Health & Fitness Side Hustles
126 episodes feature people earning money in the health and fitness space — personal trainers, yoga instructors, nutritionists, wellness coaches, online fitness content creators, and more. Health is a perennial category where both in-person and online models work.
- First $1,000: “I started by setting up a booth at the farmer’s market…”
Essential oils seller makes first $1,000 at farmers market with custom product line. Now provides half her income. Side Hustle School Ep. 3334.
- Jiu-Jitsu Instructor Pins Down Mobile Workout Tool
Jiu-jitsu instructor earns $20,000/month selling portable workout tool on Kickstarter. Side Hustle School Ep. 3317.
- Failure Friday: “We opened the box and it was a totally different product…”
When a supplier sent the wrong kettlebell order, the founder had to rebuild trust. Side Hustle School Ep. 3310.
- TBT: The Garage Gym Hustle That Went Digital
Garage gym equipment flipping turned into a newsletter business serving thousands of fitness subscribers. Side Hustle School Ep. 3232.
- TBT: I Built a Supplement Guide People Actually Trust
Supplement guide affiliate business earning $40,000 from a TikTok video. How one creator built trusted health recommendations. Side Hustle School Ep. 3218.
- Q&A: “How do I license calming coloring pages to wellness apps?”
Licensing coloring pages to wellness apps: pricing, usage rights, and B2B contracts. Side Hustle School Ep. 3205.
- Personal Trainer Pumps Up Breakfast
Personal trainer sells high-protein pancakes as a healthy breakfast side hustle. Side Hustle School Ep. 3182.
- First $1,000: Ambient Train Noise Finds Global Audience
How a trainspotter turned ambient train recordings into a digital product earning $1,000. Side Hustle School Ep. 3145.
- TBT: Solo Nutrition Practice Offers Corporate Wellness Service
Freelance nutritionist pivots from personal meal plans to corporate wellness programs for stable recurring income. Side Hustle School Ep. 2987.
- TBT: Turning Late-Night Edits into a Niche Agency
Freelance video editor turned fitness creator agency in Toronto with sustainable monthly income. Side Hustle School Ep. 2973.
- Q&A: “How to price your services without undervaluing your expertise?”
How to price services without undervaluing expertise. Fitness trainer shares postpartum workout pricing strategy. Side Hustle School Ep. 2960.
- Q&A: “Should I open a second location?”
When should you open a second location for your business? Learn expansion timing, risk management, and growth strategies. Side Hustle School Ep. 2932.
- Failure Friday: Mobile Massage Service Gets Shut Down
Mobile massage service shut down by mall management for operating without permits. Why location matters more than you think. Side Hustle School Ep. 2904.
- Q&A: “Can you profit on OnlyFans with non-adult content?”
Can you profit on OnlyFans with non-adult content? Fitness coaching, art, and personal development creators explain. Side Hustle School Ep. 2899.
- TBT: Home Gym Affiliate Earns $80,000
Home gym affiliate marketing blog earns $80,000. Fitness passion transformed into successful monetization. Side Hustle School Ep. 2896.
- TBT: The Unlikely Algae Entrepreneur
Wisconsin algae farm owner capitalizes on plant-based supplement boom. From small-scale startup to thriving business. Side Hustle School Ep. 2882.
- Failure Friday: The Virtual Workout Fitness Flop
A fitness coach's DIY social media strategy for virtual workouts led to costly mistakes. What went wrong and why. Side Hustle School Ep. 2869.
- Q&A: “Tips for building a fitness brand on TikTok…”
How to build a fitness brand on TikTok: strategies for niche workout videos, engaging content, and algorithm growth. Side Hustle School Ep. 2852.
- First $1,000: Forager Uncovers Truffles for High-End Restaurants
Truffle foraging for Connecticut restaurants: how one forager's first $1,000 hunting wild delicacies. Side Hustle School Ep. 2851.
- Q&A: “How can I explain reiki more effectively to potential clients?”
How do you explain reiki to skeptical clients without wasting time? Tips for wellness practitioners. Side Hustle School Ep. 2843.
- TBT: “Reviews to Riches” with Nutrition School Promotion
Nutrition school affiliate earns $20,000/month through reviews and videos. She built a lucrative content business. Side Hustle School Ep. 2770.
- TBT: Teacher Earns Extra Credit from Returned Items
Teacher resells returned Amazon items for profit through bulk auctions and inventory management. Side Hustle School Ep. 2735.
- Q&A: “Can I go from yoga teacher to mindfulness coach?”
Transition from yoga teacher to mindfulness coach: structuring services and reaching clients. Side Hustle School Ep. 2723.
- Failure Friday: Tech Dream to Prototype Dilemma
Wearable tech entrepreneur learns hard lessons about product development costs and market reality. Side Hustle School Ep. 2694.
- Q&A: “I’m ready to expand my Miami workout method…”
How to expand a Miami HIIT + Latin dance workout program online. Packaging, platforms, and building a fitness community. Side Hustle School Ep. 2674.
- TBT: Licensed Therapist Offers Non-Licensed, Out-of-State Coaching
Licensed therapist diversifies income with non-licensed coaching for out-of-state clients. Side Hustle School Ep. 2637.
- Q&A: “Balancing ads and membership models…”
How to balance ad revenue and membership models on a wellness blog without losing readers. Side Hustle School Ep. 2614.
- Failure Friday: Corporate Board Game Idea Fizzles Out
What went wrong when a corporate trainer tried selling custom board games for company retreats. Side Hustle School Ep. 2589.
- Q&A: “How to focus my Mental Health project this year?”
Mental health side hustle opportunities: emerging niches for 2024 that haven't hit mainstream yet. Side Hustle School Ep. 2587.
- Welcome to Season 8! (Also: introducing a new project)
Season 8 begins with new plans for Side Hustle School and a new Substack newsletter on mental health. Side Hustle School.
- Q&A: “Should I accept ads from pharmaceutical companies?”
Should you accept pharmaceutical sponsorships for your health podcast? Weigh ethics vs. revenue in this honest discussion. Side Hustle School Ep. 2534.
- Q&A: “My membership site has a high churn rate…”
Fitness membership site losing customers? Learn retention strategies to reduce churn and stop burnout. Side Hustle School Ep. 2514.
- Q&A: “I want to help gamers get fit…”
Fitness coaching for gamers: how to build a side hustle helping sedentary players get fit. Side Hustle School Ep. 2503.
- Failure Friday: Graveyard Yoga Fails to Entice Living or Dead
Yoga instructor launches Graveyard Yoga series with zero sign-ups. Why niche concepts don't always resonate. Side Hustle School Ep. 2442.
- Failure Friday: The Destination Yoga Retreat That Wasn’t
Yoga teacher's Central America retreat idea failed before it started—here's why no one signed up. Side Hustle School Ep. 2435.
- Q&A: “I want to be a personal fitness influencer!”
Building a fitness influencer business: creating a profitable plan from athletic expertise. Side Hustle School Ep. 2430.
- Q&A: “Separating business and personal expenses…”
How to separate personal and business finances as a side hustler. Tax tips and registration advice for new entrepreneurs. Side Hustle School Ep. 2369.
- TBT: Thyme Flies for These Scentsational Essential Oils
Essential oils side hustle grew to $2,000/month while working full-time as an esthetician. Ebony's Essential Oils story. Side Hustle School Ep. 2357.
- Q&A: “How can I host a yoga and wellness retreat?”
How can a yoga instructor host wellness retreats? Planning, partnerships, and audience strategy. Side Hustle School Ep. 2342.
- TBT: Social Media Manager Earns $4,000/Month Part-Time
Social media manager for female fitness coaches earns $4,000/month part-time. Where are they now? Side Hustle School Ep. 2336.
- Q&A: “How can I market my online yoga course?”
How to market an online yoga course against free content. Strategies for expanding beyond your local studio. Side Hustle School Ep. 2297.
- Q&A: “Looking for low-risk, high-reward side hustles…”
Low-risk side hustles for single moms working from home with minimal investment. Which ideas work best? Side Hustle School Ep. 2296.
- Q&A: “I’d like to offer Virtual Reality therapy…”
Virtual reality therapy startup: how to market exposure therapy with VR technology. Licensing and target market strategy. Side Hustle School Ep. 2279.
- First $1,000: Health & Wellness Writer Establishes Side Income
Freelance health and wellness writer earns her first $1,000. How Susan Petersen in Indiana built sustainable part-time income. Side Hustle School Ep. 2270.
- Failure Friday: The “American Ninja Warrior” Personal Trainer
Personal trainer's "American Ninja Warrior" specialization backfired in Tacoma—what went wrong and why. Side Hustle School Ep. 2267.
- TBT: “I get to make dad jokes about adult toys all day…”
Adult toys affiliate seller earning $3,500/month from sexual wellness commissions. She loves making dad jokes about her niche. Side Hustle School Ep. 2238.
- First $1,000: “I started by setting up a booth at the farmer’s market…”
How a woman in New Mexico built an essential oils business earning $2,000/month at farmers markets. Side Hustle School Ep. 2200.
- TBT: “I’m now charging $100/hour for personal training…”
Personal trainer builds full client roster and raises rates to $100/hour. How he scaled past burnout and grew his business. Side Hustle School Ep. 2182.
- Q&A: “How to plan for a big New Year’s Sale?”
Planning a New Year's sale for wellness businesses: marketing strategies that work in January and February. Side Hustle School Ep. 2181.
- First $1,000: “I had no idea Hula Hoops were a seasonal business…”
How Holly earned her first $1,000 selling hula hoops on Amazon and found a seasonal business. Side Hustle School Ep. 2179.
- Failure Friday: “No one wanted my idea, even for free…”
What went wrong when a personal trainer launched a virtual shoe-fitting service with zero traction. Side Hustle School Ep. 2176.
- TBT: “It’s like a gym you only pay for if you don’t go…”
Lazy Jar app makes fitness pay—you only pay if you skip the gym. Where is Justin's Raleigh startup now? Side Hustle School Ep. 2119.
- Q&A: “I bought and sold 75 Peloton bikes…”
How a reseller earned $2,800/month buying and flipping 75 Peloton bikes during the pandemic. Side Hustle School Ep. 2100.
- First $1,000: “I left personal training to become a life coach…”
Personal trainer pivots to life coaching to earn her first $1,000. How she built her client base from scratch. Side Hustle School Ep. 2095.
- TBT: Online Yoga for People with Chronic Illnesses
Kayla Kurin builds sustainable income teaching yoga to chronic illness patients. Toronto-based evolution. Side Hustle School Ep. 2091.
- Busy Mom Cleans Up Debt by Cleaning Car Seats
How occupational therapist Brittany earns $2,000/month cleaning car seats via BabyQuip. Pays off student loans. Side Hustle School Ep. 2047.
- Failure Friday: “We opened the box and it was a totally different product…”
What went wrong when a kettlebell supplier sent the wrong product to a new ecommerce business. Side Hustle School Ep. 2022.
- Q&A: “I tried donation-only yoga, but no one donated…”
Yoga teacher struggles with donation-only model that brings in almost nothing. How to encourage payments without being pushy. Side Hustle School Ep. 2002.
- Q&A: “Best way to get to market with nutrition bar…”
How to get a nutrition bar (All-In Bar) on Whole Foods shelves. Q&A on launching a protein bar in a crowded market. Side Hustle School Ep. 1985.
- Failure Friday: “I naively thought the influencers would bring sales…”
Influencer marketing flop: Australian ecommerce founder wastes budget on Instagram promotions that deliver no sales. Side Hustle School Ep. 1952.
- First $1,000: Running Coach Strides to Finish Line
Running coach Jason Fitzgerald earned his first $1,000 with StrengthRunning.com training programs. Side Hustle School Ep. 1934.
- First $1,000: “I wanted to keep well-trained wellness providers in business…”
Wellness expert Brooke Thomas earns $18,000 from a healing arts incubator in New Haven through course registrations. Side Hustle School Ep. 1913.
- Q&A: How do I best prioritize what to do next?
Prioritize your side hustle growth: focus on what moves the needle when you're pulled in multiple directions. Side Hustle School Ep. 1877.
- Failure Friday: “We went all-in on applying for a $2 million grant…”
What happened when Generation Mindful went all-in on a $2M NIH grant—and what they learned from rejection. Side Hustle School Ep. 1812.
- Instructor Offers Online Wellness Classes for Seniors
How a college instructor earns $1,500/month teaching wellness classes to seniors on GetSetUp. Side Hustle School Ep. 1744.
- Failure Friday: “Everyone in the room said ‘Turn it off!’…”
Yoga studio founder's VIP event derailed when the sound system failed mid-experience. Side Hustle School Ep. 1728.
- The $30,000/Month Women’s Fitness Website
How Tami built a women's fitness blog earning $30,000/month through affiliate reviews. Side Hustle School Ep. 1718.
- Q&A: How can I market a personalized meditation app?
Marketing a personalized meditation app for companies and organizations. How to stand out in a crowded wellness app market. Side Hustle School Ep. 1675.
- TBT: Sexual Wellness Site Revs Up Reviews
Sexual wellness site reviews earns six figures. How a sex-positive blogger built a profitable platform helping readers. Side Hustle School Ep. 1643.
- Q&A: “I want to sell a spreadsheet to track fitness goals…”
Sell a fitness tracking spreadsheet for $10-$20. Q&A on pricing strategy and marketing approach for Excel-based workout tools. Side Hustle School Ep. 1635.
- Zen Master Makes Mindful Moola
Wellness blog affiliate site built by marketing manager generates 6-figure revenue. Started during pandemic. Side Hustle School Ep. 1625.
- Social Worker Finds Calm, Makes Cash with Business Course
Therapist helps other mental health professionals launch private practices. Side Hustle School Ep. 1590.
- Failure Friday: Manufacturing in China—How Hard Can It Be??
Manufacturing outsourcing to China backfired for a six-figure wellness planner brand. What went wrong and why it matters. Side Hustle School Ep. 1588.
- Q&A: How to offer continuing education for therapists?
Offering continuing education (CE) for therapists: licensing requirements and how to get accredited. Side Hustle School Ep. 1582.
- Children’s Librarian Builds Crossfit Bra Business
How a children's librarian built a $7,000/month Crossfit sports bra brand for muscular women. KFT ships to 20+ countries. Side Hustle School Ep. 1543.
- Q&A: What can we learn from Peloton?
What can side hustlers learn from Peloton and Mirror's success without venture capital? Community and convenience insights. Side Hustle School Ep. 1533.
- Q&A: Can I profit from injury recovery videos on TikTok?
Can a fitness coach profit from TikTok injury recovery videos? Monetization strategies for building an audience. Side Hustle School Ep. 1486.
- TBT: Personal Trainer Pumps Up Protein Pancakes
Personal trainer earns $25,000/month selling protein pancake mix through ABS Pancakes. Where is she now? Side Hustle School Ep. 1419.
- Bookstore Employee Crafts Paper Bead Jewelry
Paper bead jewelry from recycled book pages. Bookstore employee combines art passion with craft business. Side Hustle School Ep. 1417.
- TBT: Organization Expert Declutters 150+ Homes
Yoga instructor turned home organizer declutters 150+ Seattle homes, donating items to refugee families. Side Hustle School Ep. 1293.
- Q&A: How can I take my aerial yoga teaching to new heights?
Scaling aerial yoga from beach classes to online teaching: strategies for growth. Side Hustle School Ep. 1266.
- Virtual Meditation in the Midst of COVID-19
Rolfing practitioner builds online meditation community during pandemic. Side Hustle School Ep. 1235.
- Q&A: Where and how do I promote my new app?
How to promote a new app: strategies for reaching users in a crowded app store. Side Hustle School Ep. 1215.
- Q&A: How do I prioritize next steps for a series of planners?
Wellness planners for postpartum moms earning $2,000/month—how to prioritize marketing next steps. Side Hustle School Ep. 1112.
- Stripping Down Yoga To The Bare Essentials
Naked yoga classes that remove barriers to wellness. A yoga teacher builds community through authentic practice. Side Hustle School Ep. 1067.
- College Student Pays Off Loans With “Fitnancial” Blog
College student builds finance and fitness blog to $80,000/year, pays off loans. Side Hustle School Ep. 1008.
- Maine Couple Bootstraps Boutique Fitness Studio
Boutique fitness studio bootstrapped by Maine couple who refused traditional financing. Both turned fitness into a new career. Side Hustle School Ep. 1007.
- Graphic Designer Runs Intervals in Wellness Industry
Graphic designer specializes in fitness and wellness clients after testing multiple niches. Side Hustle School Ep. 985.
- “MOMBOX” Subscription Offers Postpartum Recovery Products
MOMBOX postpartum recovery subscription box for new moms. Curated self-care products. Side Hustle School Ep. 915.
- Physical Therapist Turns Memes Into $22,000
Physical therapist sells memes to PT audience, earning $22,000. Tests Facebook ads without emotion to find winners. Side Hustle School Ep. 875.
- Chronic Illness Inspires Mobile-Friendly Yoga Biz
Online yoga for chronic illness sufferers. Instructor travels 40+ countries while managing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Side Hustle School Ep. 828.
- Mental Health Counselor By Day, Headband Artist by Night
Mental health counselor sells custom headbands earning $500/month. Handmade designs for every occasion. Side Hustle School Ep. 714.
- Art School Model Starts Sexually Stimulating Side Hustle
How a biology student earns $600/month reviewing sex toys on her blog. Sexual wellness content that stands out. Side Hustle School Ep. 693.
- Aussie Couple Logs Six Figures Selling Wellness Diaries
How an Australian couple earns six figures selling self-care diaries. Burnout inspired their wellness journal business. Side Hustle School Ep. 683.
- Physical Therapist Sells 57,000 “Neck Hammocks”
Physical therapist invents neck hammock to relieve cervical pain, patents device, sells 57,000 units. Battles counterfeiters. Side Hustle School Ep. 661.
- Jiu-Jitsu Instructor Pins Down Mobile Workout Tool
Jiu-jitsu instructor earns $8,000/month selling mobile workout tool on Kickstarter. Side Hustle School Ep. 637.
- Pump It Up! Project Manager Elevates Female Fitness
How Australian project manager Lucy Dunne earns $10,000/month coaching women through fitness. Built a 16,000-follower tribe. Side Hustle School Ep. 580.
- Bartender Earns Extra Income With “Revenge By Mail” Postcards
Bartender launches "Revenge By Mail" anonymous postcards to embarrass frenemies. Prank postcards with a creative twist. Side Hustle School Ep. 563.
- Canadian Powerlifter Creates Elegant Bow Tie Biz
Competitive powerlifter and hospital worker in Brampton creates custom bow ties, including a $500 Dr. Strange replica. Side Hustle School Ep. 550.
- Graphic Designer Chalks Up Gripping Side Hustle
Graphic designer sells premium gym chalk to CrossFit athletes via Instagram. Side Hustle School Ep. 542.
- Personal Trainer Pumps Up Breakfast with $25,000/Month Pancake Hustle
How Ashley Drummond earns $25,000/month selling protein pancakes with social media and influencer partnerships. Side Hustle School Ep. 541.
- Mindful Moms Make $70,000 on Family Affirmation Cards
How two moms earned $70,000 selling family affirmation cards on Kickstarter. Side Hustle School Ep. 534.
- Teenage Fitness Fan Jumpstarts Athletic Apparel Brand
Athletic apparel brand launched by 18-year-old UK fitness enthusiast. Built website and designs solo in just over a year. Side Hustle School Ep. 517.
- JP Morgan Employee Starts “Money Therapy” for Millennials
Ex-JP Morgan advisor earns $250/hour coaching millennials on personal finance through "Money Therapy." Side Hustle School Ep. 486.
- 23-Year-Old College Student Uses “Sweatcoin” App to Earn $2,000/Month
How 23-year-old Oliver earns $2,000/month coaching on Sweatcoin app. Free training programs built his following. Side Hustle School Ep. 479.
- Exercise App Encourages Fitness While Helping Sick Kids
How a North Carolina developer built an exercise app that donates to charity when users skip workouts, earning $500/month. Side Hustle School Ep. 465.
- Electrical Engineer Sells $800 Swarovski Crystal Bikinis
How Amanda sells $800 handmade Swarovski crystal bikinis for $50,000/year. Custom competition wear. Side Hustle School Ep. 439.
- Yoga Enthusiast Stretches B-School Education Into Fair-Trade Kids Clothes
Fair-trade kids clothing line inspired by yoga for children under six. Side Hustle School Ep. 427.
- Music Therapist Writes Custom Lullabies For Restless Children
Custom lullabies for children create passive income for a music therapist. Side Hustle School Ep. 397.
- High-Risk Pregnancy Becomes Healthy Baby and Side Hustle
Clinical therapist creates coaching resources for women with high-risk pregnancies. Built community around lived experience. Side Hustle School Ep. 378.
- Insomniac Dreams Up Herbal Hustle
How an insomniac account executive earns $3,000/month selling herbal sleep remedies. She weaned herself off pills first. Side Hustle School Ep. 370.
- Yoga Teacher Cleans Up with Home Organizing Business
Yoga teacher builds home organizing business earning $3,000/month while helping refugees declutter. Side Hustle School Ep. 353.
- Crossfitter Sells Gym Equipment For Seven Figures
Crossfitter builds seven-figure gym equipment business by solving a problem in the fitness world. Side Hustle School Ep. 334.
- Business Analyst Turns Weight Loss Problem Into $130,000 Solution
How a business analyst built a $20,000/month weight loss supplement subscription after bariatric surgery. Side Hustle School Ep. 333.
- ER Nurse Masters CrossFit and Becomes Nutrition Coach
ER nurse nutrition coach earning $6,250 from 19 clients after shifting from a failed wellness blog. Side Hustle School Ep. 308.
- Rocket Scientist Creates Herbal Side Income
How a rocket scientist earns $2,000/month treating autoimmune diseases with herbal medicine. NASA Silver Snoopy award winner. Side Hustle School Ep. 215.
- Yoga Mat Reseller Changes Lives While Earning $4,000/Month
Yoga mat reseller empowers women worldwide while building an eco-friendly accessories business with social impact. Side Hustle School Ep. 196.
- Hand Grippers Make for a $60,000-Strong Hustle
Married couple earns $60,000 annually reselling hand grippers for grip sports. Low startup costs using DIY marketing. Side Hustle School Ep. 186.
- Mental Health Counselor Creates Coping Skills for Kids
Mental health counselor earns $1,100/month creating digital coping skills products for kids managing stress and anxiety. Side Hustle School Ep. 166.
- Oncology Nurse Creates Products to Regrow Hair After Chemo; Earns $80,000
Oncology nurse creates natural haircare line for post-chemo hair regrowth, earns $80,000. Side Hustle School Ep. 140.
- Los Angeles Designer Runs Mobile Yoga Studio
UX designer earns $40,000/year running mobile yoga studio Chakra 5 in Los Angeles. Corporate wellness classes by appointment. Side Hustle School Ep. 118.
- The 10-Minute Workout Gym
How a Nashville gym owner built a 10-minute workout business earning $100,000 in revenue. Works out just 10-20 minutes weekly. Side Hustle School Ep. 112.
- Unused Basement Becomes $3,000/Month Pilates Studio
How a couple turned their basement into a $3,000/month pilates studio. Word-of-mouth marketing fueled their growth. Side Hustle School Ep. 98.
- Essential Oils Podcast Produces $2,000/Month in Passive Income
How a stay-at-home mom earns $2,000/month with an essential oils podcast through affiliate income. Side Hustle School Ep. 97.
- College Bartender Turns Online Shopping Into Accidental Side Hustle
How a college bartender makes $700 reselling clearance clothing to coworkers. Zero advertising, minimal effort, maximum profits. Side Hustle School Ep. 89.
- Microsoft Employee Teaches Hula Hooping, Goes on Local News
Microsoft employee earns $800/month teaching hula hooping fitness classes in Connecticut. Hoop With Cori. Side Hustle School Ep. 57.