Why Some Nutrition Clients Drain You (and How to Fix it)

95% of your coaching energy will most likely be spent on just 5% of your clients.

That’s one hard truth about nutrition coaching that most people don’t talk about. It’s not random. It’s a hidden trap that quietly drains you without you even realizing it.

This can look like replaying a client check-in immediately after it ends, or waking up in the middle of the night trying to find solutions for your most challenging clients.

If any of that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Most coaches have a few clients who stay in their minds long after the session ends.

That’s why today I’m going to share what I call the 5% Problem, what it is, why it happens, and how to fix it so coaching feels rewarding again instead of exhausting.

The 5% Problem

I used to take it personally when clients didn’t change. To be honest, I probably still do a little. I would give them frameworks, support, and structure, and still get nothing in return.

There’s one night that still sticks with me. I had just finished a client check-in with someone who had been stuck for months and still hadn’t taken any steps in the right direction.

I sat there afterward, completely drained, asking myself what I was doing wrong. That’s when I realized I had been working harder on their transformation than they were.

Once I had that realization, I started to notice a pattern across my coaching practice. A small group of clients, around 5% of them, were taking up almost all of my emotional bandwidth. This became what I call the 5% Problem, and learning to manage it changed not only my business, but my peace of mind.

Today, I’ll explain how to recognize these clients, understand what makes coaching them feel draining, and protect your energy so you can focus on the clients who are truly ready to change.

Why the 5% Exists

Here’s a truth every coach has to face eventually: not all clients are ready for change.

No matter how good your system is, and no matter how clearly you explain the process, some clients just aren’t ready yet.

This was something I had to learn the hard way. At one point, I was coaching two clients side by side. One client resisted everything. She had an excuse for every suggestion I gave her, and I spent most of my time adjusting my coaching and her plan, but nothing worked.

The other client showed up to every check-in, did the work, and asked for help when he struggled. Within three months, he had completely changed how he worked, communicated, and viewed himself.

Same coach. Same system. Two completely different outcomes.

Resistance isn’t about you or your methods. It’s usually about fear. Fear of failing, losing identity, or leaving the comfort zone. Sometimes it’s about accountability, because real change requires responsibility. When you understand this, you stop fighting battles you can’t win and start seeing your clients for who they truly are.

How Difficult Clients Affect Your Coaching

Research in business psychology shows that high-maintenance clients can reduce overall productivity by up to 40% due to emotional fatigue. Chances are, you already know who this is. Think about the one client whose check-in you dread. We all have one.

Now think about the last few weeks. How many clients have lingered in your mind after their check-in? The ones that pop up during the day or while you’re trying to relax at night. That’s the 5%.

These clients often come with hidden resistance, deep self-doubt, or a need for constant reassurance. If you’re a naturally empathetic coach, your instinct is to work harder to fill in the gaps for them.

Here’s the hard truth: caring too much can turn into carrying the workload for your client. When you carry a client’s emotional weight, it hurts both of you. It drains your energy, clouds your judgment, and keeps them dependent on your validation instead of their own growth.

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The Mindset Shift

The biggest change I had to make was realizing that it’s not my job to make every client change. It’s my job to create the conditions for change and let them decide whether they want to follow through.

Here’s the four-part mindset shift that helped me regain my energy:

1. Detach your worth from your client’s results. Their outcome is their responsibility, not a reflection of you.

2. Redefine what success means to you. Success is showing up consistently and offering your best guidance, not forcing transformation.

3. Protect your mental energy. When a client starts taking over your thoughts outside of their session, treat it as data, not guilt.

4. Invest more energy in the clients who show commitment. That’s where your impact multiplies.

Once I adopted this mindset, everything changed. One particular client, someone I used to overthink constantly, eventually came back and said, “I realized I wasn’t ready back then. You gave me the clarity I needed.”

That moment reaffirmed something important for me. Even when clients don’t transform on your timeline, you can still plant seeds that grow later.

Practical Application

Mindset alone isn’t enough to reduce the impact of the 5% Problem. You also need a clear system to spot draining clients early, before they consume your energy.

Before every new coaching relationship, I run what I call a Readiness Check. It’s a short conversation designed to reveal how prepared someone is for change.

Here are the four key questions I ask:

1. What specific change do you want to make, and why now?

2. On a scale from one to ten, how committed are you to this process?

3. What are you not willing to do to achieve your goals?

4. If nothing changes, how will that affect your life a year from now?

Their answers give you a clear picture of what type of client they’ll be.

For example, if you ask, “How committed are you to following the plan we built for this week?” and they respond with, “I’ll try, but things get hectic, so I might just grab whatever’s quick,” that’s a signal.

You can respond calmly and clearly by saying, “I get it. Life is busy. But real progress comes from consistency, not perfection. If following the full plan feels like too much right now, what’s one small change you can stick to this week?”

That’s how you set a boundary without guilt or judgment. By establishing expectations early, you protect your energy and help clients understand that progress is a partnership, not a rescue mission. When you lead with clarity, even your dream clients respect your time more.

Final Thoughts

Not every client is ready for change, and that’s okay.

The best thing you can do for both your clients and your peace of mind is learn how to set boundaries and accept that readiness can change over time. Even if someone isn’t ready for your guidance now, that doesn’t mean they never will be.

The 5% Problem is real, but it’s not your fault. Learning how to navigate interactions with resistant clients is one of the most important ways to respect yourself and your time.