What My Big Foot Taught Me About Professional Coaching vs. Therapy

Struggles in our personal lives don’t stay neatly compartmentalized—they spill into our professional success, affecting our focus, confidence, and performance. If you feel stuck—whether in your career, business, or life—it’s important to recognize whether you need healing before moving forward or professional coaching to help you reach your goals.

Pain, Healing, and Progress: A Personal Story

Last Wednesday morning, I had surgery on three separate places on my right foot. My surgeon is not only skilled but hilarious. He told me he just didn’t know how to explain what to expect after surgery except to say, “The next few days are going to suck for you.”

He was right.

The evening I came home from the hospital, I thought, I’ve got this. It’s not that bad. I dutifully climbed into my temporary stairlift chair to my second-floor bedroom, took my pain meds, and fell asleep.

Then morning came.

Pain—blaring, searing, unrelenting pain.

My foot was wrapped in layers of gauze and secured in a protective boot, but even the smallest movement sent shockwaves through my body. I tried shifting my leg—more unbearable pain.

By day four, I managed to use three different medical scooters and my stairlift to make it down to my sunken (but sunny) family room and sit in a recliner. Every movement still ached and throbbed, but at least it wasn’t sending me through the roof.

A week later, I had my first follow-up appointment. The surgeon removed the layers of wrapping, x-rayed my foot, and rebandaged everything. That simple process triggered another two days of resounding pain.

Eventually, the healing will progress, and the pain will fade. One day, I’m certain, I will be able to walk again.

The Gap Between Healing and Capability

Still, even when I’m fully healed, I won’t instantly be capable of everything I want to do.

I have my sights set on my favorite 8-mile Appalachian Trail hike near my home. But after three weeks of non-weight bearing and 6–8 weeks of minimal weight-bearing, my body won’t be ready. Even when the doctor clears me to walk, I won’t have the strength, endurance, or confidence to complete that hike.

I’ll have to rebuild my capability through mindset adjustments, discipline, and consistent practice.

Coaching vs. Therapy: Understanding What You Need

Therapy is like my injured foot. When pain is easily triggered, when there’s underlying brokenness that needs healing before movement is even possible, therapy is the best path forward.

Coaching is like my post-recovery training. When the healing has happened, but I’m still struggling to reach my goal—when I need structure, guidance, and a strategy to get from where I am to where I want to be—coaching is what bridges the gap.

So how do you decide whether you need coaching or therapy?

• Do circumstances around you easily trigger deep emotional wounds? Do you find yourself guarded, constantly protecting yourself to avoid getting “bumped”? If so, therapy may be the best next step for healing and restoration.
• Or do you feel mostly capable of achieving your goals, but you just can’t seem to get there? Are you lacking the systems, discipline, or even the belief that success is possible for you? If so, coaching can provide the clarity, structure, and accountability to break through barriers and accelerate your progress.

And sometimes we can benefit greatly from both–the therapy to deal with the past, and the professional coaching to help us move forward to the future we envision.

This applies just as much to professional success as it does to personal growth. If personal struggles, self-doubt, or past failures are holding you back in business, leadership, or sales success, coaching can help you push past roadblocks, develop the right mindset, and build the systems that lead to real results.

Your Next Step

If you’re ready to get clear on your vision, minimize obstacles, and build the habits that lead to success—both personally and professionally—coaching may be the missing piece.

Schedule a call today to explore how coaching can help you break through barriers, elevate your performance, and achieve the results you’ve been striving for.