Coach Mark Carroll is joined by guest Lauren Simpson for a real-world breakdown of what it actually looks like to travel for three weeks through the US with a toddler, multiple cities, and serious fitness goals - without spiralling into “holiday mode” and coming home feeling like you need to start over.

They unpack the highs (Disneyland, courtside NBA), the lows (airport chaos, jet lag, no aircon back home), and the practical systems they used to stay consistent with training and nutrition while juggling parenthood and supporting each other’s goals.

If you travel and always fall off… or you think “it’s impossible to stay on track while away,” this episode will reset your expectations and give you a simple, realistic framework you can actually follow.

• Recap of our 3 weeks in the US travelling with a toddler (jet lag, airports, chaos)
• How I kept my training consistent while travelling and how Lauren adapted hers
• How we stayed on track with nutrition without tracking calories
• Why “holiday mode” doesn’t have to mean falling off completely
• How we supported each other’s goals while balancing parenthood and travel
• How the VRTO Express Workout feature helped us fit training into busy travel days

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In this episode of The Coach Mark Carroll Podcast, Mark shares the full behind-the-scenes story of why he and Lauren made the decision to leave behind two wildly successful fitness brands… and build VRTO from the ground up.

This isn’t just a “new app launch” episode.

It’s the real story of what happens when you bet everything on a bigger vision - when you spend years building something in silence, facing setbacks, delays, legal battles, pressure, and the mental toll of watching others grow while you feel stuck in limbo.

Mark breaks down exactly why VRTO exists, what makes it completely different from traditional fitness apps, and why he believes it will become the biggest game-changer in the industry - delivering elite coaching, elite results, and true personalisation at a fraction of the cost of 1:1 coaching.

He also reveals how VRTO combines Mark’s flexible dieting approach with Lauren’s famous meal plan structure-while taking both to a level that has never existed in a fitness app before.

• Why Mark and Lauren knew it was time to evolve beyond Coach Mark Carroll and Lauren Simpson Fitness
• The real reason they didn’t just “upgrade the old business” - and why a full rebrand was necessary
• How VRTO was built to deliver elite-level coaching without the $150–$200/week online coaching price tag
• What makes VRTO different from most influencer “apps” (and why most aren’t even real apps)
• How VRTO uses adaptive coaching logic to adjust training and nutrition based on YOUR results
• Why adherence is the real key to transformation and how VRTO was designed to maximise it
• How the app personalises programs based on your schedule, experience level, and training frequency
• Why VRTO includes multiple variations of every goal (3-day, 4-day, 5-day, beginner, advanced, specialty focus)
• The meal plan system Lauren fans have been waiting for - rebuilt to be more accurate, flexible, and customisable
• How VRTO allows users to swap meals while staying perfectly aligned with calories and macros
• The drag-and-drop weekly schedule feature that lets you train around real life, not forced calendar templates
• The mindset toll of building VRTO for 2.5 years - and why Mark says it felt like being “injured before the Olympics”

If you’ve ever wanted the results of high-level coaching… without the insane price tag…

Or you’ve felt overwhelmed by generic programs that don’t fit your lifestyle…

This episode will show you exactly why VRTO is different — and why it’s about to change the game.

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In this deeply personal year-end reflection, Coach Mark Carroll shares the entire journey of how he went from five years of depression, weight gain, and inconsistency… to getting in the best shape of his life at 37 years old.

This episode goes far beyond a transformation story- it’s about reclaiming identity, rebuilding confidence, and facing the psychological battles that come after the fat loss phase. Mark talks candidly about fear of regaining weight, the emotional toll of being out of shape, and the mindset shift required to not just lose 17kg - but maintain it.

• Why 2025 was the year Mark decided to fix himself, not just help others
• The full breakdown of how he lost 17kg (37+ lbs) in 6 months—without skipping a single day
• Staying dialed in during his wedding in Hawaii and another cut for a Bali trip
• The photo shoot that marked the leanest, most muscular version of himself—ever
• The surprising fear of reverse dieting after success (and how he handled it)
• Why most people regain weight—and the exact strategy he’s using to stay lean while building muscle
• His 12-month plan for 2026: leaner, stronger, and jacked—without rebounding

If you’ve ever fallen off, felt stuck, or feared starting again… this one is for you.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.