From the Operating Room to the Weight Room

When Jason “Jay” Pfeifer isn’t assisting in the operating room during complex medical procedures, you’ll find him training clients, lifting weights, or completing another ISSA course, sometimes all in the same day. In just one year, Jay has transformed his lifelong interest in fitness into a powerful second career, recently becoming one of the very first students to complete ISSA’s new GLP-1 Weight Loss Support Training course.

From Operating Rooms to Opportunity

Jay has spent more than two decades in the medical field, specializing in diagnostic imaging. He operates X-rays, CT machines, and the C-arm in live surgeries. But it was the quiet moments in the OR that helped launch his fitness education.

“There’s downtime during procedures when I have to stay close but don’t have to be hands-on,” he said. “Instead of scrolling social media or shopping online, I started bringing ISSA coursework with me. I thought—why not use that time to invest in myself?”

And invest he did.

Over the past year, Jay has earned ISSA certifications in Personal Training, Nutrition, Strength and Conditioning, Corrective Exercise, Bodybuilding, Indoor Cycling, and most recently, GLP-1 Weight Loss Support.

“I could spend a thousand dollars on Amazon or invest in myself. I chose to invest in myself.”

Why GLP-1? A Personal Connection

Jay’s drive to complete the GLP-1 Weight Loss Support Training came from both professional curiosity and personal responsibility. Several family members were prescribed GLP-1 medications and started turning to him for guidance.

“They kept asking what to eat, how to work out, what to expect,” he recalled. “I did some research, but there wasn’t much solid information—until I heard ISSA’s podcast episode on GLP-1. That’s what got me hooked.”

He enrolled in the course the same week it launched—and completed it in less than seven days.

A Short Course With Long-Term Impact

“It’s easy to follow and really insightful,” Jay said. “The way it was laid out made it enjoyable to learn. The videos were on point, and it was all easy to apply.”

The biggest lightbulb moment for Jay?

“Understanding how to time workouts around the medication. A lot of people don’t realize that when you work out before taking it, you feel better and avoid the dizziness or nausea. That was huge.”

Armed with that knowledge, Jay now feels more equipped to support clients using GLP-1 medications—both at EOS Fitness, where he coaches in the mornings, and with his online clients. “Everyone at EOS is picking my brain about it. I keep saying, ‘Take the course.’”

Helping Clients Move Beyond the Medication

For Jay, the value of this training goes far beyond dosage and timing. It’s about shifting mindsets and creating sustainable habits.

“I want people to develop the skills they need while they’re on the GLP-1 medication so they can continue to pursue their goals even after they stop. It’s about changing how they think and act.”

The Learning Never Stops

What’s next for this ISSA Master Trainer?

“I’ve got my eye on ISSA’s Obesity & Diabetes Management course,” he said. “You see insulin resistance more and more. I want to be able to help clients with that too.” Jay is focused on continuing to learn and grow with ISSA to not only help others but to better himself as well.

Ready to Do the Same?

Whether you're coaching clients on GLP-1s today or preparing for what’s ahead, ISSA's GLP-1 Weight Loss Support Training course gives you the tools to coach confidently and responsibly. It’s short, structured, and immediately impactful.

Take the course that helped Jay turn operating room downtime into life-changing expertise. Enroll in the GLP-1 course today and become the coach your clients need next.