First Things THRST E126 - The Fitness Industry In 2026: Body Image, Burnout & Broken Standards | Kayla Itsines
Jan 25, 2026
Kayla Itsines, fitness trainer and co-founder of the Sweat app, built a global women-focused fitness platform from backyard bootcamps. She talks about why transformations sell, moving from personal brand to scalable app, the harms of quick-fix dieting, the rise of strength training for women, and balancing business growth with motherhood and mental health.
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Doorway To A Career
- Kayla got her first PT job by holding a door open for someone at a gym and being polite.
- The owner hired her on the spot despite no resume because she seemed trustworthy.
Transformations Sell Everything
- Transformations drive attention and sales because people want visible journeys they can imagine replicating.
- Kayla used client before/after results to grow demand from local to global audiences.
Build A Sellable Brand, Not Just Yourself
- Avoid building a business solely on your personal brand if you want it to be sellable.
- Create systems and other brands so the company can survive without your constant presence.