Mariana Staykova

More Than a Number: Coaching Beyond the Scale

Coaching this particular client was a unique experience. One that challenged me deeply on the daily, but also brought me lessons I’ll carry on with me throughout my career. She’s someone I’ve known for a while, a long-time friend, which made the transition into a coach-client relationship all the more delicate. From day one, I knew this dynamic would require a shift. As a coach, I had to step into a more professional role, choosing my words carefully, approaching sensitive topics with empathy, and learning how to navigate the deeper mental barriers that often stand in the way of physical change.

She came to me with a clear goal: weight loss. But the number she had in mind was, quite honestly, far too extreme. Still, we started. And right away, the structure was a shock to her system. She had never followed a regimented plan before. Where her usual routine was one or two meals a day, the shift to eating consistently, in volume, and with intent felt overwhelming. Everything about the plan felt foreign—and understandably so.

After a small drop in weight, she found her motivation. For a while, things were moving. Then, the mental strain kicked in. The repetition of meals, the structure, the feeling of being “trapped” by food—it all started weighing on her. She pulled back from the plan, still trying to hit her calories and macros in her own way. But that didn’t work. The progress stalled. The weight didn’t move. And the frustration set in. That was a turning point. Not just for her, but for me as a coach.

I had to pause and ask myself: How do I bring her back on track without pushing her further away? It couldn’t be a command. It had to be a conversation. So we talked—openly, honestly, without judgment. We explored the discomfort, the mental fatigue, the loss of motivation. And together, we found a new approach. One that brought her back into structure, but on terms that made her feel heard and supported.

Over the following weeks, she looked better, felt stronger, and carried herself with a confidence that hadn’t been there before. It was in this phase when her mindset aligned with her physical progress, and she realized something important: the weight loss goal she originally set wasn’t necessary. Where she had currently arrived was her goal all along. She just didn’t know it yet.

Here we wrapped up the journey. Not because she gave up, but because she got exactly what she needed. She walked away with more than just results. She understood the value of whole foods over quick fixes. She stopped fearing the scale and started trusting the mirror. Most importantly, she learned that the best version of herself had nothing to do with a specific number, and everything to do with how she felt in her own skin.

Coaching her was a challenge—but an absolute privilege. What I learned throughout this experience is untradeable. It deepened my understanding of the mental and emotional layers behind a transformation, and reminded me that the most meaningful progress often happens beyond the metrics.

Weight lost: 7kg/ 15.5lbs

Time frame: 11 weeks/ 75 days