Podcast
The Show Up Fitness Podcast
Hosted by Chris Hitchko, CEO Show Up Fitness · EN
Join Chris Hitchko, author of 'How to Become A Successful Personal Trainer' VOL 2 and CEO of Show Up Fitness as he guides personal trainers towards success.
90% of personal trainers quit within 12-months in the USA, 18-months in the UK, Show Up Fitness is helping change those statistics. The Show Up Fitness CPT is one of the fastest growing PT certifications in the world with partnerships with over 500-gyms including Life Time Fitness, Equinox, Genesis, EoS, and numerous other elite partnerships.
This podcast focuses on refining trade, business, and people skills to help trainers excel in the fitness industry. Discover effective client programming, revenue generation, medical professional networking, and elite assessment strategies.
Learn how to become a successful Show Up Fitness CPT at www.showupfitness.com. Send your questions to Chris on Instagram @showupfitness or via email at info@showupfitness.com."
82episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Knee Pain? TKE (terminal knee extension) & Dorsiflexion screens
1w ago00:08:17Tap to summarizeSend us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Knee pain that lingers at a low hum can be maddening, especially for runners who feel “mostly fine” until mileage adds up. We walk through a simple, trainer friendly screen for terminal knee extension (TKE) that takes minutes and often exposes a tiny side to side gap you can’t afford to ignore. Two to five degrees sounds small, but it can change how the knee loads with every step, rep, and landing.From there, we lay out a clean decision tree: if TKE is limited, we talk daily practice, smart progressions, and how to apply just enough pressure without turning it into a painful battle. If both knees check out, we pivot to ankle dorsiflexion using the wall test (shoes off) and explain why limited ankle mobility can push stress upstream into the knee, especially in running. You’ll also hear how to approach soft tissue work and foam rolling in a way that actually reduces sensitivity and makes new range of motion “stick.”Finally, we test what many programs ignore: calf stability and local muscular endurance. We break down the 25 rep single leg calf raise benchmark, what “clean reps” really look like, and how to build a simple weekly calf plan that supports stronger mechanics over time. We also connect the dots anatomically by revisiting the gastrocnemius and why it matters for both the ankle and the knee.If you found this useful, subscribe, share it with a trainer or running buddy, and leave a review telling us which test you’re trying first.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com
Transcribe →Shoulder Pain? Thoracic, Humeral Flexion screens & STM
2w ago00:09:20Tap to summarizeSend us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Shoulder discomfort can be maddening because it often shows up during perfectly normal training. We take a different route: we start with quick safety screens to rule out red flags, then we hunt for the real limiter that keeps stealing motion from the shoulder. A surprising amount of “shoulder pain” is a thoracic spine problem in disguise, and once you see it, your assessments and your programming get a lot clearer.We walk through a clean, repeatable thoracic rotation screen and the biggest mistake that creates a false pass: letting the low back and pelvis do the work. You’ll hear exactly how we lock out the lumbar spine, what “good” thoracic rotation looks like, and why a simple standard matters for everyone who presses, pulls, or throws. We also share a practical control test we love: if you can’t breathe and talk while holding a position, you don’t own that movement, and your body will compensate the moment load shows up.Then we move from assessment to action with corrective exercises you can use right away: smarter thoracic foam rolling with neck support, banded thoracic rotation that stops pelvis cheating, and PNF-style drills that help you earn new range of motion under control. Once thoracic rotation is no longer the bottleneck, we screen humeral flexion for overhead work, show how rib flare and arching sneak in, and lay out a simple way to load new overhead range using a foam roller setup and a kettlebell. If you want better overhead mechanics, fewer flare-ups, and a clearer plan for shoulder mobility and stability, this is your playbook. Subscribe, share this with a training partner, and leave a review with the screen that revealed your biggest limiter.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com
Transcribe →Is AI Making Personal Trainers Dumber?
2w ago00:16:25Tap to summarizeSend us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!AI is turning everyday work into a shortcut button, and that’s exactly why we’re asking a risky question: is AI making us dumb, or is it exposing who never built real skill in the first place? We break this down through the Dunning-Kruger effect and a wild true story that shows what happens when confidence beats competence. The point isn’t to fear AI, it’s to stop using it like a mask for weak fundamentals. We get specific about what “sloppy AI” looks like in the fitness industry: ads with obviously broken images, impossible anatomy, and generic messaging that kills trust in seconds. If you’re a personal trainer, online coach, or gym owner, you already know how fast people scroll and how quickly they judge. We talk about the simple standards that protect your brand, from proofreading and human review to writing outreach that proves you did your homework and actually care who you’re talking to. Then we zoom out to the bigger career move: doubling down on foundations. Anatomy, programming, assessment, pain red flags, and knowing when to refer out aren’t optional if you want to be excellent and get paid like it. AI can help you study, organize, and execute, but it can’t replace reps in the trenches, mentorship, and the humility to keep learning. If you want AI to make you sharper instead of louder, listen through, then subscribe, share this with a trainer who needs it, and leave a quick review so more coaches find the long-game path. What’s one way you’re using AI responsibly right now?Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com
Transcribe →Tight Calves with Running? Try This
2w ago00:15:25Tap to summarizeSend us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Calf pain that hits one mile into a run feels like betrayal, but it’s often your body giving you useful data. We dig into what running really demands from your lower leg, why the soleus and gastrocnemius take such a beating, and how a sudden spike in volume, frequency, or intensity can push tissue past its current capacity. If you have ever blamed “tight calves” or “bad knees,” we offer a clearer lens: build the foundation first, then earn the mileage. We start with a simple, trainer-friendly screening process that works in the real world. You’ll learn the quick ankle dorsiflexion wall test (think 15 degrees minimum, 20 plus as a strong target), why the joint-by-joint approach matters, and how limited ankle range can ripple up to the knee, hip, and low back. We also talk soft tissue work you can apply within scope, then retest immediately so you know if you actually changed anything before the next run. From there we move into strength and performance. Running is unilateral and repetitive, so we want single-leg stability drills, lateral hip control, and a clear benchmark: can you hit 25 to 30 single-leg calf raises through full range? If not, we lay out a practical calf training plan with progressive overload, smart rep targets, and weekly prehab that includes frontal plane work and core strength. We also cover when a competent coach should refer out and why every trainer benefits from a team that includes a DPT and registered dietitian. If this helps, subscribe, share it with a runner or trainer, and leave a review so more people stop guessing and start training with a plan.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com
Transcribe →The 10k Trainer: Semi-Private Gym Owner In Hawaii w/ Blake Parado
3w ago00:50:58Tap to summarizeSend us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com
Transcribe →Soluble vs Insoluble Fiber Explained in 7 Minutes
3w ago00:07:21Tap to summarizeSend us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!You’ve heard “eat more fiber,” but almost nobody explains it in a way clients actually remember or apply. We keep it simple and useful: soluble fiber acts like a sponge, and insoluble fiber works like a broom. That one shift makes nutrition coaching easier, whether you’re helping a client manage hunger, improve gut health, or make sense of cholesterol labs without getting lost in jargon.We walk through what soluble fiber does best, including slowing digestion, blunting blood sugar spikes, and supporting healthier LDL cholesterol levels. Then we connect it to real foods people will eat: oats, apples (yes, the skin counts), berries, beans, carrots, flax, and chia. From there, we cover insoluble fiber and why it matters for fullness and regularity, with practical examples like whole wheat, brown rice, seeds, and leafy greens. We also talk about how most foods are a blend, so you don’t need a perfect list, you need a consistent pattern.If you’ve been hearing loud takes about fruit being “bad” because of fructose, we address that fear head-on and explain why fiber-rich fruit can be a net positive for heart health and digestion. We finish with coaching strategy: fiber targets (roughly 38g for men and 25g for women), why jumping from low fiber to high fiber overnight backfires, and how to progress it like training. Subscribe, share this with a trainer friend, and leave a rating and review if it helps you coach nutrition with more confidence.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com
Transcribe →The Personal Training Gold Standard Is a Myth
3w ago00:18:24Tap to summarizeSend us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Three different ads. Three different certifications. All calling themselves the “gold standard.” That’s where we start, because if everyone can claim the top spot, the phrase stops being a standard and turns into a slogan. We break down what most entry-level personal training certifications actually require, and why “read a book, pass a multiple choice test” is a shaky foundation for coaching real humans safely.We get specific about what the job demands in the real world: movement assessment, exercise selection by pattern, smart loading, regressions and progressions, and the people skills that drive retention. We also talk about scope of practice, including when a trainer should refer out and why having a trusted physical therapist or registered dietitian in your corner matters. Feeling “ready” is not the same as being ready, and we dig into why confidence surveys and quick-cert timelines can create a false sense of competence.Then we widen the lens to accountability. We talk about the incentives in the certification business, how specialization bundles and marketing dollars shape what gets taught, and why gyms share blame when they skip true onboarding and mentorship. Finally, we lay out what we believe a real gold standard looks like: hands-on education, consistent feedback, updated exercise science, and the fundamentals of anatomy and programming that let trainers coach any body, not just their own.If you care about the future of personal training, hit subscribe, share this with a trainer who needs to hear it, and leave a rating and review so more coaches find the higher standard.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com
Transcribe →Acute Shoulder Pain w/ DPT Coleman
4w ago00:37:06Tap to summarizeSend us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!A sudden shoulder pop during a heavy lift can mess with your head fast. We sit down with Dr. Coleman to map out what a smart, trainer-friendly response actually looks like when you or your client has acute shoulder pain and still wants to train safely.We talk about where a coach’s scope begins and ends, why “never train anyone with pain” is unrealistic in the real world, and how to separate DOMS from true tissue irritation. Dr. Coleman shares a simple decision-making framework built around time and trend lines: how symptoms should change from day 0 to day 7, what it means when progress stalls at 10 to 14 days, and why a three-week plateau is often your referral point. We also dig into practical red flags, and why the shoulder can feel more ambiguous than a clearly swollen ankle or Achilles.On the training side, we get specific about movement selection. You’ll hear how to use “target tissue” to decide whether an exercise is helping or just poking the bruise, when isometrics can be a better move than more reps, and which pressing positions tend to flare anterior shoulder or biceps tendon irritation. We also tackle the stretching debate, breaking down mobilize versus stabilize so you can make better calls instead of following trends.If you coach strength training, CrossFit, or general fitness, this is a clear, usable playbook. Subscribe, share this with a trainer friend, and leave a review with the shoulder issue you want us to cover next.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com
Transcribe →From SUF CPT to Life Time Trainer in Austin | Sean Hyson's Success Story
4w ago00:39:28Tap to summarizeSend us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!The hardest part of becoming a great personal trainer usually isn’t programming, it’s walking up to strangers and starting the awkward conversation anyway. Tyson Robertson sits down with Sean Hyson, a newly minted Show Up Fitness Level One trainer who just started coaching at Lifetime Fitness in Austin, Texas, to talk through what the first two months really look like inside a premium big-box gym.We get specific about client acquisition and building a book of business: how the concierge desk and intro sessions help, why you still have to work the floor, and how to keep your approach natural instead of pushy. Sean shares what’s working best for him right now, including free workshops like joint-friendly strength training and shoulder pain fixes that attract the people most ready to invest. We also talk honestly about who tends to buy training, why “the bros” often resist coaching, and how follow-up creates the multiple touchpoints most members need before they commit.Then we zoom out to the bigger picture: bridge pay, the early financial squeeze, and why sales confidence matters when training packages can run well over $1,000 a month. Sean explains how his background as a longtime fitness writer and editor shaped his coaching, and why AI and the collapse of magazine media pushed him toward a more human, client-facing career. If you’re a new CPT trying to succeed at Lifetime, Equinox, or any commercial gym, you’ll walk away with practical tactics, real expectations, and a clear reminder that results come from trust, consistency, and smart progressive training.Subscribe for more coach-to-coach conversations, share this with a trainer who’s in the trenches, and leave a five-star review if it helps you keep showing up.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com
Transcribe →Become A Trainer SUF Level 1, Level 2, Road Map For Success
4w ago00:15:10Tap to summarizeSend us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Most personal trainer certifications teach you what to memorize. We care about what you can coach. We lay out how Show Up Fitness is structured in July 2026, from Level 1 foundations to Level 2 specializations, plus the Freedom Pass built around mentorship and lifetime access. If you’re tired of guessing whether you’re “ready” to train real people, this breakdown gives you a clear roadmap with live calls, direct feedback, and standards that actually mean something. We walk through the weekly live call schedule and what each coach brings to the table: exercise variations, programming, anatomy, mentorship, and deeper dives with nutrition coaches and physical therapists. You’ll hear how we avoid overwhelming new trainers while still giving ambitious coaches a fast path to level up, earn CEUs, and stack specializations that improve your resume and your real-world coaching skill. We also get specific about testing and expectations. For the CPT, we talk anatomy requirements, movement patterns, and how we evaluate programming and movement competency through Zoom and video submissions. On the advanced side, we cover the nutrition certification with registered dietitian support, motivational interviewing, and the Vitality partnership that can include 80 to 100 biomarkers. For soft tissue and pain-focused coaching, we explain the value of hands on seminars and an internship under a physical therapist so you build confidence through practice, not hype. If you want a career path that rewards curiosity and competence, share this with a trainer who’s stuck, and subscribe so you don’t miss what we’re building. Leave a review, send it to a friend, and keep showing up.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com
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