This week Burso and I recorded a pod with Troy Thornton. Troy is an online fitness coach specialising in training women for bikini competitions across various federations worldwide. He has created a very successful business and has had an interesting path. He started with his own training as a passion, to working for the Arnold Classic, to being a prominent figure in the fitness industry, with over 150,000 followers, and thousands of clients reaching their goals.

Have you listened yet?

Key takeaways

• Replace potentially harmful friends or activities with constructive ones. You could choose to spend Friday and Saturday night at the gym instead of partying.

• View financial and time losses as investments in your growth rather than failures. Maintain confidence in your vision and reframe setbacks as necessary steps that guide you towards success.

• Quotes can resonate differently at various stages of your journey. Pay attention to those that align with your current path or help where you are going.

Troy’s path from formal education to online study

Troy's journey to becoming a successful fitness coach began in a rather unconventional way. Initially, he had no clear direction or goal coming out of high school. "I didn't study or have any intention to study because I didn't have that burning desire for anything specific," he said. This lack of direction led him to pursue various fields in university, starting with marketing.

"I did marketing for about two years," Troy says. "It wasn't just like three months. I gave it a good shot, but I wasn't the biggest fan of it. I didn't have a clear goal, and that made it hard to connect my effort to something that didn't exist." He told us, "If I had my time again, I would seek a mentor. Someone who could help me ask the right questions and figure out what I really wanted to do."

The Importance of Mentorship

Troy believes strongly in the power of mentorship, a resource he felt he lacked early on. "I think there's so much you can learn even on YouTube," he says, highlighting the accessibility of information today. He often uses a quote by Les Brown, "It's better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one, than to have an opportunity and not be prepared." Troy has stepped through all of his career with this mindset, meaning that anytime opportunities have presented, he has been ready for them.

Finding the right mentor, however, can be challenging. Troy impressed the importance of seeking advice from people whose lives you aspire to. He told us, “It's hard to take advice from someone whose life you don't want to live. Or if you're in a relationship and struggling, are you going to take advice from someone who's not married? You want advice from someone who has been successfully married for 20 or 30 years." This principle applies to business and fitness as well. "If you can connect with people who are like-minded, they'll hold you accountable and push you to reach higher than you might have for yourself."

Shifting Interests and finding passion

Troy's education had multiple shifts in focus, from marketing to law, and eventually to nutrition. "I made a few wrong decisions because I didn't have a clear goal," he admits. Despite these changes, each field of study contributed to his understanding of the business and fitness world in unique ways.

Troy's entry into the fitness industry was gradual. He had gotten to know Tony Doherty through his own training and so when a job opportunity came up with the Arnold Classic expo, Troy was ready for it. Even though the role was in IT, and despite having no prior experience in IT, Troy landed the job by demonstrating his passion and commitment. "I told the boss, 'I don't know how to do X, Y, Z, but I will find the answer. I will do whatever it takes to learn this.' That passion and willingness to learn made all the difference."

Because Troy got this role due to his passion, It was here that he also began to delve into sales, a skill he was keen to develop. "I wanted to learn more about sales because my boss offered me the opportunity to do some sales for him," he recalls. This led him to invest in a sales course by Grant Cardone, a decision that proved to be pivotal. "The course was expensive for me at the time, around $1,500, but I was determined to learn," Troy says. He diligently went through the course modules, often spending an hour and a half each night after work studying. "It wasn't just about completing it quickly. I needed to let the information soak in and apply what I learned in real scenarios."

Building a Coaching Business

With a solid foundation in and fitness, Troy began to build his coaching business. His niche market is bikini competitions, a highly specialised area within the fitness industry. "I've coached thousands of clients, but not everyone wants to compete," he explains. "Some people come to me wanting a competition body without the intention of stepping on stage."

Troy's coaching approach is tailored to each individual's goals, whether they aspire to compete, or simply want to achieve a certain physique. His experience working with both competitive athletes and the general population has honed his ability to cater to diverse needs. "It's about understanding each client's unique goals and providing them with the tools and support they need to succeed," he says.

The Role of Accountability and Community

Having good people around you, or influencing you is important to Troy. "You are who you surround yourself with," he says. "If you hold yourself accountable, the people around you will do the same, pushing you to achieve more than you might on your own." One practical piece of advice Troy offered is to stay home if you lack positive influences. "Don't go out. It's that simple because that's what I did. There was a point when I realised that the people around me weren't the best for my growth, so I decided to focus on studying and learning.”

The motivational speaker Les Brown's quote resonated deeply with Troy during this time and reaffirmed some of his actions. “Sometimes, hearing a quote during a crucial phase can confirm the path you're on and solidify your commitment,” he said. “The concept that ‘success leaves clues’ seemed obvious, but it didn't resonate with me until later. Quotes often resonate differently based on where you are in your journey.”

Reflecting on the significance of the five friends you surround yourself with Troy believes, “if your friends are engaging in unhealthy habits or negative behaviours, it affects you. They might be good people, but if they consistently bring negativity into your life, it can drain you.” His statement, ”If you don't have a good circle of friends, stay home," is powerful advice. The internet offers an alternative to a negative environment. Jump on YouTube, find inspiring people to listen to, or even play games as a better alternative to harmful activities. A gym membership can be transformative too. Troy told us, “I remember choosing to spend my Friday and Saturday nights at the gym instead of going out. It kept me out of trouble and aligned with my goal of developing my physique.”

Troy's journey has not been without its challenges. From navigating various fields of study, to finding his footing in the fitness industry, he has faced numerous obstacles, however, his willingness to take risks and invest in his personal development has paid off. "I didn't know anyone looking at Grant Cardone back then, but I took the risk and it changed my perspective on sales and business," he says. Importantly Troy has taken something from each of his experiences or educational pathways and made the most of each opportunity when it presented.

Looking Ahead

As Troy continues to grow his coaching business, he remains committed to helping his clients achieve their fitness goals. He is now working on an app to add value to his clients and expand how many he can work with. This experience has not been without it’s hurdles after one app builder he partnered with went out of business, but Troy is not deterred. “Despite losing significant time and money in an app-building exercise, I'm committed to the outcome,” he said. Instead of Troy succumbing to negativity and quitting, he viewed the loss not as wasted money, but as an investment. “This experience taught me valuable lessons about finding the right partners to execute my vision. While doubts and fear of failure could easily derail my efforts, my belief in my idea's potential remains unwavering.” He now sees this setback as a necessary part of the journey to ultimately finding the right company to bring his vision to life. “This shift in perspective—from seeing myself as a victim to being inspired by the lessons learned—keeps me focused on achieving my goals.”

Troy Thornton's story is one of continuous improvement. From his early struggles with direction, to his success in the fitness industry, his journey offers valuable lessons for anyone looking to find their passion and achieve their goals. Whether you're aspiring to compete in a bodybuilding or bikini competition, or want to be an entrepreneur or business owner, Troy's insights and experiences provide a great example.

Imposter takeaways

• Replace potentially harmful friends or activities with constructive ones. You could choose to spend Friday and Saturday night at the gym instead of partying.

• View financial and time losses as investments in your growth rather than failures. Maintain confidence in your vision and reframe setbacks as necessary steps that guide you towards success.

• Quotes can resonate differently at various stages of your journey. Pay attention to those that align with your current path or help where you are going.

You can find Troy’s website here

And his Instagram here

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Imposter Al.