Talha Rao

Versatile and dynamic professional bridging the worlds of fitness leadership and sports media. Proven track record of driving revenue growth, developing high-performing teams, and building strong relationships through strategic leadership, communication, and a results-driven approach

PERSONAL TRAINING MANAGER - Equinox Gym - Marina del Rey, California

(2025-10)

• Managed and coached a team of personal trainers to achieve individual and club-wide performance goals.
• Led personal training business operations, driving monthly revenue and exceeding first-time buyer (FTB) conversion targets consistently.
• Recruited, onboarded, and developed personal trainers.
• Supported trainer business development and client acquisition.
• Conducted fitness consultations and sales appointments.
• Partnered with club leadership to execute growth initiatives.
• Maintained exceptional member experience and service standards.
• Addressed member concerns and improved client satisfaction.
• Analyzed performance metrics to identify growth opportunities.
• Oversaw trainer scheduling and daily department operations.
• Fostered member relationships and club engagement.

PERSONAL TRAINER - Equinox Gym - Hawthorne, California

(2023-02 - 2026-10)

• Conducted one-on-one personal training sessions tailored to client goals and fitness levels.
• Designed customized fitness programs focused on performance, strength, and overall wellness.
• Performed fitness assessments and tracked client progress through measurable outcomes.
• Educated clients on exercise technique, injury prevention, and healthy lifestyle habits.
• Built strong member relationships to drive client retention and referrals.

ASSISTANT SPORTS PRODUCER - CBS Sports Network - Studio City

(2024-11 - 2025-12)

• Produced live sports segments, enhancing viewer engagement on national television.
• Coordinated with talent and crew, optimizing production flow for seamless broadcasts.
• Edited video highlights for prompt distribution, maximizing reach across various platforms.
• Assisted in developing storylines and segment ideas for broadcasts.
• Due to prior reporting experience and interest, went to a few games and assisted with camera-work as a field reporter

SPORTS REPORTER - WKTV News - Utica, New York

(2021-11 - 2023-01)

• Covered live sporting events and reported on game highlights and player performances.
• Interviewed athletes and coaches to extract insights for articles.
• Wrote news articles, features, and opinion pieces on local sports topics consistently.
• Monitored daily sporting events and issues to discuss and report pertinent news.
• Provided comprehensive sports coverage for national and global events.
• Reported real-time pre- and post-game analysis of sporting events.
• Mentored reporters to tailor sport-specific content to audiences and platforms.

SPORTS REPORTER INTERN - WPRI Providence - Providence, Rhode Island

(2021-07 - 2021-08)

• Interviewed athletes and coaches to extract insights and quotes for coverage.
• Transcribed press conferences to provide accurate reporting.
• Delivered live updates on social media via on-camera stand-ups, mini packages, and digital content to engage audience.

SPORTS REPORTER INTERN - Sports Illustrated - Syracuse, New York

(2020-08 - 2021-04)

• Cover Syracuse Basketball as a multimedia reporter
• Covered men's NCAA Tournament in Indianapolis, providing live updates and insights.
• Covered women's ACC Tournament in North Carolina, delivering real-time coverage.
• Reported real-time pre- and post-game coverage of sporting events.
• Wrote developing stories and pre/post game articles, incorporating video to enhance audience engagement.
• Cultivated relationships with local sports organizations and teams to secure coverage opportunities.
• Created a community around the website and leveraged social media for Syracuse Orange on SI to promote content and engage the audience.
• accurate coverage.

SPORTS REPORTER INTERN - Rugby 365 - Cape Town

(2019-09 - 2019-11)

• Conducted player and coach interviews, delivering insights that connected fans with team dynamics.
• Conducted interviews with players and coaches for in-depth coverage.
• Covered live rugby matches, providing analysis on team performance and key plays.
• Crafted articles for online publication, targeting audience interests to enhance readership.
• Developed social media content to promote articles and engage fans.
• Attended press conferences, capturing key insights and quotes.

Master of Science - Broadcast And Digital Journalism - Newhouse School At Syracuse University (2021-07)

Bachelor of Science - Sport Management - State University of New York At Cortland (2019-05)

None - Commercial Acting - LA Actors Institute (2025-05)