Before we begin, I wanted to let you know that my team is hosting a free workshop for established online trainers on October 16th called 7 Things to Fix Before You Spend a Dollar on Ads. Please register here.
Next, here’s a new article:
I’m Building a Mini Self-Publishing Empire, I Guess . . .
Moving on, here are a few short thoughts this week.
Money
1
“You have to understand that, for an online content creator, the ultimate sign of success is a huge platform. People like Tim Ferriss, Andrew Huberman, and Chris Williamson are examples of those who have won the game. These are the creators we look up to. They’re supposed to help us live better lives with their accumulated knowledge and wisdom.
Yet, as far as I can tell, all of these men are unmarried and childless. I understand that not everyone wants to be married or have children, but now that I have both, I feel a bit deceived.
Because the online environment I’ve operated in for most of my career has been glorifying a lot of people playing the wrong game. It’s put some on a pedestal who are missing arguably the most important part of life—a family. And there’s no amount of money, success, or influence that can convince me otherwise.”
-Nick Maggiulli from Playing the Wrong Game
2
“In permaculture, there’s a principle called the Edge Effect: the boundary where two ecosystems meet (forest and meadow, land and water) is where you find the greatest biodiversity and productivity. The most interesting things grow at the edges, precisely because they combine conditions that don’t normally coexist.”
– Ryan Levesque from Return to Real
Health
1
“The gym is a tool that gives people access to more in life”
From The Greatest Personal Trainer in the Universe
2
Visual proof of progress is dramatic when viewed across five centuries, but it’s built on a foundation of painstaking incremental gains.
– Fonda Lee from The Last Contract of Isako
Relationships
1
I thought I was living life the easy way until I had kids and realized I was just playing at a low stakes table… thinking you gamed the system, only to realize there is a bigger game.
– Jimmy Carr
If you enjoyed this, please consider forwarding a copy via the link below to somebody else today:
www.theptdc.com/articles/5-reps-Oct-9-2026
-Jon
Promo
Free Workshop for online trainers
7 Things to Fix Before You Spend a Dollar on Ads
This workshop is for established online coaches who want more leads without pouring money into a business that isn’t ready.
Date / Time: Friday, October 16 at 1:00 PM ET
Replay: Available to all registrants
Register here: https://online-trainer-mentorship.kit.com/octoberworkshop
You probably should run ads at some point, but without the foundations of your business dialed in, you’re pouring money into a leaking bucket.
In this workshop, we’ll break down how to optimize your business so if and when you do look at ads, you maximize their effectiveness.
Get an early copy and the best pricing on my next two books!
Below’s a bit of info on each. If either seem interesting, please add yourself to the early interest list on that page.
The Greatest Personal Trainer in the Universe is the first fitness parable in the tradition of The Go-Giver and Who Moved My Cheese, but set where we live: on the gym floor. (Learn more and early interest list)
The Invisible Heist is a memoir about getting robbed for $1.6 million. There wasn’t a gun. Nobody got hurt. It wasn’t a smash and grab thing. They got into my safety deposit box without opening it. There was no alarm. I don’t know who did it or what country they are in. (Learn more and early interest list)
My Books
Below are my top 3 bestselling books. Each was written for a different audience. If you enjoyed this email, please consider buying a copy of whichever best suits you.
All books are available worldwide in all formats (hardcopy, kindle, and audio) wherever you buy books. Linked below is the Amazon USA link for your convenience.
Ignite the Fire: The Secrets to a Successful Personal Training Career – For personal trainers (Buy here)
The Obvious Choice: Timeless Lessons on Success, Profit, and Finding Your Way – For small business owners and coaches. (Buy here)
Unhinged Habits: A Counterintuitive Guide for Humans to Have More by Doing Less – For people looking for habits and self-improvement. (Buy here)
Brian Harriot with his copy of Unhinged Habits
Coach. Author. World explorer. But mostly, Dad.
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Instagram: @itscoachgoodman
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Paid
Books: Ignite the Fire and The Obvious Choice
Mentorship: Online Trainer Mentorship
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