The Solo Trainer Podcast

One of the most common questions I hear from trainers is: “What should I charge?” The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Your pricing should be based on your financial goals, your business expenses, your schedule, and the lifestyle you want your business to support. In this episode, I walk you through how to calculate your minimum hourly rate —the lowest amount you need to charge in or...

🎁 Want help getting organized and building your business the right way? Check out my Business Coaching Grab the FREE Solo Trainer Guidebook + Checklist You might be charging $100 an hour… but that doesn’t mean you’re making $100 an hour. If you’re an independent personal trainer—or thinking about becoming one—there’s something you need to understand early: 👉 What you charge is not what you take...

I’m kicking off a brand new business finance series , and we’re starting with the foundation. Because here’s the truth—You can be fully booked, working nonstop, and still feel stressed about money. In this episode, I break down the key financial do’s and don’ts every personal trainer needs to know to build a profitable and sustainable business. We’re talking about: Why separating your business and...

He was working 190 hours a month as a personal trainer…On top of trying to grow an online business, take courses, and pursue new opportunities. And his message to me was simple: “I feel like I have nothing left for myself.” In this episode, I’m sharing a real conversation I had with a trainer after my last episode— When Your Business Runs You: My Confession . Because what he’s experiencing? So man...

I teach trainers how to build a business that gives them freedom… so why did mine start taking it away? In this episode, I’m sharing something I haven’t been fully honest about… While I’ve built a personal training business through 7Core Wellness that truly supports my life—my schedule, my energy, my family—that hasn’t been true across the board. Lately, I’ve found myself doing the exact thing I c...

Carol proves you can build a thriving independent personal training business without viral marketing. She started teaching group fitness on military bases, grew her career at the YMCA, formed her LLC in 2016, and built a private home studio during COVID. Her clients stayed so loyal that they drove 20 miles to keep training with her. In this episode, we break down the real foundation of long-term s...

Are you still training clients the way you did five years ago? If so, you might be leaving money on the table. The era of generic "weight loss" training is being taken over by AI and medical weight loss. The trainers winning in 2026 are the ones solving complex problems: chronic pain, injury prevention, and longevity. I’m joined by Jeff Melis from the Exercise Therapy Association (ETA) t...

Ever feel like you’re a great trainer but still “blending in”? In this episode of The Solo Trainer Podcast , I break down why specialization is one of the fastest ways to build authority, trust, and long term client loyalty as an independent personal trainer. I’ll walk you through the 3 questions that help you choose a niche that’s credible, sustainable, and marketable , plus a simple one sentence...

Some trainers stay booked year after year. Others are constantly hunting for the next lead. So what’s the difference? In this episode, Jen explains what a high demand personal trainer does differently—and why clients stick around even when cheaper options exist. 👉 Free Solo Trainer Guide & Checklist  📘 Free Resources 🤝 Business Coaching 👉 Main Website

Leaving the gym is one thing. Setting up your business the right way is another. In this episode, I break down the five areas every independent personal trainer needs to address when starting out — whether you’re still working at a gym or already on your own and second-guessing your setup. This isn’t about finding clients or growing fast. It’s about building a business that actually works for you....

Thinking about leaving the gym and starting your own personal training business? Before you do, there are a few things you should know. In this episode, we walk through the five realities of becoming an independent trainer — the parts that are exciting, the parts that take time, and the parts no one really prepares you for. You’ll learn what goes into getting clients, running the admin side of you...

Thinking about leaving the gym to work for yourself, but unsure if you’re really ready? In this episode, Jen walks through 7 signs it’s time to leave the gym as a personal trainer —the practical signals that often show up long before trainers say them out loud. You’ll hear how each sign plays out in real situations, including: Wanting more control over your time and schedule Feeling weighed down b...

Selling your personal training services doesn’t have to feel uncomfortable. In this episode, Jen and Terrell (“Sell with Trell”) break down a simple, grounded approach to sales conversations for independent trainers who want clarity—not pressure. Terrell’s Links Instagram: www.instagram.com/sell_with_terrell   Freebie: https://the-barbell-balance.kit.com/8c18aa2490 You’ll hear how to: Build rappor...

Mimi is four months into her solo training business and determined to grow through real-world connection — not ads, not social media. We dig into practical ways to find clients in your community, including: Asking for referrals confidently Getting in front of senior living groups and neighborhood buildings Partnering with PTs, acupuncturists, and wellness centers Using charity events to spark intr...

If you want a successful independent personal training business, you need more than passion—you need boundaries, strategy, and systems that protect your time, energy, and income. In this episode, I share the 5 big mistakes I made early in my business, how I fixed them, and what I wish I had done from the start. You’ll learn how to avoid the common traps that lead to burnout—like not charging for t...

How do you build a long-term personal training career without burning out? Jen talks with wellness business coach Jessica Maurer about spotting burnout vs. boredom, protecting your energy, building simple systems for steady clients, and mindset tools that actually stick. Practical, honest, and made for trainers who want a career that lasts. Links Guest: https://jhmfitness.com/ Instagram: @jessicah...

Building a sustainable business as an independent trainer isn’t about luck—it’s about doing the right things consistently. In this episode of The Solo Trainer Podcast , I share the 5 steps that filled my client roster and kept it full for nine years. You’ll learn how I found clients outside the gym, priced my services in a way that worked, built a sales system I could trust, and delivered programm...

Why I stopped working as a gym trainer wasn’t an easy decision—it was survival. Burnout had stolen my passion for clients, for my family, and even for myself. In this episode, I share the emotional moment that forced me to step away, the 3 biggest reasons I left the gym, and how I rebuilt my career as an independent personal trainer. Want more insight into my entrepreneurial journey and the lesson...

Thinking about leaving the gym and starting your own business as a personal trainer? In this first episode, I share the story behind The Solo Trainer —why I created it, who it’s for, and how it can help you become a confident, successful independent personal trainer. You’ll learn the mission of The Solo Trainer, why this podcast exists, and how it’s here to guide you with real stories, expert advi...