#463 Mike Doehla - Nutrition Coaching With GLP-1s, AI, and Changes to the Business Landscape

#463 Mike Doehla - Nutrition Coaching With GLP-1s, AI, and Changes to the Business Landscape

Author: Andrew Coates April 23, 2026 Duration: 57:09

Are you a nutrition coach? Are you a client of a nutrition coach or a nutrition coaching business? Are you someone who’s been using GLP-1 agonist medications for fat loss or are you someone who’s used AI like ChatGPT or a nutrition coaching app? This is for you.


Mike Doehla returns to talk about the current state of nutrition coaching and nutrition coaching businesses now that Stronger U has shut down, and there are significant differences in other well known nutrition coaching companies in recent years.


As the founder and chief architect of Stronger U, a nutrition company valued at over “8 figures” at the time he sold it, Mike shares his perspective on:


Has the nutrition coaching landscape changed

Are people now choosing between the cost of nutrition coaching and the cost of GLP-1 agonist (or similar) medications

Will fat loss medications change the nutrition coaching business

Does someone now need nutrition coaching or personal training even more if using these medications

Is the improvement and access to low cost high quality nutrition coaching apps changing the nutrition coaching business

Will people use AI to help with nutrition and replace a coach

Has competition in nutrition coaching increased

Mike’s thoughts on coaches using AI to fake interactions with followers and clients

Mike’s thoughts on the pushback against talking about fat loss from some loud corners of the industry

Can you still build a successful nutrition coaching company

What would Mike do differently if he started over now

Is the departure of founders and key architects like Mike, Dr John Berardi, Krista Scott-Dixon, etc hard to overcome as a nutrition coaching business

And much more


Instagram: @mikedoehla


CHAPTERS


00:52 Industry Shifts

02:01 GLP-1 Impact

04:29 Coaching Value

07:06 Tracking Debate

08:07 Client Connection

12:26 Fast Responses Win

14:25 AI Fake Messaging

19:12 Be Human Offline

21:32 High Ticket Critique

27:53 Premium Positioning

29:31 Generic Positioning Trap

29:47 Premium Coaching Skepticism

30:57 Praise And Body Talk

32:55 Fat Loss Taboo Backlash

35:33 GLP-1 And Muscle Loss

39:09 Can Coaching Still Win

41:33 Founder Magic And Culture

46:47 Old School Growth Tactics

52:15 Scaling By Client Care

54:49 Wrap Up And Takeaways


SUPPORT THE SHOW


If this episode helped you better understand the future of coaching, business, or fat loss, you can support the show by:


• Subscribing and checking out more episodes

• Sharing it on social media (tag me — I’ll respond)

• Sending it to a coach or business owner navigating this landscape


FOLLOW ANDREW COATES


Instagram: @andrewcoatesfitness

https://www.andrewcoatesfitness.com


PARTNERS AND RESOURCES


RP Strength App (use code COATESRP)

https://www.rpstrength.com/coates


Just Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off)

https://justbitememeals.com


MacrosFirst – FREE Premium Trial

Download MacrosFirst and during setup select: ANDREW


KNKG Bags (15% off)

https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676


Versa Gripps

https://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoates


TRAINHEROIC – FREE 90-Day Trial

https://www.trainheroic.com/liftfree


Reply to the email you receive (or email trials@trainheroic.com

) and let them know Andrew sent you


Andrew Coates hosts Lift Free And Diet Hard, a conversation grounded in the belief that strength and wellness are built on more than just routines. This podcast moves beyond quick fixes to examine the principles and personal stories that shape a sustainable, intentional life. You’ll hear from a variety of inspiring guests who share not only their expertise but also the real-world challenges and triumphs they’ve faced. The discussions naturally weave together the science of fitness with the practicalities of daily choices, offering a nuanced look at what it means to truly care for your physical and mental health. Each episode is designed to provide actionable insights you can use to navigate your own path, fostering resilience and confidence whether you're in the gym or the kitchen. By focusing on informed decision-making over dogma, the Lift Free And Diet Hard podcast becomes a resource for anyone looking to cut through the noise of wellness culture. Andrew facilitates these explorations with a focus on empowerment, ensuring every conversation adds a layer of understanding to the complex journey of building a strong, healthy life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Lift Free And Diet Hard with Andrew Coates
Podcast Episodes
#428 Chad Landers - Building Strength and Muscle After 50 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:19
Chad Landers is a former NSCA Personal Trainer of the Year award winner, with over 30 years of hands-on coaching experience and more than 20 years as a gym owner. Chad is also the author of the new book Building Strength…
#425 Mark Carroll - Personal Pain and Financial Gain [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:14
Mark Carroll is a legendary Australian transformation coach, educator, and entrepreneur. Known publicly for elite-level results and business success, Mark joins me for one of his most open and vulnerable conversations to…
#424 Ebenezer Samuel - Is Fitness Media Trending The Wrong Way? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:20
Ebenezer Samuel, Fitness Director of Men’s Health, joins me for a wide-ranging and insightful conversation on the current and future state of fitness media, where people learn about training, and how the landscape has sh…
#423 Melody Schoenfeld - Vegan Myth Busting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:38
Melody Schoenfeld is an author, gym owner, nutrition coach, and holds a Master's in Health Psychology. She brings deep expertise, a sharp nonsense detector, and evidence-based nuance to one of the most polarizing topics…