The Personal Trainer Experience

Hector Sanchez
  • 5.0 (1)
  • FITNESS

Real talk for personal trainers. Hosted by Hector Sanchez, a U.S. Navy veteran from Brooklyn now living in Bali, and founder of The Training Notebook app est. 2012 This podcast dives into the unfiltered world of personal training, from getting your first client to handling burnout, navigating gym life, online coaching, & building a successful fitness business Each episode features real conversations with personal trainers from the US, UK, and Australia, sharing what works, what doesn’t, and what it truly takes to thrive in the industry Authentic stories. Actionable lessons just for P.T's

Episodes

  1. 09/10/2025

    Cristina Poon: Psychology, Rings, and the Real Secret to Client Motivation

    What happens when a personal trainer with a psychology degree, a hospitality background, and a love for Olympic rings builds communities that keep clients coming back? You get Cristina Poon — a coach who helps people go from “I can’t” to “What’s next?” and proves you don’t need to be an athlete growing up to succeed in fitness. From Toronto to Bali to Sydney, Cristina has rebuilt her personal training business in three different countries. In this episode of The Personal Trainer Experience, she shares exactly what makes clients stay loyal, how to market yourself as a trainer without feeling pushy, and why most coaches get client motivation all wrong. We cover: Lessons from training in Toronto, Bali, and Sydney How to coach clients who never felt at home in a gym Why Olympic rings create loyal clients The mental game: what trainers get wrong about motivation Building community that drives client retention Marketing strategies for online coaching and lead generation How to sell training without feeling like a salesperson Career advice for new trainers entering the industry Whether you’re a new trainer learning how to get clients or a veteran coach trying to grow your online fitness business, Cristina’s story is packed with strategies you can use right now to stay relevant, avoid burnout, and build a sustainable personal training career. Follow Christina Poon - https://www.instagram.com/getagripfitnessau?igsh=MXFob2V2YnhjcW05cA== 🎧 Listen to the podcast: Spotify → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-personal-trainer-experience/id1816910826 Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-personal-trainer-experience/id1816910826

    46 min
  2. Bonus AI Episode: Why Clients Drop Out (and How to Fix It)

    08/29/2025

    Bonus AI Episode: Why Clients Drop Out (and How to Fix It)

    Why do clients quit… ghost their trainers… lose motivation… or just stop showing up? This bonus AI episode of The Personal Trainer Experience digs into the real reasons clients drop out and exactly how to keep them. Researched by Hector Sanchez with the help of AI… narrated by two AI voices via NotebookLM so you get a clean, consistent listen without fluff. Built for personal trainers who want better retention, stronger relationships, and a steadier business. What you’ll get… clear explanations of why clients leave, how subtle trainer mistakes quietly push them away, and what is really happening in a client’s head when they ghost. We cover behavior change basics… habit loops… self-sabotage… stress and schedule friction… plus practical fixes you can use right away. Expect simple systems you can copy into your workflow… progress tracking that actually motivates… personalized programming that meets clients where they are… accountability that feels supportive… and a training environment clients want to return to. If you coach people for a living and want fewer cancellations, fewer disappearances, and more consistent results… press play. Share this episode with a trainer who needs it, connect with Hector on social, and stick around for more PT focused content that helps you keep clients longer and grow your business. 🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you listen.

    18 min

  3. 08/08/2025

    Amanda Hart: The Mind, the Muscle, the Method

    What happens when a Division I runner swaps the track for the weight room and builds a global coaching business from her laptop? You get Amanda Hart — an old colleague from my Equinox NYC days and one of the most well-rounded trainers I know. Born in Long Island and battle-tested in both NYC and L.A., Amanda’s trained in big-box and boutique gyms, and now coaches clients all over the world without leaving her apartment. She’s NASM, Precision Nutrition, and Kettlebell certified — a marathoner with a 3:30 time and a third-place finish in her first NPC bodybuilding show. In this episode of The Personal Trainer Experience, Amanda and I dig into what it really takes to build a coaching business that’s equal parts results and personality. We talk reverse dieting, building a brand from scratch, and what it’s like to start over in new cities while keeping clients engaged online. This episode covers: How to stand out in a crowded online coaching space Why free content can be your best marketing Moving between NYC, L.A., and back again without losing momentum Balancing certifications, programs, and personal passions Lessons from Division I sports to the bodybuilding stage Whether you’re a trainer looking to grow your brand, transition online, or just stay relevant without burning out, Amanda’s story is full of insights you can use right now. 🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you listen.

    42 min

  4. 05/29/2025

    Gary Mahabir: The Fighter, The Philosopher, The Coach

    What do you get when a 54-year-old ex-fighter and gym vet starts talking about Muay Thai, burnout, business, and breathing through your midlife crisis? You get Gary Mahabir — one of the most dialed-in trainers I know. Gary’s been coaching for 30 years. We met back in my Equinox NYC days, and since then he’s worked at the top gyms in the city, trained CEOs, ran his own studio in Brooklyn, and built a loyal online following without being a slave to social media. He now focuses on coaching men over 40 both in person and online through his platform mahabirfitness.com. In this episode of The Personal Trainer Experience, Gary breaks down what it really takes to train men over 40 — not with six-week shred BS, but with real conversations about pain, purpose, and why most guys are scared to say what they actually want. We talk about how to keep clients accountable, how to coach through setbacks, and how to rebuild when life punches you in the face (new city, new gym, new career… he’s done it all). This episode covers: The real psychology behind “my back hurts” Why coaching men over 40 takes more than workouts Starting over in fitness — and life — without losing your edge Getting and keeping online training clients (without becoming a content zombie) Coaching with empathy, intensity, and self-awareness Stories from Muay Thai fights to LinkedIn rants and everything in between Whether you’re a new trainer or a seasoned vet, this episode is packed with insights on building a sustainable personal training career, mastering client relationships, and staying relevant in a crowded fitness industry. If you work with men over 40, coach online, or want to avoid burnout while actually helping people — this one’s for you. 🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you listen.

    48 min

  5. 05/27/2025

    John Jeffrey: From Oil Fields to Barbells

    What happens when a geophysicist trades oil rigs for iron plates? In this episode of The Personal Trainer Experience, I sit down with John Jeffrey — someone I used to share the training floor with back at Equinox NYC, back before everyone with a ring light and Wi-Fi became a fitness guru. Jeff’s path isn’t typical. Born in Trinidad and having lived in Saudi Arabia, he studied geophysics before deciding he’d rather rebuild people than study rocks. He’s coached high-performing professionals across New York and Florida, competed in powerlifting, and now runs a fitness retreat in Bali called Villa Kismet Fit. We talk about the evolution every trainer goes through — from muscle-mag programs to understanding what actually works. We get into burnout, family dynamics, and building a training business that supports your life instead of running it into the ground. You’ll hear us unpack: Why the basics still beat the trends (yes, squats still work) Training his wife and daughter — and why it’s tougher than clients Client red flags, firing sessions, and learning when to walk away What it takes to help a mom of 3 compete in her first weightlifting meet My own journey building tools for trainers, including a new feature to track income, session feedback, and long-term client retention inside The Training Notebook Whether you’re a seasoned coach or just getting started, this episode pulls back the curtain on the business, burnout, and behind-the-scenes of personal training. 🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you listen. This episode covers real-world personal trainer life, fitness entrepreneurship, how to get training clients, burnout in personal training, and stories from Equinox veterans to Bali-based strength coaches.

    45 min
  • 5 Episodes

About

Real talk for personal trainers. Hosted by Hector Sanchez, a U.S. Navy veteran from Brooklyn now living in Bali, and founder of The Training Notebook app est. 2012 This podcast dives into the unfiltered world of personal training, from getting your first client to handling burnout, navigating gym life, online coaching, & building a successful fitness business Each episode features real conversations with personal trainers from the US, UK, and Australia, sharing what works, what doesn’t, and what it truly takes to thrive in the industry Authentic stories. Actionable lessons just for P.T's

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