The Mistakes That (Nearly) Broke My Business — and Why I'm Not Giving Up

Where I started from... the brave face who honestly thought time was up.

To where I am now, the brave face who isn't sure he can turn this into a viable business.

I’ve made mistakes that may have held my business back.

Every part of me doesn’t want to write this article. It means admitting flaws. It pushes against everything childhood trauma taught me — don’t be vulnerable, don’t show weakness, don’t open yourself to judgment. But unless I say this, unless I speak my truth, I won’t move forward. My business won’t move forward. And I’ll stay stuck, distracting myself with baking, Door Dashing to pay the bills, and trying to convince the world (and myself) that I’m okay — when I’m not.

Mistake One: Believing the Hype

When I was first sold on health coaching as a business, I was told it was a viable path. My gut said “maybe not,” and I could see that most people who were making it work had pivoted in some way. But my heart believed in the model. Coaching is powerful. It’s life-changing. It could genuinely help fix the cracks in our health system. (That’s still something I believe deeply.)

So, I jumped in. I paid the significant course fees, and I got studying.

To be fair, I received a world-class education — in coaching, nutrition, movement, mental health, and behaviour change. What I didn’t receive was a ready-made business. In fact, I found myself holding a toolkit so new and so misunderstood that I’ve had to build a pathway almost from scratch.

Yes, I’ll own that my personal style and approach won’t work for everyone. But when initial enthusiasm is repeatedly met with silence, ghosting, or vague interest that leads nowhere, it’s hard not to internalise it and assume I’m the problem. The more coaches I talk to, though — with all kinds of personalities, approaches, and niches — the clearer it becomes: we’re all struggling to make this work. So while I continue to refine my own approach, this is not just about me. It’s about a wider industry reality that’s rarely talked about honestly.

The truth is, this is something new. The word “coach” itself carries a lot of baggage for people. It’s misunderstood. It’s overused. And while I’m not done — not even close — I’m now wide awake to how hard this actually is. I could be angry at the people or organisations who sold me the dream. But I get it. They’re trying to survive too. And sales messaging doesn’t always make space for the cold, hard truth.

Mistake Two: Hiding My Truth

My second mistake was letting judgment silence me.

I had bariatric surgery. It saved my life. It gave me the chance to return from the edge of an early death and live a full, healthy life.

But the judgment? It’s real. From people who think it’s “not necessary,” to voices within the health and coaching world who view it as a failure of willpower or a temporary fix — or worse, as a lazy shortcut. Some of the harshest criticism comes from professionals: athletes, trainers, even scientists — people who should know better than to assume their lived experience is universal.

One personal trainer once told me, “Just power through, man,” when asked how to overcome adversity. That response — dismissive, oversimplified, and oblivious — sums it up.

These people didn’t see me battling severe mental illness born from childhood abuse. They didn’t see me go from hiding in my bed to walking to the mailbox, then to the next mailbox, then another — bringing a chair with me to rest — until one day the chair broke and I lay crying on the curb, unable to get up. They didn’t see me starve on carrots and meal replacement shakes for six months just to qualify for surgery by losing 60kg first.

They don’t know what it’s like to live with a hormonal imbalance that causes insatiable hunger — to finally cry tears of joy and relief when, after surgery, you feel full for the first time in decades.

And still, I see real solutions — things that save lives — being treated like they’re shameful. As if needing medical help, surgery, or medication is somehow a failure. I’m tired of real solutions being framed as though they’re a sin — to misquote the Pet Shop Boys, “It’s a Sin.”

They assume their strength lies in physical feats, but I’d argue they’ve never known the kind of strength I had to find just to stay alive.

So today, I’m proud to launch a new branch of WheresMyPrince Ltd: Bariatric Support Coaching.

This program is for anyone considering — or recovering from — bariatric surgery. Whether you're just wondering, already on the path, or trying to maintain your progress years later, I’m here to help.

And yes — we’ll talk about all the options. That includes emerging medical treatments like GLP-1 medications (e.g., Ozempic). If that’s something you’re considering or have questions about, I’ll help you explore it openly and safely — with proper medical input, and zero judgment. This is about finding the right path for you.

This isn’t a standalone program either — all the tools and frameworks developed through WheresMyPrince Ltd, including the Rainbow to Wellbeing, are part of the journey. Whether we’re working on mental health, movement, habits, creativity, or community support — you’ll have access to the full toolkit to help make lasting change.

💬 Phase 1: Contemplation

You're not sure. You have questions. Let’s talk — no pressure, no judgment. Just real, evidence-based information and support to help you make the decision that’s right for you.

That includes navigating the emotional, practical, and financial considerations — like public vs private pathways, insurance implications, or long-term affordability. As a former banker and qualified investment consultant, I can professionally guide you through the numbers — not to tell you what to do, but to help you clearly understand your options so you can make informed, confident choices.

Sometimes the hardest part is simply figuring out where to begin — and I’m here to walk that road with you.

🛠 Phase 2: Preparation

If you’re going ahead, we get ready — physically and mentally. That means navigating public vs private systems, understanding emotional eating, developing habits, learning about pre-surgery requirements, and building strength and confidence.

🩹 Phase 3: Recovery

Those first few weeks after surgery can be brutal — puree diets, healing, fatigue, and emotion. I’ve lived it. I’ll walk beside you and help you navigate the tough moments, celebrate the wins, and stay connected to your “why.”

🌱 Phase 4: Long-Term Success

Bariatric surgery isn’t a magic pill — it’s a tool. Long-term success means continuing to build habits, adjust mindset, combat old patterns, and build a life you love. I’m here for that part too.

There’s no fixed timeline. You might only need support in one phase, or a few sessions scattered across different stages over time. It’s not about years of ongoing coaching — it’s about having someone to call on when hurdles come up, whether that’s now, in six months, or years from now. Whatever your journey looks like, I’ll be in your corner — because you deserve support that fits your needs, not a one-size-fits-all plan.

This is for everyone who’s ever felt judged, dismissed, or told they weren’t enough.

We are not weak. We are warriors. Let’s rewrite the story — together.

More info coming soon at www.wheresmyprince.com