Principles-First Programming for General Population

Welcome to another insightful episode of the Nutrition and Life podcast! Today, host Lisa Franz is joined by George Pagan, an established personal trainer and the visionary behind Fit Elite Nation and the Nexus education directory for coaches. With over a decade of experience, George Pagan brings a refreshingly non-dogmatic, accessible approach to fitness—helping both beginners and seasoned clients break through plateaus and rediscover their physical potential.

In this episode, George Pagan gets candid about his journey from recovering high school athlete to self-employed coach, shares how injury shaped his perspective, and discusses the ever-evolving world of exercise science. If you’re a gym-goer, coach, or fitness business owner, you’ll find practical programming advice, mindset tools for overcoming barriers, and valuable career insights, plus, hear all about Nexus, George Pagan’s free, one-stop hub for live and online continuing education.

Join us for actionable tips, personal anecdotes, and empowering strategies to make fitness accessible, enjoyable, and sustainable for everyone!

Timestamp Overview:

[00:00] - Welcome & Episode Preview

[00:36] - Making Fitness Accessible & Non-Dogmatic Training Philosophy

[01:20] - George Pagan’s Background: From Athlete to Coach

[02:58] - Early Career, Work Experience, and Starting Fit Elite Nation [04:03] - What Is Fit Elite Nation? Niche, Clientele & Approach

[05:16] - Exercise Science Education: Takeaways & Real-World Application

[08:47] - Rep Ranges, Programming Myths & What University Didn’t Teach

[10:20] - Principles-First Programming & Meeting Clients Where They Are

[12:23] - Client Assessments: Movement Quality & Coaching Cues

[14:36] - Plateau-Busting Strategies: The Power of Slowing Down

[15:30] - How to Use Tempo and Rest in Programming

[18:36] - Class vs. Individual Approaches & Rest as a Tool

[19:23] - Preferred Training Splits for Clients & Self

[21:05] - Ongoing Education: The Value of Live Events & Feedback

[23:41] - Coaching Lessons: Asking for Feedback & The Kitesurfing Story

[27:16] - Adapting Coaching Styles: Tools for Every Client

[29:23] - Learning from Other Specialties (e.g., Pre/Postnatal, Therapy)

[30:27] - Introducing Nexus: A Free Directory for Trainers’ Education

[32:39] - George Pagan’s Current Training & Goals

[34:19] - Building a Hybrid Training Model & Favorite Clients

[35:56] - Personal Routines: Reading, Journaling & Self-Development

Connect with George Pagan:

• Instagram: @fiteleitenation
• website: https://fitletes.com/

Connect, Share & Subscribe: For more inspiring conversations and up-to-date fitness wisdom, subscribe to the Nutrition and Life podcast and follow us on social media! Share your favorite takeaway from today’s episode and tag us on Instagram @nutritioncoachingandlife. You can also find more show notes, practical tips, and resources on our website at https://nutritioncoachingandlife.com/.

Want more? Be sure to browse the Nexus for your next live event or course, and get in touch with George or Lisa for coaching and collaboration opportunities.