

The Show Up Fitness Podcast
Chris Hitchko, CEO Show Up Fitness
Join Chris Hitchko, author of 'How to Become A Successful Personal Trainer' VOL 2 and CEO of Show Up Fitness as he guides personal trainers towards success. 90% of personal trainers quit within 12-months in the USA, 18-months in the UK, Show Up Fitness is helping change those statistics. The Show Up Fitness CPT is one of the fastest growing PT certifications in the world with partnerships with over 500-gyms including Life Time Fitness, Equinox, Genesis, EoS, and numerous other elite partnerships.This podcast focuses on refining trade, business, and people skills to help trainers excel in the fitness industry. Discover effective client programming, revenue generation, medical professional networking, and elite assessment strategies. Learn how to become a successful Show Up Fitness CPT at www.showupfitness.com. Send your questions to Chris on Instagram @showupfitness or via email at info@showupfitness.com."
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 5, 2025 • 8min
INDIA - From Engineer to Teacher of Personal Trainers
Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Show Up Fitness is launching our NEW podcast with IG D_fit_man director of India operations & education, Devang. Anytime you see INDIA, these podcasts will be specific to the 28 States in India.Still a great podcast for EVERYONE, but focused on the 1.4 billion friends in India. What does it take to leave a conventional path and build something meaningful in the fitness industry? In this revealing debut episode of the Show of Fitness India podcast, host Devang Borda strips away the filters to share his remarkable journey from engineering graduate to fitness educator.Devang breaks down the pivotal moments that shaped his career – from those first humbling months with no clients to the gutsy decision to walk away from a coveted position at a prestigious fitness studio. His story challenges the standard metrics of success in today's fitness world, making a compelling case that true impact comes not from follower counts or transformation photos, but from developing unshakeable competence and confidence."Followers will fade, hype will fade, but skills will stay," Devang explains, cutting through industry noise with refreshing clarity. He details how his work with Show of Fitness deepened his understanding of assessment systems, corrective strategies, and coaching frameworks – replacing guesswork with structured expertise. For trainers feeling undervalued or professionals trapped in unfulfilling careers, his message resonates: "You're not stuck, you're just early."This podcast promises no fluff, no generic motivation – just practical insights for navigating India's evolving fitness landscape. Whether you're a new trainer or five years into your career, Devang invites you to join the real fitness revolution happening in India – one based on respect, science, and genuine client care. Ready to transform your approach to fitness coaching? Subscribe now and discover how to build both the confidence and competence that will define your fWant to ask us a question? Email email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show! Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showupfitnessinternship/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@showupfitnessinternshipWebsite: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Personal Trainer Book (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/How-Become-Personal-Trainer-Successful/dp/B08WS992F8Show Up Fitness Internship & CPT: https://online.showupfitness.com/pages/online-show-up?utm_term=show%20up%20fitnessNASM study guide: ...

Aug 2, 2025 • 33min
NASM EXAM CHEAT SHEET | TUTOR SESSION W/ SUF 5,200 SUCCESSFULLY PASSED NASM CPT
Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Email info@showupfitness.com with your five-star review to get the NASM cheat sheet.Chapter 12 in How to Become A Successful Personal Trainer vol. 2 will help you pass. Leave a 5 star review for $200 worth of FREe nasm resources to pass in less than 30 days if you cannot get a refund. Ready to crack the code on passing your NASM exam? This episode delivers the blueprint that's helped over 5,200 people achieve certification success with a 100% pass rate for those who receive the coveted "thumbs up" during tutoring.Forget spending months drowning in a 700-page textbook. The secret lies in mastering core concepts that consistently appear on the exam: planes of motion, muscle functions, the OPT model, and assessment protocols. Through a real-time tutoring session, you'll witness exactly what you need to know about sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes, identifying agonist and synergist muscles, and understanding exercise programming through all five phases of the OPT model.The episode breaks down complex concepts into digestible chunks – from recognizing overactive muscles during movement assessments to understanding basic nutrition requirements and client goal-setting. You'll learn why the upper trapezius tends to be overactive when arms elevate during pulling exercises, why the 4-2-1-1 tempo belongs in Phase 1 stabilization training, and how to identify when a client's blood pressure indicates hypertension.Most importantly, you'll discover why racing to certification matters. With 80-97% of personal trainers quitting within their first year, passing your exam quickly allows you to gain the hands-on experience that truly builds competence and confidence. Stop letting textbook overwhelm delay your career – this episode provides the focused strategy you need to pass NASM and move forward with real-world training mastery.Want to ask us a question? Email email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show! Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showupfitnessinternship/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@showupfitnessinternshipWebsite: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Personal Trainer Book (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/How-Become-Personal-Trainer-Successful/dp/B08WS992F8Show Up Fitness Internship & CPT: https://online.showupfitness.com/pages/online-show-up?utm_term=show%20up%20fitnessNASM study guide: ...

Aug 1, 2025 • 38min
RP Diet App w/ CEO Nick Shaw | Renaissance Periodization (RP Strength)
Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Renaissance Periodization, CEO Nick Shaw.What happens when you combine a PhD in exercise science with practical bodybuilding experience and build it into a multi-million dollar fitness empire? Nick Shaw, co-founder of RP Strength, reveals the fascinating journey from basement workouts with sand weights to creating apps that help millions of people transform their physiques. We explore the revolutionary RP Diet Coach app that shifts nutrition coaching from reactive food logging to proactive meal planning, making it easier for busy professionals to achieve their goals. Shaw shares insights on building a successful fitness business, the importance of evidence-based approaches over social media hype, and why most people get distracted by minor details instead of mastering the fundamentals. From entrepreneurship lessons learned through accidental partnerships to navigating the overwhelming world of fitness misinformation, this conversation provides practical wisdom for both fitness professionals and anyone serious about achieving lasting results. Whether you're a personal trainer looking to enhance your client services or someone frustrated with conflicting nutrition advice, Shaw's level-headed approach cuts through the noise to focus on what actually works. Don't miss his perspective on why consistency trumps perfection and how to identify credible sources in an industry flooded with questionable advice. Subscribe for more evidence-based fitness insights that bridge the gap between science and real-world application.Want to ask us a question? Email email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show! Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showupfitnessinternship/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@showupfitnessinternshipWebsite: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Personal Trainer Book (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/How-Become-Personal-Trainer-Successful/dp/B08WS992F8Show Up Fitness Internship & CPT: https://online.showupfitness.com/pages/online-show-up?utm_term=show%20up%20fitnessNASM study guide: ...

Jul 29, 2025 • 30min
How to Launch an Online Fitness Business
Unlock the secrets to launching a successful online fitness business. Discover essential steps like securing a domain name and managing finances. Learn how to create personalized client experiences that stand out in a crowded market. Embrace a content strategy that prioritizes consistency over perfection to boost visibility. Plus, explore effective pricing structures and the significance of teamwork in delivering top-notch service. This guide empowers aspiring trainers to navigate challenges and thrive in the digital fitness landscape.

Jul 22, 2025 • 51min
Ep. 240 Bio-Energetics w/ Dr. Jacob Goodin | CSCS Accelerator
Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Dr. Jacob Goodin - https://www.drjacobgoodin.com/cscs-acceleratorEver feel overwhelmed by energy systems, wondering why your clients need to know about ATP or glycolysis? Dr. Jacob Goodin cuts through the complexity to reveal how bioenergetics knowledge transforms your coaching from guesswork to precision-guided results.The conversation begins with a clear breakdown of our three energy systems: the phosphagen system (lightning-fast but brief), glycolytic system (moderate speed and capacity), and oxidative system (slow but virtually unlimited). Dr. Goodin explains how these systems work in concert—not isolation—to fuel everything from explosive jumps to marathon runs. What makes this discussion particularly valuable is how he translates complex physiology into practical coaching insights.Perhaps most eye-opening is the myth-busting around the "fat burning zone." While lower-intensity exercise does use a higher percentage of fat for fuel, Goodin clarifies why this approach isn't optimal for fat loss: "The most time efficient way to lose fat is to build muscle and do higher intensity exercise." This single insight could transform how you approach conditioning for weight management clients.The podcast delivers golden nuggets about programming structure, explaining why putting cardio at the beginning of a workout compromises force production and hypertrophy gains. We learn why power and skill work should come first, strength second, accessory movements third, and conditioning last—a sequence backed by physiology rather than tradition.What separates this conversation from typical fitness content is its balance between science and application. Goodin doesn't just explain what happens in the Krebs cycle; he shows how understanding these processes helps you design better work-to-rest ratios, choose appropriate modalities for different clients, and create training sessions that satisfy clients while delivering results.ReaWant to ask us a question? Email email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show! Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showupfitnessinternship/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@showupfitnessinternshipWebsite: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Personal Trainer Book (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/How-Become-Personal-Trainer-Successful/dp/B08WS992F8Show Up Fitness Internship & CPT: https://online.showupfitness.com/pages/online-show-up?utm_term=show%20up%20fitnessNASM study guide: ...

Jul 19, 2025 • 21min
The DEATH of ONLINE Personal Trainers | AI Predictions
Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!The fitness industry is on the brink of a massive transformation, and artificial intelligence will be the catalyst. Drawing from twenty years of experience as a trainer and gym owner, I'm making a bold prediction: AI will eliminate more personal training jobs than COVID did in 2020, when over 20% of gyms closed permanently and 1.4 million fitness jobs disappeared.This technological revolution will expose a harsh truth about our industry – most trainers lack the fundamental skills needed for long-term success. With 90% of textbook-certified trainers quitting within their first year, it's clear that passing a multiple-choice exam doesn't prepare you for real-world success. What's missing? Three critical components: technical skills (proper assessment and programming), business acumen, and effective people skills.To demonstrate this coming shift, I compared a $100 online program from a popular fitness influencer with a workout I created using ChatGPT in minutes. The differences were shocking. The purchased program offered generic macro splits, potentially dangerous exercise volumes (including "100 sumo deadlifts" after multiple heavy supersets), and no personalization options. Meanwhile, the AI-generated program included appropriate progressions/regressions, balanced movement patterns, and sensible training approaches – all hallmarks of competent programming.By 2030, when experts predict we'll reach artificial general intelligence, consumers will routinely use AI to evaluate fitness programs before purchasing them. The technology will immediately expose which coaches truly understand exercise science versus those selling glorified exercise lists. The fitness professionals who survive will be those who invested in hands-on experience, internships, and continuous education – and who leverage AI as a tool rather than seeing it as a threat.Ready to future-proof your fitness career? Our Show Up Fitness certification emphasizes the practWant to ask us a question? Email email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show! Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showupfitnessinternship/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@showupfitnessinternshipWebsite: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Personal Trainer Book (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/How-Become-Personal-Trainer-Successful/dp/B08WS992F8Show Up Fitness Internship & CPT: https://online.showupfitness.com/pages/online-show-up?utm_term=show%20up%20fitnessNASM study guide: ...

Jul 18, 2025 • 52min
Dr. Pat Davidson Mastering Athletic Patterns
Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Dr. Pat Davidson reveals a revolutionary approach to understanding human movement through an evolutionary lens on this episode of the Show Up Fitness Podcast. Rather than treating exercises as arbitrary selections, Davidson presents his comprehensive seven-pillar model that creates a systematic, logical progression for any movement pattern – from the most basic to the most advanced.Davidson begins by cutting through fitness industry nonsense, explaining that personal training success requires strength in three areas: aesthetics (how you look), personality/charisma, and technical knowledge. This refreshing honesty acknowledges what many trainers ignore – clients want to spend time with people who are both fun and represent their fitness goals. Davidson's own transformation from being called "Fat Davidson" online to becoming a competitive bodybuilder in his forties demonstrates living these principles.The heart of the episode explores Davidson's brilliant application of evolutionary biology to movement patterns. Through the concept of Jacksonian dissolution, he explains how humans under stress revert to more primitive movement strategies – essentially "swimming through space" like our evolutionary ancestors. This explains why stressed or underdeveloped movers compensate with frontal plane strategies rather than the sagittal uprighting and transverse rotation that characterizes competent human movement.For trainers working with clients who struggle with movement, Davidson's "training wheels" approach provides a clear methodology. By strategically adding "ground" – points of contact, feedback, and support – trainers can help clients understand proper positioning and movement patterns. As clients develop competence, these supports are gradually removed, creating a seamless progression from "white belt" to advanced movement capabilities.The episode offers invaluable insights for fitness professionals looking to elevate their practice Want to ask us a question? Email email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show! Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showupfitnessinternship/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@showupfitnessinternshipWebsite: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Personal Trainer Book (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/How-Become-Personal-Trainer-Successful/dp/B08WS992F8Show Up Fitness Internship & CPT: https://online.showupfitness.com/pages/online-show-up?utm_term=show%20up%20fitnessNASM study guide: ...

Jul 12, 2025 • 41min
How to make $15,000 as a Personal Trainer w/ Poojan & Shah Athletics in PA
Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Poojan's IG - Shahathletics from Lancaster PA.What does it take to triple your personal training rates and build a six-figure fitness business in just 18 months? Poojan's journey from gym trainer to thriving entrepreneur offers a masterclass in leveling up your fitness career through strategic education, powerful networking, and unwavering persistence.Starting at just $30 per hour, Poojan now commands $100-120 per session and recently celebrated his most profitable month ever—clearing over $15,000 in June alone. The transformation wasn't magical but methodical, built on a foundation of continuing education that gave him the confidence and skills to solve client problems other trainers couldn't address."The only way you can fail is if you quit," Poojan shares, revealing how he overcame the imposter syndrome that plagues so many fitness professionals. By investing in specialized training that taught him advanced assessment techniques and corrective strategies, he positioned himself as a solution provider rather than just another trainer. This expertise allowed him to build relationships with physical therapists, dietitians, and chiropractors who now refer clients to him regularly.The conversation dives deep into practical business strategies, from systematizing the client acquisition process to reframing limiting beliefs that hold trainers back from charging what they're worth. Poojan sales system—complete with qualification questions and consultation deposits—ensures he only invests time in serious prospects while maintaining an impressive conversion rate.Perhaps most valuable is the discussion about mindset shifts required for business growth. Rather than asking "how can I make $10K a month?" Poojan learned to invert the question: "what would prevent me from making $10K a month?" This systems-thinking approach, combined with lessons borrowed from other industries and entrepreneurs, accelerated his business development farWant to ask us a question? Email email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show! Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showupfitnessinternship/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@showupfitnessinternshipWebsite: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Personal Trainer Book (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/How-Become-Personal-Trainer-Successful/dp/B08WS992F8Show Up Fitness Internship & CPT: https://online.showupfitness.com/pages/online-show-up?utm_term=show%20up%20fitnessNASM study guide: ...

Jul 10, 2025 • 14min
Ep. 236 Anaheim Fit Expo GIVEAWAY w/ Coach360 CEO Kathleen Ferguson
Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Share in your story to be eligible for 1 of 10 FREE Coach360 Career Lab LIVE at the Anaheim FIT Expo in CA. Tickets get you access to Friday's class and the 2 day Fit Expo on Saturday & Sunday August 1-3rd. Have you ever wondered why so many certified personal trainers struggle to build sustainable careers despite their passion and skills? The answer might surprise you.Kathleen, CEO and co-founder of Coach360, joins the Show Up Fitness Podcast to share her 17-year journey from newly certified trainer to fitness industry leader. After experiencing a traumatic life event, she found healing through fitness and decided to help others do the same—only to discover that certification was just the beginning of a challenging career path. "I remember being thrown on the gym floor and told to start selling," she recalls, highlighting the gap between education and business skills that causes 80% of trainers to leave the profession within two years.The conversation takes a fascinating turn when Kathleen explains why today's digital-first approach to fitness education is actually holding new trainers back. "Everyone's getting their CECs online, and it's convenient not to gather," she observes, "but the gathering piece is critical." Through compelling examples from her own career—including how she met her Coach360 co-founder at an industry event—Kathleen makes a powerful case for in-person networking as the secret ingredient to fitness career longevity. As she puts it, "Your network is your net worth."Looking to transform your fitness career or just getting started? Career Lab by Coach360 is bringing industry legends like Todd Durkin to the Fit Expo Anaheim on August 1st to help fitness professionals develop crucial business skills. The first 10 listeners who reach out will receive free passes to this career-changing event! Whether you're struggling with client retention, wondering how to balance digital and in-person offerings, or seeking to divWant to ask us a question? Email email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show! Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showupfitnessinternship/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@showupfitnessinternshipWebsite: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Personal Trainer Book (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/How-Become-Personal-Trainer-Successful/dp/B08WS992F8Show Up Fitness Internship & CPT: https://online.showupfitness.com/pages/online-show-up?utm_term=show%20up%20fitnessNASM study guide: ...

Jul 7, 2025 • 17min
Pass NASM in 1-2 weeks w/ Vol. 2 How to Become A Successful Personal Trainer ch. 12
Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!"Who am I to teach somebody else?" These words from our guest Sylvina perfectly capture the paralyzing self-doubt that keeps countless passionate fitness enthusiasts from pursuing their personal training certifications. Her story is both relatable and inspiring - after experiencing a personal transformation with her own trainer, she felt called to help other women discover the life-changing benefits of strength training. But there was a problem: the intimidating NASM textbook sat on her shelf for nearly three years while imposter syndrome kept her certification dreams on hold.What finally broke the cycle? Discovering a focused, practical approach that distilled the overwhelming content into manageable chunks. Sylvina shares the exact study method that helped her pass her exam - from reading strategies to flashcard systems to the power of repetition. Her two-week intensive approach proves that certification doesn't require months of agonizing study, just strategic focus and the courage to schedule the exam.The conversation explores the psychological barriers that block aspiring trainers and provides actionable advice for pushing through. For women especially, Sylvina’s journey highlights the unique value female trainers bring to the industry, connecting with clients who seek trainers who understand their specific challenges. Now teaching community fitness classes and developing plans for one-on-one training, she's turning her certification into a meaningful career helping others transform their lives.Whether you're currently highlighting every word in your certification textbook or you've been putting off the exam for months (or years), this episode delivers the motivation and practical strategy you need to finally take action. Because as Sylvina discovered, your future clients are waiting for exactly what you have to offer. Don't make them wait three years to meet you.Want to ask us a question? Email email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show! Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showupfitnessinternship/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@showupfitnessinternshipWebsite: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Personal Trainer Book (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/How-Become-Personal-Trainer-Successful/dp/B08WS992F8Show Up Fitness Internship & CPT: https://online.showupfitness.com/pages/online-show-up?utm_term=show%20up%20fitnessNASM study guide: ...