The Fitness Industry Podcast

Kate Kraschnefski, aka KK, is Head of Compliance and Training for the Australian Institute of Fitness - and the new host of The Fitness Industry Podcast! Here, she chats with Oliver Kitchingman about her own early days as a PT; how club operators can help reduce team member attrition through focused mentoring and support; and the role that variety and lifelong learning play in forging a long and successful career in the fitness industry.

Kim Horner is Head of Operations for the Australian Institute of Fitness, the largest and longest established fitness training organisation in Australia. Here, Kim chats with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Oliver Kitchingman about the evolution of its professional development arm - Network - to an ‘all you can eat' subscription service for online courses; the smart technology that's making this possible; and the opportunity for industry educators and professionals to collaborate with Network in the creation of new courses.

Renowned preventative cardiologist Dr Warrick Bishop chats with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Oliver Kitchingman about why early risk detection is critical in the prevention of heart attack - and how fitness professionals can help clients identify and manage their risk in order to live as well as possible, for as long as possible.

Corinne Blight is a Group Fitness Instructor, Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach with an infectious energy and a passion for creating sustainable exercise habits in her female client base. Here, she chats with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Oliver Kitchingman about delivering experiences that satisfy both newbies and long termers alike; helping women make space for exercise among life's other demands; why virtual workouts are ideal for busy mums; and social media strategies that strengthen your community, both online and in-class.

Tracy Minnoch has long been a leading light of the fitness industry. With a career spanning group exercise teaching, international instructor training and program development, she is now turning her focus to happier, healthier active ageing for women. Here, she chats with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Oliver Kitchingman about breaking the silence on female physiological changes; the female fitness pioneers now leading the way for training women in the ‘third age' of their lives; and addressing stress and mental health, as well as physical wellbeing, in order to get your mojo back.

Dean Karnazes is arguably the most well-known Ultramarathon runner in the world. Among his extreme endurance achievements, he's run 560km without sleep over 4 days; traversed Death Valley - one of the hottest places on Earth - in the middle of summer; and run a marathon at the South Pole. Here, he chats with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Oliver Kitchingman about finding the magic in misery; growing older, wiser and slower - but stronger; grabbing a pizza - quite literally - on the run; and the benefits of approaching training as part of life, and life as part of training.

Pete Banbury is co-Founder of The BodyMapper, a training course that has a uniquely hands-on take on functional anatomy for fitness professionals. Here, he chats with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Oliver Kitchingman about drawing on people's bodies with whiteboard markers; being a little rebellious and doing things differently; the need to make the study of anatomy a lifelong habit; and establishing yourself as a trusted advisor.

Lorena Sumich is the CEO and co-founder of KIXXFIT, an online platform that enables fitness professionals to upload, share and monetise on-demand training programs with new, fitness-focused audiences. Here, she chats with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Oliver Kitchingman about helping everyday Personal Trainers get their piece of the huge online training pie; the advantages of real PTs over celebrity trainer platforms; reaching beyond the constraints of time and location to generate a secondary income; and how time-poor PTs can make better use of their time and skills.

Ben Fletcher is a personal trainer and the founder of Listen To Your Body, a Group PT business that he has franchised across Australia. Here, he chats with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Oliver Kitchingman about the catalyst for turning his business into a franchise, what makes a fitness business suitable for franchising, who franchising is right for, and exactly what PTs need to look out for in a prospective franchise.

Susie Burrell is one of Australia's leading dietitians. Here, she chats with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Oliver Kitchingman about the impact of the pandemic on dietary behaviours, offsetting weekend eating habits, ensuring that dietary approaches are always tailored to the individual, and why we can all benefit from ‘going light on Sunday night.'

Steve Pettit chats with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Oliver Kitchingman about brand refreshes, the surge in demand for personal training, the opportunity for clubs and trainers to double down on social connection, and why PTs should view online training services as tools to complement, rather than compete with, their services.

Justin Price is the creator of The BioMechanics Method Corrective Exercise Specialist Certification, the fitness industry's highest rated specialty certification with trained specialists in over 70 countries. Here, the former personal trainer and fitness instructor chats with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Oliver Kitchingman about preventing clients from falling off the fitness wagon, incorporating advanced exercise skills into your PT services, increasing your professionalism and revenue, and the importance of simplicity.

Ian O'Dwyer, known simply as ‘OD' in the industry, is a movement practitioner and educator who aspires to lead and innovate the wellbeing field. In this chat with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Bel Fong, he discusses self-osteo myofascial applications, giving clients what they need physically, mentally and emotionally, and the importance of self-care for trainers.

Acclaimed facility manager and industry leader Kristen Green is the first Australian to receive the coveted IHRSA Women's Leader Award. Here, she chats with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Oliver Kitchingman about the 5P model for cultural success, the false economy of keeping popular team members who don't exhibit your club's values, and helping your team generate raving fans and referrals.

Visionary fitness educator Sara Kooperman has greatly impacted countless fitness careers. Here, she chats with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Katrina Cochrane about growing her network of nine annual fitness conventions from one loss-making workshop; the importance of staying true to your budget as well as your vision; managing team members to their strengths; and giving back to the industry by mentoring others.

Nutritionist and exercise scientist Kristen Beck has over 20 years' experience in the nutrition, supplement and fitness industries. Here, she chats with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Katrina Cochrane about nutrition and brain health; adrenal fatigue and severe anxiety; the calming effect of a healthy gut microbiome; and how eating more vegies is the first step to a happier brain!

Strength and conditioning coach Brodie Hicks has a wealth of experience in using periodised programming for the general population as well as with elite athletes. Here, he chats with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Katrina Cochrane about linear and non-linear periodisation; macro- , micro- and meso-cycles; focusing on volume before intensity and simple before complex; and breaking down big goals into manageable phases.

Physiotherapist Merrin Martin has been helping clients to rehabilitate fitness, sport and dance-related injuries for two decades. In this chat with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Bel Fong, she talks about the role of the nervous system, holding stretches and neural tension, how injuries interrupt nerve pathways, and the effects of pressure and traction force on the nerves.

Stephanie Glickman is a Pilates instructor trainer whose own studio combines clinical Pilates, group reformer, mat classes and strength training. Here, she discusses the benefits to PTs of adding Pilates moves to regular strength training programs, how the exercises can help with body lines and mobility, and busting trainers' misconceptions about Pilates, with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Bel Fong.

Martial arts coach and educator Hays Daewoud trained fighters to win international titles before switching his focus to boxing-for-fitness. Here, he chats with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Bel Fong about bringing the focus back to boxing skills; the importance of evidence-based practice; and aiming for perfection in technique, even when you're boxing-for-fitness, not competition.

Functional podiatrist and human movement specialist Dr Emily Splichal and Animal Flow Master Trainer Guillaume Tual talk about the similarities and differences in sensory perception between hand and foot grip, how to make your clients move better, and the effects of specifically textured surfaces on stabilisation, with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Bel Fong.

A Professor of Public Health, Grant Schofield is well-known for his work around low carb and ketogenic eating. Here, he chats with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Katrina Cochrane about fasting, nutritional ketosis and autophagy; resisting junk food promotions; and the huge impact that switching 10% of the nation's health budget from treatment to prevention could have.

Health coach and epigenetics educator Kyle Riley advocates for PTs delivering holistic and highly personalised experiences. Here, he chats with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Bel Fong about how people respond differently to the same stimulus, matching a client's environment and training style to their genes and personality types, and how personalised health can help clients get results by working smarter rather than harder.

Functional podiatrist and human movement specialist, Dr Emily Splichal has spent her career studying barefoot science and foot-to-core integration. Here, she talks to The Fitness Industry Podcast's Oliver Kitchingman about ‘from-the-ground-up' training, barefoot feedback and two-point discrimination, the powerful link between motion and emotion, and the simple ‘balance hack' of getting clients to push their fingertips together...

Exercise scientist Dr Morwenna Kirwan is passionate about helping people live healthier lives through motivation and behavioural health psychology. Here, she chats with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Oliver Kitchingman about short term and long-term mindsets, setting boundaries around use of technology, strengthening self-control through small daily acts rather than grand gestures, and why PTs should take an afternoon nap...

Mark Capelin runs a highly successful club in which more than half of the 800 members also participate in personal training. Here, he talks to The Fitness Industry Podcast's Oliver Kitchingman about the power of good systems combined with good leadership, consistently achieving an 80% prospect-to-member conversion rate, using paid challenges as a revenue stream and retention tool, and facilitating and rewarding healthy competition among staff.

Marin Lazic is a TRX Master Instructor and former professional water polo player. Here, he chats with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Oliver Kitchingman about the revelation of suspension training, how new training modalities can challenge even the super-fit, using technology to monitor anomalies in body temperature and predict sickness, and reaching out to people you admire in the industry to benefit from their experience.

From actor to accidental entrepreneur, Mark Fisher's journey has been as unconventional as his New York fitness club brand. Here, he chats with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Oliver Kitchingman about interview hacks for effective hiring; the tension between autonomy and management; not tolerating bad meetings; and how real leadership means doing the right thing, as opposed to doing things right.

Group fitness instructor and educator Maria-Teresa Stone was instrumental in the successful launch of Zumba in Australia and NZ. Here, she chats with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Katrina Cochrane about passionately stumbling into a career in fitness; trying things that are out of your comfort zone; the inclusivity of group and water fitness; and aspiring to goals while enjoying the here and now.

Kate Allott, the Head of Fitness for Anytime Fitness Australia, oversees the recruitment of hundreds of PTs nationwide. Here, she chats with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Oliver Kitchingman about casting a narrow net when recruiting trainers, setting role expectations with new trainers, measuring metrics and stemming PT attrition rates.

Dietitian and sports nutritionist Brian St Pierre has worked with hundreds of athletes and everyday clients. Here, he chats with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Oliver Kitchingman about the client problems that ‘poor' food choices solve, the power of consistency over novelty, and adapting human behaviours without actively taking things away.

Leading group fitness instructor and educator Kirsty Nield is unerringly passionate about teaching classes, as well as mentoring and educating fitness professionals. Here, she chats with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Bel Fong about the early days of group exercise, getting to know each instructor as an individual, understanding demographics and timetabling, and the importance of consistency among instructors when it comes to format and technique.

Paul Taylor is one of Australia's leading exercise physiologists, nutritionists, and neuroscientists. Here, he chats with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Oliver Kitchingman about practical strategies to immediately improve thinking; cold showers, stress response and immunity; creating positive avatars for ourselves; and digital sunsets and honouring our circadian cycles.

Paul Brown, aka ‘Mr Retention', has been at the forefront of member retention research and practical solutions since 1995. Here he chats with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Oliver Kitchingman about making members want – not just need – exercise, keeping services in-house for the good of your brand, and helping clients switch their focus from how exercise makes them look to how it makes them feel.

The CEO's of Les Mills International and Les Mills Asia Pacific, Clive Ormerod and Ryan Hogan, chat with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Oliver Kitchingman about staying relevant by continually adapting to new customer expectations; growth markets and regional program preferences, and the intense demand for high quality new group fitness instructors.

Counsellor and movement coach Kylianne Turton is the founder of the Move For Mental Health initiative. Here, she talks with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Bel Fong about changing the language and stigmas around mental health; combining physical challenges and nature to improve mental wellbeing; how clients with mental health care plans can get free training sessions, and how touch and breathing can calm the sympathetic nervous system.

Head of PT for Goodlife Health Clubs, Pete Gleeson, know what PTs need to do in their early days in order to build a long and successful career. In this conversation with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Oliver Kitchingman he expounds on the importance of leading by example, focusing on the golden prospects on the gym floor before you spend a cent online, and using ‘champion networks' to build your reputation for you.

Fitness business and marketing leader Justin Tamsett has his finger on the pulse of the world's leading fitness clubs and brands. Here, he chats with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Oliver Kitchingman about building the relationship before asking for the sale, different social media marketing approaches for younger and older markets, the resurgence of email and even older-school marketing, and a wealth of ideas to give your club or PT business the edge.

Turia Pitt's experience with a devastating bushfire could not crush her remarkable spirit. Here, the mindset coach, athlete and author chats with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Bel Fong about unearthing compelling reasons in clients (and owning it when your reason isn't real or strong enough); self-image in kids and teens; and the importance of taking time to celebrate and savour achievements before shifting focus to the next goal.

Functional training maestro and business coach, Dan Henderson, sits down with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Oliver Kitchingman to discuss how trainers can inadvertently reinforce dysfunction; defining what you want to achieve with every movement; weighing up risk and reward; and how to build high performance teams.

Strength and conditioning coach Matt Boulous, aka, ‘The battle ropes guy', shares his innate passion for upskilling fellow fitness professionals and training NRL, AFL and A-league athletes, and enlightens us on why battle rope work can be classified as ‘functional training', with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Bel Fong.

Sports scientist and martial arts instructor, Luke Del Vecchio, discusses the increasing participation in organised sport by the over 35's; backing up the ancient wisdom of martial arts with scientific evidence; injury prevention and recovery; and why older athletes have higher protein requirements, with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Bel Fong.

Weight management psychologist Glenn Mackintosh chats with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Bel Fong about the sustainable habits of intuitive eating; developing positive relationships with exercise; not getting hung up on weight loss; and why we shouldn't try to exercise and diet a mastiff into a poodle…

Trainer and industry educator Shaun Radford chats with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Oliver Kitchingman about his passion for creating amazing fitness professionals; the empowerment of professional development; investing in your client's stories; and building your unique fitness identity.

Group fitness guru and program creator, Marietta Mehanni, chats with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Oliver Kitchingman about staying relevant to create a lifelong career in fitness; collaborating with fun, fresh thinkers for mutual growth; making fitness truly inclusive; and how her work helps her overcome her secret laziness…

Leading sports physiotherapist, Victor Popov, discusses functional neurology, heat exposure and breathing; making rehab exercises as much of a habit as brushing your teeth; and the simple power of a cold shower, with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Alisha Smith.

Health and wellness coach Fiona Cosgrove discusses PTs aptitude for wellness coaching, how overwhelm in our personal lives prevents us making bigger lifestyle changes, and why giving advice is not coaching, with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Oliver Kitchingman.

Former NSCA PT of the Year and fitness educator, Nick Tumminello, chats in depth with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Alisha Smith about functional capacity and transfer; the 5 types of client that PTs work with; science, evidence and bias; and why PTs should base their upskilling and programming on what their clients want to achieve – not on their own personal interests.

Fitness force and wellness crusader Mindy Mylrea talks with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Bel Fong about taking inspiration from children's movement patterns; the unbridled joy of training kids; her evidence-based nutrition initiative; and why 1 rep done right is better than 10 reps done wrong.

Maverick of anatomy and movement, Gary Ward, chats with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Alisha Smith about how fitting ski boots led to his journey of discovery into foot pronation and supination; his unique mapping of every single joint relationship and movement outcome in the human body, and how the slightest physical ‘insult' can leave a lasting legacy in terms of how we move.

Fitness consultant and mentor Thomas Plummer discusses the S-curve for your business, generalists versus specialists, modern hybrid training gyms, why you need to destroy your business model to save the business, and a whole lot more with The Fitness Industry Podcast's Oliver Kitchingman.