With over two decades of experience as an instructor and educator, Marc Coronel hasn’t just witnessed — but also shaped — this ever-evolving fitness industry. Marc graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sports Medicine and has since dedicated himself to transforming people’s lives. He’s trained everyone from British royalty to the United States Secret Service to MMA fighters to your average guy next door, bringing every session to life with his lighthearted spirit that leaves a lasting impact.
In addition to starting his own successful business, Energia Fitness, Marc has collaborated with top-tier brands such as Under Armour Training Team, LifeFitness, TRX, Quest Nutrition, Beachbody Live, Herbalife, and OOFOS, earning him great accolades and affiliations. In 2016 through 2018, he won the SCW Presenter of the Year award three years in a row. The cherry on top: His recent nomination for IDEA’s 2024 Personal Trainer of the Year award.
Coach360 sat down with Marc Coronel for an exclusive interview, where he opened up about the people and experiences that shaped his career, what he recommends aspiring coaches do to jumpstart their own careers, and what his recent IDEA nomination means to him. Read on for Marc’s inspiring story and the advice we all need to hear.
Tell us your story in as little or as much detail as possible. Why did you become a coach? What do you consider your “superpower”?
I’ve always been interested in movement. Not just interested in how others move, but, more importantly, how I can make myself move better. In college, I ended up being a guinea pig for a new strength and conditioning coaching [program], and our S&C coach kris Kimura [mentor] showed me what was possible in very little time — four months, to be exact. He took my assets and turned me into a physical monster, and that was the moment I knew this was what I wanted to do in my entire life.
For the coaches reading this, we know what we can do in four months. For the clients reading this, you’d be amazed at what your coach can do in four months.
Based on your experiences, what advice would you give to aspiring coaches who are trying to build a career in the health, fitness, and wellness industry? What kind of support and resources did you find most valuable during your journey to becoming a fitness professional?
Go get yourself a mentor, and align yourself with people who can help you navigate. Find your people and your team, and join something that doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg. Start by joining IDEA. I will probably be a member of IDEA for the rest of my professional career and after that, because it helped me so much. I’ve witnessed a lot of people move up by joining, and people who won IDEA fitness awards are some of my students, and people I mentored, vouched for, and pushed.
Also, for me, being part of a professional network and joining the original Health and Fitness Association was like the equivalent of joining a union. The Health and Fitness Association is our union, and we should have a place that advocates for fitness professionals.
Where do you see yourself in the health, fitness and wellness industry in 5 years?
I see myself inspiring an army of people who want to do what I do. In 5 years … I see myself as a leader, a trailblazer, and a person who makes it possible for others coming into the fitness industry not just to come in and leave, but to feel inspired enough to stick around and roll up their sleeves.
And I don’t think AI [artificial intelligence] will be replacing us; it’ll just be facilitating a lot of the things we’re already doing.
You were recently nominated for IDEA’s 2024 Personal Trainer of the Year. What does this type of recognition mean to you personally?
It means that my hard work, passion, and energy are recognized.
One of the first compliments I got [when I first presented at IDEA in 2008] was, “That was really good, man. I look forward to seeing what else you do in this industry.” Fast forward to now that I’m nominated for the 2024 Personal Trainer of the Year award, it means a lot because I didn’t forget those words. It’s something big.
Being recognized is not just a personal thing — it’s a family thing, too. Because what people don’t see is that when I’m out and about, or on stage, or in a class teaching, someone else has to hold down the fort. And my wife and family are the best counterbalance to keep me focused and inspired when I’m down. As we all know, we have our on and off days, but you need to have the right people around you to remind you of your own aspirations and greatness.
Your energy is what introduces you before you enter a room. I want to show people that you can do what I do — that there’s no limit or impossibilities. You can dream big, and you can choose to inspire, motivate, and educate the next generation. I believe that I’m part of the next generation who can inspire others.
Marc’s passion for fitness and dedication to transforming lives is unwavering, and we can’t wait to see what he does next.
April Benshosan is a writer, editor, and content strategist with a Master’s degree in Publishing. Her work highlights her passion for responsible health journalism, and she’s been published in print and digital outlets, including Women’s Health, EatingWell, SHAPE, Well+Good, LIVESTRONG.com, Health.com, Abbott, and more.
