In this episode of the Elite Trainer Academy, Kyle sits down with Adam Schafer from Mind Pump for a raw, behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to scale a fitness business to $20M.They dive deep into the real needle movers—like leveraging an email list, scaling personal training demand, and the power of delegation. Whether you're a new trainer trying to build a client base or a seasoned entrepreneur scaling your operations, this episode is packed with tactical insights and mindset shifts you won't hear anywhere else. If you got value from this episode, make sure to follow or subscribe to The Elite Trainer Podcast so you never miss an episode. If you know a friend, client, or fellow trainer who could benefit, share it with them — it’s the best way to support the show and help more coaches level up.Thanks for listening — we’re just getting started.

• (00:00) Welcome to Elite Trainer Academy x Mind Pump

• (00:43) What’s really moving the needle for Mind Pump?

• (02:00) Why the email list is a goldmine (and a missed opportunity)

• (03:15) Personal training is the key growth driver

• (04:20) Creating value for clients—even with just 10

• (06:00) Scaling from a solo trainer to a real business

• (07:30) Daily client engagement: small actions, big results

• (09:00) AI, recipes, and small touches that build loyalty

• (10:30) Becoming indispensable to your clients

• (11:45) How Adam allocates time across the business

• (13:00) ROI thinking: where should your time go?

• (14:30) Empowering the right people to lead

• (16:45) The $1M–$10M trap most entrepreneurs fall into

• (18:30) Why delegation is critical for scaling

• (21:10) Finding A-players and building a championship team

• (23:00) Kyle on winning games vs winning championships

• (24:30) Traits of elite team members (and how to find them)

• (26:00) What Mind Pump needs to hit $20M+

• (28:15) Character over skill: what really matters when hiring

• (31:00) The learn-before-you-earn mindset

• (34:00) Final thoughts: greatness requires a team

  
  

  Follow Kyle Pullin - @MindpumpKyle on InstagramFollow Sal Distefano - @MindpumpDistefano on InstagramFollow Justin Andrews - @MindpumpJustin on InstagramFollow Adam Schafer - @MindpumpAdam on InstagramFollow Doug Egge- @MindpumpDoug on InstagramFollow Mind Pump Fitness Coaching - @EliteTrainerAcademy Follow Mind Pump Media Podcast on Youtube - @MindPumpShow Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6i2iSdbEu9PFJ62bYvrj58?si=f66779f77fc7488f

In this episode of The Elite Trainer Podcast, Kyle is joined again by Sal Di Stefano to unpack the most underrated skill in the fitness business—client retention. It’s not about results alone. It’s about relationships, empathy, and creating a space clients love to return to. Sal shares stories from his decades in the industry, revealing why being likable, building culture, and handling difficult conversations with grace leads to clients who stay for years. If you want your training business to thrive long term, this conversation is a masterclass in retention, connection, and coaching with heart.If you got value from this episode, make sure to follow or subscribe to The Elite Trainer Podcast so you never miss an episode. If you know a friend, client, or fellow trainer who could benefit, share it with them — it’s the best way to support the show and help more coaches level up.Thanks for listening — we’re just getting started.00:00 Intro: Why Client Retention Matters00:38 The Real Key to Long-Term Retention02:25 Likability - Results04:08 Building Gym Culture & Community06:24 The Power of Being a Chameleon10:19 Why Clients Stay for 9+ Years11:16 Likability - Certifications13:25 Making Clients Feel Like Family14:19 How to Train with Empathy23:00 Building Online Community27:21 Adding Extra Value to Increase Retention27:44 How to Encourage Without Lying31:10 Navigating Hard Conversations Gracefully34:01 Why Shame Kills Retention35:25 Helping Clients Build a Lifelong Relationship with FitnessFollow Kyle Pullin - @MindpumpKyle on InstagramFollow Sal Distefano - @MindpumpDistefano on InstagramFollow Justin Andrews - @MindpumpJustin on InstagramFollow Adam Schafer - @MindpumpAdam on InstagramFollow Doug Egge- @MindpumpDoug on InstagramFollow Mind Pump Fitness Coaching - @EliteTrainerAcademy Follow Mind Pump Media Podcast on Youtube - @MindPumpShow Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6i2iSdbEu9PFJ62bYvrj58?si=f66779f77fc7488f

In Episode 7 of The Elite Trainer Podcast, Kyle sits down with Mind Pump’s Adam Schaefer to unpack a core struggle for most entrepreneurs: how to manage time, make bold decisions, and grow without burning out. Adam reveals how speed of execution separates top performers from overthinkers, and shares his own mistakes from the early days of building Mind Pump. They also break down when to pivot, how to measure ROI, and why true work-life balance doesn’t happen day-to-day—it’s earned over time through intentional seasons of sprinting. If you’re building a training business and want clarity on how to scale, simplify, and succeed, don’t miss this one.If you got value from this episode, make sure to follow or subscribe to The Elite Trainer Podcast so you never miss an episode. If you know a friend, client, or fellow trainer who could benefit, share it with them — it’s the best way to support the show and help more coaches level up.Thanks for listening — we’re just getting started.The Problem with Work-Life Balance (00:00)
Speed of Decision-Making in Business (00:40)
Overthinking vs. Fast Action (02:10)
Learning from Early Mistakes with Mind Pump (04:05)
When to Pivot: ROI and Testing Ideas (08:20)
Avoiding Time-Wasting Tasks (13:01)
How to Measure a “Good” Idea (14:50)
Scaling vs. Spinning Your Wheels (18:29)
Building Leverage Through Discipline (21:09)
The Myth of Balance for Entrepreneurs (25:46)
Why Sprinting Early Creates Freedom Later (29:20)
Choosing the Right Partner at Home (31:10)
Hustle Culture vs. Real Passion (33:10)
How to Know If You’re in the Right Career (40:00)
Behavior Change, Not Just Information (43:20)Follow Kyle Pullin - @MindpumpKyle on InstagramFollow Sal Distefano - @MindpumpDistefano on InstagramFollow Justin Andrews - @MindpumpJustin on InstagramFollow Adam Schafer - @MindpumpAdam on InstagramFollow Doug Egge- @MindpumpDoug on InstagramFollow Mind Pump Fitness Coaching - @EliteTrainerAcademy Follow Mind Pump Media Podcast on Youtube - @MindPumpShow Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6i2iSdbEu9PFJ62bYvrj58?si=f66779f77fc7488f