Trevor Franklin is a fitness chameleon. The Manhattan-based trainer can help, whether you’re coming back from an injury, looking to take your sport-specific training to the next level, or simply ready to get fit (or fitter) for everyday life.

“I learned a lot about training from playing sports, my own journey, and from being around others in the industry,” Trevor explains. “Each learning opportunity has prepared me for a different style and different types of clients.” 

Related: The 7-Day Run Long, Stay Strong Training Program With Trevor Franklin

A Q&A With Fitness Coach Trevor Franklin 

On Training, Performance, and Fitness Philosophy

SPARTAN RACE: What’s your training philosophy?

TREVOR FRANKLIN: My philosophy is fairly simple. I want my clients to be strong but to also understand that their strength has a greater purpose. I want the strength that we build together to help them excel in everything outside the gym. 

SR: What about when it comes to nutrition?

TF: If I can’t do it for the rest of my life, I will not do it now. That's why I stay away from keto, intermittent fasting, and any other fad diet. It’s not sustainable. I know what works for my body, I eat 80% clean 20% whatever I want. I’m not saying it works for everyone, but it works for me. 

And since working with Wild Health, I've learned that some of my meals are a bit high in saturated fat, so I'm working on bringing that down by cutting back on cheese and bacon, for example.

SR: What inspires you?

TF: Seeing other people putting their best foot forward day in and day out. I ask my clients to go to battle daily. It would be hypocritical for me not to bring my best effort daily and stay inspired to be better.

Related: A Spartan Coach's Secrets Behind Boosting His Hybrid Performance

SR: If there was one thing you could change about the fitness industry, what would it be?

TF: It would be any product that claims it helps people achieve results faster or rapidly. There is no shortcut for hard work.

On the Mental Game and Recovery

SR: What does a recovery day look like for you?

TF: It usually consists of lots of stretching, mobility work, and food to allow my body to recover and my mind to relax. 

I've also learned from my Wild Health assessment that based on my genetics, it may take me a little longer to recover than other athletes. Because of that, I now take a zinc supplement and make sure I'm getting eight or more hours of quality sleep each night.

SR: How do you work on your mental fitness?

TF: I am big on visualization. If I have a competition or challenge coming up, I like to imagine myself successfully completing said challenge. Visualizing it nightly has always helped me with my competitive edge. What I would like to add to my morning routine in 2021 is meditation and mindful breathing.

Related: The Ideal Day of Eating to Fuel Long Runs and Strength Workouts

SR: What does being Spartan FIT mean to you?

TF: It means being prepared for anything life may throw at us. It means attacking every day with vigor and winning that 24-hour period.