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Coach Spotlights

Long-form interviews with working coaches about how they actually built their practice. Career changes, first clients, pricing mistakes, what they would do differently. These are the least polished and most useful articles on the site, because the coaches involved were unusually honest about the parts that did not go well.

24 articles
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Coach SpotlightBack Room Talk Coach Spotlight: Sherif NassarThis episode of Back Room Talk takes us to Egypt, where Sherif Nassar coaches clients through Ramadan fasting, navigates the tension between OPEX principles and client expectations, and demonstrates why the hardest part of becoming a great coach isn't learning the principles, it's knowing when to beDecember 10, 2025Coach SpotlightBack Room Talk Coach Spotlight: Chad JohnsonThis episode of Back Room Talk follows Chad Johnson's journey from a 22-year-old personal trainer working out of his garage in Australia to building a thriving 500-square-meter hybrid gym that serves 150+ group clients and 35 individual design clients. Chad's story reveals why relationship-buildingDecember 2, 2025Coach SpotlightBack Room Talk Coach Spotlight: Attila KortvelyessyThis episode of Back Room Talk explores the unconventional journey of Atti, a former Hungarian Army officer turned Luxembourg gym owner turned business strategist, whose evolution demonstrates how questioning everything, including your own success leads to deeper impact. Atti's story reveals why mosNovember 19, 2025Coach SpotlightFrom Paratrooper to Professional Coach: Scott Brewer's 16-Year JourneyThis episode of Back Room Talk explores the remarkable journey of Scott Brewer, owner of OPEX Midlands in South Carolina, whose career evolution from Army paratrooper to running coach to CrossFit endurance specialist to OPEX gym owner demonstrates how following curiosity while maintaining authenticiNovember 12, 2025Coach SpotlightJustin Yoon: From Hockey Rink to Fitness Innovator in Korea (Individual Design, HYROX, and Community)Inside Backroom Talk, Kandace Dickson chats with coach and entrepreneur Justin Yoon about building an individual design gym in Korea, moving beyond CrossFit, and growing community through workshops, testing days, and unique events. Justin shares how saying yes early in his career led to mentorships,November 5, 2025Coach SpotlightFrom MMA Fighter to Multi-Model Gym Owner: Brandon Wilton's 16-Year Journey Through CoachingThis episode of Back Room Talk explores the remarkable journey of Brandon Wilton, a gym owner and coach whose 16-year career demonstrates how business survival requires constant adaptation while core principles remain steady. Brandon's story reveals the evolution from early CrossFit affiliate struggOctober 29, 2025Coach SpotlightBack Room Talk Coach Spotlight: From Bodybuilding to Stay-at-Home Dad: Garrett Bell's Journey Through Fitness Identity and Professional GrowthThis episode of Back Room Talk explores the multifaceted journey of Garrett Bell, an Alabama-based fitness coach whose path from high school athlete to stay-at-home dad demonstrates how life's seasons shape coaching philosophy. Garrett's story reveals how discovering OPEX methodology under James FitOctober 15, 2025Coach SpotlightBack Room Talk Coach Spotlight: From Injury to Impact: Keith Gulliford's Journey from England to America's Fitness IndustryThis episode of Back Room Talk explores the inspiring transatlantic journey of Keith Gulliford, a British fitness coach whose career-altering ACL injury became the catalyst for an 18-year coaching career in the United States. Keith's story demonstrates how personal setbacks can become professional bOctober 8, 2025Coach SpotlightBack Room Talk Coach Spotlight: From Athletic Curiosity to Coaching Mastery: Vidur Gupta’s JourneyThis episode of Back Room Talk explores the coaching journey of Vidur, an OPEX coach based in India whose path from curious basketball player to seasoned fitness professional demonstrates how early athletic experiences and a relentless pursuit of personal autonomy can shape a coaching practice centeSeptember 24, 2025Coach SpotlightWhy Mitch Left Corporate Gyms for Private Coaching (And Never Looked Back)Mitch Fischer, a coach with a background in multisport athletics and a gift for helping clients through every stage of their health journey. Mitch shares what it’s really like to go from a big box gym to running his own private practice, how he connects with clients facing menopause and body image cSeptember 17, 2025Coach SpotlightFrom Band Life to Coaching Excellence: Kyle Lampi's On Through Music, Fitness, and Finding PurposeGet an inside look at the real life of a coach and entrepreneur who's shaping the fitness world from the ground up. Candace Dixon sits down with Kyle Lampy to explore his journey from an outdoor-loving kid to a seasoned fitness coach. Kyle talks about the lessons his dad taught him, building a careeSeptember 10, 2025Coach SpotlightFrom Gym Floor Cleaner to Head Coach: Eddie Geraghty's Journey Building Ireland's Premier Individual Design PracticeThis episode of Back Room Talk explores the inspiring journey of Edward "Eddie" Geraghty, an Irish fitness coach whose path from gym cleaner to head coach and successful individual design practitioner demonstrates how dedication, proper education, and genuine care for clients can create exAugust 27, 2025Coach SpotlightFrom Security Captain to Movement Champion: Ronel Velasquez's Journey from Venezuela to Professional Coaching ExcellenceThis episode of Back Room Talk explores the remarkable journey of Ronel Velasquez, a Venezuelan coach whose path from martial artist to security captain to professional fitness coach demonstrates how diverse life experiences can create coaching excellence. Now based in Colombia and known as "ThAugust 13, 2025Coach SpotlightFrom Gym Owner to Remote Coaching Excellence: Daniel's Journey to Building a Referral-Driven BusinessThis episode of Back Room Talk explores the inspiring journey of Daniel, a Swedish fitness coach who transformed from business studies student to gym owner to remote coaching entrepreneur. His story demonstrates how following your passion, combined with systematic education and a commitment to relatAugust 6, 2025Coach SpotlightAhmad Tarek’s Journey from Corporate Life to Creating Egypt's Premier Fitness DestinationThe inspiring journey of Ahmad Tarek, an Egyptian fitness coach and gym owner who transformed from engineer to fitness entrepreneur. His story demonstrates how passion, persistence, and professional education can create not just a successful business, but a thriving fitness community that changes liJuly 29, 2025Coach SpotlightBack Room Talk Coach Spotlight: Michal Scepko's Journey from Military to Elite Fitness CoachingThe remarkable journey of Michal Scepko, a Slovakian fitness coach whose path from competitive swimmer to Navy SEALs combat diver to professional coach demonstrates how elite military training can forge exceptional coaching excellence. After 20 years of military service, Michal has built a thrivingJuly 16, 2025Coach SpotlightBack Room Talk Coach Spotlight: From Darkness to Purpose: Deven Kennedy's Mission to Save First Responder LivesThe powerful journey of Deven Kennedy, a police officer turned fitness coach who transformed personal tragedy into a life-saving mission. After experiencing injury and psychological trauma on duty, followed by the devastating loss of a colleague to suicide, Deven founded Resilience Through Fitness,July 2, 2025Coach SpotlightBurnout Made Me Rethink Everything About Exercise: Mizar Fuente Ortega SpotlightIn this episode, Mizar Fuente Ortega shares his transformative journey from elite gymnast to a coach who prioritizes health over mere performance. He discusses his personal experience with competitive burnout, the evolution of his coaching methodology, and the importance of building supportive relatJune 18, 2025Coach SpotlightHow I Became an OPEX Coach While Working in Tech - Devin Wells SpotlightThis episode of Back Room Talk takes us inside the world of Devin Wells, a part-time coach at OPEX Round Rock who balances his coaching passion with a successful tech career. From his journey as an inquisitive client to becoming a coach who empowers others toward autonomy, Devin shares valuable insiJune 4, 2025Coach SpotlightRobin Steyvers - Building Fitness Coaching Retreats That Combat Isolation and Create CommunityA look inside the world of Robin Steyvers, a fitness coach who's redefining professional coaching by bringing coaches and entrepreneurs together through immersive retreats. From his early days helping friends at outdoor calisthenics parks to running Viomatico retreats on the beautiful island of MadeApril 10, 2025Coach SpotlightBack Room Talk Coach Spotlight: Emile Ndekezi - From Teaching to Elite CoachingThis episode of Back Room Talk takes us inside the remarkable journey of Emile Ndekezi, who transitioned from seven years as a high school teacher to becoming a sought-after coach with a waitlist of clients in less than a year. Emile shares his intentional approach to coaching, commitment to workingMarch 17, 2025Coach SpotlightBack Room Talk Coach Spotlight: Erwin RegidorIn this episode of Back Room Talk, we explore the remarkable journey of Erwin Regidor, whose path from fitness enthusiast to international coach demonstrates how embracing unexpected opportunities and focusing on genuine client relationships can lead to a fulfilling coaching career. Now balancing aFebruary 20, 2025Coach SpotlightBuilding a Transformational Coaching Career Through Authenticity - Austin KapetanakisThis episode of Back Room Talk takes us inside the remarkable journey of Austin "Coach Kap" Kapetanakis, a standout coach at Hudson River Athletics who has built a thriving practice combining in-person and remote coaching while maintaining his own competitive CrossFit career. Austin sharesJanuary 27, 2025Coach SpotlightInside the World of Coaching UFC Athletes with Brandon GallagherThis episode of Back Room Talk dives into the inspiring journey of Brandon Gallagher, a standout strength and conditioning coach working with some of the UFC’s top fighters, including Ian Machado Garry. Brandon shares how he built a career training elite athletes, why foundational principles alwaysJanuary 6, 2025

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