show him the squat and I did so. I truly enjoyed the process of explaining it to him and watching his technique change with adjustments. I was able to spot some things like telling him to stop looking up or to keep his chest down, but I also feel like I missed a lot too. My coworker was very receptive to all my input and truly willing to let me teach him... He just doesn't seem to be the type to retrieve the info himself.
Is every new client handed the blue book and YouTube video links of Rip on the platform? Surely, there must be some folks that want a coach to just feed them. How do you all handle this? Also, I don't mind doing this, but I feel wholly unqualified in doing so. I'm actually a little embarrassed about bringing this up as I don't feel like I've "earned my stripes" yet either. I completely understand that one has to start somewhere, but I also feel like I would be better suited to doing this towards the end of my NLP or after it. Any words of wisdom or advice? Should I continue to help train him? Am I overstepping my boundaries?
Thank you guys and I want to be clear that in no way am I trying to disrespect the program or coaches by pretending like I know it all or that I am remotely close to being as capable as the coaches I've seen on here. It's a program I trust and believe in and hope to do right by.