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Back Yourself and Take the Leap – Career Lessons from Aaron McCulloch

Love your career podcast • By Abhishek Lakhina • Published on March 14

Back Yourself and Take the Leap – Career Lessons from Aaron McCulloch

The fitness industry is full of individuals who have carved their own path, but few have done so with the level of adaptability, resilience, and strategic thinking as Aaron McCulloch. Now CEO of Your Personal Training (YPT), Aaron McCulloch has built a career that spans personal training, mentoring, management, and business leadership. His journey is proof that career success is about backing yourself, embracing change, and always being willing to learn.

On the Love Your Career Podcast, hosted by Lawrence Everest, Aaron McCulloch shared insights into his career progression, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and powerful advice for job seekers. Whether you’re starting out, striving for leadership, or looking to refine your approach, this episode is packed with insights.

1. A Career is a Series of Evolutions, Not Just One Path

When asked if he has loved his career, Aaron McCulloch responded with a powerful perspective:

📌 He doesn’t see his career as a single journey but as multiple careers within one path.

📌 From working in McDonald’s and the armed forces to becoming a PT, mentor, manager, and now CEO, each stage has required different skills, mindsets, and approaches.

💡 “I think I’ve had three or four careers within this industry alone.”

For job seekers, this highlights a key takeaway: Your career isn’t set in stone. Every role is a stepping stone to the next stage—embrace change and growth.

2. Take Control of Your Own Career Progression

Many professionals wait for opportunities to come to them. Aaron McCulloch took the opposite approach.

📌 He created his own roles within YPT, identifying gaps in the business and presenting solutions.

📌 Instead of waiting to be promoted, he pitched a brand-new role to leadership—complete with responsibilities and a salary proposal.

📌 This ability to spot opportunities and take initiative ultimately led him to the CEO position.

💡 “I saw a gap, created a solution, and told them: this is what I think the business needs. Let me do it.”

For job seekers, this is a game-changer: Don’t wait for someone to give you a promotion—create value and make yourself impossible to ignore.

3. Rejection is an Opportunity for Redirection

Like many leaders, Aaron McCulloch has faced setbacks. But instead of seeing them as failures, he reframed them as opportunities.

📌 When opportunities didn’t come his way, he focused on how to create his own path forward.

📌 Instead of dwelling on missed chances, he used each setback as a learning experience and a motivator.

💡 “If something doesn’t go your way, look at why—then find another way to get where you want to go.”

For job seekers, rejection is part of the process. Learn from it, adjust, and keep moving forward.

4. Surround Yourself with Mentors and Experts

One of the biggest lessons Aaron McCulloch has learned in recent years is the importance of mentors.

📌 Early in his career, he didn’t have direct mentors, but he made up for it by learning through trial and error.

📌 As his career progressed, he realized the power of learning from those further along the path—whether through networking, mentorship, or even just asking for advice.

💡 “If you need advice, ask. You’d be amazed how many people will give you their time if you just reach out.”

For job seekers, this is a key takeaway: Don’t try to figure everything out on your own—learn from those who have already walked the path.

5. Back Yourself – No One Else Will Do It For You

Confidence and self-belief were major themes in Aaron McCulloch’s career journey.

📌 When the opportunity arose to take over YPT as part of a management buyout, he and his business partner said yes—even though they had no experience in buying a company.

📌 They trusted their ability to figure things out as they went, and that decision led them to build a stronger, more successful business.

💡 “Most people give up too early. They quit right before they’re about to succeed. Just back yourself and keep going.”

For job seekers, this means: Apply for that job. Put yourself forward for that opportunity. Take the risk before you feel fully ready.

6. The PT Industry Needs Change – And That Starts with Leadership

As CEO of Your Personal Training, Aaron McCulloch has a deep understanding of the challenges within the personal training industry.

📌 Many operators treat PTs as low-priority, failing to invest in their development, retention, or support systems.

📌 Businesses often don’t realize how much money they’re losing due to poor PT models and high turnover.

📌 Simple changes—like tracking PT penetration rates and improving onboarding processes—can dramatically improve PT retention and success.

💡 “Most gym operators don’t even know if their PT model is profitable. Fix that first, and everything else improves.”

For job seekers in the PT space, this is crucial: Find an employer or business model that invests in your growth—because too many don’t.

7. The Key Traits of Highly Successful People

After years of working with top PTs, managers, and industry leaders, Aaron McCulloch has identified the common traits of the most successful professionals:

📌 Willingness to Learn – Always improving, always seeking feedback.

📌 Self-Motivation – Not waiting for permission to grow or take action.

📌 Resilience – Handling setbacks and using them as fuel to improve.

📌 Adaptability – Being open to change and evolving with the industry.

📌 Authenticity – Staying true to who you are while growing professionally.

💡 “Success isn’t about being the smartest person in the room. It’s about being willing to learn, adapt, and push through challenges.”

For job seekers, developing these traits can set you apart and accelerate your career growth.