PT Launch Lab — The UK Personal Trainer Podcast

Ridge Holland (real name Luke Menzies) sits down with Miles to tell his honest story — from being a Yorkshire rugby league prop forward to becoming a WWE Superstar, surviving career-threatening injuries, the controversial Big E incident, and life after his WWE release in November 2025. Now based near Orlando, Florida, and coaching online clients, Luke shares hard-won wisdom on training in your lat...

In this video, Ryan is joined by Pembo – a full-time boxing coach, community motivator, and founder of Pembo’s Boxing & Fitness. In this raw and powerful conversation, Pembo shares his transformation story: from the army and addiction, through rock bottom moments, to finding purpose through coaching, sobriety, and building a supportive fitness community. This episode dives into his time at Gol...

In this video, The hosts interview Sohail, founder and CEO of Brawn, about his journey from property law and PropTech (including building an early Facebook property marketplace and later View My Chain) into competitive powerlifting and then fitness tech. He explains how powerlifting shaped his identity and taught transferable lessons for business—planning, patience, handling setbacks, and especial...

Jerome Scherrer spent his teenage years and most of his 20s in the Royal Marines. When he left, he spent four years working for the American government in Afghanistan. Then he became a personal trainer. In this episode, Jerome breaks down the philosophy he's built over years of coaching — and pulls no punches on what's wrong with the fitness industry, why most PTs are still winging it, a...

What do you do when you've achieved everything you set out to — and it still doesn't feel like enough? Kav grew up on a Leeds council estate, chased a football career, joined the Army with no qualifications, built a music career from TikTok freestyles up to performing in front of thousands alongside Dizzee Rascal — and then found himself going nowhere fast.   ――――――――――――――― 🎯 Thinking...

Private blood testing is changing what personal trainers and gym-goers can know about their own health — and the results might surprise you. In this episode, Callum sits down with James, paramedic and co-founder of MyMedic Healthcare, to talk about why private health screening matters, what blood tests actually flag up, and why feeling good doesn't mean everything's fine internally.   ――...

In this video, Callum and Ryan sit down with Ty Harrison – founder of Sengoku Martial Arts, lifelong martial artist, and one of the most respected names in the Yorkshire fight scene. From his early days training under his dad to launching his own martial arts academy, Ty shares the story behind the Sengoku brand, how he grew a thriving kids and adults programme, and his mission to create a family-...

In this video, Ryan sits down with Laura, founder of Vibe Yoga in Pontefract, to explore her inspiring transition from world-class dancer to passionate yoga teacher and wellness advocate. Laura opens up about her competitive dance career, the injury that changed her path, and how that journey led her to launch a unique, dynamic yoga studio above Glossy Salon in the heart of town. They talk busines...

In Episode 24 of the PT Launch Lab Podcast, Ryan and Callum sit down with Jack Atkinson – a former learner turned personal trainer – who has one of the most incredible transformations we’ve ever seen. Jack opens up about his journey from weighing over 46 stone (over 290kg) to becoming a qualified PT and helping others who are exactly where he once was. From battling food addiction, undergoing gast...

Happy New Year and welcome to Episode 23 of the PT Launch Lab! In this special New Year's Day episode, Ryan and Callum sit down to reflect on everything 2025 brought—from shutting down old businesses, launching new ventures, fight camps, fitness goals, to the real-life rollercoaster of running multiple projects and staying present as dads, coaches and creators.   ――――――――――――――― 🎯 Thinking a...

In this video, Ryan sits down with Sam Hincks – a decorated powerlifter, former British & World Champion, and competitive bodybuilder – to talk all things fitness, pressure, and personal evolution. His early obsession with lifting from age 13   ――――――――――――――― 🎯 Thinking about becoming a personal trainer? Take the free PT career quiz: https://ptlaunchlab.co.uk/quiz   📞 Ready to start? Book a...

In this video, we’re joined by Kim Tomlin, founder of Primal Flows – biomechanics coach, personal trainer, and fitness educator. Kim shares her powerful journey from retraining later in life to redefining what movement means in the fitness industry. How to break free from rigid training rules   ――――――――――――――― 🎯 Thinking about becoming a personal trainer? Take the free PT career quiz: https://ptl...

In this video, Callum and Ryan reflect on the journey so far — the lessons, the progress, and the reality of growing a career in the fitness industry. The emotional toll and grind of starting your own business   ――――――――――――――― 🎯 Thinking about becoming a personal trainer? Take the free PT career quiz: https://ptlaunchlab.co.uk/quiz   📞 Ready to start? Book a call: https://ptlaunchlab.co.uk/book...

In this video, Callum is joined by Miles, a seasoned fitness business mentor with 30+ years in the industry, and the owner of the rapidly growing 6FitGyms group. With deep experience in both coaching and business development, Miles shares what it really takes to scale a personal training career in 2025. From systems and mindset to branding and retention, this episode is full of practical advice fo...

In this powerful episode, Ryan sits down with Marcus, founder of Mean and Clean, to explore his raw and honest journey through addiction, recovery, and rebuilding his life through fitness. Now leading a movement built on honesty, discipline, and self-improvement, Marcus shares how training became his foundation, what keeps him grounded, and what’s next for the Mean & Clean mission.   ―――――――――...

In this video, Callum, founder of PT Launch Lab, shares how you can ditch the 9–5, get qualified, and launch your own profitable personal training business — without wasting time, money, or energy on the wrong route. Whether you're brand new to fitness or already certified and struggling to get clients — this is your no-fluff breakdown of how PT Launch Lab helps everyday people become success...

In this video, Ryan sits down with Luke McCarthy, Head Hybrid Coach at BoFitFam, to talk about his journey through the fitness industry — from starting out, to becoming a respected leader and coach. Luke opens up about the personal challenges he’s overcome, how mindset has shaped his success, and what it takes to push forward when life throws curveballs. From mental resilience to coaching evolutio...

In this video, Ryan sits down with Zak Meakin to talk about his journey from the high-speed world of racing to the focused discipline of personal training. Zak shares stories from his early years in motorsport, what inspired him to pursue a PT qualification, and how his competitive background fuels his next chapter. Now qualified and setting goals for the year ahead, Zak opens up about mindset, am...

In this inspiring episode, Ryan sits down with Matty Bell to talk about his powerful journey from addiction and recovery to becoming a running coach and health motivator for his community. Matty shares the highs, the lows, and the turning points that led him to take back control of his life—then use his story to uplift others. Whether you're battling your own challenges or looking for a reaso...

In this powerful and honest episode, Callum and Ryan sit down to talk about a hard truth: why over 80% of personal trainers leave the industry within their first two years. They break down the real reasons behind burnout, inconsistency, and lack of support—and what you can do to beat the odds and build a sustainable, fulfilling PT career.   ――――――――――――――― 🎯 Thinking about becoming a personal tra...

In this episode, Callum catches up with Sam, founder of Axol / Merve EdTech, to explore the unexpected intersection between tech and personal training.   ――――――――――――――― 🎯 Thinking about becoming a personal trainer? Take the free PT career quiz: https://ptlaunchlab.co.uk/quiz   📞 Ready to start? Book a call: https://ptlaunchlab.co.uk/book-call   🎓 NCFE Level 3 Personal Trainer Course: https://p...

In this episode, Ryan sits down with Mac Livock, Regional Manager at PureGym, to talk about what it really takes to succeed as a personal trainer in today’s industry. We hear Mac’s personal story—from how he got started in fitness to working his way up through PureGym—and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Whether you're just starting out or already working on the gym floor, this episode...

Is becoming a personal trainer still worth it in 2025? In this episode, Callum and Ryan break down what it really looks like to work in the UK fitness industry right now. How much you can realistically earn (in-person & online)   ――――――――――――――― 🎯 Thinking about becoming a personal trainer? Take the free PT career quiz: https://ptlaunchlab.co.uk/quiz   📞 Ready to start? Book a call: https://...

In today’s episode of the PT Launch Lab, Callum and Ryan dig into a crucial topic for up-and-coming personal trainers: Who are you learning from—and is it helping or harming your growth? With social media full of shredded influencers, 6-figure coaches, and flashy advice, it’s easy to follow the wrong lead. We break down the pros and cons of the influencer-driven fitness space, and how to separate...

In this episode of the PT Launch Lab, Callum and Ryan tackle a hot topic: Artificial Intelligence in the fitness industry. From automated workout plans and chatbots to AI-powered coaching tools, is tech making trainers better—or replacing them? We explore how AI is being used (and misused) in personal training, what tools are actually worth trying, and how real coaches can leverage tech without lo...