
How To Become A Personal Trainer
Practical tips to help you become a better coach so you can help more people.
Latest episodes

Feb 28, 2023 • 45min
You Don't Want to Miss This Episode...
In this episode, we talk about a lot of great stuff. Like, a lot. The issue is, Jordan is supposed to write the show notes immediately after recording. But he didn't for this one. And he wrote these show notes about a week after recording, so he forgot what we spoke about. But trust us... this was a great episode. So, please listen.
(plus we've still got timestamps below... thanks David!)
We hope you enjoy this episode and if you'd like to join us in The Online Fitness Business Mentorship, you can grab your seat at https://www.fitnessbusinessmentorship.com
Thank you!
-J & M
WATCH this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5CBFUhHLYvI
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) — Intro
(01:50) — Is 'starvation mode' actually a real thing?
(10:36) — Should you drink water consistently throughout the day or can you just chug large doses?
(15:49) — Lower body is hamstring dominant—how can I switch focus to quads and glutes?
(22:14) — Fake teeth, cosmetic surgeries, & social pressure/expectations
(34:43) — Mike & Jordan reminisce about their experiences with braces growing up
(37:24) — Workout videos for social media: overrated or underrated?
(44:35) — Wrap-up
You can find a full transcript of this episode by clicking here
Follow the show on social:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/personaltrainerpodcast
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@personaltrainerpodcast
Join our email list & get our FREE '30 Ways To Build A Successful Online Coaching Business' manual: https://bit.ly/30O2l6p
Check out our new book 'Eat It!' at https://www.eatit-book.com
If you have any questions you'd like to have answered on the show, shoot us an email at info@fitnessbusinessmentorship.com
If you enjoyed the episode, we would sincerely appreciate it if you left a five-star review.
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Post-Production by: David Margittai | In Post Media
Website: https://www.inpostmedia.com
Email: david@inpostmedia.com
© 2023 Michael Vacanti & Jordan Syatt

Feb 21, 2023 • 39min
Does Mike Cry, Training to Failure, Clients Who Always Want More Volume, and More...
In this episode, we talk about whether or not Mike actually cries, training to failure, how to deal with clients who always want to do more in the gym, and more.
We hope you enjoy this episode and if you'd like to join us in The Online Fitness Business Mentorship, you can grab your seat at https://www.fitnessbusinessmentorship.com
Thank you!
-J & M
WATCH this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/A_WtjK7Qv3M
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) — INTRO—catching up with Mike & Jordan (+ the OFBM sale is officially over)
(05:05) — Does Mike ever cry?
(08:42) — How do we handle clients who always want more, more, more?
(18:38) — Lumen and other fitness/health tracking devices
(21:48) — Powerlifting or bodybuilding for long-term joint health? (+ why did Jordan retire from powerlifting?)
(27:57) — Do you need to always take leucine & creatine with protein powder?
(32:42) — Is physical fitness or mental stimulation more important for brain health?
(38:38) — Wrap-up
You can find a full transcript of this episode by clicking here
Follow the show on social:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/personaltrainerpodcast/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@personaltrainerpodcast/
Check out our new book 'Eat It!' at https://www.eatit-book.com
If you have any questions you'd like to have answered on the show, shoot us an email at info@fitnessbusinessmentorship.com
If you enjoyed the episode, we would sincerely appreciate it if you left a five-star review.
Join our email list & get our FREE '30 Ways To Build A Successful Online Coaching Business' manual: https://bit.ly/30O2l6p
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Post-Production by: David Margittai | In Post Media
Website: https://www.inpostmedia.com
Email: david@inpostmedia.com
© 2023 Michael Vacanti & Jordan Syatt

Feb 14, 2023 • 1h 6min
This is The Most Important Podcast We've Ever Published
This episode is the most important podcast we've ever published and once you start listening you will quickly find out why.
We hope you enjoy this episode and if you'd like to join us in The Online Fitness Business Mentorship, you can grab your seat at https://www.fitnessbusinessmentorship.com
Thank you!
-J & M
WATCH this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VwoavXgjS3M
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) — Intro
(00:11) — A VERY short amount of time remains on the OFBM sale. If you want to take advantage of the discount, get in NOW!
(06:59) — Further proof that you'll never please everyone
(16:13) — Living a balanced vs an unbalanced life
(31:08) — "I'm trying to get started as a coach coming from being a nurse, do you have any advice?"
(36:10) — Do machines give the same results as free weights?
(48:33) — Exercises people might be surprised that we like or don't like
(54:39) — The most common technique mistakes for the cable pull-through
(57:59) — Are BOSU balls actually good for anything? (& what does Mike hate most about them?)
(01:02:12) — Wrap-up (+ a free resource suggestion for education)
(01:04:59) — FINAL reminder that the OFBM sale will be over before the next episode airs. If you're getting in, now's the time to do it
You can find a full transcript of this episode by clicking here
Follow the show on social:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/personaltrainerpodcast/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@personaltrainerpodcast/
Join our email list & get our FREE '30 Ways To Build A Successful Online Coaching Business' manual: https://bit.ly/30O2l6p
Check out our new book 'Eat It!' at https://www.eatit-book.com
If you have any questions you'd like to have answered on the show, shoot us an email at info@fitnessbusinessmentorship.com
If you enjoyed the episode, we would sincerely appreciate it if you left a five-star review.
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Post-Production by: David Margittai | In Post Media
Website: https://www.inpostmedia.com
Email: david@inpostmedia.com
© 2023 Michael Vacanti & Jordan Syatt

Feb 7, 2023 • 58min
The Best Books for Personal Trainers, Rotational Core Training, Food Pushers, and More
In this episode we talk about which books are the best books for personal trainers (for both training and nutrition). We also discuss food pushers, rotational core training, and more.
We hope you enjoy this episode and if you'd like to join us in The Online Fitness Business Mentorship, you can grab your seat at https://www.fitnessbusinessmentorship.com
Thank you!
-J & M
WATCH this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/l8dHzG3xABQ
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) — The OFBM sale is officially LIVE!
(00:54) — Mike can't prove this, but... rotational work and... bowel health?
(03:07) — When did we start feeling old?
(12:48) — Is social media and the time we spend on our phones ruining our ability to focus?
(19:42) — "Food pushers" & why does eating "healthy" have such a negative stigma?
(27:49) — Food cravings, trigger foods, & tactics for dealing with them
(34:23) — Mike's custom pre-workout
(40:32) — Books we recommend on training/periodization and nutrition
(51:27) — The best way to make content is by being yourself
(56:43) — Wrap-up
You can find a full transcript of this episode by clicking here
Follow the show on social:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/personaltrainerpodcast/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@personaltrainerpodcast/
Join our email list & get our FREE '30 Ways To Build A Successful Online Coaching Business' manual: https://bit.ly/30O2l6p
Check out our new book 'Eat It!' at https://www.eatit-book.com
If you have any questions you'd like to have answered on the show, shoot us an email at info@fitnessbusinessmentorship.com
If you enjoyed the episode, we would sincerely appreciate it if you left a five-star review.
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Post-Production by: David Margittai | In Post Media
Website: https://www.inpostmedia.com
Email: david@inpostmedia.com
© 2023 Michael Vacanti & Jordan Syatt

Jan 31, 2023 • 58min
Workout Program Design, Falling Out with Old Friends, 30-Minute Workouts, and More...
In this episode we talk about how to design effective 30-minute workouts, why you need to (and how to) program so your clients improve their mobility and performance, how to deal with falling out with old friends, and more.
We hope you enjoy this episode and if you'd like to join us in The Online Fitness Business Mentorship, you can grab your seat at https://www.fitnessbusinessmentorship.com
Thank you!
-J & M
WATCH this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/l8dHzG3xABQ
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) — Keep an eye out for the OFBM sale coming soon!
(01:00) — Mike's day at the beach & assless leggings
(08:41) — Jordan's current training
(12:11) — Habit stacking, James Clear, & TV shows we're watching
(20:58) — Mike's current training
(29:05) — How to make 30-minute workouts more efficient & effective
(35:03) — I Can't Prove This, But... rotational work is the best thing you can do for spinal & core health
(38:23) — Volume, intensity, & training modalities
(43:08) — Callout culture
(46:51) — Do you still track calories every day when in maintenance?
(51:23) — How do you deal with falling out/growing apart from a friend?
(56:03) — Wrap-up
You can find a full transcript of this episode by clicking here
Follow the show on social:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/personaltrainerpodcast/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@personaltrainerpodcast/
Join our email list & get our FREE '30 Ways To Build A Successful Online Coaching Business' manual: https://bit.ly/30O2l6p
Check out our new book 'Eat It!' at https://www.eatit-book.com
If you have any questions you'd like to have answered on the show, shoot us an email at info@fitnessbusinessmentorship.com
If you enjoyed the episode, we would sincerely appreciate it if you left a five-star review.
----
Post-Production by: David Margittai | In Post Media
Website: https://www.inpostmedia.com
Email: david@inpostmedia.com
© 2023 Michael Vacanti & Jordan Syatt

Jan 24, 2023 • 1h 2min
Deadlifts in Running Shoes, Daily Workouts, 3 Months with No Progress, and More...
In this episode, we talk about Jordan's experience deadlifting in running shoes, who should (and shouldn't) work out daily, why someone might be making zero progress after 3 months, and more.
We hope you enjoy this episode and if you'd like to join us in The Online Fitness Business Mentorship, you can grab your seat at https://www.fitnessbusinessmentorship.com
Thank you!
-J & M
WATCH this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0dSQmTzR0Og
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) — Playoff football, our favorite Greek yogurts, & people who are unwilling to eat meat
(11:14) — Keep an eye out for a MASSIVE Mentorship sale coming in February
(12:44) — Jordan's house-hunting adventure continues
(22:22) — Mike's NFL playoff predictions & social media rabbit holes
(27:02) — Is it normal to manually stretch your clients after a workout?
(30:48) — Why does Jordan hate intermittent fasting?
(34:39) — Are scales that measure body fat percentage BS?
(42:08) — What shoes do we recommend clients work out in?
(50:43) — Is it okay to work out every day?
(54:41) — What do you do when you haven't seen any progress for 3 months?
(58:45) — Wrap-up
You can find a full transcript of this episode by clicking here
Follow the show on social:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/personaltrainerpodcast/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@personaltrainerpodcast/
Check out our new book 'Eat It!' at https://www.eatit-book.com
If you have any questions you'd like to have answered on the show, shoot us an email at info@fitnessbusinessmentorship.com
If you enjoyed the episode, we would sincerely appreciate it if you left a five-star review.
Join our email list & get our FREE '30 Ways To Build A Successful Online Coaching Business' manual: https://bit.ly/30O2l6p
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Post-Production by: David Margittai | In Post Media
Website: https://www.inpostmedia.com
Email: david@inpostmedia.com
© 2023 Michael Vacanti & Jordan Syatt

Jan 17, 2023 • 58min
Exercise Analysis: Lunges, Overhead Press, & More
In this episode, we do an in-depth exercise technique analysis on both the lunge and overhead press. We discuss their progressions, regressions, pros, cons, programming considerations, and more.
We hope you enjoy this episode and if you'd like to join us in The Online Fitness Business Mentorship, you can grab your seat at https://www.fitnessbusinessmentorship.com
Thank you!
-J & M
WATCH this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/75CBkdnM6kY
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) — Mike's trip to NYC, Jordan is house-hunting, 2023 goals
(10:49) — Why incline treadmill walking is the G.O.A.T.
(17:15) — A deep-dive into overhead pressing
(25:48) — Why is it harder for women to build upper body strength?
(31:42) — Why does Jiu-Jitsu give some people cauliflower ear?
(35:42) — Is training 3x per week enough to see strength improvements?
(41:23) — Mike STILL doesn't like Turkish Get-Ups (because he isn't a nerd)
(43:35) — The differences between walking and stationary lunges
(49:27) — What is Mike's favorite thing that he did for himself in 2022?
(50:49) — How do we utilize fasting in our day-to-day lives? (and why is Mike drinking 9-year-old BCAAs?)
(57:18) — Wrap-up
You can find a full transcript of this episode by clicking here
Follow the show on social:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/personaltrainerpodcast/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@personaltrainerpodcast/
Check out our new book 'Eat It!' at https://www.eatit-book.com
If you have any questions you'd like to have answered on the show, shoot us an email at info@fitnessbusinessmentorship.com
If you enjoyed the episode, we would sincerely appreciate it if you left a five-star review.
Join our email list & get our FREE '30 Ways To Build A Successful Online Coaching Business' manual: https://bit.ly/30O2l6p
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Post-Production by: David Margittai | In Post Media
Website: https://www.inpostmedia.com
Email: david@inpostmedia.com
© 2023 Michael Vacanti & Jordan Syatt

Jan 10, 2023 • 1h 1min
Calorie Cycling for Muscle Gain, Slow and Steady is NOT the Best Strategy, and 5 Ways to Grow Your Online Fitness Business
In this episode, we talk about calorie cycling for muscle gain, why slow and steady is NOT always the best approach, and we outline 5 ways to grow your online fitness business.
We hope you enjoy this episode and if you'd like to join us in The Online Fitness Business Mentorship, you can grab your seat at https://www.fitnessbusinessmentorship.com
Thank you!
-J & M
WATCH this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XrWIGxTmDLU
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) — Keep your eyes peeled for a major sale in the Online Fitness Business Mentorship coming in February (join our email list below if you want to be notified)
(05:42) — Our favorite protein shakes/recipes
(13:16) — The triumphant return of "I Can't Prove This, But..."
(26:41) — Why slow and steady ISN'T always the answer
(34:01) — Mike's top 5 tips for growing your business as new coaches
(39:53) — Jordan's top 5 tips for growing your business as new coaches
(58:10) — Final thoughts & wrap-up
You can find a full transcript of this episode by clicking here
Follow the show on social:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/personaltrainerpodcast/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@personaltrainerpodcast/
Check out our new book 'Eat It!' at https://www.eatit-book.com
If you have any questions you'd like to have answered on the show, shoot us an email at info@fitnessbusinessmentorship.com
If you enjoyed the episode, we would sincerely appreciate it if you left a five-star review.
Join our email list & get our FREE '30 Ways To Build A Successful Online Coaching Business' manual: https://bit.ly/30O2l6p
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Post-Production by: David Margittai | In Post Media
Website: https://www.inpostmedia.com
Email: david@inpostmedia.com
© 2023 Michael Vacanti & Jordan Syatt

Jan 3, 2023 • 1h
How to Dominate 2023
In this episode, we talk about 2023 and how to dominate it. What else do you need to know? Just tap the link and listen to the episode already.
We hope you enjoy this episode and if you'd like to join us in The Online Fitness Business Mentorship, you can grab your seat at https://www.fitnessbusinessmentorship.com
Thank you!
-J & M
WATCH this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/F9i09YGM07E
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) — Living in a cold vs warm climate
(05:00) — Our thoughts on New Year's resolutions
(18:06) — Doing things we don't necessarily enjoy
(24:12) — At what point would we only do the things we wanted to do?
(28:55) — The Panic Monster
(34:32) — Why Jordan thinks everyone should practice Jiu-Jitsu
(36:51) — Attack the most imminent threat first
(50:38) — Trying to figure out what Mike is going to do in 2023
You can find a full transcript of this episode by clicking here
Follow the show on social:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/personaltrainerpodcast/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@personaltrainerpodcast/
Check out our new book 'Eat It!' at https://www.eatit-book.com
If you have any questions you'd like to have answered on the show, shoot us an email at info@fitnessbusinessmentorship.com
If you enjoyed the episode, we would sincerely appreciate it if you left a five-star review.
Join our email list & get our FREE '30 Ways To Build A Successful Online Coaching Business' manual: https://bit.ly/30O2l6p
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Post-Production by: David Margittai | In Post Media
Website: https://www.inpostmedia.com
Email: david@inpostmedia.com
© 2023 Michael Vacanti & Jordan Syatt

Dec 20, 2022 • 1h 2min
Breastfeeding, Our Soft Society, Rapid Fat Loss, Client Communication, and More
In this episode, we talk about breastfeeding (some really crazy stuff in here), rapid fat loss, how soft our society has become, client communication strategies, and more.
We hope you enjoy this episode and if you'd like to join us in The Online Fitness Business Mentorship, you can grab your seat at https://www.fitnessbusinessmentorship.com
Thank you!
-J & M
WATCH this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-5KY_Xauu5s
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) — Jordan's lack of sleep, sick children, & breastfeeding
(07:13) — How Mike found the perfect hoodie (and realized it was right under his nose the entire time)
(10:10) — Is 'gut health' as big a deal as people make it out to be?
(14:15) — How we handle clients who frequently eat out
(23:55) — Clients who are too strict vs clients who struggle to consistently make good choices
(36:33) — What do we tell ourselves when life gets hard? What would we say to a client who struggles to be consistent?
(49:04) — Are hip thrusts overrated?
(56:27) — Our favorite motivational quotes
(58:15) — Jordan reads 'The Man in the Arena' by Theodore Roosevelt
(01:01:05) — Wrap-up
You can find a full transcript of this episode by clicking here
Follow the show on social:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/personaltrainerpodcast
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@personaltrainerpodcast
Check out our new book 'Eat It!' at https://www.eatit-book.com
If you have any questions you'd like to have answered on the show, shoot us an email at info@fitnessbusinessmentorship.com
If you enjoyed the episode, we would sincerely appreciate it if you left a five-star review.
Join our email list & get our FREE '30 Ways To Build A Successful Online Coaching Business' manual: https://bit.ly/30O2l6p
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Post-Production by: David Margittai | In Post Media
Website: https://www.inpostmedia.com
Email: david@inpostmedia.com
© 2022 Michael Vacanti & Jordan Syatt