
Trainers Talking Truths
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.
Latest episodes

Nov 27, 2024 • 52min
Ep.181: Pivoting with Purpose: How Bob Esquerre Transformed Corporate Expertise into Fitness Impact
In this episode, Jenny and John dive into the transformative career of Bob Esquerre, a fitness industry leader with over 38 years in the field and 13 years in Corporate America. Known as the "Trainer of Trainers" and "Manager of Managers," Bob shares how his early experiences in operations and project management shaped his approach to fitness business strategy.Join us as Bob unpacks:The pivotal moments that led him from corporate training to shaping global fitness operations.Key leadership qualities fitness professionals need to succeed in managerial roles.Business strategies to grow income opportunities for owners, operators, and trainers.The importance of customer-centric programming to engage the inactive majority.Bob's insights are a masterclass in bridging strategy, mentorship, and innovation to drive meaningful growth in the fitness industry. Don’t miss this episode if you’re looking to elevate your career or business.

Nov 20, 2024 • 37min
Ep.180: Fitness Research and Real Talk: Episode 13
In this episode, Jenny's research brings us some fun Lightning Fast Facts:Why We Crave Carbs: Discover how ancient gene duplications for salivary amylase might explain our love for bread and pasta.Travel to Slow Aging? New findings reveal that leisure travel may help reduce stress and support longevity.Protein + Fiber = Weight Loss: Learn why higher protein and fiber intake are key to effective, sustainable weight loss.Then, join John for Real Talk, where he dives into the essentials of sales in fitness: why it's important, what you're really selling, and how to build lasting client relationships.Stay tuned for practical tips, surprising research, and actionable advice that you won't want to miss. Whether you're a fitness enthusiast or a pro trainer, this episode has insights to level up your game—let's dive in!References:Feyza Yılmaz, Charikleia Karageorgiou, Kwondo Kim, Petar Pajic, Kendra Scheer, Christine R.Beck, Ann-Marie Torregrossa, Charles Lee, Omer Gokcumen, Peter A. Audano, Olanrewaju Austine-Orimoloye, Christine R. Beck, Evan E. Eichler, Pille Hallast, William T. Harvey, Alex R. Hastie, Kendra

Nov 13, 2024 • 16min
Ep.179: Empowering the Spanish Speaking Fitness Community with Esther Gallegos (Part 2)
¡No te pierdas la Parte 2, donde AnaPatricia Lozano tomará el mando como host para profundizar junto a Esther Gallegos en un episodio exclusivo en español! Juntas, explorarán las experiencias de Esther y sus consejos específicos para los profesionales del fitness de habla hispana. Si quieres escuchar de primera mano cómo elevar tu carrera en el mundo del fitness dentro de la comunidad de habla hispana, no querrás perderte esta continuación especial de nuestra conversación, ¡totalmente en español!

Nov 13, 2024 • 23min
Ep.179: Empowering the Spanish Speaking Fitness Community with Esther Gallegos (Part 1)
In this special episode, Jenny, John, and guest host AnaPatricia Lozano chat with Esther Gallegos, a seasoned Group Exercise Instructor and Personal Trainer with a rich international background. Esther opens up about her unique journey, navigating fitness courses in German and English before discovering her passion for empowering the Spanish-speaking community through ISSA’s Spanish-language certification programs. She shares valuable insights on the increasing demand for Spanish-language education in the fitness industry and how learning in one’s native language can be a game changer. Whether you're a new trainer or a seasoned pro, Esther’s advice is a must-hear for anyone looking to make an impact. Don't miss Part 1 of this inspiring conversation!Stay tuned for Part 2, where AnaPatricia Lozano takes over as host and dives deeper with Esther Gallegos in an exclusive Spanish-only episode. Together, they explore Esther’s experiences and advice specifically for Spanish-speaking fitness professionals. If you want to hear first and insights on how to elevate your fitness career within the Spanish-speaking community, you won't want to miss this special continuation of our conversation, entirely in Spanish!

Nov 6, 2024 • 56min
Ep.178: More Than an Athlete: Blair Orr on Building Skills for Sport and Life
In this episode Jenny and John chat with Blair Orr, founder of LEAD Athletic Performance. He discusses his mission to develop not only top-performing athletes but also well-rounded, resilient young people. At LEAD Athletic Performance, Blair combines data-driven training with mentorship, teaching young athletes the importance of dedication, resilience, and personal growth. Join us as we explore his unique approach to preparing youth for success in their sport and beyond.https://www.instagram.com/lead.blair/https://www.instagram.com/leadperformance/?hl=enhttps://www.trainatlead.com/

Oct 30, 2024 • 57min
Ep.177: Innovation in Fitness: Entrepreneur and Inventor Pete Holman on His Latest Creation, the Glute Slide
In this episode, Jenny and John sit down with returning guest and renowned fitness innovator Pete Holman. From his impressive journey as an entrepreneur and the mastermind behind industry game-changers like the TRX Rip Trainer to his latest invention, the Glute Slide, Pete shares the inspiration behind his creations. Tune in as they delve into how the Glute Slide is transforming glute training, and get Pete’s expert insights on staying ahead of the curve in the fast-paced world of fitness innovation.gluteslide.cominstagram.com/peteholman1ph1performance.com

Oct 23, 2024 • 44min
Ep.176: Empowering Fitness: Mario Hernandez’s enhances client success with True Coach
In this episode, Jenny and John chat with Mario Hernandez, owner of POWERCITY HQ, a personal training business dedicated to helping clients reach their fitness goals. With extensive experience and over 1000 hours of education, Mario shares his journey in the health and wellness industry and how he became a certified Active Life Professional.Discover the philosophy behind Mario's tailored training programs and how he uses True Coach software to enhance client experience, track progress, and deliver customized workouts. He discusses the importance of empowerment and support in achieving long-term success and shares valuable advice for new fitness professionals. Whether you’re interested in online or in-person training, Mario's insights will inspire you to elevate your fitness journey.

Oct 16, 2024 • 46min
Ep.175: Mainstream Muscle: How Edwin Mejia of Generation Iron is Changing Fitness Media
In this episode Jenny and John chat with Edwin Mejia, founder of Generation Iron Brands and Vladar Company Films. With his extensive background in finance and media production, Edwin has reshaped the world of strength sports and bodybuilding.We explore Edwin's journey into the fitness industry, the founding of Generation Iron, and the brand's evolution since 2015. He shares insights on the growth of bodybuilding, the impact of digital media, and the strategy behind live events like the Mr. Olympia Show.Learn how Generation Iron has made fitness more mainstream, the importance of expanding into training facilities globally, and what the future holds for the brand in the next 5-10 years.Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from a leader driving innovation in fitness media.https://generationiron.com/

Oct 9, 2024 • 48min
Ep.174: AI Revolution: AI-Driven Fitness, Sales, and Marketing with Scott Rawcliffe
In this episode, Jenny and John chat with fitness marketing expert Scott Rawcliffe to explore the game-changing role of AI in the fitness industry. Scott breaks down how AI tools are revolutionizing personalized workouts, virtual training, and content creation for fitness businesses. Plus, he shares insights into the future of AI and how smaller fitness operations can leverage this technology without breaking the bank.A.I. Tools List For Fitness ProfessionalsThings in the world of AI are changing so fast, so this list may not always have the most up-to-date. Scott’s suggestion is to pick 1-2 tools and start integrating them into your daily/weekly tasks.All of these are tools Scott has spent at least 5-10 hours testing. The ones in RED are the ones that I’m either currently using or have spent more than 10 hours using.1. ChatGPTDescription: ChatGPT is an advanced AI language model designed to help fitness professionals create engaging content, answer client questions, and even craft workout plans. It can be used to write emails, generate social media content, or provide clients with helpful fitness tips. With its conversational nature, it’s an essential tool for handling customer queries, automating responses, and creating personalized client communication.2. ClaudeWebsite: Claude by AnthropicDescription: Claude is a conversational AI assistant that helps fitness professionals by providing quick insights, generating workout and nutrition content, and automating client interactions. Claude can also be used for brainstorming session ideas, outlining educational content, or even drafting blog posts for your fitness business.3. GeminiWebsite: Gemini by Google DeepMindDescription: Gemini is an AI tool by Google DeepMind designed for complex problem-solving and planning. For fitness professionals, Gemini can assist with business strategy, client journey mapping, or optimizing fitness program designs. It’s still an evolving tool, but its deep learning capabilities make it an exciting option for large-scale planning.4. PerplexityWebsite: Perplexity AIDescription: Perplexity is an AI-powered search engine and chatbot that helps fitness professionals quickly research new trends, find workout data, or explore health studies. It provides fast, comprehensive answers to detailed questions, saving time when looking for the latest research or best practices in the fitness industry.5. PoeWebsite: Poe by QuoraDescription: Poe is a platform that offers access to various AI chatbots in one place. Fitness professionals can use Poe to get quick answers from different AI models for diverse needs—whether it’s nutrition planning, exercise tips, or marketing ideas. It’s a handy tool when you want to test out different AI responses and find the best solutions for your business.6. MidJourneyWebsite: MidJourneyDescription: MidJourney is an AI tool focused on generating stunning visual content. For fitness professionals, it’s a fantastic way to create custom images for social media, promotional material, or even branding elements for fitness programs. With its ability to create high-quality, unique visuals, MidJourney can elevate your brand’s online presence.7. DALL-EWebsite: DALL-E by OpenAIDescription: DALL-E is an AI image generator that allows fitness professionals to create custom images based on text prompts. This can be useful for creating branded visuals, workout illustrations, or promotional graphics. DALL-E helps those without design skills quickly generate attractive, personalized content for their fitness business.8. OpusClipWebsite: OpusClipDescription: OpusClip is an AI-powered tool that helps fitness professionals repurpose long-form videos into short, engaging clips. Perfect for those creating workout tutorials or fitness vlogs, OpusClip automatically edits your videos into bite-sized pieces for social media, saving you hours of editing time while keeping content fresh and engaging.9. CanvaWebsite: CanvaDescription: Canva is a design tool that integrates AI to help fitness professionals create high-quality marketing materials, social media posts, workout planners, and more. With its easy-to-use templates and intuitive drag-and-drop interface, Canva is ideal for creating branded content, even if you don’t have a design background. Its AI features include image suggestions, automatic formatting, and design enhancements.10. Lumen5Website: Lumen5Description: Lumen5 is a video creation platform powered by AI, making it easy for fitness professionals to turn blogs, articles, or written content into engaging videos. You can create quick workout tips, fitness insights, or motivational videos to share on social media without needing advanced editing skills.11. JasperWebsite: JasperDescription: Jasper is an AI-powered copywriting tool that helps fitness professionals write blog posts, social media updates, emails, and even ad copy. It's perfect for those who struggle with content creation or want to streamline their marketing efforts by generating persuasive, high-converting copy quickly.12. DescriptWebsite: DescriptDescription: Descript is an AI-powered video and audio editing tool. Fitness professionals can use Descript to edit workout tutorials, fitness vlogs, or podcasts with minimal effort. Its transcription feature allows you to edit video by editing the transcript, making it user-friendly and efficient for quick content production.13. Copy.aiWebsite: Copy.aiDescription: Copy.ai is another AI-driven writing assistant that helps fitness professionals create compelling marketing copy, client emails, social media content, and even product descriptions. With easy-to-use templates, you can quickly draft content tailored to your fitness business's needs.14. PictoryWebsite: PictoryDescription: Pictory is an AI tool that allows fitness professionals to turn long-form content like workout videos, seminars, or classes into shorter, social-media-friendly clips. With automatic highlights, captions, and editing, Pictory is perfect for sharing quick tips, teasers, or promotional content on Instagram or Facebook.15. SynthesiaWebsite: SynthesiaDescription: Synthesia is an AI video creation platform that generates professional-looking videos with AI avatars and voiceovers. Fitness professionals can use this to create explainer videos, client onboarding tutorials, or educational content without the need for cameras, actors, or a professional studio.16. RunwayWebsite: RunwayDescription: Runway is an AI-based video editing tool that simplifies complex editing tasks like color correction, motion tracking, and green screen removal. Fitness professionals can use Runway to create high-quality workout videos or promotional clips with minimal post-production effort.17. QuillbotWebsite: QuillbotDescription: Quillbot is an AI writing tool designed to paraphrase, summarize, and improve the clarity of your content. It’s a handy tool for fitness professionals who need to generate a lot of written content like blogs, client guides, or newsletters and want to ensure their language is clear, concise, and engaging.18. TomeWebsite: TomeDescription: Tome is an AI-powered storytelling tool that helps fitness professionals create visually stunning presentations, pitch decks, and promotional materials. With AI-generated layouts and text, it’s perfect for those who want to present their fitness business or programs in a polished and professional way without hiring a designer.19. Beautiful.aiWebsite: Beautiful.aiDescription: Beautiful.ai is an AI-driven presentation software that helps fitness professionals quickly build stunning, professional presentations. It’s ideal for creating visual pitches, fitness program overviews, or seminar decks. The tool automatically formats and designs slides for a cohesive and engaging look.20. MarketMuseWebsite: MarketMuseDescription: MarketMuse is an AI content research and optimization platform that helps fitness professionals create SEO-optimized blog posts, articles, and content. It analyzes trends, competitors, and keywords, ensuring your fitness website ranks high in search results, helping to attract more clients.21. Vidyo.aiWebsite: Vidyo.aiDescription: Vidyo.ai automatically turns long videos into short, engaging clips optimized for social media. Fitness professionals can use this to create bite-sized snippets from workout classes, client testimonials, or educational content for Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts.22. Surfer SEOWebsite: Surfer SEODescription: Surfer SEO is an AI-powered tool that helps fitness professionals optimize their website content for search engines. It provides keyword suggestions, competitor analysis, and content recommendations, ensuring your fitness-related articles, blog posts, and landing pages rank higher on Google.23. DeepBrain AIWebsite: DeepBrain AIDescription: DeepBrain AI is a platform that allows fitness professionals to create AI avatars for personalized client interactions, virtual coaching, and customer service. With AI-powered virtual trainers, you can engage with clients in a new, interactive way that enhances the fitness experience.24. HyperWriteWebsite: HyperWriteDescription: HyperWrite is an AI writing assistant that helps fitness professionals generate content faster, from blog posts to social media updates and emails. With its smart suggestions, HyperWrite helps you create copy that connects with your audience and conveys your fitness expertise without much hassle.25. GrammarlyWebsite: GrammarlyDescription: Grammarly is an AI-powered writing assistant that helps fitness professionals ensure their content is grammatically correct, clear, and engaging. Whether you're writing newsletters, social media posts, or client communications, Grammarly ensures you come across as professional and polished.

Oct 5, 2024 • 15min
Ep.173: Special Edition: Cracking the Exercise Selection Code
In this special episode of Trainers Talking Truths, created using Google's new AI research tool, we explore ISSA's approach to exercise selection and technique. Based on ISSA’s Foundations and Applications for a Certified Personal Trainer textbook, we examine key factors influencing exercise choice: target muscle groups, injury prevention, client skill levels, and equipment availability. Learn how ISSA equips trainers to create well-rounded programs promoting health, mobility, strength, and musculoskeletal function. This AI-assisted preview offers aspiring and experienced trainers valuable insights into ISSA's science-based methodology for crafting effective, personalized workout plans.