The modern fitness industry is full of quick fixes and overnight transformations. But personal trainer Nathanual “Nathan” Brown feels this approach is fundamentally flawed, and instead emphasizes consistency and long-term results. Based in Surrey, British Columbia, just outside Vancouver, Nathan works with clients of all ages, backgrounds, and fitness levels, helping them discover what their bodies and minds are truly capable of achieving. He helps his clients reclaim control over their health to counter a culture that encourages over-indulgence, professional burnout, self-criticism, and a sedentary lifestyle. Each fitness program he designs reflects the client’s personal story—their motivations, their insecurities, their ambitions—and often, the injuries they’re trying to overcome. For Nathan Brown, exercise is a fulfilling practice that should last a lifetime.
Q: What inspired you to become a personal trainer and fitness coach?
NATHANUAL “NATHAN” BROWN: I think it was a combination of two factors. First, I love helping people. Then, after graduating from high school and spending some time in the workforce, I discovered my passion for exercise, weight training, and fitness. I joined a gym in my hometown of Surrey and began working on improving my body several times a week. It made me feel great about myself and what I could achieve with discipline and dedication. I found a community of people who thought the same way, and one of them suggested that I should become a personal trainer. It made sense to me instantly, and I put my mind to it, gave it my all, and I’m proud to have built a solid career in the fitness industry.
Q: How do you approach creating a personalized fitness program for each client?
NATHANUAL “NATHAN” BROWN: I have a process that I follow. The first step is to get to know each client as best I can. Their fitness goals, of course, but also their overall personality. Do they have a family, or do they live alone? What do they do for work? What does their average day look like? How many hours of sleep do they get each night? What’s their diet like? Is there a special reason why they sought me out now, like an upcoming event they want to prepare for? Things like that. The answers they give reveal a lot about their motives and personality, which in turn informs the program I create for them. There are some similar aspects to all the programs I create, of course. All of them include some degree of cardio, weight training, calisthenics, and stretching. I’m a big believer in incorporating what I call these “core four” elements into my plans. But beyond that, every regimen I create is custom-tailored depending on what I learn about each client. And obviously, I adapt and change them as needed.
Q: How do you motivate your clients to achieve their goals?
NATHANUAL “NATHAN” BROWN: There is a psychological aspect to personal training that many people don’t understand or consider. As I said, every client is different. They have different forces that drive them, different pain tolerances, different thresholds for meeting challenges. More than half the battle is figuring out what those are. Say I’m working with someone who doubles down on pushing for a goal despite adversity. I’ll give them progressively tougher exercises and encourage them to prove themselves. On the other hand, if I can sense a person needs a certain amount of encouragement to keep going, that’s what I’ll give them. Everyoe is unique and responds to different things in different ways.
Q: What advice would you give someone just starting their fitness journey to make it sustainable?
NATHANUAL “NATHAN” BROWN: Staying fit shouldn’t be a chore. Try to make it as enjoyable as possible. Make some friends at the gym. Listen to music while you work out, or a podcast if that’s more your speed. It’s hard work, sure, and it requires consistency and dedication, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to make it fun. Make workouts something to look forward to, especially at first, so you don’t end up talking yourself into skipping them.
