In the Trenches with Mike Boyle

5 snips

Apr 20, 2026

Mike Boyle, veteran strength and conditioning coach and MBSC founder, shares hard-won, in-field wisdom. He debates force versus load and why force plates matter. He calls out internet-only experts and highlights survivorship bias in lifting research. He also covers single-leg training, scaling safe programs, and lessons from running and rebuilding a business.

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ADVICE

Install Three Staff Systems Immediately

Install three staff systems: regular one-on-ones, service audits, and structured staff development.
Mark Fisher recommends weekly technical training plus quarterly/annual check-ins to align standards and improve execution.

INSIGHT

Force Matters More Than Load

Force matters more than load when assessing training risk and stimulus.
Mike Boyle contrasts a 24-inch box drop producing higher forces than a heavy bilateral squat to show force is the key variable.

INSIGHT

Survivorship Bias Inflates Safety Claims

Survivorship bias skews research and community anecdotes about lifting safety.
Boyle notes studies sample current athletes so injured people who quit lifting are excluded, inflating perceived safety.

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Aren’t you tired of the internet expert culture? We need more real-world coaching insights from the trenches and less influencer garbage.

In this episode of the Strength Coach Podcast, we dive deep into why force matters more than load and how survivorship bias might be skewing your training philosophy. Join Anthony Renna and legendary coach Mike Boyle as they break down the science and soul of modern strength and conditioning.

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This episode covers a wide range of essential topics for fitness professionals, starting with the Business for Unicorns Fitness Business Power Play segment and Mark Fisher’s expert advice on managing staff performance. You will learn the three pillars of a successful gym team: regular one-on-ones, consistent service audits, and structured staff development. If you have ever felt frustrated with how your team is executing your vision, these systems will help you course-correct and build a better culture.

Coach Mike Boyle discusses the recent backlash from his viral clips and the difference between training for likes versus training for results.

We explore the technical side of force plates, the reality of injuries in powerlifting, and why single-leg training remains a superior choice for long-term health.

Coach Boyle shares personal stories from his early career, including the mistakes he made as a business owner and how he navigated the cliffs and fog of the industry to build MBSC into what it is today.

Whether you are a personal trainer, a gym owner, or a strength coach, this episode provides the context you need to train smarter and safer.

Chapters

0:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

2:30 Perform Better Education and Events

5:00 Business for Unicorns: Improving Staff Performance

8:15 The Importance of Regular One-on-Ones

11:00 Auditing Your Training Standards

14:00 Creating a Culture of Staff Development

17:30 Coach Boyle on Internet Culture and Education

21:00 Force vs Load: The Science of Impact

24:30 Understanding Survivorship Bias in Fitness

28:00 Lessons from Coach Boyle’s Powerlifting Days

31:30 Single Leg Training: Balance and Assistance

34:45 Scaling Training for Different Audiences

37:15 Navigating the Cliff: Business Lessons and Growth

If you found these insights helpful, make sure to subscribe for more deep dives into the fitness industry!

Check out the resources mentioned at StrengthCoach.com and PerformBetter.com to take your coaching to the next level.

Want to build a fitness business that creates more income, impact, and freedom?
Here are some FREE biz-building resources from our friends at Business for Unicorns (https://businessforunicorns.com):

Get the Little Book of Gym Marketing Secrets HERE-
https://go.businessforunicorns.com/gym-marketing-book

Book a free 10-minute intro call HERE
https://go.businessforunicorns.com/brainstorm

Follow BFU on Instagram HERE
https://www.instagram.com/businessforunicorns/

Subscribe to Mark Fisher’s channel on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/markfisherhumanbeing