Coach to CEO: Beyond the Workout

5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting My Gym (Lessons for Fitness Entrepreneurs)

Running a gym isn’t just about coaching workouts—it’s about learning how to run a business. And when I first opened Impact, I had no clue what I didn’t know. In this episode, I share the 5 biggest lessons I had to learn the hard way as a gym owner, including: * Why “hope marketing” will leave your gym empty * How to build a team instead of burning out alone * The importance of delegating low-value tasks * Why tracking your numbers is non-negotiable * How to lead with energy and vision so your business thrives If you’re a trainer dreaming about opening your own gym—or already running one—this episode will save you years of trial and error. 👉 Download my free guide: 7 Biggest Mistakes Gym Owners Make (and How to Fix Them Before You Burn Out) https://horace-lingham.mykajabi.com/pl/2148697452 [https://horace-lingham.mykajabi.com/pl/2148697452] 👉 Apply for Mentorship: If you’re ready to grow your gym, scale your systems, and buy back your freedom, apply here: https://horace-lingham.mykajabi.com/pl/2148697436 [https://horace-lingham.mykajabi.com/pl/2148697436]

Mindset Shifts to Push Through Hard Times

In this episode of the Coach to CEO Podcast, Chris Lingham shares practical mindset strategies for business owners, gym owners, and high performers who feel like they’re at their breaking point. You’ll hear: * Why “hard” means you’re on the right track * How to set realistic goals without sabotaging yourself * The one-hour-a-day rule that builds unstoppable consistency * A powerful story about being just 3 feet away from gold This episode is a reminder that success isn’t about never struggling — it’s about learning how to push through when the struggle hits hardest. 📥 Free Download: Grab “The 7 Biggest Mistakes Gym Owners Make (and How to Fix Them Before You Burn Out)” → https://impact-performance.mykajabi.com/pl/2148697452 [https://impact-performance.mykajabi.com/pl/2148697452] 🚀 Mentorship Application: Want to install all of my systems in your gym and scale to six or seven figures? Apply here → https://impact-performance.mykajabi.com/pl/2148697436 [https://impact-performance.mykajabi.com/pl/2148697436] — Subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share this with someone who needs a push today.

What Type of Training Should You Start With in Your Gym?

When it comes to launching or growing your gym, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is which training format to offer first. Should you start with group training? Small group? Semi-private? Or 1-on-1? In this episode, I share my journey from training clients out of a shed in my parents’ backyard to running a thriving gym — and the exact model I’d choose if I had to start all over again. We’ll cover: The pros and cons of group training, semi-private, small group, and 1-on-1 coaching Why group training is the easiest format to scale and fill How to upsell into higher-ticket services like small group or semi-private How to avoid burnout by leveraging your time The value ladder you can build for both clients and coaches to keep them engaged long term If you’ve ever felt stuck wondering how to grow without writing 30 different programs a week or running yourself into the ground, this episode will give you clarity — and a proven path forward. 🎯 Grab My Free Guide: 👉 [Download the 7 Biggest Mistakes Gym Owners Make (And How to Fix Them)] https://horace-lingham.mykajabi.com/pl/2148697452

Why Most Gyms Stay Stuck $10K/m or Below (and How to Break Through)

Most gym owners never make it past $10K/month, and it’s not because they’re bad coaches. It’s because they’re missing the systems, pricing strategy, and retention playbook that actually scale a gym beyond six figures. In this episode of Coach to CEO: Beyond the Workout, Chris Lingham breaks down: - The hidden ceiling that keeps gyms stuck (00:02:54) - Why undercharging is killing your growth (00:17:54) - How to stop selling sessions and start selling transformation (00:24:34) - The three silent gym killers: pricing, systems, retention If you’re ready to run a real business (not just a job you built for yourself), this episode will give you the blueprint. Resources & Links Mentioned: 📩 Subscribe to Coach to CEO: The Gym Owner’s Weekly Playbook → https://impact-performance.mykajabi.com/newsletters/coach-to-ceo-the-gym-owner-s-weekly-playbook/subscribe 📕 Free Guide: 7 Mistakes Gym Owners Make (and How to Fix Them) → https://impact-performance.mykajabi.com/pl/2148697452 🚀 The Impact Launch System + 90-Day Mentorship → https://impact-performance.mykajabi.com/pl/2148697436 📩 Coach to CEO: The Gym Owner’s Weekly Playbook Get my free weekly newsletter where I share behind-the-scenes lessons from running a six-figure gym, sales scripts that close, and marketing plays that actually work. No fluff. Just the real strategies that help you win. 👉 https://impact-performance.mykajabi.com/newsletters/coach-to-ceo-the-gym-owner-s-weekly-playbook/subscribe 📕 The 7 Mistakes Gym Owners Make (and How to Fix Them) Most gyms are bleeding money and time because of these mistakes — I know, because I made every single one of them. This free guide shows you exactly how to avoid them so you can stop spinning your wheels and finally grow past that $10K ceiling. 👉 https://impact-performance.mykajabi.com/pl/2148697452 🚀 The Impact Launch System + 90-Day Mentorship If you’re serious about building a gym that actually pays you, supports your family, and doesn’t chain you to the floor, this is where we do the work together. In 90 days, you’ll plug in the systems, pricing model, and team training structure I used to build a multiple-six-figure gym — plus you’ll license my full playbook so you’re not reinventing the wheel. 👉 https://impact-performance.mykajabi.com/pl/2148697436

The Why Behind Beyond the Workout

**Podcast Title:** Coach to CEO: Beyond the Workout – Episode 1 **Episode Summary:** In this first episode of *Coach to CEO: Beyond the Workout*, Coach Chris shares the vision behind the podcast — to help gym owners, trainers, and coaches master not just the training floor, but the business game. Drawing from over 13 years of running Impact Performance & Fitness, Chris discusses why systems, leadership, and business operations are just as critical as the workouts themselves. He shares personal stories, lessons from top mentors, and the importance of the "Client Journey" system to drive retention and results. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: - Why focusing only on workouts keeps coaches and gym owners stuck. - How to build predictable client results through structured systems. - The key mindset shift from a “trainer-focused” to a “client-focused” business model. - Practical examples of retention strategies, sales conversations, and marketing systems. - Lessons learned from industry mentors like Martin Rooney, Luka Hocevar, and Alex Hormozi. Links & Resources: 📌 Stop guessing. Start growing. I put together a free guide called “The 7 Biggest Mistakes Gym Owners Make (And How to Avoid Them)” — these are the exact mistakes I made in my first few years that slowed my growth and kept me stuck working way too many hours. 👉 https://horace-lingham.mykajabi.com/pl/2148697452 [https://horace-lingham.mykajabi.com/pl/2148697452] Inside, I’ll show you how to fix them so you can: Keep members for years (not months) Run your gym without it running you Create a business that’s simple, profitable, and actually fun to own 📌 Ready to fix your gym in the next 90 days? If you’re tired of guessing your next move and want a clear plan to grow, keep members longer, and get your time back, apply for the 90-Day Gym Build + Impact 12-Month License here: 👉 https://horace-lingham.mykajabi.com/pl/2148697436 [https://horace-lingham.mykajabi.com/pl/2148697436] This is the exact system I’ve used to grow my own gym to multi–6-figures in one of the most competitive markets in the country — without discounting prices or killing myself working 14-hour days. We’ll install all the done-for-you systems to market, sell, train your team, and keep your members for years… so you can finally run a business that works without you doing everything. **Follow Coach Chris:** - Instagram: @chris_lingham - Youtube: @chrislinghamfitness