Trainers Talking Truths

As coaches, we are the guide that our clients are seeking to help them make sense of all the information that is flung at them every day. From empathetic coaching and listening to working with clients to find a path to sustainable behavior change, Jenny chats with Licensed Nutritionist Brooke Jeffries about the elements of coaching nutrition and wellness that we should all get really good at! Happ...

The research gets real today! Join Jenny and John as they reunite for the first time in 2026 to discuss coffee, supplements, aging and longevity, the evolution of health across the lifespan and more! References: Ryan Yan Liu, Enwu Liu. Longitudinal Association of Coffee and Tea Consumption with Bone Mineral Density in Older Women: A 10-Year Repeated-Measures Analysis in the Study of Osteoporotic F...

No stone is left unturned today! Jenny chats with Dr. Brian Romero about everything from corrective exercise, assessments, and client conversations to building your business slow and steady, creating an effective social media presence, and leveraging technology to make your job easier while driving results! You’ll want to listen to this one a few times- and be sure to check out the show notes for...

The research and real talk keep rolling in! Join Jenny and John yet again as they dive into some new revelations on vitamin D, Alzheimer’s disease, and ultra-processed foods. Then, John brings the heat with an enthralling round of “Real Talk? Or Bro-Science?” Guest Name/ Guest Company / Guest or Company website John Bauer, Lionel University Interview Date 11/20/25 Episode Title and Subtitle (i.e....

Join Jenny and Registered Dietician Kayla Girgen as they take a journey through nutrition, community building, and the outdoor fitness craze called Rucking. Kayla’s wide range of experience in the fitness and health industry spans more than a decade and she’s got some amazing insights that can help YOU build the community and business that supports clients, meets them where they are, and offers va...

In this episode, Jenny welcomes certified Trainer Charles Gardner to the show to share his experience from getting started at Gold’s Gym to building a solid book of business, consistent clients, and a great reputation some 25 years later! Every personal trainer has a unique journey- hear from one who has weathered the storm and lived to tell the tale! Blogs by Charles: https://www.elitefts.com/aut...

Such a great episode today with ISSA student, gold medal-winning pentathlete, fitness studio owner, and nutrition lover Tibor Deme! Jenny and Tibor dive into nutrient density, practical strategies for helping people better understand what’s in their food, and fueling for performance. Be sure to check out the show notes for Tibor’s reading recommendations! Tibor Deme: “ I believe it is easier to ac...

The research and real talk keep rolling in! Join Jenny and John yet again as they dive into some new revelations on creatine, amino acids, and (love it or not) artificial intelligence. Staying up to date with new information is critical, but so is understanding how, if, and when to apply it! References:  Xu C, Bi S, Zhang W, Luo L. The effects of creatine supplementation on cognitive function...

In this episode Jenny reconnects with the team at API fitness insurance. You don’t know you need insurance until you NEED it… and by then, it’s too late to get it!  Doug and Jim explain the type of insurance a fitness professional may need to carry to protect themselves, their clients, and their business. PLUS, we dive into some real-life examples of when someone needed insurance to cover a s...

Today, Jenny and Mr. John dig into some new research and more real talk yet again! From optimal resistance training or results to ultraprocessed foods and putting an end to type 1 diabetes, the research is coming in hot! And don;t miss John’s Real Talk about education in the fitness fields- it comes in many shapes and ways! Happy listening! References:  1. Comparable Strength and Hypertrophic...

So, you wanna start a fitness business do ya? Well, this is your episode! Join Jenny and returning guest Doug Katona of American Barbell as we discuss the pros and cons of starting a fitness career in a health club or stepping out on your own! There is so much to know and explore in this industry and they’ll reveal some of the obvious (and not so obvious!) considerations for any fitness profession...

Assessments and Nutrition Coaching- two critical elements a fitness professional should master. However, many personal trainers don't know how to apply all thai information! Join Jenny as she and Dr. J Mike reunite to discuss practical strategies and applications for fitness and movement assessments, nutrition needs, and advanced nutrition strategies for the advanced training client! https://www.i...

In our 17th episode of Research and Real Talk, Jenny brings back John Bauer, now of Lionel University, to discuss the newest and latest. From nutrition to gene editing and burnout to muscle memory- nothing is off the table! Join us down the rabbit hole of the ever-evolving science in fitness and wellness. References: 1. TED Radio Hour https://www.npr.org/2025/04/18/g-s1-60989/how-crispr-is-changin...

So many fitness professionals are experts in the body and movement, but are completely lost when it comes to marketing, building a brand for themselves, and even creating a website that is attractive, engaging, and helps their business grow. Join Jenny as she digs into the details behind effective website building, creating a logo that people will never forget, and more with her guest, Jolinda And...

John is making a guest appearance with Jenny to continue the tradition of Research and Real talk! Join this dynamic duo as they explore a litany of topics including prebiotics, Carbs and cancer risk, genetic factors for obesity, coaching burnout, client retention, trainers and social media, and traits of a bad coach! References:  1.Yutaka Nakazawa, Masumi Kageyama, Tomohiko Matsuzawa, Ziqin L...

Exercise programming is both an art and a science—and the best trainers know how to balance both. In this episode, Jenny and John dive into the essentials of program design, client assessments, and the science behind effective training. We break down common programming mistakes, the importance of assessments, and strategies for selling and retaining clients through well-structured, personalized fi...

In this episode Jenny reconnects with long-time fitness professional and education advocate Amy Thomposon of IDEA Fitness. The fitness industry is rebounding well from the pandemic, but one thing that never went away was the need for health and fitness education and mentorship. Amy discusses the growing opportunities for online and in-person education for fitness professionals as well as the benef...

What makes a great runner? Is it genetics, training, or something more? In this episode, Jenny and John chat with Dr. Jason Karp—renowned running coach, exercise scientist, and author of 15 books—to explore the fascinating world of running performance. From coaching elite Kenyan runners to training everyday athletes, Dr. Karp shares insights on what truly separates top runners from the rest. We di...

What does it take to succeed as a college athlete in today’s evolving sports landscape? Strength and conditioning coach from Seton Hall University Angelo Gingerelli joins us to dive deep into athletic development, recruiting, NIL deals, and the realities of college sports. With experience training athletes across multiple sports, Angelo shares his insights on sport-specific training, the importanc...

What does it take to be a great trainer, educator, and leader in the fitness industry? In this episode, Jenny and John chat with Miguel Vargas, TRX Senior Master Instructor and TRX Training and Education Manager, to dive into his journey from passionate trainer to international educator. With over a decade of experience leading TRX workouts, workshops, and courses around the world, Miguel shares i...

In this episode Jenny and John chat with the one and only Emma Barry, founder of Trouble Global and a true force of nature in the fitness industry. Dubbed the “Oprah of Fitness”, Emma is a powerhouse speaker, advisor, and investor who thrives on igniting boldness, breaking conventions, and catalyzing massive innovation in business, leadership, and personal development. In this episode, we dive int...

We’re back for more Research & Real Talk with Jenny and John! Take a deep dive into some fascinating new studies shaping the health and fitness landscape.   Research with Jenny Heart Health & Wearable s – Did you know that nearly two-thirds of Americans use a device to track their heart health, yet only 25% share the data with their doctor? We explore why this matters and how fitness...

In this insightful episode, Jenny and John chat with Pete McCall, a fitness educator, author, and industry thought leader. Pete shares an update on his work with Ramp Gym, a cutting-edge fitness concept that can create an additional revenue stream for personal trainers and health clubs.  Next, Pete shares his practical, no-nonsense approach to recovery,  with key insights from his latest...

In this powerful episode, Jenny and John chat with Josif Todorovitz, a highly respected personal trainer and mentor, whose journey from prison to prosperity is nothing short of inspiring. Josif shares how he transformed his life through fitness, overcame immense obstacles, and built a six-figure career in the industry. As the Head Trainer at Self Made Training Facility in Folsom, CA, he has not on...

In this episode, Jenny and John chat with Dr. Gabrielle Fundaro. She breaks down the key differences between improving appearance (aesthetic changes) versus improving body image (self perception)—and why it matters. We explore how fitness professionals can help clients shift their focus from aesthetics to true well-being, the role of emotional health in body image, and practical strategies for fos...