The Biggest Loser is back in action and I’m a devoted fan.  I tune in every week, looking forward to connecting with the contestant’s journey.   After watching the show for several years, like most Biggest Loser fans, I’ve really come to love the trainers, Bob and Jillian.

Most people I talk to have a favorite. Bob has a rep for being the ‘nice guy’ while Jillian is often described as being the tough one. I understand the comparison. Bob has a softer demeanor and seems to display more compassion for the contestants he trains, while Jillian is confrontational and direct with her advice and feedback.

It’s obvious some contestants feel like they need Bob’s softer side to thrive while others know they respond better to Jillian’s no nonsense attitude.

Despite different personalities, they’re both tough as nails and demand the most from their trainees.  Bob CAN be confrontational when he needs to be and Jillian CAN be compassionate when the situation calls for it.  In the end, they both get some pretty amazing results.

Thinking about Bob and Jillian, I can’t help but think about how we are all attracted to different kinds of teachers in other areas of our life.  Some teachers are gentle and encouraging.  Others are tough and unyielding.

It’s perfectly ok to choose teachers you feel most comfortable with.  We’re always going to feel drawn to some folks more than others.  Every now and then though, I think you can and should open yourself up to a teacher that puts you on the spot in an uncomfortable way.  How else will you break out of your comfort zones and grow?

Gentle isn’t automatically good and tough isn’t always bad.  What matters is that the teacher have the expertise you need and the heart felt desire and ability to impart it to you.

I’ve been blessed to be mentored and taught by amazing women in my lifetime.  There’s been a great mix of gentle and tough.  Gentle mentors encouraged me and built my self esteem while tough mentors called me up to the next level and equipped me with the tools and guts to get there.

What’s my point today?

Choose your teachers smartly.  Sometimes you need Bob and sometimes you need Jillian.  Don’t run from one or the other.  You need and deserve to be encouraged AND You need and deserve to be challenged.

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