Episode 101: No Excuses, Just Work (Featuring JJ)

10/02/2025 2h 3min Episodio 101
Episode 101: No Excuses, Just Work (Featuring JJ)

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Episode Synopsis

Welcome to Episode 101 of The Endless Growth Podcast! This week, Alex and Edgar sit down with strength coach and personal trainer JJ for an in-depth conversation on fitness, discipline, and the journey of self-improvement—both inside and outside the gym.JJ opens up about his transition from working in a sheet metal shop to becoming one of the most well-known trainers in Ogden. He shares the pivotal moment when he realized he didn’t want a life dictated by beer, factory work, and routine misery. Instead, he took a leap into the fitness industry, learning the ropes through trial, error, and a whole lot of persistence.The conversation dives deep into the psychology of strength training, breaking common myths about lifting, recovery, and why ego lifting does more harm than good. JJ explains the key to real strength: progressive overload, structured programming, and the unglamorous but necessary work of slow, steady improvement. He also shares wild gym stories—ranging from unexpected rivalries to locker room absurdities—and highlights the importance of accountability in fitness.Beyond lifting weights, JJ gets real about the struggles of personal training, the balance of coaching versus enabling clients, and the mental game required to build discipline. He even shares his approach to calling out excuses and why some clients need tough love to break past their own limitations.If you’ve ever wondered how lifting can extend your lifespan, why small changes lead to massive results, or how a 75-year-old client of JJ’s is deadlifting 155 lbs, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.🔥 Interested in training with JJ? Follow him on Instagram @jlegarra21 to connect and get started!Join us as we dive into strength, growth, and the mindset needed to keep pushing forward. Also, make sure to add JJ on instagram 00:11 Meet JJ: From Gym Acquaintance to Podcast Guest00:31 JJ's Popularity and Positive Energy01:50 The Struggles of Working in a Sheet Metal Shop03:41 Transition to Personal Training04:13 Strength Coaching Philosophy06:57 Client Success Stories16:48 COVID-19 Impact and Adaptation22:18 Powerlifting and Training Techniques32:23 Mastering Gym Machines vs. Free Weights33:11 The Importance of Compound Movements34:52 Coaching and Personal Training Insights36:03 Setting and Achieving Personal Fitness Goals36:40 Tracking Progress and Training Logs39:05 Dealing with Injuries and Form Issues40:50 Gym Culture and Etiquette43:53 The Role of Equipment in Lifting56:32 Footwear and Its Impact on Training59:43 Common Gym Mistakes and How to Avoid Them01:03:05 Workout Routine Breakdown01:03:48 Progression and Plateaus01:05:15 Importance of Sleep and Nutrition01:06:28 Timing Your Workouts01:08:35 Recovery Techniques01:12:55 Stretching and Muscle Tone01:14:51 Personal Training Journey01:19:51 Client Challenges and Success Stories01:27:20 Future Goals and Social Media01:34:17 Future Goals and Social Media Strategy01:35:07 The Power of Instagram for Client Acquisition01:37:07 Challenges and Realities of Nutrition Coaching01:39:09 Client Success Stories and Setting Goals01:41:06 The Impact of Steroids and Body Image01:44:41 Training Young Athletes and Long-Term Goals01:46:23 The Importance of Consistency and Small Changes01:51:34 Adapting Coaching Styles to Client Needs01:57:29 The Benefits of Strength Training for Older Adults02:00:56 Final Thoughts and Podcast Wrap-Up