If you’ve ever wondered how to actually make it in the fitness industry without burning out, this episode is a must-listen.
I sat down with Jenna Cooper, a business mentor, mindset coach, and long-time PT who’s spent the past 16 years learning every hard lesson there is.

She started as a teenage trainer working three jobs just to pay gym rent, went on to own (and sell) her own studio, and now helps female coaches build sustainable businesses that light them up instead of wearing them down.

From 16-Year-Old Trainer to Industry Mentor

When Jenna told me she did her Cert III and IV while she was still in high school, my jaw dropped.
“I was 15 when Mum and I hired a PT with a few of the ladies from our street,” she laughed. “I just loved it. So at 16, in my school holidays, I became a qualified trainer.”

By the time she graduated, she was already on the gym floor. “I started at Goodlife,” she said. “There were 15 trainers when I started, and 40 by the time I left. It was wild.”

The Reality Check: Passion Isn’t Enough

Jenna worked three jobs to pay rent. “I had all the passion in the world,” she told me, “but no systems or structure.”

It wasn’t until another trainer at the gym offered to mentor her that things started to click.
“He charged me fifty bucks a week and met with me once a month, but he changed everything. He taught me how to run my business like a business.”

That’s a theme that runs through everything Jenna teaches now — that being good at coaching isn’t enough. You need to know how to convert, sell, schedule, and manage your time.

“Passion is what gets you started. Systems are what keep you going.”

The Money “Ick”

When we started talking about women and money, Jenna didn’t hold back.
“So many women struggle to charge what they’re worth,” she said. “They’ll say, ‘Who am I to ask for money?’ But you’ve paid for your education. You’re helping someone fast-track their results. That’s worth something.”

She reframes payment as accountability — for both sides.
“When clients pay, they show up. When you charge properly, you stay in the game longer.”

And she shared a simple sales tip that eliminates the awkwardness completely:

“When someone signs up, just say, ‘I’m so excited to get you started! It’ll only take a minute to set up your payments — would you prefer weekly or fortnightly?’ That’s it. No hesitation. No discomfort.”

Redefining Success

When I asked how her definition of success has changed, Jenna smiled.

“Back then, I thought success meant being busy, having a packed diary, owning a gym — all the shiny stuff. Now it’s about balance. It’s about building my business around my life, not my life around my business.”

She now teaches her clients a hybrid model: combining in-person and online coaching, supporting around 50 clients in less than 20 in-gym hours a week.

“Being selfish with your time is actually self-care,” she said. “If you burn out, you’re no good to anyone.”

Why So Many Women Leave the Industry

Jenna sees it all the time — incredible trainers dropping out because they’re exhausted.

“Women tend to take on everything,” she said. “We coach, we clean, we cook, we care for everyone. Without systems and boundaries, you end up thinking, ‘It’s easier to just get a job.’”

And then there’s the self-doubt.
“Female trainers second-guess themselves constantly,” she added. “Sometimes we just need someone to believe in us until we believe in ourselves.”

The Power of Community

We both agreed that community is everything — in study, in business, in life.

“When I had my studio, I’d always introduce clients to each other,” Jenna said. “I’d run Saturday bootcamps, then we’d grab coffee after. They built friendships — and that’s why they stayed. People come for the coaching, but they stay for the vibe.”

That sense of connection is what keeps women in the industry long-term. It’s why she created her PT Elite community for trainers — and why we’re so proud of the supportive student community at Women’s Fitness Education.

“Once people feel like they belong, they don’t want to leave.”

A Client Story That Says It All

When I asked Jenna for a success story, her face softened immediately.

“There’s a client of mine in her sixties,” she said. “When she first came in, she sat with her arms crossed and couldn’t say a kind word about herself. Three years later, she did a photo shoot and said, ‘I actually love how I look.’ You can’t post that as a before-and-after, but it’s everything.”

What She’d Tell Her Younger Self

At the end, I asked Jenna what she’d tell 16-year-old her — the girl juggling jobs, questioning her worth, and trying to prove herself.

She paused, took a breath, and said:

“You’re enough exactly as you are. Stop chasing shiny things. Build what you love. Being real beats being perfect.”

Follow Jenna

You can find Jenna on Instagram at @JennaCooperCoaching — and if you’re a new trainer, download her PT Fast Start checklist, packed with tips on setting up pricing, payments, and systems that actually work.

If you’re thinking about becoming a qualified personal trainer or group fitness instructor, check out our Certificate III and IV in Fitness. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!