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Daniel Rosenthal (@rosentrain) - Online fitness coach specializing in helping women over 40 lose weight sustainably. 100K+ Instagram following, father of two, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. OTM student for 3.5 years.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Hook: When the systems that got you here won't get you where you're going

1:00 - Daniel's background: Personal trainer to online coach journey

3:07 - Pre-OTM business: $7-10K months but no systems to scale

4:20 - Joining OTM in 2022: Wife wanted extended maternity leave

6:10 - The success period: Growing from 25 to 75 clients, $20-30K months

7:20 - September 2024: When growth suddenly stopped

8:30 - The complacency trap: No marketing systems, just organic applications

9:30 - From 250 applications to almost none - the warning signs

11:09 - What OTM helped with: Client service, sales skills, hiring coaches

13:32 - The decline: "My content from August 2024 was terrible"

15:15 - Taking ownership: No systems, got lazy, posted randomly

16:21 - September 2024 becomes the best month ever (spoiler alert)

17:07 - How to know: Slow month vs systemic problem

18:01 - The comparison that sparked action, not self-pity

18:48 - March-April 2024: The stress of realizing it's all on you

19:56 - First system implemented: DM strategy and hiring a setter

22:45 - The bottleneck revelation: You can be your own limitation

23:15 - Forcing himself to track data in Trello (despite hating spreadsheets)

24:29 - Content planning for someone with 100K followers (you need it too)

25:10 - August content strategy: Getting audience to know, like, trust

26:30 - Theme-based content: Monday through Sunday structure

27:47 - September theme: "Life ain't gonna slow down, so you may as well start"

29:16 - Best month ever after 18 months of struggle

30:30 - Balancing rebuild stress with family life (not perfectly)

31:52 - Non-negotiables: 5-8pm family time, blocked calendar

33:20 - The balance myth: Sometimes work has to be priority

36:12 - Phone on DND 24/7 except for wife

37:11 - One system every coach needs: DM conversations

38:37 - Avoiding complacency: Plan next month before celebrating this one

39:44 - October 1st action: 90 DMs sent to avoid empty calendar

42:58 - Stress management: Gratitude journaling, workouts, prioritizing self

46:08 - Rapid fire: Biggest mistakes, best investments, systems to never neglect

Key Takeaways:

Complacency kills growth faster than bad strategy

100K followers means nothing without a DM and content system

Taking ownership > blaming the algorithm every single time

"Trust the process" only works if you actually do the work

Content planning isn't optional - even with 100K followers

Track your data even if you hate spreadsheets (hire someone if needed)

Non-negotiables keep you sane during intense growth periods

Connect with Daniel:

• Instagram: @rosentrain
• Podcast: The Leaner You Podcast
• Newsletter: Fit Bullets Friday