The Online Course Scam That Almost Cost Me $4,000

from Pulling Threads · host Alex Cleary

Alex got strong-armed by an online PT course for eight months after trying to cancel. Debt collector threats, credit score scare tactics, fake final warnings. He used AI to fight back and won without paying a cent. This one's a masterclass in not rolling over when a company tries to bully you.In this episode:- The full breakdown of how an online fitness course tried to squeeze Alex for $4,000 he didn't owe- How to formally dispute a predatory contract and why accepting a payment plan is the worst move you can make- Troy's 50K trail race prep and the real basics of carbs, sodium, and not hitting the wall- Why Australian backyard ultra race directors need to start paying their athletes- The clip from Melbourne Front Yard Ultra that fired Alex up about prize money in running- Troy's mine site hack form that caused an entire safety meeting over a squealing belt- The Rio Tinto safety story that sounds like a piss take but isn't- The male equivalent of the toilet seat debate and why your missus drives up the ass of every carTimestamps:(00:17) 1,000 followers on Instagram and begging for five stars(02:25) Troy signs up for Wild Boar 50K in the Brisbane Ranges(05:14) Race fuelling 101. Carbs, sodium, and what actually matters(10:43) How much sodium per hour and sweat testing(20:39) Melbourne Front Yard Ultra prize money clip and why Alex thinks it's a lazy answer(33:33) Dead Cow Gully prize money trial and why it never came back(36:06) Why the whole running industry is pathetic on athlete pay(48:33) Alex's online PT course cancellation nightmare begins(53:44) Eight months of debt collector threats and how AI helped him fight back(59:26) The moment they finally gave up(62:10) Online course completion rates and whether this is the whole business model(69:40) Toilet chat returns. The male equivalent of the toilet seat debate(80:08) Troy's squealing belt hack form that blew up the morning safety meeting(94:18) The Rio Tinto pressure gauge camera storyFull episode out now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.Follow the pod on Instagram: @pullingthreads

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published May 31, 2026

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This episode was published on May 31, 2026.

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