The Transtheoretical Model of Change: Guiding Clients Through Behavior Transformation
Jay Abelian
Fitness Entrepreneur | Founder of Invincible Fitness | Canfitpro PRO Trainer | Personal Trainer & Educator Empowering Health and Strength
Behavior change is hard—and it takes time. Research shows that 50% of people who start exercising stop within six months.
It’s easy to understand why. The lack of immediate results can make anyone feel frustrated or impatient. But lasting change isn’t about quick wins; it’s about understanding where your clients are in their readiness to change and guiding them step by step.
One powerful framework to help with this is the Transtheoretical Model of Change, which breaks behavior change into these stages:
There’s also a relapse stage—because setbacks are part of the journey. Our role as trainers, coaches, or mentors is to support clients as they navigate these stages, helping them move forward without judgment when they stumble.
A critical tool in this process is Motivational Interviewing (MI). MI is a collaborative conversation framework that strengthens a client’s own motivation for change. It’s not about persuading or convincing—it’s about helping clients connect deeply to their why.
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For example, instead of telling a client to exercise because it’s "good for them," MI encourages you to ask, “What would it mean to you if you had more energy to play with your kids?” or “How would losing weight impact your quality of life?”
By understanding the psychology of change and practicing tools like MI, we can empower clients to stick with new habits—and turn short-term efforts into lifelong transformations.
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