2025 Year in Review: Real Talk on Content Growth, Gym Ownership & What’s Next

Brandon Smitley of THIRST Gym recaps the 2025 year across YouTube, the THIRST More Podcast, Instagram, and online coaching, sharing real analytics, business challenges, and what is changing heading into 2026. From hitting YouTube monetization and growing to 6,000 subscribers to navigating a gym relocation due to eminent domain, this post covers the full story behind a year of growth and hard lessons for a working strength coach and small gym owner. If you are a strength athlete, powerlifter, wrestler, or coach looking for honest insights from someone in the trenches, this is the recap worth reading.

5 Biggest Training Myths DEBUNKED

Discover the five biggest strength training myths that prevent people from achieving real results, from the misconception that heavy lifting is dangerous to the belief that more training always means better gains. Learn the science-backed truth about weightlifting safety, optimal training frequency, and exercise selection from a strength coach with 16 years of experience. This comprehensive guide debunks common fitness misinformation and provides actionable strategies for safer, more effective strength training.

Your First 90 Days as a Personal Trainer: The Survival Guide Nobody Gave You

Discover the essential survival guide for new personal trainers navigating their critical first 90 days in the fitness industry. Learn proven strategies for building client relationships, optimizing your training business systems, and avoiding the common mistakes that cause 80% of trainers to quit within their first year. This comprehensive roadmap covers everything from client acquisition and retention to professional development, helping both new and experienced fitness professionals build sustainable, profitable personal training careers.

What Are Training Residuals?

Discover how training residuals impact athletic performance and why understanding these crucial training adaptations can be the difference between maintaining or losing your hard-earned gains. Learn the science behind different training effects’ “shelf life” – from speed and power to strength and endurance – and how to optimize your training program to maintain peak performance throughout the season. This comprehensive guide breaks down the five key training residuals every coach and athlete needs to know for sustainable athletic development.