Mike has spent decades in the fitness industry—building businesses, mentoring trainers, and learning the hard lessons that textbooks rarely cover. His insights reveal what it really takes to build a sustainable career in personal training.
Here are five powerful tips Mike shared in his recent conversation.
His journey shows that being a trainer isn’t just about sets, reps, and nutrition plans—it’s about business skills, people skills, persistence, and the courage to keep evolving. From cold-calling golfers to celebrating clients’ chemo milestones, Mike’s advice proves that success in fitness is about connection, strategy, and consistency.
1. Learn the Business Behind the Barbell
Passion alone won’t keep the lights on.
“We know how to do sets and reps… but we don’t know how to set up an LLC. We don’t know how to set up a retirement plan. We don’t know how to get clients… how to market.”
For Mike, the turning point was realizing business is part of the craft. Whether it’s creating a bank account, setting aside taxes, or tracking expenses, trainers who treat their business as seriously as their workouts last the longest.
2. Ask the Right Questions in Interviews
A good interview isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about asking the right questions.
“What would I have to do to make you feel like I’ve been successful a year from now?”
Mike believes this one question sets clear expectations from day one. Pair it with practical questions—like how trainers get clients, what the average income is, and how emergencies are handled—and you’ll stand out as someone who understands both safety and sustainability.
3. Find Your Niche and Go Where Your Clients Are
Success comes from serving the right people, not everyone.
“The biggest thing… is finding your niche… and it’s about people relationship. If you’re not hanging out where your clients hang out, you better start changing.”
Mike’s early breakthrough came from cold-calling golfers and guaranteeing a better score. Today, his advice is timeless: know who you serve, learn their world, and meet them where they are—whether it’s a golf course, a running club, or a local restaurant.
4. Keep Pushing Even When You’re Busy
Complacency is the enemy of consistency.
“When it’s at its highest time… you got to hammer the hardest then because it can change overnight.”
Mike reminds trainers that the time to market is not when you’re desperate—it’s when your schedule feels full. Clients leave, life changes, and downturns happen. The trainers who stay consistent with outreach and learning avoid the rollercoaster.
5. Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously
At the heart of it all, fitness is about people.
“Don’t get so serious. Take yourself lightly… most people who are really good trainers are not perfect people.”
Mike emphasizes that clients connect more with authenticity than with perfection. Trainers who celebrate client wins, share real struggles, and stay human inspire loyalty that no certification can buy.
Final Takeaway
Mike’s wisdom strips away the glamour and gets to the truth: personal training is a business of relationships, resilience, and continual growth. His advice is simple but powerful—master the business, ask better questions, focus on your niche, stay consistent, and stay human.
Follow these five principles, and you won’t just survive as a trainer—you’ll thrive. And be sure to watch the full interview below for more insights and inspiration straight from Mike himself.
Learn More Here
Healing Starts with Slowing Down
When it comes to helping people improve their physical, emotional, and mental well-being, certified personal trainer and wellness coach Jessica Lewis takes a holistic approach. Through her work with both veterans and civilians, Jessica uses the gentle yet powerful...
Props That Pay Off
As a fitness professional, you know that results are not just about strength, endurance, or flexibility. True transformation happens when clients feel confident. Confident clients push themselves further, stick to their routines, and share their progress with friends....
5 Lessons for Training Longevity
With over three decades of experience, countless certifications, and an unshakable passion for movement, Leslee Bender has helped shape the modern fitness landscape. As the creator of the Bender Ball Method and founder of the Ageless Training Academy, her mission has...