Meet Ransford, a fitness coach who has turned his passion for health and wellness into a thriving online coaching business. With a global clientele spanning Africa and North America, Ransford earns over $5,000 monthly through virtual training sessions, meal plans, and digital fitness resources while selling all of these on Selar.

But his journey wasn’t always smooth. Here’s how Ransford built his online fitness empire and how Selar helps him scale.

How did Ransford get into fitness coaching?

“Funny story. In high school back in Ghana, we had this tradition for final-year students where everyone had to go topless in front of their classmates, juniors, and even parents on the last day of school—including the girls. When I first heard about it, I knew I wanted to look my best when my turn came. By my final year, I was in great shape, and everyone was curious about how I did it. That’s when I realized my love for fitness and its rewards.”

Even though he went on to study Economics at university, fitness remained a core part of his life. After graduation, he pursued a certification course and became a professional trainer.

Early on, a close friend came to him with an issue—she was plus-sized and struggling with body positivity because of the comments people made about her body. Ransford worked with her to lose weight, but what stood out to him was how much the process impacted her beyond appearance.

“With men, it’s a bit different—sometimes, having a potbelly is even seen as a sign of wealth. But for women, weight issues are deeply psychological. When they hit their fitness goals, it’s more than just looking good; it boosts their confidence and changes how they see themselves. That’s why I decided to specialise in training women. It’s not just about their bodies—it’s about their self-worth and empowerment. That said, I do train men as well.”

What does a day in Ransford’s life look like as an online fitness coach?

 “The first thing I do in the morning is check and respond to emails. I get messages from clients who need help accessing resources or want to sign up for a program. After that, I create content.

I have a studio in my basement where I record my classes. Some are pre-recorded for clients who prefer flexible workouts, while others are live sessions. Some clients train with me one-on-one, while others join group classes. Some days, I need to get groceries for meal plan content or shoot at a different location. My schedule depends on the number of clients I’m training, but I typically keep my sessions within two hours.

Once my content for the day is done, I move on to editing—which can take hours. I take breaks in between to get ready for my evening sessions.”

What are the biggest challenges of online coaching?

Balancing a growing business across different time zones and audience preferences hasn’t been easy, but Ransford has found ways to adapt while prioritizing both his clients and his well-being.

“The biggest challenge has been navigating the time difference. I moved from Ghana to Canada in 2024, but most of my clients are in Africa, so I often wake up early to train them. It can be exhausting to keep up.

Another challenge is adapting to new audiences. Back in Ghana, creating content tailored to Africans was easy, but in Canada, I had to learn what works for people in Western countries. Now, I have two accounts—one for Africans living on the continent and another for people in Canada.

There’s also the toll on my body. Some clients insist on training with me personally instead of using my pre-recorded sessions. While I want to accommodate everyone, I also need to look out for myself, so I adjust my pricing to balance it out.”

I moved from Ghana to Canada in 2024 and I will say the biggest challenge so far has been navigating the time difference. I work with people from all over the world. This means I wake up earlier on some day to train so it can be quite tasking for me to keep up. 

Another challenge I faced, in relation to moving to Canada is having to learn what works for people in Western countries. I grew up in Ghana so creating content tailored to Africans came easy. I have learned to be democratic. Now I have two accounts—one for Africans living on the continent and another for people living in Canada. 

There’s also the toll working around the clock takes on my body. Some clients insist on training with me all the time and this is aside from my already established schedule. I do like to help people meet their goals and while I always want to work within my clients’ budget, I also need to look out for myself so I make up for this disparity with my pricing. 

What’s the most rewarding part of online fitness coaching? 

For Ransford, the financial side of online coaching is important, but the real reward comes from witnessing his clients’ transformations, physically and emotionally.

“My income varies, just like any independent or creative non-corporate job, but a good starting point for me is $5,000 per month. This includes class fees, diet plans, and other resources I share with my community.”

However, what truly makes his work worthwhile, is the profound impact on his clients’ lives.

“One of my clients once told me I saved her marriage because, after our three-month training program, she regained her confidence, and her partner became more attracted to her again. Another client with type 2 diabetes was warned by her doctor that her weight was a risk to her life. We started with simple walks and gradually introduced weight training. By the end of the year, her doctor was impressed with her progress, and her blood sugar levels had improved.”

Hearing these success stories keeps him motivated. 

“Seeing women stand taller, smile more, and feel comfortable in their skin is the most rewarding part of my job.”

How does Selar aid Ransford’s online coaching career? 

Ransford’s transition to Canada presented challenges in finding a reliable platform to host his resources and manage payments from his African clients.

“When I moved to Canada, I struggled with finding a platform to host my resources and training sessions. Most of my clients were in Africa, and accepting payments was a huge hassle. Then, I saw an influencer talking about how much they loved Selar. I opened an account in early January 2025, and since then, I’ve made close to $5,000 on the platform.”

What Ransford values most about Selar is its seamless payment system, which allows him to focus on coaching rather than logistical hurdles.

“My favourite thing about Selar is how easy payments are. Whether it’s mobile money, bank transfer, or card payments, my clients in Africa and even here in Canada pay seamlessly. The money reaches my bank account just as fast.”

What advice does Ransford have for new online fitness coaches?

“First and foremost, open a Selar account. Secondly, keep learning—especially if you move to a new country. The fitness industry is different everywhere, and to truly provide value to your clients, you have to stay ahead. The more you learn, the better you serve.”

For Ransford, Selar isn’t just a platform; it’s a super tool that simplifies payment processing and enables him to scale his business without the stress of financial barriers. If you’re looking to take your online coaching career to the next level, Selar is the perfect solution.