FITLETE Radio | A Personal Training News and Fitness Industry Q&A Show Coach’s Spotlight: Meet Dan Stephenson | S2:Ep8
Sep 3, 2025
Dan Stephenson, a veteran coach and founder of Ideal Strength, shares his insightful approach to fitness coaching. He emphasizes the importance of listening to clients, recognizing that mental aspects often play a crucial role in physical training. Dan discusses personalized training methods tailored to clients' needs, especially those with injuries, advocating for smart progressions. He also highlights the balance between leveraging technology to enhance coaching while maintaining genuine human connections. Mentorship, he believes, is essential for growth in the fitness industry.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Unexpected Powerlifting Wake-Up Call
- Dan jumped into his first powerlifting meet with two weeks' notice and no preparation.
- He left with a passion for the sport and the lesson that growth often follows showing up unprepared.
Listen Before You Prescribe
- Listen first to understand origins, past attempts, and fears before changing a client's plan.
- Assess movement and use smart progressions so you adjust the plan, not the goal.
Question Beliefs, Don't Dismiss Them
- Ask curious questions about where a belief came from instead of immediately correcting clients.
- Involve clients in exploring evidence so they feel heard and are likelier to adopt changes.
