Elite Trainer Academy
Kyle Pullin
The Elite Trainer Podcast is hosted by Kyle Pullin, a coach mentored by Sal, Adam, and Justin from Mind Pump and now leading the growth of their personal training business. This show is for fitness coaches who want to sharpen their skills, grow a real business, and impact more lives. Whether you're new to training or looking to level up, you'll get proven strategies, honest insights, and the tools to stand out in a crowded industry.
Episodes
Mentioned books
12 snips
Mar 23, 2026 • 16min
Trainer Q&A: Programming, Online Coaching & Nutrition Challenges | Elite Trainer Academy #35
Justin Andrews, coach and Mind Pump contributor who gives practical coaching and nutrition fixes. Sal Distefano, fitness coach and Mind Pump co‑host known for blunt program structure and online coaching advice. They discuss MAPS program progression, how to structure and price online coaching, communication-first delivery, and nonjudgmental ways to get clients talking about nutrition.
9 snips
Mar 16, 2026 • 42min
EP 34: How to Actually Coach Clients Through Fat Loss
Corinne, an experienced fitness coach who specializes in practical fat-loss coaching, reverse dieting, and client behavior management. She covers when someone is truly ready to diet. She explains reverse dieting as the foundation for sustainable cuts. She talks about structuring deficits, using refeeds and diet breaks, and tools to make dieting more manageable.
9 snips
Mar 9, 2026 • 42min
EP 33: Why Most Trainers Never Become Elite
A breakdown of the seven habits that keep trainers stuck at average. Discussions cover why focusing only on looks undermines health and retention. They highlight celebrating small wins, measuring progress through strength and decisions, and teaching clients to make choices. The conversation stresses being proactive, using science flexibly, and keeping fitness enjoyable so clients stick with it.
10 snips
Mar 2, 2026 • 24min
EP 32: Female Fitness Myths (And How to Coach Through Them)
They debunk long-held myths about women and weight training in short, punchy segments. They challenge the reliance on the scale, sweating, and endless cardio for progress. They compare strength training to investing and explain why cardio can become counterproductive. They stress coaching language, celebrating small wins, and practicing clear, concise explanations to change beliefs.
12 snips
Feb 23, 2026 • 34min
EP 31: Are You Training Clients… Or Just Burning Calories?
Cole Steininger, a practical fitness coach focused on programming, recovery, and behavior change. He digs into progressive overload done right. They discuss tracking sleep and stress as multipliers for progress. Conversation centers on making training intentional and shifting identity to create lasting habits.
9 snips
Feb 16, 2026 • 23min
EP 30: Why “More” Is Ruining Your Clients’ Results
They unpack how driven clients end up doing too much in training and nutrition. They show early warning signs of burnout and why communication beats any plan. Strength is reframed as the key progress metric. They explore channeling high-achiever grit into recovery and enjoyable movement. They also discuss when tracking becomes control and steps toward flexible, intuitive eating.
10 snips
Feb 9, 2026 • 23min
EP 29: Why Most Trainers Can’t Keep Clients
Cole Stanger, a fitness coach who specializes in long-term coaching and client retention, joins to discuss keeping clients for years. He talks about framing coaching as a long-term identity shift. Conversations cover building trust quickly, making re-signs feel natural and low-pressure, and turning results into lasting habits.
12 snips
Feb 2, 2026 • 28min
EP 28: Tough Talks: How Elite Coaches Handle Hard Client Conversations
Two trainers return to tackle the awkward conversations most avoid. They cover setting honest timelines and why crash diets derail clients. The hosts explain spotting communication fade and preventing ghosting with small wins. Expect tips on selling through emotional buy-in, rewarding effort over results, and asking better questions to spark client discovery.
10 snips
Jan 26, 2026 • 40min
EP 27: Certified But Clueless: Why You’re Still Not a Great Coach
Cole Steininger, an experienced personal trainer and Mind Pump coach, shares candid stories and practical coaching lessons. They unpack why certifications alone do not make you effective. Expect sharp takes on building feedback loops, pattern recognition, simplifying communication, and turning practice into real coaching skill.
9 snips
Jan 19, 2026 • 20min
EP 26: Why Clients Quit (And How to Prevent It) Master This and Keep Clients for Life
Corinne Schmiedhauser, a fitness coach known for relationship-focused coaching, shares why consistency beats programming. She talks about building trust through vulnerability and emotional safety. Short tips include learning clients’ daily lives, letting personality show, and staying reliably present to keep momentum and strengthen connections.
