Ready to listen instead of read?

[JohnMac]

Hi,
I host the Indoor Cycle Instructor Podcast (http://www.indoorcycleinstructor.com/) and forum member Jennifer Sage "Funhog" is a frequent co-host on the show.

Listen as we interview the worlds best Indoor Cycling instructors, presenters and industry leaders and discuss; teaching and presentation skills, sports performance training, class ride profiles, entertaining routines, heart rate training, nutrition, weight management, promoting your class and lots of discussion about music.

My guest for this weeks Podcast is Dr. Haley Perlus. (http://www.indoorcycleinstructor.com/?p=334) Haley is a doctor of sport and exercise psychology. Together we discuss Indoor Cycling Instructor Burnout, what it is, where it comes from and how to conquer it!

You can subscribe with iTunes (http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=287112248)for free and never miss a show.

I would love to hear from you with comments or suggestions.

john@indoorcycleinstructor.com

[Pink]

Thanks for the heads up. I'll look forward to giving it a listen.

[Funhog]

I know Dr. Perlus pretty well, and am excited to say that she'll be presenting at WSSC as well. So I highly recommend this podcast, and that you sign up for her teleseminar described in the podcast. And share it with all the other IDC instructors you know or work with.

It's great stuff!

[DoctorD13]

OMG Thank you!!!!!!!!! I had no idea there were such podcasts.
DL ing right now. I can't wait to listen
Pauls S

[lriggin]

I've downloaded a number of these podcasts and I appreciate the good information!!!

[veespin]

I allowed myself to be steered towards her site and checked out her rap sheet.

WTF is "sports pedagogy" That apparently was the subject of her Master thesis.

Vivienne

[AC]

I did download this particular podcast to see if there was any particular insight into this topic that I couldn't figure out for myself. I was a little disappointed in the mostly anecdotal observations and suggestions offered by the expert. There aren't really that many solutions to burn out other than the following:

1. Teach fewer classes or give up the time slot you dread going to. If you dread all the time slots, think the whole thing over.
2. Take a vacation
3. Take a leave of absence
4. Sub out a few classes for a while you re-group.

The part where she is talkng about your demeanor affecting the actual interraction with the members makes me wonder if anyone could actually be that unprofessional to a point where you'd allow your daily emotion reach across to affect a member's ride. If you're at that point in your instructing career where your mood that day can't be masked so you can at least act like you enjoy the moment, I'd think about not instructing at all. If one is stressing out about mixing music, or attendance numbers, or being less popular than another instructor, one should think about pursuing another interest. If there's too much traffic and your schedule is too cramped, make some priority decisions. This can't be that complicated.

Podcasts are my moments of calm serenity in a busy travel schedule. I listen to lots of political talk shows, music shows and i'll be listening to this special interest one from now on.

[Funhog]

I allowed myself to be steered towards her site and checked out her rap sheet.

WTF is "sports pedagogy" That apparently was the subject of her Master thesis.

Vivienne

"WTF is 'sports pedagogy'"?? "Rap sheet"?? WTF kind of response is that? I hope it didn't hurt to be "steered", you make it sound like it was against your will. Sorry, but I think this is one of the rudest things I've seen on this forum in a long time.

Maybe you should get on her call and ask her personally what it entailed, though I might suggest a different approach, something along the lines of, "Could you tell me what Sports Pedagogy is? I've never heard the term." I mean, really Vivienne, wouldn't you say that "WTF" is a little strong and smacks of cynicism? Not to mention "apparently was the subject of her Masters thesis" - does that mean you doubt it?

I mean, she will be seeing this thread.

Better yet, you can google it. Maybe it would be better if you weren't on the call.

I know Haley personally, and she is one of the most "real" people I know, and I am incredibly awed by her knowledge, eagerness to inspire and help people, and dedication. I know that her PhD took years and years of work, and this is her passion. And people who are this passionate about helping others, those are the kind of people you want to be around and who you want to learn from. That's why I called MDA and said, You've got to get this woman on the WSSC roster for next year! There's so much she can teach these instructors!

And indeed she will be at WSSC, and those who attend her sessions will be more fortunate for it, too.

For those of you who are interested in hearing some great suggestions for improving your mental strength, setting and achieving goals, getting through instructor burnout and apathy, working on mind-set, and how to truly be the best instructor you can be, then don't miss her teleseminar.

As I've been preaching for years in my Moving Mountains ride, all the mind-body improvement and self-motivation we develop on in our Spinning classes, can be transferred over to all areas of your life. Our dedication to climbing that challenging hill is a metaphor for overcoming daily challenges. And in this economy and state of the world, we can use every bit of motivation from every source possible! This is one of those sources! (http://drhaleyperlus.com/cycle/)

[AC]

Instructors who think they are going through some form of instructor burn out should attend a convention of instructors? Not just find a quiet weekend retreat and read a book, or row a boat on a lake, or just spend some time away from a stationary bike and loud techno music?

There is no such thing as instructor burn out because it's a non-essential position. There is airline pilot burn out, or brain surgeon burn out, or dentist burn out where one can actually do harm to other people and need some form of therapy or treatment. A Spinning instructor who thinks they have some form of burn out just needs to step aside and let one of the other 100K people who are certified to do the same thing assume the front bike. Just walk away and get back on again when it's time to get back on again.

[Funhog]

Instructors who think they are going through some form of instructor burn out should attend a convention of instructors? Not just find a quiet weekend retreat and read a book, or row a boat on a lake, or just spend some time away from a stationary bike and loud techno music?

There is no such thing as instructor burn out because it's a non-essential position. There is airline pilot burn out, or brain surgeon burn out, or dentist burn out where one can actually do harm to other people and need some form of therapy or treatment. A Spinning instructor who thinks they have some form of burn out just needs to step aside and let one of the other 100K people who are certified to do the same thing assume the front bike. Just walk away and get back on again when it's time to get back on again.

You personally may believe there is no such thing as instructor burnout, but I disagree. I think one can be burned out of just about anything you're doing.

Also, how do you define "essential"? Essential to our national economy or safety?? Nonsense. I like to think of my role as an instructor, in my niche, in my little corner of the world, as essential to my group of people who look forward to seeing me at 6 am twice a week. They expect me to be chipper and eager to teach, not drudgingly drag myself there. They expect variety and not the same-ole music or playlist or coaching (which is a sign of apathy).

There are some instructors who are far more financially committed to their classes than you or I might be, especially in this economy, and that weekly income from their 6, 5, 4 or 3 classes a week might be absolutely essential to them. For this person, taking some time off to row a boat, or subbing out their classes is NOT an option, as it might mean not having money for day care that week or paying other bills. And for them, there are steps they can take to help alleviate their burnout.

I currently have 4 classes, and I know for a fact that if I don't take certain steps, I can easily get burned out.

Yup, me, lover of Spinning and motivator of other instructors. I have been burned out, and it reflected poorly in my classes. I have had times where I practically prayed that no one would show up, because I simply didn't want to go through with the class. Not because i don't have the skills, or the wherewithall to pull it off, but plain and simply lack of desire.

And that to me is burnout.

And one can argue that, though it's not brain surgery or flying a 747 full of peole, an apathetic instructor just going through the motions can indeed potentially injure his/her students. When you are sharp and motivated, you're going to care more about proper intensity and choice of movements far more than when you don't give a sh!t.

And to address your previous post, there is really no new advice out there for any issue or problem. Dr. Perlus isn't offering ground-breaking new concepts, she's just putting the techniques for overcoming these issues in one place (an interview) so that anyone interested in hearing more about them can go find out more. One may think it's common sense that all you have to do is row a boat, read a book, take time off, teach less, be prepared, sub out your classes, etc. But sometimes when one is embroiled in a problem, you can't see the forest through the trees.

Sometimes, you hear something in a different way, something you might have already have known intuitively, but by hearing someone else express it, or apply it to your own situation in a specific way, it becomes that revelation that yes, this is indeed what you need to go to get past your problem, whatever it might be.

I could be smug and say I don't need to go to anymore IDC conferences or Spinning workshops. I've truly heard it all over the past 12 years. I have all the books, the articles, files and files of notes, the bookmarks and documents on my computer, etc. Why should I listen to someone else say something that I might already know? Heck I teach the dang stuff.

But I revel in going to conferences, workshops, other instructors classes, reading more books, articles, listening to podcasts, reading blogs, etc. I've not gotten anything ground-breaking in years, but that doesn't mean I haven't relearned something I already knew, or applied it in a way I never had before, with amazing results.

Because every single time we hear something, it's in a different mindset. It might affect us in a different way, we might be more open or perceptive to it, the presenter of that info might say it ina different manner that speaks to us even more, or in a way that the last time we heard it it didn't affect us. All these are reasons to be open to continuing to learn and grow and expand, even if we think we know all the answers.

Hav eyou ever had a problem, or been depressed, and a friend gave you a suggestion? It was something you already knew, but the way he or she said it, something clicked inside you that said, "yeah, you're right. I should probably do that." and you then did whatever the suggestion was. For some reason (maybe Haley can tell us the psychological reasons for why) we don't always listen to our own inner voice, but we will listen to someone else.

That my friends, is another reason to listen to this podcast, as well as others that John has posted. They say, when the student is ready, the teacher appears. You may or may not need this information at this specific moment in tie, but there are those who it might be the right stuff at the right time. And maybe someday, you'll come back to it for the nudge it might provide.

[EuroD]

You personally may believe there is no such thing as instructor burnout, but I disagree. I think one can be burned out of just about anything you're doing.

Also, how do you define "essential"? Essential to our national economy or safety?? Nonsense. I like to think of my role as an instructor, in my niche, in my little corner of the world, as essential to my group of people who look forward to seeing me at 6 am twice a week. They expect me to be chipper and eager to teach, not drudgingly drag myself there. They expect variety and not the same-ole music or playlist or coaching (which is a sign of apathy).

There are some instructors who are far more financially committed to their classes than you or I might be, especially in this economy, and that weekly income from their 6, 5, 4 or 3 classes a week might be absolutely essential to them. For this person, taking some time off to row a boat, or subbing out their classes is NOT an option, as it might mean not having money for day care that week or paying other bills. And for them, there are steps they can take to help alleviate their burnout.

I currently have 4 classes, and I know for a fact that if I don't take certain steps, I can easily get burned out.

Yup, me, lover of Spinning and motivator of other instructors. I have been burned out, and it reflected poorly in my classes. I have had times where I practically prayed that no one would show up, because I simply didn't want to go through with the class. Not because i don't have the skills, or the wherewithall to pull it off, but plain and simply lack of desire.

And that to me is burnout.

And one can argue that, though it's not brain surgery or flying a 747 full of peole, an apathetic instructor just going through the motions can indeed potentially injure his/her students. When you are sharp and motivated, you're going to care more about proper intensity and choice of movements far more than when you don't give a sh!t.

And to address your previous post, there is really no new advice out there for any issue or problem. Dr. Perlus isn't offering ground-breaking new concepts, she's just putting the techniques for overcoming these issues in one place (an interview) so that anyone interested in hearing more about them can go find out more. One may think it's common sense that all you have to do is row a boat, read a book, take time off, teach less, be prepared, sub out your classes, etc. But sometimes when one is embroiled in a problem, you can't see the forest through the trees.

Sometimes, you hear something in a different way, something you might have already have known intuitively, but by hearing someone else express it, or apply it to your own situation in a specific way, it becomes that revelation that yes, this is indeed what you need to go to get past your problem, whatever it might be.

I could be smug and say I don't need to go to anymore IDC conferences or Spinning workshops. I've truly heard it all over the past 12 years. I have all the books, the articles, files and files of notes, the bookmarks and documents on my computer, etc. Why should I listen to someone else say something that I might already know? Heck I teach the dang stuff.

But I revel in going to conferences, workshops, other instructors classes, reading more books, articles, listening to podcasts, reading blogs, etc. I've not gotten anything ground-breaking in years, but that doesn't mean I haven't relearned something I already knew, or applied it in a way I never had before, with amazing results.

Because every single time we hear something, it's in a different mindset. It might affect us in a different way, we might be more open or perceptive to it, the presenter of that info might say it ina different manner that speaks to us even more, or in a way that the last time we heard it it didn't affect us. All these are reasons to be open to continuing to learn and grow and expand, even if we think we know all the answers.

Hav eyou ever had a problem, or been depressed, and a friend gave you a suggestion? It was something you already knew, but the way he or she said it, something clicked inside you that said, "yeah, you're right. I should probably do that." and you then did whatever the suggestion was. For some reason (maybe Haley can tell us the psychological reasons for why) we don't always listen to our own inner voice, but we will listen to someone else.

That my friends, is another reason to listen to this podcast, as well as others that John has posted. They say, when the student is ready, the teacher appears. You may or may not need this information at this specific moment in tie, but there are those who it might be the right stuff at the right time. And maybe someday, you'll come back to it for the nudge it might provide.

I have to agree with two things Jennifer says - the one regarding burnout, that is a matter of personal interpretation. I have gotten burntout of teaching a class; it wasn't fun, it became a chore, I did the best thing for me and the class and walked away. To this day, I have no regrets that I gave it up.

I also agree that you may know something, however, it does sound different on another day. None of us live the same day twice - this is not groundhog day - we experience different things in different mindsets, how we take in information, process it and respond depends on how we are feeling. So yes, you can listen to the same thing twice, however, HEAR it in different ways.

[drhaleyperlus]

Hi my name is Dr. Haley Perlus and I am so excited to have had the opportunity to be on John Macgowan podcast. Sport and exercise psychology is not only my area of expertise, but is also a subject near and dear to my heart.


You are right, there’s nothing earth shattering about the information. The content I provided on instructor burnout could be interpreted by some as “common sense”. However, quite often, “common sense” is not so common. This is why professional athletes and top CEOs seek out the guidance from sport (and performance) psychologists.

My responsibility as a sport and exercise psychology expert is to help you incorporate mental skills training in your specific life endeavor. Today, we are relating mental skills training to indoor cycling. If you have not realized already, you will soon understand that these skills can and should be implemented in every aspect of your life.

I’d like to address the question about my educational background. I have a Ph.D. in social psychology of physical activity and sport (aka sport and exercise psych). My M.S. in sport pedagogy is a teacher and coach education degree. The program focuses on developing leadership skills in a physical activity setting. Please feel free to visit http://www.drhaleyperlus.com (http://www.drhaleyperlus.com/) to inquire further about my qualifications and experience in sport and fitness.

I invite all of you to attend my tele-seminar, and I’d like to gear the topic towards what you would most like to hear. Once you register for the call at http://www.drhaleyperlus.com/cycle (http://www.drhaleyperlus.com/cycle) you will be able to email me any questions you have. I promise to answer all of your questions as they relate to my area of expertise.

Believe and Achieve
*Haley Perlus, Ph.D.*

[AC]

You personally may believe there is no such thing as instructor burnout, but I disagree. I think one can be burned out of just about anything you're doing.

Also, how do you define "essential"? Essential to our national economy or safety?? Nonsense. I like to think of my role as an instructor, in my niche, in my little corner of the world, as essential to my group of people who look forward to seeing me at 6 am twice a week. They expect me to be chipper and eager to teach, not drudgingly drag myself there. They expect variety and not the same-ole music or playlist or coaching (which is a sign of apathy).

There are some instructors who are far more financially committed to their classes than you or I might be, especially in this economy, and that weekly income from their 6, 5, 4 or 3 classes a week might be absolutely essential to them. For this person, taking some time off to row a boat, or subbing out their classes is NOT an option, as it might mean not having money for day care that week or paying other bills. And for them, there are steps they can take to help alleviate their burnout.

I currently have 4 classes, and I know for a fact that if I don't take certain steps, I can easily get burned out.

Yup, me, lover of Spinning and motivator of other instructors. I have been burned out, and it reflected poorly in my classes. I have had times where I practically prayed that no one would show up, because I simply didn't want to go through with the class. Not because i don't have the skills, or the wherewithall to pull it off, but plain and simply lack of desire.

And that to me is burnout.

And one can argue that, though it's not brain surgery or flying a 747 full of peole, an apathetic instructor just going through the motions can indeed potentially injure his/her students. When you are sharp and motivated, you're going to care more about proper intensity and choice of movements far more than when you don't give a sh!t.

And to address your previous post, there is really no new advice out there for any issue or problem. Dr. Perlus isn't offering ground-breaking new concepts, she's just putting the techniques for overcoming these issues in one place (an interview) so that anyone interested in hearing more about them can go find out more. One may think it's common sense that all you have to do is row a boat, read a book, take time off, teach less, be prepared, sub out your classes, etc. But sometimes when one is embroiled in a problem, you can't see the forest through the trees.

Sometimes, you hear something in a different way, something you might have already have known intuitively, but by hearing someone else express it, or apply it to your own situation in a specific way, it becomes that revelation that yes, this is indeed what you need to go to get past your problem, whatever it might be.

I could be smug and say I don't need to go to anymore IDC conferences or Spinning workshops. I've truly heard it all over the past 12 years. I have all the books, the articles, files and files of notes, the bookmarks and documents on my computer, etc. Why should I listen to someone else say something that I might already know? Heck I teach the dang stuff.

But I revel in going to conferences, workshops, other instructors classes, reading more books, articles, listening to podcasts, reading blogs, etc. I've not gotten anything ground-breaking in years, but that doesn't mean I haven't relearned something I already knew, or applied it in a way I never had before, with amazing results.

Because every single time we hear something, it's in a different mindset. It might affect us in a different way, we might be more open or perceptive to it, the presenter of that info might say it ina different manner that speaks to us even more, or in a way that the last time we heard it it didn't affect us. All these are reasons to be open to continuing to learn and grow and expand, even if we think we know all the answers.

Hav eyou ever had a problem, or been depressed, and a friend gave you a suggestion? It was something you already knew, but the way he or she said it, something clicked inside you that said, "yeah, you're right. I should probably do that." and you then did whatever the suggestion was. For some reason (maybe Haley can tell us the psychological reasons for why) we don't always listen to our own inner voice, but we will listen to someone else.

That my friends, is another reason to listen to this podcast, as well as others that John has posted. They say, when the student is ready, the teacher appears. You may or may not need this information at this specific moment in tie, but there are those who it might be the right stuff at the right time. And maybe someday, you'll come back to it for the nudge it might provide.

Way too much drama here. I didn't say don't go to conferences. I said, don't go if you are "burned-out". What benefit could there be if you are burned out from teaching IDC classes going to 3 days of more IDC classes? And if you are stressed out financially, what point is $2-3K on a WSSC? Take it and pay down some credit cards.

Essential does mean exactly what the definition is. What we do, teaching a group ex class, is completely non-essential, unless you are the instructor who needs the money for rent groceries or other essentials. Thinking anything else is just delusional. Any one of thousands of instructors could walk into anyone's class and everything would be just fine in the world. Some time to adapt to a new person's skills? Absolutely. Below the MI level, I'm as good at this as anyone. I've been replaced at several gyms and the members went on with there classes like I was never there. As the lyrics go, "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss". What this is is a nice interest-hobby-part-time gig. To think it means more than that to anyone, is really self-inflated. We influence people to exercise regularly. We might create a few new instructors along the way. We might motivate a few people to ride a bike a long way. We might help some people drop a few pounds. We might get people to listen to some new tunes.

We don't need to get burned out. There's nothing to sadden someone over. We just move over and let the next person step in. if money is causing one real stress and anxiety, see a financial counsellor and get some real advice.

[Funhog]

Way too much drama here. I didn't say don't go to conferences. I said, don't go if you are "burned-out". What benefit could there be if you are burned out from teaching IDC classes going to 3 days of more IDC classes? And if you are stressed out financially, what point is $2-3K on a WSSC? Take it and pay down some credit cards.

Essential does mean exactly what the definition is. What we do, teaching a group ex class, is completely non-essential, unless you are the instructor who needs the money for rent groceries or other essentials. Thinking anything else is just delusional.

It appears you misunderstood me. The reason I was talking about conferences (and seminars and podcasts and anything we read, attend or listen to to get motivated) was in regards to your point that there was nothing "new" in Dr. Perlus's podcast. There's usually nothing new or ground-breaking at any conferences either, except maybe to the brand new instructor, but especially not to most of the people on this forum who have been teaching for a long time. But even so, when you go (or read or listen) you come away with new ideas because you interpreted or experienced the same thing in a different way, or happened to need that particular info at that moment, whereas before, you didn't.

For you others reading this, one of the ways to increase your interest and passion for what you do as an IDC coach (and avoid burnout) is to think of yourself as "essential" to your students. Not in an egotistical sort of way, but an empowering sort of way. When you believe in yourself in that way, believe that you truly help and motivate people and make a difference in their world, that they come to you because of what you offer them, and that in your little corner of their world, you are "essential", then this passion and love will come out in your teaching, and thus, you will help even more people.

This kind of self-belief leads to increased self-esteem, and is one of the attributes that sets the great apart from the good.

And also as a result of this self-belief, you'll be much less likely to experience those moments of apathy or burnout because of the greater goal that you've established as your role as an IDC coach. You'll be more fired-up, more interested in finding new music and new profiles, and just plain have more fun. All because of one little shift in attitude!

It's a beautiful thing!

And get this: those airline pilots or surgeons etc, who AC refers to as the "essential" ones, can become really burned out in their own worlds. Guess what? Some of them are coming into your Spinning classes to seek relief from their stress, and you are helping them avoid their own particular kind of "burn-out"! In that way, you are even more essential to them.

So that gives you a double whammy of "essentialism"! ;)


BTW, welcome Haley, to our forum! Thanks for the clarification for those that need it. I look forward to the call!

[AC]

Conversely, another way not to get burned out is to not take every class as some mission or even to think every class is supposed to be perfect. Or overstate one's value in the world because one teaches Spinning.

Unless you are a cyclist by hobby and use spinning to prepare for that activity, Spinning/IDC is just a group ex. version of "soup du juor" and we're just the designated servers. When Zumba gets more people at the same time slot, should I deem myself less essential? I find inventing phobias and then selling workshops to cure them shameless.

If anyone wants to do something really essential, go out and volunteer for some charity and take a tremendous amount of pride and self-esteem of helping those less fortunate or in raising money to help people in need. I take way more pride in that than getting paid to put on daily Spin classes to affluent paying members.

[AC]

I highly recommend the Podcast with Angie Sturdivant that is currently on this list.

[jsejt]

I highly recommend the Podcast with Angie Sturdivant that is currently on this list.

I listened to this and her explanations were clear and easy to understand. Thanks for the heads up...