Ep 245: No Followers, No Problem: What the Best Trainers Are Doing Differently

In this episode, Bex chats with Ben Scott, coach, mentor, and co-founder of STC Learn — a platform helping personal trainers build rock-solid businesses without chasing clout or compromising integrity.

Ben shares his journey from engineering to full-time gym floor PT, and how he scaled from solo sessions to leading a seven-figure coaching team and now mentoring hundreds of PTs. 

They dive deep into why big box gyms are still the best launch pad, how to structure offers that sell, and why most coaches get stuck trying to impress their peers on Instagram instead of speaking to real clients.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale, this episode is full of honest insights, mindset shifts, and practical frameworks to help you build a sustainable career in fitness — no dancing on reels required.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why starting in a big box gym is still the smartest move for new PTs
• How to structure and price your services to increase revenue (without overcomplicating it)
• Ben’s marketing and content creation advice for coaches who don’t want to be influencers
• The missing link between social media engagement and actual leads
• His simple sales process — from DMs to consults to conversions
  What separates top-performing coaches from those who don’t make it

Recommended Resources:

• STC Learn Podcast – Weekly coaching and business advice from Ben and the team
• Canva or Keynote – For building simple, visual sales presentations for client consults
• Calendly or Setmore – Tools for scheduling and automating your sales process

Connect with Ben:

• [e-mail] on Instagram for coaching insights, program details, and weekly business tips
• Learn more about STC Learn’s programs: Breakout PT & Standout PT
• Check out the STC Learn Podcast: Beyond The Gym Floor

🚀 Ready to Launch Your Fitness Career? 

Thinking about getting qualified or levelling up as a PT? Check out our Certificate III & IV in Fitness and CEC Courses at Fitness Education Online

Keywords: coaching, personal training, fitness business, online coaching, marketing strategies, sales techniques, trainer advice, Instagram, pricing strategies, coaching success

Takeaways: 

• Do the thing you said you would do.
• Be less shit in your daily actions.
• Transitioning to online coaching can be beneficial.
• Focus on getting clients in front of you.
• Pricing strategies should be clear and simple.
• Instagram remains a powerful marketing tool.
• Sales techniques are crucial for converting leads.
• Aspiring trainers should gain experience in big box gyms.
• Commit to applying new knowledge immediately.
• Success in coaching requires consistency and adaptability.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Mantras
• 02:07 Ben's Journey into Coaching
• 04:48 Transitioning to Online Coaching
• 06:27 Building a Coaching Business
• 09:33 Pricing Strategies for Personal Trainers
• 12:15 Marketing Strategies for Fitness Professionals
• 14:14 Using Instagram Effectively
• 16:59 Creating Engaging Content
• 20:00 Content Creation Mindset
• 21:29 The Importance of Engagem