Hey, what's up everyone? Welcome to another episode of The Obvious Choice podcast. Today we've got Jason from Milford, Connecticut, who's been crushing it in both the brick-and-mortar and online space for nearly two decades. He's looking to revamp his coaching mentorship program, and we dive deep into everything from launch strategies to the realities of paid advertising in today's market. What I love about this conversation is how it showcases that sometimes scaling back and getting more hands-...
Jan 08, 2025•21 min
In this episode we dug into something I've been thinking about a lot lately - this idea that structure actually breeds freedom. For the first time ever, I actually wrote down my personal rules, things I've been working on and aspiring to. Some are habits I've already built, others I'm still working on, but having them written down has been a game-changer for reminding myself of who I want to be. We walked through rules like leaving your phone at the door (which I still struggle with sometimes), ...
Jan 06, 2025•45 min
Hey, welcome back everyone. Today we're diving into something that really gets to the heart of effective marketing in the fitness industry. You know, a lot of trainers get caught up in chasing social media metrics and viral content, but what I've learned over my 10+ years in this business is that success often comes from what happens beneath the surface. I'm joined by Wallace, a trainer with 15 years of experience who's noticed something interesting - while he started targeting busy moms in thei...
Jan 02, 2025•17 min
Today we dove deep into a chapter from my next book (after "The Obvious Choice) - it's all about rules. I've collected about 50 rules over the years. We actually had a great discussion about the book's potential title, moving from "Too Early for Coffee" to possibly "Shut Up and Watch the Sunset," which came from this rule Calvin and I have about stopping to appreciate sunsets. Today's main focus was on rules that start at home because your home is where you build momentum for your day and show e...
Dec 30, 2024•41 min
In today's episode, we're tackling a question I get all the time – how to successfully transition from in-person to online training while maintaining (or even increasing) your income. We'll dive deep into identifying your ideal clients, understanding why you're making this shift, and most importantly, how to bring your current clients along for the journey. I'll share a concrete pathway to hitting that $12K/month mark working remotely, break down pricing strategies that work, and give you action...
Dec 25, 2024•19 min
We recorded something different today. I sat down and shared a pretty personal essay I wrote about my wife's recent pregnancy - our tenth pregnancy actually, but hopefully our third child. We've had our share of losses, and this time around, Allison's been sick. But here's the thing - it got me thinking about all these choices we make, you know? Like living close to my parents instead of chasing that New York dream, or not overloading Calvin with extracurriculars like every other kid in the neig...
Dec 23, 2024•46 min
Welcome back to The Obvious Choice podcast, where today we're continuing to workshop a chapter from my next book. If you guys don't know, I actually started this podcast for an entirely selfish reason - to write better books. Everyone says you should create content for your readers and listeners, but nah, this one's for me. I'm stoked that you're along for the ride though, and I hope it's fun for you to see these books basically get built in real time. Once The Obvious Choice comes out in Januar...
Dec 16, 2024•32 min
In this episode, we discussed strategies for sustainable social media growth and business development. The conversation covers crucial topics including content recycling, community building, and the often-overlooked aspects of social media success beyond just creating content. Key insights include how to effectively reuse content, build genuine engagement through strategic partnerships, and develop business systems for scaling. The discussion also addresses common challenges like content creatio...
Dec 11, 2024•55 min
Hey everyone, today we're diving into what it really means to grow older without growing up. You know, some of my best memories come from getting completely lost - whether it's finding the world's best cup of instant coffee in Nicaragua, riding local buses in Uruguay, or navigating treacherous roads in Indonesia. But this isn't just about travel - it's about keeping that sense of wonder and exploration alive in everything we do. I'll share stories about how stepping off the beaten path, embracin...
Dec 09, 2024•48 min
I listened to two fascinating coaching conversations today. The first was with Daniel Corbett, who has an interesting dual role as both a minister and a fitness coach. He came seeking advice about why his in-person clients stick around longer than those he finds online. Throughout their discussion, they explored how he could authentically bridge his religious work with his fitness business, particularly through his connection to the International Churches of Christ. The conversation was really a...
Dec 04, 2024•22 min
In this candid origin story, Jonathan reveals his journey from personal trainer to successful online entrepreneur. Growing up in a traditional professional family in Toronto, Jonathan breaks convention to build the Personal Trainer Development Center (PTDC) from scratch. He shares pivotal moments including a life-changing book gift from a client, his first affiliate sale that exceeded a day's training income, and a breakthrough $180,000 product launch that came just as he was questioning everyth...
Dec 02, 2024•1 hr
In this eye-opening conversation with gym owner Joe Hsiung, we uncover a goldmine opportunity in the online fitness space that almost nobody is targeting: empty nesters. After running multiple successful gym locations, Joe was struggling with the longer sales cycles in online coaching - until we identified this perfect market hiding in plain sight. You'll discover: Why empty nesters make ideal online fitness clients (they have time, money, and motivation) How to build your marketing calendar aro...
Nov 27, 2024•22 min
💥Pre-order your copy today of The Obvious Choice: https://www.amazon.com/Obvious-Choice-Timeless-Lessons-Success/dp/1400249139 I explore the concept of freedom through the lens of a 48-day road trip I took with Allison before we had kids, contrasting it with a friend's story of feeling trapped in his successful career. The episode weaves together themes of walking costs, perceived limitations, and the illusion of being stuck, ultimately revealing that freedom isn't about beaches or private plan...
Nov 25, 2024•18 min
Have you ever felt stuck in your coaching business or wondered if success was a fluke? If you’ve struggled with imposter syndrome, maintaining momentum, or reigniting creativity in your work, this episode is packed with real strategies to help you move forward. In this mega episode of The Obvious Choice Podcast , we’ve combined three insightful hot seat conversations featuring coaches who share their challenges and breakthroughs. From leveraging your local reputation for online growth to creatin...
Nov 20, 2024•42 min
Are you tired of doing it all? In part 2 of our special series on Jonathan’s minimalist approach to living, he challenges the idea that being well-rounded is the key to success. Instead, Jonathan dives into the power of finding and focusing on your “thing” --the unique strength that energizes you, even when it’s tough. He shares why focusing on what you do best (a lesson not taught in school) can lead to a more fulfilling life, rather than trying to balance a range of skills that drain your pass...
Nov 18, 2024•40 min•Ep. 294
Have you ever thought, “Am I the only one struggling with this?”. If you’ve questioned your ability to push through or felt the pressure to prove you’re capable, this episode will remind you that you’re not alone. In this week’s Hot Seat episode of The Obvious Choice podcast, we dive into the emotional rollercoaster that online fitness coaches experience. From navigating moments of doubt to facing unexpected pressures, we address the unique feelings and challenges of this profession. We’ll explo...
Nov 13, 2024•49 min•Ep. 293
Life can feel overwhelming with endless choices we have to deal with every single day. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. In the first installment of our special series on Jonathan’s minimalist approach to living, we dive into how minimalism isn’t just a lifestyle but a way to make better, faster decisions. You’ll learn how minimalism helps reduce anxiety by limiting choices and the frameworks to make quicker, satisfactory decisions. Through real-life examples, Jonathan highlights how living ...
Nov 11, 2024•37 min•Ep. 292
Are you juggling too much as a coach, handling every detail yourself because you worry clients only want you ? Minakshi, a Denver-based fitness coach for Indian immigrant women, shared the same struggles. In our Hot Seat episode of The Obvious Choice podcast, she opens up about how hard it’s been to delegate without fear of losing client trust. Today, you’ll learn the concept of “trust transfer”, the importance of culturally sensitive coaching, and building repeatable systems that allow consiste...
Nov 06, 2024•18 min•Ep. 291
Do you feel guilty about not spending enough time with your family while working on your online coaching business? Meet Cait Caserta–a former fitness director who pivoted to online coaching, all while raising young kids. In this episode, Cait shares her journey from fitness management to building her online fitness coaching business and how she navigated the pressure of being both an entrepreneur and a mom. We also explore her struggle with investing in herself, the role of faith in trusting the...
Nov 04, 2024•42 min•Ep. 290
Are you struggling with the tech side of your online fitness coaching business? Online fitness trainer Ryan Cali, one of our Online Trainer Mentorship students, faces the tech woes many of us do–learning new platforms, creating streamlined client systems, and building an engaging Facebook community. But here’s the kicker: being a successful online fitness coach isn’t about having a flawless tech setup. Join us in this week’s Hot Seat edition of The Obvious Choice Podcast, where we break down eas...
Oct 30, 2024•14 min•Ep. 289
Imagine having a role as a gym director and then shifting to being an online fitness coach. How would that feel? Today’s podcast guest took the quantum leap and went all in as an online fitness trainer while building her own coaching business. With a background in kinesiology and 16 years of experience in the industry, Kaylee Bennett–one of our coaches in the Online Trainer Mentorship (OTM)--shares her journey from in-person training at a gym to running a flourishing online coaching business. Af...
Oct 28, 2024•40 min•Ep. 288
Do you ever feel like you’re biting off more than you can chew–juggling a full-time job, family, and trying to grow your business? We’ve all been there. But here’s the thing: scaling your online coaching business isn’t about hiring more people immediately. It’s about reclaiming your time through smarter time management and delegation. In this week’s The Obvious Choice Podcast (Hot Seat Edition), we chat with Anne Brady, a kinesiology professor, online fitness coach, and one of our recent student...
Oct 23, 2024•20 min•Ep. 287
Success isn't a destination, but a conveyor belt that gets faster and demands more of your attention. If you're not careful, the sacrifices you make in order to keep up may turn into major regrets later in life. Beware of letting your ego and comparing yourself to others change who you are The importance of in-between times and what to do with them Being more present for the short dash between DOB and DOD -- Jon's next book, The Obvious Choice, published by HarperCollins, is now available for pr...
Oct 21, 2024•48 min•Season 5Ep. 286
We tend to make getting clients a lot more complicated than it needs to be. Complex problems don't necessarily need complex solutions, so why do we prefer complex solutions? Using The Marble Method to attract clients and how to do it Three rules to getting referrals from other businesses -- Jon's next book, The Obvious Choice, published by HarperCollins, is now available for preorder on Amazon in Hardcover, Kindle, and Audio. Click here to preorder your copy today. -- FREE GIFT - Get a free copy...
Oct 16, 2024•42 min•Season 5Ep. 285
One of the hardest questions we have to ask ourselves is - do my actions match what is most important to me? If the answer is no, then it's good to know how you got there and how to get back on track. "Just this once" is a misguided way of thinking The Life Satisfaction Equation Money isn't going to turn you into anything, but it will amplify who you already are -- Jon's next book, The Obvious Choice, published by HarperCollins, is now available for preorder on Amazon in Hardcover, Kindle, and A...
Oct 14, 2024•40 min•Season 5Ep. 284
You might think that writing a book is hard, and you'd be right. But writing the book isn't the hardest past - it's figuring out the positioning of it. If you're going to write a book...write a freaking book How you should approach the branding and positioning of the book The two different types of value and the positioning mistake authors make -- Jon's next book, The Obvious Choice, published by HarperCollins, is now available for preorder on Amazon in Hardcover, Kindle, and Audio. Click here t...
Oct 09, 2024•9 min•Season 5Ep. 283
When you're preparing to go into a new season of focus, that doesn't mean the other areas of your life should be neglected. Creating your off-season checklist so other areas don't regress The importance of micro-interactions Creating your own calendar Dooms Day and how to rebuild your calendar -- Jon's next book, The Obvious Choice, published by HarperCollins, is now available for preorder on Amazon in Hardcover, Kindle, and Audio. Click here to preorder your copy today. -- FREE GIFT - Get a fre...
Oct 07, 2024•47 min•Season 5Ep. 282
You've lost count of the late nights, tears, and dollars you've spent to get to the point where you feel like you're successful. You get there and all of a sudden, you don't feel like you deserve it. Why we don't feel worthy of success when things start to go smoothly You're not cheating by bringing great talent in -- Jon's next book, The Obvious Choice, published by HarperCollins, is now available for preorder on Amazon in Hardcover, Kindle, and Audio. Click here to preorder your copy today. --...
Oct 04, 2024•9 min•Season 5Ep. 281
Everyone knows consistency is important. However, consistency alone isn't enough to make transformational changes. Whether in your business, health, or relationships, you need consistency plus lightning strikes. If you're hardworking yet feel stuck, here's why Treating the important things like grains of sand doesn't work Boredom sucks, so focus on dynamic stability -- Jon's next book, The Obvious Choice, published by HarperCollins, is now available for preorder on Amazon in Hardcover, Kindle, a...
Oct 02, 2024•42 min•Season 5Ep. 280
You've been told you can have it all and it feels like no matter how hard you try, you just can't seem to get there. The truth is, you can have it all. Just not all at the same time. Letting your curiousity get the better of you We can blame Editson for our lack of personal seasons How you keep creating opportunities for burn out and how to fix it -- Jon's next book, The Obvious Choice, published by HarperCollins, is now available for preorder on Amazon in Hardcover, Kindle, and Audio. Click her...
Sep 30, 2024•36 min•Season 5Ep. 279
