Introduction: The Untapped Power of TRT in Coaching Programs
Low testosterone in men is more common than many realize affecting energy, mood, muscle mass, fat distribution, and overall vitality. For men over 35, declining testosterone is a natural part of aging, but lifestyle stress, poor sleep, excess body fat, and environmental factors can accelerate the drop.
Testosterone Therapy for Men (TRT) has emerged as a safe, effective, and evidence-based way to restore optimal hormone levels. But here’s where the real opportunity lies: when coaches partner with a medically supervised optimization clinic like 1st Optimal, they can offer their clients a truly integrated, personalized health plan that combines training, nutrition, recovery, and advanced hormone therapy.
This partnership doesn’t replace a coach’s role, it supercharges it. By aligning with clinical expertise, coaches can provide a higher level of service, achieve better client results, and increase long-term retention.
Why Testosterone Declines – And Why It Matters in Coaching
By the time men reach their late 30s, testosterone levels can decrease by 1–2% per year. Symptoms of low testosterone (low T) can include:
- Reduced muscle mass and strength
- Increased belly fat
- Decreased energy and motivation
- Mood swings or mild depression
- Poor sleep quality
- Lower libido and sexual performance
In a fitness or performance setting, these changes are frustrating for both coach and client. Even with perfect nutrition and training, suboptimal testosterone can blunt results.
Coaching Partnerships: The 1st Optimal Advantage
The 1st Optimal Coaching Partnership Program is designed to bridge the gap between coaching and clinical hormone optimization.
Through this program, coaches get:
- Access to advanced lab testing for clients (testosterone, estradiol, SHBG, DHEA, hematocrit, and other critical markers)
- Direct collaboration with medical providers to develop client-specific hormone protocols
- Education and resources on how TRT works, its benefits, and how to integrate it with exercise programming
- Ongoing monitoring and communication to track results and make necessary adjustments
This means coaches can focus on training and nutrition while knowing their client’s hormonal health is being managed by experts.
The Science of Testosterone Therapy
Testosterone Therapy (TRT) involves restoring testosterone to optimal physiological levels through bioidentical hormones, typically via injections, gels, or pellets. When clinically indicated and supervised, TRT can:
- Increase lean muscle mass and strength
- Reduce visceral and subcutaneous fat
- Improve energy, motivation, and focus
- Enhance mood and resilience to stress
- Support sexual health and performance
When paired with structured exercise, TRT can significantly accelerate progress—particularly in resistance training adaptations.
Lab Testing: The Foundation for Safe and Effective TRT
1st Optimal’s lab panel for men considering TRT includes:
- Total Testosterone – Measures all circulating testosterone in the blood.
- Free Testosterone – The bioavailable portion that can bind to receptors.
- Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) – Regulates free testosterone availability.
- Estradiol (E2) – Important for mood, joint health, and libido balance.
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) – Indicators of natural testosterone production.
- DHEA-S – An upstream hormone contributing to androgen production.
- Hematocrit & Hemoglobin – Monitoring for blood thickness changes.
- PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) – Baseline for prostate health.
- Lipid Profile & Fasting Glucose – Cardiometabolic risk assessment.
By establishing a complete hormonal and health profile, TRT can be prescribed precisely and safely.
Integration into Coaching Programs
When a client begins TRT under the 1st Optimal partnership, coaches can integrate therapy into training and nutrition plans by:
- Adjusting training loads – Improved recovery means clients may tolerate slightly higher training volumes.
- Optimizing protein intake – Support increased muscle protein synthesis with ~1.6–2.2g/kg body weight.
- Implementing progressive overload – TRT-enhanced recovery can accelerate strength gains.
- Including body composition assessments – Track muscle vs. fat changes to demonstrate progress.
- Aligning recovery protocols – Quality sleep, active recovery, and stress reduction to maximize hormonal benefits.
Safety, Monitoring, and Long-Term Success
TRT is safe when medically supervised. 1st Optimal’s ongoing care includes:
- Regular follow-up labs every 3–6 months
- Dose adjustments based on symptoms and biomarkers
- Estradiol management (to avoid excessive conversion)
- Cardiovascular health monitoring
- Education on lifestyle factors that support hormonal health
This proactive approach ensures long-term safety while maximizing performance benefits.
Benefits for Coaches in the Partnership
By adding TRT as a medically supervised option, coaches can:
- Expand service offerings and stand out in a competitive market
- Improve client outcomes—leading to higher satisfaction and retention
- Earn referral income through the partnership
- Position themselves as holistic health leaders rather than just trainers
- Build deeper client trust by addressing root-cause limitations
Real-World Example: From Stalled Progress to Peak Performance
Case Study: A 44-year-old male client had been training consistently with his coach for 18 months but was struggling with energy, muscle growth, and stubborn belly fat. Labs through the 1st Optimal partnership showed:
- Total Testosterone: 298 ng/dL (low)
- Free Testosterone: 5.1 ng/dL (low-normal)
- Elevated SHBG
- Slightly low DHEA-S
After 12 weeks of medically supervised TRT, combined with targeted strength training and nutrition coaching:
- Lean mass increased by 6 lbs
- Body fat decreased by 3%
- Reported energy, mood, and libido improved significantly
- Training performance hit personal bests
Possible Adjuncts and Supportive Supplements
Alongside TRT, certain supplements can support hormonal health:
- Vitamin D3 – Supports testosterone production and bone health.
- Zinc & Magnesium – Cofactors in testosterone synthesis.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Cardiovascular support and inflammation reduction.
- Creatine Monohydrate – Enhances strength gains.
- Ashwagandha – May support stress resilience and free testosterone levels.
Conclusion: Elevating Men’s Health Through Strategic Partnerships
Testosterone Therapy for Men is more than a hormone intervention, it’s a catalyst for transformation when paired with professional coaching. Through the 1st Optimal Coaching Partnership, coaches can offer clients a fully integrated health solution that addresses training, nutrition, recovery, and hormonal balance.
This model doesn’t just create better results, it builds loyalty, positions coaches as leaders in the health optimization space, and ultimately changes lives.
References:
- Bhasin S, et al. Testosterone Therapy in Men with Hypogonadism: Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2018.
- Snyder PJ. Approach to Androgen Deficiency in the Aging Male. UpToDate. 2024.
- Bassil N, et al. The benefits and risks of testosterone replacement therapy. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2009.
- Grossmann M, et al. Testosterone therapy in older men: clinical implications and unresolved questions. Endocr Rev. 2021.
- Hackett G. Testosterone and the Heart. Asian J Androl. 2014.
- Huo S, et al. Effect of testosterone treatment on bone mineral density in men: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Bone. 2016.
- Corona G, et al. Cardiovascular risk associated with testosterone-boosting medications. Expert Opin Drug Saf. 2014.
- Morgentaler A. Testosterone and prostate cancer: an historical perspective. J Urol. 2006.
- Traish AM. Benefits and health implications of testosterone therapy in men with testosterone deficiency. Sex Med Rev. 2018.
- Saad F, et al. Onset of effects of testosterone treatment and time span until maximum effects are achieved. Eur J Endocrinol. 2011.
- Travison TG, et al. Declining testosterone levels in men over the past two decades. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007.
- Vigen R, et al. Association of testosterone therapy with mortality, MI, and stroke. JAMA. 2013.
- Sharma R, et al. Association between testosterone replacement therapy and mortality, myocardial infarction, and stroke in men with low testosterone levels. Eur Heart J. 2015.
- Finkelstein JS, et al. Gonadal steroids and body composition, strength, and sexual function in men. N Engl J Med. 2013.
- Morales A, et al. Diagnosis and management of testosterone deficiency syndrome in men. Can Urol Assoc J. 2015.
- Wang C, et al. Investigation, treatment, and monitoring of late-onset hypogonadism in males. Aging Male. 2009.
- Behre HM, et al. Long-term effect of testosterone therapy on bone mineral density in hypogonadal men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1997.
- Isidori AM, et al. Effects of testosterone on body composition, bone metabolism and serum lipid profile in middle-aged men: a meta-analysis. Clin Endocrinol. 2005.
- Haring R, et al. Low testosterone is associated with increased risk of mortality in men. Eur Heart J. 2010.
- Khaw KT, et al. Endogenous testosterone and mortality due to all causes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Circulation. 2007.
- Budoff MJ, et al. Testosterone treatment and coronary artery plaque volume in older men. JAMA. 2017.
- Zitzmann M. Testosterone and the brain. Aging Male. 2006.
- Shores MM, et al. Testosterone treatment and cognitive function in older men with low testosterone. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2012.
- Cherrier MM, et al. Testosterone supplementation improves spatial and verbal memory in healthy older men. Neurology. 2001.
- Calof OM, et al. Adverse events associated with testosterone replacement in middle-aged and older men: a meta-analysis. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2005.
- FDA. Testosterone Products: Drug Safety Communication. 2021.
- Mayo Clinic. Testosterone therapy: Potential benefits and risks as you age. 2024.
- Cleveland Clinic. Low Testosterone (Low T). 2024.
- Harvard Health. Testosterone therapy: Is it right for you? 2023.
- National Institutes of Health. Testosterone and Men’s Health. 2024.
