How Zach Rebuilt His Business for Profit After an $18K Coaching Mistake

What if the key to standing out in a crowded online health and fitness industry isn't some flashy new marketing trick, but a deeper understanding of who you actually help and why they should work with you?

Today I'm joined by one of our standout NBA clients, Zach Lewandowski—a personal trainer turned online nutrition coach who helps high-performing professionals lose fat and build sustainable habits.

Zach shares his powerful journey of rebuilding after spending $18K on the wrong coach. From broken trust to bold pivots, he opens up about the real lessons, strategies, and mindset shifts that helped him create a profitable business that actually feels good to run.

If you've ever been burned by a business coach or felt stuck trying to "do it all" without the ROI you expected, this one's for you.

Episode Timeline

[2:24] – Zach's journey from 17-year-old personal trainer to online health coach
[4:00] – The challenge of standing out in a crowded health & fitness industry
[6:42] – Shifting from broad messaging to specific, client-centered language
[9:23] – Why Zach stopped chasing "more content" and focused on quality over quantity
[13:19] – Spotting red flags in sales conversations and protecting your coaching energy
[16:24] – How the sales landscape has shifted since 2020 and what's working now
[21:44] – Zach's experiences with shady mentors, lawsuits, and rebuilding trust
[35:35] – Why simplifying to one high-ticket offer transformed Zach's business
[43:40] – The power of retention and why Zach shifted from 9-week to 6-month programs
[47:11] – Final advice for coaches navigating today's tougher online market

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Top 5 Quotes from This Episode

1. "When you're educated and not chasing gimmicky buzzwords, it's tough to stand out—you have to be crystal clear on who you help and how you help them."

2. "I stopped trying to push out tons of content. Now I focus on being very specific and detailed, even if I'm only speaking to 100 people."

3. "If you try to juggle 10 different strategies, you won't be great at any of them. Simplicity always wins."

4. "Retention is everything. Even if you don't sign new clients for a couple months, recurring revenue keeps your business alive."

5. "It's going to take much longer than you think, probably double or triple the time. But if you stay consistent, it's worth it."

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Links & Resources

• Connect with Zach on Instagram: @fortifiedstrength

• Learn more about my program, The Nourished Business Accelerator: DM me NBA on Instagram

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