

Trainers Talking Truths
ISSA
Welcome to Trainers Talking Truths! This is an ISSA podcast dedicated to exploring the fitness industry and uncovering the whys and hows of personal training.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 25, 2025 • 43min
Ep.207: Fact or Fiction? The Truth About Insurance Coverage for Personal Trainers
In this episode Jenny reconnects with the team at API fitness insurance. You don’t know you need insurance until you NEED it… and by then, it’s too late to get it! Doug and Jim explain the type of insurance a fitness professional may need to carry to protect themselves, their clients, and their business. PLUS, we dive into some real-life examples of when someone needed insurance to cover a situation and some real cohort cases where insurance saved the day!Don't forget to check out this link https://team.apifitness.com/wordpress/ for a special offer from API!

Nov 5, 2025 • 42min
Ep.206: Research & Real Talk Episode 18 with GUEST John Bauer
Today, Jenny and Mr. John dig into some new research and more real talk yet again! From optimal resistance training or results to ultraprocessed foods and putting an end to type 1 diabetes, the research is coming in hot! And don;t miss John’s Real Talk about education in the fitness fields- it comes in many shapes and ways! Happy listening!References: 1. Comparable Strength and Hypertrophic Adaptations to Low-Load and High-Load Resistance Exercise Training in Trained Individuals: Many Roads Lead to RomeKristoffer Toldnes Cumming, Ingrid Cecelia Elvatun, Richard Kalenius, Gordan Divljak, Truls Raastad, Niklas Psilander, Oscar Horwath bioRxiv 2025.04.28.650925; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.04.28.6509252. Samuel J. Dicken, Friedrich C. Jassil, Adrian Brown, Monika Kalis, Chloe Stanley, Chaniqua Ranson, Tapiwa Ruwona, Sulmaaz Qamar, Caroline Buck, Ritwika Mallik, Nausheen Hamid, Jonathan M. Bird, Alanna Brown, Benjamin Norton, Claudia A. M. Gandini Wheeler-Kingshott, Mark Hamer, Chris van Tulleken, Kevin D. Hall, Abigail Fisher, Janine Makaronidis, Rachel L. Batterham. Ultraprocessed or minimally processed diets following healthy dietary guidelines on weight and cardiometabolic health: a randomized, crossover trial. Nature Medicine, 2025; DOI: 10.1038/s41591-025-03842-03. Mayo Clinic. "This sugar molecule could stop type 1 diabetes, by fooling the immune system." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250802022917.htm (accessed August 2, 2025).

Oct 1, 2025 • 1h 4min
Ep.205: The Truth About Starting Your Business in a Gym or Mobile, Doug Katona from American Barbell Returns!
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/ISSAGet in contact with Doug! doug@americanbarbell.com

Sep 3, 2025 • 1h
Ep.204: Practical Assessments and Nutrition Coaching Strategies that Work!
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/

Aug 6, 2025 • 45min
Ep.203: Research & Real Talk Episode 17 with GUEST John Bauer (h
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-food2. 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 2772-9508https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioadv.2025.2141793. 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/JP288104www.Lionel.edu Lionel University

Jul 2, 2025 • 59min
Ep.202: Marketing and Self-Promotion for the Fitness Professional
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.comDo you have general marketing questions Jolinda can help with? Schedule some time to pick her brain (for free!) here: https://bit.ly/ShapesColorsMarketingAMA

Jun 4, 2025 • 52min
Ep.201: Research & Real Talk Episode 16 with GUEST John Bauer (he’s baaaack!!)
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/s42003-025-07494-12. 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/s41564-025-01938-43. 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

May 7, 2025 • 48min
Ep.200: ISSA’s PDTM: The Secret to Smarter Program Design & Client Retention
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!

Apr 2, 2025 • 30min
Ep.199: Amy Thompson of IDEA Fitness; Furthering the Mission of Healthy Living
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 2025Learn about Mentorship Opportunities HERE!www.ideafit.comIDEA Fit on InstagramIDEA Health & Fitness on YouTubeIDEA Fit on FacebookIdea Health & Fitness Association on LinkedInAmy Thompson on LinkedInAmy Thompson on InstagramHear more! Amy shares insights on The Wellness Paradox Podcast

Mar 26, 2025 • 54min
Ep.198: Bringing World-Class Running Science to Personal Training Clients with Dr. Jason Karp
Dr. Jason Karp, a renowned running coach and author, shares his expertise on integrating running into personal training. He explores what really makes a great runner— genetics, training, or mindset. Dr. Karp debunks common myths about running, including its impact on knees, and discusses the mental health benefits of the sport. He emphasizes the importance of a gradual transition to barefoot running and the unique success factors of elite Kenyan runners. Personal trainers will learn how to leverage running for better client results and a thriving coaching business.


