Fitness Directors: how would you handle client switching trainers after almost a year?

Having only limited information and one side of the story, I will give you a lemons to lemonade answer.

I t sounds like you have been awesome. If you can, take a moment and a deep breath. We are not super human. While he phone call may have seemed like business as usual, what has happened over your client's last several years and maybe the last few weeks, might have just been a crack in the dam that let the whole thing collapse. I can't tell you a magical way to make it all better. But I can tell you that taking the high road is always the best option.

I would try to speak with the client and tell them that I respect their decision. And offer to do whatever I could to make their transition to their new trainer as smooth as possible. And then I would do exactly that as well as possible. Why they felt the need to move on is unimportant. You did your best and you can be the best professional you can be and keep it professional. I know it stings a little now. You had a lot of time and emotion invested in this client as well. But as far as the client is concerned, suck it up and play it cool and straight. Then I would put myself through a freaking killer workout, take a long shower, go home and give my wife a big hug, a kiss, and go out to dinner. Or something like that, sometimes the happy movie ending doesn't quite work out. But I would try to take comfort in the rest of what is important to me and not let this be a defining moment.

And I get. And it takes time to forget a tough situation. And you will have some days where you dwell on it. That is natural and it is all right. I wish you the best and hope you are well.