Shaun Smears — From Autoimmune Challenges to Empowering Trainers

In our latest Juice PT Spotlight, we talk to Shaun Smears, a coach who turned his personal battle with ulcerative colitis into a mission to help others train smarter, recover better, and take control of their health. Shaun also runs a rental-based gym model designed to give trainers more autonomy and stability in their careers.

Discussion on Autoimmune Diseases and Personal Training Adaptations

Shaun: Ulcerative colitis essentially affects your digestive tract and colon. I lost about 30 pounds, probably 20 of that being muscle, just not being able to eat and feed myself. It was very difficult when you're someone who's high energy and always pushing others. At one point, my workout would feel like what my warmup used to be.

Managing it meant changing everything: I did food elimination, then went full carnivore to bring inflammation down. I slowly added back in things like peeled apples, blueberries, grapes. I focus now on managing stress too — that’s a huge flare-up trigger.

That’s a powerful perspective. How do you apply this understanding when coaching clients?

Shaun: Absolutely. I’m big into biohacking — red light therapy, energy management, all that. I already used it for performance, but now I apply it to inflammation and recovery too. With clients who have autoimmune or gut issues, I try to pass on what I learned: inflammation pathways, food sensitivity, lifestyle adjustments. Once you learn what affects inflammation, you can share that knowledge.

Personal Trainer Business Model Discussion

You’ve also created a gym that runs on a rental model instead of the traditional commission setup. What inspired that?

Shaun: I worked in a classic gym where the trainer would make 20 bucks while the client was paying 60+. It didn’t make sense. Trainers were burning out before they even got successful.

I wanted to create a model like a hair salon or barber chair — you rent your space, build your client list, and keep what you earn. So now I charge $700 + tax monthly, and trainers have 24/7 access to the gym. It’s theirs to run how they want.

What’s the biggest difference you’ve seen?

Shaun: Control. When they don’t have to answer to a split-shift schedule or justify every hour, trainers actually stay in the game. The average personal trainer lasts 3 years — we’re trying to change that.

Client Coaching Experiences and Program Development

What do you focus on when building someone’s program?

Shaun: I look at risk to reward. There is no bad movement but there are higher risk movements without the reward. So I eliminate those. We focus on movements that have higher reward with lower risk. And that's how I really build the initial plan; making sure that they don't leave worse than they started on that side of things.

Then I factor in goals, lifestyle, and mental state. Someone doing contest prep needs more structure — like weighing food. But someone with 40 pounds to lose might need something simpler like portion visuals or plate photos. You can’t throw macros and supplements at everyone right away.

I don’t move forward until the basics are being followed. A good program isn’t one that looks fancy, it’s one people actually stick to.

So 21 years of coaching. Is there a particular story that you remember very well?

Shaun: Over the years, you build and grow and change people. One client that stands out started training with me during an incredibly tough time — both of his sons were sick. He was stressed, gaining weight, and realized he couldn’t take care of others if his own health was crumbling. Since then, we’ve dropped over 40 pounds of fat, added 15–20 pounds of muscle, and he still trains with me three times a week.

What’s powerful is that this transformation didn’t stop with him. His wife now trains too — they’ve been doing it together for five years. It became their time to connect in a healthy, meaningful way. Instead of bonding over food or drinks, they bond through movement. That ripple effect is why I love what I do.

Technology and Client Accountability

How do you use tech or apps in your coaching process?

Shaun: I use My PT Hub, mainly because it gives you unlimited clients for one price. It has good libraries and tools, but it’s pretty rigid — like if something is scheduled for Wednesday, it can’t just be bumped to Thursday.

Not all my clients use the app. Some just send me food photos. Others get full programs and use the app daily. I prefer to talk face-to-face when possible — that's where real feedback happens.

Final Thoughts

One overrated and one underrated exercise?

Shaun: I don't know if there is, to be honest. It's about your goals. I don't like burpees. I think they're torture. They serve a purpose, but they’re often used just to make people feel wrecked.

One of the most underrated exercises is the kettlebell swing. It builds power, strength, and cardio, opens up the hip hinge, and builds the posterior chain. But people are scared of them.

Find Shaun on Instagram: @shaunsmears

Want to be featured in our next PT Spotlight? Apply via crew@juice.fitness