Every trainer has to start somewhere. For Strength Coach and Thorne Partner Joe Rodonis, it wasn’t in the gym, but at the office.

Always focused on high performance, Rodonis was a natural in the sales department. He excelled at a Fortune 500 Healthcare Company, rising through the ranks for nearly a decade. But the years of working in a fast-paced, high-stress environment began to wear him down, making him realize how inconsistent his energy levels felt throughout the day. And so began his deep dive into optimizing his health.

But like many Thorne fans, his initial online searches only left him more confused as he tried to sift through conflicting advice.

Before long, what started as curiosity turned into an obsession. Rodonis began to explore every style of training – from boxing and HIIT to yoga and meditation – trying different methods to refine his own routine.

The more he experimented, the more he realized his love for fitness and a desire to deepen his understanding to support others on their journeys. So, in 2018, he made the bold decision to leave his healthcare career behind to join Tone House, an athletic training facility with a mission of helping clients cultivate a high-performance work ethic through movement, nutrition, and recovery.

Today, Rodonis has that same mindset as the Head Coach at Tonal. There, his mission is to give back and share what he’s learned with other motivated individuals like him.

“My goal is to simplify the process, and help people build a strong, lasting relationship with training. Because when you do that, you can begin to step into your highest self,” Rodonis says. “You can become your best so you can, in turn, give your best to others.”

The science and art of training

For Rodonis, that simplification starts with clarifying one of the biggest misconceptions about training – that there is only one correct training approach. Many people enter the fitness world assuming their training regimen should be a serious and rigid practice, but there isn’t really a best method.

While some approaches are certainly better than others, there are several effective methods you can take, depending on each client’s baseline, health needs, and goals, Rodonis says. What’s important is learning as many approaches as possible and the principles behind them to tailor to each client’s unique needs later.

He describes this as “a balance between science and art.” The science – understanding biomechanics, physiology, and programming principles – gives you the foundation. The art – your experience, intuition, and personal touch – makes your programming truly effective.

“Think of it like tailoring a suit. General recommendations are like off-the-rack clothing, but a great program should be custom fit to each client’s goals, experience level, and lifestyle,” Rodonis says. “The sooner you embrace that, the more effective you'll be as a coach.”

What other pieces of advice does he have for up-and-coming trainers? He boils it down to these three guidelines:

  • Master the fundamentals: Training principles are the foundation of everything – understand them deeply before layering on complexity and personalization.
  • Explore and experience everything: Take every class, try every method, and learn from as many sources as possible. The more exposure you have, the more well-rounded you'll become.
  • Blend science and art: As mentioned above, it’s all about balance. Once you’ve built the foundation, develop your own coaching style by integrating your experiences with the principles you’ve learned. This is where great trainers separate themselves from the pack.

How Thorne supports trainers

Another big misconception? Doubt in supplements as an effective and safe addition to a client’s training plan. While some companies cut corners on quality and are only interested in making a quick buck, there are trustworthy brands out there that put consumers’ health first.

Like many in the fitness world, Rodonis was originally hesitant about using supplements, but he changed his tune when he came across Thorne in 2019. He cites Thorne’s rigorous quality and ingredient/product testing standards as the two big reasons for partnering with the brand over the last five years.

Among Rodonis' favorite Thorne products are Whey Protein-Isolate, Daily Greens Plus, Memoractiv™, and the Gut Health Test which he credits with helping him personalize client recommendations and nutrition strategies. But if there’s one Thorne supplement Rodonis recommends to nearly all clients, it would be Creatine, a Thorne bestseller that supports muscle and brain health.*

His praise for the product is based on firsthand results – after taking the formula over the last five years, creatine has become a staple for Rodonis for two reasons. First, because creatine is one of the most well-researched supplements available, and second, because Thorne’s formula is high quality.

It’s just one instance of how Thorne has helped Rodonis move beyond his healthy lifestyle, to optimizing his health.

“As trainers, we should already be leading by example, but Thorne provides tools to fine-tune performance and longevity,” he says. “I take this seriously – people’s health is on the line, and trust is everything.”

Thorne is thrilled to partner with Joe, and is excited to bring you more health and wellness content. Check out Joe’s personal collection and follow him on Instagram.