The Show Up Fitness Podcast

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!

If you’ve ever passed a certification and still felt lost on the gym floor, this conversation will sound uncomfortably familiar—and surprisingly hopeful. We sit down with Anna, a Cincinnati trainer who went from textbook confidence to real-world clarity, trading fear-based assessments and complicated plans for simple, effective coaching that clients actually feel.

We start with her early days at Crunch, where 30-minute sessions exposed the limits of memorized protocols. Moving to Lifetime changed the trajectory: peer-led discovery sessions, floor observations, and direct feedback sharpened her coaching lens. Anna explains how learning by watching seasoned trainers, then being corrected, built a skill set no chapter could deliver. That shift is the throughline of the episode: master core movement patterns, keep programming competent and flexible, and use your freed-up attention to connect, listen, and guide.

From there, we dive into building a business without gimmicks. Anna breaks down a client-first model: start in a rented space, create clean discovery processes, charge with confidence, and build a referral network with physical therapists and chiropractors to keep clients safe. We also take aim at common industry traps—like misusing the overhead squat to scare people into buying—and outline a better standard: test only what you’ll retest, train what the goal requires, and treat psychology as part of the program. You’ll hear practical scripts, mindset shifts for pricing, and a clear plan for standing out in a crowded market by doing the quiet, expert things most skip.

If you’re a trainer wrestling with imposter thoughts, or you’re ready to go independent without getting overwhelmed, this episode gives you the blueprint: simplify, collaborate, and show up. Subscribe, share with a coach who needs it, and leave a review with one action you’re taking this week.

Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!

Want to ask us a question?  Email [email protected] with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!

Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/
Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqA
NASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!

What if your training career wasn’t limited by a sales quota or a noisy gym floor? We sit down with Moroccan coach Abdul Jalil Guemra to map his leap into a five-star medical spa where fitness coaches work alongside doctors, physical therapists, and dietitians to design true longevity programs.

Abdul pulls back the curtain on a model that starts with comprehensive consults and flows into personalized plans built on five pillars: metabolic function, nutrition and diet, sleep and recovery, physical fitness, and stress management. You’ll hear how each guest gets a tailored path—whether that means more structured recovery and performance work for athletes or deeper focus on sleep, stress, and nutrition for high-burnout executives. The result is a collaborative system where coaches stay within scope, clinicians lead diagnosis and treatment, and clients see measurable, life-changing progress.

We also dig into the career skills that actually win elite roles. Abdul credits mentorship and internship-style training for giving him the confidence to communicate with clinicians and the judgment to know when to refer. He makes a strong case that soft skills—presence, listening, hospitality—separate great coaches from the pack, especially in luxury wellness environments. And he breaks down how the resort’s business model removes sales pressure, allowing coaches to focus on delivery, service quality, and outcomes that go beyond PRs to include better sleep, lower stress, and stronger daily function.

If you’re a trainer aiming for a high-end or clinical setting, you’ll leave with a clear playbook: invest in real mentorship, master scope, and treat communication as a core skill. Enjoy the conversation, share it with a coach who needs a nudge, and don’t forget to subscribe and leave a quick review so we can keep bringing you practical, career-changing insights.

Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!

Want to ask us a question?  Email [email protected] with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!

Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/
Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqA
NASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!

Ever wonder why top trainers walk away from big-name gyms even when the pay looks great on paper? We sit down with Tyrus to unpack his leap from Equinox to independent training, the fears that came with it, and the unexpected relief of having space, time, and creative control. He shares how he retained his core clients, why micromanagement pushed him to the edge, and what actually sustains a long-term book: trust, outcomes, and a coaching style that trains the human, not a rigid plan.

We get into the unglamorous but critical parts of going solo—budgeting for front-loaded income, setting airtight policies, and structuring smaller packages for steadier monthly cash flow. Tyrus explains his daily readiness approach and why he prioritizes movement patterns and client context over exhaustive programming reports. If you’ve felt the summer slump, been pressured into floor shifts you don’t need, or questioned the value of endless documentation, this conversation offers both validation and a roadmap.

For leaders inside big box gyms, we outline a retention playbook: distribute leads with an eye on lifetime value, shield seasoned trainers during seasonal dips, and replace fear-based selling with real continuing education. For independent coaches, we share referral scripts, seminar-sponsorship ideas, and content tactics that turn client wins into organic growth. The goal is a career with more autonomy, deeper client relationships, and clear steps to scale—whether you plan to mentor others or eventually open your own space.

If this resonates, follow along, share it with a coach who needs it, and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more trainers ready to build a career with freedom and integrity.

Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!

Want to ask us a question?  Email [email protected] with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!

Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/
Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqA
NASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!

What if the real difference between a stagnant coaching career and an elite one isn’t a new certificate, but how you learn, coach, and connect? We sit down with Arjun, a Mumbai-based strength and conditioning coach working with Olympians and top prospects, to unpack the real substance of S&C—far beyond “weights inside, conditioning outside.” From injury prevention and periodization to testing, data, and tailored communication, he shows how the job blends science with coaching art.

Arjun shares his path from a college gym in Pune to advanced study in exercise physiology and S&C in the UK, including a COVID-era pivot into entrepreneurship and a grind of multi-role coaching across universities, clubs, and cricket. He reveals practical lessons from programming under tight competition calendars, microdosing training to maintain adaptations, and coaching different personalities—youth athletes who need play and cues, pros who need precision and trust, and general population clients who need pain management, mobility, and strong foundations.

For coaches in India—and anywhere—Arjun lays out a clear roadmap: get the right education to reach the door, then accumulate real coaching hours to open it. Replace outcome-chasing with process, and make LinkedIn your professional arena for value-first networking. Share problems you’ve solved, follow up with what you learned, and become the person people remember when roles open. We close on his north star: contributing to India’s next Olympic medal by being part of the team behind the podium. If you’re ready to move from certificate collector to trusted coach, this conversation gives you the blueprint.

If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a coach who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find these stories. What’s the next skill you’ll build this month?

Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!

Want to ask us a question?  Email [email protected] with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!

Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/
Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqA
NASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!

Struggling to turn dense textbook prep into real coaching skill? We open the door to a smarter path—one that helps you pass your CPT and step onto the floor with confidence. Ashley leads a clear, practical tour through the Overhead Squat Assessment, the must‑know overactive and underactive muscle pairs, and the exact high‑yield topics NASM loves to test. You’ll hear how to replace fear‑based posture rules with strong, simple cues that make clients feel capable and safe, and how the OPT model fits into real training without turning every session into rehab.

We share the muscle map you need at test time and in the gym: mid to lower traps, glutes, VMO, TVA, and deep cervical flexors on the underactive side; lats, adductors, hip flexors, upper traps, and the gastroc‑soleus complex on the overactive side. Then we apply it to common compensations like knee valgus and arms falling forward so you can instantly connect what you see to what you program. You’ll get the exact OHS setup, the five checkpoints, and why shoes‑off, multiple views, and consistent reps matter for clean reads.

Ashley also lays out a streamlined study system: flashcards that pair each muscle with its tendency, process‑of‑elimination test tactics, and acronym mastery like LPHC to dodge trick questions. We talk realistic use of SMR and the 4‑2‑1 tempo, when stabilization is useful, and where progressive overload leads the way. Beyond the exam, we cover building a referral team with a registered dietitian and physical therapist so you can stay within scope, deliver faster results, and create new income streams while serving clients better.

Ready to pass with less stress and coach with more clarity? Grab the Show Up Fitness study guide, join the live calls or tutoring, and start stacking real reps. If this conversation helped, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review—then tell us the next topic you want us to break down.

Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!

Want to ask us a question?  Email [email protected] with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!

Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/
Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqA
NASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!

Want a steady stream of five-star reviews, real referrals, and a calendar that fills itself without paid ads? We unpack a simple, ethical system that trades meaningful value for timely action, guiding clients to leave reviews while they’re already engaged and excited. You’ll hear how to personalize outreach, make the incentive irresistible, and remove friction so testimonials flow consistently—organically boosting your Google and Yelp rankings for “personal trainer near me.”

We walk through the full lifecycle: crafting offers that clients actually want, scheduling comp sessions tied to reviews, and turning that moment into a clear referral ask that doesn’t feel pushy. Then we layer in a light-touch nurture engine—weekly emails with nutrition tips, fiber and protein guidance, and real-world meal ideas—because most buyers convert after multiple touchpoints. The theme is simple: action beats perfection. Test now, get feedback, improve your scripts, and hit January with systems that already work.

Programming gets equal time. If your gym runs 45-minute blocks, we show how to adapt the CCA framework without crushing your main lift. Learn to pair core patterns with complementary moves, protect rest for performance, and finish with a short, client-driven “fun” block that scratches the itch for sweat and novelty without sabotaging progress. We explain the psychology behind finishers, how to educate clients on rest and RPE, and how to stay creative inside real-world constraints so results stay front and center.

Along the way, we invite you to tap into our community and hands-on seminars where we sharpen assessments, soft tissue work, programming, sales, and confidence. If you found this helpful, subscribe, share with a trainer friend, and leave a quick review—your support helps more coaches build sustainable, client-first careers.

Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!

Want to ask us a question?  Email [email protected] with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!

Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/
Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqA
NASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!

A 63-year-old pivoted careers and passed the NASM CPT by changing how he studied, not who he is. We open the playbook we used together: a clean path through the OPT model, phase-by-phase variables, and the corrective decisions that make both the test and client sessions click. If you’ve felt buried by jargon, this conversation pulls concepts into the light and connects them to simple choices you can make tomorrow.

We start with stabilization and build to strength and power, linking tempos, rests, and intensities so you can see why each phase exists. Foam rolling shows up across the board, but stretching changes with the goal—static early, active-isolated through strength, dynamic in power. From there, we map common overactive muscles in the lower body to practical fixes: roll, stretch, then strengthen the underactive counterpart at a controlled tempo. You’ll hear quick wins like how to handle heels lifting in a squat, what to do when shoulders elevate on a row, and why scaption and TRX rows keep showing up on smart Phase One programs.

Clarity around planes of motion, muscle roles, and scapular force couples pays off fast. We break down how to spot the sagittal, frontal, or transverse answer in seconds, and how agonists, antagonists, synergists, and stabilizers guide exercise selection. We also hit vital signs that matter—hypertension thresholds, tachycardia as a referral trigger, and the wrist’s radial pulse—as well as nutrition basics: carbohydrate ranges, saturated fat limits, protein’s thermic advantage, and the role of insulin, growth hormone, IGF-1, and cortisol.

Most valuable might be the test strategy itself: read the stem slowly, find the keyword like underactive or best strengthen, choose the option that advances the model, and move on. Paul’s story proves it’s not about age or memorizing a manual—it’s about organizing knowledge that actually helps people. Ready to pass and start coaching with purpose? Subscribe, share this with a study partner, and leave a review telling us the NASM concept you want solved next.

Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!

Want to ask us a question?  Email [email protected] with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!

Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/
Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqA
NASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!

Ever watched a dream job slip through your fingers because of nerves and tech chaos, then found a way to win it back? That’s the heart of our conversation with Ayanna, a determined trainer who went from CrossFit and PT settings to a full-time role at Lifetime Fitness—after a botched remote interview and a bold, make-good workout that changed everything.

We dig into the difference between reading a cert and becoming a coach. Live, interactive learning built her confidence: anatomy that matters, programming that works on the floor, and real-time feedback from a community of trainers at clubs like Lifetime and Equinox. You’ll hear how case studies, avatars, and practical assignments created a loop of learn, apply, and refine that paid off when she faced a high-stakes practical. Instead of overcomplicating things, she stuck to assessments, clean progressions, and clear cues—proof that fundamentals beat flash.

Once hired, the work shifted to member engagement. Ayanna shares how she walked the floor with purpose, offered quick wins without pressure, and used simple progressions to move people beyond stale routines. We compare the career math at different gyms, why Lifetime’s early support helps new trainers thrive, and how pricing confidence grows when clients invest in 12 to 36 sessions. We also outline a repeatable plan: mirror top performers’ activity, double your availability, script your first five minutes, and track client wins that turn into stories and referrals.

If you’re trying to break into a top club or rebuild momentum after a setback, this episode gives you a blueprint: apologize fast, add value immediately, ask for specific feedback, and keep going until you get a firm no. Subscribe for more real-world tactics, share this with a trainer who needs a push, and leave a review to tell us the bold move you’ll make this week.

Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!

Want to ask us a question?  Email [email protected] with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!

Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/
Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqA
NASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!

• From Rugby at Cal to Online SUF-CPT: Coach Caleb: caleb_tomasin 

You don’t need a massive following to build a real coaching business. You need fundamentals, live feedback, and the courage to ship imperfect work. We sit down with Caleb to unpack how hands-on experience at a performance gym evolved into a focused online strength and conditioning model, especially for rugby athletes, and why simple systems beat flashy tactics when the goal is results.

We walk through what credible programming actually looks like: a warm-up that matters, strength blocks that pair main lifts with explosive work, accessories that build resilience, and conditioning that respects the sport using zone two and interval days off-feet. Caleb breaks down his onboarding process—from fit and expectations to payment, setup, and rapid delivery—then shows how he tracks sets, reps, RPE, rest, and progress in-app. On nutrition, we start with real life: photo food journals to spot patterns and easy swaps, then macros for those ready to weigh and measure, all designed for adherence over perfection.

The business side echoes the training side: reps build confidence. Free value content grows trust and reach. A single communication channel, midweek check-ins, and Sunday reviews keep clients engaged without chaos. We talk mindset, too—avoiding comparison traps, embracing long timelines, and serving people just a couple steps behind you. If you’ve hesitated to coach online because the space feels loud, this conversation gives you a blueprint rooted in fundamentals, clarity, and action.

If this resonates, follow Caleb on Instagram at @caleb_tomasin, then subscribe, share the show with a coach who needs it, and leave a quick review so more trainers can find these tools.

Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!

Want to ask us a question?  Email [email protected] with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!

Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/
Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqA
NASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!

The fastest way to raise your rates isn’t a new logo or a shiny app. It’s raising your standard. We sit down with Dr. David Skolnik, a physical therapist who teaches trainers, to unpack why the floor of fitness education is so low—and the exact skills that move you from “gig job” to trusted professional with a full roster.

We start with movement assessment that actually maps to training. Instead of relying on narrow screens, we break down how to evaluate squat, hinge, lunge, push, pull, and locomotion in real time, under load, and with constraints that reveal what matters. Then we tackle pain without panic. Using a simple green–yellow–red framework, we show how to keep training productive during flare-ups, preserve capacity after surgery, and build client confidence by finding what can be trained today.

The game-changer is collaboration with physical therapists. You’ll hear how to speak the same language, what quality PT care looks like on the floor, and how to lead with reciprocity to spark a steady referral loop. We share examples of co-treating that maintain aerobic fitness, train the non-injured side, and support faster returns to full strength. Along the way, we draw a clear line between coaches who coach and influencers who post, and why hands-on practice still beats shortcuts when you want consistent results.

If you’re in Arizona, Dr. Skolnik outlines a new eight-week, in-person program in Mesa designed for working coaches who want to master assessment, pain navigation, and advanced programming. Prefer to start today? Audit your client assessments, define your pain rules, and book a coffee with a PT who loads patients on the floor.

If this helped you see the path from $15 to $150 an hour, tap follow, share with a coach who needs it, and leave a quick review. Tell us: which skill will you upgrade first—assessment, pain coaching, or PT partnerships?

Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!

Want to ask us a question?  Email [email protected] with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!

Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/
Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqA
NASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com