Jim Ferris is the founder of GYM Ferris Fitness and a Philadelphia-based fitness trainer and coach that seemingly went straight from graduating from West Chester University to training professional athletes and teams.
He has worked in all levels of sports performance – from pro athletes and local teams to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Since 2009, he has worked as a private contractor with a number of teams, agents, and athletes.
Jim joins me today to discuss how he seemingly went from graduating college to working with NBA athletes. He shares the vast differences between working in the private and public sectors and shares tips on starting and achieving sustained success while working with professional athletes.
Last but not least, he also shares how his approach to training pro athletes has changed over the last two decades, and gives some advice for new fitness trainers that want to explore working in the public sector.
Everyone excels at different things – and that’s okay. You just got to find where you fit. – Jim Ferris
This week on the Physical Preparation Podcast:
- How Jim got started in the world of physical preparation.
- How he started working with the Philadelphia 76ers.
- Why he decided to start a private fitness training practice.
- The benefits of working with an agent.
- The biggest psychological differences between working in the public sector and working in the private sector in the fitness industry.
- The benefits of working as an intern and receiving mentorship to start working with pro athletes.
- What it’s really like to train pro athletes (and how it differs from what he thought it would be).
- Strategies he uses to train NBA athletes.
- What he attributes his career longevity to.
- How his training model and approach has evolved throughout his career.
- Advice for new fitness coaches and trainers.
Resources Mentioned:
- Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance by Alex Hutchinson
Connect with Jim:
Are You Ready to Level Up Your Program Design Game?
Are you ready to take your program design game to the next level? Learn what it takes to level up your program design skills with the RTS Program Design Mentorship program!
In this program, you’ll receive an all-access pass to my program design process. Over six months, we’ll cover every topic imaginable on the process of designing stellar programs, including:
- Selecting the right resets and breathing exercises
- Creating speed and agility programs
- Dialing in and tightening the screws on your strength training programs
- Coaching calls every 4 weeks
- Weekly check-ins
The RTS Program Design Mentorship program leaves no stone unturned for writing an awesome fitness program. So, are you ready to take your program design skills to the next level?
Apply for the RTS Program Design Mentorship program NOW!
Email [email protected] with the subject line “Program Design” to request your application. But hurry – this offer expires February 18, 2019!
Subscribe, Rate & Share!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast – your one-stop-shop for fitness trainers, coaches, and athletes.
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and SoundCloud and leave your honest review.
As well, we’d love to connect! Hit us up on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website.
3 DAY COACH'S CAMP:
Write better programs 
Learn how to motivate clients outside the gym 
My most popular resets for instantly improving movement quality