John Jeffrey: From Oil Fields to Barbells

What happens when a geophysicist trades oil rigs for iron plates?

In this episode of The Personal Trainer Experience, I sit down with John Jeffrey — someone I used to share the training floor with back at Equinox NYC, back before everyone with a ring light and Wi-Fi became a fitness guru.

Jeff’s path isn’t typical. Born in Trinidad and having lived in Saudi Arabia, he studied geophysics before deciding he’d rather rebuild people than study rocks. He’s coached high-performing professionals across New York and Florida, competed in powerlifting, and now runs a fitness retreat in Bali called Villa Kismet Fit.

We talk about the evolution every trainer goes through — from muscle-mag programs to understanding what actually works. We get into burnout, family dynamics, and building a training business that supports your life instead of running it into the ground.

You’ll hear us unpack:

• Why the basics still beat the trends (yes, squats still work)

• Training his wife and daughter — and why it’s tougher than clients

• Client red flags, firing sessions, and learning when to walk away

• What it takes to help a mom of 3 compete in her first weightlifting meet

• My own journey building tools for trainers, including a new feature to track income, session feedback, and long-term client retention inside The Training Notebook

Whether you’re a seasoned coach or just getting started, this episode pulls back the curtain on the business, burnout, and behind-the-scenes of personal training.

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you listen.

This episode covers real-world personal trainer life, fitness entrepreneurship, how to get training clients, burnout in personal training, and stories from Equinox veterans to Bali-based strength coaches.