Untitled Coaching Podcast

What happens when you stop treating branding like a logo… and start seeing it as a reflection of identity, purpose, and people?In this conversation, we sit down with Boris Kezic of Metcon Creative to unpack the heart behind building a brand that actually means something. What starts as a discussion about renaming a gym quickly turns into something much deeper—exploring how clarity, values, and lived experience shape not just a business, but the people inside it.We walk through the real story behind the transition to Dallas Training Collective, the emotional weight of choosing a name, and the powerful moment when members didn’t just hear the new name—they understood it. From there, Boris pulls back the curtain on his creative process, revealing three distinct logo concepts and the deeper philosophy behind each one: the narrow path of discipline, the balance of athletic identity and adulthood, and the refinement that leads to transformation.But this episode doesn’t stay in the world of design.We dive into the tension between AI and human coaching, why real relationships can’t be replaced, and how great coaching goes far beyond reps and sets. The conversation shifts into something even more personal—what it looks like to lead a business, raise a family, and take responsibility for your own emotional health.We talk about:Why most people misunderstand branding (and why it matters more than you think)The connection between identity, discipline, and communityHow to manage stress as a parent when training alone isn’t enoughThe importance of doing “good work for good people”Owning your mistakes, repairing relationships, and building trust with your kidsThis is about more than logos or gym names. It’s about becoming the kind of person who lives, leads, and builds with intention—and creating something that actually impacts others along the way.If you’ve ever wrestled with purpose, identity, or how to show up better for the people around you… this one’s for you.

Community doesn’t just happen—it’s built on purpose.In this episode of the Untitled Coaching Podcast, Justin Estes and Alicia Lewis dive into what actually makes a gym community thrive—and why most places get it wrong. Drawing from years of experience at what is now Dallas Training Collective, they unpack the difference between a group of people working out in the same room and a true, relationship-driven community.Justin reflects on joining the gym in 2009 and how, over time, something deeper than workouts began to form—people who encouraged each other, checked in on each other, and eventually became like family. But that kind of environment isn’t accidental. It’s the result of intentional coaching, consistent standards, and a commitment to treating every person who walks through the door like they belong.Together, they break down what that actually looks like in practice—from greeting every member by name to facilitating real conversations, asking better questions, and creating opportunities for connection both inside and outside the gym. They also explore how simple moments—like discovering shared interests or starting a community garden—can turn acquaintances into meaningful relationships.This conversation also tackles the harder side of community: addressing conflict, avoiding gossip, and taking personal ownership of the culture you’re a part of. Because strong communities aren’t just welcoming—they’re honest, healthy, and built on trust.In this episode, they cover:Why community must be intentional—not accidentalHow coaches set the tone for belonging and inclusionThe power of asking better questions to build real relationshipsWhy “the relationship is the product”How to handle conflict and eliminate gossip in a healthy wayWhat it means to take ownership of your communityWhether you’re a gym owner, coach, or someone looking for deeper connection, this episode will challenge you to stop waiting for community—and start building it.

What if feeling constantly tired, stressed, or “off” isn’t just part of life—but a gap in knowledge about what’s happening in your body?In this episode of the Untitled Coaching Podcast, Justin Estes is joined by coach and nurse practitioner Alicia Lewis for a conversation that blends practical health insight with everyday coaching wisdom. Together, they explore why understanding your body—through things like regular blood work, vitamin levels, and stress markers—can dramatically change how you approach training, recovery, and overall health.Alicia breaks down the science behind vitamin D, explaining how it functions more like a hormone than a typical vitamin and how it impacts everything from bone health and fertility to mood and energy levels. They also discuss the surprising ways sunlight, sleep hormones, and serotonin are connected—and why low vitamin D levels can quietly affect both physical and mental health.Justin shares his own experience of getting extended blood work and discovering elevated cortisol levels, which led to deeper conversations about stress, sleep, and the importance of understanding what’s actually happening inside your body instead of guessing.Throughout the conversation, they emphasize a simple but often overlooked principle: many health frustrations aren’t failures—they’re information gaps. And once you have the right information, you can make better decisions about training, recovery, and lifestyle.In this episode, they cover:Why vitamin D plays a major role in hormones, mood, and overall healthHow sunlight affects serotonin, sleep, and seasonal mood changesWhy regular blood work can reveal what training alone can’tThe connection between stress, cortisol, and recoveryHow slowing down training intensity can sometimes improve performanceWhether you're training hard, navigating stress, or just trying to understand your body better, this conversation offers a reminder that clarity often leads to better health—and better coaching.Plus, stay to the end for a couple of classic dad jokes that officially close out the episode.

Success in the gym doesn’t start with motivation—it starts with ownership.In this episode of the Untitled Coaching Podcast, Justin is joined by Chad Kackert, a former professional football running back and current CrossFit Level 3 trainer, for a conversation about responsibility, discipline, and what real coaching is meant to produce. Together, they unpack a hard truth: most people don’t struggle because they lack information—they struggle because they haven’t fully decided to take ownership of their growth.Drawing from Chad’s background in professional athletics and high-level coaching, the conversation explores what separates those who merely participate from those who truly commit. Whether it’s training, nutrition, recovery, or mindset, progress requires more than access—it requires buy-in.They also discuss a deeper layer of coaching: seeing it as a form of ministry. Coaching isn’t just about reps, programming, or performance metrics—it’s about stewarding influence, serving people well, and helping individuals become who they’re capable of being. When done right, coaching shapes character, not just capacity.In this episode, they cover:Why motivation is unreliable and systems create successThe difference between interest and commitmentHow personal ownership accelerates resultsWhat high-level athletes understand about accountabilityWhy coaching, at its best, is an act of serviceIf you’ve been frustrated with your progress—or you’re ready to stop outsourcing responsibility—this episode will challenge you to take ownership and rethink what coaching is really about.

Motherhood changes everything—but your strength, confidence, and health don’t have to disappear in the process.In this episode of the Untitled Coaching Podcast, host Justin Estes sits down with Alicia Lewis to introduce The Motherhood Movement, a coach-led strength training and coaching program designed specifically for women in every stage of motherhood—from preconception to pregnancy to years postpartum.Together, they break down what the program is, who it’s for, and why it goes far beyond “bouncing back.” This is about training through the physical, mental, and emotional changes that come with becoming a mother, while building real strength, confidence, and community.In this conversation, they cover:What The Motherhood Movement is and who it servesWhy postpartum isn’t just weeks—it can be yearsCommon challenges like diastasis recti, incontinence, and confidenceHow progressive, individualized training supports long-term healthThe role of community, coaching, and one-on-one supportThey also share how the program includes regular assessments, personalized coaching, monthly community gatherings, and a flexible timeline that meets each woman where she is.Monthly Gatherings:Free gatherings are held on the last Friday of each month at 3:30pm. These sessions include program overviews, community connection, and the option for initial assessments.To reserve a spot, send a message on social media or email [email protected] you’re a woman preparing for motherhood, currently pregnant, or navigating life after kids and wanting to feel strong again—this episode introduces a program built to support you through the whole journey, not just one phase.

Reading isn’t just a hobby—it’s a discipline that shapes how you think, lead, and show up every day.In this episode of the Untitled Coaching Podcast, host Justin Estes shares what he’s been reading, why reading matters to him, and how books have become a non-negotiable part of his routine for stress management, growth, and clarity. From rebuilding a nighttime routine after becoming a husband and dad to creating intentional spaces for learning and reflection, Justin walks through how reading supports both his personal life and leadership.This conversation isn’t a book list for the sake of a book list—it’s an honest look at how reading fits into a sustainable rhythm of life, especially for busy leaders, coaches, and parents.In this episode, Justin covers:How reading became part of his stress-management and sleep routineWhy routines matter more than motivationThe difference between reading for the heart, the brain, and for funBooks that have shaped his faith, focus, creativity, and leadershipHow to create a reading habit that actually sticksJustin also shares practical insight on choosing the right time, place, and mindset for reading—so it becomes something that fuels you instead of another box to check.If you’ve ever wanted to read more, think more clearly, or build better rhythms into your life, this episode will give you a simple, honest framework to get started.

Branding isn’t just a logo or a name—it’s the clearest signal of what you actually sell.In this episode of the Untitled Coaching Podcast, host Justin Estes breaks down why branding matters, how it shapes expectations, and why his gym is undergoing a major name and brand change—from 3Q Fitness / CrossFit Garland to Dallas Training Collective after nearly two decades in business.Justin explains the thinking behind the shift: simplifying the message, expanding reach beyond a single neighborhood, and more accurately communicating what the business has always been about—coaching people, not selling access to equipment or classes.This episode is especially relevant for gym owners and coaches, but clients will also gain insight into how intentional coaching works, why assessments and goal-setting matter, and how a collective coaching model creates better results and deeper relationships.In this conversation, Justin covers:Why gym names and branding directly shape client expectationsThe difference between “working out” and training with a coachHow a collective coaching model supports individual goalsWhy clarity in your product makes marketing and onboarding easierThe importance of aligning your brand with what you actually do bestJustin also challenges gym owners to take an honest look at their product, their best clients, and the kind of experience they’re truly delivering—then build a brand that reflects that reality.If you’re navigating a rebrand, questioning your messaging, or trying to build a more sustainable coaching business, this episode will give you a clearer framework for thinking about branding, identity, and long-term impact.

In this episode of the Untitled Coaching Podcast, Justin Estes reflects on the deeper “why” behind coaching, training, and long-term health by sharing a personal story about his grandmother, Sugar Estes. At the end of the year, as the gym pauses to reflect, Justin points to Sugar as a living example of what consistent, intentional choices can produce over time.After an unexpected emergency surgery in her eighties, Sugar’s medical team was stunned by how well her body responded. Her surgeon and nurses attributed her smooth recovery, strength, and resilience to nearly two decades of consistent training, thoughtful nutrition, hydration, and lifestyle changes. What could have been a high-risk situation instead became a powerful testimony to the value of aging well.Justin connects her story to the mission of the gym: explaining that fitness is not about chasing extreme goals, but about maintaining independence, dignity, and capability later in life. He challenges listeners of every age to stop waiting for the “right time” to get healthy and instead start making small, sustainable choices today that will matter decades from now.Rather than embracing “new year, new me” thinking, this episode invites listeners to ask a better question: Who do you want to be in 17 years—and what daily habits would that version of you already be practicing? The episode closes with a call to move your body, care for your mind and heart, and make decisions today that allow you to see life fully, age gracefully, and remain present for the people who matter most.

Most gyms don’t fail because of bad workouts—they fail because they misunderstand what they’re actually selling.In this episode of the Untitled Coaching Podcast, host Justin Estes takes an honest look at why gyms go out of business and why he believes the future belongs to coaching programs, not facilities. After watching several well-known gyms in his area shut their doors, Justin breaks down the mindset shift that has allowed his business to remain sustainable: treating fitness as a relationship-driven coaching model rather than simply a place to work out.This episode is especially for gym owners and coaches, but clients will gain insight as well—into why the gym is priced the way it is, why one-on-one check-ins matter, and why relationships matter more than equipment, buildings, or amenities.In this conversation, Justin covers:The difference between selling access to a gym and delivering real coachingWhy low-cost memberships often lead to low commitmentHow intentional coaching builds trust, engagement, and long-term resultsThe danger of undercharging while overextending as a coach or ownerWhy staying in business is part of the responsibility to the communityAt its core, this episode reinforces a simple truth: the work isn’t about equipment or facilities—it’s about people. When connection, trust, and care become the product, everything changes.If you’re a coach, gym owner, or someone who wants to be truly coached—not just worked out—this episode will challenge the way you think about fitness, business, and leadership.

In this episode of the Untitled Coaching Podcast, host Justin Estes tackles one of the biggest questions in fitness today: Can AI replace your coach? From HRV tracking and personalized algorithms to AI-generated training programs, we explore what artificial intelligence does well—and where it ultimately falls short. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience in the gym, Justin makes a powerful case for why empathy, human connection, emotional intelligence, and real community remain irreplaceable in coaching. While AI can be a helpful tool for data, templates, and organization, true transformation still happens through relationships, accountability, and shared struggle. If you’re weighing the convenience of an app against the value of a coach and community, this episode will challenge how you think about your health, your training, and your long-term growth.