Most trainers sign up to help people chase goals build skills,, run faster, get stronger. But if you’re in this industry long enough, you will face something bigger: a client who is dying.

Hospice. Hospital bed. Terminal illness.

It’s not in your certification manual. And no one talks about it at your weekend workshop. But how you show up in these moments will define you—not just as a coach, but as a human being.

At Bees Knees Wellness Muskoka, we believe movement is more than reps and sets. It’s connection, dignity, and presence. When you train in trauma-aware and palliative movement, you realize quickly: your role isn’t just physical. It’s emotional. Spiritual. Human.

Rule #1: Presence Over Performance

Forget metrics. Forget progress charts. Your client doesn’t need a drill sergeant—they need someone who can hold space with empathy.

Ask: “What feels good today?”
Offer: Gentle breathwork, stretches, or even silence.
Remember: The goal is comfort, not conquest.

Rule #2: Drop the Toxic Positivity

This is not the time for clichés like “stay strong” or “you’ll beat this.” Those words ease your discomfort, not theirs.

Say instead: “I’m here. You don’t have to do this alone.”

Your presence is more powerful than any pep talk.

Rule #3: See the Caregivers

The spouse in the chair. The adult child pacing the hallway. The friend who hasn’t slept in days. They are part of this experience too—and they’re often overlooked.

As a trainer, you can help by:

• Including caregivers in gentle breathwork or stretches.

• Giving them permission to take one small moment for themselves.

• Reminding them they are not invisible.

When you support the family, you support the client.

Rule #4: Follow Their Lead in Laughter

Here’s something most trainers—and honestly, most people—forget: hospice and hospital care aren’t just about sadness. They are also about living. About squeezing joy out of the days that remain.

Laughter matters.

• Deep belly laughs release tension, improve breathing, and shift mood chemistry in ways no supplement can.

• Feel-good movies, music, or stories can create connection and ease that outlasts any physical exercise.

• Silly moments—like dancing in a chair, telling an old joke, or singing along to a favorite song—remind your client they are more than their illness. I'm a huge fan of costumes, prank gags and surprises.

And here’s the key: let the client lead.

If they want to talk about their favorite comedy instead of doing stretches? That’s the session.
If they want to watch a scene from a feel-good movie? Sit and laugh with them.
If they want silence? Honor it.

You are not just their trainer—you are their companion in the room. Following their direction is not “slacking off.” It’s the deepest form of respect.

Because sometimes, the most healing thing you can do is laugh together.

10 Things to Say, Think, and Do as a Coach in Palliative Care

Say

1. “I’m here with you.”

2. “What feels supportive today?”

3. “Would you like to move, breathe, or just talk?”

4. “It’s okay to rest.”

5. “I’m listening.”

6. “You don’t need to be strong for me.”

7. “What memory makes you smile?”

8. “Would you like me to guide, or just sit with you?”

9. “I see how much love surrounds you.”

10. “You are not alone.”

Think

1. This is about dignity, not progress.

2. My job is to hold space, not fix.

3. Stillness counts as movement.

4. Breath is as powerful as strength.

5. Every body deserves compassion.

6. I am a witness, not a savior.

7. The family’s pain is part of the client’s story.

8. Presence matters more than perfect words.

9. My energy should ground, not overwhelm.

10. This moment is sacred.

Do

1. Sit at eye level.

2. Offer your hand—if welcomed.

3. Play their favorite song.

4. Guide a simple breath (inhale for 3, exhale for 4).

5. Adjust pillows or blankets for comfort.

6. Smile—gently, warmly.

7. Allow silence to exist.

8. Involve family in a movement or breath together.

9. Take note of what feels good (to repeat next time).

10. Walk with them—to the window, down the hall, or simply in spirit.

10 Sample Movements for Hospice or Hospital Settings

(Always optional. Comfort over effort.)

1. Seated Shoulder Rolls – soften tension.

2. Gentle Wrist Circles – keep joints fluid.

3. Toe Wiggles or Ankle Rotations – circulation boost from bed.

4. Hand Squeezes / Finger Extensions – grounding and tactile awareness.

5. Guided Breathwork – e.g., box breathing (inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4).

6. Seated Side Stretch – light opening of ribcage.

7. Neck Tilts – slow, side-to-side.

8. Supported Forward Fold (Seated) – leaning into pillows for comfort.

9. Leg Extensions (Seated) – gentle quad activation, if able.

10. Micro-Walks – steps to a chair, window, or hallway, with support.

Caregivers can mirror these same movements. Often, they need them just as much.

Suggested Reading for Trainers

If you want to grow in this work, deepen your learning here:

• Being Mortal – Atul Gawande

• The Art of Dying Well – Katy Butler

• Final Gifts – Maggie Callanan & Patricia Kelley

• When Breath Becomes Air – Paul Kalanithi

Why This Matters

At Bees Knees Wellness, we train coaches in trauma-aware, palliative, and adaptive movement. Because here’s the truth:

• If you can hold space for someone in their most vulnerable moments, you can coach anyone.

• If you can sit in silence with a client in hospice, you’ll never fear an awkward pause with an athlete or executive.

• If you can witness the end of life with dignity, you’ll forever respect the privilege of being invited into someone’s journey.

Most trainers want to change lives. Few are willing to stand in the raw, unfiltered space of life ending. That’s where empathy meets leadership. That’s where legacy is built.

Final Word: This isn’t about “doing more.” It’s about being fully there. If you want to be the kind of coach people remember—not for your workouts, but for your humanity—then lean into the hard places. Show up. Stay present. Hold space.

That’s the work. That’s the calling. That’s the legacy.

I'm here to listen, to support, beeskneesmuskoka@gmail.com