In Practice

Chris Knott and Dan Reeve
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Chris Knott and Dan Reeve dive deep into the realities of being a personal trainer.

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    Episode 4 | Environment

    You’re a product of your environment. The question is whether you’re choosing it or just putting up with it. In this episode, Dan and Chris look at the rooms that shaped their careers: a Kensington gym floor full of future industry names, a spit-and-sawdust gym in Portsmouth turned into a thriving small group training facility, and a Manchester city-centre gym where the trainers had to pay rent before earning a penny. They cover how standards get set, how they spread, and why the hardest choice is often the one that grows you most. In this episode: How Dan turned a £30–40-a-month strength gym into a small group training facility averaging £200+ per member per monthTaking a pay cut to back yourself, and why “luck” usually comes to the people who went looking for itBuilding a system so tight that members end up enforcing the standards, just like senior players in a football dressing roomStuck in a commercial gym with little control? Start with what you can control: how you dress, turn up, speak and conduct yourselfChris on being the youngest trainer in the room, and the ridicule that comes with trying to raise the barWhy being the black sheep can attract the right clients, and why you eventually need to stop being the big fish in a small pondMoving 270 miles to a gym with zero clients and making it work within three monthsTraining alongside a room of elite coaches and athletes, and how that sets standards you carry for lifeWin your local environment before you try to win online. Does your own street know what you do?Why a twenty-something coach shouldn’t be hiding away in a “Rocky” mindset just yetTimestamps: 00:00 – Intro: why environment matters for coaches 01:07 – Sean’s gym, Portsmouth: from spit and sawdust to small group training 02:31 – The Kensington gym floor and the coaches who came up together 05:36 – Taking the risk, backing yourself and making your own luck 07:54 – Systems, standards and letting members run the room 09:18 – Your environment as atmosphere: what clients feel when they walk in 10:19 – Working in a commercial gym: control the controllables 11:54 – Chris: peer pressure and breaking away from the norm 14:44 – The black sheep, and getting out of your comfort pond 16:40 – Frontline, Manchester: starting from zero in a new city 21:38 – Chris on Frontline: high pressure, high turnover, invaluable lessons 26:06 – The calibre of coaches in one room, and how it raised everyone’s standards 28:48 – Your business reflects your standards and the people around you 30:14 – Win your local environment first 32:58 – Earning the right to be a hermit, and when you should test yourself instead Quote of the episode: “Humble enough to know I can lose it all, confident enough to know I can get it all back again.” — Dan

  2. Oct 24

    Episode 3 | Tough Clients

    In this episode, Dan and Chris discuss the complexities of managing tough clients in personal training, exploring different types of challenges, how to handle difficult conversations, and the importance of maintaining integrity while delivering value.

  3. Oct 17

    Episode 2 | The Realities of a PT Career

    In this episode, Chris Knott and Dan explore the realities of building a career in personal training, emphasising the importance of hard work, continuous learning, and the impact trainers can have on clients' lives.

  4. Oct 10

    Episode 1 | The Journey of a Personal Trainer

    # Real Talk: The Journey of a Personal Trainer > Insights on expectations and the reality of being a PT. In this episode of *In Practice*, Chris Knott and Dan Reeve dive deep into the realities of being a personal trainer. They share their personal journeys, expectations, and the soft skills necessary to thrive in the fitness industry. ## Understanding the Expectations Chris and Dan begin by discussing the misconceptions around the personal training profession. They emphasize the importance of understanding what it truly means to be a PT: > "It’s not about comparison; it’s about knowing what to expect from the industry." — Chris Knott The duo highlights that many new trainers struggle with the perception of their careers, often facing skepticism from family and friends about their chosen path. Chris points out how societal pressures can weigh heavily on budding trainers: > "Your friends might question, ‘When will you get a real job?’ while all you want to do is pursue your passion." — Chris Knott ## The Journey to Confidence Dan recalls his early days, focusing on building relationships and mastering the interpersonal skills essential for success: > "The first ten years of my career were all about becoming that people person." — Dan They both agree that transitioning from simply earning a paycheck to truly making a career out of personal training is a gradual process that often requires self-employment and a shift in mindset. Chris shares his experience of making the leap: > "Going self-employed changed everything for me; it was about proving to myself that I could make this work." — Chris Knott ## The Ongoing Doubts Even after years in the industry, both Chris and Dan acknowledge that self-doubt is a constant companion: > "It doesn’t get any easier; you just get stronger at dealing with it." — Chris Knott They discuss how even seasoned professionals face questions about their abilities and decisions, highlighting that doubt is a natural part of growth. ## The Pressure of Expertise Chris brings up an interesting point about the unrealistic expectations placed on trainers: > "Once you become a PT, everyone assumes you know everything about the human body, which is a lot of pressure." — Chris Knott This pressure can lead to discomfort in social situations, especially when the topic of fitness arises unexpectedly. Chris shares a humorous anecdote about a night out that illustrates this point: > "Don’t tell the strippers what you do, they said. Why would I not?" — Chris Knott ## Final Thoughts Chris and Dan conclude with a reminder that understanding the journey of a personal trainer is essential to navigating the ups and downs of the profession. They encourage listeners to embrace their path, doubts and all, and continue to strive for growth. If you found these insights valuable, consider tuning into the full episode to hear more about the personal experiences of Chris and Dan as they navigate the world of personal training. The journey is as important as the destination, and there's much more to explore in their conversations!

  • 4 Episodes

About

Chris Knott and Dan Reeve dive deep into the realities of being a personal trainer.

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Knott and Dan Reeve
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Chris Knott and Dan Reeve
  • Show Website
    In Practice