Oct. 16, 2024

52 - The Reality of Personal Training // Physio & Commonwealth Games

Show Notes
Guest Profile

Gary returns 4 years later to give his insight on what it's like as a PT long term. The financial struggles, addiction, lifestyle inflation with partying, to going completely clean. We are also joined by Gary's good friend, Phillip, who is also a PT. Phil has the added qualification of being a physio alongside his coaching and has competed in the Commonwealth games in weightlifting. Raw advice, a $4,000 scam that helped craft Phil's sales course and more await in the longest episode yet.

Guests: Gary Le & Phillip Liao

Items mentioned:

- Jackie Chan video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyuoESJ7G1E

- Thai insurance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaWA2GbcnJU

Links:

- Gary: https://www.instagram.com/garyprimept/

- Phil: https://www.instagram.com/phillip.liao/

Want to get in touch? Send us an email at ricenmicspodcast@gmail.com

Music: aKu - Love Shine | aKu - The Final Blow

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Chapters

0:00 Intro

3:51 What's changed for Gary in 4 years?

6:37 Who is Phillip Liao?

8:31 What is Prime Performance?

10:53 It's not just theory you need to know

12:32 Going into PT blind = failure

13:04 The BTS for PTs

15:26 Gary sells nightmares

16:26 Gary's first year of income as a PT

17:16 Being your own boss isn't always a good thing

19:09 How has Gary's coaching methods changed?

20:55 Exclusive, luxury gyms

23:46 How Phil started his Commonwealth games journey

29:59 Phil's gruelling weight loss story

32:41 The suffering in training for the Commonwealth games

35:59 How much should you invest in skills as a PT?

38:16 What happened after the commonwealth games?

40:21 Advice to get into weightlifting

42:27 Why did Phil decide to live overseas for a few months?

43:51 10 months of travel with only 6.5kg of luggage?!

46:56 Meeting a distraught Canadian in Day 1 Kuala Lumpur

49:48 Breaking down the options

51:33 Day 1 continued Kuala Lumpur

52:28 Having a panic attack, forcing a cry with Jackie Chan vids

55:09 What makes us cry?

57:43 How does Phil pick where to go next on holiday?

1:04:23 People put themselves in a box to stop them from doing things

1:07:12 Is what you believe because you've been told that your whole life?

1:10:28 The investment property argument

1:11:54 Passive income does not exist

1:15:22 Why Tung travels more

1:16:12 The advice old clients have given

1:18:24 You can't travel with the same pair of eyes now vs later

1:20:38 Our parents don't have much time with us

1:22:44 Phil and his Dad not agreeing on business

1:23:35 Not all advice from our parents can be good

1:24:30 Gary's partying regime and lifestyle inflation

1:28:58 The nightlife and Gary's wake up call

1:31:44 Gary's bet with his partner to go sober

1:34:55 Spiralling out of control with substances

1:35:56 How much harder is online coaching vs in person?

1:37:21 Online physio?

1:39:09 Best type of coaching style?

1:43:48 How to break out of a 'box'? The harsh truth

1:58:04 Everyone's the main character in their own world

1:59:16 What's the best diet?

2:00:42 Is it harder to gain or lose weight?

2:01:47 Do you like cold showers?

2:03:16 Cryotherapy?

2:04:36 The real hard sh*t

2:06:12 Sometimes there's no magic massage from physios

2:09:51 Phil's overseas trip continued - Georgia

2:11:48 The Turkey $4,000 scam

2:21:29 The lesson from the scam

Gary Le

Personal Trainer at Prime Performance

The biggest lesson I learned being a PT is that everyone is so different and that we, as coaches, have to be adaptable to the person in front of us. After all, we are in the people’s business, the service industry.

The initial start of PT was honestly so daunting. Simply because of the instability in income but also fear of letting my mum down. Growing up in an Asian background, the medical field is so highly praised but that wasn’t in my interest and I didn’t want to feel like I’ve failed her by going against the grain if you will.

But fast forward 1.5 years, I honestly wouldn’t be able to see myself changing career path especially after thinking about quitting twice a month at the start 😂

Phillip Liao

Entrepreneur

Yo!

The most interesting stories I have are probably that time I almost died in a cave in Laos, seeing the 'white light' in Nepal, and that time I handed over $4000 to in Turkey because I was stupidly drunk and thought I would get laid.

Apart from those *ahem* things, I've also represented Australia in the Commonwealth Games, lived the digital nomad life and been an entrepreneur for the last 6 years.

I believe life is a game of 'let's find out' and at the end of it all, we all look back at our stories, experiences, and impact we've made on others.

My goal in life is to be the best side character to my friends, family and clients. I work as a coach, currently helping people develop fitter bodies, minds, and relationships.

Besides that, I LOVE the art of conversation. I think genuine, in-depth conversations that leave both parties feeling fulfilled are one of the most underutilised parts of life - and I like to teach this to other people.

On the weekends, you can find me cooking with me girlfriend (but don't come with us cause that's awkward lol), doing some Muay Thai, or just watching a movie.

If you like this, then swipe right. Oh wait - this isn't a dating profile, sorry. If you want to chat more you can always find me on Instagram @phillip.liao 🙂

I'll leave you with the most inspiring quote I've ever heard from myself - 'Fuck it, what's the worst that can happen?'