Have you ever wondered what it really takes to stay in the online business game for over a decade? Today’s guest is living proof that it takes way more than flashy marketing and overnight hacks.

I’m thrilled to welcome back my friend Steph Gaudreau: strength coach, certified personal trainer, sports nutritionist, and creator of the Strong with Steph lifting program. She’s also the host of the Fuel Your Strength podcast, and someone I deeply admire for her ability to evolve while staying anchored in her mission.

Steph is not only a powerhouse in the health and fitness space, she’s also a graduate of my NBA program, so I’ve had the pleasure of working with her behind the scenes as she refined and rebuilt her offers into a business that’s both aligned and sustainable. (She’s also been on the show before!)

In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on what it truly takes to build a business that lasts—especially in a world where burnout and quiet quitting seem to be the norm. Steph gets real about the highs, the hard lessons, and how she found her footing again after nearly walking away from it all.

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Let’s be honest, the online business space isn’t for the faint of heart.

Between shifting algorithms, economic curveballs, burnout, and all the shiny-object distractions, it’s no wonder so many coaches and practitioners have called it quits over the last few years.

But what about those of us who aren’t going anywhere?

If you’re committed to growing an online business that’s both profitable and sustainable, you’re in the right place.

In this post, I’m sharing the key lessons I’ve learned from over 10 years in the online space, both from my own business journey and from my good friend Steph Gaudreau, who’s been a rock-solid example of staying power in an industry that loves to chase the next big thing.

If you’re looking for a proven path to build an online business that lasts, keep reading.

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What It Really Takes to Build a Long-Term Online Business

The truth? There’s no hack or shortcut to long-term business success.

If you’re looking to build an online business that lasts, you need more than a flashy launch or viral post… you need vision, strategy, and a whole lot of resilience.

In this conversation with Steph, we pulled back the curtain on what really creates longevity in the online space, especially for coaches, practitioners, and service providers who want to build a meaningful and sustainable business.

So let’s dive into the key takeaways.

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1. Stop Chasing Trends: Focus on Your Core Mission

The online space is flooded with trends, from Reels and TikToks to SLOs and tripwires that make a comeback every few years. And listen, those things can have their place.

But the businesses that last are the ones built around a deep, internal mission… not whatever the marketing gurus are shouting about this month.

For Steph, strength training has always been her anchor. Even when she was running her Paleo food blog or writing her book, strength was the thread tying it all together.

“That has not wavered since the very, very, very, very beginning.”

When you build your business around a central mission — something you actually care about — it becomes a lot easier to weather the inevitable ups and downs.

Because let’s be real, those ups and downs will come.

Action Step:
Ask yourself: What’s the through-line in everything you’ve done so far? What do you talk about at a party without even trying?

That’s your core mission. Build around that.

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2. Don’t Underestimate the Power of Long-Form Content

Everyone wants to talk about going viral on social media. But if your goal is sustainability, not just quick dopamine hits, long-form content is the real MVP.

Steph and I both started blogging back in the early 2010s (yes, really).

And even though we’ve taken breaks here and there, we keep coming back to long-form content like blog posts, podcasts, and YouTube videos.

Why? Because they compound. They live on search engines. And they allow us to actually connect with people in a way that 15-second video clips never could.

“I’ve been podcasting now for 10 years… I can’t think of really anyone who’s still doing it from when I started.”

Even when Steph took a 7-month podcast break, she knew forcing it wouldn’t help, because long-form content is only powerful when it’s done with intention.

SEO Bonus: Long-form content also supports your discoverability via Google and Pinterest. If you’re not already leveraging it, now’s the time.

Action Step:
Choose one long-form content platform to start — blog, podcast, or YouTube — and commit to it for 6 months. Track how your audience and leads grow over time.

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3. Don’t Just Rebrand: Realign With Joy and Purpose

So many entrepreneurs rebrand when things aren’t working… but often, it’s not the branding that’s the problem. It’s the alignment.

Back in 2018, Steph rebranded from her Paleo blog to her personal brand. She also went through a phase where she shifted toward intuitive eating and “listen to your body” messaging.

While those were authentic seasons of exploration, they didn’t fully light her up. They didn’t speak to the core of what she really loved talking about.

“What was missing for me was joy.”

When Steph joined my coaching program in 2021, she was in a low spot… what she called “the year of angst.”

Her book hadn’t become the success she’d hoped for, and she wasn’t sure what direction to go next.

But that discomfort sparked something powerful: a realignment with what actually brought her joy.

And from that, her signature programs — Strength Nutrition Unlocked and Strength with Steph — were born.

Action Step:
If you’re feeling disconnected from your offers or content, ask: What do I actually love helping people with? What lights me up, even on a hard day?

Start there and build your offers around it.

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4. Create Offers That Match the Lifestyle of Your Ideal Client

This one is huge, and it’s one of the biggest reasons Steph’s programs are still going strong years later.

It’s not just about what you sell. It’s how it fits into your client’s real life.

Steph works primarily with women in their 40s and beyond. These are high-performing, active women, many of whom are parents or business owners themselves. They don’t have 3 hours to spend in the gym. They don’t want to follow a 6-day-a-week body part split.

They want strength, energy, and performance, delivered in a way that works with their lives, not against them.

So Steph created programs that offer 2- and 3-day-per-week options. She layered in educational coaching, troubleshooting support, and smart recovery principles.

And it’s working. Clients are seeing real results, like getting their first pull-up, lifting 40-lb cat litter with ease, and staying injury-free as they age.

Action Step:
Audit your offers. Are they built for your ideal client’s lifestyle, schedule, and capacity? If not, adjust. Your delivery model is just as important as your message.

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5. Package for Results, Not Just Philosophy

Steph made a powerful point during our conversation: her Core 4 framework (from her book) is still relevant. Her “listen to your body” messaging still matters.

But those philosophies didn’t resonate until she packaged them in a way that connected with the results her audience wanted.

When she shifted from “here’s my method” to “here’s what you’ll get from this,” her programs became significantly more compelling.

It’s not that you have to throw away your values or vision… not at all.

But you do have to communicate those things in a way that connects with the real desires of your ideal client.

“It’s not just that it’s an outcome, it’s who the outcome is for, and why it fits their life.”

That’s the key.

Action Step:
Revisit your program sales page or elevator pitch. Are you leading with your process, or the client’s desired outcome?

Rewrite your messaging to emphasize the result first, then explain your unique method.

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6. Pace Yourself: Longevity Requires Energy Management

Let’s be clear: this is a marathon, not a sprint.

One of the biggest reasons people burn out or bail on their business? They treat it like a launch-and-blast sprint, instead of an ongoing practice of sustainability and support.

“If you’re going to be in this for five, 10 years or longer, you need to understand when and where you have capacity.”

Steph talked openly about this, including the years where she pushed too hard and paid the price.

There’s nothing wrong with momentum, but if you don’t learn to pace yourself, the road to success can eat you alive.

This includes things like:

• Taking intentional breaks

• Getting help with tasks you’re not good at

• Saying no to offers, strategies, or team structures that aren’t a fit

For example, Steph knows she doesn’t want a huge team. And that’s okay! That clarity allows her to grow in a way that feels aligned, not overwhelming.

Action Step:
Look at your business structure. Where are you over-committing? What can you pause, delegate, or simplify to conserve your energy for what really matters?

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7. Commit to Something That Deserves to Last

Let’s not sugarcoat this: building a business that lasts isn’t always glamorous. There are seasons of hustle, heartbreak, reinvention, and rebuilding.

But there’s also deep joy, true freedom, and the kind of impact most people only dream of.

But here’s the caveat: the business you want to last has to be worthy of lasting.

It has to reflect what you care about. It has to fit your life and your values. It has to help people in a way that’s actually meaningful… to them and to you.

If you build around that? You’ve got something that can truly stand the test of time.

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Final Thoughts:

If you’re still here reading this, chances are you’re not interested in being a flash in the pan.

You want a business that’s strong, sustainable, and soul-aligned.

I get it. I’m the same way.

So whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been at this for a while and need a course correction, know this:

You can build an online business that lasts: one that grows with you, supports your life, and helps your clients in truly transformational ways.

But it’s going to require that you:

• Anchor into your core mission

• Lean on content that compounds

• Realign with joy regularly

• Design offers that fit your clients

• Prioritize results over just philosophy

• Pace yourself for long-term success

• Stay in integrity with your personal vision

If you’re committed to doing that work, you’re already ahead of the curve.

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Ready to Build a Business That Lasts?

Start by asking yourself:

• Am I building something I actually enjoy?

• Do my offers serve the right people in the right way?

• Am I playing the long game, or just chasing short-term wins?

If you’re ready to create a business that lasts 10+ years (and actually feels good to run), I’d love to support you.

Check out my coaching program (the exact one that Steph did), The Nourished Business Accelerator.

Share this with someone who needs it!