Choose Hard with Cody McBroom

In this Q&A episode of the Choose Hard Podcast , Cody McBroom dives deep into the tactical and psychological side of running a high-level coaching business. From navigating the rising trend of peptides to solving the "6-month churn" that kills growth, this episode is a blueprint for coaches who want to move from "local trainer" to national specialist. Cody answers 10 pressi...

Most people fail their fitness goals not because they lack discipline, but because they treat adherence like a character test they pass or fail, rather than a muscle they train. If you’ve ever told yourself you’re "lazy" or "unmotivated" because you fell off your diet, you’re listening to a lie. In this masterclass on execution, Cody McBroom breaks down the Component Skills of...

What does it take to earn the nickname "The Terminator" in the Special Forces? For Kevin Smith, it was squatting 450 lbs, deadlifting 550 lbs, and running seven 6-minute miles followed by an 8-mile ruck—all in a single four-hour window. In this episode of Choose Hard , Cody McBroom sits down with Kevin "The Terminator" Smith, a former Special Forces Medical (18D) and Intelligen...

In this high-velocity Round 2 Q&A, Cody McBroom is joined by Arielle DeYampert , Director of Coaching at Tailored Coaching Method, to answer 15 burning questions for online fitness and nutrition coaches. Putting 60 seconds on the clock for each topic, they move past the "fluff" to provide tactical, intuition-led answers derived from over a decade of industry experience. From the psyc...

In this episode of the Choose Hard Podcast , Cody McBroom is joined by Arielle DeYampert , Director of Coaching at Tailored Coaching Method, to pull back the curtain on the real-world struggles online coaches are facing in 2026. While the industry is flooded with marketing gurus and business "hacks," Cody and Arielle argue that high-quality coaching must come first. They share how TCM built a $1.5...

In this solo episode of the Choose Hard Podcast , Cody McBroom breaks down the essential systems every online coach needs to move from a "hobbyist" to a high-level professional. Addressing the most common struggles in the digital coaching space, Cody dives into the psychology of client retention, the art of the efficient check-in, and the specific "coach personas" that are acti...

What happens when three friends in a group text decide to turn a shared passion for fatherhood into a business? You get Dad Gang , a brand that started with just $250 and has since sold over $30 million in hats. In this episode, I’m joined by co-founders Bart and EJ to pull back the curtain on one of the most inspiring entrepreneurship stories I’ve heard in years. We dive deep into the "origi...

Are you addicted to the scale moving? Do you struggle with an "all-or-nothing" personality that sabotages your progress after one bad meal? In this high-intensity Q&A episode, Cody McBroom tackles 10 listener questions that bridge the gap between elite physique science and the psychology of high performance. From the "Maintenance Mental Block" to the truth about functional...

Can you truly build world-class strength while training for an ultra-marathon? For years, the "interference effect" told us that cardio kills gains—but the science says otherwise. In this definitive solo episode, Cody McBroom breaks down the Hybrid Athlete methodology: a training system designed to make you a more capable, resilient, and high-performing human being. Cody dives deep into...

What separates a "personal trainer" from a world-class coach? It’s not just the sets and reps—it’s the ability to manage the psychology, the environment, and the identity of the person in front of you. In this deep-dive coaching roundtable, Cody McBroom is joined by fitness industry legend Luka Hocevar (Vigor Ground Fitness). Together, they pull back the curtain on what it takes to achie...

"I have a predisposition that no amount of willpower is going to control." When Oprah Winfrey shared those words, it sparked a global conversation about the "Obesity Gene." But is your DNA a locked door, or just a map? In this episode of Choose Hard , Cody McBroom breaks down the science of the FTO gene , hunger hormones, and the "Thrifty Gene" theory. While biology d...

What does it actually take to walk away from a "safe" career with a pension to build a multi-seven-figure fitness empire? In this episode of Choose Hard , Cody McBroom sits down with Joelle Cavagnaro, founder of Level TEN Coaching and co-founder of the Levolution app. Joelle opens up about the "internal itch" that led her to leave her career as a high school teacher and the grueling "side hustle"...

Most people think their metabolism is broken. They believe age, stress, past dieting, or “eating too little” has permanently damaged their ability to lose fat—and that belief keeps them stuck. In this episode of the Choose Hard Podcast, I break down what metabolism actually is, how it truly works, and why most of the fear-based narratives around fat loss are flat-out wrong. You’ll learn why metabo...

New year, new goals… but most resolutions fail because they’re built on motivation instead of a real system. In today’s episode of the Choose Hard Podcast , I walk you through the exact process I use with coaching clients to set goals for the new year in a way that creates real follow-through —not a “January sprint” that dies by February. You’ll learn how to reflect on 2025 the right way, prioriti...

#89 - Dr. Sean Pastuch: Why 55 Million Americans Need Better Coaches (Not More Treatments) DESCRIPTION: In this episode of Choose Hard , I sit down with Dr. Sean Pastuch , founder of Active Life RX , to unpack one of the biggest opportunities—and responsibilities—in the fitness and coaching industry: chronic musculoskeletal pain . With over 55 million Americans living in chronic pain, Sean explain...

In this solo episode of Choose Hard , I reflect on the biggest lessons 2025 taught me—and the changes I’m making heading into 2026. We talk about why identity shifts create real transformation, why habits beat goals , and how journaling and self-reflection help you get clear on what needs to change. I also break down why relationships are the true currency of life , how preparation protects you in...

In this Part 2 crossover with Luka Hocevar of the Vigor Life Podcast, Cody and Luka go deep on real program design, client results, and what separates average trainers from true professionals. They break down how elite coaches think about principles vs. methods , why wildly different programs can both work, and how to sequence training so clients actually progress instead of getting beat up. You’l...

In this solo episode of The Choose Hard Podcast , Cody McBroom breaks down the 7 fat loss nutrition principles he teaches every online client — the same science-backed framework responsible for thousands of successful transformations through Tailored Coaching Method (used in this IG post, here ) . At the core of fat loss is one unbreakable truth: energy balance rules everything. Cody explains why...

In this episode of The Choose Hard Podcast , Cody McBroom sits down with Andrew Coates ( @andrewcoatesfitness ) to tackle one of the most controversial debates in the fitness and health world: the clash between evidence-based science and ideologically driven messaging . Cody and Andrew dive deep into the rise of “health at any size,” the growing divide between research and rhetoric, and why the fi...

In this episode of The Choose Hard Podcast , Cody McBroom sits down with Aram Grigorian —coach, educator, and the voice behind @4weeks2thebeach —to challenge the modern healthcare system and redefine what true health advocacy looks like. Aram pulls no punches as he exposes the flaws in today’s reactive medical model and explains why personal responsibility and prevention must take center stage. To...

In this episode of The Choose Hard Podcast , Cody McBroom sits down with Mike Stella , founder of Movement Underground —one of the most innovative pain and rehab facilities in New York. Mike challenges mainstream beliefs around pain and breaks down why: 1️⃣ Pain doesn’t mean you’re broken. 2️⃣ Pain is information—not a stop sign. 3️⃣ Your mindset determines your recovery. They explore how pain can...

In this episode of The Choose Hard Podcast , Cody McBroom breaks down the 12 most important training principles for writing effective online training programs that actually deliver results. Drawing from 15 years of experience coaching thousands of clients, Cody shares the exact systems and methods that separate average programs from world-class ones. You’ll learn how to build training plans that b...

In this episode of The Choose Hard Podcast , Cody McBroom sits down with Dr. Grant Elliott , founder of Rehab Fix , to uncover the truth about back pain, sciatica, and what it really takes to heal—without surgery or medication. Dr. Grant shares his personal story with back pain and how it led him to challenge the broken “quick-fix” medical model. Together, they dive into the research behind why 97...

In this episode of The Choose Hard Podcast , Cody McBroom reconnects with his first and most influential mentor, Luka Hocevar , to explore what it really takes to build a lasting career—and life—in fitness and leadership. Luka shares lessons from decades as a coach, gym owner, and entrepreneur, revealing the timeless principles that separate great coaches from the rest. Together, they dive into th...

In this episode of The Choose Hard Podcast , Cody McBroom sits down with Dr. Katie Dabrowski , Physical Therapist and Strength Coach from Old Bull Athletics , to break down one of the biggest misconceptions in fitness and rehab: that physical therapy and strength training should be separate . Together, they discuss how bridging the gap between rehab and performance can help you go from pain to pow...