The Myth of ‘If I Can Do It, You Can Too’

We all know the story: Someone climbs a mountain, arms raised in victory, and proclaims, “If I can do it, you can too!” It sounds uplifting and hopeful—a universal rallying cry meant to inspire. But here’s the thing: what if that phrase lands flat for coaches whose obstacles look nothing like the speaker’s? When challenges are invisible, complex, or rooted in different realities, the usual platitudes miss the mark.

To truly honor every coaching journey, we need to dig deeper and tell the raw truth about what success really means—one that embraces all the messy, tangled, invisible challenges coaches carry.

Success isn’t a one-size-fits-all trajectory, especially when it comes to building a coaching business. Consider the varied starting lines coaches are handed. Some have families who cheer them on, financial cushions that let them experiment, and the mental space to focus solely on their coaching goals. Others juggle day jobs, childcare, or health issues that make launching and growing more of a marathon than a sprint. Imagine Tara, who’s balancing a part-time job and single parenting while trying to carve out time to connect with clients and build an email list. For her, every email sent and every new sign-up represents a monumental effort. Or think of Thomas, navigating systemic bias while trying to establish trust and authority in a saturated market. Suggesting every coaching journey is the same and “just takes grit” ignores these realities. Success in coaching has to honor where each person begins, not just the destination.

Mental health plays a huge role too—and coaches aren’t exempt from struggles like anxiety, burnout, or imposter syndrome. Consider Lila, a new coach battling chronic anxiety that spikes every time she thinks about hosting a webinar or launching a program. For outsiders, it may look like she’s “just not showing up” or “not trying hard enough,” but behind the scenes, she’s fighting those inner voices while still hustling hard. Her journey reveals how mental health challenges can affect consistent growth and client connection—without anyone seeing the real battle. It’s a reminder that mental health care access and self-compassion are vital parts of a sustainable coaching career.

Not everyone has equal access to resources or support, and that difference matters hugely. Some coaches can afford paid mentoring, fancy software, and professional branding help; others learn via online forums with minimal funds and no guidance. Take Jackie, for example, who struggles to fund coaching certifications and marketing tools while supporting her family. The assumption that all coaches have the same tools and starting capital erases the creative grit many bring to their businesses.

So what does true success look like for coaches? The “if I can do it” narrative glosses over these complexities. Real success means honoring progress over perfection, valuing persistence no matter the speed, and celebrating every victory—whether it’s finally launching your first email list or simply getting through a tough marketing week. Sometimes, success is just managing to schedule calls or reply to emails despite feeling overwhelmed. It might be learning how to overcome technical hurdles or finding a supportive community that lifts you up. Let’s replace empty slogans with meaningful encouragement that coaches need:

• “Your best coaching business is valid, right where you are.”

• “Your journey is your own, and that’s your power.”

• “How can community and support help make coaching success possible for more people?”

This deeper understanding is the Quirky Rebel way. We know coaching success grows in many different soils. Every win—no matter shape or size—deserves acknowledgment. No coach is less worthy because their victories look different from others’. Let’s shine a light on the hard-fought battles, celebrate unseen struggles, and create space for every unique coaching path. Sometimes, the boldest rebellion is simply daring to believe that different is valuable—and that surviving the hardest days of building a coaching business is a victory, full stop.