What does the future of fitness actually look like for trainers?In this episode of the Elite Trainer Academy Podcast brought to you by Mind Pump, we sit down with Mike Fantigrassi from NASM to talk about the biggest trends reshaping the fitness industry. From longevity overtaking aesthetics as the number one goal to why connection with clients is becoming the competitive advantage AI cannot replicate, this episode breaks down what trainers need to know right now.We also dive into the holistic coaching model, how to build a professional network of practitioners, why business skills matter as much as training knowledge, and what trainers should focus on to stand out in 2026 and beyond.If you got value from this episode make sure to follow or subscribe to the Elite Trainer Academy Podcast so you never miss an episode. Share it with a fellow trainer who needs to hear this.Thanks for listening. We are just getting started.
00:00 Mike Fantigrassi Background
04:45 Developing Educational Products
13:20 Fitness Trends in 2026
16:45 The Holistic Coaching Model
21:30 Why Connection Matters Most
28:15 Building Online Community
42:00 Your Professional Network
50:30 The Business Side of Training
58:15 Sales and Limiting Beliefs
1:00:15 Most Important Skill for 2026
Instagram:Kyle Pullin - @mindpumpkyle
Corinne Schmiedhauser - @mindpumpcorinne
Cole Steininger - @mindpumpcole
Mind Pump Fitness Coaching - @elitetraineracademy
Sal Distefano - @mindpumpdistefano
Justin Andrews - @mindpumpjustin
Adam Schafer - @mindpumpadam
Doug Egge- @mindpumpdoug
YouTube:Mind Pump Show - @MindPumpShow
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6i2iSdbEu9PFJ62bYvrj58?si=f66779f77fc7488f