If that was the case then hes not a prep coach, a coach has to know if you are taking anything or not, the advice he/she will give you is dependant on knowing if you are clean or not.
The first thing a prep coach will ask a client is, "are you using anything", although its likely you introduced yourself as "Im natty by the way"
The first question he asked was to send him a current photo, he saw I was already in good shape, he said not much work to do here just tighten up a bit, gave me a price for 8 weeks of prep, I agreed, he then asked me my current diet and supplement protocol, the supps i was taking were Superpump 250 pre workout, and Isopure and Vitargo postworkout, he told me to ditch the supps, and immediately put me on a keto diet, from there it was weekly update pics, closer to show time update pics every few days, a week out pics everyday. Maybe because my progress was very steady week to week, my body responded to the keto very fast, it was pretty effortless to dial me in for the show. Its mens physique, not bodybuilding..the first show I won I weighed around 148, the show Mike prepped me I won and weighed 152, was the smallest guy in my class at both shows, just had a good clean conditioned look. If we are talking competing on a National stage I agree gear is most likely needed..