Home
Categories
EXPLORE
True Crime
Comedy
Society & Culture
History
Business
Sports
News
About Us
Contact Us
Copyright
© 2024 PodJoint
00:00 / 00:00
Sign in

or

Don't have an account?
Sign up
Forgot password
https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts211/v4/ca/70/90/ca709042-7178-b052-9131-12bef5f2170e/mza_208992970183179172.jpg/600x600bb.jpg
Build and Scale Your Online Fitness Business
Online Trainer Mentorship
29 episodes
4 days ago
Build & Scale is the go-to podcast for personal trainers and fitness coaches ready to grow profitable online businesses. Hosted by Jon Vlahogiannakos of the Online Trainer Mentorship, this show delivers real-world client case studies, step-by-step business strategies, content tips, and scalable systems that help you attract clients, increase revenue, and ditch burnout. If you want freedom and income through online coaching, this podcast is for you.
Show more...
Entrepreneurship
Business
RSS
All content for Build and Scale Your Online Fitness Business is the property of Online Trainer Mentorship and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Build & Scale is the go-to podcast for personal trainers and fitness coaches ready to grow profitable online businesses. Hosted by Jon Vlahogiannakos of the Online Trainer Mentorship, this show delivers real-world client case studies, step-by-step business strategies, content tips, and scalable systems that help you attract clients, increase revenue, and ditch burnout. If you want freedom and income through online coaching, this podcast is for you.
Show more...
Entrepreneurship
Business
Episodes (20/29)
Build and Scale Your Online Fitness Business
Why Most Coaches Will Fail Their 2026 Goals By February (And How to Avoid It)

🚀 Ready to stop guessing and start implementing a proven system? ⁠Book a call with the team here⁠

📱 Connect with OTM on ⁠IG⁠


80% of coaches will quit their 2026 goals by February. Not because they’re lazy, but because they’re relying on motivation instead of systems.

This episode breaks down the three critical systems every coach needs (lead generation, sales conversion, time leverage), why motivation always fails, what separates the 20% who succeed from the 80% who don’t, and your exact January action plan to build the infrastructure that guarantees 2026 is different.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: Welcome to 2026

01:15 – The Motivation Trap: Why January Energy Dies in February

03:42 – Why Motivation Is a Terrible Foundation for Business

05:52 – System 1: Lead Generation (Knowing Where Your Next 10 Clients Come From)

07:46 – System 2: Sales Conversion (Turning Conversations Into Clients)

09:44 – System 3: Time Leverage (Serving More Clients Without Working More Hours)

11:42 – What Separates the 20% Who Succeed From the 80% Who Don't

13:42 – The Cost of Staying in the 80%

14:31 – Your January Action Plan: Audit and Build Your Three Systems

17:04 – The Accountability Factor: Why the 20% Don't Do It Alone


Key Takeaways:

✅ Motivation is an emotion—emotions are inconsistent. Systems work whether you’re motivated or not.

✅ You can’t willpower your way to $10K months without a lead generation system.

✅ The three critical systems: Lead Generation, Sales Conversion, Time Leverage.

✅ The 20% set system goals (10 conversations/day) not just outcome goals ($120K/year).

✅ Build infrastructure in January: Week 1 audit, Week 2 lead gen, Week 3 sales, Week 4 leverage.


Make 2026 your best growth year yet. Apply here

Show more...
5 days ago
18 minutes 43 seconds

Build and Scale Your Online Fitness Business
How to Actually Enjoy the Holidays Without Your Fitness Business Falling Apart

Every year, coaches either work through the holidays and don't enjoy them, or completely disconnect and come back to chaos. There's a third option: strategic disconnect.

This episode breaks down the exact client communication timeline, what to automate (and what not to), and how to set boundaries without guilt or sacrificing your holidays.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: The Holiday Business Paradox01:30 – The Holiday Mindset Shift: Strategic Disconnect04:00 – Client Communication Strategy: The 3-Touchpoint Timeline06:45 – How to Frame It Without Apologizing09:00 – Setting Holiday Check-In Expectations11:30 – The Emergency Protocol: What's Urgent vs. What Waits13:15 – Automation for Holiday Mode: What You Can Automate16:00 – What You Should NOT Automate18:30 – Setting Up Your Systems This Week20:00 – Boundary-Setting Without Guilt22:45 – Training Clients to Respect Your Time Year-Round24:00 – The 15-Minute-Per-Day Maintenance Strategy26:30 – Coming Back Strong28:00 – Implementation Checklist & Closing


Key Takeaways:

✅ Tell clients your holiday schedule NOW (Dec 10-12), not December 23rd

✅ Three touchpoints: initial announcement, reminder, final confirmation

✅ Define emergencies vs. non-emergencies before the holidays

✅ Automate logistics, not relationships

✅ 15 minutes per day maintains momentum without sacrificing holidays

✅ Boundaries communicate value—you're allowed to take time off


Resources:

📞 Book a Free Strategy Call

📱 Follow OTM on Instagram: @onlinetrainermentorship

Show more...
3 weeks ago
18 minutes 33 seconds

Build and Scale Your Online Fitness Business
The Year-End Revenue Audit: 5 Questions Every Fitness Coach Should Ask Before 2026

You have three weeks left in 2025. Most coaches will coast through them, then wonder why 2026 feels exactly like 2025.

This episode walks you through a tactical two-hour audit that reveals your real numbers, where your clients actually came from, what to double down on, what to eliminate, and your exact three priorities for Q1. Five questions that separate coaches who grow from coaches who stay stuck.


Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: You Have 3 Weeks Left in 2025

01:30 – Question 1: What Was My Actual Revenue vs. What I Wanted?03:45 – Understanding the Gap: Business Model vs. Execution Problem06:30 – Common Revenue Blind Spots Coaches Miss08:15 – Question 2: Where Did My Clients Actually Come From?11:00 – The 80/20 of Client Acquisition13:30 – What to Eliminate: Strategies That Brought Zero Clients15:00 – Question 3: What Was My Average Client Lifetime Value?17:45 – Why LTV Matters More Than You Think20:00 – The LTV-Pricing-Retention Loop22:00 – Question 4: What Strategies Didn't Work?24:30 – The Sunk Cost Fallacy26:00 – Question 5: If I Could Only Do 3 Things in Q1, What Would They Be?28:30 – The 90-Day Sprint Framework30:00 – Implementation Plan & Closing

Key Takeaways:

✅ Big gaps (30%+ off goal) = business model problem; small gaps (within 20%) = execution problem

✅ 80% of your clients came from 20% of your activities—identify and double down

✅ If your LTV is under $1,500, you have a pricing and retention problem

✅ If something hasn't worked in 12 months, it won't work in month 13—cut it

✅ Focus on 3 priorities in Q1 that directly impact revenue, retention, or leverage


Resources:

📞 Book a Free Strategy Call

📱 Follow OTM on Instagram: @onlinetrainermentorship

Show more...
1 month ago
14 minutes 41 seconds

Build and Scale Your Online Fitness Business
From $3K to $20K Months: How Filipe Built Portugal's Leading Women's Coaching Business

Filipe Simões went from $2-3K months working crazy hours with no structure to $20K months with an 8-person team—all while coaching exclusively in Portuguese in Portugal. His secret? A unique 3-coach system (trainer, nutritionist, psychologist) that helps women over 30 with complete transformation. 

In this conversation with OTM Head Coach Drea Maxwell, Filipe shares the exact systems he implemented, the mindset shifts that changed everything, and why he almost quit right before his breakthrough.

What You'll Learn:

✅ Why niching down to women 30+ in Portugal grew his business (not limited it)

✅ The 3-coach delivery system that creates incredible client results and retention

✅ How focusing on numbers instead of emotions transformed his decision-making

✅ Why charging more for fewer clients gave him better results

✅ The exact systems that took him from solo coach to 8-person team

✅ How he went from working in-person to fully remote with his girlfriend

✅ Why OTM's focus on client delivery (not just revenue) makes all the difference


About Filipe:

Filipe is a fitness coach based in Portugal who specializes in helping women over 30 lose weight through a comprehensive 3-coach system.


After joining OTM, he scaled from $2-3K months as a solo operator to $20K months with an 8-person team including 2 closers, 1 setter, 2 trainers, 2 psychologists, and 1 nutritionist. He's established himself as a go-to authority in Portugal and even appeared on live TV.


Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: Meet Filipe

01:10 – The Unique 3-Coach System (Trainer, Nutritionist, Psychologist)

02:52 – What Filipe's Business Looked Like Before OTM

05:12 – The Systems That Changed Everything

07:15 – Why Niching Down Was the Best Decision

09:03 – Going on Live TV and Building Authority in Portugal

10:28 – How the Business Growth Changed His Personal Life

12:19 – Why OTM Focuses on Delivery Excellence, Not Just Revenue

14:09 – The Moment Filipe Almost Quit (And What Saved Him)


Links:

📞 Book a Free Strategy Call

📱 Follow OTM on Instagram: @onlinetrainermentorship

Show more...
1 month ago
13 minutes 41 seconds

Build and Scale Your Online Fitness Business
What Our Most Successful Students Have in Common (It's Not What You Think)

I pulled renewal responses from every coach inside OTM—from month 3 to year 3, $5K to $30K months. Four lessons showed up in every single response. Not one mentioned big followings, fancy branding, or natural sales ability. Just these four things.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: Reading Through Every Renewal Response01:30 – Lesson 1: They All Overcame the Same Barrier (Self-Doubt)04:45 – Why Confidence Comes From Action, Not Before It06:30 – Lesson 2: They Hired Before They Felt Ready08:15 – Jon's Personal Story: Losing 20 Clients in 202210:00 – The Mindset Shift: Hiring Creates Capacity for Growth12:00 – Lesson 3: They Raised Prices Repeatedly14:30 – The Confidence-Pricing Loop16:15 – Lesson 4: They Stayed Coachable (The Most Important Lesson)18:45 – What Being Coachable Actually Looks Like20:30 – The Four Questions to Ask Yourself23:00 – Call to Action & Closing

Key Takeaways:

✅ Self-doubt doesn't disappear—you just get better at moving forward anyway

✅ They didn't hire when they could afford it—they hired so they could afford it

✅ Raise prices until it feels uncomfortable, then raise them again in six months

✅ The most successful coaches are still the most coachable

✅ Not one coach mentioned big followings, fancy branding, or natural sales ability

---

📞 Book a Free Strategy Call

📱 Follow OTM on Instagram: @onlinetrainermentorship

Show more...
1 month ago
11 minutes 59 seconds

Build and Scale Your Online Fitness Business
Why Most Coaches Lose All Their Momentum in December (And How to Avoid It)

Most coaches disappear in December. They stop posting, stop DMing, and stop following up, only to spend January trying to rebuild the momentum they threw away.

This episode breaks down why that happens and the simple plan top coaches use to turn December into their biggest advantage of the year.


In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • Why December isn’t a dead month, but an opportunity month

  • The “December Drift” and how it kills your momentum

  • The daily non-negotiables that keep your business visible through the holidays

  • How to pre-sell January with one simple waitlist post

  • The December to January bridge all successful coaches run

  • How to book January clients before January starts


Timestamps:

00:00 The December problem

01:00 Why coaches disappear

03:00 The cost of checking out

05:00 What top 5 percent coaches do

07:40 Daily non-negotiables

11:00 How to pre-sell January

13:00 The December to January bridge

22:00 Weekly execution plan

29:00 Final mindset shift


Want support implementing this plan?

⁠Book a strategy call here⁠ with our team and get a clear action plan for your December-to-January momentum


📱 Connect with OTM on Instagram: ⁠@onlinetrainermentorship⁠

Show more...
1 month ago
13 minutes 35 seconds

Build and Scale Your Online Fitness Business
The Black Friday Blueprint: Sign Online Fitness Clients Without Discounting

Book a strategy call with our team here to get a clear action plan on exactly what you need for your business to grow

📱 Connect with OTM: @onlinetrainermentorship

📥 Want the full Black Friday Sales Blueprint PDF for free? DM "BLUEPRINT" on Instagram

Timestamps

00:00 - 01:30 - Introduction: The Black Friday Dilemma

01:30 - 05:30 - The Problem with Discounting Your Coaching

05:30 - 11:30 - The Value-Stacking System: Add Time, Not Discounts

11:30 - 21:30 - The 7-Day Campaign Timeline (Phase-by-Phase Breakdown)

21:30 - 27:30 - The DM Strategy: How to Turn Engagement Into Clients

27:30 - 31:00 - Implementation Checklist & Action Steps

31:00 - 32:30 - Final Thoughts


Key Takeaways

  • Stop discounting, start rewarding commitment
  • Add bonus months instead of cutting prices
  • Value-stacking keeps your price integrity and filters for serious clients
  • Black Friday requires a 10-day campaign, not a single post
  • Your posts build awareness, your DMs build clients
  • The fortune is in the follow-up
  • Track everything: DMs sent, replies, calls booked, clients signed, revenue

Show more...
2 months ago
17 minutes 52 seconds

Build and Scale Your Online Fitness Business
The Big Rocks Strategy: Work Less Hours, Sign More Clients & Build Business Faster

Book a strategy call with our team here so you can spend less time working and more time growing

📱 Connect with OTM: @onlinetrainermentorship


Timestamps

00:00 - 01:20 Introduction: The Busy But Broke Reality

01:20 - 03:45 The Activity Illusion & What Most Coaches’ Days Look Like

03:45 - 04:30 The Cost of Distraction

04:30 - 05:45 The Big Rocks Framework Explained (Stephen Covey’s Jar)

05:45 - 07:15 What Are the 3 Big Rocks in Your Coaching Business?

07:15 - 09:00 Sand Tasks: What’s Killing Your Productivity

09:00 - 10:00 Pebble Tasks: Important But Not Revenue-Generating

10:00 - 11:30 Big Rock Tasks: The Only 3 Things That Grow Your Business

11:30 - 12:15 Why Daily Big Rocks Don’t Work

12:15 - 15:30 Jon’s Weekly Big Rocks Schedule (Monday-Friday Breakdown)

15:30 - 17:15 Why This Batching System Works (5 Key Benefits)

17:15 - 18:15 Mistake #1: Treating Everything Like a Big Rock

18:15 - 19:30 Mistake #2: Not Protecting Big Rock Time

19:30 - 20:45 Mistake #3: Not Adapting Your Schedule to Your Business Phase

20:45 - 22:45 Implementation Plan: 4 Action Steps This Week

22:45 - 24:00 Final Thoughts


Key Takeaways

  • Activity doesn't pay your bills, results do

  • The three Big Rocks every coach needs

  • Batching beats daily hustle

  • Jon's weekly Big Rocks schedule

  • Context-switching kills productivity

  • Your clients' problems are your content goldmine


Show more...
2 months ago
23 minutes 50 seconds

Build and Scale Your Online Fitness Business
The Automation Advantage: How to Scale Your Coaching Business Without Burning Out

Want to scale and don't know where to start? Book a strategy call with our team here

📱 Connect with OTM: @onlinetrainermentorship


Timestamps

00:00 - 01:34 - Introduction & The Manual Labor Trap01:34 - 04:13 - Why Manual Work Kills Your Growth04:13 - 06:12 - Category #1: Lead Management Automation06:12 - 08:40 - Category #2: Client Onboarding Automation08:40 - 10:43 - Category #3: Client Delivery Automation10:43 - 12:53 - Phase 1: Implementing Lead Management (Days 1-30)12:53 - 14:45 - Phase 2: Implementing Onboarding (Days 31-60)14:45 - 16:39 - Phase 3: Implementing Delivery (Days 61-90)16:39 - 17:16 - Common Automation Mistakes to Avoid17:16 - 19:02 - The Automation Mindset & Scaling Reality19:02 - 19:29 - This Week's Challenge & Call to Action


Key Takeaways

  • The manual labour trap costs you 10-15 hours per week
  • Three automation categories every coach needs
  • Lead management automation saves 5-10 hours per month
  • The 90-day implementation roadmap
  • Automate the busy work, not the important work


Show more...
2 months ago
16 minutes 39 seconds

Build and Scale Your Online Fitness Business
How to Fix the 3 Biggest Mistakes Keeping You From Getting Online Fitness Clients

Book a strategy call with our team ⁠here⁠ to get results sooner than later

Sign 1-5 clients in 7 days: ⁠Join the Get Online Fitness Clients Challenge⁠

📱 Connect with OTM: ⁠@onlinetrainermentorship

Timestamps

00:00 - 00:36 - Introduction & Episode Overview

00:36 - 01:19 - Recap of Episode 17: The 3 Biggest Mistakes

01:19 - 02:10 - Introduction to Today's Solutions & Challenge Announcement

02:10 - 04:46 - Solution #1: Fixing the Content Mistake

04:46 - 06:57 - Solution #2: Fixing the Avatar Mistake

06:57 - 09:21 - Solution #3: Fixing the Waiting Game Mistake

09:21 - 10:50 - The Math Behind the System

10:50 - 13:20 - The 30-Day Commitment

13:20 - 16:16 - Challenge Announcement


Key Takeaways

  • Content identifies potential clients, conversations convert them—your content's job is to get people to raise their hand, not to sell for you
  • Hyper-specificity wins: stop targeting demographics and start targeting specific behavioral patterns, problems, and beliefs your ideal client has
  • The daily non-negotiables that guarantee results: 10 new conversations, 5 follow-ups, and 1 post every single day
  • Follow-ups are where the money is made—some of the best clients come from months or even years of consistent follow-up, not initial conversations
  • The math that works: 50 conversations per week leads to 15 good fits, 5-8 calls booked, and 2-4 new clients signed
  • Commit to 30 days minimum—most coaches quit after 3 days when they don't see immediate results, but consistency over time builds a consistent client roster
Show more...
2 months ago
14 minutes 8 seconds

Build and Scale Your Online Fitness Business
The 3 Biggest Mistakes Keeping You From Getting Online Fitness Clients

Strategy call with our team here

Join the Get Online Fitness Clients Challenge


📱 Connect with OTM: @onlinetrainermentorship

Timestamps:

0:00 - The uncomfortable question: How many hours worked vs clients signed?

2:01 - Why online coaching works but you're not seeing results

3:00 - Mistake #1: Treating content like your sales team

3:45 - The fishing net analogy: Content catches, conversations convert

5:39 - Mistake #2: Speaking to everyone = speaking to no one

6:30 - The specificity test: Could your content apply to everyone?

7:35 - Demographics vs psychographics: The critical difference

8:30 - Mistake #3: The passive income lie that's killing your business

9:49 - Hard truth: Six-figure coaches aren't smarter, they have more conversations

11:30 - Why you can't see what's actually working behind the scenes

12:30 - Reality check: Where you're probably at right now

13:27 - What's coming next week: The complete solution system


Key Takeaways:

  • Content identifies potential clients - conversations convert them
  • Being specific doesn't reject others, it attracts the right people
  • Six-figure coaches aren't smarter - they just have more conversations
  • The work you don't see = the work that matters
  • These mistakes feel like you're doing the right thing (that's why they're deadly)
Show more...
2 months ago
11 minutes 53 seconds

Build and Scale Your Online Fitness Business
From Decline to Best Month Ever - The System Rebuild That Saved Daniel's Coaching Business (with Daniel Rosenthal)

Ready to avoid complacency and build systems that last?
Book your strategy call here
📱 Connect with OTM: @onlinetrainermentorship

Daniel Rosenthal (@rosentrain) - Online fitness coach specializing in helping women over 40 lose weight sustainably. 100K+ Instagram following, father of two, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. OTM student for 3.5 years.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Hook: When the systems that got you here won't get you where you're going

1:00 - Daniel's background: Personal trainer to online coach journey

3:07 - Pre-OTM business: $7-10K months but no systems to scale

4:20 - Joining OTM in 2022: Wife wanted extended maternity leave

6:10 - The success period: Growing from 25 to 75 clients, $20-30K months

7:20 - September 2024: When growth suddenly stopped

8:30 - The complacency trap: No marketing systems, just organic applications

9:30 - From 250 applications to almost none - the warning signs

11:09 - What OTM helped with: Client service, sales skills, hiring coaches

13:32 - The decline: "My content from August 2024 was terrible"

15:15 - Taking ownership: No systems, got lazy, posted randomly

16:21 - September 2024 becomes the best month ever (spoiler alert)

17:07 - How to know: Slow month vs systemic problem

18:01 - The comparison that sparked action, not self-pity

18:48 - March-April 2024: The stress of realizing it's all on you

19:56 - First system implemented: DM strategy and hiring a setter

22:45 - The bottleneck revelation: You can be your own limitation

23:15 - Forcing himself to track data in Trello (despite hating spreadsheets)

24:29 - Content planning for someone with 100K followers (you need it too)

25:10 - August content strategy: Getting audience to know, like, trust

26:30 - Theme-based content: Monday through Sunday structure

27:47 - September theme: "Life ain't gonna slow down, so you may as well start"

29:16 - Best month ever after 18 months of struggle

30:30 - Balancing rebuild stress with family life (not perfectly)

31:52 - Non-negotiables: 5-8pm family time, blocked calendar

33:20 - The balance myth: Sometimes work has to be priority

36:12 - Phone on DND 24/7 except for wife

37:11 - One system every coach needs: DM conversations

38:37 - Avoiding complacency: Plan next month before celebrating this one

39:44 - October 1st action: 90 DMs sent to avoid empty calendar

42:58 - Stress management: Gratitude journaling, workouts, prioritizing self

46:08 - Rapid fire: Biggest mistakes, best investments, systems to never neglect


Key Takeaways:

Complacency kills growth faster than bad strategy

100K followers means nothing without a DM and content system

Taking ownership > blaming the algorithm every single time

"Trust the process" only works if you actually do the work

Content planning isn't optional - even with 100K followers

Track your data even if you hate spreadsheets (hire someone if needed)

Non-negotiables keep you sane during intense growth periods


Connect with Daniel:

  • Instagram: @rosentrain
  • Podcast: The Leaner You Podcast
  • Newsletter: Fit Bullets Friday
Show more...
3 months ago
42 minutes 4 seconds

Build and Scale Your Online Fitness Business
Why Good Coaches Lose Clients (And the 3-Part Retention System That Fixes It)

Ready to stop replacing clients and start keeping them for 12+ months? Book your strategy call here to see if we can help
📱 Connect with OTM: @onlinetrainermentorship

Timestamps:

0:00 - The client you thought was a sure thing... then they left

1:00 - Why results aren't enough: The month 3 decision point

2:04 - Clients leave because they can't see what's next

2:45 - The math: $72K vs $120K with same client acquisition effort

4:07 - Part 1: Check-ins that actually matter (not participation trophies)

4:30 - Step 1: Acknowledge specific behavioral wins, not just scale wins

4:50 - Step 2: Reset the goal with specific next steps

5:10 - Step 3: Plant seeds for what's coming next

5:40 - Part 2: Milestone mapping - the game changer coaches miss

6:10 - The onboarding roadmap: Foundation, momentum, optimization, mastery

6:36 - Month 1 and Month 3 check-in examples

7:30 - Part 3: Offer upgrades before they think about leaving

8:10 - Week 9-10: The "what's next" conversation timing

8:35 - Three upgrade options: Maintenance, next level, add-ons

9:15 - Why this system removes awkward renewal conversations

10:15 - Common mistake #1: Waiting until week 12 to discuss renewal

10:54 - Common mistake #2: Generic "great job, keep it up" check-ins

11:30 - Common mistake #3: No clear phases or progression milestones

12:10 - This week's action plan: Audit, map, identify

12:42 - The retention mindset shift: Show them why leaving doesn't make sense

13:30 - Episode wrap: Stop chasing new clients, start keeping current ones



Key Takeaways:

  • Clients don't leave because you're a bad coach - they leave because they can't see what's next
  • Same 5 clients/month: 3-month retention = $72K/year, 12-month retention = $120K/year
  • Check-ins must: Acknowledge wins, reset goals, plant seeds for next phase
  • Milestone mapping starts on day 1 - clients need to see months 1, 3, 6, 12 before they start
  • Start "what's next" conversations at week 9-10, not week 12
  • Retention isn't convincing clients to stay - it's showing them why leaving doesn't make sense
Show more...
3 months ago
13 minutes 1 second

Build and Scale Your Online Fitness Business
Building a Business That Lasts - Q&A Part 2

Ready to build a sustainable coaching business without burning out?
Book your strategy call
📱 Connect with OTM: @onlinetrainermentorship

Timestamps:

0:00 - Part 2 intro: Sustainability, workload, and hiring

0:47 - Jon's burnout story: 72 clients + 40 OTM students = breaking point

2:32 - The cost of "success": $150K year but fitness came last

4:59 - How many hours per week for a successful coaching business?

5:45 - Time breakdown: 1-2 hours per client per month maximum

6:15 - Content creation time blocks: 2.5-5 hours per week total

7:24 - When is the right time to hire? Earlier than you think

9:45 - Action step: Write down everything you do in your business

10:30 - First hire options: VA, programming coach, or setter

12:09 - Why coaches avoid DMs and how setters solve this

13:40 - Who should you hire first? Your biggest bottleneck

16:03 - Success coaches: When you're capped but leads keep coming

17:08 - Can you hit 15-20K months as a solo coach?

17:45 - Why solo scaling usually means sacrificing family time

18:15 - Fear of stepping out of coaching role into CEO role

20:12 - Real examples: 15K months with minimal team

22:38 - The real goal: Time freedom, not being chained to your business


Key Takeaways:

  • Success without systems leads to burnout - Jon's 72-client reality check
  • Minimum 20 hours/week for sustainable coaching business operations
  • Time allocation: 1-2 hours per client per month, 2.5-5 hours content weekly
  • Hire before you break - when you're growing but not drowning yet
  • Three first hire options
  • Should you go at it solo to hit 15K-20K months?
  • The goal is time freedom, not being chained to your computer 24/7


Engage with This Episode:

  • What's your biggest time bottleneck right now?
  • Share with a coach who's trying to do everything solo
  • Tag us @onlinetrainermentorship with your hiring questions
Show more...
3 months ago
21 minutes 15 seconds

Build and Scale Your Online Fitness Business
How to Get Clients and Make More Money - Q&A Episode

Ready to turn your followers into paying clients and scale to 6-figures? Book your strategy call⁠⁠

📱 Connect with OTM: ⁠⁠@onlinetrainermentorship


Timestamps:

0:00 - Episode intro: Fast action for getting clients and making money

2:09 - How to turn followers, likes, and attention into paying clients

4:24 - The biggest bottleneck: Posting content but not starting conversations

6:48 - What's one of the best referral systems to gain more clients?

8:47 - The referral ask: Timing it when clients are winning

11:07 - Adding satisfaction surveys to your referral system

12:20 - "I don't want to be pushy with selling" - reframing the sales mindset

14:42 - Sales calls aren't about convincing - they're coaching conversations

16:35 - Why feeling uncomfortable with sales makes you uncomfortable on calls

18:14 - Setting the frame: Getting permission to ask tough questions

18:49 - Online vs in-person coaching: How to communicate the value difference

21:02 - Features vs benefits: Making people feel the difference

23:02 - Marketing online coaching through Meta/Facebook vs in-person

25:30 - How to transition from wide niche to specific ideal client

27:53 - From $5K to $10K months when you're already working too much

29:42 - Time wasters: Content creation and custom programming for everyone

30:50 - "How much money can I realistically make as an online coach?"

32:14 - Why the word "realistically" is a limiting belief

34:16 - Jon's journey: From multiple failed mentorships to six-figure years

35:56 - Episode wrap-up and preview of part 2


Key Takeaways:

  • Social media followers don't automatically become clients
  • Get clear on who you're helping and their 5 biggest pain points
  • Go talk to people who engage with your content - it's not being pushy
  • Best referral system: Cash incentives + asking when clients are winning
  • Reframe sales as coaching conversations, not convincing people
  • How to get from $5K to $10K
  • You can make as much as you're willing to work for - "realistic" is a limiting belief
  • The two biggest time wasters
Show more...
3 months ago
30 minutes 37 seconds

Build and Scale Your Online Fitness Business
The Real Reason Some Clients Transform and Others Don’t (with Jordanna Nativ)

Ready to build an offer that creates lifelong transformations so you can grow your coaching business? Book your strategy call

Connect with OTM: @onlinetrainermentorship

Jordanna Nativ - Co-owner of GetSculpted, former corporate executive turned fitness coach specializing in helping women 40+ lose weight and get strong while eating guilt-free. Left her 15-year corporate career during the pandemic to follow her coaching dreams.

Timestamps:

0:00 - From corporate executive to fitness coach: Jordanna's pandemic pivot

2:11 - The transformation that changed everything: From restrictive dieting to sustainable approach

4:14 - Why she almost passed out in a mall and how it led to her coaching philosophy

6:05 - GetSculpted's core philosophy: Work smarter, not harder

7:12 - Overcoming client fear: "You're telling me to eat more to lose weight?"

8:19 - The transformation catalyst: When clients believe they're worth it

10:17 - Handling resistant clients with open communication and boundaries

11:55 - Why transformation takes years, not weeks (and how to sell that reality)

14:31 - The 3-phase program structure: Foundation, Empowerment, Mastery

16:03 - Single biggest transformation catalyst: "They believe they're worth it"

17:13 - Quick wins vs. long-term mindset shifts in early coaching

18:42 - The power of high-touch coaching and genuine relationships

19:30 - Building community: "The nicest place on the internet"

22:45 - OTM lessons: From wearing all hats to becoming a CEO

24:30 - The corporate skills that transferred vs. what she had to learn

25:57 - Maintaining quality while scaling: Systems, SOPs, and letting go of control

29:24 - GetSculpted's unique co-ownership model and revenue sharing

31:15 - Leveraging team expertise: Emotional eating, program design, and burnout specialists

32:56 - Treating team members like clients: The leadership mindset shift

34:36 - Content strategy: Staying in your lane and backing up what you say

36:32 - Knowing when to say "I don't know" and refer to specialists

37:59 - Program evolution: From scattered tools to one centralized platform

39:07 - The decision tree approach to program design and progression

41:07 - Rapid fire: Carnivore diet hate, vanity metrics, and transformation photos

43:01 - Industry controversy: "We're all scam artists" perception problem

44:00 - Why coaches over-certify instead of mastering basics


Key Takeaways:

  • The single biggest transformation catalyst
  • "Work smarter, not harder" applies to nutrition, training, coaching, and mindset
  • Eating more while losing weight challenges everything clients think they know
  • Transformation takes years, not weeks - sell the reality, not the fantasy
  • High-touch coaching and genuine relationships trump perfect programs
  • Community building creates accountability beyond individual coaching
  • Systems and SOPs allow you to scale without losing personal connection


Connect with Jordanna:

  • Instagram: @jordannanativ
  • GetSculpted: Team-based coaching for women 40+


Engage with This Episode:

  • What's holding you back from believing you're worth the transformation effort?
  • Share with a coach who's over-complicating their programs
  • Tag us with your biggest mindset shift about client transformation
Show more...
4 months ago
46 minutes

Build and Scale Your Online Fitness Business
Why Your Clients Are Overwhelmed and How to Fix Your Program (with Kristine Michaud)

Ready to stop overdelivering and start creating programs that actually get results?
Book your strategy call⁠

📱 Connect with OTM: ⁠@onlinetrainermentorship

Kristine Michaud - Former OTM Success Coach, Owner of Pure Strength and Nutrition, 20+ year industry veteran who transitioned from in-person strength coaching to online coaching focusing on strength, nutrition, and mindset.


Timestamps:

0:00 - Kristine's background: 20+ years in fitness, transition from gym to online

2:09 - The two biggest program mistakes: No reusable system + overdelivery

3:31 - Getting coaches past the "every client is a snowflake" mindset

4:11 - The phase system: How Kristine organizes beginner, moderate, advanced clients

6:27 - Why creative program names actually hurt your business

7:09 - Making systems work for YOUR coaching style (not copying others)

8:30 - The "teaching tools for life" philosophy vs. quick fixes

10:03 - Jon's 30-page PDF horror story (why more information isn't better)

11:21 - When clients say "I still have so much to work on" - you're overdelivering

13:41 - The power of asking clients for honest feedback

14:23 - If your clients are overwhelmed, look at what you're giving them first

15:27 - Kristine's Sunday crying sessions learning technology (we've all been there)

16:39 - Permission to slow down: The relief clients feel when you say this

18:57 - Two-minute tidbits vs. 30-minute video reviews nobody watches

20:29 - Framework breakdown: Pillars vs. deliverables explained

22:22 - Kristine's three pillars: Strength, nutrition, mindset

24:45 - The yearly topic planning system (steal this idea immediately)

27:10 - Getting client input without losing program structure

28:07 - What actually goes into mindset deliverables

30:03 - Why Kristine doesn't do summer calls (and clients are fine with it)

30:51 - The mistake of trying to please everyone with multiple call times

33:11 - "Just because you can doesn't mean you should" - the golden rule

33:53 - Communication boundaries: Trainerize only, no exceptions

36:28 - Jon's app blocker system for work-life boundaries

39:38 - Taking 17-19 days off without client complaints

41:51 - Why 25-item to-do lists paralyze productivity

43:45 - Rapid fire round: Biggest lies, meal plans, overrated components

45:09 - What clients think they want vs. what they actually need


Key Takeaways:

  • The two biggest program mistakes: No reusable system + overdelivery
  • Use phases, not creative names - beginner, moderate, advanced keeps it simple
  • If clients say "I still have so much to work on" at renewal, you're overdelivering
  • Ask clients for honest feedback - they'll tell you what's working and what isn't
  • Just because you can deliver everything doesn't mean you should
Show more...
4 months ago
44 minutes 51 seconds

Build and Scale Your Online Fitness Business
10 Harsh Truths About Why Your Coaching Business Isn't Growing

Ready to stop making excuses and start making changes?
Book your strategy call
📱 Connect with OTM: @onlinetrainermentorship

Timestamps:

  • 0:00 - Why tough love beats motivation every time
  • 1:30 - Truth #1: Stop hiding behind content (posting ≠ conversations)
  • 2:30 - Truth #2: Your DMs are empty because you never ask for the sale
  • 3:30 - Truth #3: You're charging what you think people will pay, not what it's worth
  • 4:30 - Truth #4: You're trying to grow alone (the isolation trap)
  • 5:30 - Truth #5: Your content isn't connecting (speaking to everyone = no one)
  • 6:30 - Truth #6: More work doesn't equal more money (busy vs productive)
  • 7:30 - Truth #7: Your business is fragile (what happens when you stop posting?)
  • 8:30 - Truth #8: You don't have a renewal plan (chasing new vs keeping current)
  • 9:30 - Truth #9: Your lead magnet is weak ("free guide" isn't enough)
  • 10:30 - Truth #10: You have enough knowledge, you need execution
  • 11:30 - Why these truths hurt (and why that's the point)
  • 12:30 - The two types of coaches: Excuse makers vs problem solvers
  • 14:00 - This week's honest assessment (the uncomfortable audit)
  • 16:30 - The hardest truth: Most won't implement any of this


Key Takeaways:

  • Posting content is not the same as starting conversations
  • Your DMs are empty because you never ask people to fill them
  • Price for transformation, not time or affordability
  • Being busy is not the same as being profitable
  • A real business can survive you taking a vacation
  • People want results, not more information
  • Knowledge without execution is expensive entertainment
Show more...
4 months ago
16 minutes 9 seconds

Build and Scale Your Online Fitness Business
The Late Summer Advantage - How to Get Fitness Clients Before September

🚀Ready to scale your business? ⁠Book your strategy call⁠

📱 Connect with OTM: ⁠@onlinetrainermentorship


In this episode, Jon Vlahogiannakos discusses the importance of recognizing opportunities in business, particularly during late summer when many coaches tend to check out. He shares a compelling story of two coaches to illustrate how proactive engagement can lead to success. Jon outlines a three-step framework for coaches to prepare for the upcoming fall season, emphasizing the need for strategic planning, meaningful conversations, and effective client engagement. He encourages coaches to shift their mindset and take action to capitalize on the unique opportunities available during this time.


Takeaways

  • Recognizing opportunities when others are checked out is crucial for success.
  • A structured approach to outreach can lead to significant results.
  • The mindset of clients shifts in late summer, making them more receptive.
  • Following up with past leads can yield new opportunities.
  • Building relationships during slow periods can lead to long-term success.
  • The work done in late summer sets the tone for the rest of the year.
  • Coaches should take action now to prepare for the busy fall season.


Chapters

00:00 Introduction: The Tale of Two Coaches

02:17 Recognizing Opportunities in Business

05:15 Understanding Client Mindsets in Late Summer

08:07 The Three-Step Framework for Success

14:31 The Conversation Sprint: Engaging Clients

17:56 The Enrollment Sprint: Converting Conversations

19:48 Mindset Shifts for Coaches

21:04 Action Plan for Late Summer Success


Show more...
4 months ago
23 minutes 44 seconds

Build and Scale Your Online Fitness Business
The Content Trap - Why More Posts Don't Equal More Clients

🚀Ready to turn your content into actual conversations and clients? Book your strategy call
📱 Connect with OTM: @onlinetrainermentorship


Timestamps:

0:00 - The harsh reality: Why coaches with 100K followers make less than those with 5K

1:30 - The content hamster wheel: Posting constantly but getting zero clients

2:30 - Vanity metrics vs. what actually pays your bills

4:00 - Trap #1: The spray and pray method (speaking to everyone = speaking to no one)

7:00 - Trap #2: The education explosion (why people don't buy information)

10:30 - Trap #3: Ghost creator syndrome (hiding behind content instead of building relationships)

12:00 - The 80/20 content rule that actually converts

13:30 - This week's action plan: From content audit to conversation starter

14:30 - Final advice: Stop trying to go viral, start trying to go valuable


Key Takeaways:

  • The algorithm doesn't pay your bills - clients do
  • When you speak to everyone, you speak to no one
  • People don't buy coaching because they lack information
  • Content is the introduction, conversation is the sale
  • 80% of content should start conversations, only 20% should educate
  • Your DMs are more important than your posts
  • Quality beats quantity every single time


Engage with This Episode:

  • Which content trap are you stuck in?
  • Share this episode with a coach who's posting constantly but not getting clients
  • Tag us @onlinetrainermentorship with your biggest content breakthrough
Show more...
5 months ago
15 minutes 34 seconds

Build and Scale Your Online Fitness Business
Build & Scale is the go-to podcast for personal trainers and fitness coaches ready to grow profitable online businesses. Hosted by Jon Vlahogiannakos of the Online Trainer Mentorship, this show delivers real-world client case studies, step-by-step business strategies, content tips, and scalable systems that help you attract clients, increase revenue, and ditch burnout. If you want freedom and income through online coaching, this podcast is for you.