Trainers Talking Truths

So, you wanna start a fitness business do ya?

Well, this is your episode! Join Jenny and returning guest Doug Katona of American Barbell as we discuss the pros and cons of starting a fitness career in a health club or stepping out on your own! There is so much to know and explore in this industry and they’ll reveal some of the obvious (and not so obvious!) considerations for any fitness professional as you grow and thrive!

American Barbell (ISSA Partner) - They are our official equipment and live seminar partner http://www.americanbarbell.com/ISSA

Get in contact with Doug! [email protected]

Assessments and Nutrition Coaching- two critical elements a fitness professional should master. However, many personal trainers don't know how to apply all thai information! Join Jenny as she and Dr. J Mike reunite to discuss practical strategies and applications for fitness and movement assessments, nutrition needs, and advanced nutrition strategies for the advanced training client!

https://www.instagram.com/drjmike/

In our 17th episode of Research and Real Talk, Jenny brings back John Bauer, now of Lionel University, to discuss the newest and latest. From nutrition to gene editing and burnout to muscle memory- nothing is off the table! Join us down the rabbit hole of the ever-evolving science in fitness and wellness.

References:

1. TED Radio Hour https://www.npr.org/2025/04/18/g-s1-60989/how-crispr-is-changing-the-way-we-grow-our-food

2. Azumi Yoshida, Hironobu Takahashi, Tatsuya Shimizu, Morphology and functionality in biomimetic cultured meat produced from various cellular origins,

Biomaterials Advances, Volume 169, 2025, 214179, ISSN 2772-9508

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioadv.2025.214179

3. Juha J. Hulmi, Eeli J. Halonen, Adam P. Sharples, Thomas M. O'Connell, Lauri Kuikka, Veli‐Matti Lappi, Kari Salokas, Salla Keskitalo, Markku Varjosalo, Juha P. Ahtiainen. Human skeletal muscle possesses both reversible proteomic signatures and a retained proteomic memory after repeated resistance training. The Journal of Physiology, 2025; DOI: 10.1113/JP288104

www.Lionel.edu Lionel University

So many fitness professionals are experts in the body and movement, but are completely lost when it comes to marketing, building a brand for themselves, and even creating a website that is attractive, engaging, and helps their business grow. Join Jenny as she digs into the details behind effective website building, creating a logo that people will never forget, and more with her guest, Jolinda Anderson of Shapes & Colors in Richmond, Virginia. Let’s demystify marketing together! It all comes down to building awareness and this episode is loaded with intel to help YOU invest in yourself and your business the same way you ask your clients to invest in themselves!

www.jolinda.com

Do you have general marketing questions Jolinda can help with? Schedule some time to pick her brain (for free!) here: https://bit.ly/ShapesColorsMarketingAMA

John is making a guest appearance with Jenny to continue the tradition of Research and Real talk! Join this dynamic duo as they explore a litany of topics including prebiotics, Carbs and cancer risk, genetic factors for obesity, coaching burnout, client retention, trainers and social media, and traits of a bad coach!

References: 

1.Yutaka Nakazawa, Masumi Kageyama, Tomohiko Matsuzawa, Ziqin Liang, Kaito Kobayashi, Hisaka Shimizu, Kazuki Maeda, Miho Masuhiro, Sei Motouchi, Saika Kumano, Nobukiyo Tanaka, Kouji Kuramochi, Hiroyuki Nakai, Hayao Taguchi, Masahiro Nakajima. Structure and function of a β-1,2-galactosidase from Bacteroides xylanisolvens, an intestinal bacterium. Communications Biology, 2025; 8 (1) DOI: 10.1038/s42003-025-07494-1

2. Bhupesh Kumar Thakur, Yann Malaise, Saurav Roy Choudhury, Anna Neustaeter, Williams Turpin, Catherine Streutker, Julia Copeland, Erin O. Y. Wong, William W. Navarre, David S. Guttman, Christian Jobin, Kenneth Croitoru, Alberto Martin. Dietary fibre counters the oncogenic potential of colibactin-producing Escherichia coli in colorectal cancer. Nature Microbiology, 2025; DOI: 10.1038/s41564-025-01938-4

3. Natalie J. Wallis, Alyce McClellan, Alexander Mörseburg, Katherine A. Kentistou, Aqfan Jamaluddin, Georgina K. C. Dowsett, Ellen Schofield, Anna Morros-Nuevo, Sadia Saeed, Brian Y. H. Lam, Natasha T. Sumanasekera, Justine Chan, Sambhavi S. Kumar, Rey M. Zhang, Jodie F. Wainwright, Marie Dittmann, Gabriella Lakatos, Kara Rainbow, David Withers, Rebecca Bounds, Marcella Ma, Alexander J. German, Jane Ladlow, David Sargan, Philippe Froguel, I. Sadaf Farooqi, Ken K. Ong, Giles S. H. Yeo, John A. Tadross, John R. B. Perry, Caroline M. Gorvin, Eleanor Raffan. Canine genome-wide association study identifies DENND1B as an obesity gene in dogs and humans. Science, 2025; DOI: 10.1126/science.ads2145

Exercise programming is both an art and a science—and the best trainers know how to balance both. In this episode, Jenny and John dive into the essentials of program design, client assessments, and the science behind effective training.

We break down common programming mistakes, the importance of assessments, and strategies for selling and retaining clients through well-structured, personalized fitness plans. Plus, we take a deep dive into ISSA’s Purpose Driven Training Model (PDTM)—what makes it different, why we created it, and how it can help trainers design better programs and grow their business.

Whether you're a new trainer or a seasoned pro, this episode contains actionable insights to level up your programming skills and client success.

Tune in now and learn how to create smarter, more effective training programs!

In this episode Jenny reconnects with long-time fitness professional and education advocate Amy Thomposon of IDEA Fitness. The fitness industry is rebounding well from the pandemic, but one thing that never went away was the need for health and fitness education and mentorship. Amy discusses the growing opportunities for online and in-person education for fitness professionals as well as the benefits and opportunities for impactful mentorship in the field.

2025 IDEA World- July 2025

Learn about Mentorship Opportunities HERE!

www.ideafit.com

IDEA Fit on Instagram

IDEA Health & Fitness on YouTube

IDEA Fit on Facebook

Idea Health & Fitness Association on LinkedIn

Amy Thompson on LinkedIn

Amy Thompson on Instagram

Hear more! Amy shares insights on The Wellness Paradox Podcast

What makes a great runner? Is it genetics, training, or something more? In this episode, Jenny and John chat with Dr. Jason Karp—renowned running coach, exercise scientist, and author of 15 books—to explore the fascinating world of running performance.

From coaching elite Kenyan runners to training everyday athletes, Dr. Karp shares insights on what truly separates top runners from the rest. We dive into common myths about running, the role of science in performance, and how personal trainers can integrate running into their programming for better client results.

Plus, we tackle key questions like:

• Is there really such a thing as a “non-runner”?
• Should you go barefoot or stick with high-tech running shoes?
• How does running impact mental health and longevity?
• How can personal trainers leverage running to build a more successful coaching business?

Whether you're an endurance athlete, a personal trainer, or just someone who wants to enjoy running more, this episode is filled with valuable insights.

https://www.instagram.com/drjasonkarp/

What does it take to succeed as a college athlete in today’s evolving sports landscape? Strength and conditioning coach from Seton Hall University Angelo Gingerelli joins us to dive deep into athletic development, recruiting, NIL deals, and the realities of college sports.

With experience training athletes across multiple sports, Angelo shares his insights on sport-specific training, the importance of recovery, and how sports science has changed the game. We also discuss his book, The Next Four Years, which offers a must-read roadmap for student-athletes (and their families) navigating college recruiting, NIL opportunities, and the transfer portal.

If you’re an athlete, parent, or coach, this episode is packed with essential insights on what it really takes to thrive in college athletics.

Tune in now and connect with Angelo!

What does it take to be a great trainer, educator, and leader in the fitness industry? In this episode, Jenny and John chat with Miguel Vargas, TRX Senior Master Instructor and TRX Training and Education Manager, to dive into his journey from passionate trainer to international educator.

With over a decade of experience leading TRX workouts, workshops, and courses around the world, Miguel shares insights on what separates good trainers from great ones, how to build confidence on the training floor, and what it takes to transition into coaching and education roles.

We also get into some fun "Would You Rather" fitness scenarios—because let’s be honest, we’ve all had that client who insists on their magic fat-burning detox tea!

Tune in for expert advice, industry insights, and a few laughs along the way.

https://www.instagram.com/migueltrxsf/

https://www.instagram.com/trxtraining/

https://www.trxtraining.com/pages/education