In this special interview episode of Fitness Business Insights with Matt Robinson, I sit down with Donna from the Coaching Standards Panel Podcast to break down lead generation, client acquisition, and the reality of surviving (and thriving) as an in-person fitness coach in 2026.
We dig into what lead generation actually is, why most PTs burn out within two years, and how a simple 3-stage system — Engage → Offer → Prescribe — can transform how coaches find clients and convert them ethically.
I also share my own journey from a 21-year-old gym-floor PT ready to quit… to building a long-term coaching career, mentoring over 20 trainers, and helping hundreds of coaches build stable, in-person businesses that last.
What You’ll Learn
✓ Why 80% of PTs leave the industry — and how to avoid the same fate
✓ What lead generation really means (and why most coaches misunderstand it)
✓ The 3-stage system: Engage, Offer, Prescribe
✓ Why fast sales cycles no longer work
✓ How long-form content speeds up trust and buying decisions
✓ The power of in-person connection for building a resilient coaching business
✓ Why you’re more equipped for business than you realise
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