The Active Life Podcast

In this episode of the Active Life podcast, Cody and Larry break down the five essential behaviors that help coaches and professionals create trust and long-term commitment with clients. From first impressions to follow-through, they explore how trust isn't just a nice-to-have—it's foundational for client success and retention. Through practical examples and real coaching conversations, they highlight how intention, communication, and emotional safety fuel professional growth.The episode begins by underscoring the power of trust and its inverse relationship with the energy it takes to influence client behavior. They dive into rapport-building tactics like remembering personal details, asking consistent check-in questions, and using someone’s name intentionally. Listeners will learn why following through on even the smallest promises builds credibility and how consistency in actions, tone, and scheduling becomes a signal of reliability.Cody and Larry round it out with strong guidance on boundary-setting and the power of creating non-judgmental spaces where clients feel safe to be fully honest. This episode is a toolkit for any coach looking to deepen relationships and get long-lasting results—one small trust deposit at a time.

In this episode of the Active Life Podcast, the hosts break down the real financial differences between earning $100,000 as an employee versus as an entrepreneur. They explore the overlooked costs associated with entrepreneurship and compare them with the built-in support systems and predictability of employment. Using data-driven examples and personal experience, they debunk the myth that entrepreneurship is always the more lucrative path.The discussion covers key areas like autonomy, risk, tax implications, business expenses, and mentorship costs. With candid stories and real numbers, they calculate what both entrepreneurs and employees actually take home, emphasizing how a gross income of $100K can look very different depending on how it’s earned.Listeners are encouraged to assess their own values—freedom versus security, ceiling versus floor—and make informed decisions rather than emotional ones. If you’ve ever wondered whether you should start your own business or stay employed, this episode offers a clear financial lens to help guide your path.

Download the doc here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sFEr33Y2_7NKV27HkE_QmiNo4rV9A6oOF8jT_USN9MQ/edit?usp=sharingIn this episode, we explore what it takes to transition clients from dependency to autonomy in a coaching or training relationship. The conversation dives deep into the philosophy that the most successful client-coach relationships are built on empowerment, where clients continue working with coaches not out of need but out of choice. By outlining the importance of clear communication, process-driven decision making, and celebrating milestones, the speakers reveal how a well-structured approach can prevent early drop-offs and promote long-term success.We also examine a powerful tool called the “churn map,” which highlights when and why clients typically leave, and how this data can guide proactive support strategies. The episode details a proven eight-session transition framework to guide clients from one-on-one development phases into more autonomous small-group training. This structure emphasizes readiness through KPI benchmarks, progressive independence, and maintaining a high-touch experience even as clients take on more responsibility.Whether you're a coach, trainer, or fitness business owner, this episode offers a blueprint for improving client retention and fostering real transformation. By creating systems that support independence, you're not just providing a service—you’re helping clients become the type of people they aspired to be when they first sought help.

In this deeply insightful episode, we unpack the profound role emotional intelligence plays in coaching and client success. The discussion opens with a reflection on the "soft skills" that elevate coaching beyond systems and programs. Emotional intelligence is explored not just as a buzzword, but as a functional toolkit—one that allows coaches to become more effective, trustworthy, and transformational.Our hosts explore five practical applications of emotional intelligence: empathetic active listening, regulating emotions in high-pressure situations, building self-awareness, navigating conflict, and adapting communication styles. With rich examples, real-life client stories, and thoughtful frameworks, listeners gain clarity on how to build trust, respond to client needs, and guide behavior change from a place of grounded emotional stability.Whether you're a new trainer or a seasoned coach, this episode offers a compelling case for doing the inner work. As one speaker emphasizes, “Your limit in your efficacy as a coach is going to be in how grounded you can be in the face of someone else’s discomfort.” Tune in to learn how emotional fluency isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the foundation for lasting client transformation.

In this heart-opening episode of the Active Life Podcast, host Larry Gaier sits down with Esther, a full-time mom of four who transformed her love of fitness into a purpose-driven coaching career—all while homeschooling her children and managing life on a farm.With raw vulnerability and empowering honesty, Esther shares how she overcame imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and logistical hurdles to build a business that not only changes lives, but sets an example for her kids.Esther recounts her journey from fermentation workshops and DIY side gigs to finding the right mentorship through Active Life. She candidly discusses how scary it was to bet on herself despite limited time, no professional coaching background, and the fear of failure. But she also describes how she found strength in community, clarity through action, and confidence by stacking "undeniable evidence" that she was capable of more.From gym sessions surrounded by children to redefining professionalism in the comfort of her own home, Esther shows us that success doesn’t require perfection—it requires purpose, support, and the courage to keep going. This is an episode for every mom, coach, or aspiring entrepreneur who’s ever wondered, "Could I really do this?" Spoiler: yes, you can.This is the Active Life Podcast where two fitness professionals with decades of experience tell their stories and hope to give you some tips and insights into what it takes to be successful for you and your clients.Follow Ester @ https://www.instagram.com/rooted.EstherFollow Larry Gaier - https://www.instagram.com/larry_thehuman/Follow Cody Ringle - https://www.instagram.com/cody_ringle/Follow our main channel - https://www.youtube.com/theactivelifeActive Life Professionals help people who won’t take “if it hurts, don’t do it” for an answer. Want to learn how to get out of pain without giving up your active life, go to https://activelifeprofessional.com/find-a-pro-near-me/ Are you a coach or trainer who wants to learn how to build a fulfilling coaching business helping people get out of pain without giving up their active life? Head to https://activelifeprofessional.com/al-p-coaching-program/ Follow Dr. Sean Pastuch @ https://www.instagram.com/drseanpastuch/ Follow Active Life RX @ https://www.instagram.com/activeliferx/ Follow Active Life Professional @ https://www.instagram.com/activelifeprofessional

In this episode of the Active Life Podcast, hosts Larry and Cody dive deep into the mechanics of client retention, revealing where fitness professionals most often lose clients—and how to fix it. Drawing on real data from Active Life’s flagship location, Cody shares that 75% of client attrition happens within the first six months, prompting a discussion about two key systems they've implemented: the Early Win System and the Recommitment Conversation.Listeners will learn practical steps to immediately apply in their coaching businesses, including how to deliver tangible and identity-based wins, how to guide clients through emotional justification, and how to structure powerful future-casting conversations that drive long-term engagement. Cody also emphasizes how even partial implementation of these systems can dramatically improve retention and client satisfaction.If you’re a coach striving to bridge the gap between fitness and healthcare, this episode provides a clear, actionable strategy to boost results, increase loyalty, and build a career where you never have to worry about client turnover again. Don’t forget to download the full AL-P curriculum linked in the show notes.Downloads here - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/15kIFAPyKFawJC2Aad9Lh4EaYJN2u_Xf_?usp=drive_link

In this powerful and deeply relatable episode of the Active Life Podcast, Casey Bennett shares her two-year transformation from an underpaid, overworked CrossFit coach to a thriving professional making a five-figure monthly income—entirely through referrals. Host Larry Gaier gets real with Casey about the emotional rollercoaster she rode while being dismissed as "not having a real job," the burnout of group fitness, and how a commitment to personal and professional development helped her rewrite the narrative.Casey opens up about the pivotal moment she realized no amount of enthusiasm or effort in a group class would ever earn her the respect—or the paycheck—she deserved. The turning point? A shift into personal training and a leap of faith into the Active Life Pro mentorship, where she learned not just how to train more effectively but how to truly believe in herself. With encouragement from her husband, Mick, and a willingness to get uncomfortable, Casey developed new tools, had tough conversations, and embraced her value.Listeners will walk away with raw insights on navigating impostor syndrome, raising prices with integrity, redefining professionalism in the fitness industry, and the power of personal growth. Whether you're a coach stuck at $1,800/month or someone who knows there's more waiting on the other side of fear, this episode is a blueprint for betting on yourself—and winning.This is the Active Life Podcast where two fitness professionals with decades of experience tell their stories and hope to give you some tips and insights into what it takes to be successful for you and your clients.Follow Larry Gaier - https://www.instagram.com/larry_thehuman/Follow Cody Ringle - https://www.instagram.com/cody_ringle/Follow our main channel - https://www.youtube.com/theactivelifeActive Life Professionals help people who won’t take “if it hurts, don’t do it” for an answer. Want to learn how to get out of pain without giving up your active life, go to https://activelifeprofessional.com/find-a-pro-near-me/ Are you a coach or trainer who wants to learn how to build a fulfilling coaching business helping people get out of pain without giving up their active life? Head to https://activelifeprofessional.com/al-p-coaching-program/ Follow Dr. Sean Pastuch @ https://www.instagram.com/drseanpastuch/ Follow Active Life RX @ https://www.instagram.com/activeliferx/ Follow Active Life Professional @ https://www.instagram.com/activelifeprofessional

In this high-value episode of the Active Life Podcast, Larry Gaier is joined by Cody to unpack one of the most revolutionary aspects of the Active Life model—how professionals in their facilities can take time off without sacrificing income or business momentum. From guaranteed base salaries and capped floor hours to profit-sharing incentives, the conversation dives deep into how career coaches can finally build a fulfilling, sustainable livelihood.They start by addressing the all-too-common problem of burnout in traditional gym models, where coaches front-load sessions before vacation or lose income altogether. Cody breaks down the tiered compensation structure that allows professionals to earn a consistent income, even while they’re away. This includes a base salary for just 25 hours of work, premium pay for additional sessions, and eventually a share of business profits—all designed to reward quality, not just volume.Whether you’re a gym owner looking to redesign your staff model or a coach dreaming of six-figure potential without 60-hour weeks, this episode lays out how the Active Life system supports professionals with career longevity, client outcomes, and personal freedom—all at once.This is the Active Life Podcast where two fitness professionals with decades of experience tell their stories and hope to give you some tips and insights into what it takes to be successful for you and your clients.Follow Larry Gaier - https://www.instagram.com/larry_thehuman/Follow Cody Ringle - https://www.instagram.com/cody_ringle/Follow our main channel - https://www.youtube.com/theactivelifeActive Life Professionals help people who won’t take “if it hurts, don’t do it” for an answer. Want to learn how to get out of pain without giving up your active life, go to https://activelifeprofessional.com/find-a-pro-near-me/ Are you a coach or trainer who wants to learn how to build a fulfilling coaching business helping people get out of pain without giving up their active life? Head to https://activelifeprofessional.com/al-p-coaching-program/ Follow Dr. Sean Pastuch @ https://www.instagram.com/drseanpastuch/ Follow Active Life RX @ https://www.instagram.com/activeliferx/ Follow Active Life Professional @ https://www.instagram.com/activelifeprofessional

In this inspiring episode of the Active Life Podcast, Larry sits down with Shannon, a former orthopedic nurse turned full-time coach, to unpack her unconventional path to career fulfillment. Shannon shares how she left behind a stable, well-respected nursing job—complete with benefits and security—for the unknown world of coaching, all fueled by a deeper desire to help people on a more transformative level.The conversation covers Shannon’s early career in fitness, her leap into healthcare, and the pivotal moment during the pandemic when she closed her gym and pivoted toward nursing. But despite the stability nursing offered, Shannon felt a calling to do more. Her background in movement and passion for preventive care made her yearn for a more proactive way to impact lives. This eventually led her to Active Life’s coaching mentorship, where she found both the tools and personal development she needed to build a thriving business from her garage.Now two years into coaching, Shannon talks openly about the fears she faced, how she found confidence through action, and what it really takes to leave a "secure" career behind. Her clients’ transformative results are proof that when you follow your gut and build with intention, real impact—and income—can follow. If you’re on the edge of a big career pivot, this episode is your blueprint for courage.This is the Active Life Podcast where two fitness professionals with decades of experience tell their stories and hope to give you some tips and insights into what it takes to be successful for you and your clients.Follow Larry Gaier - https://www.instagram.com/larry_thehuman/Follow Cody Ringle - https://www.instagram.com/cody_ringle/Follow our main channel - https://www.youtube.com/theactivelifeActive Life Professionals help people who won’t take “if it hurts, don’t do it” for an answer. Want to learn how to get out of pain without giving up your active life, go to https://activelifeprofessional.com/find-a-pro-near-me/ Are you a coach or trainer who wants to learn how to build a fulfilling coaching business helping people get out of pain without giving up their active life? Head to https://activelifeprofessional.com/al-p-coaching-program/ Follow Dr. Sean Pastuch @ https://www.instagram.com/drseanpastuch/ Follow Active Life RX @ https://www.instagram.com/activeliferx/ Follow Active Life Professional @ https://www.instagram.com/activelifeprofessional

In this enlightening episode of the Active Life Podcast, host Larry welcomes speech coach Myles Usher Doyle for a deep dive into the art and science of meaningful conversation. With over 13 years of experience coaching people to reclaim authentic communication, Myles shares how modern technology has stripped away vital components of human interaction—and how we can restore them. From body language and posture to finding our natural voice, Myles discusses the foundational elements that lead to better speaking and richer relationships.The conversation explores the nuanced importance of small talk, its role in breaking conversational tension, and how even introverts can step into confident communication without losing authenticity. Myles offers practical frameworks—like embracing silence, refining posture, and rehearsing aloud—that help individuals present themselves powerfully whether on stage or in a one-on-one meeting. They also examine the cultural variances in public speaking anxiety and how storytelling becomes an empowering act of self-expression.Wrapping with insights on storytelling, bedtime rituals, and the role of poetry in vocal training, Myles connects classic communication practices with modern professional demands. If you’ve ever felt nervous in front of a group, misunderstood in conversation, or lost your voice in the noise of digital communication, this episode will give you the tools—and inspiration—to speak up with confidence.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction to Myles Usher Doyle00:50 - Why Speaking Skills Still Matter02:00 - Small Talk as a Conversational Tool04:25 - Managing Conflict with Civil Conversation06:05 - Authenticity vs Persona in Presenting09:30 - Coaching Quiet and Introverted Speakers14:40 - Confidence, Posture & Mental Health20:30 - Speaking in the Digital Age25:10 - Finding Focus and Being Present29:40 - Silence as a Tool for Authority32:30 - Social Media & Punchy Communication36:00 - Why One-on-One Coaching Works42:00 - Cultural Differences in Speaking Anxiety45:00 - Storytelling Influences & Classic Cinema48:30 - Where to Begin as a Speaker50:30 - Rehearsal Techniques and Rituals54:00 - Poetry and Children’s Stories as Practice59:00 - Audiobooks and Vocabulary Growth01:01:00 - Final Thoughts and TakeawaysFind Myles on Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/speakwellcoaching/This is the Active Life Podcast where two fitness professionals with decades of experience tell their stories and hope to give you some tips and insights into what it takes to be successful for you and your clients.Follow Larry Gaier - https://www.instagram.com/larry_thehuman/Follow Cody Ringle - https://www.instagram.com/cody_ringle/Follow our main channel - https://www.youtube.com/theactivelifeActive Life Professionals help people who won’t take “if it hurts, don’t do it” for an answer. Want to learn how to get out of pain without giving up your active life, go to https://activelifeprofessional.com/find-a-pro-near-me/ Are you a coach or trainer who wants to learn how to build a fulfilling coaching business helping people get out of pain without giving up their active life? Head to https://activelifeprofessional.com/al-p-coaching-program/ Follow Dr. Sean Pastuch @ https://www.instagram.com/drseanpastuch/ Follow Active Life RX @ https://www.instagram.com/activeliferx/ Follow Active Life Professional @ https://www.instagram.com/activelifeprofessional