The Aha! Moment 🤯
Back when I was a financial advisor, I kept seeing the same frustrating problems over and over.
Clients were making fantastic money but still had lines of credit, juggling credit cards, and spending way beyond their means. You know the drill: lifestyle inflation, overspending, financial mismanagement.
And who was there to help them? Pretty much… no one.
I started thinking, “Man, someone needs to help people actually change their behavior with money.” But, I wasn’t sure if that “someone” could be me, or if this was even an actual job.
Then one day, I stumbled across a financial industry magazine featuring a lady in Vancouver who was calling herself a “money coach.” That was my lightbulb moment. 🚨 If she could do it, maybe I could too. The seed was planted.
What’s in a Name? EVERYTHING.
When I first started, the term “coach” made me cringe.
It felt… fluffy. Woo-woo.
Like I’d be standing on the sidelines yelling, “YOU CAN DO IT!” with pom-poms while clients awkwardly smiled. 📣
Not my vibe.
I came from an advisory role where structure, spreadsheets, and clear strategies ruled. I wanted something that sounded official.
I had a chat with branding expert Ted Matthews (the genius who saved the Energizer Bunny 🐰). After hearing me explain my vision, he dropped a branding bombshell on me. He said, “You’re like a personal fitness trainer—but for finances.” 🎤 DROP.
Boom. Personal Financial Trainer was born. It summed up what I did perfectly. Just like a personal trainer gets you into physical shape through discipline, accountability, and consistency, I was here to whip people into financial shape.
But then, SEO came along and ruined all my fun.
No one was searching for “personal financial trainer.” People were googling financial coach. And me? I caved. I swapped out the title to stay relevant, even though “financial coach” didn’t really align with who I was or what I did. I was in a title tug-of-war and losing my own identity in the process.
I’d introduce myself as a “financial coach,” but in my heart, I knew I was still a Personal Financial Trainer. Talk about an identity crisis. 🙃
The Real Problem with the Term “Coach” 🧐
While I was trying to figure out what to call myself, I realized I had a bigger beef with the coaching industry at large. (Yeah, I said it.) Coaching programs preach that “the client already has all the answers inside.” That’s a lovely sentiment, for, say, life coaching. But for finances? Total disaster.
Imagine someone asks me, “What’s the best way to set up a budget?” and I respond, “Well… you tell me. The answer is inside you.” Uh, what? HA. No. Budgets aren’t created from intuitive feelings.
On the flip side, being too advisory doesn’t work either.
Telling people what to do (“Cut up your credit card, stop eating out, only wear beige”) might be great for quick fixes, but it skips the deeper, personal stuff. You’ve got to dig into the why of spending behaviors. What’s your money story? What are the habits driving your decisions?
Over time, I realized my approach fell into this magical Venn diagram between coaching and advising. It was personal, it was hands-on, it was comprehensive. And that’s why “Personal Financial Trainer” still made the most sense to me. It captured the hybrid nature of what I do.
But SEO kept calling. And like an on-again, off-again relationship, I’d waver between the two titles. Coach one day, trainer the next. I never 100% ditched Personal Financial Trainer, but, it was a back-and-forth battle.
The Industry Gets Murky 🙄 (or Why Titles Matter)
Now, “financial coach” is trendy, and I’ve even heard of investment firms and product pushers slap that title on themselves. Don’t get me wrong, there are solid financial coaches out there, but it’s also becoming a bit… murky.
A lot of people using the “coach” title aren’t actually helping with behavior change or long-term habits. They’re selling products or investments. And that’s fine (you do you), but it’s not what I’m about.
What I do is different. I help people build habits, create budgets, and transform how they think about money. It’s not just selling an idea or slapping together a plan. It’s training. It’s personal. And it’s a lot more than the typical “coach” services you see floating around.
Even if I’ve got to explain it every time I say “Personal Financial Trainer,” it’s worth it. When people understand, the lightbulb goes on, and they’re like, “Ohhh, I get it.” That’s my sweet spot.
The Secret Sauce to Financial Success 💡
Whether you call me a Personal Financial Trainer, a money coach, or just the “budget guy,” the truth remains the same. Financial success isn’t just about crunching numbers. It’s about your mindset.
Here’s what you really need to do:
1. Understand Your Money Story
Your relationship with money didn’t start yesterday. It’s tied to childhood, experiences, and beliefs. Think about how your past influences your habits today. Are patterns holding you back? Once you recognize them, you can start rewriting your narrative. ✨
2. Set Clear Goals
What do you REALLY want from your money? Write it down. Visualize it. Whether it’s becoming debt-free, funding epic travels, or buying a house, defining goals gives you something to work toward. (And nothing beats checking those off. ✅)
3. Create a Budget with Purpose
Budgets aren’t about restriction. They’re about direction. Give your money a job. Make your budget flexible enough to handle curveballs but firm enough to keep you on track. 🚗💨
4. Build Accountability
No one climbs Everest alone, and your money mountain isn’t any different. Find someone who can check in, cheer you on, and keep you honest. It could be a friend, family member, or hey, even a Personal Financial Trainer wink wink. 🏋️♂️
5. Keep Learning
There’s always something new to discover about personal finance. Listen to podcasts, read books, watch videos. The smarter you are about money, the more empowered you’ll feel to make better decisions. Stay curious, and the dividends will be HUGE. 📚🎧
Wrapping It Up with a Bow 🎀 💪
Titles, shm-itles. Call me what you want. Financial coach. Personal Financial Trainer. That money guy. It doesn’t matter. What matters is the work.
Your finances are bigger than just numbers. They’re about habits. They’re about rewriting your story. Owning your goals. And if you need someone in your corner, clipboard in hand and metaphorical financial dumbbells ready, I’m here.
💥 Time to get your finances in shape. You with me?
Avraham Byers
Budget Guy/Financial Coach/Definitely Still a Personal Financial Trainer
PS. Wanna whip your finances into shape? Book a free session with me. No fluff, no pom-poms, just real talk and results. 🏋️♂️
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