u/FirmPeaches

Experienced PTs: Is $65–75k pre taxes/biz expenses realistic with 20–25 coaching hours/week, without owning a studio?

I’m considering returning to personal training after several years in corporate work as a 37f (noting for reference in case similar backgrounds). Previously spent most of my 20s training professionally, including private clients, small groups, and gym-based training.

I’m trying to understand what’s realistically achievable long-term, rather than exceptional success stories … from a wide variety of experiences outside of my own or observed.

My ideal arrangement would be:
- Around 20–25 client-facing hours per week, ideally concentrated between 2–7:30 PM Monday–Friday
- About 5 weeks off annually
- An established studio or gym that provides most client leads
- Light solo prospecting, marketing, or sales (mostly daunted by the idea of marketing/lead acquisition, I’m fine w sales mostly)
- W-2, 1099, or a hybrid arrangement
- Ideally working towards $65–75k annually before personal taxes, & after any business expenses (I understand this will take some time, and would love to get experiences on how long). Of course more is always welcome, but I’m trying to be reasonably realistic (is this?)

For trainers with similar schedules or studio arrangements:
- What do you actually earn annually, & is that gross revenue, W-2 salary, or profit after expenses?
- How many paid sessions do you consistently deliver weekly, and how many additional unpaid hours do you work?
- Does your studio provide clients, or are you responsible for acquiring them?
- Is this income realistic in a medium-cost-of-living market/area?
- If you’ve achieved something similar, what compensation or business arrangement made it possible?
- I’m particularly interested in sustainable, repeatable income, not peak earnings or working 40–50 hours weekly.

I’d appreciate candid responses, including if my expectations aren’t realistic. I GET this will take time & effort to build up. I expect some to hem and haw, and hopeful others will provide genuinely thoughtful/helpful responses.

Anyone get one with normal iron but ferritin at or around 36?

Been supplementing since last Dec when it was 30 and somehow iron went up to 46 then down to 36 during this time. I don’t want to keep seeing months or years go by with little to no improvement, but unsure if 36 is too high to be approved for infusion?

I have symptoms of fatigue, air hunger/shortness of breath, harder time working out and workout recovery issues and I want relief now, not months or years from now. 😫

Company doesn’t announce most rolling layoffs (since they roll for a reason). So every Monday and Friday I check our main slack channel to see who it was this week. Just wondering when it’s me next. Anyone else?

Can someone explain like I’m 5 why some companies do rolling layoffs just to rehire people back into the same role within 1-3 months later? I understand rolling layoffs, I don’t fully understand rolling layoffs paired with rehiring. I imagine it has to do with quarterly quota misses and finagling numbers temporarily. Or potentially finding cheaper workers and testing the market.

Also, can you /how can you know you’re next? Seems random in some cases from my perspective, where I’ve seen even seemingly high performers with long or short tenures be hit.

Edit: How are you supposed to be motivated to do more than bare minimum if you find yourself in a company that takes this approach (esp when the layoffs appear random with even high output performers being targeted)?

You started HRT for progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone? If you don’t mind being specific about which 3.

As a 37 yo I’ve been on testosterone about 7 months and definitely notice
Improvements in libido, workout recovery, drive.

Dr recommended .025 estrogen patch 2x/week the week prior to period to see if it resolves PMDD like symptoms. I’ve never been on BC before and a bit scared to start the estrogen patch. I’m producing enough progesterone that dr doesn’t feel strongly that I need it (yet) to counteract the tiny estrogen dose for just that 1 week.

I can’t help but feel …. Defeated, for lack of better words, as I’ve heard estrogen is the last hormone women typically take for HRT. Feels like my body is failing me too soon.

What are you doing after work and daily life activities to fill your evenings that feel worthwhile (ie hobbies) that’s not at home?

I’m fortunate enough to WFH and get my workouts (weight train, cardio, in studio yoga classes) in during business hours. Recently found myself falling into way too much couch phone time between 6/630-830pm and it’s depressing af. Third spaces don’t seem to exist anymore, and have fallen into a rut/rot 🫠.

It’s difficult bc I live in the suburbs where it’s all restaurants, shopping, but not much in way of social/hobby/nature options unless I’m looking to drive at least 1.5 hours round trip for something like improv.

How is it assessed if this is needed for function/lip incompetence/sleep apnea? Same for desired aesthetic result (if doing DJS w CCW for sleep apnea)?

I’ve heard it’s difficult even w VSPs to be sure how the end result will be aesthetically as well, so how can you be sure you won’t end up looking …. Witchy …. For lack of better wording? I’m struggling to understand if just DJS with CCW is enough functionally & aesthetically, and understanding when SG is useful.

Ps: I’m aware it’s out of pocket for this to be added to the surgery plan.

Most important is of course health, function, bite, sleep apnea resolution.

But I think many of us at the beginning of this process are interested in what we may not only feel like, but look like after surgery. I’ve been testing out prompts w ChatGPT w pre op pics of patients who’ve undergone jaw surgery. And the after photos of these pre patients look almost identical to the actual after post op pics.

Just thought I’d share in case anyone been wondering : “what will I look like”? Could give a bit of an idea. Just be sure to use specific prompts based on what you’re likely going to get (ie letfort 1 w CCW, etc).

37. Gradually pms has gotten worse since about 30. The most concerning symptom is suicidal ideation the 1-2 days pre bleed that immediately disappears upon bleed. Otherwise other annoying symptoms include heightened rejection sensitivity, catastrophizing , being a lazy potato for the last week of my cycle, no focus/motivation, basically I lose the last week of my life to these symptoms and it effects all areas of my life.

HRT doctor said what I described sounds like PMDD and recommended .025mg estrogen patch 2x/week pre bleed for these symptoms. Estrogen was about 85 on day 22 of my cycle which isn’t terrible, but dr noted as the cycle progresses it maybe my body’s reaction to that dip during that last week causing the symptoms. She noted since my progesterone tested in range (13 day 22), we can start w/o progesterone for now (but said we’d likely need to add it eventually as I enter into perimenopause 😭)

Anyone have decent results w this approach?

How many months worth of an efund is everyone setting aside nowadays considering the shakiness in many industries (increasing layoffs)?

Does dr alfi primarily use posterior down grafting in general and/or even in combination with maxillary impaction? I ask bc many of this after appear to have longer maxilla/philtrum length.

Context: I absolutely do not need posterior down grafting which would cause longer face, and 100% need maxillary impaction due to gummy smile with long philtrum as my upper jaw bone had grown downward to compensate for my recessed lower jaw. Basically I used to use my chin muscle to attempt lip competence to bring my lower lip to meet upper. After 37 years of doing that, my upper jaw bone and philtrum have elongated to compensate and I no longer use my chin muscle as much (I’d get a lip lift after surgery bc it’s my biggest insecurity, but getting now would just make lip incompetence worse).

I’d like to go with alfi, mostly for insurance and location reasons, but I worry that the outcome may not be what I’m hoping for. I really need DJS for recession and down growth in both jaws, with CCW / maxillary impaction to reduce gummy smile.

Outside of basic integrity to complete your agreed upon job at the most basic level: How is everyone staying motivated to care/do a decent job with layoffs happening to even the most competent coworkers, as if at random? Alongside the stress of knowing even if doing all the right things, it may not be enough to remove you from that possibility?

I WFH but have to be on camera with customers several times a day (camera required for most meetings due to policy :/). I’m ready to move forward, but this is the only blocker.

In your experience, how long did it take to speak and look relatively normal after surgery?

I’ve read a few posts about how patients aren’t getting their surgery plans till day prior to surgery. That seems super off to me. I’ve spent years looking into all things jaw surgery since it’s a bfd of a surgery, and very costly. I want to understand the plan somewhere between the consult and before I even pay, let alone the day prior to surgery.

Has this process changed? Bummed he was in my list for consult but unsure if I want to bother if I won’t have time to have thoughtful planning/collaboration with the doctor cutting my face open for loads of money ….

Anyone pay out of pocket for DJS with impaction & CCW? If so, mind dropping surgeon, cost, & satisfaction rating? TIA

Ferritin has followed below trajectory

30 March 2025
35 Dec 2025
40 Feb 2026
36 May 26 2026

Tried taking a natural approach adding in more red meat from maybe 2x/week to 4x/week from Mach to Dec.

20mg iron with 1k mg vitamin C EOD after Dec labs
40mg iron with 1k mg vitamin C EOD after Feb labs
60mg iron with 1k mg vitamin C EOD between about April to May labs

And my ferritin decreased 😤

I’ve been taking three arrow brand simply heme bc it claims better absorption. Also EOD bc I read that’s actually more effective than daily.

I take in the evenings about 2 hours after my last meal. I do take with magnesium but I didn’t think it’d be that big of an absorption blocker. I enjoy coffee every morning and eat dairy often throughout the day, so it’s been difficult to determine the best time of day to take, but I’m guessing at this point I just need to suck it up and plan better.

Am I missing something? Or is the magnesium really causing absorption issues so much that ferritin has actually decreased? My periods aren’t super heavy (moderate 1st 3 days then gradually dissipates till about day 5) so I’m at a loss.

Tips & experiences welcome!

37f. Struggling to find shorts that are acceptable (ie not booty shorts) but also not super dorky looking longer lengths ( some women look super sophisticated in these but I just look like a massive dork).

The trouble I have is honestly prefer the vibe of and look for my body in shorter more casual shorts (I have great quads), but then I feel inappropriate out in the world in these. And tbh a little trashy looking. I live in a hot, humid environment so shorts are a bit of a prerequisite. 🫠

I want to look and feel cute and confident but also age appropriate. Any recommendations on shorts for my age and goals?