Change in business isn’t a gentle stroll along the river. It’s more like strapping yourself into the front carriage of a rollercoaster. There’s anticipation, exhilaration, stomach-churning drops, and moments when you’re convinced the track has run out.
For fitness and wellbeing business owners, change can show up as a studio refurbishment, a new pricing structure, expanding into online coaching, or hiring your first member of staff. Each shift promises growth but rarely unfolds in a neat, predictable line. The trick isn’t to avoid the rollercoaster (that’s impossible if you’re building a thriving business). The trick is to ride it with confidence, resilience, and even a sense of fun.
So how do you navigate the twists, drops, and loops of change without letting them derail you?
The Anticipation: Standing in the Queue
Think about the last time you queued for a rollercoaster at Thorpe Park or Alton Towers. That mix of excitement and nerves mirrors what happens before change kicks in. You see the potential: a bigger client base, more revenue, new opportunities. But your brain also whispers: “What if it all goes wrong?”
Mindset tip: Anticipation is a form of energy. Instead of letting nerves spiral, channel them into preparation. Write down what excites you about the change, then list three small, tangible actions that get the ride moving (e.g., booking a meeting with your accountant, sketching a new class timetable, or emailing your mailing list). Action converts nervous energy into momentum.
The Big Climb: Clicking Your Way Upwards
Every rollercoaster has that slow, steady climb. You hear the clicks, you feel the build-up, and you know something big is coming. In business, this is the preparation phase. You’re investing time, money, and energy – ordering equipment, signing contracts, or upskilling.
At this stage, the temptation is to rush. You want the ride to “just get going.” But climbing steadily is essential: it builds foundations and resilience for the speed and chaos that follows.
Mindset tip: Reframe the climb as progress, not delay. Instead of thinking, “I’m not there yet,” tell yourself, “I’m laying the track for smooth momentum.” Journalling each week’s wins, however small, keeps you focused on progress rather than impatience.
The Sudden Drop: Stomach in Your Mouth
Then, without warning, whoosh – you hit a drop. In business, drops come in many forms: a staff member resigns, unexpected costs crop up, or sign-ups for your new class are slower than expected. These plunges feel brutal because you’ve just spent energy climbing.
But here’s the thing: every rollercoaster drop is engineered. The designers knew it was coming. It doesn’t mean the track has broken – it means the ride is working as intended.
Mindset tip: When you hit a business drop, resist the instinct to grip harder and panic. Instead, breathe into it. Remind yourself: “This dip is temporary, not terminal.” Create a “rescue list” of supportive actions you can lean on: call a mentor, check your cashflow, or revisit testimonials from happy clients. They’re the seatbelt that keeps you safe when gravity feels like it’s in charge.
The Twists and Loops: Feeling Turned Upside Down
Sometimes change throws you completely off balance. New tech refuses to co-operate. The regulations shift. A strategy you were convinced would work falls flat. It’s the equivalent of being spun upside down – thrilling if you trust it, disorientating if you fight it.
Mindset tip: Instead of seeing twists as “mistakes,” label them as experiments. In science, every result – even the unexpected ones – provides valuable data. A failed launch, for instance, teaches you more about your market than no launch at all. Ask yourself: “What is this loop here to teach me?” That one question moves you from victim of the ride to student of the ride.
The Plateau: Coasting on Smooth Track
After the loops and plunges, there’s often a moment of stillness on the ride – a plateau where you can breathe again. In business, this is when systems bed in, the team finds its rhythm, and cashflow steadies.
The mistake many entrepreneurs make here is to instantly chase the next ride. They leap straight back into another big change without celebrating or consolidating. That’s like sprinting back to the rollercoaster queue without letting your stomach settle.
Mindset tip: Pause. Celebrate. Reflect. Take a long weekend, treat yourself to dinner, or simply sit with the satisfaction of having made it through the ride. This isn’t indulgence – it’s integration. Your nervous system and your business both need recovery before the next adventure.
Why the Rollercoaster Matters
It’s tempting to wish for a business that feels smooth, steady, and predictable. But the truth is, without the highs and lows, growth stalls. The adrenaline of change sharpens your skills, strengthens your resilience, and gives you stories worth telling.
Think of your favourite business leaders or mentors. Their wisdom didn’t come from sitting safely on the benches; it came from strapping in, riding the loops, and learning how to breathe through the drops.
As a fitness or wellbeing business owner, your clients also need to see you riding the rollercoaster. When you model resilience, flexibility, and grounded confidence, you give them permission to do the same in their own lives.
Practical Safety Rails for the Ride
Just as rollercoasters have harnesses and seatbelts, you can build your own mindset safety rails:
- Anchor your body: Daily habits like movement, hydration, and proper sleep keep your physiology steady when emotions spike.
- Anchor your mind: Use affirmations such as “I can ride this drop and rise again” or “Loops teach me what straight lines can’t.”
- Anchor your support: Surround yourself with people who understand business rollercoasters – coaches, peers, mentors. Their perspective is like the operator checking your harness before the ride begins.
- Anchor your vision: Keep a visual reminder of why you’re on this ride – whether that’s a revenue target on your wall, a picture of your dream retreat venue, or a list of the clients you want to impact.
Change is never going to feel like a monorail. It’s a rollercoaster – complete with climbs, drops, loops, and plateaus. The question isn’t “How do I avoid the ride?” but “How do I ride it with courage, clarity, and confidence?”
So the next time change arrives at your door – whether it’s a bold new offering or an unexpected curveball – remember: this is the ride you signed up for when you chose entrepreneurship. Arms up, deep breath, and trust the track.
If you’d like support in riding the rollercoaster of change in your own fitness or wellbeing business, I can help you hold steady. Drop me an email at philippa@holdmyhandcoaching.com and let’s make sure you’ve got the mindset seatbelts securely fastened before the next big drop or loop.
Until next time,
Best wishes
Philippa x