Ever wondered what fitness coaches talk about when the gym floor empties out? In this unfiltered, "What's On Our Mind" session, Justin, Michael, and Wade pull back the curtain to share the raw observations, successes, and failures from decades on the gym floor.

We sit down to unpack the explosive rise of HYROX and what it means for everyday exercisers looking for a new goal. We dive into the gamification of fitness—including apps like Strength Level (and its 27 million users) that let you benchmark your lifts against the rest of the world—and discuss whether comparing your numbers is a healthy driver or a trap. Most importantly, we tackle the ultimate coaching question: Can a trainer actually be your motivation, or are we just holding up a mirror to the drive you already have inside you?

Packed with real-life member stories, personal coaching wins, and a few honest mistakes along the way, this episode is a reassuring, practical look at how to build a routine that actually lasts.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The HYROX phenomenon: Why everyday members are embracing event-based training.
• Strength Level & weight-comparison apps: Is gamifying your lifts building confidence or comparison anxiety?
• The truth about trainer motivation: What a coach can (and cannot) do for your mindset.
• How we keep everyday people engaged in their health when the initial excitement fades.
• Real stories from the gym floor: The coaching strategies that worked—and the ones that failed.

You don't need endless willpower to stay consistent; you just need the right community around your table.

When you receive a diagnosis of osteopenia or osteoporosis, it can feel like a life sentence of restriction. Once upon a time you were told to be careful, to avoid heavy lifting, and to accept fading strength as a natural part of ageing. But what if the exact thing you're told to fear is the very cure you need?

In this episode, Justin, Michael, and Wade sit down with Ping, a member from EFM Magill who completely flipped the script on her bone health. Entering the gym with zero previous experience, Ping started by lifting a humble 10kg barbell. Fast forward three years—as she celebrates her 60th birthday—she is now confidently deadlifting 60kg and has actively improved her bone density in just 18 months.

We dive past the clinical scare tactics to bring you a conversation full of hope, science, and practical advice. We discuss how the body responds to progressive resistance training at any age, why bones require mechanical stress to rebuild, and how Ping overcame the intimidation of the gym floor to reshape her future.

If you or someone you love is navigating the fears of ageing, bone thinning, or starting a fitness journey later in life, Ping’s story will completely change your perspective on what is possible.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The psychological shift from receiving a bone density diagnosis to taking control.
• How bone density loss can actively be resisted and improved through targeted movement.
• The progression ladder: How Ping went from a 10kg barbell to a 60kg deadlift.
• Overcoming the initial intimidation of entering a gym with no prior experience.
• Why biological age is just a number when it comes to muscle and bone adaptation.

You don't have to watch your strength fade away; your bones are waiting for you to give them a reason to grow strong.

Why do some people lose weight and keep it off… while others seem to spend their lives starting over?

After more than 30 years of coaching thousands of everyday Australians, we've realised that successful weight loss has far less to do with the "perfect" diet and far more to do with the habits, mindset and behaviours that people build over time.

In this episode of Between Sessions – A Health & Fitness Podcast, Justin, Michael and Wade share the biggest lessons they've learned from decades on the gym floor—not from textbooks or social media, but from watching real people succeed, struggle, fail and ultimately transform their lives.

We discuss:

•  Why the fastest weight loss isn't always the most successful 
•  The surprising habits shared by people who keep the weight off 
•  The biggest mistakes people make when trying to lose weight 
•  Why motivation isn't nearly as important as people think 
•  The role of identity in long-term success 
•  Why knowledge isn't the problem—most people already know what they should be doing 
•  The impact of stress, sleep and environment on our ability to make healthy choices 
•  Whether modern weight-loss medications are changing the conversation around obesity 

Most importantly, we ask a simple question:

If losing weight was just about knowing what to eat, why is it still so difficult?

Whether you're trying to lose 5kg, 30kg, or simply build healthier habits that last, this episode offers practical insights, honest conversations and a refreshing perspective from three coaches who have spent decades helping people navigate one of life's biggest health challenges.

Because lasting weight loss isn't about finding a better diet...

It's about becoming the kind of person who no longer needs one.

🎧 Listen now on Between Sessions – A Health & Fitness Podcast.

What if everything you knew about fitness disappeared tomorrow?

No experience. No training history. No shortcuts.

Just an ordinary person trying to get healthier in a world overflowing with conflicting advice, fitness influencers, diet trends, supplements, apps, and endless information.

In this episode of Between Sessions – A Health & Fitness Podcast, Justin, Michael and Wade tackle a fascinating question:

Knowing everything we know now, what would we do if we had to start again?

Drawing on decades of combined experience helping thousands of people improve their health, the team explores:

•  The fitness advice they'd completely ignore 
•  The first habits they'd focus on 
•  The biggest mistakes beginners make 
•  What actually matters versus what people think matters 
•  How environment often beats willpower 
•  Why consistency wins over intensity every time 
•  The lessons real members have taught them over the years 

The conversation also dives into one of the most important topics in long-term health:

Identity.

Do healthy decisions create a healthy person, or does becoming a healthy person lead to better decisions?

Whether you're just starting your fitness journey, getting back on track after time away, or looking for a simpler approach to health, this episode offers practical insights, honest reflections, and a refreshing reminder that success is usually built on mastering the basics rather than chasing perfection.

Because if there's one thing we've learned after years in the fitness industry, it's this:

The people who succeed aren't the ones with the perfect program.

They're the ones who keep showing up.

🎧 Listen now and discover what we'd do differently if we were starting from scratch today.

What happens when the body gets tired…
 but the mind still has hours left to fight?

In this episode of Between Sessions — A Health & Fitness Podcast, Justin reflects on his experience completing the UTA50 — a brutal 50km ultra trail race through the Blue Mountains involving relentless climbs, technical terrain, exhaustion, and mental warfare.

But this conversation goes far beyond running.

We explore:

•  What trail running is really like for people who’ve never experienced it 
•  The difference between physical pain and mental fatigue 
•  How ultra-endurance events expose your thought patterns under pressure 
•  Why some people’s mental “elastic band” eventually snaps during these races 
•  What runners discover about themselves when there’s nowhere left to hide 
•  The strange clarity, simplicity, and connection that comes from hours alone in nature 

Justin also shares the lessons learned from training for the event while balancing increasing business pressures and managing two gyms — and why endurance challenges often become more about identity and mindset than fitness itself.

The episode also touches on Michael’s recent medical challenges, and how difficult periods of physical uncertainty can create a similar mental battle: learning how to adapt, keep perspective, and continue moving forward when the body suddenly feels unreliable.

Because eventually, every endurance challenge becomes a conversation between you and your mind.

And sometimes the greatest challenge isn’t the mountain…
 it’s convincing yourself to keep moving.

What happens to your training when life gets busier… new job, more responsibility, more pressure?

In this episode of Between Sessions - A Health & Fitness Podcast, we move past the usual advice of “just do what you can” and explore a more powerful idea:

👉 Your identity shapes your actions - not your schedule.

We dive into:

•  Why defining the person you want to be is the foundation of consistency 
•  How busy periods expose your real priorities 
•  Why training becomes a series of constant decisions between two options 
•  The role of energy, not time, as the real limiting factor
•  How to maintain structure when life becomes unpredictable 

Justin also shares a practical insight from preparing for the UTA50 while running two gyms, using voice memos and voice-to-text technology during workouts and runs to stay productive without sacrificing training.

This episode isn’t about squeezing exercise into your day.  It’s about becoming the type of person who trains regardless of what the day looks like.

Because when life gets harder, your standards matter more, not less.

🎧 Listen now on Between Sessions.

What if your home or workplace was making you sick… and no one could tell you why?

In this episode of Between Sessions — A Health & Fitness Podcast, we speak with Stella and Joel, a couple who experienced both chronic and acute health issues caused by mould exposure — and the long, frustrating journey to uncover the real cause.

Joel shares how his symptoms started with fatigue, brain fog, and joint pain in his early 30s, before progressing to the point where he could no longer work or function day-to-day. 

Stella reveals her own experience with sudden breathing issues and autoimmune symptoms, later linked to environmental exposure — showing how mould can present very differently between individuals. 

We explore:

•  What mould exposure actually is and how it affects the body 
•  Why symptoms are often misdiagnosed or dismissed 
•  The difference between acute and chronic exposure 
•  How environmental factors like water damage can impact health 
•  Why some people are more susceptible than others 
•  The role of exercise during illness and recovery 
•  The mental and emotional toll of long-term unexplained health issues 

This episode highlights an important reality: sometimes the problem isn’t your body — it’s your environment.

If you’ve ever experienced unexplained fatigue, brain fog, or ongoing health issues, this conversation may change the way you think about your health.

Because sometimes the hardest part isn’t getting better —
 it’s being believed in the first place.

🎧 Listen now on Between Sessions.

Do people who exercise actually get injured more… or less?

In this episode of Between Sessions — A Health & Fitness Podcast, we speak with osteopath Kieren Jamieson about what he really sees in the clinic when it comes to pain, injuries, and movement.

Many people assume the gym causes injuries — but Kieran explains why the real problem is often lack of movement, poor load management, or everyday lifestyle habits like sitting for long periods.

We also explore some of the most debated topics in fitness and recovery:

• What an osteopath actually does
• Whether gym training creates more injuries
• The truth about stretching and mobility
• Does foam rolling actually work?
• Why pain doesn’t always mean damage
• The most common movement problems he sees in patients
• What regular exercisers get right compared to sedentary people

Drawing on years of experience treating athletes, runners, office workers, and everyday people, Kieran shares practical insights into how the body responds to movement, how injuries really occur, and how to stay active long-term.

If you’ve ever wondered whether exercise is helping or hurting your body, this episode provides a refreshing and evidence-based perspective.

Because the goal isn’t to avoid movement —
 it’s to move well for life.

Instagram
Kieran Jamieson Osteopathy
https://www.instagram.com/kieren_jamieson_osteopathy/
 

Equilibrium Sports & Spinal Clinic
https://equilibriumsas.com.au
 

Chadstone Region Osteopathy
https://www.chadstoneregionosteo.com.au/kieren-jamieson-osteopath/
 

These clinics focus on:

• Osteopathy
• Injury rehabilitation
• pain management
• sports injuries
• movement assessment 

What does the future of fitness really look like?
 More technology… or more human connection?

In this episode of Between Sessions — A Health & Fitness Podcast, we sit down with Andrew Perry, CEO of EFM Corporate & Franchise Support and Head Franchisor, to explore where the fitness industry is heading and why personalisation is becoming the dominant expectation across almost every aspect of modern life.

We discuss:

• How fitness is shifting toward tailored, individual experiences
• The growing role of technology, AI, and wearables
• Why community and accountability may become more important — not less
• The future vision for EFM Health Clubs
• How meaningful human connection is becoming a competitive advantage in an increasingly digital world

While technology is advancing rapidly, many people are also experiencing greater isolation. This conversation explores why the most successful fitness models of the future may be the ones that combine smart systems with genuine relationships — not just access to equipment.

If you’re interested in the direction of health, fitness, community, and personal wellbeing, this episode offers practical insight into where the industry is going and what it means for everyday people.

Because the future of fitness isn’t just personal — it’s connected. 🎧

Professional athletes don’t just “get fit” when a season starts — they follow carefully planned preseason programs designed to rebuild fitness, reduce injury risk, and prepare their bodies for performance.

In this episode of Between Sessions — A Health & Fitness Podcast, we break down how modern preseason training works, how it’s changed from old-school conditioning methods, and what everyday gym-goers can learn from elite sport science.

We explore:

• How professional teams structure preseason
• Why training methods have evolved
• The science behind gradual progression and injury prevention
• What happens to the body after time off
• How to safely return to the gym after a holiday break
• Practical steps anyone can apply immediately

Whether you’re an athlete, a regular gym member, or someone restarting their fitness journey after Christmas, this episode gives you clear, evidence-based guidance without the extremes.

Because preseason isn’t about going harder — it’s about building smarter