LTB Podcast: Recent Episodes
Stuart Aitken
The Lift the Bar Podcast is a place where personal trainers can gain education, insight and knowledge from other personal trainers. It's aim is to provide personal trainers with the know-how and inspiration to build the kind of career they want to build.
Every week the show will feature interviews with fantastic guests who are at the top of their game in different areas specific to helping personal trainers.
Welcome to what may be the last episode of the Lift The Bar Podcast. Stuart will soon be departing from his position at LTB, so on this episode, let's take a stroll down memory lane and hear his final thoughts.
The LTB podcast may appear again soon in a different guise, so keep your eyes peeled!
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
Timestamps
1:48 - Introduction to Meefit
4:33- The Meefit Client Journey Trial Packages
10:54- Trial Packages Continued
19:10- What Dan wishes he knew as a PT
23:31- The importance of shadowing facility owners.
26:40- The early days of a PT business.
30: 25 When did Dan know he wanted a facility?
32:50- The transition to Semi-Private
34:55- The importance of service delivery
Find Out More About Dr Withall:
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/meefitpt
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
Most personal trainers want to have a steady income. They also want to make a meaningful impact on their client’s lives. Focusing on one specific population of potential clients might help you do both. Can you guess who it is?
It’s our mums and dads. Our grandparents and maybe even our great-grandparents!
The elderly are hugely underserved by the fitness industry. So, you’re not going to have much competition. More importantly, it’s incredibly rewarding to spend your time helping people maintain their ability to walk, see their friends and, ultimately, their independence.
Today Stuart welcomes Dr Janet Withall from the University of Birmingham. Dr Withall is an expert in healthy ageing. She focuses on helping elderly people maintain their activity levels and strength. In this episode, expect to learn how to attract elderly clients to exercise services, how those services should be designed to maximise results, and how physical activity can affect people’s disease risk.
**Timestamps**
2:00- Why focus on older adults?
3:08- Exercise participation rates
7:20- Can PT help the older population to exercise?
9:55- Changes to governament guidelines
10:47- Marketing exercise for older populations
15:05- The importance of community for older population
17:30- The ReACT study: Introduction
21:57- Building a client base of older clients
24:08- The effects of aging and how exercise helps.
30:52- The ReACT study: Results
Find Out More About Dr Withall:
- Email: j.withall@bham.ac.uk
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
We often equate "learning" with our school days. It basically just involved being able to memory a lot of facts. But what if your capacity to learn extends far beyond that, influencing everything from your clients' results to your business's success? And…what if you could...learn to...learn more effectively?
In this episode, Stuart is joined by an expert in this very field. Dr. Barbara Oakley is a distinguished educator, author, and engineering professor. Her work spans a multitude of disciplines, but she is particularly recognised for her research in learning practices.
In this episode, they delve into the heart of effective learning strategies. They discuss the crucial role of 'chunking' information, finding the right balance between focused and diffuse modes of thinking, tackling procrastination head-on, and why experiencing imposter syndrome might not be as negative as it seems...
So, whether you're striving to remember the content of the courses you watch, the books you read, or simply to recall the distal insertion of Semimembranosus (it's the horizontal groove on the posteromedial surface of the medial tibial condyle, if you were wondering), then this episode is a must-listen!
Don't miss this opportunity to learn…about learning… from one of the leading experts in the field.
Timestamps:
1:50- Career Advice: Why imposter syndrome might be helpful.
8:17- What is learning?
12:53- Why is learning important?
14:45- Is it good for people to learn?
18:05- Is learning practical information better for people's mood?
19:36- Learning and problem solving.
24:11- Diffuse and focused mode.
27:02- How long should learning blocks be?
30:35- Reviewing Notes
32:30- What is a chunk?
35:10- What is retrieval practice?
36:53- Why does procrastination occur?
39:36- The Importance of getting started.
Find Out More About Barbara
- https://barbaraoakley.com/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial
Welcome to the 400th episode of the Lift the Bar podcast!
To celebrate this milestone, we’ve got every staff member at LTB to share their top personal training career tip.
Expect to learn the significance of setting boundaries, how to prioritise what's most important for your clients, and why you might need to take advice from your local mechanic…
Timestamps
1:58- Great ideas are meaningless without action.
3:07- Find new exercise methods.
7:22- Ensure that your advice is tailored to your clients' needs.
10:25- Create a business that aligns with your personal values.
14:55- Have a clear understanding of your potential earnings.
20:24- Set your boundaries.
22:20- Remember, your career is special.
26:50- Become the best mechanic in town.
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial
Looking for a new protein shake...how about one made of… fish?!
Welcome to an intriguing journey through the annals of the fitness industry.
We delve into the genesis of progressive weight training, examine how popular exercises have transformed over the last century, and explore why understanding the past 100 years could be key to flourishing in the next five.
This conversation was truly eye-opening. It's all too easy to be swept up by the "Next big thing" without recognising that, in fact, a variant of it has probably already come and gone several times over. It serves as a good reminder that by studying the past, we can not only understand the present but also predict… and prepare for the future trends of the fitness industry.
**Timestamps:**
2:37- Fake Statues and Fitness Lawsuits
5:06- Fish Protein Shakes
6:50- Shady Supplements: Flushing Niacin
7:30- Exercise which have fallen out of fashion
9:50- History of the Treadmill
12:52- Should PT’s care about the history of the fitness industry?
19:14- The origin of resistance training
22:35- Why did resistance training boom after World War 1?
29:23- Did people think resistance training was good for health?
36:20- What can we learn from history to increase fitness participation?
Find Out More About Connor:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/physcstudy
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial
Navigating client discomfort is a common challenge in the life of a personal trainer. Whether the pain emerges at the start of a session, during an exercise, or the next day, it can often lead to a cloud of uncertainty. Trainers may question whether the exercises they've prescribed are the root cause of the issue and how best to alleviate it.
"Could the deadlifts from yesterday's session be to blame? Was their form too flexed? Perhaps more foam rolling might help?"
In this episode, Stuart engages Dr Michael Mash in a conversation centred around movement and pain. They explore Dr Mash's strategy for facilitating movement free from the dread of injury, delve into the debate over the need for precise form, and question the reality of muscle knots.
Throughout the discussion, you'll gain insights on how to conduct empowering movement assessments, strategies for discussing posture with clients, and a better understanding of whether your client truly has a movement dysfunction. This episode promises to equip personal trainers with invaluable knowledge to better navigate client discomfort and bolster their confidence. So that they can help more people move without fear.
Timestamps:
1:40- How can deadlifts change lives?
4:20- Using language to empower clients
7:00 Muscle Knots & Chronic Pain
15:56- Biopsychosocial Model of Pain & Movement Variety
23:00- Shoulder Abduction in Press Up’s
25:50- When should trainers allow clients to ‘lift ugly’?
31:15- Movement Assessments
35:52- Postural Assessments
38:38- Posture and Pain
42:58- Helping people who are fearful of movement.
Find Out More About Michael:
- Ig: https://www.instagram.com/barbellrehab/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial
Let’s be real. All personal trainers need clients, and this episode will help you get your next one. Plain and simple.
In under 20 minutes you’ll learn about six sources of potential clients you can exploit to grow your business, how to write compelling messages and offers that will win our former clients back and why Stuart might be going yachting…
**Timestamps**
1:00- Where is my next client going to come from: A framework
2:11- Strategy 1: Family & Friends
5:00- Strategy 2: Your current clients
7:17-Strategy 3: Previous clients & leads
9:24- Strategy 4: Your followers
13:39- Strategy 5: Acquaintances
16:20- Strategy 6: The rest of the world!
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial
We're hitting rewind and revisiting a pivotal episode from 2020, honing in on a fundamental element of personal training - facilitating client muscle growth.
Join Stuart and Gregg as they dissect the blend of science and art that underpins effective muscle development.
Expect to learn about how to the apply the principles of hypertrophy to create client programs which stimulate muscle growth effectively for the general population. Beyond the programs, this episode also emphasizes how important it is to maintain a client’s interest while achieving muscle growth.
While fitness trends will continue to evolve, mastering muscle growth and the strategies to promote it effectively remain integral to personal training. So, tune in, expand your knowledge, and get ready to see your clients' results and enjoyment reach new heights.
Timestamps:
1:40- What would Gregg do if he was just qualifying in 2020?
4:00- Online vs In person for new PT’s
7:39- The power of reistance training for health
12:30- The clarity of resistance training research
14:45- Personalising resistance training
21:40- Where is the hypertrophy research going?
24:33- Does programming need to be complicated?
29:34- How to map out training blocks
36:56- Telling clients about our programming.
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial
Navigating lead generation in the fitness industry has become increasingly complex. The days of launching a Facebook ad and watching a flood of new leads come in are long past.
In this episode, Stuart brings Mark Council back to the Lift the Bar podcast. They delve into how Mark has started created links with other local businesses to make his lead generation more diverse and consistent.
Expect to learn about how to effectively assess the costs tied to offline marketing, how to design mutually beneficial marketing with local businesses and why standing in Morrisons might help you get your next client.
Whether you're a gym owner or a personal one-on-one trainer, this episode underscores the timeless value of building reciprocal relationships amidst the ever-evolving landscape of digital platforms. It serves as an excellent reminder that, while digital trends may fluctuate, the power of personal relationships remains unchanged.
Timestamps
1:50- How did Mark start developing relationships with local businesses?
7:13- The value of exposure.
11:30- Strategies for finding and contacting local businesses.
22:20- Using client’s interests to find suitable businesses.
24:01- The value of giving free memberships to local businesses.
Find Out More About Mark:
- Ig: https://www.instagram.com/mark_platform/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial
Training female clients often raises a lot of questions for coaches. Do the training requirements for female clients differ from those of male clients? What about the menstrual cycle? Should that affect your decisions? Should we design female training programs differently because of it?
In this episode, Stuart teams up with Lauren Conselo-Semple to address these questions. They delve into the most recent research surrounding training strategies for female clients and athletes. If you need to get up to speed on the latest scientific insights on this subject, this episode is your perfect companion.
Lauren unpacks her latest research examining the impact of hormonal fluctuations on muscle development and performance, and whether the research supports adjusting training to align with the menstrual cycle. Expect to learn about the variability of the menstrual cycle, whether women have a higher injury risk and if they should eat more protein at specific times during their cycle.
This episode is a really comprehensive guide for understanding the current evidence on female physiology and its implications for exercise. If you train female client’s, you don’t want to miss it!
Timestamps
1:50- What is the menstrual cycle?
3:30- What are the different phases of the menstrual cycle?
5:06- Is it important to understand the menstrual cycle?
6:23- What are the effects of the menstrual cycle?
7:10- Why did Lauren want to study the menstrual cycle and training?
10:35- Does the research suggest that the menstrual cycle affects performance and muscle growth?
18:53- What are the effects of the menstrual cycle? Part 2
20:18- Personalising a clients training.
21:57- Nutrition periodisation and menstrual cycle phase.
22:40- Training myths about the menstrual cycle.
24:00- Should men and women train differently?
29:45- How do elite rugby coaches train female athletes?
32:31- Recommend menstrual cycle resources?
Find Out More About Lauren:
- Ig: https://www.instagram.com/laurencs1/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial
You can read countless articles about semi-private personal training, but nothing compares to insights from someone who's been through it all.
Our guest of the day, Katie Hughes, has successfully created a bustling semi-private personal training business right from her back garden. Join Stuart as he delves into Katie's journey, uncovering why she chose semi-private training, how she transformed her garage, and what she charges.
Tune in to discover how to transition from one-on-one personal training to a semi-private setup, the tactics to secure more leisure time, and why networking with your parents' friends could be the unsuspected key to business expansion.
Timestamps
01:37-Katie's Typical Week
02:07-Introduction to Katie’s studio
03:19-How did Katie start as a PT?
04:22-Katie's Inspiration for her studio
04:54-Creating the studio
05:42-How Katie got her first clients
06:48-When did Katie decide to do semi-private?
12:45-Introducing semi-private to current clients
14:55-Booking approaches for semi-private
18:45-Costs of one to one vs semi-private
20:30-Taking time off
24:39-Programming semi-private
32:12-Advice for trainers considering moving to semi-private
Find Out More About Katie:
- Website: https://www.bodyworksmoray.co.uk/
- Ig: https://www.instagram.com/bodyworksmoray/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial
Are you a personal trainer not focused on the latest fitness trends or helping clients achieve athletic milestones like running faster, jumping higher, or hitting a double bodyweight back squat? Perhaps you're more passionate about enhancing someone's daily life by enabling them to move easily, confidently climb stairs, or walk unaided.
If that resonates with you, you're not alone! Today's Lift The Bar Podcast guest is Helen Rothwell, a personal trainer specialising in programs tailored for older adults. Join Stuart as he and Helen discuss fall prevention, optimal session durations, and whether heavy lifting suits older clients. Learn about the most appropriate qualifications for working with this demographic, innovative marketing strategies for reaching a generation that may not be active on social media, and what happens when a 90-year-old requests FaceTime coaching.
This episode offers a refreshing perspective on how to break free from conventional fitness norms. If you're ready to move beyond pre-workout supplements, back squats, and Tupperware, older adults need your expertise. After listening, don't forget to check out Episode 370, featuring Dr. Janet Withall, for an in-depth exploration of the research behind training older populations!
Timestamps
1:50- What does Helen currently do?
3:03- Why did Helen focus on coaching older adults and falls prevention?
6:45- Are older adults underserved by the fitness industry?
8:30- Personal Trainer CPD for training older adults
10:30- How to grow an older adult client base.
16:40- Appropriate session length for older adults
19:00- Session pricing for older adults.
22:39- Managing missed sessions and holidays.
24:31- Communicating the price.
26:02- Coaching older adults via FaceTime.
27:34- Myths and misconceptions about training older adults: Should they lift heavy?
Find Out More About Helen:
- Website: https://fit-to-speak.com/
- Ig: https://www.instagram.com/fit_to_speak/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial
Are you a fitness professional eager to share your knowledge, attract new clients, and earn money? It's time to think about running a seminar! But wait... What if nobody shows up? What if you only end up confusing everyone? And what if you mess up in front of all those potential clients?
In this episode of the Lift the Bar Podcast, Stuart welcomes back communication coach Jenny Rearick to discuss how you can confidently get started with delivering seminars and presentations in the fitness industry.
Whether you've been hesitant to take the stage, had a less-than-perfect experience in the past, or want to polish your skills, this episode is for you. Jenny shares valuable insights and practical tips for trainers at any stage of their career, helping you expand your reach, build your brand, and make a lasting impact on your audience.
We explore various topics, including the differences between seminars and presentations, connecting with your audience, and incorporating interactive elements to boost engagement. With Jenny's expertise and actionable strategies, you'll be well on your way to becoming a powerful and unforgettable presenter.
Tune in to this Lift the Bar Podcast episode and discover how to elevate your seminars, captivate your audience, and leave them motivated, educated, and eager for more.
Timestamps
01:40- Should PT’s run seminars or workshops?
03:48- What are the advantages to running a seminar or workshop?
04:37- Differences between seminar and presentations
07:45- What should PT’s consider before running a seminar?
11:45- How to design interactive seminar experiences
15:50- How can PT’s maximise their speaking opportunities
18:53- Planning your first presentation: Location
21:52- Planning your first presentation: Topic
24:03- Planning your first presentation: Cost
29:36- Planning your first presentation: Attendance
32:40- Eliminating “filler words” from your presentation
35:15- Why it is important to limit your presentation content.
36:08- Should you use slides?
38:17- How to make attendees feel welcome
39:49- Overcoming presentation nerves
Find Out More About Jenny:
- Website: https://fit-to-speak.com/
- Ig: https://www.instagram.com/fit_to_speak/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial
Are you tired of hearing the same old fitness advice like, "Protein is essential for muscle growth," or "Eat veggies at every meal to shed pounds"? So are we. And more importantly, so is your audience. The fitness landscape has evolved, and it's crucial to stand out in this content-saturated world. In this Lift the Bar Podcast episode, Stuart dives deep with Josh Taylor, a funny, engaging, science-based Online Personal Trainer who creates excellent video content. Don't just take our word for it – check out Josh's IG page if you want a chuckle.
Join us as Josh unveils his step-by-step process for crafting irresistibly entertaining videos that will leave your audience craving more. Learn the art of scripting, recording, and editing content that educates and captivates, eliminating the need to hard-sell your coaching services. Josh also shares his secret for generating compelling topics, the pitfalls of perfectionism, and the age-old question: do gingers really have souls?
Tune in now and elevate your fitness content game.
Timestamps:
01:47-Has Josh always been comfortable being funny on video? 05:23-How to create a video “style”
08:17-Has Josh’s content affected the number of coaching enquiries?
12:23-Quality vs Quantity of content.
18:45-Video planning
24:56-Creating content ideas
27:11-Writing content scripts
29:30-Setting up camera shots
33:02-Video Editing
34:09-The importance of quality audio
36:25-Making video thumbnails
38:10-Writing video captions
Find Out More About Josh:
- Website: https://www.joshtaylorpt.com/optin1584199229844
- Ig: https://www.instagram.com/joshtaylorcoaching/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial
“Earn seven figures! Pay off your mortgage! Run your business from Dubai and live like royalty. Everyone in my mentorship did it! Who wants in?!" Advice for online coaches often sounds like this, which, to be frank, is pretty damn shady. Thankfully, on this episode of the LTB podcast, we have Dan and Mike from Biceps and Banter to expose the frauds and give us the low down on what PT’s should do if they want to be successful online.
In this episode, you'll learn about the following:
-
Building effective systems for delivering top-notch coaching
-
The critical differences between one-to-one and group coaching in the online space
-
Why niching down involves more than just targeting a specific sex or age.
Tune in and elevate your online coaching game with real-world advice from industry experts, only on the Lift The Bar podcast.
Timestamps:
02:06- Deciding whether being an online PT is right for you
11:25- What was it like being a PT who started their career online?
15:30- What are the advantages of being an online PT?
20:05- Online coaching foundations
31:20- Creating a niche
43:42- Should a new online trainer do one to one or group coaching?
50:11- Shady online PT mentorships
Find Out More About Mike & Dan:
- Website: https://bicepsandbanter.co.uk/
- Mike Ig: https://www.instagram.com/mikebicepsbanter/
- Dan Ig: https://www.instagram.com/danbicepsbanter/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial
Hey, you’ve got a gap between your clients, right?
Come hang out with Stuart and muse about being a PT.
Timestamps
0:56- An underrated investment worth making
4:00- Do you need a part-time job?
5:50- Do PT’s need abs?
11:38- Is your content actually any good?
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial
- Newsletter: https://ptroadmap.beehiiv.com/subscribe
In the world of fitness, few have delved as deeply into the realms of business, personal growth, and education as our distinguished guest today. We're excited to welcome back Mark Fisher, the inspirational founder of Mark Fisher Fitness, to the Lift the Bar Podcast as he discusses his new book, The Book of Fitness Business Secrets. Join us and uncover some of the key secrets behind Mark's success.
Explore Mark's essential pillars of marketing and learn how they have contributed to the meteoric rise of Mark Fisher Fitness. Uncover practical tips for managing distractions. Even the ones that come from inside your own head! Mark also shares his invaluable approach for gathering meaningful feedback from clients and even talks about when he chooses to disregard feedback.
This episode is a treasure trove of valuable insights for personal trainers, gym owners, and fitness enthusiasts looking to up their game in the competitive fitness industry. You don't want to miss this opportunity to learn from Mark Fisher's wealth of wisdom and experience as he shares his journey with the Lift The Bar Podcast. So, sit back, listen, and learn – and be sure to have a pen ready for this one!
Timestamps
2:05- Why publish a book?
4:14- Can it be easier to publish a book than we think?
7:02- Marks hardest career moments
12:50- The pillars of marketing
17:10- Referral Campaigns.
22:41- Managing Distractions
26:33- Maximising continuing professional development.
31:20- Getting feedback from clients
35:40- The importance of time away from business.
Find Out More About Mark:
- Website: https://www.businessforunicorns.com/team/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarkFisherHumanBeing
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial
Is it that time of the month? The point where you're scrambling around for fresh ideas for your semi-private group workouts? The same old goblet squats just aren't cutting it anymore, and both you and your clients crave something more engaging.
Well, never fear! You're not alone! We've been in that "staring blankly at Excel" situation ourselves, and we're here to help! Get ready to revamp your approach to small-group programme design with this week's LTB podcast.
We're diving into the archives to bring you an insightful conversation with Stuart Macdonald, who's no stranger to the challenges of keeping workouts fresh, engaging, and effective.
Bid farewell to the mundane and embrace exciting programs your clients will love. Listen in as Stuart shares how he's revolutionised his training methods by organising client sessions into long-term dynamic blocks, complete with seamless transitions. Plus, discover how our Programme Design Mentorship transformed Stuart's approach to workout planning, banishing those program design headaches for good.
Timestamps
1:20- Stuart's first experiences with programme design
8:31- What does Stuart's small-group programme look like now: The Importance of Blocks
11:13- How does Stuart design individual sessions within a block
14:35- The value of naming weeks and blocks
17:30- Why semi-private still isn't the norm
19:15- What does a session involve actually involve: Part 1
21:10- The value of cluster sets and time blocks
26:30- Adapting semiprivate for individual clients.
29:10- How Stuart encourages client to coach either other
30:48- What does a session involve actually involve: Part 2
33:01- Finishers and Challenges
34:16- The difference between Session A, B, C
35:25- How does a session progress between months?
Find Out More About Stuart:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/truefitnessstudiosolihull
- Website: https://truefitnessstudio.com
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial
In the last episode of the Lift The Bar podcast, we explored Harriet's journey as she transitioned careers to become a personal trainer. Today's episode features a guest at the other end of the spectrum.
Dean Somerset boasts 20 years of experience as a personal trainer. He is a world-renowned course instructor and speaker. Curious about how he achieved such success? This episode delves into his humble beginnings at a commercial gym, his strategies to build an initial client base, and his insights on making career decisions. We also discuss the ever-present debate: which is more important, lifestyle or money?
Timestamps
01:26- Imposter Syndrome
06:34- Why did Dean stay in a commercial gym for so long?
10:12- How important is it for new trainers to look for the right gym?
11:52- Did Dean ever consider being an employed trainer?
14:14- What would Dean change about his early career?
16:48- How to develop people skills.
21:42- Dean’s advice for a struggling PT
24:06- Focusing on lead generation inside vs outside of a gym.
27:10- What else should trainers do early in their career?
29:29- Why Dean didn’t open a facility?
33:47- What is the best piece of advice Dean’s ever been given?
33:57- What would Dean change about the fitness industry?
34:42- What would a national campaign for personal training look like?
35:28 Advice for a PT who has fallen out of love with coaching.
Find Out More About Dean:
- Website: https://deansomerset.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dsomerset1/?hl=en
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial
Are you ready to break free from your 9-to-5 job and turn your passion for fitness into a career as a personal trainer? Making the transition can be a daunting journey, but fear not! You're not alone. Many have successfully completed the switch before you, and you can too.
In this inspiring episode, Stuart sits down with Harriet Olliffe, who shares her journey from teaching classes in a local town hall to owning a gym. Together, they explore the challenges of building a career in fitness, including navigating the ups and downs, the importance of hard work, and the value of being risk averse.
Through their discussion, you'll gain valuable insights into what it takes to succeed in the industry and why the effort is ultimately worth it. So tune in now to learn from Harriet's experiences and discover how to pursue a fulfilling career doing what you love as a personal trainer.
Timestamps
01:46- Harriet's career before personal training
05:35-Running classes at the local town hall.
10:39- What would Harriet change about her start in fitness?
12:38- Starting mobile PT while working full time.
17:11- Work-life balance while growing a PT business.
19:38- Starting at a boutique gym.
21:47- The importance of being risk adverse.
24:45- Working part-time on gym reception.
26:07- Could Harriet have managed to be successful without working so much?
28:50- The advantages of being an employed PT
31:15- Opportunity to shadow at Harriet’s facility.
34:26- Different routes to becoming a PT.
37:08- Opening a facility
Find Out More About Harriet:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harriet.olliffe
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial
The guys from Lift the Bar are back in full force for another Q&A. Join Stuart, Gregg, and Alex for this week’s episode of the LTB podcast as they dive into a variety of topics that will make your life as a personal trainer much easier.
You can expect to learn whether you need to periodise programmes for the general population, how to determine which experts to trust, and how you can organise your time better. Spoiler Alert: Maybe you need a social media blocker! Also, on this week’s episode, Gregg condemns himself to a life without sleep, Alex considers buying a Nokia 3310 and Stuart learns a new word.
Timestamps
02:28- Time Management: How to be more efficient and organised.
06:22- Should everyone “time block”?
08:40- Problems with Task Switching and social media.
09:59- Using website blockers to your advantage.
19:58- How can we know which experts to trust?
28:11- Can you trust an expert to recommend you another?!
32:32- Should PT’s periodise programs for the general population?
36:07- Periodisation for new clients.
38:35- Should the transitions between training blocks be “harsh” or “smooth”?
41:10- Should you get feedback from a client before you write their next training block?
43:01- Does periodisation really boil down to organisation and what if your client wants more variety?
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial
Effective communication is vital for personal trainers, so we've invited returning guest Cathy MacDonald from The Art of Communication to join Stuart on today's episode. Together, they explore scenarios PTs encounter in the gym and share tangible actions to make your communication more effective. You'll discover how to discuss money without feeling awkward, steer people away from dangerous activities without making them defensive, and why you shouldn’t give Stuart an axe. Tune in to sharpen your communication skills and become a more effective personal trainer.
Timestamps
01:28 How to communicate with new gym members.
07:37 The Importance of learning about people
09:23 Core Emotional Concerns
13:49 How to communicate with a gym member who is at risk of injury.
21:06 The value of compliments
24:46 How to offer your services without being salesy
31:35 How to talk about your prices
33:57 How to respond if someone asks for a discount
38:57 How to communicate a price increase to your clients
Find Out More About Cathy:
- Website: https://www.artofcommunication.co.uk/about-aoc
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial
Are you struggling to differentiate yourself from other personal trainers on social media? With so many others offering similar services, it can be challenging to stand out and attract potential clients. After all, why would they pick your “121 sessions, personalised plans and monthly reviews” over anyone else's?!
But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
In this episode, Stuart is joined by Jonathan Goodman, a renowned business coach with over 15 years of experience in the personal training industry. As the founder of many successful ventures such as the Personal Trainer Development Centre, QuickCoach, Online Trainer Mentorship and author of 11 books, Jonathan shares his expertise on all things business. Expect to learn about the impact of discounts on your business, how to craft a compelling brand message that resonates with your audience, and why getting more followers is probably a waste of time.
Timestamps:
04:44- Post 1: Will discounts ruin your business?
07:48- The best and worst way to do free PT trials.
12:03- Post 1: Market what a person will become.
19:07- What about if you don’t sell client transformations?
22:17- How to set yourself apart from other businesses.
28:06- Post 2: Why getting more followers is a waste of time if you want more clients.
31:18 - Marketing offline in your local community
42:12 - Human Optimised Coaching Sales for PT’s
Find Out More About Jon:
- Ig: https://www.instagram.com/itscoachgoodman/?hl=en
- The PTDC: https://www.theptdc.com/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial
PT: “Okay, just before we start, I need to check if you have any medical conditions?”
Client: “Okay, yes…I’ve got insert complicated Latin sounding word”.
PT: “Umm… so we might need to check with your GP before we start training.” Most personal trainers have been there before, and let’s be honest, it’s better to be safe than sorry! But do you always need to ask a client’s General Practitioner (GP) Doctor? And even when you do, how do you do it so that the GP actually gets back to you? Here to answer all these questions and more is Dr Katy Fisken.
Dr Fisken joins Stuart on the podcast to discuss improving communication between personal trainers and GPs. They explore when PTS must check with a client’s GP about medical conditions before training, and how to do so. They also touch on Dr Fisken’s fascinating personal experience as a GP-turned-PT, the level of exercise and nutrition education in medical schools, and the growing importance of lifestyle medicine.
Timestamps
01:08 Exercise and Nutrition Education as a GP
09:45 Challenges of Delivering Lifestyle Medicine
13:55 When PTs Should Seek GP Clearance
18:10 How PTs Should Seek GP Clearance
20:24 Qualifications for PTs Working with Clients with Medical Conditions
22:41 Establishing Relationships with Local GPs
25:09 Dr Fisken's Motivation for Becoming a PT
26:29 Time Management and Business Growth as a GP and PT
29:59 How Being a GP Informed Dr Fisken's PT Practice
31:29 How Becoming a PT Informed Dr Fisken’s GP Practice
Find Out More About Katy:
- Ig: https://www.instagram.com/thf.pt/?hl=en
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial
Should you spend ££££ on a machine to measure your client's body composition? Will it help you make better decisions for your clients? Can they really measure someone's body fat?
Stuart welcomes Dr. Eric Helms back on the podcast to find out. Along the way, they also talk about research on the relationship between sedentary time and health. You can also expect to learn exactly whether specific exercises can really target certain regions of muscle, why squats won't make your hamstrings grow and why you DON’T want early career success.
Timestamps
0:01:09
Exploring Early Career Success and Longevity
0:17:40
The Relationship Between Sedentary Time and Exercise
0:24:41
Exploring the Accuracy of Body Composition Measurements Methods
0:37:46
Regional Hypertrophy in Response to Resistance Training
0:42:16
Exploring the Role of Functional Anatomy in Physique Athlete Training
Find Out More About Eric:
- Ig: https://www.instagram.com/helms3dmj/?hl=en
- 3DMJ: https://3dmusclejourney.com/about/
- MASS: https://www.strongerbyscience.com/mass/#pricing
- Iron Culture Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/iron-culture/id1452114380?mt=2
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial
Is 2023 the year when the robots take over? With the recent release of Chat GPT, many coaches are considering how AI will affect their future careers.
Stuart welcomes Dr. Krista Scott Dixon back onto the Lift the bar podcast to explore this and many other questions. Expect to learn what AI should be used for and what it shouldn’t, why being solution-focused leads to better client success and the best way to future-proof your coaching skill set.
Timestamps
1:26- Should personal trainers coach nutrition? 3:10- Should nutrition and exercise be separate services?
6:47- Why trainers should refer to other professionals for detailed nutrition support.
12:17- Being a solution-focused coach.
22:51- What does AI bring to coaching?
33:02- How could a new coach use Chat GPT?
34:52- Will AI be able to write good training programs?
41:16- How can coaches future-proof their skillsets?
Find Out More About Krista:
- Ig: https://www.instagram.com/stumptuous/
- Website: https://stumptuous.com/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial
In 2023, it seems like everyone is an “online coach”. But just because everyone else is doing it, doesn’t mean you should. That’s why this episode from the vault is getting another airing.
In this week’s edition, Stuart talks to Dan Smith about all things online coaching. They cover why selling “online coaching” doesn’t work, the importance of designing your program and how to advertise so you never have to “sell” your service again. Expect to learn how to create a rewarding online coaching business, how to deal with the highs and lows of business and what happened to Dan in Ibiza…
This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to start or grow an online coaching business in 2023.
Timestamps
1:26 How can coaches regulate their emotions?
7:00- How to create a better work-life balance.
8:43- How should coaches discuss their clients’ results?
12:41- What role do transformation pictures play in selling online coaching?
17:54- Why coaches should stop selling online coaching and start creating their “method”.
20:49- How does Dan structure his online method?
25:47- How to name an online coaching method
29:50- What else should people know about online coaching?
30:35- How Dan figured out he was a better coach online.
32:51- Is coaching online an easy way to earn six figures?
37:55- How has Dan changed his marketing methods?
41:27- Dominating your postcode is still important…even online!
Find Out More About Dan:
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/danstrongcollective/?hl=en
- IG Mentoring: https://www.instagram.com/strongcollectivecoaching/?hl=en
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial
Are you interested in starting an online group coaching program but don't know how? Look no further! This archived episode of the LTB podcast features Emma Storey-Gordon. Emma’s last intake of the EC method successfully helped 600+ new clients, so she knows what she is talking about! Stuart and Emma cover everything you need to know about online coaching such as how to create digital systems, make effective onboarding processes, and how previous members can help new clients. Tune in to learn more!
Timestamps
1:37- How does Emma manage her time?
2:45- The Issue with task switching
6:09- How Emma uses a Virtual Assistant to help with workload
6:52- What and when should you outsource?
12:32- What is the EC method?
13:48- How long does the EC method last?
16:11- How do people pay for the EC method?
16:44- Should coaches get a business partner to help run group coaching?
21:16- How does someone sign up for the EC method?
25:33- What does the EC welcome email say?
27:05- What to do if your emails end up in people's spam
29:15- How does Emma help people get started with the EC method?
31:10- What nutrition support does the EC method involve?
33:09- Is there a minimum number of clients needed for effective group coaching?
37:09- Is 1-2- or group coaching better for coaches and clients?
40:52- What marketing does Emma do just before launching a new EC intake?
46:41- How does Emma use her Instagram for marketing?
49:00- Why group coaching is a great way to achieve more customer value
Find Out More About ESG:
- Website: https://esgfitness.co.uk/
- IG Fitness: https://www.instagram.com/esgfitness/?hl=en
- IG Mentoring: https://www.instagram.com/afmentors/?hl=en
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial
The world of biomechanics can be a pretty scary place for a beginner. We have pulled this episode from the archive to help you delve into the fascinating world of biomechanics. Stuart talks to Paul Standell about how personal trainers can understand the physics that underlies exercise and how doing so will accelerate their careers and even, get them more clients!
Discover why specific exercises, such as the dumbbell lateral raise, become more difficult at the top instead of the bottom (Hint: It’s not because your arm got heavier!). Learn how exercise mechanics can be used to tailor sessions to individual clients and the surprising benefits of spending time on a seesaw.
Timestamps: 1:08- Why are personal trainers like advisors?
4:41- When should personal trainers be more directive?
6:43- How many choices should personal trainers give their client?
7:28- Definition of exercise mechanics
20:12- Why should personal trainers care about exercise mechanics?
27:30- Can exercise mechanics make a client’s session less fun?
31:41- How to tailor your use of exercise mechanics to an individual client
35: 45- How exercise mechanics helps get client buy in
38:53- Where can personal trainers learn about exercise mechanics?
Find Out More About Paul:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paul_standell/?hl=en
- The PT Project: https://www.instagram.com/theptproject_/?hl=en
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
In this week's episode, Stuart sits down with Ben Pickard to discuss common challenges fitness businesses face. They explore why an increase in clients may not necessarily improve profitability, the viability of trainers opening their own facilities, and how owners can retain top staff. Ben also delves into the ethics of sales and the importance of financial planning, provides a comprehensive overview of tracking key performance indicators, and shares insights on the shifts in client behaviour following the COVID-19 pandemic. Stay tuned for valuable tips and strategies to help your fitness business thrive in 2023. Timestamps
1:08 Why is Ben still in the fitness industry?
04:16 How can independent gyms keep their best staff?
08:16 Should trainers open their own facility?
10:54 Career trajectory for PT’s
14:01 How have potential clients changed post-COVID?
16:50 Is profit evil?
18:42 Ethics of selling: Self-Serving or Client Serving?
21:31 The Importance of Financial Management
26:25 Getting started with Systems
32:04 Getting started with KPI’s
39:43 What does it mean to have a better business?
Find Out More About Ben:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benjamin__pickard/?hl=en
- Business for Unicorns: https://www.businessforunicorns.com/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49
- Free Newsletter: https://liftthebar.activehosted.com/f/16
If you want more clients, you need to build relationships.
There are few better ways to do that than writing.
In this week's episode, Stuart interviews Ann Hanley. Ann is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Everybody Writes and Content Rules. They talk about how you can become a more natural, engaging writer so your future clients get to know the real you. You'll learn specific editing techniques which make your life easier and your content more engaging.
Timestamps:
- Ann's first newsletter: 4:18
- What is honest empathy? 9:13
- Should you write the same way you speak? 14:53
- Making every word count: 18:08
- The importance of editing: 21:19
- Why writing is a privilege: 23:55
- Developing your writing voice: 25:06
- Building a relationship with your readers: 31:45
- Should personal trainers start a newsletter? 34:18
- Ann's advice for her younger: 38:44
Find Out More About Ann:
- Website: https://annhandley.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annhandley/
- New Book: https://annhandley.com/everybodywrites/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
- Stuart's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stuart__aitken/?hl=en
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49
- Free Newsletter: https://liftthebar.activehosted.com/f/16
Personal trainers have a lot of different hats to wear. Business owner. Exercise specialist. Content creator. Nutrition expert. Would it be best for everyone if they took off the nutrition hat?
In this week’s episode, Stuart talks to Alan Flanagan about how PTs should deliver nutrition advice. They also touch on how to assess whether other nutrition professionals are good sources of information, the importance of building a referral network, and the surprising link between studying law and studying nutrition.
Alan was previously a practicing barrister before turning to his passion for nutrition. He holds a masters and PhD in nutritional medicine. He is the founder of Alinea Nutrition and is also a contributor to Sigma Nutrition.
Find Out More About Alan:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenutritional_advocate/?hl=en
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49
- Free Newsletter: https://liftthebar.activehosted.com/f/16
Most personal trainers who work in commercial gyms leave the industry within two years. Today's guest has beaten those odds.
Pete Yardley has been personal training in a Pure Gym for ten years. In this episode, Stuart talks to Pete about career longevity. They cover the best approaches to lead generation in a commercial gym, work-life balance and how a lump of chalk helped Pete thrive during lockdown.
Find Out More About Pete:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeteYardley.HF
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49
- S.Q.U.A.T.S Newsletter: https://liftthebar.activehosted.com/f/16
Most personal trainers want to have a steady income. They also want to make a meaningful impact on their client’s lives. Focusing on one specific population of potential clients might help you do both. Can you guess who it is?
It’s our mums and dads. Our grandparents and maybe even our great-grandparents!
The elderly are hugely underserved by the fitness industry. So, you’re not going to have much competition. More importantly, it’s incredibly rewarding to spend your time helping people maintain their ability to walk, see their friends and, ultimately, their independence.
Today Stuart welcomes Dr Janet Withall from the University of Birmingham. Dr Withall is an expert in healthy ageing. She focuses on helping elderly people maintain their activity levels and strength. In this episode, expect to learn how to attract elderly clients to exercise services, how those services should be designed to maximise results, and how physical activity can affect people’s disease risk.
**Find Out More About Dr Withall:**
- Email: j.withall@bham.ac.uk
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49
- S.Q.U.A.T.S Newsletter: https://liftthebar.activehosted.com/f/16
Obesity is a choice. People should just choose to eat less and move more. This would make problems with weight disappear. Right?
This week Stuart talks to LTB staff member Alex Pearson about whether this common view of obesity is correct. Expect to learn about the causes of obesity, its relationship to health and why fat shaming is both ineffective and unethical.
**Find Out More About LTB:**
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
- Black Friday Offer: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/lift-the-bar-membership-4for4/
- S.Q.U.A.T.S Newsletter: https://liftthebar.activehosted.com/f/16
Do you throw a post-up on Instagram every so often and hope for the best? Well, it might be time to get a long-term social media strategy in place for 2023!
To give you a helping hand, Stuart welcomes returning guest Simon Mitchell onto the podcast. In this episode, they discuss how to build an email list from scratch, how to use email marketing and social media to compliment each other, and how multiple different platforms can work as part of a comprehensive marketing strategy!
Find Out More About Simon:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamsimonmitchell/?hl=en
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49
- S.Q.U.A.T.S Newsletter: https://liftthebar.activehosted.com/f/16
You’ve dismissed Linkedin. After all, it is just for business-to-business networking. It would be a waste of time if you wanted to grow your client base…right?
Well, this week’s guest, Lea Turner thinks you're wrong!
Stuart and Lea have a revealing conversation about how Linkedin has massively under-utilised potential for reaching future customers. Expect to learn the best ways to set up a Linkedin profile, how to communicate with people on the platform and the type of content you should post. If you’re sick of Instagram and want a new way to grow your business, this episode is for you!
Find Out More About Lea:
- Website: https://leaturner.co.uk/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49
- S.Q.U.A.T.S Newsletter: https://liftthebar.activehosted.com/f/16
Hindsight is always 20-20, right? Well with this in mind, Stuart takes a trip in a time machine to talk about how he would change the beginning of his career. He gives us five key points which cover improving work-life balance, organising education and much more!
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49
- S.Q.U.A.T.S Newsletter: https://liftthebar.activehosted.com/f/16
Hearing about the journey of an experienced personal trainer can be a great way to accelerate your career. With that in mind…in this week’s episode, Stuart talks to a long-standing LTB member, Jake Weekes. This wide-ranging conversation captures what “growing” as a personal trainer is like. You’ll hear Jake talk about almost every part of personal training life. He covers going freelance, helping clients learn to love strength training and the key lessons he has taken from years of CPD.
Find Out More About Jake:
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/leanerstrongerjake/?hl=en
- Website: https://leanerstronger.co.uk/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49
- S.Q.U.A.T.S Newsletter: https://liftthebar.activehosted.com/f/16
This week Stuart welcomes returning guest Laura Vanderkam to talk about her new book. Do you feel like you would like your life to be a bit more interesting and memorable? If you do Laura has some excellent practical ideas to make that a reality. Tune in to find out why a bedtime might not be a bad thing and the importance of scheduling your adventures!
Find Out More About Laura:
- Book: https://lauravanderkam.com/books/tranquility-by-tuesday/
- Website: https://lauravanderkam.com/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49
- S.Q.U.A.T.S Newsletter: https://liftthebar.activehosted.com/f/16
You’ve probably heard of copywriting…but do you know what it is? More importantly, can learning to copywrite help you as a personal trainer? Don’t worry, today Stuart is talking to Neville Medhora to get the answers. They cover all the ins and out’s of copywriting, how to make more sales, why you need a digital rolodex and how you can turn giving out free advice into new clients!
Find Out More About Neville:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/nevmed
- Neville's Newsletter: https://copywritingcourse.com/newsletter
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49
- S.Q.U.A.T.S Newsletter: https://liftthebar.activehosted.com/f/16
This week’s episode is with two staff members from Lift the Bar, Claire Winter and Maggie Elliott. Stuart asks them to reflect on what they would change about the beginning of their careers. This provides priceless insights into organising booking systems, pricing services, and building confidence. If you're new to personal training, don’t miss this episode!
Find Out More About Lift The Bar:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49
Are you starting in a commercial gym for the first time? Not sure how to start building your client base? This week on the Lift The Bar Podcast, Stuart puts Chris Bradley in a time machine to find out exactly what he would do if he were starting again! They talk about how important classes, compelling offers and broken vending machines are for growing a new client base. If you want to get clarity on the fundamentals which will accelerate your business's growth for the last half of 2022, then this is the episode for you!
Find Out More About Chris:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecoachesmentor/?hl=en
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49
In this week’s Lift The Bar Podcast episode, Stuart welcomes returning guest Catherine Reohorn. Have you ever found yourself just posting content for the sake of it? Well...it might be time to stop! Catherine and Stuart discuss how putting out certain types of content might get you the wrong type of clients. They unpick how writing good copy and attracting the right clients go hand in hand. We then get an insight into how Catherine’s three-part writing structure helps PTs produce quantity AND quality content. If you want to refresh your perspective on content production, then this episode is packed with ideas you can start applying today!
Find Out More About Cath:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kindcopyuk/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49
This week’s episode is an interview with…Stuart! The guys over at the Pro-Fit Podcast bought Stuart on to talk about all things personal training. In the episode, they quiz Stuart on the history of LTB, online training, problems PTs encounter and much, much more!
Find Out More About Pro-Fit:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattrobinsonpt/
- Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-pro-fit-podcast/id1458318553
Find Out More About Lift The Bar:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49
This week on the LTB podcast Stuart welcomes Rob Anderson to talk about training youth athletes. Rob has a lot of experience coaching young athletes of various ages and sporting backgrounds.
Rob covers the qualifications, experience, and education you need to coach children successfully. He discusses how he has helped create a training environment that supports children’s physical and mental development. Believe it or not…he even has teenagers consistently eating vegetables! If you’re a personal trainer considering expanding your services to include coaching children, you don’t want to miss this episode!
Find Out More About Rob:
- The Athlete Academy: https://www.instagram.com/athleticevoacademy/?hl=en
- LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/rob-anderson-65172129
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49
Today’s episode is the second part of last week’s Q&A with Gregg Slater and Alex. The discussion centres around how PTs can systematically improve their practice across multiple job elements. Whether it is how to help clients eat more vegetables, the best way to start a reflective practice or what to do when your coaching cues don’t work, this episode has it all!
Find Out More About Lift The Bar:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49
This week's podcast is a Q&A episode where Stuart talks to his colleagues from Lift the Bar, Alex Pearson and Gregg Slater. First up is a question about their journeys with exercise and how personal trainers who have fallen out of love with training can find their exercise mojo again. After that, they discuss what evidenced based practice is and whether personal trainers should try to read the research.
Find Out More About Lift The Bar:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49
Being in charge of someone else’s career is a big responsibility. The last thing you want to do is make a mistake before they are even hired! That’s why, on this episode of the Lift The Bar Podcast, Stuart brings Michael Keeler back to talk about his process for hiring staff. They discuss how to find candidates, conduct good interviews and why should be careful if you’re hiring your old clients. If you’re thinking about hiring your first staff member, this episode will give you the perfect structure to help make sure it is a success.
Find Out More About Michael:
- Website: https://www.businessforunicorns.com/
- Blog Post: https://www.businessforunicorns.com/hiring-and-team-development/the-ultimate-hiring-guide/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49
Have you never really seen the point of picking up a book? Heard people going on and on about their latest book, but could never understand what all the fuss is about. Well, this podcast might give you answers. Today Stuart talks to Ed Cunningham, the host of “A Need to Read” which is a podcast all about…reading! So, unsurprisingly they talk about all things books. They discuss how to make reading a habit, what books to choose and some of the perils of the “self-help” genre. If you’d like to make your reading stick, this podcast is for you!
Find Out More About Ed:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aneed2read/?hl=en
- Podcast: https://aneedtoread.co.uk/podcast/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49
In today's reposted episode, Stuart welcomes Krista Scott-Dixon (KSD) from Precision Nutrition. They discuss public speaking, self-acceptance, getting coached as a coach, firing clients, mental health and managing overwhelm.
Find Out More About KSD:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stumptuous/?hl=en
- PN Writing: https://www.precisionnutrition.com/author/krista-scott-dixon
- LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/krista-scott-dixon-20361b44
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49
Have you ever wished your Instagram videos & pictures looked a little bit better? That little bit more…professional? Or maybe you’re getting frustrated with the weird echo on all your exercise demo videos? Well, this episode of the Lift The Bar podcast has you covered! Today Stuart talks to Simon Booth from @strong_media_ about how to produce high-quality videos and photos that will help improve your client's results and grow your business.
Find Out More About Simon:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strong_media_/?hl=en
- Strong Media Academy: https://academy.strong-media.co.uk/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49
In this Lift The Bar Podcast episode, Stuart is flying solo to talk about burnout! He outlines what burnout is, why it's so common in Personal Training and how to prevent or manage it.
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-14-day-trial/
In today's reposted episode from back in May of 2021, Stuart welcomes Adam Meakins. Adam, @adammeakins on Instagram, is well known for his evidence-based approach to physiotherapy, strong views and his willingness to call out some of what he describes as nonsense surrounding his profession. They spend most of it discussing what we know about the association between technique and injury. Should you focus on making your client's form perfect, or should we just let people exercise as they please? They also get into the relationship between core strength and back pain, using medical imaging like MRIs and spinal flexion during deadlifts.
Find Out More About Adam:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adammeakins/
- Website: https://www.thesports.physio/
- Podcast: https://www.thesports.physio/the-naf-physio-podcast/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49
In today’s episode, Alex is standing in for Stuart as host. He speaks with Kimberley Wilson (@foodandpsych) about the intersection of physical and mental health. They highlight how there may not be a real difference between these two types of health, how this faux distinction came to be and its implications for personal trainers. Along the way, they cover body image, client communication, pseudoscience and the relationship between food and mood. If your clients ever say they want to “feel better”, then don’t miss this episode.
**Find Out More About Kimberley:**
- Website: https://www.kimberleywilson.co/about
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodandpsych/?hl=en
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49
In this episode of the Lift The Bar Podcast, Stuart is flying solo to talk about seminars! He outlines why Personal Trainers should run seminars, including how they can be both an effective lead generation tool and a great way to further your personal growth. He then delves into how you can pick the best topic, get people to attend and make your seminar engaging. Finally, and maybe most importantly, he talks about how to overcome public speaking anxiety. Stuart first recorded an episode on this topic nearly five years ago, so tune in to hear what has changed since 2017. So you can run effective seminars which help both you and your client base grow in 2022.
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-14-day-trial/
Abi Durrant is the owner of Barbelle in Scarborough, England. She comes on to the podcast to talk about her journey from an in-person 1-1 personal trainer to the owner of a now 6000 sq ft multifunctional facility that includes a cafe and other sublets. Find Out More About Abi:
- Website: https://barbellescarborough.uk/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abi.durrant/?hl=en
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49
Stuart MacDonald is the owner of True Fitness Personal Training in Solihull, England. He comes on to the podcast to discuss how he approaches programming for small-group personal training. Topics covered include: how his programming has changed since he opened his gym, what he learned from our Programme Design Mentorship, how he ensures it flows from one 4-week block to another, the specific framework he uses that you can replicate and how he went about moving his clients to a small-group model. Find Out More About Stuart:
- Website: https://truefitnessstudio.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aminousma20
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49
- Programme Design Mentorship: https://liftthebar.activehosted.com/f/14
Stuart talks about how to improve the quality of your PT sessions. Broken up into 3 simple phases: pre, during and post-session, you'll learn all about the things you can use in your next session to take them from good to great and ultimately, retain your clients for longer, get better results and have more fun coaching.
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Upcoming Incredible Sessions Webinar: https://liftthebar.com/incredible-session
Guy Lochhead is a personal trainer and the founder of the Bristol Cooperative Gym, which is one of the first of its kind in the UK. Stuart and Guy discuss what a Co-Operative gym is, why Guy decided to run his business this way, how the gym makes decisions and some of the things he's learnt that he would love to share with other gym owners. Find Out More About Guy:
- Website: https://www.guylochhead.com/
- Bristol Co-Operative Website: https://bristolcooperativegym.org/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49
Jenny Rearick runs Fit to Speak, where she helps coaches with their communication and presentation skills. She also runs a gym at her home with her husband, Brendon. These two roles mean she is incredibly well placed to talk about the intersecting worlds of personal training and communication. Stuart and Jenny discuss what is communication and why it is important before getting into 3 specific areas: the consultation, the 1-1 session and group sessions, where they talk about some of the main communication considerations with each. They also discuss overcoming communication anxiety and how to stop saying "umm". Find Out More About Jenny:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fit_to_speak/?hl=en
- Website: https://fit-to-speak.com/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49
Alex Pearson is Lift the Bar's Head of Research and the creator of many of our member's site resources including Obesity, Behaviour Change, Client Ambivalence and Hypermobility. Stuart & Alex discuss what personality is, how it's measured, the five main traits that make up a person's personality, whether or not it can change and why you, the personal trainer, should care.
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49
Sukh Sidhu runs Online Fitness Business and the newly launched coaching software, Stridist. Stuart & Sukh firstly discuss how to get clients online before getting into business lessons and his thoughts on professional development. Then, they finish discussing Stridist - what it is, who it's for, what it does and how you can learn more. Find Out More About Sukh:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sukhsidhu._._/?hl=en
- Stridist: https://stridist.com/?via=biceps
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49
Nicola Hobbs is an author and Chartered Psychologist. She has just been hired as our Head of Psychology at Lift the Bar, focussing on how she can best support our member's mental and emotional wellbeing. She's going to be running a mental well-being mentorship very soon. If you're a member, keep an eye out for more details about that! In this episode, Stuart and Nicola discuss not feeling like you look like a PT (41.21), becoming a more present person, journalling, holding space and how we can all become more informed about the effects trauma can have on our clients. Find Out More About Nicola:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolajanehobbs/?hl=en
- Her new book: http://www.nicolajanehobbs.com/books.html
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
Gregg Slater is LTB's Head of Education and the creator of some of our most popular courses including general population programme design, hypertrophy, understanding weight loss and practical nutrition coaching. In this reposted conversation from 2020, Stuart & Gregg cover what he's learned in the creation of his hypertrophy course, why hypertrophy is for everyone, what he hopes to see in the research over the coming years, how to start planning out long term programming and why the psychology of programme design is as important as the physical. Find Out More About Gregg:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregg_ltb/
- LTB PT course: https://www.instagram.com/ltb_personal_training_course/?hl=en
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/?
Stuart talks about how to improve your retention rates. Why retention matters for personal training businesses, how to make sense of client retention and a breakdown of Stuart's 'retention pyramid' are all covered in this episode.
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49/?_ga=2.38457827.131955376.1649175384-1886411879.1643910653
- Client retention course: https://members.liftthebar.com/courses/client-retention/
Paul Standell is a fitness coach and educator who has been in the industry for 10 years. He is part of the team that make up the Muscle Mentors. Stuart & Paul talk about all things exercise mechanics - why you should care about it as a personal trainer, whether it'll make your programming and sessions boring, and a basic introduction to it from someone who is doing great work to make the subject less confusing and intimidating.
Find Out More About Paul:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paul_themusclementors/?hl=en
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
Stuart talks about some offline marketing methods you can use to market your personal training business. How to grow relationships with local business owners, how to start a podcast and use it for local lead gen, why seminars are great and more ideas for marketing your business offline are covered in this episode.
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- FB ads webinar: https://members.liftthebar.com/webinar/how-to-set-up-and-run-a-facebook-advert/
- Running a seminar course: https://members.liftthebar.com/courses/running-a-seminar-for-your-clients/
Tally Rye is a personal trainer and class instructor and the author of two books - Train Happy and The Train Happy Journal. Stuart chats to Tally about how she found her place in the industry after initially struggling, why she no longer works with weight loss clients, alternative ways of marketing PT on social media other than using transformation pictures and how trainers can integrate a more intuitive movement-based approach with their clients.
Find Out More About Tally:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tallyrye/?hl=en
- Website: https://tallyrye.co.uk/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
Jamie and Sophie Harper run BFastFitness, a small-group PT facility in Birmingham. In this episode, they talk to Stuart about what it's like being married and running a gym, how Sophie became a coach after being a client and how her fresh perspective has helped the business, how they run a small-group setup and what they'd say to a trainer who is thinking about moving into small-group PT.
Find Out More About Jamie & Sophie:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bfastfitness/?hl=en
- Website: https://bfastfitness.com/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
Dr. Lisa Lewis joins Stuart for today's episode. Lisa is a returning guest who is a licensed psychologist with a passion for strength training, fitness, and wellness. In this episode, they discuss how to help difficult PT clients, how to set appropriate boundaries with your clients and how to approach a conversation about alcohol.
Find Out More About Lisa:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlewisconsulting/?hl=en
- Website: https://drlewisconsulting.com/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
Miriam Taylor joins Stuart for today's episode. Miriam is a personal trainer and co-owner of a facility based in Glasgow, Scotland. She started 4 years ago and has gone on to open a gym and build up a loyal client base. In this episode, they discuss the things she learned co-opening a facility so early on in her career, the importance of the client experience, recovering from a large client loss, why she's made her clients the focal point of her social media and why setting up monthly direct debits has been a game-changer for her business.
Find Out More About Miriam:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjs_personaltrainer/?hl=en
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
Simon Mitchell joins Stuart for today's episode. Simon, @iamsimonmitchell, used to work in marketing and run two successful online coaching businesses. He now spends his time helping fit pros with content coaching. In this episode, they discuss email marketing, using Instagram to grow your business, setting up your IG bio, using testimonials and how to never run out of post ideas again. If you use IG for business growth purposes, you'll get a lot out of this.
Find Out More About Simon:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamsimonmitchell/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
Claire Winter, LTBs head of operations, joins Stuart for today's episode. They discuss an article Claire wrote for the LTB magazine on the stages of a personal training business. They talk through the stages - starting out, growth, secure, developing, established - and what each one entails as well as advice for thriving in each stage.
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Blog post: https://liftthebar.com/the-stages-of-a-personal-training-business/
Alex Pearson, LTB's behaviour change and obesity expert, joins Stuart for today's reposted episode. They discuss helping clients with ambivalence, change and sustain talk, ways to encourage more change talk, using reflections and more. It's a practical discussion about motivational interviewing - a core practice you can use to help your clients change their behaviours.
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- £6 for 6 weeks offer: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-6-week-trial/
Emma Storey-Gordon, @esgfitness, joins Stuart for today's episode. They discuss how to run a successful online group training programme. How to set one up, how long to run it for, how to price it, how to sign clients up and onboard them plus tips for building a thriving community are covered in this episode.
Find Out More About ESG:
- Website: https://esgfitness.co.uk/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esgfitness/?hl=en
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
Greg Smith, owner of Core Results in Chichester, joins Stuart for today's episode. They discuss dealing with the ups & downs of being a PT, why he's stuck with PT for such a long time, his advice to a new trainer, approaching people on the gym floor, becoming financially literate and much more.
Find Out More About Greg:
- Website: https://www.coreresults.co.uk/
- Email: greg@coreresults.co.uk
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
Dan Smith, founder of Dan Mac Fitness and Head of Mentoring & Education at Online Fitness Business, joins Stuart for today's episode. They discuss why coaches need to stop selling online coaching, how to feel less emotional about the highs and lows of business, handling a client loss, creating better client testimonials, improving your marketing messaging, transformation pictures and much more.
Find Out More About Dan:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danmacfitness/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
If you've ever wondered where your career as a personal trainer came from, this 2-part podcast series produced by Lift The Bar will teach you all about the history of this incredible profession. It'll take you back to the 1800s, where you'll meet a man called Louis Durlacher, who was one of the first known personal trainers. Then, it'll take you on a whirlwind tour of the key events that have shaped the career of personal training.
The occupation of personal training is a new one. It's only in the last 30 years that we've seen it become a popular and normal choice of work. However, there have been trainers training clients for over 150 years.
It is our hope that by learning about the historical events of the fitness industry and the career of personal training, you'll wake up feeling more connected to your job. It gives you a deep context for your work to exist in. From the moment you call yourself a Personal Trainer, you become part of this journey too. Maybe in another 100 years, someone will wonder about your programs, your clients, your career, your life.
Find Out More About Lift The Bar:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Contact Stuart: stuart@liftthebar.com
If you've ever wondered where your career as a personal trainer came from, this 2-part podcast series produced by Lift The Bar will teach you all about the history of this incredible profession. It'll take you back to the 1800s, where you'll meet a man called Louis Durlacher, who was one of the first known personal trainers. Then, it'll take you on a whirlwind tour of the key events that have shaped the career of personal training.
The occupation of personal training is a new one. It's only in the last 30 years that we've seen it become a popular and normal choice of work. However, there have been trainers training clients for over 150 years.
It is our hope that by learning about the historical events of the fitness industry and the career of personal training, you'll wake up feeling more connected to your job. It gives you a deep context for your work to exist in. From the moment you call yourself a Personal Trainer, you become part of this journey too. Maybe in another 100 years, someone will wonder about your programs, your clients, your career, your life.
Find Out More About Lift The Bar:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Contact Stuart: stuart@liftthebar.com
Maggie Elliott, owner of Spark Life UK joins Stuart for this episode. They discuss how she would make the fitness industry a more welcoming and inclusive place, what the anti-diet movement is, how to find the middle ground between weight loss coaching and not perpetuating diet culture, local business outreach and what she feels makes a great PT session.
Find Out More About Maggie:
- Instagram:
- Website: https://www.sparklifeuk.com/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
Mike Waywell, of the facility owner mentoring company Gym Ownr and Steel Habitat gym in Liverpool, joins Stuart for this episode. They discuss why customer service can make you stand out from the crowd, using a low barrier to entry offers like a trial or challenge to get in leads, advice for 1st time FB ad users, the copy and creatives Gym Ownr are seeing working just now on ads and the importance of having mentors.
Find Out More About Mike:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gymownr/
- Website: https://gymownr.com/free-course
Find Out More About LTB:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
In this reposted episode, Stuart talks to Travis Pollen about whether or not there are "good" and "bad" exercises, as well as how to do initial assessments with personal training clients.
Find Out More About Travis:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fitness_pollenator/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: http://bit.ly/2PsSSLR
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
In this reposted episode, Stuart talks to Dr. Yoni Freedhoff who is an Associate Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Ottawa. They discuss why a compassionate approach to obesity is absolutely necessary, how to help your clients manage their weight, reducing scale weight importance, whether education changes behaviour, childhood nutrition and much, much more.
Find Out More About Yoni:
- Weighty Matters: http://www.weightymatters.ca/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/YoniFreedhoff?
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://bit.ly/3eBa1z4
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
In this episode of the podcast, we have a reposted episode with Maggie Elliott from Spark Fitness to discuss how she's built a successful mobile training PT business. Stuart and Maggie discuss her business, how she transitioned from teaching to PT, how she overcomes some of the challenges associated with mobile PT and her "one client at a time and make sure everyone knows about what I'm doing" mindset for marketing.
Find Out More About Maggie:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparkfitnesscoaching
- Website: https://www.sparkfitness.co.uk/about/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: http://bit.ly/2PsSSLR
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
In this reposted episode, Stuart speaks to Chad Landers about what it's been like being a trainer for 25 years, why the relationship you have with your clients is so important, client retention, scope of practice and what he'd tell his younger self about being a successful personal trainer.
Find Out More About Chad:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chadlanders/
- Website: https://pushprivatefitness.com/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: http://bit.ly/2PsSSLR
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
This is a reposted episode where Stuart welcomes Dr. Quinn Henoch to the show. Quinn is an internationally recognized physical therapist, author, presenter, and coach. In this episode, they discuss how his approach to injuries & rehab have changed since he graduated in 2013, why he doesn't like the term mobility, how he would approach correcting a hip shift in a squat and much more.
Find Out More About Quinn:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinn.henochdpt/
- Website: http://www.clinicalathlete.com
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: http://bit.ly/2PsSSLR
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
In this reposted episode, Stuart chats to Molly Galbraith of Girls Gone Strong. Topics Covered: -- How her experiences have guided how she works with the clientele of GGS -- How GGS used to think every single woman should strength train -- What are GGS doing to address the gap that exists between people taking part in fitness and not -- What can the PT do better when it comes to training coaching women -- How to navigate a conversation with a client who speaks negatively about themselves Articles & Resources Mentioned: What it's like to be a fit chick - http://mollygalbraith.com/2013/06/its-hard-out-here-for-a-fit-chick/ Who gets to be fit? - https://www.girlsgonestrong.com/blog/feminism/intersectionality-of-fitness/ How to speak to a client who wants to get her pre-baby body back - https://www.girlsgonestrong.com/blog/confidence/body-embracement/embracing-our-post-baby-bodies/ GGS Coaching & Training Women Free FB Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/GGSCoachingandTrainingWomen/ Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
In today's episode, we have a reposted episode with Sukh Sidhu from Online Fitness Business. Stuart and Sukh cover the realities of running a business, challenges with setting up and keeping the momentum of online personal training, where most trainers are going wrong when they enter the online PT world and Sukh's new venture called Open Coach.
Find Out More About Sukh:
- Website: https://onlinefitnessbusiness.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sukhsidhuofb/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
In today's reposted episode, Stuart talks to Dr. John Berardi. They discuss career direction and making sense of where you want to go, as well as touching on not feeling like you're doing enough and how to use social media as a personal trainer (check below if you'd like to see specific timestamps!). John is a Canadian-American entrepreneur best known as the co-founder of Precision Nutrition, the world’s largest nutrition coaching, education, and software company. He's also the founder of Change Maker Academy, devoted to helping would-be changemakers turn their passion for health and fitness into a powerful purpose and a wildly successful career. Over the last 15 years, he's advised Apple, Equinox and Nike as well as the San Antonio Spurs, US Open Champ Sloane Stephens, and 2-division UFC Champ Georges St. Pierre. He's also been named one of the 20 smartest coaches in the world and 100 most influential people in health and fitness. Timestamps: * [02.03] - Would he have changed anything about his book, Change Maker, due to what has happened with covid-19? * [08.15] - His message to a personal trainer who is struggling just now. * [10.45] - An example of a caterer who has changed his offering during covid. * [14.55] - The personality profile of trainers who are successful online. * [18.50] - Unique abilities, purpose and values exercise for making more sense of where to go in your career. * [26.30] - Why the belief that you must become a coach in the fitness industry limits the people that come into it. * [29.15] - A story about 'Dave's Killer Bread' and a gym owner who moved into mobile personal training. * [35.30] - "I'm just a personal trainer, am I not doing enough?" * [37.30] - Why it's important to be as much 'you' as you can be. * [42.43] - Social media being detrimental to our mental and business health. * [47.15] - Using social media for business growth. * [49.45] - Why marketing is not just social media. * [1.08.25] - The instant validation/ feedback that social media provides.
Find Out More About John:
- Website: https://www.changemakeracademy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjohnberardi/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
In today's episode, we have a reposted episode Eric Cressey of Cressey Sports Performance. I can't imagine Eric will need much of an intro but just in case, he is the president and co-founder of Cressey Sports Performance, with facilities two facilities located in America. He's helped athletes at all levels - from youth sports to the professional and Olympic ranks - achieve their highest levels of performance in a variety of sports. He's produced five books, four DVD sets and written over 500 articles which have been featured in places like Men's Health, T-Nation and ESPN. In this episode Stuart and Eric discuss: * Where Eric's work ethic comes from and how he balances this with a growing family * How and why he built up career capital early on in his career * Where Personal Trainer's and strength coaches go wrong when it comes to growing their careers.
Find Out More About Eric:
- Website: http://www.EricCressey.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericcressey/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
If you're a Personal Trainer, the chances are pretty high that you'll work with people who have weight loss based goals. This reposted episode from back in Jan of 2019, talks about how to better understand everything to do with helping our clients lose weight.
Topics Covered:
- Why Gregg has decided to focus on business as one of his Q1 professional development goals.
- What he's learnt in the process of creating his understanding weight loss course.
- Why our bodies hate losing weight.
- How understanding more about weight loss has informed his coaching.
- Metabolic adaptation and how this affects weight loss.
- What other factors we should be looking at with regards to weight loss.
- How important exercise is for weight loss.
- Whether we should be using large or small deficits.
- How many calories we typically burn during exercise.
Find Out More About Gregg:
- LTB Training Website: https://www.ltbtraining.co.uk/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregg_ltb/
Find Out More About Lift The Bar:
- Website: http://bit.ly/35dS9FZ
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
- Webinar Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WFNxISUaQl-lIWwrscdYyg
In this episode, we have a reposted episode with Nikki Strong. Nikki is a registered dietician, the owner of an online coaching company called Strong Nutrition and an assistant coach at Precision Nutrition's Level 2 programme. We get into how to help a resistant client, what something called the therapeutic alliance means and why understanding this helps build the relationship between you and your clients, and how she's got over imposter syndrome to become more effective at coaching clients. Find Out More About Nikki:
- Website: http://www.healthyandstrongnutrition.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/StrongNutritionRD/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikki.strong.146
Find Out More About Lift The Bar:
- Website: http://bit.ly/35dS9FZ
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
In this episode, Stuart chats to Nate Green, an author, a contributor to Men’s Health magazine and the Director of Content Marketing at Waking Up. They talk about his time going from a PT to a gym owner, questions to ask yourself before writing a post or blog, coming with content ideas, learning about your clients, what skills he'd recommend developing and much more.
Find Out More About Nate:
- Website: https://nategreen.org/
Find Out More About Lift The Bar:
- Website: http://bit.ly/35dS9FZ
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
In this episode, we have a repost with Laura Vanderkam from two years ago. Laura is an author and host of a few different podcasts including before breakfast and best of both worlds. One of her published books is called "off the clock", which, as you might have guessed, is about time management and using our time to have a better life. That's what Stuart and Laura discuss. They talk through why time management is important, why tracking your time will help you, how to structure your day and workweek and the concept of savouring.
Find Out More About Laura:
- Website: https://lauravanderkam.com/
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/lvanderkam/
Find Out More About Lift The Bar:
- Website: http://bit.ly/35dS9FZ
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
Stuart welcomes back on Jean-Claude Vacassin from the International Fitness Business Alliance (IFBA) and W10 Gym in London to chat about common issues gym owners face, what to do if you're struggling as a facility owner and how he thinks about staffing and pricing.
Topics Covered:
- How involved is he in the day-to-day running of W10 nowadays?
- What separates great gyms from average gyms?
- If you're struggling as a facility owner, where should you start?
- He's been running the IFBA since 2016, what's been some of the big things he's learnt in that time about helping gym owners?
- What he has learnt from visiting many gyms for on-site visits?
- Have you seen many gyms fail? Why do you think happens?
- Does he think it's harder now as a facility owner?
- When you go to do an on-site audit, what you look for/ typically spot that are some easy fixes?
- How to think about up setting up your pricing?
- How he thinks about staffing.
Find Out More About JC:
- W10 Website: https://w10.fit/
- IFBA Website: https://theifba.com/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: http://bit.ly/35dS9FZ
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
In today's reposted episode from 2018, Stuart talks to Elias Scarr, the former membership director of Results Fitness. Elias has been selling fitness memberships and teaching sales to fitness professionals since 2010. They discuss how to think about sales, handling objections, building relationships so the sale takes care of itself and getting over self-worth issues with money.
Find Out More About Elias:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elias.scarr
- Website: https://www.sellitlikescarr.com/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: http://bit.ly/35dS9FZ
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
In today's reposted episode from May of 2020, Stuart talks to Nick Winkelman, who is the Head of Athletic Performance for the Irish Rugby Football Union, about the power of tough to hear feedback, reflective practice, creating coaching cues with your clients, coaching the push-up using a framework called the coaching communication loop and what Nick's favourite analogy/ coaching cue is. The section on the push up is a masterclass in coaching so even if you skip ahead and listen to that I promise you'll get a tonne from this episode! Timestamps: * [05.30] - How he responded to receiving some hard to take feedback about the first editions of his book. * [07.05] - How important receiving feedback has been for him throughout his career. * [09.55] - Questions to ask your clients to help with collaboration when creating cues. * [17.45] - Why coaches are more comfortable talking about programming than they are about coaching, communication and motivation. * [22.45] - Where a trainer should start if they want to start learning more about the intricacies of coaching. * [28.05] - Nick explains what the coaching communication loop is. * [32.30] - Nick takes us through how he would coach a push-up to a new client using the coaching communication loop. * [39.22] - If Nick thinks we should take the time outside of sessions to create coaching cues and analogies. * [42.10] - Nick's favourite cue or analogy
Find Out More About Nick:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickwinkelman/
- His book: https://www.thelanguageofcoaching.com/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: http://bit.ly/35dS9FZ
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
A brief update on what's to come for the LTB Podcast over the next few months. As we are working on a new series of highly produced episodes, starting with the two topics of "The History of Personal Training" and "The Future of Personal Training", we'll be posting from the archive episodes each week for the next 4-6 weeks.
Thanks for your continued support of the podcast. We look forward to trialling this new format with me and can't wait to hear what you think!
Contact Stuart: stuart@liftthebar.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
Website: http://liftthebar.com/
In today's episode, Stuart interviews Jordan Syatt for the second time (the first was October 2020). They talk lessons Jordan has learnt in his time travelling and doing a range of interesting things, how he uses social media, the challenge of not letting social media become all-consuming, burnout, diversifying your marketing and more. Jordan began Syatt Fitness, his online fitness coaching business, from his dorm at the University of Delaware in 2011 and has become one of the industry’s leading experts in strength training, nutrition, and behavioral psychology. One of the only people in the world to deadlift 4x his own body weight, Jordan's work has been featured all over the world including a variety of media publications such as CNN, The Huffington Post, Business Insider, Men's Health Magazine, Men’s Fitness Magazine, and Schwarzenegger.com Timestamps: * [01.10] - Lessons from his recent fat loss cut. * [13.25] - How lessons he learnt from his Mum have shaped how he runs his business. * [18.05] - The pros and cons of social media. * [28.35] - Diversifying your marketing. * [37.55] - Improving your content communication/ making it more engaging. * [42.35] - Experiencing burnout when coaching Gary Vee full-time.
Find Out More About Jordan:
- Website: https://www.syattfitness.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/syattfitness/?hl=en
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: http://bit.ly/35dS9FZ
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
In today's show, Stuart welcomes Lyndsey Roberts for the 5th episode in the 'how I use social media' series. Lyndsey, who is at strong_likeamutha on Instagram, is a leadership and empowerment coach and the founder of Strong Like a Mutha. They talk about content creation, why she's comfortable on camera doing things like reels, how she uses Instagram to make people aware of her business and why photography is an important aspect of her content plan.
Timestamps:
- [01.47] - How she uses social media as a fitness professional.
- [05.12] - Being vulnerable on social media.
- [17.12] - Considering your values before you put out a post.
- [19.52] - Using professional photography in your posts.
- [33.47] - Shame-led marketing messages on social media.
- [37.47] - Effective lead generation on social media.
- [40.32] - Using email marketing/ a website.
Find Out More About Lyndsey:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strong_likeamutha/
- Website: https://www.stronglikeamutha.co.uk/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: http://bit.ly/2TDiQjz
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
In today's show, Stuart welcomes Claire Winter. Claire, who is Lift The Bar's head of operations, has been on the podcast lots of times before talking about her experience as a personal training client and on topics like belonging as a fitness professional. Today, they talk about three topics - losing clients and why it's probably not your fault just now, burnout and how to take better care of yourself and her upcoming customer service course. Timestamps are below!
Timestamps:
- [01.05] - Why it may not be your fault if you're seeing clients drop off just now.
- [14.30] - Retention tips.
- [20.48] - Burnout.
- [33.48] - Claire's upcoming customer service course.
Find Out More About Claire:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/claire.winter.963
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: http://bit.ly/2TDiQjz
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
In today's show, Stuart welcomes Eric Helms. Eric runs the bodybuilding prep company 3dMJ and writes for the monthly publication, MASS. They discuss how he thinks we can make exercise more appealing for the gen pop. They then have a 40-minute discussion about perfectionism and all that encompasses it including how to better understand it, seeing it in your clients, seeing it in your coaching and how to move away from it towards what he calls 'excellence'. Timestamps are below!
Timestamps:
- [01.00] - Getting more people into exercise.
- [13.45] - Rise and grind mentalities in exercise.
- [19.05] - Perfectionism.
- [26.45] - Eric's struggles with perfectionism.
- [33.12] - Seeing perfectionism in your clients.
- [38.45] - Perfectionism in coaching.
- [43.02] - Moving away from perfectionism if you struggle with it.
- [56.55] - Making sense of what kind of success you want.
Find Out More About Eric:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helms3dmj/
- Website: https://3dmusclejourney.com/
- MASS: https://www.strongerbyscience.com/mass/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: http://bit.ly/2TDiQjz
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
In today's show, Stuart welcomes back John Clark. Starting on the 5th of July, John is going to attempt to run 48 marathons in 48 days across 48 counties of England to raise 48K for a charity he created called Miles4meals. If you'd like to get involved by sponsoring, raising money or taking part, head to miles4meals.co.uk/484848. They discuss why he's doing this, what his prep looks like, getting himself mentally set, dealing with the chance of failure, moving away from gym ownership and much more. Timestamps are below!
Timestamps:
- [02.03] - How he's feeling about doing 48 marathons over 48 days.
- [08.28] - What's driving him to attempt this charity event.
- [17.58] - Handling failure & figuring out your why.
- [33.28] - The preparation for running 48 marathons.
- [35.40] - How you can get involved/ support John for his event.
- [39.23] - Moving away from gym ownership.
Find Out More About John:
- Charity Website: https://www.miles4meals.co.uk/484848
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_john.clark/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes back Mark Council & his partner Ste Whitaker. Mark & Ste own a gym called Platform Performance, which they opened together in 2017. This is the third episode of the series called 'gym owners corner' where Stuart brings Mark on to discuss the realities and challenges of being a gym owner. In this episode, they discuss their business partnership. How it functions, why they think it works and some things they'd advise you to look out for in a business partner. Timestamps are below. Timestamps: * [02.00] - How their gym reopening since lockdown has gone? * [05.00] - Their roles within Platform Performance. * [10.40] - Business partnerships. * [29.00] - Red flags to look out for.
Find Out More About Mark/ Ste:
- Facebook Mark: https://www.facebook.com/mark.council
- Facebook Ste: https://www.facebook.com/stevie.platform.3
- Platform Website: http://platformpt.co.uk/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
In today's show, Stuart welcomes Chris Bradley, also known as The Glasgow PT. Chris runs a gym in Glasgow and a mentorship programme for trainers called The Upgraded Coach. They discuss what he remembers about his first-ever PT session, how he approached lead gen in a commercial gym, getting through the tough times as a trainer, taking your business seriously and how to think about outsourcing. Timestamps are below!
Timestamps:
- [09.17] - His first ever PT session.
- [15.37] - Mentorship & investing in yourself.
- [20.52] - Lead gen in a commercial gym.
- [29.37] - His hardest phase in year 3 of personal training.
- [40.52] - Outsourcing and delegation.
Find Out More About Chris:
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's show, Stuart welcomes back Krista Scott-Dixon from Precision Nutrition. They discuss public speaking, self-acceptance, getting coached as a coach, firing clients, mental health and managing overwhelm. Timestamps are below!
Timestamps:
- [02.15] - Tips on public speaking.
- [11.25] - What Krista was like as a child.
- [15.25] - The challenge of self-acceptance.
- [19.30] - Coaches getting coaching.
- [25.55] - Getting triggered by clients not doing things.
- [30.05] - Firing clients.
- [40.45] - Looking after your mental health.
- [45.25] - Managing overwhelm.
Find Out More About Krista:
- Website
- Precision Nutrition Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes Graham Hurst. Graham, @graphicforcoaches, is a former police officer and online coach turned designer. He creates thumb-stopping, highly engaging social media images for the country's top coaches and PT's. As this is an episode on how I use social media, they spend the majority of their time talking about using social media, creating content, common design mistakes Graham sees trainers doing and getting clients from Instagram. Timestamps are below. Timestamps: * [01.10] - How long Graham has been posting on social media? * [03.03] - Using social media as a fitness professional. * [05.42] - Content creation tips. * [08.23] - Places to find images. * [10.40] - Amount of time spent creating posts. * [13.20] - His posting schedule. * [17.40] - Canva design tips. * [19.24] - What trainers can do better with design on social media. * [28.13] - Marketing/ sales tips for Instagram. * [33.02] - Learning more about graphic design.
**Find Out More About Graham:**
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/graphicsforcoaches/ (@graphicsforcoaches)
- Website: https://www.graphicsforcoaches.co.uk
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/ (@liftthebar)
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes George Branford. George is an ex-professional football, turned personal trainer, turned gym owner. They discuss how he built up his client base in a commercial gym, getting over fears of talking to members, transitioning into an independent gym before finishing off talking about how he and his partner, Emily, got capital, planned it out years in advance and launched their gym, Intent 91.
Timestamps are below. Timestamps: * [01.12] - Why did George decide to become a personal trainer?
* [04.38] - How he found starting in a commercial gym.
* [06.25] - How he approached building relationships in the gym?
* [08.42] - Going from knowing people's names to turning them into clients.
* [12.02] - What frustrated him about other personal trainers.
* [13.22] - Approaching members if you feel anxious about talking to people.
* [13.57] - Going from a commercial to being self-employed in an independent gym.
* [18.52] - Documenting what he was doing on social media as a lead generation strategy.
* [23.32] - Client base growth tips that George used to get more business.
* [27.57] - The importance of having someone alongside you who can manage things when opening a gym.
* [30.07] - How he learnt how to go about opening a gym.
* [31.27] - Raising capital to open his gym.
* [36.27] - Talking to his personal training clients about opening a gym and what it was going to look like.
* [41.22] - A lesson George experienced trying to increase his prices.
**Find Out More About George:**
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/georgebranford/ (@georgebranford)
- Website: https://intent91.co.uk/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/ (@liftthebar)
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes back Adam Meakins. Adam, @adammeakins on Instagram, was on 6 episodes ago on the 5th of April. In that one, they mainly discussed the problems associated with some of the most popular physiotherapy treatments like massage, K-tape and other manual therapies. In this one, they spend most of it discussing what we know about the association between technique and injury. Should you focus on making your clients form perfect, or should we just let people exercise as they please? They also get into the relationship between core strength and back pain, using medical imaging like MRI's and spinal flexion during deadlifts. Timestamps are below. Timestamps: * [01.50] - What the most interesting recent thing he's learnt has been. * [02.50] - What hormesis is. * [04.20] - Adam's analogy of why exercise is like a river. * [07.20] - What we know about technique and injury? * [17.20] - How important is the language trainers use to describe the way people do an exercise/ technique? * [19.25] - Taking an exercise out of a clients programme if you don't see what you deem as 'good technique'? * [23.00] - Movement variability. * [23.45] - When is technique important? * [28.55] - Helping a client who is afraid of bending over due to something like a herniated disk? * [33.00] - Using a dynamometer to show clients how strong they are. * [36.20] - Doing a lot of an exercise to fix pain or injury? (core work for back pain as an example) * [42.20] - Medical imaging and how to think about the degeneration of the body. * [45.30] - Spinal flexion and how to think about it during an exercise like a deadlift. * [51.30] - What positions that he disagrees with are the ones that have the most value? * [53.50] - How he has changed the way he debates people online.
**Find Out More About Adam:**
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/adammeakins/ (@adameakins)
- Website: https://www.thesports.physio/
- His podcast: https://www.thesports.physio/the-naf-physio-podcast/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/ (@liftthebar)
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes Catherine Reohorn, a personal trainer turned copywriter. Cath specialises in writing content and copy for fitness professionals and helping them to find their voices. You can follow her @kindcopyuk. They get into her background, how her weight loss & fitness journey shaped the trainer she's become before getting into copywriting - how to write better social media posts, sales writing tips, talking about pain points in a respectful way, creating entertaining education posts and much more. Timestamps are below. Timestamps: * [01.37] - How she found the transition from her previous career of academic psychology into personal training? * [04.15] - How much of her journey shaped the trainer she has become? * [10.55] - Why showing people around the gym and making them feel like they belong was a huge part of her onboarding process? * [14.00] - What Cath got out of her fitness journey, and how that shaped how she worked with her clients. * [15.55] - How she found starting as an older personal trainer? * [19.03] - How she got into copywriting. * [20.45] - What she's learnt about selling personal training using writing? * [22.21] - An example of copy that is too pain focussed and can come across as cruel? * [24.30] - How to stay respectful and kind with your copy while also encouraging people to buy what you sell? * [25.45] - Talking about a scar rather than a wound. * [29.49] - What the two things are that personal trainers sell. * [32.15] - Where trainers are going wrong with their social media posts. * [33.15] - How different online vs offline marketing is? * [37.45] - Being yourself and how this can be magnetic in personal training. * [42.00] - Tips for writing on social media. * [48.10] - How to educate people on social media without being boring?
**Find Out More About Cath:**
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/kindcopyuk/
- FB: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.reohorn/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/ (@liftthebar)
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes back Mark Council. Mark owns a gym called Platform Performance, which he opened with a business partner in 2017. This is the second episode of a new podcast instalment we're trialling called 'gym owner corner' where we'll bring Mark on to discuss the realities and challenges of being a gym owner. In this episode, we discuss what it's actually like owning a gym! Timestamps are below. Timestamps: * [03.35] - What is it actually like to run a gym day-to-day? * [05.35] - Is it important to start with the end in mind? * [11.55] - Why there is flexibility to the term "gym ownership" * [13.35] - The myths of gym ownership. * [15.55] - Does gym ownership = more income? * [18.15] - The expenses that Mark's gym has. * [22.15] - Why covid has sped up the closure of some gyms. * [30.45] - A story about how Mark ran out of money when he was initially opening his gym, Platform Performance. * [33.55] - How Platform got funding from the Government and how they used this to grow the business. * [39.05] - The abundance of information for learning about gym ownership.
Find Out More About Mark:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.council
- Platform Website: http://platformpt.co.uk/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes Mike Doehla from the nutrition coaching company StrongerU. Stronger U currently has 15 employees and around 75 coaches. The business works with >50,000 clients across 50 countries. They get into some nutrition coaching tips, customer experience advice and taking the jump towards better service as well non-paid marketing approaches and tips for growing your business. Timestamps are below. Timestamps: * [01.32] - How his covid experience has been? * [02.39] - Does he think the fitness industry will have a boom post covid? * [04.42] - The nutrition challenges that people coming out of lockdown will be experiencing? * [05.57] - How can fitness professionals do better work? * [08.32] - How can we teach client-centric coaching? * [14.32] - How did he develop self-awareness as a coach in the early days of his career? * [20.47] - The importance of the relationship with your clients. * [21.47] - How to up your customer service experience to gain more organic growth? * [26.32] - How they use surveys with their clients? * [30.02] - Steps to take to start creating a better customer experience. * [32.32] - StrongerU's onboarding process. * [36.32] - Non-paid marketing approaches? * [43.39] - Why you have to do things that you may not want to do to grow your business. * [47.02] - Why hiring is StrongerU's superpower. * [50.17] - How much of StrongerU's success is down to luck?
**Find Out More About Mike:**
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/mikedoehla/
- Website: https://strongeru.com/
- Previous LTB Podcast Episode: https://liftthebar.com/ltbp-149-mike-doehla-growing-his-online-nutrition-coaching-company-to-20000-clients/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/ (@liftthebar)
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes Chris Burgess for our third episode in the "how I use social media" series. This one is way less social media focussed than our last two as Chris' passion for local marketing and in-person personal training comes through, however, we also discuss how he uses social media, how his gym business uses it, whether you need an avatar, contacting local businesses to network share on social media and much more! Timestamps are below. Timestamps: * [01.15] - How Chris thinks about using social media as a trainer. * [06.20] - Starting off building an online business using concentric circles. * [08.35] - Should I chase more followers? * [13.20] - What should a trainer do if they need more clients using social media? * [17.25] - Why and how he uses a 3 session pass with new clients. * [21.35] - Simple social media strategies for local lead generation. * [24.05] - Encouraging people to take the next step towards working with you on social media. * [28.30] - Where are trainers going wrong on social media? * [30.50] - How important is it to have a particular person in mind when putting out social media content? * [37.40] - Should you use a personal profile to share your PT stuff?
Find Out More About Chris:
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/burge_ltb/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/ (@liftthebar)
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes Tony Gentilcore. Tony has been a coach since 2002 and has worked in all kinds of settings including commercial gyms, large athlete focussed gyms and nowadays, his own small independent studio. He's been writing consistently excellent blogs at Tony Gentilcore.com, and today, we discuss a range of things to do with running better personal training sessions. We get into why the soft skills matter, how to assess new clients, some coaching tips you can apply straight into your next session and much more. Timestamps are below. Timestamps: * [01.13] - Does he classify himself as a strength coach or personal trainer? * [03.54] - Why he's passionate about the art of session delivery? * [07.24] - Does the fitness industry focus enough on the soft skills of coaching? * [15.09] - Why it's important to be great at the X&O's (programming) as well as the softer skills. * [19.04] - How he assesses his new clients nowadays vs how he used to do it? * [22.39] - Why an assessment can feel like judgement for a new client. * [30.39] - Having to tell a client to stop moaning and complaining about how hard lifting weights is. * [39.14] - How and why he includes choice within his sessions? * [43.44] - Telling clients to stop "shoulding" on themselves. * [49.24] - Why using "of course" is a useful way to show empathy.
**Find Out More About Tony:**
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/tonygentilcore/
- Website: https://tonygentilcore.com/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/ (@liftthebar)
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes Meghan Callaway, @meghancallawayfitness on Instagram. Meghan is a coach who works with clients online and in-person and creates products that include her pullup, pushup and landmine programmes. They discuss how she thinks about using social media, growing your following, creating great content, how she creates her videos, her 3E content formula and much, much more. Timestamps are below. Timestamps: * [02.14] - How long has she been posting on social media professionally? * [03.17] - What her social media strategy is? * [06.02] - Meghan's 3E content formula. * [08.42] - How she creates and posts her videos to Instagram without using anything outside of the platform. * [10.42] - Why she recycles her content. * [12.37] - Having folders on her phone for Instagram posts to make reposting simple and time-efficient. * [14.07] - The importance of knowing your audience and what content they like. * [15.02] - How she's grown her following to over 60,000 on Instagram. * [16.52] - How her business has grown using social media. * [18.37] - Her advice to a trainer who hasn't gained much traction on social media so far. * [23.37] - Another reason why it's well worth reposting your content. * [25.57] - How she takes followers from the platform towards her services or buying her products? * [29.12] - Her advice for getting business and engagement on social media. * [31.22] - Talk in a language your audience can relate to. * [32.07] - The importance of the people who already follow you. * [33.27] - Does she boost her posts? * [37.00] - Her target market or audience. * [39.07] - Did she have a niche when starting out posting? * [45.12] - What she uses instead of linktree for her Instagram profile?
**Find Out More About Meghan:**
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/meghancallaway/ (@meghancallawayfitness)
- Website: http://www.meghancallawayfitness.com/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/ (@liftthebar)
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes Adam Meakins on. Adam, @adammeakins on Instagram, is well known for his evidence-based approach to physiotherapy, strong views and his willingness to call out some of what he describes as nonsense surrounding his profession. He's got a novel approach to helping his patients and in this episode, they get into how he describes physiotherapy, the line between personal training and physio, finding good physios, the problem with manual therapy and a lot of other popular rehab techniques as well as a number of analogies to help you think about the myths surrounding injury and pain. Timestamps are below. Timestamps: * [01.47] - how he explains what physiotherapy is? * [03.39] - how would he help a trainer think about physiotherapy if they've only had positive experiences with treatments like acupuncture, massage and ultrasound? * [08.47] - The over and under-treatment paradox of healthcare * [10.37] - How he re-educates patients who believe in treatments that have no evidence behind them? * [12.37] - The importance of using uncertainty in supporting physio patients. * [22.07] - How to find good physiotherapists? * [23.47] - does physio need to be in-person? * [25.27] - How much of his job involves reassurance? * [30.58] - Helping people better manage pain that arises for no real reason. * [33.22] - Why he doesn't use manual therapy anymore? * [39.47] - Why giving yourself more pain (through something like a scraping technique) can give you less pain than you felt originally? * [41.47] - The circle analogy of pain tolerance or capacity? * [44.22] - Story of a practitioner who did surgery on his knee to better understand pain. * [46.57] - Is physiotherapy and personal training becoming more blurred due to approaches like his that include more education on movement and lifestyle?
**Find Out More About Adam:**
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/adammeakins/ (@adameakins)
- Website: https://www.thesports.physio/
- His podcast: https://www.thesports.physio/the-naf-physio-podcast/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/ (@liftthebar)
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes Dr Mike Banna. Mike is a full-time NHS GP, GP Trainer and GP Training Programme Director, and a Director of the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine. He co-hosts the Fitness Unfiltered Podcast and has written for The Guardian, Men’s Health, Gymshark, Spectator Health and several other medical publications. They discuss why Mike has a personal trainer, what he would look for in one on social media, how PTs can work more closely with doctors, how much doctors are taught about nutrition and exercise and much more! Timestamps are below. Timestamps: * [02.30] - Why does he have a personal trainer? * [05.35] - What he think people look for in a personal trainer on social media? * [15.20] - The challenges doctors/ GPs have in working closely with personal trainers? * [19.00] - Advice for trainers who want to work with their doctor or their client's doctor? * [19.50] - Why doctors cannot recommend individual personal trainers? * [22.25] - Mike's thoughts on personal trainers sending out letters to their client's doctor about their training or progress? * [32.30] - How much are doctors taught at a base level when it comes to exercise and nutrition?
**Find Out More About Mike:**
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/drmikethe2nd/ (@drmikethe2nd)
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/ (@liftthebar)
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes Emma Storey-Gordon. This is the first episode in a new series we're going to run occasionally called 'how I use social media'. First up, we have the amazing ESG. Emma is a personal trainer, online coach, nutritionist and educator. They discuss how she thinks about using social media, being 'salesy' on your socials, improving confidence as a creator, coming up with ideas, finding your content niche and more! Timestamps are below. Timestamps: * [03.30] - How she thinks about using social media as a fitness professional. * [05.05] - Is social media her main form of marketing? * [08.15] - Being 'salesy' on social media. * [11.55] - Why ESG feels too many trainers are doing the same things on social media. * [12.30] - Why there's an opportunity within the world of writing. * [17.02] - Her social media content strategy. * [18.30] - Why you should repost your content. * [19.45] - Storing content ideas. * [21.43] - Feeling confident in what you post. * [29.25] - Clients don't need new info, they need reassurance. * [30.32] - How she turns her ideas into pieces of content. * [31.50] - Is she mindful of how she uses social media for mental health and productivity reasons? * [37.05] - Finding what you're good at on social media. * [39.25] - Having other methods to market your business than just social media. * [41.45] - Showing skin as a female on social media? * [47.25] - How her values and confidence as a coach have changed.
**Find Out More About ESG:**
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/esgfitness/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes back Mark Council. Mark owns a gym called Platform Performance, which he opened with a business partner in 2017. This is the first proper episode of a new podcast instalment we're trialling called 'gym owner corner' where I'll bring Mark on to discuss the realities and challenges of being a gym owner. In this episode, we discuss a range of topics including what he's doing to manage his mental health just now, keeping members engaged, retention strategies, thoughts on gyms reopening and much more. Timestamps: * [03.20] - What he's doing to manage his mental health just now? * [08.00] - Why Mark has his own online coach. * [13.40] - Did he have any reservations around paying for coaching/ therapy? * [19.20] - Experiencing the frustration at being stalled. * [20.05] - How his gym is keeping his members going through lockdown? * [23.20] - What about the members who aren't engaging with his online workouts and challenges? * [25.57] - Is his gym trying to bring in new members at the moment? * [27.40] - Plan for moving forward and reopening. * [28.40] - The angle he'll be using to advertise his gym. * [31.15] - Bringing more people towards health and fitness. * [32.25] - How well he knows each new member who signs up to Platform.
**Find Out More About Mark:**
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.council
- Platform Website: http://platformpt.co.uk/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes Ben Davis. Ben started as a personal trainer who gradually built up his business to the point where he had other coaches working for him. He then transitioned into working in the fitness marketing space where he now runs a company called Fitness Marketing Agency (FMA). In this episode, they discuss sales, marketing and advertising. They talk through how to improve your sales process, what marketing methods you should focus on and how to improve your social media ads. Timestamps are below! Timestamps: * [01.45] - How he moved into the marketing space by reaching out to companies he thought could be doing a better job? * [04.23] - Is advertising on social media effective? * [05.40] - Secret shopping gyms and personal trainers to learn about their sales processes. * [09.18] - Simple sales tips. * [18.33] - Sales call tips. * [24.30] - The importance of proof of concept. * [28.30] - Trying to become famous on social media rather than using it as a marketing tool. * [39.45] - Tips for bringing in more clients through your marketing. * [39.03] - Facebook ads advice. * [42.00] - What his company, Fitness Marketing Agency, are currently seeing working in advertising?
**Find Out More About FMA:**
- Free Download: http://fitnessmarketing.agency/liftthebar
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/fitnessmarketingagency/
- Website: https://fitnessmarketing.agency/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes Eric Trexler. Eric is a pro natural bodybuilder and a sports nutrition researcher. He has several years of University-level teaching experience, and has been coaching athletes with a wide variety of backgrounds and experience levels since 2009. Eric is now the Director of Education at Stronger By Science, and a reviewer for Monthly Applications in Strength Sport (MASS). For the first half of this episode, they discuss how he handles comparisons in the fitness industry, increasing exercise frequency during quarantine and making time for your most important task. We then move into discussing all things related to caffeine. Timestamps are below! Timestamps: * [01.45] - Has he struggled with the identity aspect of not being able to exercise how he likes to exercise? * [09.47] - How he's getting on with his 2021 goal of exercising for 20 minutes per day. * [14.57] - Making time to write by putting a 2-hour slot into his day first thing in the morning. * [22.34] - What we know about caffeine and performance. * [25.27] - What we know about caffeine and health. * [28.27] - Recommendations for caffeine and your gen pop PT client. * [30.52] - Feeling tired after having a cup of coffee. * [33.27] - Individual variation in how individuals respond to caffeine. * [38.04] - How he consumes caffeine? * [38.20] - Removing caffeine and reintroducing it to improve performance? * [42.02] - Caffeine and sleep. * [45.52] - Supplements he's intrigued by for the general population.
**Find Out More About Eric:**
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trexlerfitness/
- Website: https://www.strongerbyscience.com/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes Yusef Smith & Jonny Watson. Jonny and Yusef have two main businesses - Propane Fitness, where they help people get lean, and Propane Business, where they help trainers move online and create functioning business systems. They have a wide-ranging discussion about lessons they've learned about business, marketing, branding and productivity. Timestamps: * [01.20] - A discussion about favourite cereals. * [07.15] - What their approach to getting better/ learning has been. * [15.37] - How to work out what works and what doesn't when you're trying to improve an aspect of your business. * [19.48] - Marketing lessons. * [24.45] - How their brand has developed? * [28.30] - What they wish more people knew about business? * [34.18] - Yusef's productivity system/ a discussion about productivity. * [48.40] - Lifestyle currencies. * [49.45] - Using a website blocker to improve focus. * [51.15] - Task management - capture, review, do
**Find Out More About Jonny & Yusef:**
- LTB Listener Link: https://propanefitness.com/ltb
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/propanefitness/
- Website: https://propane-business.com/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes Dr Col Robertson & Mel Spooner. Together, they run a company called CAWS. CAWS is a company that is helping trainers and coaches navigate the tricky waters of working with clients who have had COVID-19. As well as that, CAWS has a ton of great content for trainers on their website, Youtube and Instagram. They discuss some fitness industry predictions for after lockdown and long covid. They talk about long covid is, what trainers need to know to about training a client who has had covid and why trainers are absolutely essential for helping society get out of this whole we're in. Dr Colin Robertson has been involved in human performance and sport science his entire professional career. He has worked in every aspect of Strength and Conditioning from rugby to wrestling to wheelchair basketball, and countless sports in between; at national and international levels of competition. He has prepared numerous global adventurers to undertake unimaginable challenges, from climbing Everest to rowing the Atlantic, "Dr Col" has become a go-to specialist. Mel brings to the business a 15-year career history handling global responsibilities for some of the biggest brand names in the sports and fitness industry and having consulted for many of the top 100 health club chains in the world. Mel is known for her roles at major brands including Technogym, TRX and MYZONE, and most recently overseas projects for Stages Cycling and David Lloyd Clubs through the work she does with TPN International — her first company set up in 2014. Timestamps: * [01.58] - How do they feel about the career of personal training just now? * [10.35] - How can trainers position themselves for the boom that may be coming for the fitness industry? * [15.45] - Why personal trainers/ coaches are essential for helping people with their health and fitness goals now more than ever. * [27.20] - What is long COVID and what do we know about it? * [32.35] - COVID infection numbers broken down. * [40.00] - Considerations when working with a client who has had COVID.
**Find Out More About Mel & Dr Col:**
- Website: https://www.trainwithcaws.com/
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/cawsdaily/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkYAK9D9Ng_EVOPOL-G0Cjw
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes Mark Council. Mark owns a gym called Platform Performance, which he opened with a business partner in 2017. We discuss a wide range of topics including how he's staying optimistic amidst the chaos of lockdowns and uncertainty of COVID, why he prioritises professional development & mentorship, and how he ensures he gets the most out of what he invests in, how his gym delivers an 11-star service to their members and much more! Timestamps: * [01.25] - How his lockdown is going? * [06.32] - Why other people's success does leave clues. * [08.10] - Business biography recommendations. * [10.15] - Why he's been so willing to ask for help and mentorship today. * [14.40] - How he manages feeling like there's too much to do in his business. * [16.00] - Business key performance indicators (KPI's) * [18.00] - An 11-star service. * [23.53] - How he applies the professional development he goes through. * [25.00] - Lateral thinking. * [29.10] - Mark discusses the harder times he's had as a gym owner. * [34.25] - Why he has always focussed on delivering an excellent service and experience to his clients. * [38.30] - How his gym, Platform Performance, recruits new personal trainers. * [43.35] - Why gym ownership is not a natural step for most trainers.
**Find Out More About Mark:**
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.council
- Platform Website: http://platformpt.co.uk/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes Claire Winter. In the episode, they have a conversation around creating a more inclusive fitness industry. They touch on what Claire learned interviewing fitness professionals for a piece she created on prejudice in the soon to be released LTB magazine issue 11, why it's so common to feel like you don't belong in the fitness industry as a PT, why every client deserves the blank slate treatment and steps everyone can take to create a more inclusive industry. Timestamps: * [03.30] - Some of the things Claire learned in process of speaking to a bunch of fitness professionals about prejudice within the industry. * [15.05] - Why is it so common for personal trainers to feel like they don't belong in the fitness industry? * [21.40] - Why every client deserves the blank slate treatment. * [24.40] - Why all forms of exercise are good forms of exercise. * [33.10] - Steps to create a more inclusive fitness industry. * [41.20] - How you can read the LTB magazine.
**Find Out More About LTB:**
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes Olly Jones. Olly is a trainer who has been working with clients since July 2004. Currently, he is the personal training co-ordinator for a gym called The Marlow Club where he mentors trainers and trains his clients. They discuss what it would be like starting as a PT today, why it's ok to change who you want to work with throughout your career, how to improve your client retention rates and defining the term client results. Timestamps: * [01.50] - How he got started in the fitness industry. * [09.35] - Starting online as a new personal trainer? * [16.55] - Why remote coaching through zoom is a viable method for new personal trainers to use to get started. * [19.05] - Why it's common to change the direction of who you want to work with in personal training. * [27.15] - Why he's managed to achieve such high retention rates. * [37.56] - Personal trainers defining client results too narrowly.
Find Out More About Olly:
- Email: pt@themarlowclub.co.uk
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/olly_jonespt/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website: https://liftthebar.com/
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes Andy Morgan. Andy is an online coach and author who lives in Japan and runs RippedBody.com and Athletebody.jp. He's been an online coach for over 9 years. Stuart and Andy discuss how he got his first few clients and how he gets them today, why it's worth creating blogs, how to create your first one and imposter syndrome. Timestamps: * [02.34] - How Andy found starting as an online coach without doing any in-person coaching beforehand? * [07.01] - Did he have any mentors or coaches who helped him when he first started? * [10.52] - How he handles imposter syndrome? * [15.36] - How he got his first online coaching clients? * [22.42] - How he gets clients now? * [27.55] - Is a blog a worthwhile thing to do? * [33.16] - What should you write about if you start a blog? * [37.22] - Has he always liked writing?
Find Out More About Andy:
- https://rippedbody.com/
- https://www.instagram.com/andy_rippedbody/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes Cody Hill. Cody is a trainer who works mainly in large group settings. He's run large group outdoor sessions for a number of years for a company called Camp Gladiator. They talk about how he got started, some of the misconceptions that large group training holds from the world of the Bootcamp, how to create better large group sessions, getting more interaction when running zoom workouts, why you should watch your recorded workouts back and much more. Timestamps: * [01.33] - Why he started lifting weights? * [05.08] - How he ended up starting in the fitness industry? * [10.20] - When he realised a Bootcamp wasn't just burpees and train-till-you-throw-up type workouts. * [18.12] - What a sample outdoor workout looks like? * [21.43] - How he started doing 1-1 PT off the back of running his group sessions? * [25.28] - Increasing interaction and a community feel over online platforms like zoom. * [33.00] - How important is the quality of trainer in large group training? * [39.53] - Would he go into large group training if he didn't have the job he does just now? * [47.43] - Skillsets for group training and 1-1. * [49.23] - Why you should watch back your recorded online group workouts. * [51.23] - Characteristics for doing well in group workouts.
Find Out More About Cody:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cody.hill.4
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
- Session X: https://sessionx.com/
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes Nik Handley and Anthony Park from PT Mentor Academy. Together they've got nearly 40 years of experience in personal training in a variety of roles and lots to teach. They discuss a range of topics from the world of personal training including what you should be focussing on right now, what they were they both like as new trainers and what it's like looking back, what their message would be to a struggling trainer, turning knowledge into action and a bunch of other lessons. Timestamps: * [03.26] - Ant's experience as a new personal trainer. * [05.54] - Nik's experience as a new personal trainer. * [10.21] - When Nik found his place in the industry. * [12.51] - When Ant found his place in the industry. * [17.21] - What their advice would be a trainer who is struggling just now. * [22.41] - Bridging the gap between getting knowledge and information and turning it into action. * [32.41] - Does personal training have an apprenticeship phase? * [45.34] - How they would start in the industry if they were starting tomorrow but had all of their knowledge and experience?
Find Out More About PTMA:
- Website: https://ptmentoracademy.com/
- Ant's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/antptma/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
- Session X: https://sessionx.com/
In today's episode, we have a reposted podcast from back in 2017 with Leigh Peele. Leigh is an incredible online coach and author of some excellent books on fat loss including 'Starve Mode' and 'The Fat Loss Troubleshoot'. Stuart and Leigh discuss self-esteem, what helps you last as a fitness professional, teaching your clients how to think critically and reducing the impact of failure.
Find Out More About Leigh:
- Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In this episode, we have a reposted episode from back in 2018 where Stuart chats to Eric Helms from 3D Muscle Journey. The conversation is centred around Eric's experiences of being a personal trainer back in 2005-2012, what this has taught him and how it's shaped how he coaches and teaches now. Other topics covered include time management, use of social media, improving introspection, book recommendations and more.
Happy New Year everyone and thank you so much for listening to the LTB Podcast!
P.S. No timestamps for this one but the interview with Eric starts at 02.10
Find Out More About Eric:
- 3DMJ Website: https://3dmusclejourney.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helms3dmj/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes back on Alex Pearson. They go straight into a conversation about some of the things they've done well, not done as well and learnt from 2020. The framework they use is based on James Clear's Yearly reviews available on his website.
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes back on Cathy MacDonald. Cathy has been on the show 2 times before (both in 2017) discussing different things related to her current career in communication. Her career prior to that was in Crisis Negotiation for Police Scotland and that's where we focus our attention today. We discuss what her work involved, some of the specific cases she remembers being involved in, what she wishes everyone knew about suicide and what to do if you encounter a situation in which someone is saying they are going to, or are thinking about, taking their own life. Timestamps: * [02.40] - What it's like reflecting on her previous career as a crisis negotiator for Police Scotland now she's 5 years beyond it? * [07.57] - What the majority of her work was in crisis negotiation? * [10.27] - How she would describe how she felt walking into a negotiation of some kind? * [19.20] - Cathy tells us about one of the memories she has over losing someone during a suicide intervention. * [21.50] - How quickly Cathy would be redeployed after one negotiation? * [23.05] - Specific cases that stick out during her time in crisis negotiation? * [34.00] - How often you learn the reason someone wants to kill themselves? * [35.35] - The core emotional concerns. * [38.25] - What does Cathy wish everyone knew about suicide? * [45.57] - Suicide statistics deaths in Scotland. * [51.00] - What to do if you encounter a situation in which someone is saying they are going to commit suicide? * [53.50] - Where to go if you need help.
Suicide Resources * International Suicide Hotlines: https://www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines * Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/ * NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/suicide/
Find Out More About Cathy:
- Website: https://www.artofcommunication.co.uk/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Art-Of-Communication-1126742237340516
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes LTBs head of education, Gregg Slater. Gregg has just created 50 lesson course called hypertrophy: the science of programme design. In this conversation, we cover what he's learned in the creation of the course, why hypertrophy is for everyone, what he hopes to see in the research over the coming years, how to start planning out long term programming, why the psychology of programme design is as important as the physical and how he would approach a career in PT if he was starting tomorrow. Timestamps: * [01.33] - How would Gregg approach a career in personal training just now? * [02.53] - How would he approach building relationships with potential clients? * [07.53] - Why he finds personal training mentally draining? * [09.03] - Why hypertrophy is for everyone. * [12.18] - Why PTs should talk more about how great resistance training is for everyone. * [14.13] - Has he changed his mind on anything with regards to hypertrophy training? * [23.43] - Where does he see the hypertrophy research going? * [26.43] - Does he think programming needs to be complicated? * [31.53] - How to start mapping out long term programming? * [40.13] - How much does he tell his clients when it comes to programming? * [41.53] - How to keep programming fun for you as the trainer?
Find Out More About Gregg:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregg_ltb/
- Hypertrophy course: https://liftthebar.com/courses/hypertrophy/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes Sophie Carrigill. Sophie is a Team GB wheelchair athlete who has won silver medals at both the world and European stage. In the interview, they discuss what she loves about sport, what some of her biggest challenges are living in a wheelchair, the accident that led her to becoming paralysed, misconceptions around disabilities, creating a more inclusive world and more specifically, fitness industry for people who live with disabilities and much more. Timestamps: * [01.36] - What Sophie loves about sport? * [06.31] - What some of her biggest challenges are living in a wheelchair? * [11.31] - Sophie tells Stuart what happened to her 10 years ago. * [17.46] - How she got through the period after her accident when she was in so much pain? * [20.01] - How she came to terms with having a disability? * [26.21] - Misconceptions that able-bodied people have around disabilities? * [30.56] - The importance of having conversations around creating a more inclusive world for people with disabilities. * [34.11] - A discussion around the fitness industry and being more inclusive towards a community of people who have a disability. * [42.41] - Wheelchair basketball.
Find Out More About Sophie:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophcaz/?hl=en
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes Lisa Gimenez Codd. Lisa was one of the first ever guests on the show back in 2017. She's someone that many of the LTB community continue to turn to for advice when working with the female client. In this episode, we discuss parenthood and why they both find it extremely difficult, some misconceptions around pregnancy and the prenatal stage, when to start making changes with a pregnant client, postnatal considerations, getting the pre baby body back and more. If you work with clients who are pregnant or have had kids, you'll pick up a lot in this episode. Timestamps: * [02.21] - How Lisa's lockdown experience has been? * [05.54] - What does it mean to her to be a parent? * [15.41] - Have we grown as an industry with pre/postnatal since we last spoke in 2017? * [22.10] - Misconceptions around prenatal. * [24.40] - How to have the conversation around 'eating for two' when a client is pregnant? * [26.50] - Considerations and questions a trainer should have when a client says they are pregnant? * [29.00] - When should we start to make changes around our programming & nutrition advice? * [36.01] - Miscarriage and how to help your client. * [41.55] - How long does it take before a postnatal client is ready to return? * [46.10] - Postnatal considerations. * [50.15] - Why breastfeeding may not be as easy as you think for your client. * [53.30] - Getting the pre baby body back... * [58.50] - The pelvic floor and pregnancies impact on it * [60.10] - The menopause.
Find Out More About Lisa:
- Instagram & Facebook: @myoptimumhealth
- Website: https://www.optimum-health.me.uk/
- Anthony Lo: https://physiodetective.com/courses/female-athlete-tfa-2/
- Julie Wiebe (core health, diastasis recti): https://www.juliewiebept.com/?s=diastasis+recti
- Umi Health pre&postnatal: https://www.umi-health.com
- Returning to running guidelines: https://www.absolute.physio/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/returning-to-running-postnatal-guidelines.pdf
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes Jamie Rowland. Jamie is a personal trainer and member of LTB who has been working in the industry for well over 10 years. He specialises in working with the elderly client and runs classes for cardiac rehab and falls prevention. I loved this conversation and I think the way Jamie speaks about his clients speaks to why he's had clients working with him since 2008. We jump around but the main things we discuss are what it's like working with the elderly client, and why you may want to consider working with them, how to move past comparisons and how to develop loyalty in your client base. Timestamps: * [05.05] - What his favourite part of being a personal trainer is? * [05.55] - What it was like working with a 104 year old client? * [07.20] - How he got started in the fitness industry? * [16.20] - How he's kept the community feel of his business during lockdown? * [18.00] - How he got started working with the elderly client? * [20.40] - How he would suggest getting started with the elderly client? * [24.15] - His background and how he's feeling about his future in the fitness industry? * [28.30] - What he would go back and tell himself at the start of his career? * [29.40] - Impostor syndrome/ comparisons. * [39.30] - Client loyalty. * [40.45] - Does he get bored training the same clients all the time?
Find Out More About Jamie:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jayuk
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes Laura Tilt. Laura is a UK registered dietitian and health writer who is fascinated about how food makes us feel, think and live. We discuss all things related to mindful eating - what it is, how to implement it with your clients, if it helps things like emotional eating, some simple steps to get started and much more. Timestamps: * [01.55] - How her mini-van transformation is going? * [05.40] - What she wishes the general population knew more about nutrition? * [08.25] - Why we lose touch with our 'inner wisdom'? * [11.50] - Defining mindful eating. * [13.40] - Is mindfulness a precursor to mindful eating? * [18.15] - Why labelling emotional eating as negative is wrong. * [22.20] - Misconceptions around mindful eating/ How Laura came to start using mindful eating in her coaching. * [36.30] - 3 tools for starting mindful eating. * [45.25] - Surfing the urge/ how to manage cravings.
Find Out More About Laura:
- Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes Alex Chapman. Alex supports people and teams to achieve their personal and collective aspirations across a multitude of settings [including Professional, Olympic & Paralympic sports, education, and business settings] for nearly two decades. Currently a performance lifestyle advisor with the English Institute of Sport and doing some private stuff as an executive/performance coach. In this episode, they discuss some considerations around professional development, a bunch of things around feedback - how to seek it out from your clients and how to best receive it even if it cuts deep. They finish talking about his coaching philosophy. Timestamps: * [02.03] - What it was like working for Portsmouth F.C. while they were in the Premier League. * [04.02] - What he would tell himself if he could go back to the start of his career? * [08.56] - Does he enjoy getting better? * {18.15] - A discussion around feedback. * [22.20] - Why you should consider introducing a review session into your 1-1 PT client set up. * [27.05] - Gaining feedback on your blindspots and creating actions off the back of useful feedback. * [30.00] - A process for gaining feedback openly from new clients. * [33.35] - Why feedback can be harder to take when it hits your identity. * [38.15] - His coaching philosophy.
Find Out More About Alex:
- https://goodthingscoming.co.uk/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes Andy Morgan. Andy is an online coach and author who lives in Japan and runs Ripped Body.com and Athletebody.jp. He's been an online coach for over 9 years. If you'd like to learn more about Andy head here. Stuart and Andy discuss how Andy's online coaching business runs. Specifically, they get into how he manages his client check-ins and how he sets expectations in place, as well as some book recommendations, why he prioritises time for content creation and much more. Timestamps: * [01.35] - Why he takes Friday's away from email to spend the day reading. * [07.50] - Why he feels his ego has gotten in the way of effective content creation in the past. * [10.30] - Why he changed from answering his emails as quick as possible to slowing down and giving more detailed responses. * [14.00] - If he feels giving clients rules around communication helps them take more responsibility for their results? * [21.15] - How he would recommend improving your communication process with your online coaching clients? * [27.00] - A script for changing your communication process. * [28.55] - Why he does bi-weekly check-ins. * [32.45] - Why he asks clients not to respond to emails on their phones. * [45.40] - Book recommendations.
Find Out More About Andy:
- https://rippedbody.com/
- https://www.instagram.com/andy_rippedbody/
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's shorter episode, Stuart discusses LTB's new 30-day social media challenge before getting into 8 ways you can get more of your social media pages.
Find Out More About LTB:
- 30 Day Challenge
- Website
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes Greg Potter. Greg is co-founder and Chief Science Officer of Resilient Nutrition, a UK-based company that makes products designed to help athletes perform better that are simple and delicious. In addition to this role, Greg helps a range of individuals improve their health and performance, from elite athletes to CEOs to people who have mood disorders. Since he did his PhD on the topics of sleep, circadian rhythms, nutrition, and metabolism, Greg spends much of his time helping individuals sleep and eat better. Stuart and Greg discuss all things related to sleep. Low hanging pieces of fruit that'll help you get better sleep, whether or not your weight-loss client should prioritise sleep, naps, how caffeine intake affects sleep, how to know if you're getting enough, the effectiveness of wearables and much more! Timestamps: * [02.04] - What major changes Greg has made to his own sleep habits since he started studying sleep. * [04.47] - Why he's changed his use of devices before bed. * [09.47] - His advice around what to do when you're in a period of getting less sleep. * [12.12] - Naps. * [15.52] - The caffeine nap. * [20.22] - Supplementing with creatine monohydrate to help mitigate the effects of sleep loss. * [25.07] - How important is sleep when you have a client who wants weight loss and doesn't sleep well? * [32.02] - How to decipher if your sleep isn't good or you're not getting enough sleep? * [37.27] - Low hanging pieces of fruit to improve sleep. * [39.22] - Caffeine intake and sleep. * [45.02] - Quick mention of Matthew Walker's Why We Sleep book and the criticisms. * [47.20] - Things he keeps getting asked about that are not that important like sleep stages assessed through wearables. * [49.12] - Sleep resources. * [52.02] - The company he co-founded called Resilient Nutrition.
Find Out More About Greg:
- Resilient Nutrition Website
- Matthew Walker book Youtube discussion
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes back Tom Hamilton, a trainer who works out W10 performance in London and the IFBA, a coaching company that helps gym owners. They jump off their last interview, which was released back in October 2019, and discuss programming lessons, a bunch of things around better session management for 1-1 & semi-private and how W10 tests their clients. Timestamps: * [09.27] - Why some clients stick around when you're a new coach who is learning and trialling things out. * [11.31] - How he's improved his self-awareness. * [19.26] - Does he do anything before going into his first session of the day to mentally prepare for it? * [23.35] - What starts to happen as members walk in? What does he do to get the gym ready before people start coming in? * [25.00] - Why it's important to give negative feedback to a member 1-1 rather than shout it out as a group. * [26.30] - Why W10 has a mantra of "we never see the same person twice" * [30.45] - Why it's important to have continuity of coaching between coaches. * [35.08] - Do they tell members what the session is going to entail during the warm-up? * [36.05] - Why they don't log every weight and rep lifted by their clients. * [41.52] - What their client testing every 12 weeks looks like? * [46.48] - How and when they do the testing? * [50.10] - Why it's smart to consider using fewer cues. * [52.53] - How W10 gathers feedback on their coaching and session quality. * [54.55] - How they create variation within a block using a squat.
Find Out More About Tom:
- IFBA
- Adam Willis (The Empowered Body Podcast) Interview
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, Stuart talks to Jordan Syatt. They start by talking about a story involving Jordan getting caught smoking weed by his Mum before moving into a discussion about lying and vulnerability which transitions into all things related to content creation. What platform to concentrate your time, how to get more engagement, how to stop feeling so drawn to the likes your posts receive and what single step to take to make your next post better and more. Jordan began Syatt Fitness, his online fitness coaching business, from his dorm at the University of Delaware in 2011 and has become one of the industry’s leading experts in strength training, nutrition, and behavioral psychology. One of the only people in the world to deadlift 4x his own body weight, Jordan's work has been featured all over the world including a variety of media publications such as CNN, The Huffington Post, Business Insider, Men's Health Magazine, Men’s Fitness Magazine, and Schwarzenegger.com Timestamps: * [02.08] - Jordan tells a story about his Mum catching him smoking weed. * [07.25] - Has he always been so willing to share vulnerable things on social media? * [13.08] - Is social media a good place to put vulnerable things out on? * [14.29] - Why it's so normal to feel drawn to the likes you get on a social media post. * [15.50] - How he has learnt to view each individual post he outs on social media? * [23.30] - How to start getting more likes, engagement, shares etc on your social media posts? * [26.32] - Why the quantity of followers is less important than most people think. * [30.02] - How he's stayed so consistent with creating content? * [28.24] - What you should post about? * [34.15] - Why he'd pick long-form blog posts as his number content medium. * [37.22] - Taking people from social media engagement to becoming a potential lead/ someone who signs up to your service? * [40.21] - Why every single piece of content has to have an IPA (immediately practical action) * [43.04] - Is the fitness industry too saturated?
Find Out More About Jordan:
- Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes Adam Boyd-Brown. They discuss a range of subjects including some of the big differences between online and in-person coaching, how Adam builds rapport with new clients, changing beliefs in clients and lessons learned in programme design throughout his career. Adam's qualified as a PT in 2008. He then explored multiple different avenues before finally pursuing his passion for coaching in 2016. He began as a self-employed PT working out of a small members gym in Chichester. Since then he's worked with many individuals both face to face and online through multiple channels (1-2-1 Face to Face and Online and Group Face to Face and Online) and has a business that runs a 50:50 split of in-person and online. Timestamps: * [01.40] - How Adam got started in the fitness industry. * [05.58] - Adam tells us about his feelings of anxiety about getting into the industry. * [13.10] - How his business runs at the moment/ what a normal week looks like. * [18.05] - Does he think it's necessary to go through the split shift structure most personal trainers go through with in-person? * [21.00] - Coaching in person before going online? * [23.07] - Differences between his online and in-person clientele? * [26.20] - His online coaching consultation structure. * [29.14] - Chipping away at new clients beliefs that are wrong. * [33.40] - What he does to build buy-in early on with new online clients? * [37.35] - How he has improved his programme design since he started in the industry? * [42.10] - Autoregulation and how he uses it. * [46.30] - Splitting up single-leg training with another exercise for hypertrophy clients.
Find Out More About Adam:
- Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes Rachel Anne Hobbs. They have an in-depth conversation about all things to do with body image. How to go about helping your clients improve their relationship with their bodies, what to say when a client tells you they "feel fat", how to navigate the waters of marketing weight loss, using scale weight as a progress measurement, body images resources and much more (specific timestamps are below). Rachel qualified as a personal trainer in 2009 after the birth of her son. She then went to Surrey university to complete a degree in Clinical Dietetics and Nutrition, including clinical practice in the NHS for a year. Alongside setting up a private practice combining nutrition and training she did her post-grad with the IOC in performance nutrition and now leads the nutrition at the Elite Army Performance Centre part of the week. The other part of her work is within the area of dysfunctional eating, where she works one to one and in small groups. She is currently completing a post-grad in psychotherapy.
Timestamps: * [03.30] - Why Rachel doesn't compete in sports anymore. * [06.00] - Discussion about the importance of what you look like as a personal trainer. * [08.53] - How she thinks about body image when working with clients. * [10.20] - Reducing the importance of how clients feel about their body image in their lives. * [14.10] - How to help a client who wants to lose weight AND really doesn't like the body they are in. * [16.30] - Moving towards body neutrality. * [17.40] - Navigating the waters of weight loss marketing. * [22.57] - Is body image a newer issue? * [25.18] - How she encourages clients to improve their use of social media to help how they feel about themselves when using it. * [28.35] - Are trainers qualified to talk about body image? * [29.03] - Body image resources. * [31.20] - Applying a non-judgemental mindset to other people as well as yourself * [36.31] - Starting steps to go about helping one of your clients improve their body image if you feel underqualified? * [38.20] - Does she use scale weight as a progress measurement? * [41.40] - What to do if a client says "I feel fat"? * [46.00] - What she teaches her son (who is 12) about body image? * [47.40] - If Rachel could go back and tell her younger coaching self something about body image, what would it be? * [48.38] - Realising she didn't want a bigger business and was happy where she was.
Find Out More About Rachel:
- Website
- Resources mentioned on body image - 1, 2
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes Dr. Mike Israetel. They start by discussing how Mike has gone about gaining knowledge and better himself before getting into the main principles you should be thinking about if you're a personal trainer who has clients who want to gain muscle (timestamps are below if you want to skip ahead or to specific sections!). Cofounder of Renaissance Periodization, Dr. Mike Israetel holds a PhD in Sport Physiology from East Tennessee State University. Formerly a professor of Exercise and Sport Science in the School of Public Health at Temple University in Philadelphia, Mike has taught several courses, including Nutrition for Public Health, Advanced Sports Nutrition and Exercise, and Nutrition and Behavior. Originally from Moscow, Russia, he has worked as a consultant on sports nutrition to the U.S. Olympic Training Site in Johnson City, TN, and has been an invited speaker at numerous scientific and performance/health conferences worldwide, including nutritional seminars at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, NY. Mike has coached numerous athletes and busy professionals in both diet and weight training, and is himself a competitive bodybuilder and professional Brazilian Jiu Jitsu grappler.
Timestamps: * [01.45] - How Mike has gone about acquiring knowledge and bettering himself? * [09.25] - What he would say to a trainer who feels like they don't know enough and are overwhelmed by how much they need to know? * [20.45] - Maximising hypertrophy within a personal training setting/ some basic hypertrophy principles. * [23.55] - Why it's worth trying to encourage more of your one time per week clients to come in more often. * [26.30] - Hypertrophy programming principles. * [32.15] - When would Mike start to add sets as a progression model in a PT setting? * [41.00] - Getting clients more comfortable going closer to failure. * [41.45] - Why it's important to 'reward' clients when they do perfect technique. * [47.40] - Start by getting your clients good at the basics.
Find Out More About Mike:
- RP Website
- RP Youtube
- Mike Instagram
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes Mark Fisher and Michael Keeler for the first time together. They discuss the closure of one of their gym locations, how they came to make that decision and how they've dealt with it, building awareness in your marketing, sending direct messages to followers on social media and then finish off discussing what you should look for in a business partner. Mark and Michael run Mark Fisher Fitness, a gym in New York City and Business for Unicorns, a business that helps people become great leaders through mentorship and in-person and online courses. Timestamps: * [02.34] - Mark updates us about what's been happening with Mark Fisher Fitness. * [05.08] - How they went about closing one of their gym locations. * [08.47] - How they have emotionally processed closing down one of their gyms. * [18.04] - Has having to close their Bowery location changed their perspective on owning more than one gym? * [20.36] - What they would say to a gym owner who is thinking they may have to close their doors? * [25.47] - Understanding how to build awareness when marketing your services or products. * [29.10] - Utilising social media direct messaging to get more leads. * [35.00] - What you should look for in a business partner. * [43.38] - A red flag you should look out for in your business partnerships. * [47.00] - Why having different interests and skillsets is an important part of why they function together so well.
Find Out More About Mark and Michael:
- Business for Unicorns Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
- Free 5 Day Challenge
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes Sarah Duffield from Mac Nutrition for a second time (Dec 2017, #77). They discuss how to coach nutrition clients effectively, lessons she wishes she could tell her younger self about coaching, using reflective practice, whether PTs should separate nutrition and training, how to help clients overcome weight loss plateaus and more. Sarah is Mac-Nutrition’s Head of Nutrition and lead tutor for Mac-Nutrition Uni. She has a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science from Loughborough University and an MSc in Sport and Exercise Nutrition from Leeds Metropolitan University. We discuss how to coach nutrition clients effectively, lessons she wishes she could tell her younger self about coaching, using reflective practice, whether PTs should separate nutrition and training, how to help clients overcome weight loss plateaus and more. Timestamps: * [01.35] - How many team members Mac Nutrition now has. * [03.30] - Selling with integrity. * [10.00] - What Sarah misses about coaching clients 1-1. * [11.50] - Learning to use different nutrition methods as tools in a toolbox. * [16.30] - Using reflective practice for becoming a better coach. * [23.25] - Transitioning from studying nutrition to coaching nutrition. * [25.00] - The importance of having a community of other coaches to bounce ideas off of. * [27.43] - Personal trainers separating nutrition and training in their service options. * [34.48] - The services that mac nutrition offers. * [37.40] - How the contact with a client works. * [41.30] - A client that Sarah failed with. * [46.05] - Weight loss plateaus and what to do about them. * [49.54] - MN's layperson's nutrition course.
Find Out More About Sarah:
- Mac Nutrition Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, Stuart interviews Dr. John Berardi. They discuss career direction and making sense of where you want to go, as well as touching on not feeling like you're doing enough and how to use social media as a personal trainer (check below if you'd like to see specific timestamps!). John is a Canadian-American entrepreneur best known as the co-founder of Precision Nutrition, the world’s largest nutrition coaching, education, and software company. He's also the founder of Change Maker Academy, devoted to helping would-be changemakers turn their passion for health and fitness into a powerful purpose and a wildly successful career. Over the last 15 years, he's advised Apple, Equinox and Nike as well as the San Antonio Spurs, US Open Champ Sloane Stephens, and 2-division UFC Champ Georges St. Pierre. He's also been named one of the 20 smartest coaches in the world and 100 most influential people in health and fitness. Timestamps: * [02.03] - Would he have changed anything about his book, Change Maker, due to what has happened with covid-19? * [08.15] - His message to a personal trainer who is struggling just now. * [10.45] - An example of a caterer who has changed his offering during covid. * [14.55] - The personality profile of trainers who are successful online. * [18.50] - Unique abilities, purpose and values exercise for making more sense of where to go in your career. * [26.30] - Why the belief that you must become a coach in the fitness industry limits the people that come into it. * [29.15] - A story about 'Dave's Killer Bread' and a gym owner who moved into mobile personal training. * [35.30] - "I'm just a personal trainer, am I not doing enough?" * [37.30] - Why it's important to be as much 'you' as you can be. * [42.43] - Social media being detrimental to our mental and business health. * [47.15] - Using social media for business growth. * [49.45] - Why marketing is not just social media. * [1.08.25] - The instant validation/ feedback that social media provides.
Find Out More About John:
- Change Maker Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, Stuart talks to Steve Hall about how to coach clients online, charging for consultations, technique and hypertrophy, managing hunger, mini cuts, business lessons, developing rapport with online clients and much more.
Steve is the founder of Revive Stronger. The name was inspired by a life changing head injury Steve suffered whilst at University. After which Steve fell in love with bodybuilding as it allowed him to build up not only his physique but also confidence. Effectively he ‘Revived Stronger’ and in doing so developed a huge passion to help others do the same. Now a competitive natural bodybuilder with his best performance to date being a top 5 placing in the UKDFBA international finals in 2017. In addition with over 10 years in the gym and more than 5 years coaching experience, he uses this in combination with the latest science to drive results. Timestamps: * [01.28] - Steve's tells us how he got started in the fitness industry.
* [05.19] - How he's grown to understand the importance of technique.
* [09.25] - How he gets an insight into his client's technique as an online coach.
* [15.13] - Why Revive Stronger encourages people not to apply for coaching on their website.
* [20.15] - Why they don't put their prices on their website.
* [23.33] - Charging a small fee for initial consultations.
* [28.03] - Onboarding for new clients.
* [29.24] - Costing for setting up a membership site.
* [32.28] - Asking clients to sign up for a minimum of 3 months.
* [34.02] - Their check-in process.
* [41.41] - Helping clients manage hunger.
* [47.13] - Aggressive dieting/ mini cuts/ low calorie short term diets.
* [50.38] - Beta-alanine supplementation and second-level thinking.
Find Out More About Steve:
- Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
Phil Learney has been a personal trainer in the fitness industry since the early 90s and has worked in gyms all over England ranging from small private ones to big commercial ones. At his time of retiring as a trainer, he was the second-highest charging PT in the UK. Now he educates and helps PTs grow their businesses through his company the Advanced Coaching Academy (ACA). In this episode, we discuss online coaching, how to convert inductions into clients, whether you should do single sessions, increasing your prices and more. We had a couple of audio issues which unfortunately took out a bit of the recording around the 40min mark, so if it jumps from one topic to another you know why! Timestamps: * [02.27] - Where would Phil go to train clients if he had to start over? * [15.37] - Education for personal trainers. * [20.47] - Pricing and free sessions. * [26.04] - Are single sessions worth it? * [50.47] - What he did to convert inductions into clients? * [35.57] - Discussion on the signing up of a client who comes in for an induction. * [40.57] - Price increases.
Find Out More About Phil:
- ACA Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
We have just launched a new podcast at LTB that is going to be run by Chris Burgess called Personal Trainer Daily. It's going to be a daily podcast that is short in length where Chris will take a common question related to being a PT and answer one per episode. In this sample episode, Chris talks you through how to handle clients who disappear after asking for your prices.
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
- Personal Trainer Daily Podcast
In this short solo episode, Stuart discusses why it's so common for personal trainers to feel guilty about taking time off. During the first section, he talks through why you may feel guilty and in the second, he suggests some strategies that will help you remove the guilt you feel and enjoy the time off you have.
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
Tony Cottenden is a returning guest who runs a gym called The Shed, which functions out of his back garden. It was started as a small summer house in May 2014 and he's run a full client base from it since March 2016. In this episode, we talk about a load of topics including lessons that have come lockdown, what he keeps telling people who are thinking about starting their own shed, why lockdown has made him love in-person even more, how he manages 40+ PT sessions a week, why just be yourself is useful advice for personal trainers and much more. Timestamps: * [04.35] - What things he's finding himself repeating to people who are asking about opening their own shed/ garage gym? * [06.25] - The size of his first shed personal training gym. * [08.05] - Learning from lockdown - finding more ways to progress your clients aside from increasing load. * [09.35] - 1-1 vs online training. * [11.20] - Adding value outside of your in-person service. * [16.20] - How he manages to sustain 40+ PT sessions? * [25.50] - His onboarding app. * [26.50] - Has he got clearer on his ideal client/ avatar that he serves as a personal trainer? * [28.20] - Why a website has been his main way of getting new clients in. * [30.35] - His longer-term goals. * [34.35] - How he feels about the potential of a second wave/ lockdown? * [36.30] - Why LTB has been a huge part of his success. * [38.50] - Just "be yourself" and why it's an important part of being a PT.
Find Out More About Tony:
- Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
Alex Pearson runs Alex Pearson Health Coaching where he specialises in helping people with obesity undertake significant weight loss journeys. We discuss the UK's tackling obesity strategy, the link between COVID and obesity, what he would do if he was in charge of public health, the effectiveness of the sugar tax, how important education is in treating obesity and much more. Timestamps: * [02.13] - Alex's thoughts on the UK Governments proposed tackling obesity strategy? * [05.40] - How important and useful is education in treating obesity? * [07.25] - The '5 fruit and veg a day' campaign. * [09.05] - How important is exercise in treating obesity?
- [16.09] - Personal responsibility and blame used to combat obesity?
- [19.43] - What about motivation and education?
- [21.48] - The link between trauma and obesity?
- [23.43] - The link between COVID and obesity?
- [29.23] -The link between catching the virus and obesity?
- [32.43] - If he was in charge of public health, what would he propose to combat obesity?
- [34.58] - The sugar tax.
- [36.58] - Making healthy food cheaper?
- [38.43] Having times where companies can and cannot advertise on TV/ the internet?
- [40.12] - Pictures on boxes showing the negative consequences of eating particular types of food? (like cigarettes in the UK)
- [45.13] - Targetting supermarkets and reducing quantity and variety of calorie-dense foods
Find Out More About Alex:
- Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
- Tackling Obesity Guidelines
Greg Mikolap was a recent guest who came on for our gym owner roundtable discussion a few months ago (8th of May 2020). He runs the gym Icon in Maidenhead, England and spent over 10 years in a commercial gym prior to that becoming the busiest trainer in that gym. And that is what we mainly explore today. We talk about his lockdown experience so far, how he priced his services in a commercial gym, developing a niche, the differences between trainers who last vs those who don't and why Greg imagined himself wearing a cape before he went into consultations with PT prospects. I know you're going to enjoy this as Greg speaks from the heart and details a lot of experiences that are just so common for the trainer. Timestamps: * [01.57] - How Greg's gym has got on during lockdown. * [07.30] - If what Greg has learnt during lockdown would apply back to when he was working in a commercial gym. * [13.30] - Why it's slow until it starts to snowball when you're gaining clients as a personal trainer. * [19.30] - Why it's so common to dread holidays as a personal trainer. * [23.15] - A story about developing a niche. * [24.30] - A discussion about block vs month bookings. * [37.22] - The differences between the commercial gym trainers who last vs the ones who don't. * [40.30] - Was Greg nervous when he started in his commercial gym? * [46.30] - The importance of stepping back from where things are going wrong for you in the customer journey. * [48.30] - What helped Greg get over feeling nervous before he stepped into a consultation.
Find Out More About Greg:
- Greg's Gym
- Greg's Course at LTB
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
Chris Burgess is the owner of Lift The Bar and Curious Gym (prev called the LTB Gym). He comes on to talk about how personal trainers should approach their marketing now that a lot of countries have dates for reopening as well as the countries that don't. We discuss how to use a countdown approach to your gym reopening, why creating a video that shows off what you think of being a PT is so important just now, if he's planning for a second wave and how to touch base with clients who left you during the lockdown. Timestamps: * [02.01] - Does Chris think consumers will be receptive to buying gym memberships/ PT services post lockdown? * [05.55] - What his marketing strategy is for reopening his gym just now. * [10.16] - What his strategy would be if he was going back to a commercial gym? * [12.57] - How he's going to internally market to ensure his old and previous clients come back to his gym? * [17.28] - Will he be giving discounted prices to clients who lose their job or have reduced hours? * [19.38] - How listeners who don't have a reopening date should approach their marketing just now. * [22.16] - If he's planning for a second wave and potential closure of his gym again.
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
I asked Travis and Akil to come on to discuss the intersection between being a personal trainer and delving into the world of rehab and injury. They both run a company called 3M Athletic Performance. Akil is a practising physical therapist who used to be a personal trainer and Travis is a full-time personal trainer with a keen interest and academic background in the rehab and injury world. We discuss how trainers can build relationships with physios, how to find good physios, injury prevention for trainers, whether form and technique contribute to injury, posture, how life stress affects peoples perception of pain and more! Timestamps: * [02.46] - Akil and then Travis talk about personal trainers developing relationships with physiotherapists/ physical therapists * [08.38] - How to go about finding good evidence-based physiotherapists * [12.53] - Why it's well worth going to see the physio yourself before sending your clients to them. * [18.08] - How to troubleshoot when a client is having pain in a personal training session and how to decide when to refer out. * [26.53] - Knowing what both Akil and Travis know about the world of physio and personal training, what would they say to their younger selves? * [31.38] - Why injury prevention isn't all about activating inactive muscles and lengthening tight ones. * [34.04] - Does form/ technique contribute to injury risk? * [38.48] - What should a personal trainer look for in a consult/ assessment to prevent injury? * [41.28] - Does posture contribute to injury risk? * [44.58] - Why does life stress affect pain?
Find Out More About Travis and Akil:
- 3M Performance Athletic Website
- 3M Instagram
- Travis Instagram
- Akil Instagram
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
Mark Laws has been coaching people for over 20 years, working full time in the fitness industry for 15 years, working with elite athletes for 12 years and teaching courses to fitness professionals for 6 years. He continues to work with regular clients on a daily basis as well as delivering workshops and presentations around the world. We chat about his career as a PT and what he'd go back and tell himself about doing a better job. Timestamps: * [01.58] - Mark tells a story about how his Mum sat him down and told him he should stop being a personal trainer early in his career. * [09.58] - A discussion about Mark's first few years as a personal trainer. * [14.51] - Earning the right to say no to prospects you don't want to work with. * [19.58] - What does Mark wish he could go back and tell himself about being a new PT? * [32.28] - How much did he change the way he ran his PT business after going to China to work in S&C for a year? * [43.08] - Why you should consider getting your clients onto a monthly payment plan.
Find Out More About Mark:
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
Cath Baxter is a professional voice and impact coach. We cover why your voice is such an important aspect of communication, common areas for improvement when speaking, the power of the pause, enthusiasm and whether we should try to eliminate the 'umms', 'emms' and 'likes' from our speech. Cath is one of the UK’s leading voice coaches and a Public Speaking expert. For 14 years she was Head of Voice at Mountview, one of the top 5 drama schools in the UK, where she trained some of the UK's best actors and musical theatre performers. Her time is now spent working with a wide range of business clients and companies, helping them to add greater impact to their communications. She has most recently been working with the following Organisations: IFBA, RBS, Cancer Research, NHS England, NHS Improvement, Office of Rail and Road, DVLA, Independent Office for Police Conduct, Scottish Government, Crown Commercial Service, Companies House, MOD (Guards Service), UK Government Investments and the Northern Ireland Civil Service. Timestamps: * [01.40] - Cath explains what it is she does. * [05.30] - How Cath's work applies to the work that personal trainers do. * [13.48] - Where to begin if you'd like to start working on how you use your voice as a personal trainer. * [17.20] - How to correct speaking too quickly. * [19.55] - Improving eloquence. * [21.40] - Becoming less self-conscious and more confident when speaking. * [33.00] - How important is enthusiasm when speaking? * [36.50] - Tips to gather attention when talking online to clients or on a video that you're sharing on social media. * [43.30] - Umms, emms, likes and other hesitation sounds/ filler sounds.
Find Out More About Cath:
- Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
Laura Dubler and Will Holmes are a couple who run a small personal training facility called Core Training in Switzerland. Switzerland announced that gyms could be opened from early May, so they've had 6+ weeks worth of reopening experience now. I asked them to come on talk about what they've learnt during that time. We cover whether or not they've kept their online offering, how their clients have found coming back into the gym, how they've found coaching while social distancing and a bunch of unexpected things that will help you plan for your gym reopening. Timestamps: * [02.45] - How Laura and Will ended up opening a gym in Switzerland * [05.58] - How their business model works * [09.43] - How they have found reopening their gym since lockdown has been lifted in Switzerland * [11.55] - Did they keep their online offering alongside reopening their gym? * [16.25] - How many of their members came straight back in as they announced their gym was back open? * [17.25] - Have they had any clients who have learnt they've got COVID as they reopened? * [19.55] - How they plan to handle things if a client announces they have COVID and were in the gym yesterday? * [24.03] - What rules they have around wearing masks and things like social distancing and cleaning? * [27.03] - How they've found not being able to touch clients when coaching? * [37.25] - Have they had any clients who have come in and then decided against it? * [41.15] - How they've handled cleaning and sanitizing equipment? * [47.50] - Training clients who have had COVID and how it's affected their recovery
Find Out More About Laura & Will:
- Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, Stuart talks to Molly Galbraith about entrepreneurial lessons, why success takes time, the power of a shitty first draft, conducting deep market research on your clients and clients who have left and why it's still so normal for male personal trainers to shy away from topics surrounding coaching women. Molly Galbraith is the co-founder of Girls Gone Strong, the world’s largest platform providing evidence-based, interdisciplinary health, fitness, and nutrition education for women and the health and fitness professionals who work with them—including industry-leading certification programs and coaching. Molly has been heavily involved in the fitness industry since 2004 and this is her third appearance on the podcast. Number 88 and 144 in case you'd like to go back! Timestamps: * [05.45] - The concept of a rubbish first draft. * [08.50] - Does it surprise Molly seeing where Girls Gone Strong as a company is now? * [10.30] - Molly tells a story about loaning her father money when she was 7 years old. * [14.15] - Does she miss having a brick and mortar gym facility? * [22.45] - How would she start a career in the fitness industry knowing what she knows now? * [34.12] - How GGS have conducted deep market research. * [38.34] - Why personal trainers should conduct market research with clients who succeed and clients who leave. * [42.19] - Why male personal trainers tend to shy away from topics surrounding coaching women like the menstrual cycle, menopause and pre/postnatal.
Find Out More About Molly:
- GGS Website
- Molly's Instagram
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, Stuart talks to Nick Winkelman about the power of tough to hear feedback, reflective practice, creating coaching cues with your clients, coaching the push-up using a framework called the coaching communication loop and what Nick's favourite analogy/ coaching cue is. The section on the push up is a masterclass in coaching so even if you skip ahead and listen to that I promise you'll get a tonne from this episode! Nick is the Head of Athletic Performance for the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) and has just released his new book, The Language of Coaching. We at LTB would like to show our support for his book so we're running a competition to win a copy. If you'd like to enter and have a chance of winning 1 of 5 copies of the book, all you need to do is 1. review the show on iTunes and take a screenshot and email it to me and 2. email me over your favourite cue. It can be any type or kind of cue. If you've already reviewed the show, you can still enter by sending over your favourite cue. My email is stuart@liftthebar.com and the winners will be drawn on the 15th of June!
Timestamps: * [05.50] - How he responded to receiving some hard to take feedback about the first editions of his book. * [07.25] - How important receiving feedback has been for him throughout his career. * [10.15] - Questions to ask your clients to help with collaboration when creating cues. * [18.05] - Why coaches are more comfortable talking about programming than they are about coaching, communication and motivation. * [23.05] - Where a trainer should start if they want to start learning more about the intricacies of coaching. * [28.35] - Nick explains what the coaching communication loop is. * [32.50] - Nick takes us through how he would coach a push-up to a new client using the coaching communication loop. * [39.42] - If Nick thinks we should take the time outside of sessions to create coaching cues and analogies. * [42.30] - Nick's favourite cue or analogy
Find Out More About Nick:
- The Language of Coaching
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, Stuart talks to Danny Lennon from Sigma Nutrition about the considerations you should have if you're thinking about starting a podcast, what he thinks has helped his podcast grow to the level it has, Danny's three-part framework for describing what is health and what he thinks about to ensure he's living a meaningful life. It gets deep at points but I wouldn't have it any other way as this was one of the most enjoyable interviews I've done in a long time! Danny is the founder of Sigma Nutrition and head of content creation for the company. Known for hosting the top-ranked podcast Sigma Nutrition Radio, Danny is also a respected educator in the field. He has spoken at conferences and events all over Europe (including London, Dublin, Amsterdam and Vienna), as well as the United States and Australia. Danny has a master’s degree (MSc.) in Nutritional Sciences from University College Cork, during which time Danny took classes in biochemistry, clinical nutrition, micronutrient interactions and physiology. Previous to this Danny also completed a BSc. Degree in Biology and Physics Education and spent a year teaching these subjects.
**Timestamps:** * [03.13] - Why Danny decided to start his own podcast, Sigma Nutrition Radio
- [09.26] - The trap that trainers fall into when getting into creative pursuits like writing, podcasting and video
- [11.16] - Danny's message to someone who is thinking of doing a podcast
- [15.13] - Why it's so easy to get sucked into looking at the wrong metrics when putting content out into the world
- [22.30] - What Danny has done to grow professionally and personally
- [34.12] - A discussion around Danny's What is Health framework
- [39.24] - Why he used contentedness over happiness as one of his key parts of his framework
- [45.56] - The importance of relationships and connection
Find Out More About Danny:
- Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, Stuart talks to Brett Barthomolew about burnout, where it comes from and how to spot the things that may end up with you burning yourself out, why working on your communication skills is an essential aspect of being a coach and whether or not you can build buy-in with your clients quickly. Brett Bartholomew is a strength and conditioning coach, author of the excellent Conscious Coaching, consultant, and Founder of the performance coaching and consulting company, The Bridge Human Performance®. His experience includes working with athletes both in the team environment and private sector along with members of the United States Special Forces and members of Fortune 500 companies. You can find out more about Brett and all of his work by heading to artofcoaching.com
Timestamps: * [02.20] - How he's finding being a new parent * [05.15] - A discussion about burnout * [20.35] - What doesn't work for preventing burnout * [23.00] - Why he takes so much inspiration from other fields unrelated to the fitness industry * [33.00] - How to assess how effective your communication is * [40.35] - Can we build buy-in quickly? * [48.05] - What coaches can do to build buy-in more effectively early on in the coaching process * [52.10] - How he's dealing with the uncertainty of what's going on right now
Find Out More About Brett:
- Website
- Free Field Guide
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes on Claire Winter and Maggie Elliott to discuss whether or not you should consider training your clients outdoors (if your country allows it) whilst gyms are unavailable. They chat through how to make the decision about training outdoors, considerations for what to do if you decide you're going to do it, equipment recommendations, programming structure, whether you should use music, what to do about the weather and much more.
Claire Winter is LTB's Head of Operations and Maggie Elliott runs Spark Fitness, a personal training studio based out of Prestwich, England.
Timestamps
- Claire Winter's portion of the discussion
- [02.47] - Would Claire train her clients outside just now?
- [05.54] - Why there's a chance you might be feeling guilty about doing mobile personal training
- [08.30] - Should you consider training your clients outside considering it may be months before all of them feel safe going indoors?
- [10.50] - What kind of things should you consider if you do decide to train your clients outdoors?
- [16.07] - Communicating with your client base
- [17.22] - Why you don't have to move outdoors even if your clients want to
- [20.37] - Why you have to consider what you'll do if you or one of your clients get the virus
- Maggie Elliott's portion of the discussion
- [22.45] - What decision Maggie has made around training her clients outside
- [28.35] - What kind of things would have to happen for Maggie to start training her clients outdoors?
- [33.25] - Programming considerations for outdoor PT
- [36.30] - Session length
- [38.20] - Whether or not she uses music?
- [41.20] - Does she think more PTs will take to mobile due to fewer people using big gyms?
- [43.10] - Other things to consider that you only learn by experiencing mobile PT
Find Out More About Claire Winter:
- LTB Website
- Blogs mentioned - Claire's LTB blog, Covid-19 spreading more easily in indoor environments blog
Find Out More About Maggie Elliott:
- Website
Nicola Hobbs is an author, counsellor and international yoga and meditation teacher. She has an MSc in Sport Psychology and her work is grounded in the interface of ancient wisdom and modern science, integrating the time-honoured practices of yoga, meditation and spiritual living with modern mindfulness, psychology, and mental fitness. In the episode, we discuss Nicola's journey through an eating disorder that was diagnosed when she was just 15 and then we get into all things writing.
Timestamps: * [02.49] - How she's finding teaching Yoga through Zoom. * [04.06] - What first got Nicola interested in health, fitness and nutrition. * [07.16] - Stuart and Nicola discuss her eating disorder (ED). * [13.26] - What her recovery from the ED looked like. * [19.58] - How long it's taken Nicola to feel like she's able and willing to share her story around her ED. * [22.53] - How Nicola has come up with the ideas for each of her books. * [25.58] - Does she always enjoy writing? * [29.58] - Stuart and Nicola discuss her writing process. * [36.16] - How she deals with the internal voice that tells her it's not worth writing the books she creates. * [38.16] - What her editing process looks like. * [43.03] - Book recommendations for writing.
Find Out More About Nicola Hobbs:
- Website
- Books
- Her LTB Course
- Books mentioned: The War of Art, Bird by Bird, The Artist's Way, On Writing, Big Magic.
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
Jonny Stephens works as a head coach out of Curious Gym, which was previously named the LTB gym. We discuss how he's used cook-a-longs, step challenges and other engagement methods to keep the members of his gym feeling like they are part of a community while they can't come to the gym, how he's maintaining his own exercise during the lockdown, why sharing your struggles and challenges with exercise and nutrition will help you connect with your client base and more.
Timestamps: * [01.49] - How he is finding lockdown.
* [05.19] - Has this reinforced how much he enjoys the in-person aspect of personal training?
* [11.49] - How Jonny has found living alone during lockdown.
* [16.12] - A discussion around our struggles with maintaining exercise/ movement habits during lockdown.
* [23.10] - What the gym Jonny works out of, Curious Gym, have used to keep their clients engaged and interacting.
* [32.02] - If he was a 1-1 trainer with a smaller client base would he still try as many things as he has to engage his clients?
* [33.27] - What non-exercise/ movement things they've tried to engage their clients?
* [35.52] - Why it's a good idea to share what you're struggling with regarding exercise and nutrition with your client base.
Find Out More About Jonny/ Curious:
- Jonny's Instagram
- Curious Gym Website
- Curious Instagram
- Curious Facebook
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
Phil Learney has been a personal trainer in the fitness industry since the early 90s and has worked in gyms all over England ranging from small private ones to big commercial ones. At his time of retiring as a trainer, he was the second-highest charging PT in the UK. Now he educates and helps PTs grow their businesses through his company the Advanced Coaching Academy (ACA). Phil tells some fantastic stories about being a PT in this episode and there are so many lessons about how to get more clients and run a better run business. We cover getting your finances in check, how to get a waiting list as a PT, early career mistakes trainers make, marketing and much more. Timestamps: * [02.18] - How he would be handling things if he was a PT having to go through COVID-19 just now? * [05.43] - Is he anxious or worried about the industry because of what's happening? * [07.48] - Phil tells a story about having to smash a whisky bottle to pay his apartment rent * [19.18] - Phil talks about why the hourly rate that PTs charge actually breaks down to very little income * [22.48] - Can you speed up going through the inevitable client failures that most trainers go through? * [31.18] - Why the only way the fitness industry will become more regulated is through the trainers in it lifting the standard of it * [33.38] - Phil talks about personal training pricing * [35.03] - Phil tells a story about a trainer who was charging £1000 per hour * [39.44] - Why Phil has always had a waiting list in every single gym he's worked in.
Find Out More About Phil:
- ACA Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
Today I welcome on Independent Gym owners Mike Waywell (Steel Habitat, Liverpool), Greg Mikolap (Icon Gym, Maidenhead), Will Holmes (Core Training, Switzerland) and Chris Burgess (Curious Fitness, Paulton) to discuss what comes next for Personal Training facilities. We talk through what Will has learnt bringing clients back into his gym in Switzerland after their lockdown ended, how all the guys plan to keep their clients safe when seeing clients in-person again, communication strategies, rewarding loyal clients, programming, gym layout and coaching changes, marketing and what their message would be to a commercial or private facility PT. Timestamps: * [02.46] - Mike Waywell introduces himself * [03.22] - Chris Burgess introduces himself * [03.42] - Greg Mikolap introduces himself * [04.55] - Will Holmes introduces himself * [05.56] - Will tells about the specifics of the Swiss govt's reopening recommendations and how he has applied them * [09.00] - Mike, Chris and Greg talk about specific plans for how they plan to reopen, use of outdoor space before going indoor (if possible) and keep their clientele safe * [19.50] - Greg tells us what he asked in a survey he sent out to his client base to understand their concerns around coming back to the gym * [21.23] - Will tells us what his client reception has been to coming back into the gym * [26.15] - How they have all communicated with their client base through COVID and how they plan to communicate things moving forward * [33.47] - Will talks about the changes he's made to programming and coaching * [37.45] - Chris, Mike & Greg discuss programming and gym layout changes * [43.40] - The guys talk about loyalty and rewarding clients who have stuck around during COVID * [52.55] - How they are all thinking about marketing * [64.05] - What they would all do if they were a personal trainer who doesn't own a facility and works in a commercial or private gym
Find Out More About The Guests:
- Will Holmes
- Mike Waywell
- Greg Mikolap
- Chris Burgess
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
For the last 30 years, Larry Gold has spent most of his working life as the CEO of numerous different hospitals throughout the world. He's helped brand new ones start from scratch and helped struggling ones grow and become huge parts of their communities and at times he's managed over 3000 people. Nowadays he's a consultant to executives who work within healthcare. This episode is split into two sections: the first 15 minutes is about Covid-19 and how to effectively lead through this and the section after is all about Larry's career, leadership, managing people and building relationships. Timestamps: * [03.20] - The difference between a manager and a leader * [06.00] - The three critical leadership components that must be present during times like this * [10.59] - What don't you want to do as a leader during times of disaster? * [13.34] - Dealing with the uncertainty that Covid has brought everyone * [17.02] - Larry sums up his career and tells us what he's doing just now * [18.20] - How he got started in healthcare * [28.10] - How he's approached growing within each new job he's done * [30.45] - How he managed to get 3000+ staff all on the same page working as a CEO in a hospital * [36.40] - Why every single person in an organisation needs to know why what they do is important * [40.25] - Why he used to walk the halls in his hospital every single day to connect with his employees * [43.25] - Why building relationships has been so important to his leadership style * [45.05] - How to approach challenging staff situations * [46.25] - Giving tough feedback and saying the things that need to be said * [52.15] - How he's approached building up his weaknesses * [54.52] - Revealing personal aspects of himself to his colleagues and employees * [62.25] - Making the whole community proud of his hospital and what you can learn from it * [66.28] - What he wishes he could go back tell his younger self
Find Out More About Larry:
- LinkedIn Profile
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
Adam Feit is Precision Nutrition’s head strength and sport psychology coach. He's been an S&C coach at every level you can think of and currently, he’s a PhD Candidate in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Springfield College studying the use of mental skills among S&C coaches. In today's episode with Adam we talk about time management tips, managing overwhelm, helping clients use their skills in other life areas to manage exercise and nutrition challenges, motivation science and much more. Timestamps: * [03.14] - How Covid has affected Adam's day-to-day * [07.22] - Whether he's structured all the time or allows some unstructured time * [10.50] - Time management tips * [15.07] - Managing overwhelm * [18.39] - Looking for what PN call 'bright spots' when coaching clients * [20.37] - What kind of coach was he prior to starting with PN * [31.52] - The importance of having someone to check your blindspots * [34.07] - How he's got better at receiving feedback * [36.52] - Roses, thorns and buds daily reflection exercise * [38.37] - What his PhD is and what it's teaching him * [47.57] - How he used to think about motivation compared to how he thinks about it now
Find Out More About Adam:
- PN Bio
- Twitter - @Adam_Feit
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
Dr. Yoni Freedhoff is an Associate Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Ottawa, and since 2004, the medical director of the Bariatric Medical Institute, an ethical, evidence-based, interprofessional weight management centre. We discuss why a compassionate approach to obesity is absolutely necessary, how to help our clients manage their weight, reducing scale weight importance, whether education changes behaviour, childhood nutrition and much, much more. I know you're going to enjoy this episode, just make sure you've got somewhere to take notes as there are a bunch of times you'll want to pause and write something down!
Timestamps: * [01.55] - Why obesity isn't as simple as move more eat less. * [05.00] - Why personal responsibility is always touted as the most important part of obesity. * [07.30] - How we can improve the message we put out there about obesity. * [09.35] - Does education help behaviour change? * {12.26] - What country is leading the way in terms of weight management? * [14.23] - Why environment is the main element of weight management. * [16.14] - How knowing that environment is important for his patients informs his practice. * [18.55] - How to teach our clients that exercise is not just something that burns calories and is used to lose weight. * [20.32] - What we know for sure about weight management * [23.50] - Does he think PTs should be working with their clients on behaviour change around nutrition? * [25.59] - The two questions he asks his patients to consider when they want to eat junk food. * [21.13] - How important is a clients why. * [34.35] - What role the scales play in helping clients maintain weight loss. * [37.55] - Helping clients remove the scales importance. * [39.20] - Underreporting calorie intake. * [44.55] - Helping kids develop healthy relationships with food.
Find Out More About Dr. Yoni:
- Weighty Matters
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
Brian St. Pierre is the director of nutrition at Precision Nutrition. He's coached Olympic champions, NFL and NBA teams on nutrition and written some of my favourite and most shared articles on the PN site. We discuss COVID-19 and how he's thinking about its effects on how to coach clients just now, what his coaching evolution has looked like, why some emotional eating is perfectly ok, the PN process for creating blogs and why he used to remove potatoes from his now wife's Irish stew.
Timestamps: * [02.36] - Considering COVID-19, is now the time for fat loss? * [04.45] - If he remembers trying to place his goals onto a client? * [13.02] - The evolution of the coach * [14.52] - Other things to consider when coaching clients during COVID * [17.48] - Helping clients manage being at home and around food all the time just now * [20.55] - Why it's important to normalise emotional eating * [26.15] - What role do trainers and coaches have with clients and their nutrition * [29.35] - Getting clients more in touch with their internal cues? * [31.32] - Helping clients who feel eating slowly etc is too small a habit to help them move them forward? * [34.45] - Why it's ok for clients goals to change throughout the coaching process * [38.05] - His article "the cost of getting lean" and how it uses it when coaching clients * [41.06] - The PN process for creating blog posts * [45.20] - What he wishes he could tell himself about what he's learnt about writing in the last 10 years * [46.37] - Why he isn't big on social media
Find Out More About BSP:
- PN Bio
- The Cost of Getting Lean Article
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
Chris Burgess is the owner of Lift the Bar, an education company for Personal Trainers, and Curious Fitness, a semi-private gym in Paulton, England. Stuart and Chris discuss whether the novelty of zoom sessions will start to wear off on clients who bought into in-person PT, how to think about retention during COVID-19 and what you should do if all of yours clients have said no to doing online training.
Timestamps * [03.33] - Will the novelty of zoom sessions start to wear off for your clients? * [06.43] - Why the question has to be "is this real?" * [11.43] - How to embrace the novelty of delivering sessions online * [16.09] - Is he worried about how long this is going to take to get back to some form of normality? * [19.53] - How he is viewing retention * [25.13] - How to handle going from 5/10-20 sessions a week to zero as your clients don't want to do online sessions
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
Mark Fisher runs Mark Fisher Fitness (MFF) in New York, a two location gym and Business For Unicorns (BFU), an education and support company for business owners. Like most fitness businesses, MFF has had to go from being an in-person one to one that is now fully online. We discuss how MFF has pivoted to support their members during this time, how they are going about building and growing their community, whether or not they are trying to market and sell their online programmes and why it's so important to be a human.
Timestamps: * [01.13] - How COVID-19 has affected things in Mark's world * [04.50] - What Mark Fisher Fitness' current plan is * [08.29] - How the MFF members have taken to being trained online * [12.03] - What else MFF are doing to support and grow their community * [14.58] - What silver linings Mark has seen with everything that has gone on * [17.21] - Are they trying to market and sell considering everything that is going on? * [19.13] - How are they are approaching their marketing and positioning just now * [21.49] - How this will affect Mark's ability to make decisions moving forward * [25.07] - Any books Mark would recommend
Find Out More About Mark:
- MFF Website
- BFU Website
- Mark's Instagram
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
Mike Waywell runs a gym called Steel Habitat in Liverpool, England and a company called Gymownr. Mike is one of the people I turn to for advice on helping gym owners as he's built Steel from the ground up to become one of the most impressive facilities in the UK working with over 400 active members. We cover how to see the opportunity among the uncertainty of COVID, why Steel are running a 6-week challenge just now and how to run one yourself, how they are approaching marketing and why you have to remove the emotion out of what's going on to ensure you survive.
Timestamps: * [02.26] - Why and how it's so important to see the opportunities that are available just now for gym owners and personal trainers * [06.56] - Mike tells us how he's handled things so far * [09.26] - Mike talks about a 6-8 week challenge they are using for accountability and retention just now * [13.06] - Why Mike's business has seen 95% + retention rates even though they are now fully online * [17.21] - How's he's handled pricing * [18.41] - How he plans to handle a big drop-off in members * [24.26] - If he's going to change his marketing copy to mention things like quarantine and lockdown * [26.26] - What novel things they are doing to provide extra support to their members just now * [28.19] - How he's feeling about the long term * [33.11] - Whether he's managed to keep all his staff * [34.11] - What book he'd recommend for times like this * [36.41] - Why now is not the time to sulk, become frustrated or argue about politics
Find Out More About Mike:
- Steel Website
- Gym Ownr Instagram
- Gym Ownr Webinar
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
Cameron Cummings works in a Pure Gym and supports and advises the commercial gym trainers of LTB. In the past week, as with most of the world, the UK has gone on lockdown and he's had to go fully online. We discuss how he's done this, how he's managed losing clients, what his plans are for the long-term and some marketing approaches. Timestamps * [03.18] - How he's dealt with what the coronavirus has done to his business * [07.32] - How many clients he's lost since having to go online * [09.01] - How receptive his client base has been to going online * [16.35] - Why you should plan for 12 months rather than just a few * [22.00] - How to start approaching marketing during this time
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
Gregg Slater is Lift The Bar's Head of Education. Gregg comes on to talk about creating effective home workouts, what equipment you need to create home workouts, what some blocks of training may look like for home training and much more. If you'd like to gain access to the units that Gregg mentions that will help you create solid home training programmes, head to liftthebar.com and sign up for our two-week free trial! Current members can find them in the Facebook group under units and on the members site under browse member content > coronavirus. Timestamps * [01.58] - How is how own training is going just now? * [02.58] - What equipment you need to create effective home workouts? * [08.03] - The difference between online and remote personal training * [10.34] - How and why to coach intentionality with clients when doing an exercise * [12.28] - Why to use analogies when coaching * [15.03] - Why you want your home workouts to look and feel similar to your PT sessions * [18.03] - What a sample home workout could look like * [22.18] - Creating blocks of training for home workouts
A solo episode with Stuart covering what the coronavirus is doing to personal trainers careers and how they can innovate to get through it.
In this episode, we have another special episode on the coronavirus. This time, I've asked Chris Burgess to come and talk about dealing with the coronavirus' effects on your business, how to handle a loss of income/ loss of clients, how to keep your head up and ensure your business comes out the other side and what your first steps should be. It's a must-listen in times like this. Stay safe, don't forget how big a role you can play in helping to support people through this and please don't suffer alone. I'm more than happy to help so don't hesitate to contact me - stuart@liftthebar.com
Everyone is anxious about the coronavirus just now. My goal with this episode is to:
- reassure you that you can come out the other side, and
- how to go about doing that
Links Mentioned in The Episode
- 2-Week LTB Free Trial
- Yoni Freedhoff Weighty Matters COVID Newsletter
- Coronavirus And Isolation Paradox Article
- UK Govt Business Support Website
- Stuart email - stuart@liftthebar.com
Chris Burgess Coronavirus Example Email
Corona Virus - An official Curious Stance
Let's start at 'worst case'
It's our intention to stay open until the time that the government tell us we aren't allowed to. Obviously we hope that closure won't be forced on us but in the event that we are:
We will be offering:
Daily home workouts that are streamed in this group
Daily 'FaceTime Lead sessions' where the coaches will have a group call with their Semi Private or Bootcamp group at the usual times. You do the workout from home and set your phone camera up in a position where we can coach you if needed
We will be offering to bring kit to your house for you to use, and we will suggest kit for you to buy for your home workouts too.
Let's now talk about 'bad but not worst case'
If we are told to close but the country isnt in some quarantined lockdown, we will run sessions from local parks. It's not ideal but it means we can still help you achieve your health and fitness dreams
Lets now talk about what we need all of you to do:
Wash your hands when you arrive and before you leave.
Don't come to the gym with colds, coughs or if your breathing is playing up. Please dont be offended if you are asked to leave because you have come in poorly - even if its mild.
Don't nick our toilet roll.
Please use the wipes we will put next to the inbody before and after you scan.
Please put your weights away. Fuck sake Greig.
Lastly:
Even if we have to close our doors we will be doing everything in our power to keep sessions running.
But to help us ensure that doesn't happen PLEASE PLEASE don't come into the gym if you have even the slightest inclination that you have COVID 19.
In today's show, I welcome back on Krista Scott-Dixon. I've had KSD on many times before and she always leaves me with a tonne of things to go away and think about. We get into what exercise/ movement means to her and how it's become a more integrated aspect of her life, how to help clients improve their relationships with food, why some amount of emotional eating can be a good thing and why doing the really simple things you tell your clients to do, like eating slowly, can be great learning experiences.
Timestamps:
- [01.53] - What exercise means to her.
- [16.08] - Redefining mindfulness to include body-fulness.
- [23.45] - Why more people are now talking about improving their relationship to food.
- [26.44] - Where can trainers start when clients want to improve their relationship to food.
- [33.41] - How to bring up things you notice within clients that aren't serving them.
- [35.08] - Why some anxiety can be a good thing.
- [39.23] - The importance of how you show up as a coach.
- [41.38] - Doing the things you tell your clients to do.
- [47.23] - The relationship between health and fitness and other mental/ physical behaviours.
Find Out More About Krista:
- Website
- Precision Nutrition Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, I welcome on Kevin Mullins. Kevin is a personal trainer who has accumulated well over 10,000 hours worth of PT sessions. He works as Director of Product Development and Education for The St. James - A leading brand in Sports, Wellness, and Active Entertainment based in Virginia. We discuss why he hasn't opened a facility considering it was the logical next step, how we can make personal training well respected as a profession, how he grew his business inside of a commercial gym, hitting burnout and coming out the other side a better person and having to create Zumba style classes without the Zumba.
Timestamps:
- [01.29] - Why Kevin has yet to open up his own personal training facility?
- [07.37] - Why he feels so passionate about the personal training industry
- [10.17] - How we can improve how people perceive personal training as a profession
- [15.07] - What his first few months in a commercial gym were like
- [21.50] - How he started getting clients in his commercial gym
- [26.07] - How he dealt with moments where his client numbers fluctuated up and down
- [30.22] - What other tips he has for a trainer who needs more clients
- [34.12] - Kevin tells us about hitting a point in his life where he really struggled with who he was and how he nearly left the industry
- [41.07] - Did he limit the number of sessions he was doing after hitting burnout?
- [44.37] - What it's like in his new role having to create Zumba-style classes
- [48.52] - Has his new role taught him anything he wishes he could go back and tell a younger Kevin Mullins?
- [52.00] - We talk about his book, Day by Day.
Find Out More About Kevin:
- Website
- Book
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
Today I welcome on Martin Rooney from Training for Warriors. Martin was one of the first people we welcomed on for a webinar at LTB. His energy is infectious and it's hard not to feel pumped up after listening to him talk about being a fitness professional and coaching. We cover his background, finding your place in the fitness industry, becoming a better coach and his new book, coach to coach.
Timestamps * [02.40] - Has he always loved what he's done in his career? * [05.40] - How to find the things you really enjoy doing in your career? * [13.25] - What he does if he's having a bad day? * [19.30] - How to narrow the gap between having knowledge and turning into that results with clients * [23.00] - What he would say to the trainer who is quieter and introverted * [34.30] - Why you don't need to be better than someone to coach them * [37.00] - How he would like his new book, coach to coach, to be remembered
Find More About Martin:
- Website
- US Amazon Book
- UK Amazon Book
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
Today I welcome on Lou Brierley. Lou was one of the early LTB members that truely helped form our LTB community into what it is today. He's got an incredibly interesting story that involves him growing a successful outdoor Bootcamp, turning that into a facility and then deciding to sell it all and travel the world. We get into how he grew things starting off, how he made his group sessions enjoyable and somewhere that his members felt comfortable and why he decided to sell his gym!
Timestamps
- [01.47] - Lou's tell us about his motorhome called Doris
- [05.32] - Why Lou decided to sell his personal training facility and go travelling
- [11.52] - Was he in the wrong time in his life for owning a facility?
- [14.27] - Whether he thinks you can own a facility and have some form of work: life balance?
- [17.22] - Does he have any regrets about selling his gym?
- [22.27] - Why growing slowly is something PTs should consider
- [25.22] - How Lou grew an outdoor bootcamp to 50 members
- [36.07] - How he made his sessions fun and comfortable for people who don't like gyms
- [39.07] - When he plans to stop travelling?
Find More About Lou:
- Travelling Blog
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In this episode, I talk to Alex Pearson about meditation. I've wanted to talk about meditation for a full episode for a while now as it's a topic that many guests have mentioned and it's very much something that most people are aware of nowadays. But is it as useful as you'll read online? We discuss it's origins, what the literature says about using it for depression, anxiety and weight loss, whether or not PTs should encourage their clients to meditate and some of our own experiences with it.
LTB Podcast Survey
Timestamps * [04.40] - Some of the different styles of meditation * [05.50] - Where it dates back to? * [06.45] - Why it's gained popularity? * [10.55] - What the literature says about mindfulness and anxiety? * [11.46] - What the says about mindfulness and weight loss or emotional eating? * [16.20] - Should personal trainers encourage their clients to meditate? * [28.10] - Does mindfulness help with decision making? * [29.10] - Why lots of people try meditation and don't stick with? * [36.25] - Alex shares some of his meditation experiences * [39.32] - Can you get a similar effect from doing something like yoga, running or a different activity? * [42.53] - Where you can start a meditation habit.
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
- Survey
In today's episode, I welcome on Liam Thompson from Internet FitPro - a company all about helping personal trainers get more clients and create effective websites that look great. Liam's had a really cool career in the fitness industry and although we don't delve into that much, we do get into a lot of useful information about how to create a FB ad using Internet Fitpro's formula, lead generation for trainers who work in commercial gyms and private studios and how he built his PT business using free sessions. If you want more clients, this episode is going to be well worth your time.
LTB Podcast Survey
Timestamps
- [02.01] - How he would approach getting clients in a commercial gym if he was starting from scratch tomorrow?
- [05.36] - How to go from free session to paid client?
- [11.01] - How he would approach getting a client base if he was using more online-based strategies?
- [14.21] - Should PTs spend more time telling people what it is that they do?
- [16.36] - How to stick out from your competitors as a personal trainer.
- [18.51] - Using trials or free sessions?
- [24.21] - Facebook ads aren't working for you?
- [29.06] - What data you should pay attention to for FB ads
- [30.51] - Where to start if you want some new clients using FB ads
- [40.41] - Why it's well worth getting someone's email
Find More About Liam:
- Internet Fitpro: Personal Trainer Websites
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
- Survey
In today's episode, I have our last episode in the from the archives series. I welcome on Sarah Miller, who was one of my 1-2-1 clients from back in Dundee, Scotland. We worked together for around 4 years and I asked her to come on to talk about her journey. It's a great way to hear a clients perspective on something we rarely hear their side of, especially in a setting like this which is so different from that of a normal PT session. We talk about her experiences with gyms, how she's got to a place of feeling content with where she is at and what personal trainers could do to better connect with potential clients online. Find Out More About LTB: * Website * Instagram * Facebook
In this episode of the LTB podcast, we have a from the archive episode with Krista Scott-Dixon from Precision Nutrition which was first posted back in 2017. We discuss her book, 'Why We Want Eat', what makes an effective coach, how to improve your self-awareness, empathy and much more.
Find Out More About Krista: * Website * Instagram
Find Out More About LTB: * Website * Instagram * Facebook
In today's episode, we continue with our series of favourite from the archive episodes by welcoming on Alwyn Cosgrove. This episode was first posted back in 2017 and in it, we cover why trainers need to rethink how they think about sales, what lifetime customer value is and why you need to know what about it and why Alwyn's business Results Fitness has had the success it's had. Find Out More About Alwyn: * Results Fitness * Instagram
Find Out More About LTB: * Website * Instagram * Facebook
In today’s show, I have a from the archive episode with LTBs head of education Gregg Slater on programme design. Gregg’s programme design teachings are some of the best in our industry and we cover everything from where to start when going about creating a programme to how many random exercises to put in. If you’re a member of LTB you can check out more of Greggs work by working through one of his courses on gen pop programme design, coaching, nutritional periodisation or his latest one on finishers by logging onto liftthebar.com. If you're not, head to our site and sign up to our 1 month trial for £1! Find Out More About LTB: * Website * Instagram * Facebook
In today's episode, I welcome on Mike Howard. With over 20 years of practical experience as a personal trainer, online coach, youth fitness specialist, author and presenter, Mike has continuously sought out the best ways to help people achieve sustainable success. He has just completed his second book (first print book) Lean Minded: 50 Days to Mind & Body Transformation. In this conversation, we discuss his new book, how to network, how to deal with the tougher times as a trainer and how and why he runs a yearly fitness retreat.
Timestamps * [02.15] - how he would approach a career in personal training knowing what he knows about the industry now? * [04.48] - what's changed in his approach to working with clients since he started? * [11.12] - investing in your networks * [16.12] - how to approach gratitude * [18.22] - introversion/ extraversion/ ambiversion and why a skill that trainers should develop is to be able to switch between them * [22.07] - how he realised that going above 30 client sessions per week was too much for him * [23.48] - how he's dealt with the phases of time where he's thought about leaving the industry * [29.22] - what he would tell himself during the tougher times he's experienced * [38.32] - how and why he runs fitness retreats * [46.47] - Mike tells us about his new book called Lean Minded
Find More About Mike:
- Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, I welcome back on Sukh Sidhu from Online Fitness Business. Sukh was on for number 112 in June 2018. In today's show, we cover the realities of running a business, challenges with setting and keeping the momentum of online personal training, where most trainers are going wrong when they enter the online PT and Sukh's new venture called Open Coach.
Timestamps * [01.01] - why the realities of being an entrepreneur are much harder than is often perceived * [07.48] - how to decide if the path you're on is right for you? * [10.53] - why networking is an underrated part of running a business * [16.10] - how he's feeling about the online personal training space * [21.22] - going fully online and then missing in-person PT? * [22.51] - why it's so hard to develop any momentum with the number of clients you have for online training * [25.48] - what metrics to start tracking * [27.00] - why to track retention rates and how to improve those numbers * [27.49] - is it a different type of lead for online vs in-person? * [30.38] - misconceptions about online training * [33.11] - what people do wrong when they are trying to get clients online * [40.23] - why it is worth working with an online coach yourself if you're thinking of getting into online PT * [41.08] - what Sukh's latest project open coach is and how it'll help personal trainers
Find More About Sukh:
- Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, I welcome back on Jason Leenaarts. Jason was a previous guest back in Nov 2018 on episode 142. He's a husband, father, gym owner, podcast host and one of the most genuine guys I know. In this episode, we discuss his new book called "a revolution a day", how he processes losing clients and why it is well worth your time as a personal trainer to post on social media about your clients.
Timestamps * [02.15] - How does Jason feel about being a personal trainer now he's been in the industry over 15 years? * [04.19] - Where does he see his facility going in future? * [8.24] - What he tends to see over the Christmas period in terms of retention and growth? * [13.54] - Has he got better at dealing with client loss as the years have gone on? * [21.09] - Why you need to find ambassadors for your business to increase word of mouth * [26.39] - How he asks clients if it's ok to post on social media about them * [33.39] - Why he rarely posts about himself but spends a lot of time posting about his clients * [35.09] - Do any of his clients ever get jealous about being posted less often? * [39.54] - Jason's new book * [47.34] - What he wishes the fitness industry would do a better job of
Find More About Jason:
- Jason's Site
- Jason's Podcast
- Jason's New Book
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's show, I welcome on Ross Stewart from Improve Glasgow to talk about his recent expansion to a bigger facility, how he's achieved consistent growth, important KPIs to track and some book recommendations. Ross has been on three times before (7,23,80) and is someone I always enjoy talking to. He started off running bootcamps in Glasgow before building a multiple trainer business in a commercial gym before now owning a near 200 member facility.
Timestamps * [2.22] - How Ross has consistently grown and improved his business over the last 10 years? * [5.07] - How much of his success he puts down to the initial "grinding stage" he had? * [7.15] - Where his desire to grow a business comes from? * [18.37] - How many members is his gym working with now? * [20.57] - How his new facility is going * [22.32] - How he uses he uses his data from his key performance indicators (KPI) to make decisions * [30.52] - Leads, conversions to memberships numbers * [32.59] - Why he's put so much time into getting to seminars, meet-ups and building relationships with other trainers and business owners * [37.22] - What his current marketing campaign looks like * [40.52] - If he would recommend PTs do more offline based marketing? * [46.22] - Reactivating lapsed members * [48.43] - Book recommendations
Find More About Ross:
- Improve Glasgow Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, I talk to John O'neil from Cressey Sports Performance (CSP). John has served as the Director of Performance at CSP since the summer of 2017. He returned to CSP after being a part of the first intern group at CSP-Florida during the fall of 2014. Over the past few years, John has coached people of all ages in New York City and New Jersey, as well as working as a high school baseball coach. In this episode, we discuss how to find mentors, why you need to set standards for your own coaching, tips that will make you a more effective coach and much more. Timestamps * [1.53] - How John ended up getting an internship at Cressey Sports Performance * [5.13] - What is it like working in an environment like CSP? * [10.05] - How important mentors have been in his career * [11.28] - How to find mentors? * [23.13] - What you should do when you're not in your perfect job? * [30.13] - How important is the human, connection side of coaching? * [34.43] - What it was like when he first started as an intern in CSP * [36.43] - What he wishes every single CSP intern knew about coaching * [40.43] - Coaching and programming tips
Find More About John:
- CSP Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, I welcome on Lawrence Judd from Macros Inc. Lawrence is a good friend and someone I've wanted to have on the podcast for a while. I'm sure a few of you will know of him, and if not, you're in for a treat as one of his superpowers is distilling complicated topics into understandable and practical steps. We dive deep into marketing and talk about a definition for it, where personal trainers go wrong, companies who are doing it well, setting business goals for more effective marketing and why you're likely a yoyo marketer.
Timestamps:
- [04.55] - what has happened to Lawrence's chemical engineering career and how he came into the fitness industry?
- [10.11] - how his degree in chemical engineering has aided his work in health and fitness
- [13.30] - what Lawrence means when he wrote "you're probably a yoyo marketer" in his LTB magazine piece
- [16.20] - does he think personal trainers have a knowledge or habit gap when it comes to marketing?
- [19.45] - how he explains marketing
- [24.00] - why it's so easy to forget about your customers when you get into running a business
- [26.18] - how marketing fits into running a business
- [29.20] - what companies he thinks are marketing their product/ service effectively
- [34.15] - where he sees personal trainers going wrong with their marketing?
- [38.54] - how to compare yourself to your competitors effectively
- [46.15] - relating your service to a fundamental human need
- [49.45] - why it's important to set clear business goals and how to set them
Find More About Lawrence:
- Macros Inc Website
- Email - lawrence@macrosinc.net
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
Andrew Coates is an Edmonton, Canada based personal trainer who has been training clients for 9 years. He is a fitness writer and contributor to T-Nation and the writer and co-host of The Fitness Devil Podcast. He is also the co-founder/organizer of The Evolve Canadian Strength Symposium. In this episode, we discuss why you should attend in-person fitness events, why one client can easily turn into ten and using social media to gain business.
Timestamps:
- [04.36] - Why has he put so much time into attending different fitness seminars and conferences?
- [14.33] - Does he think you can attend too many events?
- [16.58] - Does he do anything post-event to ensure he's applying what he's learning?
- [20.46] - How Andrew's career as a PT started?
- [27.13] - How his first client set off a chain of referrals
- [30.13] - Has he found that you get less "energy vampire" type clients as the years go on?
- [40.35] - Why it's useful to question your own bullshit
- [42.56] - How many personal training sessions he tends to do per month
- [46.23] - What he's done to generate business
- [49.33] - Closing messages.
Find More About Andrew:
- Website
- Podcast
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In this episode, I'm joined by Alex for another fitness industry conversational episode. We start by discussing where Alex would work if he had to go back to being a brand new PT and then get into a discussion around employed vs self-employed PT. Then we get into a discussion about why you should aim to stick with and work through the tough situations rather than just deciding to get out right away. Timestamps: * [5.42] - If Alex was a brand new personal trainer and he was deciding where to work, where would he choose? * [12.37] - Should you move for a job in PT? * [14.52] - Why working in a commercial gym can be a great place to start * [23.37] - Why having many options for a career in fitness can be a hindrance rather than a help * [25.52 onwards] - Alex talks about how the more final a decision is the more chance we will begin to like it
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
On today's episode, I chat with Tom Hamilton. Tom has been coaching for almost ten years, working with a wide range of clients from the gen pop to world record holders. He currently coaches at W10 in London, is the Head of Education at the IFBA and runs his own online coaching business. Tom has also competed at both bodybuilding and powerlifting, with a highlight being winning the world drug-free powerlifting championships in 2016. In this episode, we discuss low hanging fruit trainers that you can add to their coaching tomorrow morning, how to programme and get your clients strong and dealing with serious injuries. It's one of those "take notes and get actioning some practical stuff" kinda episodes. Timestamps * [4.11] - What does he wish he knew about programming back when he started? * [7.26] - Why results don't have to mean getting a client stronger or seeing weight loss * [10.37] - Low hanging fruit that trainers can fix that will make their lives easier when coaching and training clients * [12.47] - How to be a more commanding coach when managing sessions * [15.21] - When Tom noticed he had to start adapting and improving the way he coached people * [19.06] - The importance of covering a variety of learning styles and a few other coaching tips * [21.11] - How Tom thinks about getting clients strong from a programming standpoint * [25.36] - Why do you increase intensity and decrease volume as training blocks progress? * [29.28] - How and why he tests every 12 weeks * [32.41] - Why you should vary the loads you programme for clients * [34.51] - How he's dealt with overcoming some horrible injuries in the past * [37.21] - How his injuries affected his identity as a personal trainer * [39.58] - The importance of having mentors
Find Out More About Tom:
- Website
- The IFBA
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
I always have such enjoyable conversations about business with Sally, who is a returning guest after her first appearance on episode 164. Her journey into now owning a facility is incredibly relatable and I always appreciate her honesty about the challenges she's had. One of those challenges was how tough her first few years were, and how much she doubted herself and her business during that time. 99% of us go through that stage but we don't talk about it anywhere near as often as we should, so that's where we begin this podcast. We also discuss why managing your money is a huge part of business success as well as how she decided to she wanted to go into facility ownership.
Timestamps: * [03.05] - How Sally's business has progressed over the years * [07.19] - Why she has had to be incredibly patient with business over the years * [10.42] - Why we need to have more discussions about the harder aspects of business * [11.50] - Why Sally decided to get a business coach * [21.50] - Did she have a vision in her head for what she wanted her business to look like? * [23.57] - Have her doubts reduced over time? * [29.40] - What does she wish she had known about business? * [29.50] - Money management and why this was a huge thing for Sally. * [37.50] - How she has gone about making the decision about jumping into facility ownership. * [45.20] - How much of her business is the gym going to take?
Find Out More About Sally:
- Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
On today's episode, I talk to LTB's head honcho Chris Burgess, Mark Fisher from Mark Fisher Fitness and Business for Unicorns and Pete Dupuis from Petedupuis.com and Cressey Sports Performance about their experiences with public speaking. We cover what their first time on stage was like, how they prepare, dealing with nerves, audience engagement and much more.
Timestamps:
- (02.30) - What each of the guests first professional public speaking appearances were like.
- (09.06) - Why speaking about subjects you truly care about and have experience with is so important.
- (11.35) - How Mark approaches preparation for his speaking engagements.
- (12.31) - Why Chris decided to get a public speaking coach.
- (19.46) - How Pete deals with nerves.
- (21.01) - How Mark deals with nerves.
- (26.17) - How Chris deals with nerves.
- (29.56) - Why being nervous is actually a compliment to your audience.
- (36.56) - Engagement and interaction tips.
- (45.31) - Why taking a class or getting a coach can be a huge help for improving public speaking.
- (46.26) - Why Pete studies the most-watched Ted talks as part of his preparation.
Find Out More About The Guests:
- Mark Fisher
- Pete Dupuis
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, Stuart interviews Dr. John Berardi. John is a Canadian-American entrepreneur best known as the co-founder of Precision Nutrition, the world’s largest nutrition coaching, education, and software company. He's also the founder of Change Maker Academy, devoted to helping would-be changemakers turn their passion for health and fitness into a powerful purpose and a wildly successful career. Over the last 15 years, he's advised Apple, Equinox and Nike as well as the San Antonio Spurs, US Open Champ Sloane Stephens, and 2-division UFC Champ Georges St. Pierre. He's also been named one of the 20 smartest coaches in the world and 100 most influential people in health and fitness. We cover creating a career in the fitness industry, work: life balance, growing your reputation, marketing and much much more. Timestamps: * (2.27) What it's like for JB reflecting on the career he's had so far. * (6.40) Has not having a 5/10 year plan meant he's struggled to fully commit himself to things? * (10.01) How he balanced putting family first whilst also pushing on with the growth of Precision Nutrition. * (27.00) Does he think you have to have a "grinding" phase to become successful? * (35.18) How to make sense of the career direction you would like to go in. * (46.00) The T-shaped learning model and how you can apply it to your career. * (48.30) If we took away all of his connections and reputation, how he would he approach a career in health and fitness? * (50.10) How to build a reputation. * (1.08.40) How PN content machine works and why it probably doesn't apply to you. * (1.13.25) Separating career from entrepreneurship * (1.17.13) Where you can find out more about JB's work and get a free chapter from his new book coming out in November 2019. * (1.20.46) The thinking aloud strategy and how it helped him create his book.
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
Change Maker Book Discount Codes:
Change Maker will be officially released on November 5th, 2019. But if you pre-order now, before its official release, you'll get one of the first copies, save 10%, and receive a special bonus package. Even more, you’ll get the chance to win over $100,000 in free education from some of the best companies in the health and fitness industry.
Here's how.
STEP 1:
PRE-ORDER CHANGE MAKER NOW AND SAVE 10%Pick your location and click the corresponding link to pre-order Change Maker. You'll automatically save 10%.
USA:
Click here to pre-order and save 10%https://www.amazon.com/Change-Maker-Passion-Powerful-Successful/dp/1948836556
Coupon code to use at checkout: 10GNCM
CANADA:
Click here to pre-order, save 10%, and get free intl shippinghttps://www.bookdepository.com/Change-Maker-John-Berardi/9781948836555
Coupon code: none required
INTERNATIONAL:
Click here to pre-order, save 10%, and get free intl shippinghttps://www.bookdepository.com/Change-Maker-John-Berardi/9781948836555
Coupon code: none required
STEP 2:
SEND YOUR RECEIPT, GET YOUR BONUSESOnce you pre-order Change Maker, send your receipt to bookreceipts@changemakeracademy.com.
You'll get instant access to your bonus package which includes more than 50 templates, scripts, activities, worksheets, and summary pages to help you with your business, coaching, and reputation.
STEP 3:
SMILE AND GET READY TO ACCOMPLISH BIG THINGSWith Change Maker and Dr. Berardi's expert help, you'll learn how to create a successful career—on your own terms.
In today's episode, Stuart welcomes back on Dr. Brad Dieter (previous #54). Brad is a trained Exercise Physiologist, Molecular Biologist, and Biostatistician. He received his B.A. from Washington State University and a Masters of Science in Biomechanics at the University of Idaho, and completed his PhD at the University of Idaho. He completed his post-doctoral fellowship in translational science at Providence Medical Research Center, Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and Children’s Hospital where he studied how metabolism and inflammation regulate molecular mechanisms disease and is involved in discovering novel therapeutics for diabetic complications. In addition to his laboratory and biostatistics work, Dr. Dieter is the Chief Operating Officer at Macros Inc and is passionate about scientific outreach and educating the public through his role on Scientific Advisory Boards and regular writing on health, nutrition, and supplementation.
In this conversation, Stuart and Brad discuss leadership, time management and the future of health and what trainers can do to positively influence this.
Timestamps:
- (2.53) Brad tells a story about how researching how to train his Dog has changed his perspective on leadership and working with people.
- (8.13) How Brad gets around the challenge of being too close to a problem to solve it.
- (9.49) How Brad ensures he's putting some of his time into the big problems and not just putting out fires.
- (11.07) How he thinks about giving his staff autonomy.
- (14.53) How he has approached improving his leadership skills.
- (15.33) Mistakes he's made since being in a leadership role.
- (19.03) Two big things he's learnt about leadership.
- (20.53) Book recommendations on leadership.
- (22.33) How he approaches giving back and ensuring he's giving his time to the right people.
- (30.18) Time management and putting his time into the right projects.
- (37.03) What can Personal Trainers do to create a healthier society?
- (42.53) What Brad would do if he was a 1:1 trainer and he wanted to help improve the future of health.
- (45.28) Where you can find or follow Brad's work.
Find Out More About Brad:
- Macro's Inc Website
- Science Driven Nutrition
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's show, we have a special 200th episode involving all three of the main LTB staff team - Chris, Claire and Gregg. I chat to Chris about marketing, Claire about finances and business and Gregg about movement screens. You can check out the timestamps below in the show notes if one is particularly relevant or interesting to you. Here's to another 200 episodes!
Timestamps
Chris Interview
- 2.35 - is marketing more important than training or nutrition knowledge as a PT?
- 8.55 - how to get more people talking about your service
- 14.25 - where Chris got his first few clients from
- 18.55 - does Chris think something trainers are lacking is a real love for being a PT?
- 24.35 - does Chris think he's got better at attracting the right kind of people for his businesses?
Claire Interview
- 31.30 - Where to start when it comes to managing your finances
- 34.40 - How often should you track your income and expenses?
- 35.30 - Claire's system for managing finances
- 39.10 - Should you use an accountant?
- 41.50 - Where to get more information and what you can claim back as an expense?
- 47.30 - What can PT's be doing more of when it comes to business?
Gregg Interview
- 53.10 - How does Gregg use a movement screen?
- 54.50 - Are movement screens important?
- 59.10 - What about using something like the FMS?
- 1.3.25 - Does Gregg send out any information prior to working with a client so he can create a better screen?
- 1.5.10 - How he would structure a screen with a new general population client if he was doing one tomorrow?
- 1.10.40 - How he frames what a movement screen is with a new client
- 1.12.25 - Why we should get away from the corrective exercise trap
- 1.13.50 - The importance of having an understanding of functional anatomy
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's show, we have another episode of the very originally named "fitness industry conversations with Alex Pearson". I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation and feel we hit on some topics that will help a lot of people out. Namely, we talked about why personal training needs a proper definition and how to avoid burnout.
If you're listening to this episode and you've got Instagram, tag us in your story showing that you're doing some professional development. We're @liftthebar!
Timestamps * 1.25 - Why doors frustrate the hell out of Stuart * 5.32 - Why going to a dinner party with new people is analogous to a new client coming to the gym for the first time * 7.32 - Why having a lack of a definition of a personal trainer is an issue * 14.17 - Alex's definition of a PT * 22.52 - What this lack of definition means and how having one can help personal trainers enjoy their careers more * 28.02 - Burnout within personal training and fatigue/ stress management * 34.32 - Making a decision about jumping into facility ownership * 36.22 - Should you open a personal training facility?
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, we welcome on Tara Arndt from the School of Email. Earlier this year, I was lucky enough to watch Tara present at the Inland Empire Fitness Conference held in Spokane in Washington State on the topic of email marketing. As you may expect, our topic for this interview is on exactly that. We discuss how and why to use email marketing, how often to email, how to grow your list, what to do if you already have a list and much more.
Timestamps
- 0.50 - How Tara got started in email marketing.
- 4.25 - Companies that Tara thinks do marketing well.
- 6.50 - What she wishes more companies would do more and less of.
- 10.25 - How effective is email marketing in comparison to social media?
- 16.59 - Increasing open rates with emails
- 18.35 - How often should you email?
- 19.30 - How to use email for retention
- 21.35 - Where to begin if you wanted to gain new clients using email marketing?
- 26.15 - How to create a free download that can be used in exchange for an email address
- 28.40 - Some simple tips to grow your email list from your website
- 32.30 - What your autoresponder should contain
- 36.15 - When you should ask for the sale?
- 30.05 - Tips for staying consistent with sending emails
- 42.20 - Why putting something a PS in your emails is the most read part
- 45.50 - What you can do to grow your list if you already have one
- 48.50 - Book recommendations
Find Out More About Tara:
- Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, Bret Contreras "The Glute Guy" joins us. Bret is the inventor of the hip thrust and many other great ways to train the glutes you've no doubt used in your programming. He's a researcher, S&C coach and someone who spends just as much in the trenches experimenting as anyone else in the fitness industry. We discuss programming, glute training, tips for personal trainers and much more. Timestamps * 5.50 - How he has approached personal growth as a fitness professional * 18.30 - Why and how he has changed his approach to using social media * 22.05 - How he goes about designing gen pop training programmes * 25.20 - Why most people don't have problems with glute activation * 27.50 - Why telling clients they have a weak core is a dangerous thing to say * 33.20 - Why your words and demeanour matter as a personal trainer * 37.25 - Why you should educate your clients when they are training with you * 39.35 - How to get more word of mouth referrals * 42.50 - Where he starts when a new client wants to grow their glutes. Volume, frequency etc * 46.50 - His advice to personal trainers for making more money * 50.35 - What's exciting him in his trials in the glute lab currently
Find Out More About Bret:
- Website
- New Book
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, we welcome on Jack Lovett. Jack is the owner of Spartan Performance, a gym that works with people from all walks of life but that specialises in getting its clients strong. He's also an athlete who has won the British Natural Strongman competition and competed at an international level, and he's also an author of the newly released Spartan Strength book. In this episode, we discuss his love for strength training, what he's learned coaching people and running a gym business for 10 years now, and what he wishes more personal trainers knew about becoming successful in this industry. Timestamps * 1.20 - What Jack loves about strength training * 5.35 - Why most clients approach the gym to improve their aesthetics * 9.30 - Why success leads to more success * 10.15 - Qualities that have transcended from the gym to his life * 13.00 - What were his first few years of owning spartan performance like * 14.30 - What he did right during that time * 16.00 - What he did wrong during that time * 23.00 - How he sold personal training in a warehouse gym 10 years ago * 27.30 - Whether or not he believes walking the walking helped him grow his business * 36.30 - Lessons he's learnt from shadowing other trainers in the US * 40.00 - Why he decided to write a book * 44.15 - Why application is where the greatest lessons are learnt * 48.20 - How he has found finding staff and what he looks for in a coach * 54.45 - Closing messages
Find Our More About Jack:
- Website
- Email = jack@spartanperformance.co.uk
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In this episode, Stuart and previous guest Alex Pearson have a conversation about the newly launched Weight Watchers (WW) app for kids and how to help clients who are overly focussed on the scales. They are going to aim to do a minimum of one of these Q&A type episodes per month so please feel free to send over any questions you have to stuart@liftthebar.com and they'll get to them next time!
Topics Covered: * What role PTs can play in discussing something like the WW app * The positives of the WW app * The problems with it * What parents can do to help their kids with nutrition * The problem with moralising food into good/bad labels * How to help a client who is using good/bad food labels * How to help a client who is overly focussed on scale weight
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
- Resources mentioned: Yoni Freedhoff, Ellyn Satter, Balance356 Podcast
In today's episode, we welcome on Edward Hall. He is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation at Northumbria University, UK. His research interests focus on the relational, (micro)political and emotional complexities of sport coaching. His work explores how networks of social relations influence the thoughts, feelings and (inter)actions of sport professionals, and how sense is made of experiences, relationships and the self. He is also a rugby coach and coach mentor, currently working with professional and elite coaches in various sports to support their continuing development. We discuss what Edward's father taught him and how this has shaped the kind of coach he is, tips for improving your interpersonal skills, what reflective practice is, why to use it and how to integrate it into your professional development. Timestamps * 2.35 - How Edward's Dad taught him to drive and how this shaped the kind of person he is * 5.35 - Why trust, care and consistency are some of the foundations of how he coaches his athletes and teaches his students * 10.35 - Why he coaches and teaches using a "freedom within limits" environment * 12.30 - Why he feels that relationships are a huge part of coaching people * 20.10 - Some practical tips for improving interpersonal skills * 23.30 - What reflective practice is * 26.00 - An example of how a personal trainer can reflect on their practice * 29.50 - His initial internal response to seeing himself on video as part of his reflective practice * 33.40 - What did he spot from using reflective practice that allowed him to develop * 36.40 - Should trainers and coaches engage in reflective practice? * 38.30 - How to go about using reflective practice and how often? * 42.40 - Some examples of questions to ask yourself when reflecting on your practice * 48.45 - Edward's closing messages
Find Out More About Edward:
- Northumbria University Bio
- Research Papers
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
- Stuart's Email For 30 Day Free Trial + Reflective Practice Document - stuart@liftthebar.com
In today's episode, we welcome on Josh Hillis. Josh is the author of Fat Loss Happens on Monday (2013) and the upcoming Lean and Strong (2019) for OnTarget Publications. He has been writing his blog, losestubbornfat.com, since 2004. This ended up being a really cool conversation about a load of different topics mostly related to the world of coaching. We covered how he sets up nutrition coaching in a Personal Training setting, why it's ok that a lot of clients will start without any want to change their nutrition and workaholism.
Timestamps
- 2.20 - Is Personal Training set up for effective nutritional behaviour change?
- 4.00 - how he sets up and runs his phone coaching nutrition service
- 5.10 - where does he have nutrition conversations with his clients?
- 6.20 - what do clients need when it comes to nutrition support?
- 8.40 - what would Josh tell himself if he could go back in time when it comes to coaching nutrition?
- 10.25 - the difference between values and goals
- 14.55 - why looking for the gold in your client's lives and relating that to fitness/nutrition can help them understand how behaviour change takes time
- 18.00 - how often does he work with clients who start from an extrinsic/external place?
- 19.40 - how to help clients work our their values
- 24.40 - how he helps the clients who can't seem to be helped
- 28.40 - why it's normal to start working with clients who have no interest in changing nutrition but do in training
- 31.40 - Dan John's traffic light system for lifestyle behaviour change
- 36.00 - how he likens his workaholism to what his clients go through with their eating behaviours
- 40.45 - the difference between grit and self-compassion
- 46.40 - why it's ok that you can't manage as many sessions as other trainers
- 47.55 - why the cult of positivity is a big driver for emotional eating
Find Out More About Josh:
- Website
- Facebook Group
- Book
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
- Stuart's Email For 30 Day Free Trial - stuart@liftthebar.com
In this episode, we welcome on Cameron Cummings. Cameron has built up a fantastic business inside of a commercial gym in Edinburgh and is the man who is running our commercial gym trainer group at LTB, and filling it weekly with ideas and insights on becoming a successful commercial gym PT. In this episode, we dive straight into how he built up his business and started getting clients, what's worked and what hasn't for lead generation and where he feels commercial gym trainers go wrong.
Timestamps: * 0.50 - How he got busy in his first commercial gym using a "seeing what sticks" strategy * 6.50 - How his second time in a commercial gym differed to his first * 8.50 - How his time management played a big role in getting more clients * 15.50 - Why you need to double down on the strategies that work for lead generation * 17.20 - Why free sessions do work * 17.55 - How to go from conversation to paid client * 23.50 - Where do commercial gym PTs go wrong? * 31.20 - What has he done when he's in phases of not knowing what to do? * 33.30 - Why not having to worry about paying his bills has helped his enjoyment of being a personal trainer * 36.10 - What Cameron's message to a struggling PT would be
Find Out More About Cameron:
- LTB Commercial Gym Trainer FB Group
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In this episode, we welcome on Tom Morgan, Dai Lees and Alex Gibilaro from Hy3rid. We cover bodyweight training, what it's like working as three mates who are business partners and why it's ok as a PT to lose your motivation for training. Hy3rid provides online coaching with the primary aim to help people fall in love with training by making it fun again and providing a ridiculously positive and supportive community.
They also run workshops that explore movement and bodyweight skill training. Hybrid are running a workshop for us at LTB in Maidenhead on the 1st of September 2019 where they'll be covering warm-ups and then breaking down the handstand as well as loads of other bodyweight drills you can use with clients and in your own training. Head here to find out more about that!
Questions/Timestamps
2.30. If you could only do one exercise for the rest of your life, what would it be?
3.50 - Why do they love and enjoy bodyweight training so much?
8.35 - How can a trainer go about introducing more bodyweight training into a clients programme?
15.05 - How much of their programming is bodyweight based?
15.50 - what is it like being 3 good mates and business partners?
23.05 - do they think they put people off as they are all in great shape and put a lot of topless photos on social media?
27.35 - losing your motivation as a trainer for your own training.
35.35 - why spending time with other trainers is invaluable for both your own growth and love of being a PT.
Find Out More About Hy3rid:
- Website
- LTB Seminar
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, we welcome on Mark Tregilgas. Mark is a 40-year-old personal trainer with 13 years of experience. He founded 30 Plus Men's Fitness in 2010 and has Bootcamp locations across the UK and an online membership and community of over 30s men from across the globe. There are some episodes of the podcast that completely catch me and I think the guest by surprise, which is one of the beautiful things about having conversations with cool people. This is one of those episodes - Mark discusses a part of his life where he lost someone incredibly important to him and how this encouraged him to push on and form his entire business mission. Alongside this, we delve into the success of his bootcamps and what he wishes more personal trainers knew.
Find Out More About Mark:
- Website
- Youtube
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
Semi-private personal training (SPPT) is a model that many trainers get into to advance their careers. It allows you to work with more people, earn more money and not become stuck with the standard 1-1 model that only allows you to do so many hours. But, SPPT isn't easy and there are many trainers who get into it and decide they don't like it as they don't know how to make it work.
In this episode, I speak to 7 trainers from a range of backgrounds who are all running SPPT in some form within their business. Some own facilities, some do it out of other people's studios and some do it out of commercial gyms.
We go over:
- What SPPT is and why it may make sense to consider doing it.
- The big differences between SPPT and 1-1.
- How to do it in a commercial gym.
- How to create effective programmes for SPPT.
- Whether or not clients should write out their own weights during the session.
- Coaching tips.
- Managing nutrition.
- Pricing.
- Booking systems.
- Tips for transitioning into when you're completely new
- and much, much more!
Learn More About Our Guests
- Angi Pilika
- Antonio Henry
- Cameron Cummings
- James McLaren
- Jerome Bolze
- Stephen Marsden
- Tony Cottenden
Learn More About LTB
- Website
Have you ever wondered how to improve your communication skills so you can better connect with your clients? In this from the archive episode from back in February of 2017, guest Cathy MacDonald from The Art of Communication answers this question and many more about improving and understanding communication.
Find Out More About Cathy:
- Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
Referrals are not only one of the cheapest ways to get in new clients, but they are also a sure-fire sign you're doing well as a business. So, what can you do to increase the chance of your current clients telling their friends, family members or colleagues about you? That's exactly what I cover in this episode.
You'll learn:
- How to create a referral system that runs without you needing to do anything.
- A sample script to use with current clients to ask for referrals.
- How to make referrals simple for your current clients.
- The importance of staying in contact with old clients.
- How to increase organic referrals,
- and much more!
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In this episode, we welcome on Nikki Strong. Nikki is a registered dietician, the owner of an online coaching company called Strong Nutrition and an assistant coach at Precision Nutrition's level 2 programme. We get into how to help a resistant client, what something called the therapeutic alliance means and why understanding this helps build the relationship between you and your clients and how she's got over imposter syndrome to become more effective at coaching clients. Find Out More About Nikki:
- Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
Timestamps 2.00 - what first got Nikki interested in the world of fitness. 4.10 - how her business works. 4.40 - how she finds being based mostly online. 7.45 - why being caught by imposter syndrome got in the way of her helping clients when she first started. 12.25 - why building a "therapeutic alliance" is an essential part of working with new clients. 16.00 - what she does to build a strong relationship foundation. 21.00 - how has the process of behaviour change been different in her experience coaching. 21.45 - why she now trusts her clients more. 23.45 - what are resistant clients. 28.10 - why resistance now excites her as a coach. 30.00 - an example of client resistance in sleep behaviours and how Nikki would support someone here. 39.00 - when there is a place for calling out a client who just isn't doing the thing they say they want/ are going to do.
In this episode, we welcome on Greg Nuckols from Stronger by Science and the monthly publication MASS. If you've followed Greg's work for any length of time, you'll know his blog is one of the most in-depth resources out there for brilliant long-form content on strength sports and nutrition research. He has done hundreds of podcasts talking about everything to do with those subjects so feel free to search his name and you'll easily find them, so in this episode, I wanted to get down into the nitty-gritty of his business, career and how he goes about creating the content he does. What came out at the end is an interview I'm delighted with that I know everyone listening will be able to take a lot from.
Timestamps 4.20 - whether Greg does anything specific to gain understanding in his subject areas. 11.55 - how long it took him to start to realise producing in-depth, long-form, high-quality content was where he could excel. 12.45 - does he any have any intention to get back into 1-2-1 coaching? 14.55 - how he approaches business. 21.30 - why not being focussed on business has been great for his business. 23.45 - how running his business has been different than what he anticipated. 27.45 - why he believes a large proportion of his success comes down to luck 32.15 - what his step is when he has an idea for a blog post. 33.42 - common mistakes PTs make when creating content. 43.15 - what PTs can do to create content to attract clients. 47.30 - how he built up his coaching business when he first started. Find Out More About Greg:
- Website
- Podcast
- MASS
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, Stuart interviews Dr Gabrielle Fundaro. Gabrielle is a Renaissance Periodization coach who also works with her own clients. She's an expert in the area of digestive and gut health and has presented on the subject at numerous fitness conferences and seminars. In this episode, we get into all things gut health. The first 15 minutes are dry as we set the scene and give some background, but after that, we get into the topics that will be of interest to personal trainers, like the difference between food intolerance and sensitivity, how to help a client with gut issues and the nutritional principles surrounding gut health.
Find Out More About Gabrielle:
- Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
Books Mentioned
- The Fundamentals of Microbiome Science - Angela Douglas
- The New Microbiology - Pascale Cossart
- The Good Gut - Justin and Erica Sonnenberg (less scientific and more accessible)
In this episode of the podcast, we welcome on Ron McKeefery from PLAE Performance. Ron is a Strength and Conditioning coach who has been in the industry for 25 years. He's a father, husband, author and an award-winning coach who has worked with hundreds of athletes all over the world. In this episode, we discuss lessons he's learnt from coaching athletes for two decades, managing large group training sessions, the power of being vulnerable with your athletes and clients, his favourite books, how he retains and uses the information he learns from those books using powerpoints and much more.
Find Out More About Ron:
- Ron's Website
- Ron's Books
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
Books Mentioned
- Chip and Dan Heath Books (Switch, Decisive, The Power of Moments)
- Brene Brown - Dare to Lead
In this episode of the podcast, we welcome on Maggie Elliott from Spark Fitness to discuss how she's built a successful mobile training PT business. I've run a fair few outdoor bootcamps in Scotland in weather that was less than perfect and really disliked it. Running a PT business that is, for 90% of your time, run outside, no matter the weather, sounds way too challenging and uncomfortable to me. But it's what today's guest has found as her little corner of the fitness world and where she's built a business that is doing fantastic things. Maggie is one of the most positive people I've ever spoken to and I think it's easy to see why her clients would want to come back to her - she just loves it!
We get into her business, how she transitioned from teaching to PT, how she overcomes some of the challenges associated with mobile PT and her "one client at a time and make sure everyone knows about what I'm doing" mindset for marketing.
Find Out More About Maggie:
- Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
If you're a long time listener you'll know Alwyn is a regular (#28,58,116) and always shares fantastic info about everything to do with running a fitness business. We start this interview off a bit differently with a 20-minute discussion about what it's like now he's 13 years on since beating cancer twice. We then get into using Instagram to gain clients, the importance of social proof for marketing and why he hasn't opened a 2nd Results Fitness as well as much more!
Find Out More About Alwyn:
- Results Fitness Website
- Results Fitness University Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
Books Mentioned
- The Golden Age of Strength and Conditioning
- Profit First
- The One Thing
In this episode with Omar Ganai, we have a from the archives one which was first posted in February of 2017. Omar knows motivation science better than most people and in this episode, we get into the science of motivation, the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, what self-determination theory is, how PTs can create a motivational environment for their clients and much more. Find Out More About Omar:
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In this episode of the LTB Podcast, we welcome on Mike Waywell from Steel Habitat. Steel was opened in 2013 and since then it has gone from strength to strength and is now two state of the art 4000sq ft facilities.
Questions Covered:
- What was more challenging for Mike – playing rugby professionally or building up Steel to where it is now.
- How he would feel about running a business in another industry.
- Why his identity around being a rugby player and being an S&C coach changed and how he has come to accept that.
- What some of the hard moments running Steel have been and how he’s got over them.
- How he’s learnt to manage his emotions over business problems.
- Why you need to put systems in place to handle recurring problems.
- How he develops culture.
- How and why to set standards for yourself.
- Why the service and experience that Steel offers is what separates them.
- The importance of good systems.
Find Out More About Mike:
- Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In this episode of the podcast, we chat to Alberto Nuñez from 3DMJ. Alberto has been in the sport of natural bodybuilding for 20 years and he's one of the coaches at 3DMJ who spends most of his time in the trenches working with athletes. This makes for a fascinating conversation as he's had so much experience working with people, learning from his mistakes and testing what works. In this episode, we get into: * How he feels 3DMJ have helped changed the perception of bodybuilding * What the sport has taught him * How he's developed his inter-personal coaching skills and much more!
Find Out More About Alberto:
- Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, we welcome on Eric Cressey. I can't imagine Eric will need much of an intro but just in case, he is the president and co-founder of Cressey Sports Performance, with facilities two facilities located in America. He's helped athletes at all levels - from youth sports to the professional and Olympic ranks - achieve their highest levels of performance in a variety of sports. He's produced five books, four DVD sets and written over 500 articles which have been featured in places like Men's Health, T-Nation and ESPN. In this episode Stuart and Eric discuss: * Where Eric's work ethic comes from and how he balances this with a growing family * How and why he built up career capital early on in his career * Where Personal Trainer's and strength coaches go wrong when it comes to growing their careers * and much more!
Find Out More About Eric:
- Website
- Elite Baseball Development Podcast
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, we welcome on Sam George. Sam has had one of the journeys that are just so nice to listen to. It's more common than we think to feel like we don't belong in this industry and a big part of this discussion with Sam is around how he carved his own path and why it's so important to think like that as a PT. We also get into how close he got to leaving the industry, what kept him in it, how he builds trust with clients, what template Sam uses to create programmes that his clients love and much more. Find Out More About Sam:
- Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In this episode, we have a "from the archives" episode from back in February 2017 with Danny Lennon from Sigma Nutrition. We get into some of Danny's early career mistakes, where his company Sigma Nutrition start a new client, fat loss phasing, what PTs need to know about sugar and much more. Find Out More About Danny:
- Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
- New LTB Nutrition Course
Stuart welcomes on Dr Quinn Henoch. Quinn is an internationally recognized therapist, author, presenter, and coach. In this episode, they discuss how his approach to injuries & rehab have changed since he graduated in 2013, why he doesn't like the term mobility, how he would approach correcting a hip shift in a squat and much more.
Find Out More About Quinn:
- Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
Stuart welcomes on Corey Robb from Macros Inc to discuss how our own struggles and challenges with nutrition can help us become better coaches.
Topics Covered:
- What was the industry like back in 1998 when he started as a PT?
- Who were his early mentors in the industry?
- How he has changed his coaching style over the years to work more effectively with clients?
- Why and how being out of shape and struggling with his own nutrition helped him become a better coach.
- Do we have to experience being obese to be able to effectively empathise with our obese clients?
Find Out More About Corey:
- Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
Stuart welcomes on Dean Somerset. Dean has been a personal trainer since 2004 who has been educating trainers for the last 10 years. He's worked with an array of clients from all kinds of backgrounds but has specifically built up a bit of a niche working with clients with injuries. In this episode, we discuss developing a niche in a commercial gym, how to accurately assess your clients and why some of Dean's clients of over 10 years have never touched a barbell.
Topics Covered:
- How he has found making the jump from being in an employed commercial space to now being in a self-employed independent gym.
- What it was like for him starting in 2004.
- How to get into working with medical rehab populations.
- What to do if you're struggling to become busy as a PT.
- How he's achieved longevity as a trainer.
- How he initially assesses a new client.
- Why some of his clients, who have been with him for 10-12 years, have never touched a barbell.
- How important Dean thinks posture is.
- How he works with clients who have lower back pain.
Find Out More About Dean:
- Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
Stuart welcomes back on Jean-Claude Vacassin from the International Fitness Business Alliance (IFBA) and W10 Gym in London to chat about common issues gym owners face, what to do if you're struggling as a facility owner and how he thinks about staffing and pricing.
Topics Covered:
- How involved is he in the day-to-day running of W10 nowadays?
- What separates great gyms from average gyms?
- If you're struggling as a facility owner, where should you start?
- He's been running the IFBA since 2016, what's been some of the big things he's learnt in that time about helping gym owners?
- What he has learnt from visiting many gyms for on-site visits?
- Have you seen many gyms fail? Why do you think happens?
- Does he think it's harder now as a facility owner?
- When you go to do an on-site audit, what you look for/ typically spot that are some easy fixes?
- How to think about up setting up your pricing?
- How he thinks about staffing.
Find Out More About JC:
- IFBA Live Event
- W10 Website
- The IFBA Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, we welcome on Mike Zimmerman. Mike is currently working for the PTDC and is in the process of creating a bunch of books on starting in the industry as a PT. He's a writer by trade who has been in media for 27 years. He's written many books in fiction and non-fiction which you can find on his Amazon page, and he's worked for Men's Health and Weight Watchers. During his time in the former, he interviewed 100s of public figures and created 50+ celebrity cover stories. All in all Mike's successful and varied career, his ability to tell stories and his "take work seriously but don't take life too serious" attitude makes for a fascinating interview that I would have happily done for hours more. In this episode, we get into: - The lessons he's learnt interviewing celebrities - Why he prints off all of his content drafts
- What he picked up about speaking to your audience from working in MH and WW - Writing tips and much more! Find Out More About Mike: * Twitter
* LinkedIn
* The PTDC
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
Stuart talks with Lisa Gimenez-Codd from Optimum Health about pre and post-natal training considerations, training the pelvic floor and what Personal Trainers need to know about menopause.
Find Out More About Lisa: * Website * Facebook * Instagram
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, we welcome back on Eric Helms. We cover: * How he's managing his workload while being so close to a bodybuilding competition * Why he is grateful success never came until around a decade into his career in the fitness industry * Why he takes more time to think about how he converses with people online * and much more!
Find Out More About Eric: * Website * Facebook * Instagram * Iron Culture Podcast
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In this episode, we welcome back on Alex Pearson to discuss behaviour change. Topics covered include where to begin with behaviour change, what a global view of human behaviour looks like and why our brains natural reward systems create behaviours that can be incredibly challenging to change.
Find Out More About Alex: * Website * Facebook
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In this episode, we welcome back on Leigh Peele to discuss the psychology of weight loss, why PTs should separate training and nutrition when supporting their clients and how to help clients overcome procrastination.
Find Out More About Leigh:
- Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In this episode, we welcome on Scott Baptie to talk about how got started in the fitness industry, how he runs Food For Fitness, how he thinks about time management and his new book "101 ways to lose weight and never find it again".
Find Out More About Scott
- Website
- Scott's Book
- Book recommendation from the episode - Work Less, Make More by James Schramko
Find Out More About LTB
- Website
In today's episode, we welcome on Sally Moss. Sally runs a company called Strength Ambassadors and has been a member of LTB for the past 3 years now. In this episode, we get into how Sally got into Personal Training coming from a completely unrelated career, how her fitness business functions, what has kept her in the industry during the harder times and how she's taken control of her finances after years of neglect!
Find Out More About Sally's company Strength Ambassadors:
- Website
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
In today's episode, we welcome on Sean Armstrong. Sean runs a semi-private Personal Training facility near Newcastle in England. The main reason I asked Sean to come on is because he's doing fantastic work with his facility and because he used to be known as the member of LTB who was forever complaining. But, this isn't the Sean of 2019, so we get into how his journey has seen him find the confidence to open a facility and make a success out of it.
Topics Covered:
- How he got started as a Personal Trainer.
- He found starting early in his career as an online PT.
- Why he spends less time freaking about losing a client or two nowadays.
- Why Sean thinks it's important to ensure you're tracking your numbers.
- Why he takes time to do things that force his mind to concentrate on other things.
- How he's found owning his own facility.
- What his goals are for over the next few years.
- The importance of spending time developing yourself.
Find Out More About Sean
Find Out More About LTB
- Website
In today's episode, we welcome back on Chad Landers. Chad has been in the industry as a personal trainer for over 25 years. He's completed over 30,000 sessions and has worked with some of his clients for 24 years. In this episode, we get into his fav thing about being a trainer, how he realised this career is all about the client, what his experiences with online training have been and much more.
Topics Covered:
- What he enjoys most about being a PT.
- If he has ever thought about stopping being a trainer.
- Has he developed his communication and relationship building skills?
- How he learnt it was all about the client.
- Why you need to have challenging and honest conversations about aligning their behaviours and goals with clients.
- What his experiences with online training have been.
- How many sessions per week he's discovered is right for him.
- What were Chad/s biggest lessons at key points in your career? (Louise Johnstone)
- Did he ever have 5 year/10 year plans or just keep going without ever thinking too hard about the future? (James Jones)
- When does waking up at 5am start to suck? (Tony Cottenden)
Find Out More About Chad:
- Calendly Link
- Chad's Instagram
- Chad's Facebook
Find Out More About LTB:
- Website
in today's episode, we welcome on Angi Pilika. Angi is a long-time member of LTB and has a very interesting story about how she got into Personal Training. She also transitioned out of the industry for a couple of years before returning. I think we all have a phase as PTs where we question our worth as and sometimes, stepping out of the industry and spending time learning and understanding more about yourself is the best way to decipher if this is the career for you. We also discuss what she learnt from a job in sales, why having a coach has taught her so much and using colour coded spreadsheets to manage her time! Find Out More About Angi: Website Instagram Facebook Find Out More About LTB: Website Instagram Facebook
In this episode, we welcome on Kevin Ashworth. Kevin is an expert on the topic of anxiety. He's studied it for years and has authored publications on anxiety focused training. We get into what anxiety is, strategies to help overcome it, how effective meditation and positive thinking are, why changing your behaviour is more powerful than changing your thinking and how making an ass of yourself is totally normal!
Topics Covered:
- What he means by the quote “you’re already miserable, you may as well be miserable on purpose.”
- Why feeling confident is not the opposite of feeling anxious.
- Whether feeling anxious is a choice.
- How to change your inner dialogue.
- If meditation is effective for managing anxiety.
- How to change our thinking.
- Whether or not positive thinking is an effective remedy for negative thinking.
Strategies for changing your relationship with anxiety download
Kevin's Youtube
Kevin's Instagram
In this short episode, Stuart covers whether or not you should use monthly or block payment plans. How to transition across to monthly and how to work out what to charge so that you get paid holidays is also covered.
In today's episode, we welcome on James Jones. James is a Personal Trainer who owns his own facility. He's been an LTB member for nearing on 5 years now and his journey into the industry, as well as how he met his now wife, makes for a very interesting and at times hilarious conversation. We discuss how he got into the industry, mistakes he's made, why following the wrong people nearly had him leaving the industry and why he doesn't tell all his clients to have steak and nuts for breakfast anymore.
James' Gym
James' Instagram
In this episode, Stuart covers 5 tips that will help you run more effective initial consultations. These will help you learn more about the client, improve rapport and increase the chance of them signing up to your Personal Training services.
If you're a Personal Trainer, the chances are pretty high that you'll work with people who have weight loss based goals. Gregg has created an in-depth course that looks into exactly this, but it isn't just about calories in, calories out, his course goes into essentially every aspect of weight loss you can think of.
Topics Covered:
- Why Gregg has decided to focus on business as one of his Q1 professional development goals.
- What he's learnt in the process of creating his understanding weight loss course.
- Why our bodies hate losing weight.
- How understanding more about weight loss has informed his coaching.
- Metabolic adaptation and how this affects weight loss.
- What other factors we should be looking at with regards to weight loss.
- How important exercise is for weight loss.
- Whether we should be using large or small deficits.
- How many calories we typically burn during exercise.
Exercise: Fat Loss Paradox Video
In this short episode, Stuart discusses principles and methods you can use to generate leads whilst working out of a commercial gym.
Great to welcome back on Aadam Ali from Physiqonomics to the podcast. He has kindly created a course for us at LTB on creating fitness content, which is going to be released later this week. Topics Covered: * How have things been since we last spoke on episode 62. * How Aadam found 2018. * What has this past year taught him. * Getting over the perfectionist mindset. * Where he sees his career going. * What he does during dryer content creation phases. * What to expect from his LTB course.
In this episode, Stuart welcomes on Dan Salcumbe from my personal trainer website to chat about all things websites.
Topics Covered:
- How he got started building PT websites.
- What makes an effective website.
- How to decide whether or not you should have a website.
- What type of situation should a PT be in to justify having a website?
- How easy it is to create a website.
- Why user experience and design should be at the top of your website priorities.
- Where he sees PT's going wrong when it comes to creating their websites.
- What kind of things should you have on your website?
- Should you put your prices on your website?
- Whether SEO is worth investing in.
mypersonaltrainerwebsite
Dan's contact email
"I have had 100% more opportunities in my life because of who I am as a person over what skills & knowledge I have gained" - Brian Patrick Murphy In today's episode, we welcome on the amazing Brain Patrick Murphy from Mark Fisher Fitness (MFF). We discuss what he's learnt being a huge part of the team at MFF, how he thinks about sales as this was one of his main roles at MFF and how to make progress when it feels like there is no progress that can be made. MFF Website Zuckerberg Institute BPM's Instagram
In this short solo episode, Stuart runs over consultations, onboarding, session reflection, common nutrition problems, lead tracking, accounting, meetings and day/ week planning.
In this episode, we follow on from our last conversation (119) and discuss much more about FB ads, how to create systems so that those adverts that collect leads turn into long-term paying clients and more on marketing in general.
Topics Covered * Whether or not he believes digital marketing is becoming harder to sell. * Whether or not he feels selling personal training can be done effectively through social media. * What the role of pain points are in marketing. * How to make a customer profitable over the long term. * The importance of creating quality background systems when using advertising. * Why you should map out the entire customer journey. * Book recommendations that will help with marketing. * Why Neil is running a 16-week marketing course.
Neil's Free FB Group
In this episode, Stuart welcomes on Mike Doehla from StrongerU online nutrition coaching. Mike started off working in an entirely different industry before deciding he would try his hand at gym ownership. This didn't quite work out, however, he realised his strengths could be used elsewhere and built up a client base of 350 people before leaving his other job and growing his company Stronger U Nutrition to working with over 20,000 clients.
Topics Covered * What Mike's background has been and how he started his company Stronger U. * Why his client successes were crucial to gaining some initial momentum. * How he grew to working with 350 active clients in his first year. * How Mike managed to effectively work with so many people. * How and why StrongerU use anytime contact with their clients. * What Mike thinks are the key things for long-term sustained weight loss. * How he's improved the way he creates relatable content on social media. * What he looks for in new nutrition coaches.
In today's episode, we welcome on Dr Yuping Liu Thompkins. Yuping Liu-Thompkins, Ph.D. is Professor of Marketing & Director of Customer Analytics and Strategy Collaboratory at Old Dominion University. Dr. Yuping Liu-Thompkins is an expert on building customer loyalty and habit through effective marketing programs.
Topics Covered:
- What changes has Dr. Yuping seen in the 20+ years she's been studying marketing?
- Whether or not it is harder for small-to-medium businesses to get a share of the marketplace nowadays?
- If she feels offline marketing still has a big part to play.
- How to build customer habit early on in a new customers journey.
- The difference between customer loyalty and customer habit.
- Companies who are leading the way with customer loyalty.
- How to effectively use loyalty programs.
Yuping's Site
In this episode we chat about Steph's journey, how she thinks about success, why loving what you do involves tasks you don't like 70% of the time and how to create a body positive environment for your clients.
Steph's Instagram
Iron Lion Training Website
In this episode, Stuart welcomes on returning guest Tony Gentilcore.
Topics Covered:
- How his career has changed since he's had his first child.
- Why he still feels in-person seminars are the best place to move your career forward.
- What does he think has been key to his career progress.
- Why taking responsibility with his finances was a huge lesson for him.
- Why he believes that owning your own studio is not the pinnacle of being a personal trainer.
- Why Tony thinks working in a commercial gym is a fantastic way to get a strong start in the industry.
- Why it's so important as a fitness professional that you still have a life outside of fitness.
Tony's Website
In this episode, we welcome on Patrick Umphrey. I've followed Patrick for years and recently joined his free FB group called Eat, Train, Progress which is a fantastic online/ offline community for people who care about their health, lifting weights and generally just being good humans who have a laugh.
Topics Covered:
- A 15-minute conversation around whether or not being in better or worse shape makes you a more effective personal trainer.
- What his journey into becoming a personal trainer has been.
- How he started his Eat, Train, Progress free group.
- How he's grown this to 17,000+ members and used it to build his business.
- What spending a few years answering questions in forums has taught him.
- What he's learnt from following Eric Helms.
- How the ETP group started.
- What does he think has been key to its growth and why does the group has such high engagement.
- Helping clients pick themselves back up after setbacks.
Eat, Train, Progress Free FB Group
in today's episode, we welcome back on Molly Galbraith from Girls Gone Strong. Molly and the team at GGS have created a 5-day course called sexual harassment and assault in the health and fitness industry and as an education podcast for personal trainers, we want to help make as big a difference as we can to this topic. If we're to make any kind of progress, we need to all be on the singing off of the same song sheet and this is exactly where I see conversations like this and resources like the course GGS have created really moving us as an industry forwards. Free 5-Day Course GGS Free FB Group
In this short marketing mini-episode, Chris takes over the show and discusses how Personal Trainers can use social media to build their businesses.
"Nobody cares what I do, they care what I do for others" Jason Leenaarts is a podcast host of the fantastic Revolutionary You!, a gym owner and writer. In this episode, we delve into his past as it contains some brilliant lessons I think we can all learn from. He's come from a place of being a drug addict and we chat about what this phase of his life has taught him and how it's shaped the coach he is today. He's also had his facility for just under 10 years and is still doing 10+ PT session days - if you follow him on social media you'll know this as he posts pictures of his clients constantly, which is another topic we also discuss! There is an insane amount of lessons and stories in this and I'm confident any trainer will be able to take something from Jason's journey. Books Endless Referrals by Bob Berg www.jasonleenaarts.com www.revfittherapy.com (FB)www.facebook.com/jason.leenaarts (IG)www.instagram.com/jasonleenaarts
In this short episode, Stuart asks everyone who listens to send a picture of where you're listening to the episode to stuart@liftthebar.com and gives an update on the LTB Personal Training course which is currently live for signups.
LTB Personal Training Course Website
In this episode, we welcome on Chet Morjaria from Strength Education. We chat about putting the human first in your coaching, how to work out what your best working self is and how to help your clients take more responsibility.
Book Recommendations
Deep Work by Cal Newport
Meaningful by Bernadette Jiwa
Chet's Instagram
Chet's Facebook
2-Week LTB Free Trial Link
"I've got a million and one ways to generate leads that don't include anything to do with FB ads or online marketing" - Travis Jones
In this episode, Stuart welcomes on Travis Jones from Results Based Training. They chat about his journey, which contains many many unbelievable stories, lead generation strategies, referrals and selling.
TJ's Instagram
Roadmap to a Million Dollars FB Group
Episode two in a series of short marketing episodes from Chris Burgess. In this, Chris discusses the difference between getting good and bad quality leads in sales and how using pain points in your marketing could be problematic.
Contact Chris - chris@liftthebar.com
In this episode, we welcome back on Mark Fisher from Mark Fisher Fitness and Business for Unicorns to discuss what's new, how they are improving their onboarding procedures at MFF, how Mark has got so good at articulating himself clearly, metacognition, nutrition coaching and much more!
Mark Fisher Fitness
Business for Unicorns
LTB PT of the Year Award
In this short episode, LTB's Chris Burgess discusses how personal trainers can make better choices with their marketing so they can get more clients. This will be the first in a series of short marketing episodes from Chris.
2-Week LTB Free Trial
In this episode, we welcome on TeamUp's director Tim Green on to the podcast. Tim is incredibly knowledgeable about marketing, the customer experience and all things to do with TeamUp and how their service can be used to help and support trainers & facility owners. We spend a good bit of this interview discussing marketing, what they are discovering through their fitness journey project, the onboarding process for clients and then we get into what is it that TeamUp does. LTB members get a fantastic 60-day free trial of teamup, which you can see more about on the trusted partner's page of the site or by checking out this link - goteamup.com/ltb LTB PT of the Year Award
"Concentrate on the client's you do have instead of the client's you don't have" I joined LTB back in December 2013 and the first person I spoke to was a guy named Ian Stevenson. When he started in LTB, he was running a bootcamp that he charged £1 per session for, now he's got a facility with over 120 members in it and 2 members of staff. If you ever wanted some inspiration for building something out of very little in our world of personal training, Ian is one of the best examples you'll see. He's had more ups and downs than most and will likely be the first to tell you "the big red fuck-it button" still exists, but he's an excellent example of someone who has built something with his members in the forefront of his mind throughout, tried his best to learn & grow whenever possible and asked for help & support when he's needed it. For anyone who tunes into this one and can't make out what we're saying, I'm sorry but you're just going to have to make do as the transcription service had no chance and subtitles don't exist on podcasts haha.
"Use 90% of your time making your strengths stronger and 10% of your time neutralising your weaknesses" Great to welcome Krista back on to the show. Her previous episodes have been incredibly popular and I've spoken numerous times about how much she's taught me, especially from a coaching standpoint. Loads of cool topics covered in this episode! Topics Covered: * How she structures and sets up her day. * Why self-care is such an important value to Krista and to Precision Nutrition. * How the meaning of self-care has changed over the course of her career. * How she has managed a huge recent life change. * How to embrace the uncertainty that life sometimes brings. * How much of her own life she reveals to her clients. * How to use strategic self-disclosure to improve connection. * Why it's fantastic that so many new coaches are coming into the industry having been in other careers. * Why it's so important to go and get other experiences as a coach. * What she would tell herself if she could go back to day one of being a coach about understanding how to figure whom you enjoy training.
Books Mentioned:
- Deep Work by Cal Newport
- Pema Chodron's work
- The Desire Map by Danielle LaPorte
In this episode of the podcast, we welcome back on John Clark from Fit3Sixty.
Topics Covered:
- In 4 years you've gone from just surviving in a sports development career to being the owner of 3 gyms, what do you think has been key to your success?
- How he has gone about bringing on and continuing to improve his staff.
- Why the creation of culture has been essential for Fit3sixty's growth.
- If John thinks you have to look the part to be a personal trainer.
- How he's dealing with working so many hours at the minute.
- Why he puts such a focus on customer experience.
- How they've managed to get 50% of new sales from referrals.
- If John feels personal trainers should have a goal of getting their own facility.
- How his role has changed since the growth of the business.
Books Mentioned - Shoe Dog & Legacy
John's email - John@fit3sixty.co.uk
"Downtime is not unproductive. What is unproductive is spending your downtime in ways that are not particularly meaningful or enjoyable to you"
In today's episode, we welcome on Laura Vanderkam. Laura is an author who has written some excellent books and her newest release is one I loved called Off The Clock, a book all about how we can better manage our time. It's one of those books I was more than happy to read twice as I took so much away from it and in this interview, we get into where Laura's fascination about TM comes from, how she sets up and plans her day & week, what she would recommend to someone who is just starting to think about better managing their time and much more.
- Why time management is such a big topic nowadays.
- If she thinks it's harder to manage nowadays.
- What Laura still struggles with when it comes to managing her time.
- Why she tracks her time and has done for over 3 years now.
- What big lessons she's learnt about time management since she's been studying it.
- How she sets up her week and day.
- Why she thinks a good idea to try tracking your time.
- Why stepping back and reflecting can make you feel like you have more time.
- How to use the concept of savouring to improve your life.
Laura's Site
Off The Clock Book
LTB 2-Week Free Trial
In this episode, of the podcast, we welcome on Mike James from The Endurance Physio. If you're an LTB member you'll have no doubt seen Mike commenting and posting some incredibly useful info in our FB group over the last two months. He's incredibly knowledgeable when it comes to all things endurance sports and injuries and that's exactly where we take this conversation!
- How Mike got started with The Endurance Physio.
- What he thinks separates the people who take part in extreme endurance.
- How PT's can help endurance clients who get injured.
- What most injuries come down to in endurance sports.
- How we can encourage active management of injuries with our clients.
- Why it's so important that you build up a referral network in your local area and how to go about doing this.
- Are PT's skilled enough to work with endurance athletes?
- Does what we do as trainers actually help reduce injury?
- How do we ensure that the training we're doing doesn't interfere with their endurance training?
- Some misconceptions around running form and stretching.
Mike's Website
Mike's FB
In today's episode, we welcome on Ryan Doris. Ryan is a world class bodybuilder and powerlifter. He is an incredibly deep thinker and we delve into a whole host of cool topics today including overwhelm, what tools he is using to help his life, how he managing being deep into bodybuilding prep and much more.
Ryan's Site
IG- @thenattypro
YT- Youtube.com/thenattypro
Email- Ryan@fortiseq.com
"99% of sales comes way before the close. The sale will take care of itself if you take care of people" -- Elias Scarr Elias is the membership director at Results Fitness, the gym which previous podcast guest Alwyn Cosgrove runs. As he is the membership director when it comes to sales and the consultation process he knows his stuff inside out. If you listen to this episode, here are a few big things I picked up: - Comparing being an expert vs being good enough in the numerous things that personal trainers need to do. - Creating a benefits list for getting over self-worth issues. - Making the asking for money stage as easy as asking a friend for money for something you have paid for by focussing on building the relationship. - Reframing objections as buying signals, which can be fixed. Results Fitness University LTB 2-Week Free Trial
In this short episode, Stuart discusses a simple tip to go about identifying what you need to work on as a personal trainer to improve the way you do things.
"It may not be about gaining more clients by telling your story, it may just be about connecting with your current clients or showing that you're a human too." - Camille DePutter
About a month ago I bought a book called "Bird by Bird" by Anne Lamont that was recommended in an email newsletter. The book is fantastic and the newsletter was written by Camille DePutter, the lady I have on the podcast for this episode.
She is a writer and has helped companies like Precision Nutrition as well as many individual trainers tell stories that help people connect with their business.
We get into how to start telling our story in this episode as well as how to become a better writer along with lots of great book recommendations. There's also a 10 minute period in this episode where we do a practical exercise Camille created on the spot to show everyone who listens how you can start to piece together your story.
Topics Covered:
-- Why Camille loves the shitty first draft concept. -- How she got started helping out fitness industry professionals with their writing. -- How to start telling your story. -- How to start shaping it. -- What to do if you feel like you don't have a story. -- Writing advice. -- If you should schedule your writing time. Books mentioned: - Bird by Bird by Anne Lamont - The Artists Way by Julia Cameron - The Diary of Anais Nin
"Yeah, that self-care thing is still on the to-do list... sleep is something I'm going to get at one point" I loved this conversation with Serena and it's one of those episodes that reminds me why I started the LTB podcast. Real conversations with real personal trainers. Topics Covered:
-- How Serena is finding being a single parent with three kids while also working as a PT. -- How she has made the situation easier for herself by explaining to her kids why she is doing what she is doing. -- Big challenges she has found trying to manage things. -- How she fits in time with each of her kids to ensure they feel valued. -- If and how Serena manages to fit in self-care.
Fantastic to welcome on LTB's very own Claire to the podcast. Claire's background is fascinating for an array of reasons and the place we took this interview was down the line of what it is like being a PT and a client. Claire has worked with PT's as a client for the last 7-8 years while also being a trainer herself, and now, of course, an educator of trainers. This mix of roles blends for a very insightful perspective that I had the pleasure of being able to quiz her on.
Topics Covered:
- What her experience with personal trainers has been. - Why she started with her first PT. - How she selected her personal trainers. - Better ways to check-in with a client after they've completed a set. - What her expectations around things like periodization and technical knowledge have been. - How, as a client, she would define progress? - Claire's experience of feeling she wasn't good enough as a trainer, which has now been reframed to being an "adult PE teacher"
Books Mentioned: - Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman
- LTB's new trainer guide (only available to LTB members)
LTB 2-Week Free Trial
In this episode, Stuart welcomes on Jon Goodman. Jonathan Goodman is the creator of the largest collaborative blog for personal trainers, the Personal Trainer Development Center (thePTDC) and the founder of the world's first certification for online trainers, the Online Trainer Academy. He’s the author of 7 books including Ignite the Fire, Viralnomics, and the seminal textbook on online personal training. Jon has been featured in Men's Health, Forbes, Entrepreneur, and many more.
Topics Covered: -- When Jon started as a Personal Trainer. -- How he had the confidence to go about writing a book during the early stages of his career. -- Does he think it's harder to be a trainer nowadays back than when he started. -- Why a huge part of marketing has to be around helping people feel like they can achieve. -- How we can sell consistency and adherence. -- Why he stopped training clients. -- What his message to a trainer who is questioning what they are doing long-term. 2-Week LTB Free Trial
PTDC Site
Online Trainer Academy
In this episode, Stuart speaks to Eric Helms from 3DMJ. The conversation is centred around Eric's experiences of being a personal trainer back in 2005-2012, what this has taught him and how it's shaped how he coaches and teaches now.
Topics Covered:
-- What does a day in the life of Eric Helms look like? -- How he uses social media to advance his business -- If he has always been as introspective and how he's developed this skill -- What is it like reflecting on how he was as a personal trainer in 2005 -- What would he tell himself if he could go back to day one of being a trainer -- Has he come from a place of placing too much importance on his physique? -- What he would do to start getting clients in a commercial gym if he started there tomorrow -- What's one book he would recommend trainers check out and what one book does he personally just love -- What skillsets does he think are essential that trainers work on getting better at -- What's exciting him about the fitness industry just now
Eric's 3DMJ Bio
3DMJ Vault
LTB 2-Week Free Trial
Books Mentioned:
- Perennial Seller by Ryan Holiday - The Expanse Series
In this episode, Stuart speaks to Matt Stranberg, a registered dietitian and strength and conditioning specialist who currently is working with the Walden GOALS programme, who treat competitive athletes experiencing disordered eating behaviours.
More about Matt Motivational Interviewing Book
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In this episode, Stuart goes solo to discuss what to do if your clients aren't getting results.
LTB Website Link to 2-Week Free Trial
In this episode, we welcome on Neil MacLean to have a conversation around all things Facebook advertising.
Topics Covered:
-- How Neil set-up The SFN Expo using just FB ads. -- How he started learning how to best use social media to market The SFN Expo. -- Why personal trainers should consider using FB ads. -- How to go about running a FB ad. -- What kind of image you should use for your ad. -- What kind of copy to write. -- Using a headline or hook. -- What kind of audience size you should be looking for. -- How much to spend on your ad. -- Tips for generating more leads off of your website. Neil's Free Facebook Group LTB 2-Week Free Trial
In this episode, Stuart welcomes on Rabin Das for an interview about how he runs his 1-2-1 nutrition-only coaching company.
Topics Covered:
-- How Rab has ended up working in public speaking and running his own nutrition consultancy.
-- What his advice would be to someone who wants to improve their public speaking.
-- How he launched his 1-2-1 nutrition coaching company.
-- What he asks in his pre-consultation form before he meets a new client.
-- How he works his check-in process.
-- How often he speaks to his clients.
-- How he prices 1-2-1 nutrition only services.
-- Do clients stick around long-term considering nutrition seems like it's got more of an endpoint?
-- How he works with clients who want training advice alongside nutrition support.
Book Mentioned - Exclusion and embrace by Miroslav Volf
Course Mentioned - Complete Human Performance Concurrent Training
Rab's Website
Rab's social media - @dasnutrition (Instagram), Rabin Das (Facebook)
2-Week LTB Trial Link
In this episode, Stuart welcomes Leigh Peele back onto the show.
Topics Covered:
-- How Leigh manages her time.
-- How she uses a morning routine to set herself up for the day ahead.
-- How she uses a meditation practice.
-- How Leigh starts working with a client on an online basis.
-- How to pick the right thing to start working on with a client.
-- Handling a client who is underreporting.
-- If she has any issues with going really low on calories with clients.
Leigh's Website
LTB 2-Week Free Trial
Books Mentioned: Seth Godin's "The Dip" and "All Marketers are Liars"
In this episode, Stuart welcomes on Alwyn Cosgrove.
Topics Covered:
- Advice to a PT who is struggling to get enough clients.
- How to ask for referrals.
- How Results uses FB ads.
- How Results use email marketing.
- How to feel confident in your knowledge as a personal trainer.
- Switching off/ burnout.
Alwyn's Free FB Group
LTB 2-Week Free Trial
In this episode, Stuart welcomes on Luka Hocevar to discuss the sales process and dealing with objections when selling to potential clients.
- 2-Week Free LTB Trial
- LTB Training PT Qualification
- Book mentioned - Go Giver's Sell More by Bob Berg
In this episode, Stuart speaks to Chad Landers.
Topics Covered -- Differences he's seen in the industry over the last 25 years. -- Why he thinks the relationship you build with your clients is an essential foundation. -- Why he feels he's had some clients for 20+ years. -- How he broaches the line between being a trainer and becoming a therapist. -- Helping clients take responsibility outside of the gym. -- Why he's stuck with 1-2-1 training and not moved into group training. -- What he would tell himself as a younger trainer. -- His favourite book. -- What's exciting him about the fitness industry -- What 1-3 skillsets he thinks every personal trainer should work on Chad's Gym Website LTB 2-Week Free Trial
LTB Training Qualification Book Recommendations - Good Business by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
- Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh
In this episode, Stuart welcomes on Nick Winkelman from the IRFU.
Topics Covered:
- How Nick has found the process of writing his book - What he's learnt that has surprised him since starting to write the book - How we can use what Nick has learnt about attention to teach our clients better. - How to create effective analogies. - How he's got his understanding of coaching science to where it is now. - How he's combatted becoming overwhelmed by how much there is to learn when you're starting out. - How he manages distraction. - Recommended books & courses. - What's exciting him about the fitness industry right now. - What 1-3 skillsets does he think personal trainers should work on. 2 Week LTB Free Trial Nick's Analogy Presentation
Books Mentioned:
Deep Work Sapiens Homo Deus The One Essentialism
In this episode, Stuart chats to Sukh Sidhu from Online Fitness Business.
Topics Covered:
-- How Sukh is finding being a Dad alongside running a thriving business. -- What drives him to be successful. -- Going from gym owner to online trainer - how he found that transition. -- If he thinks you need to be an in-person trainer before becoming an online trainer. -- If he thinks online is as effective as offline. -- Skillsets of an effective online personal trainer. -- How personal you should be as an online trainer. -- How to generate leads and clients as an online trainer. -- How to use ex-clients and old leads to start your online business. -- How to price your online services. Online Fitness Business Website
LTB 2-Week Free Trial
In this episode, Stuart welcomes on Gregg Slater to discuss the new level 2, level 3 and applied LTB certification.
LTB Training Website
In this episode, Stuart welcomes on LTB member Eric Wylie. They discuss:
- Where does Eric's desire for education come from?
- How Eric uses LTB.
- How he went from a job in IT to a personal trainer.
- How he found working in a commercial gym and in a private facility.
- How he's got over some the more brutal days of being a personal trainer.
- Why your success or failure as a trainer does not dictate your self-worth as a person.
LTB 2-Week Free Trial Link
Eric's FB page
In this episode, Stuart chats to Neil Donald from the Scottish Institute of Sport.
Topics covered:
- What Neil's role is in Scottish Sport and Strength and Conditioning.
- How your perception shapes your environment.
- Why you've got to take ownership of what's going on in your life.
- The importance of soft skills and how to get better at these.
- How to understand what drives your clients.
- How to look at failure so it doesn't make you feel like a failure.
- How Neil balances work and life to ensure he's as productive as possible.
- Recommended books & ways Neil finds is best for improving.
Neil's Contact Email - neildonaldwork20@gmail.com
Lift The Bar Website - 2 Week Free Trial
Peak Book
Chip & Dan Heath Books
Michael is one of the founders of Business for Unicorns, which provides coaching, education and support to business owners. In this episode Stuart and Michael Discuss:
- What he's learnt from starting a podcast.
- What traits he sees successful business owners possess.
- Why we shouldn't think making money is a bad thing.
- Why feedback is so important.
- How to start getting more of it.
- How to change your relationship to feedback so that you can use it productively.
- How to give better quality feedback.
Business for Unicorns Website
Business for Unicorns Podcast
A slightly different episode than normal for the podcast. Stuart chats to Mike MacDonald about the topic of self-delusion and cognitive bias and what personal trainers can learn from this.
Time Stamps
5.30 - Introducing the topic of self-delusion. 6.10 - Why Mike has become so interested in this topic. 10.30 - Confirmation bias. 16 - Getting round confirmation bias. 19.10 - Dunning Kruger effect 23 - the backfire effect 34.30 - post hoc fallacy 39 - confabulation Resources Mentioned Why we know what isn't so - Thomas Gilivich Think - Michael LeGault Why we make mistakes - Joseph.T Halinan You're not so smart - David Mcraney
In this episode, we welcome on Gar Benn.
Gar is a strength coach from Limerick Ireland. He is the head coach for Sigma Nutrition with Danny Lennon, the owner of CityGym Limerick and the co-owner of the European Powerlifting Conference & Titan Support Systems Ireland. Topics covered: -- How Gar started in the industry. -- How he manages his time between his gym and working for Sigma. -- How he got started working with Sigma Nutrition. -- How the 3-tier system works that they use for online coaching. -- How they price their online coaching. -- What Gar looks for in a coach. -- How he makes new clients feel welcome at his gym. -- How he is trying to get better at copywriting just now.
In this short episode, Stuart covers common coaching mistakes, cueing and technique for the deadlift.
Great to welcome back Cathy MacDonald to the show! We cover some simple tips for improving your listening skills and then deep dive into how you can go about changing a client's mind.
Timestamps 4.00 - why is listening so important 6.10 - tasks for improving your listening skills 10.00 - listening skills clip 15.10 - how to apply appropriate curiosity to conversations you have with clients 19.40 - why we're covering how to change clients minds 20.20 - what steps can we take as trainers to change our client's minds about things? 26.00 - why you can't actually change someone's mind, they change it themselves 28.00 - why information alone won't change someone's mind and may make the person less likely to change 34.40 - why helping change our client's minds is not about being manipulative, it's about improving lives 38.20 - why we have to be mindful of using the word "should" 41.30 - how to change a client's mind who believes breakfast is essential 43.00 - how to use hooks (the things that are important to that person) to help this process 51.00 - a sample script for changing a client's mind about breakfast 55.10 - why it's not always possible to change someone's mind 57.50 - whether we should have these types of conversations offline vs online
Fantastic to welcome on Steve Bridgeman. We discuss:
- How Steve got started in the industry. - How Steve got his first few clients. - Why he would still create a basic website if he was new to the industry now. - How to direct your own education to become a better personal trainer. - Why you've got to listen to what your clients want to achieve and not be afraid to change the goalposts. - Why he still works part-time in another job. - Why he feels its important to teach clients new skills.
In this episode, Stuart chats to Jerome from The Performance Project.
They cover:
- What’s new since Jerome was last on the podcast. - What changes the performance project has made in the first 30-60 days of a new client's journey. - Why they've stepped away from weekly check-ins for most clients who stay past the 60-day mark. - Why Jerome has had to step away from doing as much coaching and how he has found this. - How the performance project structures their long-term careers. - How Jerome thinks about professional development. - What he's learnt from visiting other gyms throughout the world. - His advice to anyone who is thinking about opening a gym.
In this episode with Ed Morris, topics covered include:
- What kinds of things should we start to consider as trainers when working with clients who run? - Advice for clients who are going from zero to 5/10K or half/ full marathon? - Is running bad for you? - Is it fair for a trainer who doesn't run to coach a client who wants to run? - Should our programming change? - Nutritional considerations. - Should we pay attention to running form & gait analysis? - Types of running shoes for clients?
For episode 100 of the LTB Podcast, we welcome on Chris Burgess. This episode was recorded live and can be watched here
In this episode, Stuart chats to Tony Cottenden about how has found the last year since he was last on the podcast. We chat about:
- The difference between how Tony runs his 1-2-1 and semi-private personal training
- What has he learnt about semi-private from a coaching and programming standpoint
- What does a typical semi-private PT session look like
- Why periods of imbalance and maintenance are essential when running your business.
- How important Tony feels it is to have a supportive partner.
- What were the initial costs involved in opening and renovating the shed.
- How he balances running his gym and continuing to do CPD.
This is a follow-up to #78 where Stuart and Alex discuss the more in-depth uses of Motivational Interviewing when working with personal training clients.
Topics Covered: -- What is ambivalence and why it is useful for us as personal trainers to know. -- What is change talk. -- Why the amount of change talk that you hear can positively affect a clients chance of changing a behaviour. -- What is sustain talk. -- How to encourage more change talk in clients. -- How to start using some of this information and integrate it into your coaching. -- When and how to use start using reflections.
Second time on the show for Will Levy from Melbourne Strength and Conditioning. We cover improvements he’s made to MSC in the last year, whether or not he would advise trainers to open their own facility, how to give clients the red carpet treatment and why they still use a very different training model than what is normally seen for introducing new clients into their gym.
MSC Website
MSC Instagram
MSC Facebook
In today's episode, we welcome on Julie Dirksen from Usable Learning to speak about how to educate our clients, how we can create better learning experiences, how advancements in behaviour change research can help trainers help their clients as well as a whole host of other topics. This was a fantastic interview with someone who isn't involved in the fitness industry but who's research and line of work compliments what personal trainers do.
Julie's Website
Design Better Learning Website
In this short episode, Stuart runs through 7 common mistakes we personal trainers make when coaching the squat.
In this episode, we welcome on Luka Hocevar from Vigor Ground Fitness in Seattle and Vigor Move & Live in Slovenia. This is an interview that covers a broad spectrum of topics including - why your personal training sessions are your marketing, how to action what you learn, how to deal with setbacks and treating life like a game.
Luka on Instagram
Vigor Ground Fitness Facebook
Vigor Life Podcast
You know how you sometimes think "damn, this client is just so lazy and such a pain in the ass!"? That plus a huge amount more is what we get into in today's episode with Coach Stevo from Habitry.
You can check out Habitry's work here and here
Book recommendation - The Reflective Practitioner
In this episode, we welcome on Travis Pollen from fitnesspollenator.com
We cover whether or not there are "good" and "bad" exercises, as well as how to do initial assessments with personal training clients.
Link to the inland fitness conference
Link to LTB Website
In this episode, we chat to Nate Green.
You can check out Nate's work and sign-up to his highly recommended newsletter here Topics covered in this episode: -- Transitioning from gym owner and full-time personal trainer into a career that he controls. -- What questions to ask yourself before you write a social media or blog post. -- How to come up with ideas for content. -- How best to produce content that speaks to the people you want to work with. -- The importance of learning how to research your ideal client. -- What rare and valuable skills he feels he owns. -- What rare and valuable skills he would want to own if he was a new personal trainer. -- Why application is better than consumption.
Stuart welcomes on Carla Robertson to discuss how Carla manages her business & family life. Topics covered:
- Getting started in the industry. - Managing family life and a thriving business. - What Carla feels are the differences between 1-2-1 and group training. - Her client checkins process – how these work? - Why she feels professional development has been the key to her progress. - Community building. - Why regular posting in her FB groups is something she now doesn't do at all.
You know how you walk away from some conversations and you get that feeling that you just had an amazing conversation? That's exactly how I felt after this chat with Molly. I've followed Molly and GGS's work for a long-time and when it comes to working with the female client they are leading this industry in a fantastic direction. The vast majority of personal trainers will have a client base that is likely 70% + female and although there can be generalisations made about how you train men and woman, there are still things that should be taken into account to make the experience even better for each client. That's what we dive into in this episode. Topics Covered: -- Hair falling out from stress and how she handled this. -- How that has guided her doing more self-care. -- How her experiences have guided how she works with the clientele of GGS -- How GGS used to think every single woman should strength train -- What are GGS doing to address the gap that exists between people taking part in fitness and not -- What can the PT do better when it comes to training coaching women -- How to navigate a conversation with a client who speaks negatively about themselves Articles & Resources Mentioned:
What its like to be a fit chick - http://mollygalbraith.com/2013/06/its-hard-out-here-for-a-fit-chick/ Who gets to be fit? - https://www.girlsgonestrong.com/blog/feminism/intersectionality-of-fitness/ How to speak to a client who wants to get her pre-baby body back - https://www.girlsgonestrong.com/blog/confidence/body-embracement/embracing-our-post-baby-bodies/
Coaching & Training Women Academy - https://academy.girlsgonestrong.com/?_ga=2.231223898.495648144.1517383444-414511798.1513181276
GGS Coaching & Training Women Free FB Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/GGSCoachingandTrainingWomen/
In this episode, Stuart goes into some under-appreciated skills needed to be an effective personal trainer.
Stuart chats to Steve Bradley from The Fitness Guy about how he built up his online group training business. We cover:
What does Steve's typical day look like nowadays? Does he still get the same buzz and meaning from his job now it's transitioned to fully online? How did the fitness guy start? How he started the 10 week lean and learn without actually having the whole thing planned. How he uses meal plans within his online coaching. Managing the systems behind working with 200 people every 10 weeks. How he uses transformation photos. Why he involves his children in his marketing. How he structures the 10 weeks and what happens after then? What his message would be to trainers who are thinking of starting an online group programme? Why he now doesn't do any public speaking. How he deals with the people who fail. You can find out more about Steve's affiliate link for trainers here
Great to have on first time guest, Joe Parish from teamjphysique on to the podcast. Topics covered include:
- Scanning for clients who are ready to change - What his motivations for competing in both powerlifting and bodybuilding were - What does he feel has been the catalyst for his business growth - Why you shouldn't attach your identity as a person to your physique - How he deals with overwhelm - How he structures his week to ensure his roles and responsibilities both personally and professionally are met - What's something he's looking to work on in 2018
In this short episode, Stuart runs through what the plans for the podcast are in terms of growth and explains how to enter the podcast competition.
Competition starts on the 15th of January 2018 and closes at 5pm GMT on the 21st of January 2018.
In this episode, Stuart chats to Lucy Sewell.
They cover: - How to start sharing more of you on social media - Can you share too much? - How to come up content ideas. - The importance of mental health and what to do if you're having one of those days. - How Lucy works with clients and how this changed over the years.
In this episode, Stuart runs through 6 Personal Training systems that will help you have a successful start to 2018.
In this wide-ranging conversation with Ross Stewart from Improve Glasgow, we cover planning for 2018, how Ross would sum-up and reflect on 2017, where he has gone wrong this year and loads more!
Meghan Callaway from ultimatepullups.com comes on to the show to discuss how we can help our clients hit their first pull-up.
Topics covered: -- Meghan's background and how she's got to where she is now. -- Why did she create her programme. -- Where to start with a client who wants to work towards a pull-up. -- Programming considerations for working towards a pull-up. -- Realistic timeframes for hitting full pull-ups. -- How to go about improving grip strength. -- Mistakes people make when doing pull-ups. -- Cueing. -- Band pull-ups, assisted pull-ups from machines and from the trainer - are these useful? -- How important is bodyweight.
In this episode with Alex Pearson, Stuart and Alex discuss motivational interviewing. We get into what it is and how you can use it in your coaching as a personal trainer.
In this episode, I welcome on Sarah Duffield, head of nutrition at Mac-Nutrition to have a conversation around consultations, improving your service, dealing with tough clients and so much more.
In this short episode, we welcome back on Dan Mitchell to have a conversation about running a free FB group.
In this episode, I welcome back on Martin MacDonald from Mac-Nutrition University to discuss MNU, calling out misinformation, what he has learnt from doing this and how we can help our clients stick to the plans we set up for them.
In the second instalment of client insights, I speak to one of my 1-2-1 personal training clients about her experiences with gyms, how she's got to a place of being content with where she is at and what personal trainers could do differently with their marketing.
I'd love to know what you think of this episode so please feel free to email me at stuart@liftthebar.com!
Fantastic to have on long-time LTB member Jamie Tucker to discuss his thoughts on what it's been like running a mobile personal training business.
We cover:
Jamie's story. How he got into mobile personal training. How he started gaining clients. What he thinks entails a "good personal trainer". How he found doing mobile training. How he deals with programming considering there are limited resources. Did he ever have any clients who were like "how is this being outside thing going to work?!". How he deals with winter. What he's working on improving just now. What his message to a new mobile trainer would be. Some of his failures along the way.
Topics and questions covered in today's episode with Pete Dupuis.
How did getting into owning a fitness business happen for you? Have you loved it since day one? Did CSP have a clear vision from day one? How does Pete find being the "man behind the man"? Some of the costly mistakes the team at CSP made initially. How to increase your prices for current clients. Do business owners or PT's need a niche? How do they set-up their general population strength camps? Working with Eric - what's your relationship like?
Fantastic to welcome on Rog Law for the first time to the LTB Podcast. We discuss:
-
pre personal training rituals
-
what he's learnt being a new coach at Mark Fisher Fitness
and how he thinks about using social media as well as loads more!
Third time on the podcast for guest Omar Ganai from Habitry. In this episode, we get into some of the challenges that Self-determination theory presents, why autonomy is so hard to grasp, book recommendations and plenty of other motivation related topics.
Kevin Larrabee, from The Fitcast Podcast, joins me in this episode of the LTB Podcast. We discuss lessons he's learned from 11+ years of The Fitcast, why he's decided to jump into owning his own facility, how he deals with his own body image and comparison issues and much more!
Krista Scott-Dixon from Precision Nutrition joins Stuart for an in-person interview to discuss all things coaching.
In this episode, we welcome on LTB's Head of Education, Gregg Slater to discuss his newly designed coaching course and how trainers can use to run more effective PT sessions.
Second time onto the podcast for Leigh Peele (from Leighpeele.com), who is a guest I love chatting to. We get into two big topics: online training and sleep, as well as some other things around transformations and managing work: life balance.
Love doing these in person episodes - the conversations are always so much more raw. Steve & Lindsay run AMP Fitness in Boston and I asked them to come onto the podcast to chat about how they've built up AMP and how they manage being married while also running a gym together. We also get into a lot of cool stuff around building community and lessons learned from opening a gym.
In this episode, I welcome on Michael Keeler from Business for Unicorns and Mark Fisher Fitness.
Topics covered: - Michael's journey to starting MFF. - Biggest customer service lessons learnt from working in the Four Seasons Hotel. - What is good customer service? - How do you not get frustrated with people in a customer service setting? - Is the customer always right? - What can we do better as personal trainers when it comes to customer service? - How do we not become interrogators with asking too many questions? - How do we get better at speaking to our potential clients? - How are they managing 1,000 MFF members? How have they kept things personable? Blog post mentioned (dear fitness industry)
In this episode, I go into the why what and how of everything to do with running a seminar or workshop for clients.
Topics include:
- Why should you do it?
- Where to begin.
- What to call it?
- How to get people to come?
- Should you charge for it?
- What content to talk about?
- Length & creating the content for it.
- How to encourage interaction?
* What to do about being terrified of public speaking?
- Generating clients from it?
It was a huge pleasure to welcome on Adam Ali from Physiqonomics. We covered:
- How he is dealing with the recent "success" of physiqonomics - How he comes up with the ideas for his content - How does he not let the need for likes, comments and shares dictate his self-worth/ success of his writing - The importance of not thinking that your followers need to "engage" publicly with your content for it to be doing it's job - Who does he speak to when he writes - What would his advice be to someone who is afraid of putting content out there? - Is it harder for him to put content out there nowadays than it was back when he started? - Why you should continue to do some form of "creation" when you hit dry creative phases - Tips for creating content - How he went about creating "the best fat loss article on the motherfuckin' internet" - How he's dealt with receiving negative feedback
We welcome back on to the show Mr Mark Fisher from Mark Fisher Fitness & Business for Unicorns. We cover:
- Why and how you could use transformation contests. - The difference between Park & Bus Bench workouts. - Having "seasons" of fitness and how you could implement this into your life. - Visioning your 5-year plan. - What to do if you find the vision board stuff scary/ impossible. - Time management strategy (this section is so fricking useful). - How does he deal with overwhelm. - Meditation - Mark's thoughts on the why and the how. Business for Unicorns Mark Fisher Fitness
"Play the long game and figure out why you're doing this"
In this episode with the brilliant Todd Bumgardner we get into:
- What does Strength Faction do?
- How to find your work: life balance?
- Practical tasks to get clearer on your why.
- How does BSP run client reviews?
- How do they manage these client reviews in a semi-private model?
- The importance of being unique.
In this minisode, I discuss all things retention based. Why clients leave us, what we can do to increase retention rates and simple tasks that will lead to better retention rates.
We welcome back on Alwyn Cosgrove for episode 58.
In this show we discuss:
- What Alwyn is working on just now.
- What he see's as the next big thing in fitness.
- Challenges with working with so many people.
- What would he look for in a coach who applied for a job at results.
- Does he think a fault of the industry is how easy it currently is to get in to it.
- Comparisons - how does he think about these?
- The importance of sorting out an educational curriculum for yourself.
- Advice for trainers who find asking for money awkward.
In this episode of the LTB Podcast, we welcome on a previous guest, Cathy MacDonald from the Art of Communication.
We cover:
- Managing and setting yourself up for challenging conversations
- How to deal with a client crying
- What to do if you upset a client
- Why you should always have your hard conversations face-to-face and not through email or text
- How to deal with a disruptive client in a group class
- The power of “you”, “I” and “we”
- How to handle misreporting/ lying with food diaries
In this episode of the LTB Podcast, we welcome on Fit3Sixty owner, John Clark.
We covered:
- How does he get so much done
- Structuring his day
- How does he meet his potential clients where they are at
- What drives him
- John's journey - timeline to now owning Fit3sixty
- Building his client base up
You can find download the "25 non-social based lead gen methods" guide here - http://liftthebar.com/offline
Lisa Lewis joins us on today's episode of the LTB Podcast. Topics covered:
- Do you see us doing anything wrong when discussing this psychology related to being a trainer or strength coach?
- Where should a trainer start with all of this psychology stuff? - Why you should focus on the subjective aspects of progress/ results instead of just the objective ones like losing pounds. - Do we have to sell the short term in order to gain the long term with clients? - How can we improve the clients level of motivation? - What is the inner voice (self-talk/ meta cognition)? - How much of an effect can this have? - Should we give clients homework on improving things like their inner voice? - How to know you're not going over that line into being a therapist? - How to bring up "you should go see a counsellor"? - How to pick clients back up after a setback like not hitting a weight loss goal/ out of control weekend?
In this episode, we welcome on Brad Dieter from Science Driven Nutrition and Eat to Perform. We cover a whole host of cool topics including:
- What does eat to perform do? - What has he found through working with so many people? - How can we go about increasing our client's energy expenditure? - Are our clients really busy as are saying they are? - What has he learnt being on both sides of the coin (practical & research)? - Is there anything he thinks PT's could do better when it comes to putting across the research? - What would he look for in a nutrition coach? - Some of the myths of a high-fat diet? - How would he educate a client who believes something like a high-fat diet can cure cancer?
In this episode, we welcome on Michael Goulden from Integra Education.
Content covered:
- Michael's journey - The client experience and why he is always looking to improve this - Why he feels 1to1 personal training is far from being "dead" - Where having an understanding of biomechanics & anatomy fits into a personal trainers toolbox, and why it's important - What to expect on this weekend's seminars with him - What he would say to someone who is worried this weekend will be too advanced for them
In this quick minisode, I got into 5 different things I've changed my mind in the last 12-18 months.
- Low calorie/ aggressive dieting
2. Kindles & audiobooks + finishing books
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Having an avatar
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How hard it is for me to actually take information in
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The feeling of overwhelm
"Having some kind of success early on in the client process can be a predictor of long-term success"
Was a pleasure to welcome on Sigma Nutrition Radio host, Danny Lennon back on to the show. We covered what makes an effective coach in depth plus:
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His recent public speaking appearances and how he feels they have gone.
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What’s getting him excited that he’s working on and researching.
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What he thinks makes an effective coach.
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Traits of an effective coach.
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Why explaining to your clients about things like protein timing may not actually be helping them.
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Why saying less than you think you should in a coaching setting may actually be more effective than saying more.
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What to do if a client comes to you and says they would like to try something that you don’t agree with.
Was great to welcome on the LTB gyms newest coach, Grace Hall, to the podcast. We asked Grace to come on as she’s come from being a member of the gym to now being a coach and we wanted to find out more about what that transition has been like, but it was also cool to hear about her previous careers and how these have helped her integrate into the world of coaching.
We go pretty deep into the reasons Grace joined the LTB gym, why she’s stuck around, what it’s been like moving from member to coach, what she is finding hardest since starting as a coach and what’s helping her progress.
"Hire for personality, train for skill"
In today's show, we welcome on Jodi Rumack of jodirumack.com. We discuss:
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Productivity - where to start?
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How to decide on the goals you want to achieve?
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How to actually go about executing things?
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How to manoeuvre clients into particular times?
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Why is it important to have tracking systems in place for lead gen?
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How can we increase the number of people who show up to a consultation?
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How to go about hiring your first staff member?
Link to Jodi's site and the article she mentioned early on - https://jodirumack.com/what-to-focus-on/
In this episode, I welcome on long term LTB member Owen Henderson. Owen has built his business up inside of a commercial facility and he's got it to a stage where he has around 40 client sessions per week.
We covered:
- How Owen got started.
- How he built up his client base.
- How to have conversations with members inside a commercial gym.
- How to take those conversations to a place of “would you like to buy PT”.
- How he doesn’t get bored with doing 30-40+ PT sessions per week.
In this short trial episode, Stuart chats to LTB member Toby Firth about what he's been actioning since being in the LTB essentials lead generation group.
Was great to welcome LTB member and friend Mike MacDonald on to the podcast.
We covered:
How he got started in the industry?
What being involved with Glasgow Rangers as the nutrition consultant taught him
What he’s noticed since starting as a PT
What would he do differently if he could go back
The importance of having your client’s details in a place that you can access
When and how he took the jump from self-employed PT to gym owner
What’s been surprising about opening AKR
How he runs his referral system
The importance of doing your homework
Some of the unexpected negatives of running a facility
In episode 45 we welcome on Geoff Girvitz from Bang Fitness (https://www.bangfitness.com/).
Alongside discussing how Geoff and his team create a welcoming culture that encourages client's to stick around, we get into the importance of having patience, rethinking lead generation and what Geoff would love to see more of from the fitness industry.
2 week free trial from LTB - http://liftthebar.com/
Bryan Krahn has experienced and seen a lot of things come and go in his time as a fitness professional. In this episode, we get into what some of the lessons he's learnt during that time as well how he finds being an online coach, what he thinks about evidence vs experience and much much more!
In this episode of the LTB podcast, we welcome on Krista Scott-Dixon from Precision Nutrition and Stumptuous.com for a discussion around all things coaching. We get into her new book, Why We Want Eat, what makes an effective coach, improving self-awareness, empathy and much much more.
On this second Q&A, where we welcome previous guests Alex & Gregg back on, we chat about coaching the hip hinge, working towards pull-ups, underreporting and finding new ways to do nutrition tracking.
We welcome Omar Ganai back onto the LTB podcast for episode 41.
Following on from the last interview (episode 11) we dive straight into why PT's should make time to understand motivation science, what this thing called organismic integration theory is, how we support competence, autonomy and belonging and how to think about unconditional positive regard.
In episode 40 of the LTB podcast, we chat to Martin MacDonald from Mac-Nutrition and Mac-Nutrition University. It was a pleasure to welcome Martin onto the show. We discuss in great depth - due to Martin's fantastic ability to answer questions with stories - why he started MNU, how he nearly left the industry, impostor syndrome, success and happiness!
Tony Cottenden has been a member of LTB since basically day one of the company starting. In this interview, Stuart and Tony chat about how he transitioned from one job to full-time PT, and how he's now making more money doing what he does now as well all the lessons learnt along the way.
Mark Fisher joins Stuart for an interview on the podcast today. Alongside discussing how Mark got into the industry and why he feels this has shaped his career, we also discuss:
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The importance of mirroring your clients and how to do this
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What unconditional positive regard means and why this is so essential for trainers to grasp
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How to get feedback on something you want to get better at and where to start if you've no idea what you should be getting better at
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How to approach fear
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Why he loves learning so much and how to take this information from knowledge to application
and a load of current book recommendations!
Jerome Bolze, of The Performance Project, joins Stuart on this episode of the LTB Podcast to chat about how he started as a trainer, how he asked other coaches for advice early on in his career to help him move forwards, building systems and much more!
On episode 36 of the LTB Podcast, Stuart interviews James Krieger from weightology.com. They cover:
How important is it that personal trainers understand or read the research?
Could personal trainers do a better job when it comes to sharing research?
Explaining his insulin series in a simple format + some of those myths broken down?
What is NEAT? Why is it important we understand this?
What happens to your metabolism as weight loss occurs?
What can we do to ensure NEAT doesn’t decrease when dieting?
How can we make client’s aware of their NEAT?
Practical considerations for NEAT.
Intermittent fasting and why James is finding the research and uses for this interesting.
Robert Clarkson is the owner of Reactive Training in Glasgow. In this interview Robert tells us all about his journey, his many lessons learnt along the way and some of the struggles he's had since opening his facility.
In episode 34 of the LTB podcast speaks to Tony Gentilcore of tonygentilcore.com. Alongside chatting about how Tony has found transitioning from working in Cressey Sports Performance to running his own small group training facility, Tony also tells us what he feels is important for long-term sustainability as a coach, why he thinks starting a blog is still a good idea and how he thinks about his own professional development.
In this episode of the podcast, we interview Jonny Stephens from the LTB gym. Jonny was over in New York with Stuart for the LTB conference so we chat in depth about this and what we learnt, what it was like being at Mark Fisher Fitness and how the LTB gym have gone about building community.
In this interview with the trainer of trainers, Nick Tumminello, Nick discusses:
How he got the title “trainer of trainers”
How do we speed up the process of getting better at what we do
What is the role of the trainer?
Why “it depends” is not an answer
Myths about what a bad trainer is
What makes a good trainer
Training principles
What does Nick commonly see PT's doing wrong with their programming
Links to:
Nick's site - http://nicktumminello.com/
Strength training for fat loss book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Strength-Training-Loss-Nick-Tumminello-x/dp/1450432077/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1493462954&sr=1-1&keywords=nick+tumminello
Building muscle & performance book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Building-Muscle-Performance-Nick-Tumminello/dp/1492512702/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1493462954&sr=1-3&keywords=nick+tumminello
In this episode of the LTB podcast, Stuart chats to LTB staff member Jonathon Mummert. Jonathon knows the menstrual cycle inside out and we get into what it is that we as PT's need to know about this topic, which is one I don't think is talked about enough!
For Chris's 2nd time on the podcast, Chris and Stuart chat about how to hire a second trainer and how he handles feelings of self-doubt and imposter syndrome.
In this episode, Stuart chats to Alex Gibilaro from the LTB gym side of things. They chat in depth about programming and working with a new client.
In episode 28 of the LTB Podcast, Stuart chats to Alwyn Cosgrove from Results Fitness in California. Alongside discussing his why for what he does, Alwyn tells us:
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How we need to rethink the way we think about asking our clients for money
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What lifetime customer value (LCV) is and what this means to us trainers
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Why he feels Results Fitness has done as well as it has
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Why knowing your businesses core values is so important and how you can make a start to creating these
In this episode of the LTB podcast, Stuart speaks to Nick Winkelman, head of athletic performance at the IRFU. They cover:
Work: life balance,
Overwhelm,
What can we take from Nick’s research and understanding about cueing,
Explicit vs implicit learning,
Retention of learning for clients,
Autonomy supportive vs dictatorship coaching,
Reflective practice - what this is and how we can use it to become better coaches
Stuart welcomes previous guests Alex Pearson and Gregg Slater onto the show to have a Q&A based off of questions we received in the LTB private FB group.
Alongside nutrition coaching, we touch on:
evening binge eating solutions, work: life balance, what to do when you think about giving up and finding your niche
work: life balance
what to do when you think about giving up
finding your niche.
Fancy having your question asked next time we do one of these? Email me @ stuart@liftthebar.com!
In this episode, Stuart chats to one of the members of the gym he's based out of, Laura Shepherd, about her weight loss journey so far.
We touch on:
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where Laura has come from and where she is now
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how she felt on day one of the joining the gym
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how she feels she's managing to keep her weight off
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what she struggles with most
-
her advice to the world of personal trainers out there
and much more!
Coach, author and podcast host, Leigh Peele comes onto the LTB podcast for an interview with Stuart.
They discuss:
8.30 - What does Leigh think separates the people who last in the industry.
15.20 - How to not let failure ruin things.
20 - Explanation of self-esteem and tips on improving this.
40 - Balancing working on self-awareness with clients in terms of scope of practice.
50 - Teaching clients about critical thinking.
51 - The importance of the beginner's mindset.
55.30 - Messages to the world of personal training.
Another experimental episode!
In this one, Stuart and previous guest Ross Stewart (from #7) discuss what they enjoyed about the book "tools of titans" by Tim Ferris.
Alongside rating the book, we cover:
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The laziness manifesto
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Thoughts on meditation
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Saying no
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The spotlight effect
and loads more!
Joy Victoria, from Fitness Baddies, comes onto the LTB Podcast to discuss her journey into coaching, why & how she got started, some of the lessons she's learnt along the way and much more!
In episode 21, Stuart speaks to W10 owner, Jean-Claude Vacassin. Within the interview, JC covers:
4.20 - How he built a client base in private gym he worked in previous to W10
10.30 - why has he lasted in the industry 10+ years
15.20 - how would a commercial gym get feedback from other coaches in order to improve?
24 - why is he such a proponent of high standards (every single thing I do says I give a shit or I don’t)
27.10 - how does W10 structure referrals
32.40 - common advice that JC see’s given to new PT’s that he wishes wasn’t
32.40 - thoughts on online marketing
37 - what do W10 use social media for
38.50 - thoughts on the lead generation conversation
42.50 - what does ‘good coaching’ entail
44 - how do you get better at coaching
In this episode, we speak to Will Levy from Melbourne Strength and Conditioning (MSC) in Australia. Here's a breakdown of what Stuart & Will discuss:
5.30 - how Will is finding running a gym
9.30 - who do MSC work with
13 - why has MSC hit the ground running in terms of profitability
17 - how did Will get up to the stage of building up a waiting list
25 - what’s a widespread message that Will wishes wasn’t as common
30.30 - how do we improve the standard of the industry
36 - what does the first 30 days of programming look like for a new client at MSC
54 - common mistakes trainers/ gyms when running small-group training programmes
59 - how does he ensure his staff members are at a high enough level to keep up the standards
1.07 - a message to new trainers
In this interview, Stuart speaks to Dan Mitchell from Dan Mitchell Fitness. They discuss:
4.15 - why is online coaching hard?
5.30 - online coaching systems
8.50 - serving an “apprenticeship” before getting into online coaching
15 - how Dan reflects on his coaching
19.30 - what’s it like running his gym
25.40 - would you advise a trainer to get into online coaching?
31 - do you need an online presence to build an online business?
33 - how did he start building a clients for his online business?
37.41 - how to upsell in a FB group
41.30 - commercial gym lead gen advice
47.30 - how does Dan manage self doubt?
In this Episode, Stuart talks about 12 lessons that 12 of the first guests have discussed on the podcast.
In this interview, we speak to Lisa Gimenez-Codd from Optimum Health. We chat about:
3.20 - How has Lisa niched down into working with the population she works with?
7.00 - How and who has Lisa learned from to improve her knowledge on all these topics?
8.30 - Why is getting more info out there on these topics so important?
11.00 - Should we as PT’s refer on pre/ post natal clients?
14.30 - Lisa’s thoughts on “getting your pre-baby body back”
17.00 - What do we have to consider with a client who tells us they are pregnant?
23.00 - Should we encourage clients to exercise all the way up to having their baby?
24.00 - Burpee’s during pregnancy?
26.50 - Post-natal considerations
29.40 - Drills to improve breathing
32.00 - The pelvic floor
37.00 - How can you train the pelvic floor
40.00 - Female client's needing to pee during sessions that contain movement or impact exercises
42.00 - Menopause-what do we need to know?
46.00 - Recommended resources
48.20 - Thoughts on body image
In this episode, Stuart talks with fellow LTB staff member Alex Pearson about all things obesity. They chat through topics such as:
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what is the cause of obesity in Alex's opinion
-
what can the fitness industry do better when it comes to helping the obesity epidemic
-
where do we start when working with an obese client
-
how to encourage client's to set their own goals
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feedback loops: what these are and how we can interrupt them
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how to help client's from regressing
In this short episode, we chat to Lift the Bar member and 2015 winner of the Dedication to Education award, Ross Morgan about his experiences with overwhelm and how he deals with this following a very popular post he added into the LTB FB group last week.
We chat to Ben Cormack from the company Cor-Kinetic in this episode. Ben is a Physical Therapist who specialises in movement and pain. He lectures all over the world and runs courses that are designed for Personal Trainers and Physio's on the research to do with topics such as posture, pain, movement and stretching. In this conversation we touch on:
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What we can do for a client who has lower back pain
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If there is such a thing as bad posture
-
If we can actually change posture
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What can "tightness" in a muscle be attributed to, and what we can to reduce this feeling
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What the science says about stretching
-
The importance of the words we use with our clients
-
What Ben's EMS course is all about
In this episode, Stuart interviews Danny Lennon from Sigma Nutrition. Alongside discussing Danny's journey, they talk about:
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How Danny finds the world of online training
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How to gain some sense of what you would like to do using your strengths
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The importance of starting, without potentially knowing what the outcome is
-
Early career mistakes
-
Where sigma start a new client, and what their first 30days looks like
-
The idea of “fat loss phasing”
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Sugar - what Sigma tell clients and is addiction a thing?
In this interview, Stuart speaks to Cathy MacDonald. Cathy is the owner of a company called The Art of Communication, which works with numerous businesses on improving their communication. She has worked heavily with us at LTB and runs a course which a lot of our members have been on. In the interview we discuss:
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How Cathy got into the world of communication
-
Why communication is so important for not just PT's, but everybody
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How to improve your listening skills to better the connection you have with your clients
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What we need to know about emotions
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How to use reframing to ensure we don't get caught in what is fact and what is an assumption (we make this mistake often!!)
-
What Cathy's recommendations would be for a PT who wants to start improving their communication skills
You can find out more about Cathy by searching for "The Art of Communication" on Facebook.
In this episode, Stuart talks shop with Habitry's head of research, Omar Ganai. They discuss:
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The science of motivation
-
Creating the conditions in which clients can feel motivated
-
The difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
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What self-determination theory is
-
How to start designing habits for our clients
-
What's new in the world of the motivation science and Habitry
In this episode, Stuart interviews LTB's head of operations, Claire Winter. We cover:
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What it was like being on the biggest loser and what this has taught Claire
-
Some thoughts on improving body image in our clients
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Why it's important to create systems for your business
-
How to ensure the content you are writing/ creating is for the right audience
In this short mini-episode, Stuart covers the topic of something called "presence" and why ensuring you have this in your PT sessions is so important.
In this mini episode, Stuart covers what to do when you lose a client. We typically respond very negatively to losing a client, but can we change and reframe the way we think about this? And is losing a client something that happens to a lot of personal trainers?
In this episode, we interview Improve Glasgow owner Ross Stewart. As well as Ross going into what it is actually like owning your own facility we go over topics like:
-
how he got started in the fitness industry & built up his client base
-
how he's transitioned into the role of facility owner and boss to other staff members
-
how Improve's community has become such an important part of the gym
-
dealing with self doubt
and loads more!
In this episode, Peter Davison comes on the show to discuss his career and how he's built himself up to a stage of doing 50+ PT sessions per week while building an online coaching group and still enjoying life.
We discuss what he's learnt along the way, how he manages all those clients and what it's actually like doing that many personal training sessions.
In this episode, Stuart runs through 6 tips that will help a newly qualified PT, or a trainer who is still finding their feet, move forwards in their career.
Tips include:
- Prioritising getting good at what you do first
- Seeking out mentors
- Treating people how they want to be treated
- What to do when you consider quitting
- It's all about the client
- Join LTB
In this interview, Stuart interviews LTB Head of Education, Gregg Slater about all things programming for Personal Trainers. Gregg reveals his thought processes when it comes to creating training programmes for clients and we get right into how to design actual training sessions.
In this episode, Stuart covers how to better run your free personal training sessions. A lot of trainers offer a free session to show a potential client a sample of what personal training is, but could these be run better, which would then increase the likelihood of gaining a sale?
In this episode, Stuart interviews Lift the Bar owner, Chris Burgess about his career where he has transitioned from a full-time job in advertising to 50+ hours of Personal Training a week to now running Lift the Bar, which has 650+ members.
As well as this, Chris discusses the concept of something called "immediacy" and why this is so important for Personal Trainers. We also touch on how to respond to enquiries like "hi, how much do you charge?".
The Lift the Bar Podcast is the podcast by personal trainers, for personal trainers. This episode is an introduction to what the podcast will be about, why we are starting it and how it will be set-up.