My alarm blared way too early on Saturday, and I wasn’t thrilled.

The bed was warm, I was exhausted, and the thought of dragging myself to the laptop felt like a cruel joke. But January is the busiest time of year for a fitness coach. People are motivated, and that’s an incredible blessing.

I reminded myself how lucky I am to do work that matters—helping people transform their lives. Still, I gave myself five minutes of self-pity before opening my inbox.

What I saw there was the motivation I needed:

• Clients overcoming obstacles to get in great shape.

• Stories of people pushing past injuries to rediscover the joy of movement.

• Messages from those who had drastically improved their quality of life.

These are the reasons I pour my mornings, nights, and weekends into coaching. And it’s why I’m here to remind you that small changes can lead to big transformations in your life, too.

My 4 Favorite Emails From Saturday

Usually, I share one client success story every few months. But on Saturday, my inbox delivered four in a row.

How Caleb Balanced Strength and Fatherhood

Caleb, a father of three under ten, wrote:

“Thank you for the detailed and encouraging overview of my progress. Managing my shoulder, elbow, and back pain while making strength gains has been a game-changer. Your focus on balancing fitness with family life made it possible to stay consistent, even in the busiest seasons. I feel confident and motivated heading into 2025 because of the foundation we’ve built together.”

When Caleb’s first two children were born, fitness took a backseat. But when his daughter arrived last fall, things were different. Caleb committed to staying strong for his family. Together, we built a plan to manage his pain while making steady strength gains, all while juggling the chaos of fatherhood.

Now, Caleb feels stronger and more confident. He’s not just lifting weights—he’s lifting his kids without fear of injury and keeping up with them like never before.

Imagine the energy and strength you could bring to your life—whether it’s playing with your kids or tackling everyday tasks with confidence. With the right guidance, it’s possible to thrive, no matter how busy life gets.

How Jenny Reclaimed Her Strength and Quality of Life

Jenny, a super-grandma, dog mom, kayaker, and personal trainer, emailed:

“Thanks for helping me get rid of back pain and get stronger so I can do fun things with my grandchildren, family, and pets.”

Jenny came to me with persistent back pain. Through focused strength training, we built a foundation to protect her back and support her active lifestyle. Now, she’s pain-free, chasing her grandkids, playing with her pets, and kayaking with ease.

If you’re living with pain, know that you don’t have to settle for discomfort. Addressing pain isn’t just about feeling better—it’s about reclaiming your freedom and enjoying life to the fullest.

How Marena Stayed On Track Through Life’s Challenges

Between work travel and her social life, Marena is one of the busiest people I know. She wrote:

“Thank you for changing my workouts to keep me on track on the road. I appreciate you! Very fortunate to have your help!”

Marena’s success comes down to flexibility and consistency. We adapted her workouts and nutrition strategies to fit her demanding schedule. She prioritizes quick, effective workouts and makes mindful food choices, even during work dinners.

Having someone to adjust your plan and hold you accountable can make all the difference, especially when life gets hectic.

Ayush’s Journey: Rediscovering Movement

My previous client Ayush wrote with an inspiring update:

“Thanks to you, my back and shoulder pain are nearly gone, and I’ve fallen in love with training again. I can now tie my shoes, get up from a chair without discomfort, and do exercises like cable rows and RDLs pain-free. People are noticing my body composition changes, even though my weight hasn’t shifted much. I’m excited to lock in and keep progressing.”

When Ayush started coaching, everyday tasks were a challenge. Through consistent effort and small adjustments, he eliminated his pain, improved his mobility, and rediscovered the joy of movement. Today, he’s lifting pain-free, playing racquetball, and tackling life with renewed confidence.

If pain has held you back, know this: reclaiming your body is empowering. Whether it’s lifting, playing a sport, or simply enjoying your day-to-day, pain-free movement is life-changing.

The Power of Online Fitness Coaching

My inbox on Saturday reminded me how transformative it is to have someone in your corner—whether it’s overcoming pain, balancing family life, or staying consistent with your goals.

Personalized coaching isn’t just about a workout plan. It’s about partnership. It’s about adapting to your life and holding you accountable every step of the way.

There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing someone go from struggling with pain to thriving, or from juggling a hectic schedule to feeling stronger and more confident. That’s why I’m so passionate about this work.

That said, I can only take on a limited number of clients to maintain the quality of coaching I pride myself on. I currently have just two spots left, and after that, I’ll be closing my roster until late spring.

If you’re ready to make a change—whether it’s overcoming pain, getting in better shape, or improving your health—this is your time.

Don’t wait. Put yourself first. Let’s work together to make your health and fitness goals a reality.

Best,

John

P.S. All smiles for smores and playoff football this weekend :-)

3 Steps You Can Take

1. Apply for coaching - If you’re ready to start, you can fill out a coaching application here (it takes 90 seconds or less). Best case, you change your life. Worst case, I’ll help you draw up a road map to get closer to your goals.
   

2. Sign up for my newsletter - If you’d like to hear more, sign up for my mailing list here.
   

3. Keep learning - You can check out my other articles here. Nobody asked me to, but I’ve spent a ton of time researching everything from artificial sweeteners to saturated fat to testosterone and more, so you don’t have to.