#28 Merijn Schoeber - The Dark Side of the Fitness Industry

The Game Plan

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Welcome back to The Game Plan podcast!
In this episode, I’m joined by my close friend and fitness OG, @Merijn Schoeber.
We talk about how Merijn built his "Student Aesthetics" brand while still in college, eventually turning it into the globally recognized "My Shredded Lifestyle." He shares the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, from making his first sale to managing a successful fitness business.
Merijn also opens up about his battle with burnout—balancing staying shredded, running multiple businesses, and pushing himself too hard. He takes us through his recovery process and the lessons he’s learned about building a more balanced, fulfilling life and business.
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(00:00) Preview and Intro
(03:06) Merijn’s First Online Sales
(05:37) Bulking for Sports vs. Aesthetics
(09:48) The Struggles of Starting a YouTube Channel
(13:09) Building a Coaching Business
(20:24) Why Merijn Dropped Out of University
(26:19) Merijn’s Advice to Younger Self:
(28:01) From Student Aesthetics to My Shredded Lifestyle
(31:15) The Challenges of Running a Business
(34:49) Realising the Downside of Office Life
(37:29) Importance of Choosing the Right Business Partner
(43:57) The Mental and Physical Impact of Burnout
(49:45) How to Avoid Burnout as an Entrepreneur
(52:29) Importance of Sleep for Health and Performance
(55:04) Starting Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)
(01:01:08) The Importance of a Nighttime Routine
(01:02:18) Sleep Hacks: Temperature, Darkness, and Nose Strips
(01:05:16) How Running Improve Mental and Physical Health
(01:09:24) The Mental Challenges of Running
(01:11:44) Future Plans: Moving to Marbella?