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A 63-year-old pivoted careers and passed the NASM CPT by changing how he studied, not who he is. We open the playbook we used together: a clean path through the OPT model, phase-by-phase variables, and the corrective decisions that make both the test and client sessions click. If you’ve felt buried by jargon, this conversation pulls concepts into the light and connects them to simple choices you can make tomorrow.

We start with stabilization and build to strength and power, linking tempos, rests, and intensities so you can see why each phase exists. Foam rolling shows up across the board, but stretching changes with the goal—static early, active-isolated through strength, dynamic in power. From there, we map common overactive muscles in the lower body to practical fixes: roll, stretch, then strengthen the underactive counterpart at a controlled tempo. You’ll hear quick wins like how to handle heels lifting in a squat, what to do when shoulders elevate on a row, and why scaption and TRX rows keep showing up on smart Phase One programs.

Clarity around planes of motion, muscle roles, and scapular force couples pays off fast. We break down how to spot the sagittal, frontal, or transverse answer in seconds, and how agonists, antagonists, synergists, and stabilizers guide exercise selection. We also hit vital signs that matter—hypertension thresholds, tachycardia as a referral trigger, and the wrist’s radial pulse—as well as nutrition basics: carbohydrate ranges, saturated fat limits, protein’s thermic advantage, and the role of insulin, growth hormone, IGF-1, and cortisol.

Most valuable might be the test strategy itself: read the stem slowly, find the keyword like underactive or best strengthen, choose the option that advances the model, and move on. Paul’s story proves it’s not about age or memorizing a manual—it’s about organizing knowledge that actually helps people. Ready to pass and start coaching with purpose? Subscribe, share this with a study partner, and leave a review telling us the NASM concept you want solved next.

Want to ask us a question? Email email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!

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Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/
Become a Personal Trainer Book (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/How-Become-Personal-Trainer-Successful/dp/B08WS992F8
NASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com/collections/nasm