Handling a “Meh” Audience as a Trainer

As a trainer, you walk into the room with a ton of positive energy—ready to get people engaged and excited about what they’re about to learn. Most days, it works. Your energy rubs off on the group, and the session just flows.

But then there are days when, no matter what you do, your energy just doesn’t transfer. The room feels flat, and it’s like talking to a wall.

This is especially true with smaller groups. Sometimes, you’re giving it your all, but it’s like you’re talking to yourself. I used to find this incredibly frustrating—especially knowing people had paid good money to be there. But with experience, I’ve learned to let it go.

The reality is, not every session is going to be a winner. And that’s okay, as even the best in the world don’t win every time.

Look at the number one tennis player in the world. They don’t win every point. They lose sometimes, and occasionally, they lose badly.

But what makes them number one isn’t that they never lose—it’s that they win more points than they lose. They show up consistently and deliver at a high level. That’s why they’re the best.

Being a trainer is no different. You’re not going to connect with every group, and not every session will be great. But it’s your overall consistency that counts. If you’re showing up, giving your best more often than not, and staying professional even on the tough days, then you’re doing great.

It’s not about being perfect every time—it’s about showing up and getting the job done.

Here’s something I’ve learned: don’t take it personally. Sometimes, the audience isn’t engaged because they’re tired, they’ve got other things on their mind, or honestly, they just don’t care about the material.

And sometimes, as much as I love what I do, I’m just there to do my job and get paid. It doesn’t mean I’m not a good trainer. Sometimes, that’s just the reality of the situation.

Not every session has to be a game-changer. Some days, it’s about fulfilling your end of the deal, delivering the material, and moving on to the next thing.

Even if the audience isn’t as engaged as you’d hope, it’s still our job to deliver the best that we can and hope that they absorb as much as possible. That’s part of being a professional.

Let’s be real: some days, it’s just about getting the job done. Maybe the group isn’t connecting, maybe the topic is as dry as cardboard, and maybe the whole session feels like a grind. But that’s okay.

You’re still getting paid, and not every day is going to be a hit. Even if things aren’t perfect, it’s our job to give it our best shot and hope that some value still comes through. That’s just how it goes.

Being a trainer, like any job, has its ups and downs. Some days are great, and some days, well, they’re just days.

When you’re working with smaller groups or dealing with a boring topic, it’s important to adjust your expectations.

You’re not always going to get a super-engaged, high-energy room, and that’s totally fine. The key is being realistic about what success looks like. Sometimes, just delivering the material clearly and professionally is all that’s needed.

At the end of the day, you’ve got to give yourself a break. Not every session is going to be awesome or amazing. Some days, the audience won’t engage, and you won’t get that spark of energy back. But if you’ve shown up, delivered the material, and done what you were hired to do, then that’s a win.

Just like the best tennis players don’t win every point, you’re not going to connect with every group. But it’s your consistency, your ability to keep showing up and doing good work, that keeps you at the top of your game.

As trainers, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to make every session perfect. But the reality is, not every session will be a success. Sometimes, the audience isn’t into it, the topic is dry, and you’re just there to get the job done.

But that doesn’t mean you’re not a great trainer. It just means you’re human. Like the top tennis players in the world, you won’t win every day. But over time, your consistency, your ability to keep delivering, is what makes you great.

Some days are amazing, some days are just okay, and some days, you’re just getting through it. But as long as you’re doing your job, that’s what matters.

So, the next time you’re facing a “meh” group, remember: it’s not always about having the greatest training session. Sometimes, it’s just about showing up, doing the work the best we can, and moving on to the next match. And that’s perfectly okay.