The Iron Life Podcast with Chris Tutela

Welcome to Episode 2 of the Iron Business Podcast! One these episodes my partner Joe DeFranco and I will be bringing you real, tactical advice and strategies you can apply to help grow your gym business. We'll also be interviewing other coaches who've gone through our program who have dealt with the same struggles you might be currently facing. On this episode we interview one of our Iron Business Blueprint and Iron Business Mastery clients, Ryan Bickford, a great coach and gym owner out of Columbus, Ohio. Ryan shares some of the biggest struggles he's faced in business, the solutions he's used to solve them, and some tips and strategies to help you grow your gym. Enjoy the show!

My guest on today's show is Nick Shaw.  Nick is the CEO and Co-founder of RP Strength, an IFBB professional bodybuilder, host of The RP Strength Podcast, and author of the book Fit For Success.  On this episode we dive deep into: How Nick started in the fitness industry The biggest hypertrophy myths (and what to do instead) Optimal training volume, frequency, and intensity for muscle growth What it takes to build a business that lasts How personal trainers can transition to online training And so much more.  Enjoy the show!

My guest on today's show is Andrew Coates. Andrew is a great trainer, speaker, writer and host of The Lift Free and Diet Hard podcast.  He has written for publications like Men's Health, T-Nation, Muscle and Fitness, and Elite FTS, among others.  Today Andrew and I dive deep into several topics including: Building a brand What it takes to grow your following in 2025 How to stand out in a crowded industry How to create content that people want to engage with Strategies to become a public speaker And so much more.  If you're not following Andrew be sure to check him out @andrewcoatesfitness Enjoy the show.

My guest on today's show is Chris Ulbricht.  Chris is the owner of Garden State BJJ in Red Bank, NJ, a third degree black belt, and has now been training jiu jitsu for over 17 years.  Today he shares his story and insights on the transformative power of jiu jitsu and how it has led him to building a great business, and the impact it has made on his life.  Whether your a gym owner or just a fitness enthusiast, there is a ton that you'll get from this episode.  You can find Chris on Instagram @GardenStateBJJ Enjoy the show!

One of my first mentors taught me that your income will never exceed your level of personal growth.  And when you focus on developing yourself not only will you be capable of making more money, you'll also have the ability to help more people and live a meaningful life.  On today's show I share with you seven key things that have allowed me to grow personally and professionally that can help you on your path.  Enjoy the show.

If you work with BJJ athletes or train BJJ yourself, then I want you to take a look at this blueprint that all BJJ practitioners can follow to take their game to a whole new level. On today's show I dive into some common needs of most BJJ athletes and how to address them.  Regardless if you're a high level competitor, a BJJ hobbyist, or even someone who's never stepped on the mats before, there is a TON you can learn from this episode.  Enjoy the show.

On today's show I walk you through how to get shredded for summer 2025, step by step.  I also go over where I've been the last month and how I nearly got into a fist fight at a gas station.  You don't want to miss this one. Enjoy the show. 

My guest on today's show is Ryan Obernesser.  Ryan is a business, leadership, and personal development coach.  In his coaching program, The Lighthouse Leadership Academy, Ryan empowers leaders to remove subconscious blocks, unlock clarity, and achieve true fulfillment and impact at home, work, and in their communities. Him and I had a great conversation where we covered a variety of different topics including: The power of the subconscious mind and how to reprogram it How to recognize patterns past experiences have created How Ryan was nearly kidnapped in Germany Why smoking weed at a party in high school changed my life And so much more.  It was great chatting with Ryan and I know you're going to get a lot out of our conversation.  Enjoy the show.

Welcome to the Iron Business Podcast! One these episodes my partner Joe DeFranco and I will be bringing you real, tactical advice and strategies you can apply to help grow your gym business. We'll also be interviewing other coaches who've gone through our program who have dealt with the same struggles you might be currently facing. On this episode we interview Gonzalo Martinez and Ramon Morales, two great coaches and gym owners out of San Diego, California.  Gonzo and Ray share their biggest struggles in business and the solutions they've used to solve them. Enjoy the show!

There are highs and lows in life.  Neither last forever. Which is why it's so important to create the daily habits that will lead you to the life you want to create.  On today's show I dive into some of my highs and lows and things I've done to help me through the tough times.  Hopefully this episode will help you get clear on the things that can move you forward.  Enjoy the show. 

On today's show I share my predictions for UFC 306, my 7-3-2-1-1 method for getting into top shape, and my mobility hygiene routine you can do every day.  Enjoy this info-packed episode. 

Ever feel like you're meant for more? Like you're going through the motions of life but have so much more to give to the world? Me too. On today's episode I share my personal story on how this has showed up in my life, and what you can do to achieve your full potential. Enjoy.

My guest on today's show is Kenny Johnson.  Kenny is a Strength Coach for over 25 years and has worked with pro athletes to top-level executives to reach peak physical health. Recently KJ has directed his focus towards helping people overcome imposter syndrome and self doubt to unleash their true potential.  We had a great conversation and I know you'll get a lot out of it. You can follow Kenny on Instagram @coachkjknows or visit his website coachkj.com. Enjoy the show.

On today's Q and A episode I dive into a variety of topics including: My favorite training split and why I hate full body workouts My take on deadlifts and why they're overrated for most people How often I eat and how much protein I consume How frequently you should train your abs Will protein powder make you fat?! And more! Enjoy the show.

On today's episode I share my take on the Trump assassination attempt and the one thing you'll need to transform your life. Enjoy the show.

My guest on today's show is Calvin Hartman.  Calvin is a trainer and head strength coach at Defranco's Gym in East Rutherford, NJ where he works with a wide range of clients from pro athletes to the general population. Today him and I discuss a variety of topics including: How young trainers can make a name for themselves in the industry The differences between training athletes and the general population How you can simplify your diet to make it work for your busy lifestyle  We even discuss my archnemesis who got me to lift my first weight! Calvin and I had a great discussion and I think you'll get a lot out of it. Enjoy the show.

I'm not one to sugarcoat things. Every episode I keep it real with you.  Life isn't always as glamorous as social media makes it seem. There are highs and lows and ebbs and flows.  And the good thing is that there is a lot to learn from those lows, even if we don't realize it in the moment.  On today's episode I share with you some of my lowest lows, what I've learned from them and how they've helped me on my path. My goal of this episode is to show you that if I can get out of the hell I was in, you sure as hell can, too. Enjoy the show.

I'm not a multimillionaire.  I'm not a guru. There are a lot of people smarter than me. But I've been through some shit in my life. And through that shit, I've learned a thing or two. The lessons that I've learned have led me to building three successful businesses, an amazing family, and live life on my terms.  A life I never thought possible just a few years ago.  The goal of this episode is to help you look at your life through an objective lens so you too can build the life (and business) of your dreams. Enjoy the show.

Hitting a plateau in your training is frustrating. I know, I've been there. But over the years, I've learned that if you're not seeing the results you want, it comes down to one (or more) of these five reasons.  In this episode I'll be discussing training, nutrition, recovery, and more, while breaking down where and why you might be stuck. Enjoy the show.

Today's episode lays out exactly what you need to get ripped by summer. But my take is a little different than what you may think. Listen to the full show and let's get shredded! Enjoy

Sometimes life can get overwhelming.  I know it sure has for me at times. Whenever the chaos hits, I focus on these 9 steps to help me regain focus and control what's controllable. On today's show I share with you my 9 steps to take full control over your life. Enjoy.

Running an effective training session doesn't mean counting reps and being a cheerleader.  As a coach, we wear many different "hats" in a given session. You wear the trainer "hat", then become the therapist, comedian, DJ, motivational speaker, teacher, coach, mentor, and more. Then factor in the flow of your training session and managing different people and personalities, and their unique structure, level and injury history. There's a lot that goes into doing this at a high level.  Today's show is all about mastering the art of coaching, and how to tie these things together to create an amazing experience for your clients. I hope you enjoy.

My guest on today's show is my friend Rob Ramirez.  Rob is the co-owner of Pucker Punch Coffee and Orbital Coffee.  Today he shares his story of becoming an entrepreneur and how psychedelics changed his life. Topics include: How to avoid harmful chemicals in your coffee The benefits of using psychedelics and how to use them safely  Transitioning from corporate America into entrepreneurship The time he caught me smoking pot when I was 14  And more Enjoy the show.

There are five major layers of a thriving gym business. When I say thriving, I mean that you have an endless supply of leads knocking down your door, a thorough sales process that converts them into paying clients, an exceptional service that keeps your clients coming back, and massive profits. That's one hell of a successful gym business. On today's show I walk you through each of these five layers so you can begin to scale your gym, make a bigger impact and make more money. Enjoy the show.

On today's episode your questions are answered. Topics include: When, how, and who should use supersets How to lose the last 15 lbs. of fat My 6 pillars of fulfillment  How to get more out of life And more Enjoy the show.

Today's episode is all about leadership. Whether you're leading a team of employees, your family, or even just yourself for now, there's a lot you'll gain from this show.  As my friend Bedros Keuilian says, leadership is the problem, and leadership is the solution. These are my 7 pillars on becoming a better leader. Enjoy the show.

On today's show I walk you through the exact formula I use to help my clients get lean. Regardless of your current level, or how many times you've tried to lose body fat in the past, this blueprint will work for you. As long as you do your part and apply it, of course. Here are some of the topics: What you need to assess before and during your fat loss phase Two VERY overlooked components of losing fat How much cardio you should be doing The main focus of your training program And more. You don't want to miss this one. Enjoy the show

Most people will not achieve their goals. Ever. Not just this year, but for their lifetime.  That's unfortunate, and I want it to be different for you. On today's show I share my 7 Rule To Dominate 2024 (and forever). You'll want to break out a notebook for this one. Enjoy the show.

When building a gym one of the most overlooked components is creating a thriving culture. What's more overlooked is how you can simultaneously build a thriving culture while getting new leads to walk through your door. On today's episode I share 7 strategies that can build a thriving culture while getting you more leads at NO COST to you! Enjoy and be sure to take action so you're not leaving any money on the table.

Over the years I've made countless mistakes in business. And learning from these mistakes is what's allowed us to see growth year over year.  Today I narrowed it down to the twelve biggest mistakes I've made over the last twelve years, in hopes that you can avoid them and save yourself a lot of time, stress and money. Get your notebook out for this one. Enjoy the show

Building a strong core isn't what you think. You probably think of sit-ups and planks when you think of core training. And although they're part of the equation, exercises like these don't complete the puzzle. On today's show Chris breaks down exactly what you need to do to build a truly strong core. Enjoy.

Most people fail. That's the unfortunate reality. However, those that win all share something in common. A winning mindset. On today's episode Chris shares the mindset that's helped him succeed, as well as the things he's learned from high performers. Topics include: How to create a clear vision What distractions are killing you and how to avoid them How to apply discipline to your life The truth about masterminds And so much more. Enjoy the show.

On today's show Chris discusses the truth about cardio. Topics include: Why strength training is superior for physique transformation The real benefits of cardio (it's not what you think) Different adaptation that occur from different methods of training The best type of cardio How often you should be doing cardio And more. Enjoy this info packed episode!

If you're a gym owner this episode is a must listen! Chris shares the exact framework you'll need to develop a world-class front end program that will get new clients lining up at your door every month. On today's show Chris shares: How to "wow" your clients with a great onboarding experience How to deliver real value throughout your program Communication cadences  How to convert members into long term clients How to get more reviews and testimonials than ever And so much more. Enjoy the show.

On today's show Chris discusses why most people fail at fitness, business and other aspects of their lives.  Chris shares personal experiences of failure as well as the failures of those he's worked with throughout the years. Some topics include: What most people THINK they need but don't The three categories of people who fail The top things that stop people from achieving success The 7 basic human fears His formula to win And so much more. Enjoy the show.

On today's show Chris shares his "H-S-P" formula that's helped him put an end to his anxiety. He breaks down exactly what you can do in each category so you can put his method into action, with hopes that it will help you end your anxiety, too.  Enjoy the show.

Sam Miller is a nutrition coach and founder of Metabolism School. He's also a podcast host, best selling author and helps build coaches into in-demand experts. On today's show Sam and Chris dive into all things nutrition including: The negative impact of diet culture How chronic calorie restriction can negatively impact fat loss and health  The reasons behind the rise of obesity  The impact of stress on metabolism  His P3 Model for transformation And much more. Enjoy the show.  

It's my opinion that to achieve a life of fulfillment and happiness there are six major areas you need to address and constantly improve.  For example, you might be incredibly fit but broke. Or you're rich but unhealthy. Rich and healthy but have terrible relationships.  None of these examples will lead you down a path of happiness.  So on today's show I give you the six "pillars" that have given me fulfillment in my own life, in hopes that they can do the same for you.  Enjoy the show.

If you're a gym owner or have aspirations to open a gym, this episode is for you.  On today's show Chris gives you 11 critical tips to building a massively successful and profitable gym and how to apply them today.  Some topics include: Creating a world class front end program Creating a sales process that isn't sleazy  How to become a master connector in your community  How to differentiate your gym from others in your area Building a world class team And more. If you're a gym owner or trainer, this is a must listen. Enjoy the show.

Jemand is an entrepreneur, author, speaker, and mentor. Today he sits down with Chris to make his second appearance on the Iron Life and delivered a ton of great information on a variety of topics. Some topics include: Starting a franchise Managing his work-life mix How to manage your schedule while operating multiple businesses  How to shift your belief system Developing a winning mindset  And much more! There are so many gems given in this episode so you'll want to have a notebook handy. Enjoy the show

Brian Pannuzzo is a high performance health coach who specializes in helping top performers maximize their mental, physical and relational health.  Today, he sits dow with Chris to discuss how YOU can maximize your potential in all of these areas. Enjoy the show

Fitness and nutrition trends come and go.  And 99.9% of them have done more harm than good. On today's show Chris dives into these different trends to discuss the issues they've created as well as how to spot them so you don't get sucked in.  He also gives you the four key things you must focus on to lose fat, build muscle, get strong and optimize your health. Enjoy the show. 

On today's episode Chris breaks down a list of 20 things you can do to achieve optimal health. You'll want a notebook handy for this one. Enjoy

Darwin Diaz is a personal trainer in New York City.  He's known for helping people maximize their results while keeping fitness as simple as possible.  Darwin is also a consultant for other trainers based out of NYC, helping them build six figure businesses. Today, he sits down with Chris to dive into all things fitness and fitness business. Enjoy the show.

John Alvino is a fitness expert with over 30 years in the industry.  Today he sits down with Chris to talk business, training, nutrition and more. Some of the topics they discuss are: Struggles with running a fitness business The evolution of training and what sucks about it now How John almost died in the legendary Diamond Gym The truth about nutrition and fat loss And much more. Enjoy the show.

Gabriella Borges is and expert in Breathwork and Yoga.  She's the owner of And Flow Yoga and Breathwork and founder of And Flow Yoga Academy.  Today, she sits down with Chris to discuss her pregnancy, dietary changes she's made while pregnant, and how staying on top of her fitness has helped her these last eight months.  They also touch on the importance of breathwork to reduce stress, and oddly enough, sexual molestation by a goat. Yeah, it got a little weird. Enjoy the show.

Today Chris sits down with Kenny Santucci. Kenny is a trainer, owner of The Strength Club in New York City, and former star of MTV's The Challenge.  Kenny and Chris cover a wide variety of topics including: The path to transition from trainer to gym owner The right and wrong mindset around fitness and nutrition Why most people fail How YOU can succeed Along with some great stories for a few laughs. Enjoy the show.

When it comes to running a business, there's a lot of information out there. But there are a few components that the business "gurus" forget to tell you about. On today's show, Chris shares his lessons in business and give you tips that you can apply to your business today to see massive growth. Enjoy

Marc Megna is a 10 year NFL and pro football veteran, co-owner of Anatomy gyms in South Florida and author of Dream Big, Never Quit: The Marc Megna Story. On today's show Chris and Marc discuss his journey in pro football, getting started in the fitness industry, developing leadership skills, creating an amazing culture and more. Whether you're a fitness pro or just a fitness enthusiast, there is A LOT you'll get out of this episode. Enjoy the show

Mike Over is an author, coach, former gym owner and online fitness coach. On today's show he shares his story of overcoming adversity in his life to build his gym and then transition into the online coaching space.  Mike's story is incredibly inspiring and there is a lot to learn from this episode. Enjoy the show.

Almost everyone can benefit from training like an athlete. It doesn't matter if you're a middle aged mom, washed up meathead or a weekend warrior. Training like an athlete is going to help you look and feel your best. But what does training like an athlete really mean? And how can you do that correctly? Does it mean sprinting on a treadmill or doing vertical jumps? You'll find out all of those answers and more on today's show. Enjoy