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.
In this episode you will hear
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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