LTB Podcast

Hayley Simpson, known locally as the Yoga Lady, has built something genuinely special in Prestwich, North Manchester. Her Ofsted-registered kids holiday clubs bring together movement, play, and a whole lot of joy, and in this episode she pulls back the curtain on exactly how she did it. Maggie sits down with Hayley to trace the journey from running a yoga business to creating a holiday provision that parents trust and children love. They get into the real nuts and bolts: what it actually takes to make a kids club financially viable, the safeguarding and staffing considerations that can't be an afterthought, why Hayley chose the Ofsted registration route and what that process really involves. But this episode isn't just a business case study. At its heart, it's about what happens when you build something around genuine passion. Hayley talks openly about the joy the clubs bring her every single time they run and why that matters as much as any spreadsheet. Whether you're a fitness professional curious about diversifying into children's provision, or someone who's ever wondered what it really takes to run a registered kids activity business, this one's well worth your time. Find Out More About LTB Membership: Website: https://liftthebar.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar

Does cycle syncing actually improve training outcomes or is it being oversold? In this episode, Claire and Maggie dig into the science and real‑world realities of menstrual cycles and training. They explore what the research really says (including why many cycle‑based programming claims don't hold up), while also recognising that lived experience, symptoms, and perception still matter in the gym. This conversation helps personal trainers move away from rigid rules and towards empathetic, client‑led coaching that treats menstrual cycles as a normal part of life, not something that needs over‑medicalising or one‑size‑fits‑all solutions. Find Out More About LTB Membership: Website: https://liftthebar.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar

The Problem of Perfect explores why striving to "do it all right" in fitness coaching can sometimes do more harm than good. Claire and Maggie unpack the difference between healthy conscientiousness and unhelpful perfectionism, looking at how rigid rules, all‑or‑nothing thinking, and self‑criticism can impact both trainers and clients. This episode offers practical ways for personal trainers to recognise perfectionist patterns, build more flexible, realistic plans, and model imperfection to create safer, more trusting coaching relationships. Find Out More About LTB Membership: Website: https://liftthebar.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar

In this episode, Claire speaks with Maggie about what weight‑neutral coaching really looks like in practice. They explore how moving away from weight‑centric fitness shifts the focus toward function, joy, and client autonomy, and why this approach can create safer, more inclusive coaching environments. Maggie shares her journey transitioning to weight‑neutral coaching, practical changes personal trainers can make to language and marketing, and how to hold clear boundaries with clients seeking weight loss without losing business or integrity. Find Out More About LTB Membership: Website: https://liftthebar.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar

Claire and Maggie explore anti‑glycolytic training, a high‑intensity, high‑rest approach rooted in Soviet sport science, and why avoiding the burn can lead to better endurance, recovery, and long‑term results. Find Out More About LTB Membership: Website: https://liftthebar.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar

In this episode, Maggie sits down with Caroline, physiotherapist and founder of Rebalance Physiotherapy, a mobile and care home practice serving South Manchester, Cheshire, and Derbyshire. Caroline works with some of the most complex client presentations in the field, incl neurological conditions, frailty, post-hospital rehabilitation, and falls prevention, delivering high-quality physio in people's homes and care settings rather than behind a clinic door. They talk about what building a business actually looks like outside of your training, the real challenges of working mobile, and what it takes to grow a team that genuinely fits your model. And of course, the relationship between physios and personal trainers. Where the two professions complement each other, where the friction is, and how PTs can work better alongside physios for the benefit of shared clients. If you've ever referred a client on, worked alongside a physio, or wondered how to strengthen those professional relationships this one's for you. Find Out More About LTB Membership: Website: https://liftthebar.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar

In this episode, Maggie and Claire explore what belonging really looks like in personal training. They discuss how trainers can create connection through listening, language, and intentional culture‑setting, without forcing community or relying on surface‑level friendliness. Drawing on real coaching examples and behavioural science, the conversation unpacks the difference between interpersonal and structural belonging, how environments influence client comfort, and why genuine one‑to‑one relationships matter most. This episode is for coaches who want clients to feel seen, understood, and supported and to build training relationships that last. Find Out More About LTB Membership: Website: https://liftthebar.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar

What does it take to lift over 23,834kg in a single hour? We're joined by world-record holder and personal trainer Megan Kelly to discuss the mental and physical grit required to achieve a Guiness World Record. But this isn't just a talk about stats; it's a deep dive into the heart of coaching. Megan opens up about the resilience she gained from her successful and "failed" record attempts, her journey of opening her own studio, and why she recently decided to become a total beginner again by learning calisthenics. We explore her person-centered philosophy and why her primary metric for success isn't just a number on a scale, but the happiness of the people she coaches. In this episode, we discuss: The logistics and mindset of a world record. How to handle setbacks and turn them into professional growth. Why staying a "student" makes you a better coach for your clients.

In this episode, Claire chats with Steffie Murray to explore her journey as a competitive strongwoman, from discovering the sport to becoming Scotland's Strongest Woman, Britain's Strongest Woman, and finishing second in the world. Steffie shares what drew her to strongman competition, the variety of events that keep her motivated, and how the sport has transformed her confidence, discipline and relationship with her body. We dive into the realities of training for strongwoman competitions, including how Steffie structures her strength sessions, event days, and recovery work to stay healthy and competitive. The conversation also covers her role as a PT as well as looking ahead to the future of women's strongman and Steffie's commitment to competing as a natural athlete while maintaining integrity in the sport. Follow Steffie on Instagram: @dawnstrength88 Find Out More About LTB Membership: Website: https://liftthebar.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar

What is it actually like to be on the receiving end of our coaching? To find out, we've flipped the script. In this episode, Maggie sits down with three of her own clients, Mara, Helen, and Eleanor, to get the unvarnished truth from the gym floor. From the initial nerves of walking into a gym to the specific things a coach does that build (or break) trust, these women share their honest experiences of the fitness industry. We talk about what keeps them motivated, how they balance training with high-pressure lives, and what they wish all PTs knew about the client experience. If you've ever wondered what your clients are really thinking, this episode is for you. In this episode, we discuss: "Green flags" and "Red flags" from a client's perspective. Why community and safety often matter more than the workout. The reality of balancing fitness goals with real-world stressors. Find Out More About LTB Membership: Website: https://liftthebar.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar