Taking Ownership, Creating Opportunity, & Building an Inclusive Fitness Career with Rick Richey

Season 8 of the IDEAfit Pro Show continues the Meet the Authors series with one of the fitness industry’s most dynamic educators and advocates for inclusion—Rick Richey, 2022 IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year, educator, entrepreneur, podcast host, and founder of Independent Training Spot. Host Amy Boone Thompson sits down with Rick for a candid and inspiring conversation about building opportunity in the fitness industry, creating spaces where everyone belongs, and redefining what success looks like as a fitness professional. In this episode, Rick shares his unconventional path into fitness—from aspiring Power Ranger and stunt performer to internationally respected educator and business owner. Along the way, he reveals how injuries, curiosity, mentorship, and a willingness to take chances shaped his career and ultimately inspired his mission to make fitness more inclusive and accessible for all. Rick’s chapter in Inspire the World to Fitness®, “Fitness Is for Every Body and Everybody,” explores why representation matters in fitness spaces and how professionals can create environments where more people feel seen, welcomed, and empowered to move. In This Episode, You’ll Learn • How Rick’s martial arts and performance background led him into fitness • Why taking ownership of your career creates long-term opportunity • The story behind Independent Training Spot and its innovative business model • Why education and communication are essential leadership skills • How IDEA and NASM helped shape Rick’s professional journey • Why representation matters in gyms and fitness communities • How inclusive hiring creates more welcoming environments • Why movement—not weight loss alone—is critical for health outcomes • The importance of helping clients feel safe, seen, and supported • Advice for trainers considering entrepreneurship and gym ownership Featured Guest Rick Richey 2022 IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year Founder of Independent Training Spot Co-Founder of Recover Host of the NASM CPT Podcast Educator, orthopedic massage therapist, and entrepreneur Rick has spent more than two decades helping fitness professionals grow their careers while advocating for a more inclusive and accessible fitness industry. From Power Ranger Dreams to Fitness Leadership Rick opens the episode with one of the most memorable origin stories of the season. As a teenager passionate about martial arts, gymnastics, and acrobatics, he dreamed of becoming a Power Ranger—or at least a stunt performer. After multiple injuries and surgeries shifted his path, he moved to New York City pursuing performance opportunities before unexpectedly discovering personal training. That discovery changed everything. What began as a way to combine movement, education, and connection eventually became a lifelong career that now includes: • Fitness education and curriculum development • Public speaking and global presentations • Podcast hosting and media work • Entrepreneurship and business ownership • Mentorship and advocacy for fitness professionals Creating Opportunity Through Ownership One of the biggest themes in Rick’s chapter and this conversation is ownership. Rick explains that career growth in fitness rarely “just happens.” Instead, professionals must actively seek opportunities, continue learning, and be willing to create solutions where gaps exist. That mindset eventually led him to launch Independent Training Spot, a business model designed specifically for independent personal trainers. Rather than opening a traditional gym with memberships, Rick created private training facilities where trainers can rent professional space while operating their own businesses independently. The model allows trainers to: • Build their own brands and client bases • Avoid the massive overhead of owning a gym • Access high-quality equipment and facilities • Operate independently while reducing operational complexity Today, Independent Training Spot has grown to six locations across New York