The Fitness Rants Podcast

Ross Gilmour
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  • Health & Fitness
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Welcome to the Fitness Rants Podcast — the show where unfiltered conversations meet real-world health & fitness. The podcast aims to through the noise and dive deep into the truth behind health, nutrition, physique development, and the fitness industry itself. The show is hosted by Ross Gilmour and Malin Blomdahl, a husband & wife duo based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. They are experienced coaches & educators who have been part of the fitness industry for over 15 years. If you're a coach, high performer, or just someone tired of mainstream nonsense — you're in the right place.

  1. May 3

    Episode 15 - Are You Coachable?

    In this episode of the Fitness Rants Podcast, we break down one of the most important questions in coaching, yet one that's rarely answered properly: Are you actually coachable? This isn't just a question for clients. It's something every coach should be assessing before they even start working with someone. Because the reality is, results don't come down to the "perfect plan"… they come down to the person executing it. We walk through what coachability actually looks like in practice, starting from the very first consultation. We cover how to assess a client's readiness to change, why experience is the only real way to develop that skill, and the common red flags that most coaches miss early on. We also dive into expectation management, which is where most coaching relationships fall apart. I explain why unrealistic timelines, poor communication, and a lack of ownership from the client side will kill progress before it even begins. From there, we get into the real mechanics of coaching. The importance of communication, why data without context is useless, and how daily and weekly check-ins actually drive results when used properly. I also outline what minimum non-negotiables should look like in any serious coaching setup. We answer a vital question: why do so many clients say they want results, but aren't willing to do what's required to get them? How this friction is handled between coach and client will make or break whether the coaching relationship succeeds or fails. If you're a coach, this will sharpen your ability to assess and manage clients. If you're a client (or thinking about hiring a coach), this will show you exactly what it takes to get results. In reality, you can be receiving world-class coaching, but it won't work unless you do. If you found this useful, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Episode Timestamps: 0:00 Intro to Fitness Rants Podcast 0:29 The key question: Are you actually coachable? 0:51 Why coachability starts before coaching begins 1:18 Assessing "readiness to change" in clients 2:29 Why experience is the only real way to spot good clients 3:29 The client's responsibility in the coaching process 5:41 Managing expectations (and why most coaches get it wrong) 7:03 Unrealistic timelines and client denial 8:28 Fat loss expectations: data, ranges, and reality 10:24 Why data is useless without client adherence 12:30 Communication: the biggest predictor of success 15:42 Comfort zones, resistance, and client friction 19:40 Minimum non-negotiables in coaching 23:56 Why the best clients get the best results 25:22 Weekly check-ins, accountability, and realistic goal setting 29:16 Form checks and why most online coaching falls short

    Episode 15 - Are You Coachable?

  2. Apr 3

    Episode 14 - The State Of Modern Personal Training: The Lost Art In Coaching?

    In this episode of the Fitness Rants Podcast, I sit down with Will Blackshaw to break down a topic that's quietly becoming more relevant by the day: Is personal training becoming a lost art? We dig into the reality of coaching standards inside the fitness industry, from commercial gyms with little accountability to high-performance environments that demand results. I share my perspective on why many trainers stagnate early in their careers, why chasing online coaching too soon is a mistake, and what actually builds a high-level coach over time. We also get into the explosion of online coaching, how COVID accelerated the shift, and why many coaches now see online as the "end goal." I explain why that mindset misses the bigger picture, especially when it comes to real coaching skill, human connection, and long-term client results. We cover whether AI is something coaches should actually be worried about, where it falls short, and why personality, experience, and real-world application will always outperform copy-and-paste coaching. We also break down what great coaching actually looks like in practice. From session delivery and attentiveness, tracking, communication, and building real accountability with clients. This is the difference between someone who just "trains people" and someone who actually coaches. If you are a personal trainer, online coach, or someone serious about improving your standard in the fitness industry, this episode will give you a clear reality check on where the industry is heading and what it actually takes to stand out. If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another coach who needs to hear this.

    Episode 14 - The State Of Modern Personal Training: The Lost Art In Coaching?

  3. Mar 20

    Episode 13 - Is Your Body Really Your Business Card As A Coach?

    In this episode of the Fitness Rants Podcast, we unpack a question that has divided opinions across the fitness industry: Is your body your business card? Our answer is not a lazy yes-or-no. It depends on the type of coach you are, the space you work in, and what standard you believe a fitness professional should hold themselves to. We break down why this question hits differently for body composition coaches compared to performance coaches, Pilates instructors, yoga teachers, or professionals working on behaviour change and a client's relationship with food. We talk about why having a great physique does not automatically make someone a great coach, why results with clients are a must, and why coaches in the body composition space should have experience walking the path themselves. We also get into the pressure fitness professionals feel to always look a certain way, especially women, and why being lean year-round isn't the standard we think it is. A big part of this conversation is about maintenance. We explain why maintenance is the most overlooked phase in body composition coaching, why it is often far more valuable than constant extremes, and why learning to live in that middle ground is where real long-term progress happens. We also cover the idea that coaches often become like the very clients they are trying to serve. This episode is for coaches, personal trainers, online fitness professionals, and also everyday people who have ever wondered what kind of pressure comes with working in the fitness industry. If you got value from this episode, subscribe, leave a five-star review, and share it with someone who needs a more honest take on what credibility in fitness actually looks like. Timestamps 0:00 Intro to Fitness Rants 0:29 Is your body your business card? Setting up the debate 1:23 Yes and no: why the answer needs context 1:52 Body composition coaching vs other sectors of fitness 3:19 Why coaches should walk the path themselves 4:19 The pressure on female coaches to look a certain way 6:03 Make maintenance great again: the most overlooked phase 8:56 Why maintenance is your real home base 11:05 What a priming phase actually looks like in practice 13:51 Why most clients do not need an aggressive diet 14:32 Coaches create mirror images of themselves 16:00 First impressions, appearance, and the reality of fitness industry judgment 18:31 Final answer: your body matters, but your standards matter more

    Episode 13 - Is Your Body Really Your Business Card As A Coach?

  4. Mar 14

    Episode 12 - Our 2025 Sucked! Heres Why

    In this episode of the Fitness Rants Podcast, we share something far more personal than usual. We talk openly about why 2025 was one of the hardest years we have had in a long time, how a major investment situation blindsided us, and the emotional, financial, and mental toll it took. We get into how we started investing while living in Dubai, why we felt the need to build long-term security outside of the UK and Sweden, and how what seemed like a sensible, professional financial plan turned into one of the most stressful experiences we have faced as a couple. We also discuss the dangers of blind trust, the importance of due diligence, and how selective information can lead smart people into bad decisions. This episode is not really about money alone. It is about pressure, uncertainty, resilience, and what happens when life pulls the rug out from under you just as you feel like you are getting somewhere. We discuss how that stress spilled into business, mindset, and day-to-day life, and why health, training, routine, and controlling the controllables became even more important during that period. We also speak about something social media rarely shows. Behind the highlight reel, plenty of people are carrying stress, setbacks, embarrassment, and private battles that nobody sees. This is our honest conversation about one of ours. If you have ever gone through a financial setback, a stressful season in business, or a period where life simply felt heavier than usual, this episode will likely hit home. If you got value from this episode, subscribe, leave a five-star review, and share it with someone who needs the reminder that setbacks do not have to be the end of the story. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro to Fitness Rants 0:30 Why 2025 hit us so hard 1:43 The personal story we almost did not share 3:08 How our investing journey started in Dubai 5:18 Building long-term security and future property goals 8:11 Why we trusted a financial adviser 11:28 The first investment win and the risky next step 16:14 When everything froze, and reality hit 20:42 The emotional fallout, cash flow stress, and rebuilding 24:01 The lessons we learned about trust, risk, and due diligence 27:06 How we handled the stress without falling apart 31:32 Social media, private struggles, and why we shared this now

    Episode 12 - Our 2025 Sucked! Heres Why

  5. Feb 27

    Episode 11 - Make Meal Prep Great Again!

    In this episode of the Fitness Rants Podcast, we dive deep into the reality of meal prep, not the Instagram version, but the sustainable, real-world version that actually works long term. We've both been meal prepping consistently for over 15 years. Not because we're obsessive, and not because we always feel like it, but because we understand the payoff. What we see time and time again with clients is that meal prep doesn't fail because it's "too difficult." It fails because it feels overwhelming, inconvenient, or unnecessary in a world where food can be delivered to your door in minutes. We unpack how convenience culture has created a disconnect between people and their food, why perceived lack of time isn't always the true barrier, and how competence in the kitchen mirrors competence in the gym. If you've never built the skill, of course it feels intimidating. The solution is not complexity. It is simplicity and repetition. We talk through practical strategies that actually move the needle. Start with just one meal instead of trying to overhaul your entire diet. Use repetition to reduce decision fatigue. Anchor key meals like breakfast or dinner. Double portions to solve tomorrow's lunch. Plan proactively instead of reacting when you are hungry and stressed. We also cover when convenience genuinely makes sense, such as during high-pressure work seasons, and how to use it strategically rather than letting it run your nutrition by default. For parents, we discuss why cooking is more than calorie control. It is a skill, a cultural habit, and something that gets passed down. For busy professionals, we explain why removing friction, not adding complexity, is the key to making meal prep sustainable. If you are tired of winging your nutrition, skipping meals, overeating at night, or constantly asking yourself what you are going to eat today, this episode gives you a simple framework to regain control without turning your life upside down. If you found this valuable, subscribe and leave a five-star review. It helps more people cut through the noise and build nutrition habits that actually last. Timestamps: 0:00 — Intro: Fitness Rants & today's topic — Meal Prep 1:05 — 15 years of consistent meal prep (and why that's not normal) 2:15 — Why people don't meal prep: convenience culture & delivery apps 4:00 — Decision fatigue, dual-income households & perceived lack of time 6:30 — Competence barrier: "I'm not good at cooking." 8:45 — Overwhelm & complexity: why simple beats fancy 11:30 — Practical strategy: start with ONE meal & build from there 16:20 — Anchoring meals (breakfast vs dinner) & doubling portions 20:30 — Planning vs winging it: proactive nutrition always wins 24:45 — When convenience makes sense (busy seasons, high-pressure jobs) 28:30 — Removing friction & keeping it sustainable long term

    Episode 11 - Make Meal Prep Great Again!

  6. Jan 23

    Episode 10 - Lift Like Your Life Depends On It!

    Strength training isn't just about aesthetics; it's about staying capable, resilient, and independent as you age. In this episode of the Fitness Rants Podcast, we break down why you should lift like your life depends on it... because your quality of life genuinely does. We dive into the real-world impact of sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss), why so many people avoid lifting weights in the first place, and why feeling "too old", intimidated, or out of place in the gym is far more common than most people admit. We talk honestly about what happens when progressive strength training is missing: watching parents struggle with basic movement, falls becoming life-altering events, and the quiet resignation that "this is just what aging looks like." It doesn't have to be. We also cover the benefits most people never hear about: bone density, metabolic health, insulin sensitivity, hormonal resilience, and why resistance training is one of the most powerful long-term investments you can make in both your physical and mental health, whether you start in your 30s, 40s, 50s, or later. We finish with a simple, no-nonsense starting point that actually works. In this episode, we cover: • Why sarcopenia matters far more than aesthetics • The real reasons people avoid lifting weights • Group fitness vs progressive strength training • Strength training for metabolic and hormonal health • Why lifting weights is one of the best tools for mental health • Where to start if you've never trained (or stopped years ago) If you got value from this episode, make sure you subscribe and leave a 5-star rating or review. It's the best way to help more people find the show. Follow us on Instagram: Ross - https://www.instagram.com/thephysiquecoach_/ Malin - https://www.instagram.com/thestrengthcurvecoach/ The Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/fitnessrantspod/

    Episode 10 - Lift Like Your Life Depends On It!

  7. 11/15/2025

    Episode 9 with Rachel Godfrey - Raising Industry Standards & Coaching High Performing Women

    In this guest episode of the Fitness Rants Podcast, Ross sits down with Rachel Godfrey to discuss her evolution from Athletic Fox to Onyx Performance, and everything in between — from the skill of lifting to high-performer mindset coaching. Some of the topics we covered during the episode: 🟡 Coaching women through identity shifts 🟡 The pitfalls of Instagram fitness trends 🟡 How to scale impact without losing the human touch 🟡 The role of boundaries, muscle, and metabolic health 🟡 Why good coaching will never be replaced by AI If you're a coach, athlete, or high performer navigating physique goals, business, and burnout—this episode will resonate for sure. Connect With Us On Instagram: The Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/fitnessrantspod/ Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/therachelgodfrey/ Ross: https://www.instagram.com/thephysiquecoach_/

    Episode 9 with Rachel Godfrey - Raising Industry Standards & Coaching High Performing Women

  8. 09/13/2025

    Episode 8 with Charles Barclay - The Natty vs Enhanced Divide

    In this episode of the Fitness Rants Podcast, I sat down with long-time friend and a pioneer of natural bodybuilding here in the UAE, Charles Barclay. We unpack the evolution of the WNBF UAE, the truth behind drug testing in physique sports, and the ever-heated Natty vs Enhanced debate. We dive into: 🟡 WNBF's explosive growth in the Middle East 🟡 The ethics and implementation of drug testing 🟡 Why female bodybuilding needs more awareness in the region 🟡 Misconceptions about TRT, peptides, and coaching biases 🟡 The rise of "Natty or Not" YouTube culture Whether you're a coach, competitor, or fan of the sport, this episode is packed with perspective and unfiltered opinions. 🎙️ Subscribe for more no-BS conversations around health, performance, and physique development. Connect With Us On Instagram: The Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/fitnessrantspod/ Charles: https://www.instagram.com/charlesbarclxy Ross: https://www.instagram.com/thephysiquecoach_/ Connect With Us On YouTube: Charles: https://www.youtube.com/@charles.barclay The Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFitnessRantsPodcast Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: Meet Charles Barkley 01:10 – Origins of WNBF UAE 03:04 – Challenges of Launching Natty Shows 06:26 – Transparency in Drug Testing 09:16 – Competing Natty vs Enhanced 12:08 – Assisted Prep vs Natural Prep 15:06 – Clenbuterol & Most Common Failures 19:03 – The Ethos of Natural Competition 22:14 – WNBF Growth in the Middle East 25:43 – Female Participation Challenges 27:52 – Athlete Exposure & Cultural Considerations 30:33 – The "Camp Mentality" in Bodybuilding 36:07 – Can Enhanced Still Be Ethical? 42:00 – Coaching Biases: Natty vs Enhanced Clients 47:05 – Coaches Using PEDs With Lifestyle Clients  53:27 – TRT, Peptides, and Misconceptions 58:37 – Strength ≠ Size? Think Again 1:05:49 – The Rise of the "Natty or Not" Culture 1:12:48 – Final Thoughts & Where To Find Charles

    Episode 8 with Charles Barclay - The Natty vs Enhanced Divide
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About

Welcome to the Fitness Rants Podcast — the show where unfiltered conversations meet real-world health & fitness. The podcast aims to through the noise and dive deep into the truth behind health, nutrition, physique development, and the fitness industry itself. The show is hosted by Ross Gilmour and Malin Blomdahl, a husband & wife duo based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. They are experienced coaches & educators who have been part of the fitness industry for over 15 years. If you're a coach, high performer, or just someone tired of mainstream nonsense — you're in the right place.

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