Escape Your Limits & LIFTS

Mike Rashid is a business mogul, professional boxer, social media influencer, and serial entrepreneur who built a fitness empire from the ground up. According to Mike, there's no limit (besides yourself) to what you can achieve. If you're interested in achieving entrepreneurial success, this episode is for you. It covers everything from working with Mike Tyson, investing, his $1 million offer to fight Jake Paul, productivity hacks, mindset, taking psychedelics to boost focus and creativity, cryptocurrency, the rise of boutique boxing, and much more. You don't want to miss this one. Tune-in now!

Do you know what leads one person to achieve success in life over another? What are the ingredients for unreasonable success and how is it achieved? Our guest this week, Mr. Richard Koch, joins us to explain. Successful people typically don't plan their success. Instead they develop a unique philosophy or attitude that works for them. They stumble across strategies which are shortcuts to success, and latch onto them. Events hand them opportunities they could not have anticipated. Often their peers with equal or greater talent fail while they succeed. It is too easy to attribute success to inherent, unstoppable genius. Bestselling author and serial entrepreneur Richard Koch charts a map of success, identifying the nine key attitudes and strategies can propel anyone to new heights of accomplishment. Richard is a former management consultant, entrepreneur, and writer of several books on how to apply the Pareto principle (80/20 rule) in all walks of life. Richard has also used his concepts to make a fortune from several private equity investments made personally. Richard's investments have included Filofax, Plymouth Gin, the Great Little Trading Company and Betfair. Learn more about Richard: https://richardkoch.net/

Legendary bodybuilder Tony Pearson AKA the "Michael Jackson" of bodybuilding is a 9x world champion winning Mr. America, Professional Mr. Universe, and World Mixed Pairs. Throughout his life, he has faced impossible challenges — rising above poverty, abuse, and neglect to achieve incredible success. Tony's story is an inspiration to say the least. At 63-years-old, he won the AAU Master's Mr. Universe. Today, he is a personal trainer in Las Vegas. Check out his website: https://www.tonypearsonpersonaltrainer.com/

To say that the pandemic has impacted traditional gyms and the way people train would be an understatement. In-person training, group fitness, and big-box memberships aren't going to disappear but the adjustments that have been made during the pandemic are here to stay. In our interview with Fitness First's Managing Director, Lee Matthews, he explains how traditional gyms like Fitness First are redefining and reengineering what it means to go to the gym. Throughout our interview, we cover: • Ways the boutique concept has evolved during the pandemic • The big changes happening to traditional gyms • How to successfully lead your team through crisis • Why you need to reconfigure your gym's layout and equipment to cater to the needs of shifting member expectations Learn more about Fitness First: https://www.fitnessfirst.co.uk/

Do you know how to push yourself beyond your comfort zone and accomplish the things that matter to you? How do you eliminate self doubt and learn to love yourself? In this interview, celebrity fitness trainer, Dolvett Quince, reveals some of the reasons and unconscious patterns that cause us to self-sabotage and explains what we can do to change them. He encourages us to believe in ourselves to achieve freedom from self-doubt. According to Dolvett, "You're not going to be better until you start to challenge yourself to be better." Dolvett is a most recognized for his seven seasons as a fitness trainer on the longtime hit TV show "The Biggest Loser." He is also a NYT Bestselling Author and keynote speaker.

Did you know that you're constantly losing weight 24 hours a day just by breathing? Most people think that body fat is converted into energy or heat. But this belief violates the law of conservation of mass, according to physicist Ruben Meerman. His findings on this topic were published in the British Medical Journal and his TEDx Talk has received more than 10 million views. Ruben's fascination with breathing, carbon dioxide, and weight loss stems from the personal experience of losing 30 pounds and then wondering where all the fat had gone. What his calculations revealed was surprising. In fact, fat breaks down into the elements of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen - 84% of the fat people lose is exhaled as CO₂ and the remaining 16% becomes water. Basically, the lungs are the primary organ through which we lose weight. In this fascinating interview, Ruben breaks down the biochemistry of weight loss.

Chris "Kiwi" Ashenden is the founder of Athletic Greens, a health and fitness expert, entrepreneur, and investor. What began as a bold vision to create an essentialist nutrition product has become a multi-million-dollar company that is trusted by world-class performance athletes and everyday consumers around the world. In this conversation, we discuss: • His wellness journey and battle with sickness that led to the creation of Athletic Greens • 4 pillars of health and happiness • Entrepreneurship, habit stacking, and taking ownership of your life • Building a healthy gut for optimum performance Athletic Greens is a comprehensive, all-in-one greens powder engineered to fill the nutritional gaps in your diet and support your body's nutritional needs across four pillars of health: Gut health, Immune support, Energy and Recovery! It's packed with 75 vitamins minerals, whole food ingredients and combines the perfect amount of micronutrients, absorption and taste to jumpstart your daily routine. Learn more: https://athleticgreens.com/

How do everyday people unleash their inner athlete? Michael Piercy is a former pro baseball player, founder and owner of The Lab Sports, and IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year. His specialty is identifying and developing the talent of elite and everyday athletes. For Michael, successful high-performance coaching is about so much more than just balancing the win-loss record. It's about people becoming the best version of themselves. In our interview, we dive into: • The importance of ongoing personal development • Why consistent rituals and habits are the keys to success • What everyday athletes should look for in a coach • And much more Tune-in now!

When it comes to mental health, a holistic approach considers how a person's well-being is affected by their physical, psychological, emotional, social, and spiritual condition. Greg Schmaus is a highly recognized Paul Chek practitioner, the CEO of Healing 4D, and the creator of "Healing the Mind," a 21-day holistic program. His fully integrated approach is dedicated to helping people hit the reset button to make mental and physical health an urgent priority. A holistic approach to mental health treats considers all these elements as pieces of a larger puzzle that must be individually addressed to achieve healing, which is something that traditional medicine doesn't always do. The pandemic has pushed mental health to a breaking point, and Greg offers some simple ways to improve peoples' mental health (anxiety, depression, and stress). In our interview, we discuss: • The mental health risks of social media • Why you need to clean up your diet, get proper exercise, and develop healthy rest and recovery habits • Addressing your core addictions to enhance both psychological and physical healing • And the simple things you can do to feel better every day Learn more about Greg Schmaus and Healing 4D: https://www.healing4d.com/about/

Why do most weight loss diets fail? Why are you not losing weight? This week, we're speaking with Amanda Nighbert, a registered dietician and creator of the LEAN program who specializes in weight loss nutrition. She is a renegade in her field who has spent the last two decades helping more than 34,000 people take control of their health. Chances are, you could be sabotaging your weight loss journey without even realizing it. In our interview, she reveals why most diets fail and the simple strategies you can implement to permanently lose weight and live a healthy lifestyle, including: • Breaking the 'all or nothing' mindset • How to achieve fasting success • Why you should never mix alcohol with food • The reason you need to stop fearing carbs • Why sleep is the #1 thing that matters for weight loss Amanda is passionate about motivating, supporting and educating people to meet their wellness goals. She promotes a balanced and realistic lifestyle, and focuses on teaching others on how to ditch the "all or nothing" mentality. Learn more about Amanda and the LEAN program: https://amandanighbert.com/

What does McDonald's have to do with gyms and how is Hussle getting the other 90% interested in fitness? Hussle, the UK's largest fitness network, recently partnered with McDonald's to offer a fitness-based prize as part of its annual McDonald's Monopoly game, which is played by more than seven million consumers nationwide. The deal will give McDonald's customers the chance to win access to any of Hussle's 2000+ partner health clubs and leisure centres. At first glance, it may seem like a paradox but Hussle believes the collaboration is a great way to reach more people and help them become more active, more often. Throughout this interview with Hussle CEO Jamie Ward, we discuss the McDonald's partnership as well as: • How to raise money for a fit-tech startup • Advantages of working in the fitness marketplace • Why gyms have a marketing problem • The comparison between ClassPass and Hussle • How to get a better return on your gym's digital marketing efforts

Natalia Karbasova is the CEO of the FitTech Company and Founder of the FitTech Summit, the leading conference in Europe devoted to fitness technology and the future of wellbeing and healthy lifestyle. Throughout our interview, she illustrates where technology is taking the fitness industry. Right now, health is the largest market in the world. And Silicon Valley now wants its piece of the action. In the race for gym members and subscribers, the fitness industry has been given a head start. But Big Tech is catching up really fast – forcing brands to reimagine the gym experience or become obsolete. Big Tech's move into fitness was always going to happen, pandemic or not. But what does that mean for the traditional fitness industry? How will fit-tech influence gyms in the years to come? In this insightful talk, she shares her view about what the future holds.

Our guest this week predicts the future for a living. Not peer into a crystal ball kind of future predicting. His role as a forecaster in the real world is concerned with future certainty. Prof. Dr. Carl Rohde looks at how hidden trends in the present signal direction changes for society, brands, and the world at large. He doesn't tell us how we should think about the future; instead he lays out his own predictions. What will delight your customers in six months, a year, two decades? What eco trends will influence the fitness industry? How will technology and A.I. shift ever-changing consumer expectations? If you're eager to see into the future, check out this interview with Prof. Dr. Carl Rohde. Prof. Dr. Carl Rohde is a cultural sociologist, a professor of Future Forecasting, Trend Watching and Innovation, and the founder of Science of the Time. He conducts the biggest trend research, the Cool City Hunt project, with 47 universities and about 10,000 students worldwide. Together they construct local and global validated trends for brands such as Adidas, Bacardi, BMW, Canon, Coca Cola, Footlocker, Heineken, Levi's, Microsoft, Sony. Learn more about the Science of the Time: https://scienceofthetime.com/

Kory Angelin has over 25 years experience in the fitness and business industries. He is an award-winning fitness expert, sales strategist, two-time published author, speaker, and podcast host of Rep It Up. He has helped to elevate some of the biggest fitness companies in the world teaching brand experience and is the author of "#Sellout: How a Great Experience Can Help You #SELLOUT of Your Product." In this interview, we cover: • Should fitness studios still have sales staff? • If you don't have passion for your brand, you won't sell a membership. • You need to provide great member experiences and journeys. • The key to operating a great studio is understanding your sales cycle. • Why delivering an unbelievable onboarding experience is key to growth. • What makes a great gym experience? • The difference between big box gyms and boutique studios. • Digital marketing strategies your gym needs to be using. • How often should fitness brands be shopping their competition? •Why buyer personas matter and how they can help increase gym memberships. • How to generate more business leads on social media. Currently, Kory stands at the forefront of Volofit, a new HIIT fitness concept by Tough Mudder Bootcamp that is designed to challenge individuals through four areas of fitness, endurance, strength, power and agility. Kory was featured in the Top 20 Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2020 by The Chicago Journal and Top 20 Influential People of 2020 by New York Wire. He has worked with some of the top fitness brands in the world, including his current role with F45 and previously Lifetime Fitness, Equinox, and Les Mills.

Chris Voss is the former #1 Lead International Kidnapping Negotiator for the FBI. He is the author of the bestselling book "Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended on It," and the CEO of Black Swan Group. He spent 24 years with the FBI and was the FBI's hostage negotiation representative for the National Security Council's Hostage Working Group. His many years of experience in international crisis and high-stakes negotiations helped him to develop a unique program and team that applies these globally proven techniques to the business world. Chris Voss was trained in the art of negotiation by not only the FBI but Scotland Yard and Harvard Law School. His mission used to be to save people's lives. Today, his mission is to help people change their lives. Tune in to this illuminating conversation as we discuss: How to negotiate with a customer you can't afford to lose. The two most critical skills to become a master negotiator. What people tell you is really only 7% of what's going on. In a negative mindset, you're not as smart as when you're thinking positive. How your personality type affects your negotiation style. The power of being genuinely curious. Why bargaining should be your last move in a negotiation. Trust based influence vs. manipulation. How can you tell if someone is lying? The deal killer in the room is often as important as the decision maker. What is tactical empathy and how can you use it to negotiate? Why you're in so much trouble if somebody looks at you and says, "You're right."

On this week's Escape Your Limits podcast, we interview Pete Moore, the founder of Integrity Square, which is the leading boutique financial advisory firm for the Health, Active Lifestyle, and Outdoor, or HALO, sector. He is also an author, former investment banker, and co-founder of IRON Planet, a notable B2B auction site for used equipment that sold for $758 million. For anyone interested in investing in the HALO sector, our guest this week is the go-to authority. Episode Highlights. Why he believes the bricks and mortar gym experience is here to stay. Things people typically get wrong when investing. How to turn your frustrations into a billion dollar business. What private investors are looking for before investing in fitness startups. Top 3 investment opportunities within the HALO sector right now. Why health club operators need to stop competing on price. Is recovery programming the next big thing in fitness? How brands like Peloton have shaped what investors are looking for. The do's and don'ts within the HALO sector.

Gold's Gym first opened in 1965. At that time, there were only three gyms in the Southern California and Los Angeles area. It became the mecca for bodybuilding. Today, there are more than 700+ Gold's Gym locations in 28 countries. Our guest this week is Angel Banos, the President and CEO of Gold's Gym SoCal. From the very beginning, Gold's Gym was built on community — something that remains true to this day. In our interview, we discuss: • What the $100m acquisition of Gold's Gym means for the franchise's future. • How Gold's Gym's President put pressure on local government during the pandemic. • The #1 business secret that's revolutionizing the Gold's Gym franchise. • How Angel Banos uses goal setting to manifest success. And much more!

On this week's episode of the Escape Your Limits podcast, we interview Shari Castelli, the Director of Industry Development at ClassPass. ClassPass is a monthly fitness membership that connects members to thousands of fitness studios and gyms in 2,500 cities across the globe. In its latest Series E round, the startup raised $285 million putting the company's valuation at over $1 billion. So, what makes the ClassPass business model so successful? Tune in and find out.

Our guest this week is Rod Hill, the President of énergie Fitness Europe. He's an expert at navigating the ups and downs of international expansion and recently signed a master franchise agreement to develop 75 clubs in Spain over the next 10 years. In our interview, we explore the influence of European gym design and what the rest of the world can learn from this emerging market, why you need to invest capital back into your trainers, and how your franchise could be missing the mark if you turn your back on Baby Boomers. More Episode Highlights: Navigating the ups and downs of international expansion. How you could be missing the mark by turning your back on the largest and most affluent demographic. The merging of fitness and wellness. How changing market dynamics offer franchises new opportunities. Want to be successful? You have to be authentic. Ways in which the boutique space will continue to grow. How brick and mortar gyms are integrating hybrid fitness models.

In 1976, Joe Gold founded World Gym International during the heyday of Muscle Beach in Venice Beach, California. World Gym is where iron men like Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno worked out on the regular. This week, we interview Jarrod Saracco, World Gym's COO. He is a 25-year veteran of the health and fitness industry with experience at every level of club operations. We discuss: • The history of World Gym • What he anticipates the future of World Gym will look like • Key essentials for running a successful gym or club • What to know about gym equipment before you stock your gym • Why gym design and member experience are more important than you think World's Gym owners are projecting that the brand will grow to 500 locations by 2023.

Our guest this week is Troy Casey, a former Versace model turned Certified Health Nut. His intriguing, unconventional approaches to biohacking the body and mind have earned him the reputation of a leading longevity authority. He has helped millions of people restore their physical, mental, and emotional balance with holistic health practices. In our interview, we discuss: How to get and stay ripped at any age, the purpose and meaning of legacy, why you should meditate and get more sleep, the art of sexual kung fu, and how working with indigenous tribes in the Amazon and participating in Ayahuasca ceremonies have awakened his consciousness.

Eric Fleishman aka "Eric the Trainer" is the go-to guy in Hollywood when it comes to burning fat and building lean muscle. In our interview, this sought-after personal trainer shares his secrets to getting celebrities and musicians insanely fit for film roles and world tours. Eric the Trainer can help you create the body of your dreams in just a matter of weeks. No fads, trends, or gimmicks — just unbelievably quick results. Learn all about the four body archetypes, workouts and diets that get his clients ripped, why recovery and good sleep are important to accelerate body transformations, and what it's really like working with A-listers.

Dr. Stephanie Estima is an expert on metabolism, hormones, and body composition. Using her framework, The ESTIMA Method™, she is particularly focused on distilling strategies in nutritional proxies, movement, posture, and mindset to actualize human potential, health span, longevity and achievement. She is also the host of the podcast Better! With Dr. Stephanie and author of the best-selling book: The Betty Body, which offers a blueprint for readers to discover their best feminine health. In this episode, we dive into the benefits of a supercharged sex life, the differences between men and women when it comes to testosterone and weight loss, the science behind the female menstrual cycle, and why keto diets boost brain health.

Are you looking for real secrets for success as an entrepreneur? This week's Escape Your Limits podcast episode featuring Snap Fitness founder Peter Taunton reveals his winning formula for dominating domestic and international franchising and expansion. Peter went from owning a single gym to accumulating a net worth of over $100 million. This entrepreneur got his big break after turning around a failing health club only to go on and found one of the largest wellness brands in the world, with over 6,000 franchises across 3 brands in 28 countries, including 9Round, Farrell's, YogaFit, STEELE Fitness, and Fitness On Demand. If you're wondering how to become a successful business owner, Peter reveals how to develop a winning business model and mindset, why you need to plan ahead and have an exit strategy, and what he learned from a costly $40 million mistake.

In today's episode, we reconnect with Frank Zane, 3x Mr. Olympia and one of the most admired and influential bodybuilders of all time. He's also one of our most popular podcast guests. Wondering how you can build a stunning physique like Frank Zane? Well, this 3x Mr. Olympia legend is keen on sharing his wealth of wisdom and expertise. During our interview, we discuss his cutting-edge training techniques, diet and nutrition insights, recovery, his commitment to excellence, and even answer some of his fans' most pressing questions. If you're aspiring to achieve a Frank Zane body… here's how he got it.

How do you know if you're getting enough sleep? How much sleep do you really need? Is your sleep not what it used to be? Do you wake up at 3 a.m. and struggle to fall back asleep? Are you feeling sleep-deprived no matter how many hours you spend in bed? A good night's sleep is incredibly important for your health. In fact, it's just as important as eating healthy and exercising. However, according to the CDC, about 70 million Americans have chronic sleep problems. Chronically bad sleep is more than just annoying. It weakens the immune system, reduces memory and attention span, and increases the likelihood of chronic conditions like depression, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Studies suggest that the less sleep you get, the shorter your life span. Why sleep is so important is still a bit of a mystery, but Dr. Michael Breus a.k.a. the "Sleep Doctor" can help you determine your unique sleep needs and answer the most common questions to solve your sleeping problems and optimize your health.

The fitness business is a traditionally male-dominated space, but some women like our guest today have broken through the glass ceiling to rise to the position of CEO. She's calling the shots at one of America's fastest growing boxing and kickboxing franchises, RockBox. Since making the jump from Orange Theory, she has been an influential force in the expansion of the fight club meets night club brand. With plans to expand the franchise internationally, this powerhouse executive has her sights set on making boxing accessible to as many people as possible. How? You'll have to watch and find out.

Paul Byrne is the former President of Precor. He's also a forward-thinking innovator who's the reason every gym in America has an elliptical machine. Under his leadership, he transformed Precor into a $350 million-dollar global supplier of home and commercial fitness equipment and was a key asset in its recent acquisition by Peloton. Today, he serves as an industry advisor and is the author of two powerful prediction reports that will change the game for the health and wellness sector and continue pushing the entire industry to innovate. What does the future look like for manufacturers? Where is the boutique segment headed? How do you go about being successful in an overly saturated consumer space? Paul has the answers.

How do you start a wildly successful business with little to no money? What allows some entrepreneurs to bootstrap their business to success while others falter and fail? The truth is: It takes remarkably little money to make money, if you're clever and work hard. British entrepreneur Oliver Cookson should know. He bootstrapped Myprotein, a successful sports nutrition business, in 2004 after borrowing £500 from the bank. No venture capitalists. No outside help or influence. A few years later, he sold Myprotein to The Hut Group, maintaining 100% equity and earning a nine-digit exit. During our interview, he highlights the advantages of bootstrapping a self-sustaining, self-funded business. Nothing is off the table, as long as it's relevant to the customer. Oliver was recently named the UK's number one self-made millionaire under 40 with a net worth of £306 million. His memoir, "Bootstrap Your Life," which he began writing at the beginning of the first lockdown is due to be published in summer 2021. Oliver also hosts the podcast Bootstrap Your Life, which features 15-minute episodes that cover topics such as self-esteem, business advice, mental health, mindset, and investment. Link to Oliver's Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bootstrap-Your-Life-turn-million/dp/0349429197/ref=sr_1_1?field-isbn=9780349429199&qid=1620308719&refinements=p_66%3A9780349429199&sr=8-1

Elaine Jobson is a fitness industry veteran, with 25 years of experience working in executive positions for the world's largest fitness brands. In this week's Escape Your Limits podcast episode, she talks about her industry experiences, how she has adapted Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs to develop an award-winning, international fitness franchise, and shares real life lessons on how to lead people and transform workplace culture. She is best known for teaming up with well-known industry entrepreneurs including Mike Balfour OBE, Founder of Fitness First, and Sir Richard Branson owner of Virgin Active South Africa. Elaine is passionate about building successful companies through great cultures and growing exceptional leaders.

What's the secret of Planet Fitness's massive success? Planet Fitness isn't really known to attract members who are super in shape and is often the butt of jokes when it comes to the fitness industry. Did you know that more than 40% of its current members had never even stepped foot in a gym before signing up? Planet Fitness has a competitive business model, strong brand, and low-cost memberships, but that's not necessarily how it became the leader in fitness franchising. Many people believe it's the no-frills atmosphere, simple selection of machines, and free pizza but there's so much more to it than that! The key to success in business is to not be afraid of doing things differently. This week, we sit down with Victor Brick, the CEO of Planet Fitness Growth Partners, one of the largest privately owned fitness franchises. He's here to reveal the secret formula that makes Planet Fitness such a huge success. Victor also explains how to use other people's money to finance business growth, why goal setting and dreaming big are essential, and dives into the pros and cons of being a franchisee. Episode Highlights: How to use other people's money to finance business growth The secret behind Planet Fitness's massive success Why Planet Fitness gives members free pizza What makes the franchise so competitive Importance of goal setting and dreaming big The pros and cons of being a franchisee Strategies for franchise growth Gym inclusivity and affordability About Victor Brick Victor Brick has 35 years of success in the fitness industry and is CEO of Planet Fitness Growth Partners (PFGP), the largest privately owned Planet Fitness franchise with 80+ clubs in the US and Australia. He's also an author and motivational speaker. He co-founded the John W. Brick Mental Health Foundation in honor of his brother, John, who struggled throughout his life with mental health, but was never once offered a holistic plan supporting his wellbeing. His brother suffered from schizophrenia and died of complications from the disease. The foundation's goal is to change the way the world treats mental health. Victor was also the co-founder of Brick Bodies, which is a chain of full-service health clubs in the Baltimore, Maryland area. He is still the Chairman of the Board for Brick Bodies. Brick Bodies Padonia was named as one the top 25 health clubs in the United States by Fitness Magazine. He is a member of the board for the John Hopkins Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, the Board of Advisors for the Global Wellness Summit, and the Board of Directors for Defiance Fuel, which is the first structured water on the market.

When was the last time you thought about how you influence others — how you change minds, shape opinions, move others to act? The ability to influence is one of the essential skills for not only success, but happiness. The bottom line is that influence matters. Jon Levy, a behavioral scientist and author, best known for his work in the fields of human connection, influence, and adventure believes the size of your life is in proportion to how uncomfortable you're willing to be and understanding the power of influence in today's connected world. How can you make a consumer's entire experience with your brand, especially at the end, really special? Want the secret to guaranteeing gym members are left with a positive impression when they leave your facility? Do you know what the IKEA Effect is, why it's important, and how to leverage it to improve your business model and build a loyal community? Why is novelty important and how can you leverage it to be happier and more successful? Our guest this week has all the answers. Levy specializes in applying research to transform the ways companies approach marketing, sales, consumer engagement, and culture. He also founded "The Influencers," a secret dining experience and community, whose participants include more than 2000 leaders across industries, ranging from Nobel laureates, Olympians, and celebrities, to executives, editors-in-chief and royalty. In 2016, Jon released his first book, "The 2 AM Principle: Discover the Science of Adventure," which explores the science of living a fun, exciting and remarkable life.

Today, we're speaking with the President and CEO of Self Made Training Facility, Miguel Aguilar. Two years ago, he was our guest on the Escape Your Limits podcast, where he shared his humble and inspiring story of his rise to success. This time around, we caught up with Miguel at his Self Made headquarters to discuss how he managed to come out on top during an ongoing pandemic. When things get tough, do you sink or swim? Miguel decided to swim. When thousands of gym owners reluctantly closed their doors in early 2020, hoping to reopen in two weeks when things went back to "normal," he never wavered. Instead, he banded together with other Riverside Country fitness facilities and stayed open. His franchise owners educated the consumer while staying open and didn't give in to the bully tactics attempting to close down business. Miguel was able to put his head down and have faith that things would work out. Throughout this interview, he reveals how Self Made became one of the most successful training franchises in America, operating 40 locations in 11 different states. Miguel also explains how they managed to stay open while countless other gyms were forced to shut down. This is one interview you don't want to miss. One thing's for sure: You're going to walk away inspired. Please welcome Miguel Aguilar back to the Escape Your Limits podcast.

How do you conquer life's impossible challenges? Why is resilience more important now than ever before? How can you live your life with more purpose and authenticity? Our guest this week is Stacey Copas. She is the author of the book How To Be Resilient, a coach, international keynote speaker, and facilitator on finding the opportunity in change and adversity. At 12 years old, she broke her neck and almost drowned in a swimming pool diving accident and became a quadriplegic – needing a wheelchair the rest of her life. Stacey has created a framework of resilience based on her life experiences of overcoming adversity. By sharing her experiences of how she has coped, adapted, and thrived she hopes to help others overcome the challenges and setbacks they face. There was a time when it felt like her world had ended, but she believes that accident was the best thing that could've happened to her. This is her story. You're about to be inspired like never before.

Dr. John Jaquish is an innovator, thought leader in the biomedical fitness market, and a Wall Street Journal best-selling author of the book "Weight Lifting Is a Waste of Time." His objective? To challenge you to rethink how you burn fat and add muscle. That's what led him to invent OsteoStrong, a bone-density building medical device used to fight osteoporosis, which is now in 130 clinics in 8 different countries. The X3 Bar is his most recent invention. At 6'0" and 240 pounds, he has a zero-carb diet and works out 10 minutes a day, 6 days a week. He claims that, along with an unconventional diet, by using the X3 for only 10 minutes a day you can have the body of someone who spends hours in the gym every week. Tune in to our conversation as Dr. Jaquish dives into his research-based but controversial approaches to strength training, muscular development, and diet. He also addresses the criticisms he's received online.

Should gyms be considered essential businesses? One of the more controversial aspects of the various shutdowns, lockdowns, and business closures was that of the extended closures of gyms and fitness clubs worldwide. In this week's Escape Your Limits podcast episode, we speak with one of America's leading health educators and exercise physiologists, Eric Durak. He believes that gyms are, in fact, essential businesses and he's here to reveal what gym owners need to do to make sure they remain essential, avoid closure, and take advantage of revenue opportunities by providing holistic solutions to their members. Eric Durak is one of the nation's leading clinical Exercise Physiologists and Health Educators and is the founder and president of Medical Health & Fitness. He has a 35-year career in fitness, medicine, and health promotion and is now entering into medical fitness, population health, and precision wellness. Most recently, Eric developed the Healthy Stats Outcome software. Eric has also logged thousands of hours in clinical care, wellness, and research and works as a Wellness Specialist at the University of California to promote wellness and manage workers compensation claims. He is the 1999 IHRSA Institute Aware Winner for the Cancer Well-fit Program. MedHealthFit is a visionary wellness company that looks at the profession of health promotion through interaction of research, data collection and outcomes. Subscribe to get all the latest podcast-related content: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness Connect with Escape Fitness online and on social below: Website: https://www.escapefitness.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Escapefitness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapefitness Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/escapefitness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/escape-fitness

Today, we're speaking with Eric Von Frohlich and Debra Strougo, the husband-and-wife team who founded Row House, the highly successful indoor boutique rowing franchise and Xponential brand. Through blood, sweat, and tears, they've discovered a way to do the work they love while also empowering people through community. In this episode, they share how they manage to balance family and business, carve out time for wellness to achieve optimal health and performance, and how Row House continues to stand out in a crowded boutique studio landscape. As entrepreneurs, they've had to be extremely committed to their vision and make intentional sacrifices to turn their dreams into a reality, but the plan was always to scale and sell Row House. Please welcome Eric Von Frohlich and Debra Strougo to the Escape Your Limits podcast. For more information visit https://escapefitness.com/podcast Video Version - https://youtu.be/W2ENJROerWs Eric Von Frohlich and Debra Strougo are the husband-and-wife team who founded Row House, the highly successful indoor boutique rowing franchise and Xponential brand. They met teaching on the NYC fitness scene. They followed their passion for fitness and grew two brands with their own pennies and a lot of blood, sweat and tears — creating security for their family of 5 and jobs that they love. Row House has revolutionized the way people not only view the experience of rowing but also solved a problem and created a low-impact, cardio enhancing, full-body strength workout for the 70% of the population not working out. Today, the franchise has plans to expand to over 250 locations throughout the US and Canada. Row House was born in the Columbus Circle Neighborhood of NYC in 2014. Co-founders and husband/wife team, Eric Von Frohlich and Debra Strougo took the rowing machine out of the corner, and put it front in center. Born of the couple's search for a workout that two individuals with varying fitness levels could do together, they created a workout that gives people of all different shapes, sizes, and abilities an efficient and effective workout. Row House's values are: Inclusivity, Rewarding, Camaraderie, and Authenticity. About Debra Strougo Debra left a life behind the desk to bridge her business acumen with her passion for fitness. She teamed up with her husband, Eric, and started to build the dream. Together, they balance their work and family — and have found a way to do the work they love and bring their vision for fitness communities far and wide. Debra is the Founder of Row House and EVF Performance. She owns and operates 5 NYC studios with her husband and business partner, Eric. Debra is a Goldman Sachs 10KSB scholar; in 2016 Row House was chosen as a company likely to have exponential growth. She has over 15 years' experience teaching at NYC's premiere gyms including Equinox, Crunch, SCLA and NYSC, and has consulted for numerous national fitness brands, including SELF. About Eric Von Frohlich Eric is a seasoned fitness pioneer, National Brand Founder, and national spokesman in the fields of health, exercise, and wellness. He is an expert on trends and techniques in fitness and wellness, as well as on what it takes to create a strong community. He owns and operates five NYC studios with his wife and business partner, while keeping his finger on the pulse of all things fitness, sport, and wellness to continue to help people. An avid 20+ year trainer and athlete. Episode highlights Why it's crucial to stick to your vision. Secrets to running a business with your partner and leveraging each other's strengths. The story behind creating a very inclusive, scalable brand that was designed to go global. How to make intentional sacrifices for your business. Regardless of how successful you are, there's always more work to be done. How they targeted 70% of the population that doesn't work out. The importance of approaching every problem and every solution with gratitude. Accomplishing big things without sacrificing family, their values, or their core beliefs. Celebrating the small victories. Coming up with real solutions when you have limited resources, time, and money. Being an entrepreneur is not all fun and games. Join Matthew Januszek in powerful conversation with Eric Von Frohlich and Debra Strougo.

Today, we're speaking with Brendan Kane, a business and digital strategist who has worked with Fortune 500 companies, the world's biggest brands, and high-profile celebrities. He is best known for gaining one million followers on social media in 30 days. If you're interested in learning how to leverage social media to make difference for your brand, he's the guy to turn to. In this week's Escape Your Limits podcast episode, Brendan reveals how to cut through the noise and disrupt the pattern to earn the click or stop the scroll. He also offers insights on how he was able to grow his following so quickly, techniques you can use to make your content go viral, and explains why just because you have one million followers that doesn't mean you're reaching or engaging one million people. Tune in to learn how to crack the code that will lead to the best performing content you can put out into the world that will provide the most value. For more information, visit https://escapefitness.com/podcast Video version - https://youtu.be/9_9NLw_ktHg Brendan Kane is an out-of-the-box thinker for Fortune 500 corporations, brands, and celebrities. He thrives on helping his clients systematically engage new audiences that reward relevant content, products, and services with their attention and purchases. His greatest strength lies in unlocking value by transforming complexity into simplicity through tools and methods that amplify growth and enable execution. Having started his career at Lakeshore Entertainment, Brendan oversaw all aspects of the company's interactive media strategy. He worked on 16 films that generated a worldwide gross of $685 million and also pioneered the first-ever influencer campaign to effectively promote Crank starring Jason Statham. He has since built social media applications and digital platforms for celebrity clients such as Taylor Swift, Rihanna, and pro skateboarder Ryan Sheckler. Brendan served as vice president of digital for Paramount Pictures and helped scale one of the largest social optimization firms in the world. Episode highlights - •99% of brands suck at creating content. •Just because you have one million followers doesn't mean you're engaging one million people. •You have to become a student of the game. •Are you learning or just consuming content? •You gotta get out of your own way. •Social media is meant for your audience, not for your brand. •There's not one way to be successful, there's multiple approaches. •The most important thing is that you test, test, test. •You can make any subject interesting or go viral, you just have to add value.

Today, we're speaking with Jan Spaticchia, a serial entrepreneur who has empowered millions of people to transform their lives through engagement with one of his fitness franchise brands. He is the Chair of énergie Group, Vice Chair of BMF, and Founder of Visivo. As the world now moves into a new and exciting digital age, Spaticchia is already planning for the future and is on the verge of launching Visivo, a VR fitness club membership experience, the first of its kind in the world. Are you ready to learn how to start up, build, sell, and buy back a franchise with one of the best in the game? Please welcome Jan Spaticchia to the Escape Your Limits podcast. Video version - https://youtu.be/1S8MhNoHbnY Escape Your Limits homepage – https://escapefitness.com/podcast Jan Spaticchia is the Chair of énergie Group, Vice Chair of BMF, and Founder of Visivo. He is also the founder of National Fitness Day. As a creative visionary, Jan is passionate about finding ways to break the rules and stay innovative in the competitive fitness market. His franchise group is one the biggest and fastest growing in the UK. In 2019, Spaticchia handed over ownership of the énergie Group, a hugely successful franchise business that he grew from scratch into the UK's leading franchise operator. A year later, after the pandemic struck, Spaticchia found himself leading a rescue MDO, supported by RM Funds, to buy back the company. During lockdown 1.0, 38,000 of the 140,000 énergie fitness members across the UK continued to support their local club and pay their membership fees. This meant the company was able to suspend franchisee fees during closure and also invest in a digital provision to enable the creation of a virtual platform to deliver at-home workouts to members. During lockdown 2.0, énergie fitness did not apply a blanket freeze and instead supported members virtually towards the achievement of individual goals based around fitness, nutrition, and mindset offers. Episode highlights - The fitness market has changed forever. We didn't do what everybody else did. We didn't freeze memberships. Necessity is the mother of all invention. If you don't have fire in your belly for franchising, it's doesn't work. You have to have a little luck on your side. Local management is crucial for international expansion. Taking a different approach to the rest of the market. Franchises that are passionate and follow systems do best. Importance of focusing on your staff and club members. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Jan Spaticchia.

The two most fundamental aspects of your health are diet and exercise. But chronic exposure to stress, sleep deprivation, sedentary behavior, and processed food are causing metabolic dysfunction in your body. Jim Lavalle, an internationally recognized clinical pharmacist, author, nutrition expert, and founder of the Metabolic Code®, is here to shed some light on the underlying metabolic issues that stop people from feeling healthy. Your body is constantly working as a complete metabolic system, signaling and telling your body what to do. When it gets out of whack, it can cause serious health issues. Tune in to episode #177 of the Escape Your Limits podcast to learn all about how you can reach optimum levels of health and vitality, manage your stress hormones, avoid stress fractures, strengthen your immune system, and age better. Please welcome Jim Lavalle to the Escape Your Limits podcast. For more information visit https://escapefitness.com/podcast Video version – https://youtu.be/Zgy44D0RgdA Jim Lavalle is an internationally recognized clinical pharmacist, author, nutrition expert, and founder of LaValle Metabolic Institute. He is best known for his expertise in metabolic and personalized integrative medicine and therapies. Has an extensive background in natural products, drug/nutrient depletion, and the underlying metabolic issues that stop people from feeling healthy. The author of more than 20 books, including, "Your Blood Never Lies," "Cracking the Metabolic Code," and "Nutritional Cost of Drugs." Jim Lavalle was named one of the "50 Most Influential Pharmacists" by American Druggist magazine. He has also developed health programs for the fitness industry (healthcare and professional sports teams) such as Orlando Magic, Chicago Blackhawks, and the Anaheim Ducks – to name a few. He has trained thousands of health care professionals on the value of predictive health. Jim is an appointed faculty member and course educator for the Integrative Medicine postgraduate program at George Washington University School of medicine. Previously, he was a correspondent on ESPN2's No. 1 rated "BodyShaping" fitness program. Visit www.jimlavalle.com to learn more about the underlying metabolic issues that stop you from feeling healthy. Episode highlights People deserve vitality at every stage in life. It isn't how hard you train. It's how well you rest. 78% of the US population is overweight. You can't put a Band-Aid on a bullet hole. If you're getting stress fractures, you're overtraining. The more muscle you hold as you age, the better your metabolism will be. If your resting heart rate is 10% above average, you probably need a day off. Your immune system is the center of your aging process. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Jim Lavalle.

Today, we're speaking with Rita McGrath, a renowned Columbia Business School professor and premier expert on innovation, entrepreneurship, and growth strategies during times of uncertainty. The pandemic is forcing every business regardless of industry to reevaluate their operations and to stay relevant while also staying on top of strategic inflection points. According to Rita McGrath, the pandemic is offering businesses an opportunity to grow, or to stay as they are. Her new book, Seeing Around Corners, helps leaders recognize the inflection points that could lead to innovation and success. The pivotal changes taking place in business environments today are a wake-up call for leaders to not only define their cultural values, but to stay ahead of the tech game and get closer to the customer experience. There's no substitute for the knowledge and expertise this week's guest has to offer. Please welcome Rita McGrath to the Escape Your Limits podcast. For more information visit https://escapefitness.com/podcast Video version - https://youtu.be/T2M2c3s4eT0 Rita McGrath is a best-selling author, a sought-after speaker, and a longtime professor at Columbia Business School. She is known as The Entrepreneurial Strategist and a globally recognized champion of harnessing disruptive influences for competitive advantage. Rita McGrath is widely recognized as a premier expert on leading innovation and growth during times of uncertainty. As a consultant to CEOs, her work has had a lasting impact on the strategy and growth programs of Fortune 500 companies worldwide. Rita is also the founder of Valize, an innovation platform whose mission is to help organizations build lasting innovation capability as the basis for long term shared prosperity. Visit www.ritamcgrath.com to learn more about this Entrepreneurial Strategist and discover how to see business environment changes as opportunities. Episode highlights - Keep focused on your customers' end state You need to create something other people can't copy Treat your employees like human beings, not robots Employee satisfaction leads to greater customer satisfaction As a brand, focus on what's true for you Inflection points provide opportunities for innovation The pandemic's impact on the fitness industry Arenas vs. industries Staying on top of new technologies and changing lives Three kinds of competitors to watch out for Observations on leadership Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Rita McGrath.

Today, we're speaking with celebrity personal trainer Gunnar Peterson. He is a household name in the health-and-fitness industry. He is the guy responsible for shaping some of the most famous bodies in the world and has trained everyone from the Kardashians to Sylvester Stallone to the Los Angeles Lakers. His dedication to fitness dates back to 1989. Today, he specializes in functional fitness and strengthening conditioning training with an emphasis on the basics and consistency. In his Hollywood gym, Gunnar works with his clients on movement to hit all three planes of motion to improve flexibility and improve cardiovascular conditioning. In this episode, our host Matthew Januszek and Gunnar Peterson discuss everything from the future of traditional gyms to fitness data, the clients he trains, and the importance of recovery. Please welcome Gunnar Peterson to the Escape Your Limits podcast. For more information visit https://escapefitness.com/podcast Video version – https://youtu.be/RTnv0M_LmnY Gunnar Peterson is a Beverly Hills-based personal trainer whose clients include celebrities, professional athletes, and everyday people. Gunnar was formerly the Los Angeles Lakers' Director of Strength and Endurance. He is widely recognized for his expertise in functional training and his commitment to developing and implementing innovative fitness techniques. With over 28 years in the fitness industry, Gunnar's dynamic approach, boundless energy and (sometimes risky) humor only add to the effectiveness of the experience his clients enjoy. Gunnar is certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association and is a graduate of Duke University. He is an editor and wrote a regular column for Muscle and Fitness magazine for over a decade, he is on the advisory board for Fitness magazine as well as contributor to Clean Eating magazine. Gunnar is also regularly featured in Allure, Elle, In Style, In Touch, Us, Men's Health, Women's Health, Self, and other magazines. His television appearances include The Today Show, Fox & Friends, CNN, CNN Headline News, The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, Extra, Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Lala's Full Court Life, Revenge Body and numerous shows for E! and VH1. Visit www.gunnarpeterson.com to learn more about Gunnar and what sets him apart when it comes to personal trainers. Episode highlights - If you're not growing, that's a fast road to destruction. What do you enjoy? Because that's what will deliver results. Training clients who come in, work hard, and are consistent. Gyms returning when people move past the fear stage. Is data giving you power or debilitating you? Using social media as a tool for inspiration vs. distraction. How to deal with adversity. The importance of recovery. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with celebrity personal trainer Gunnar Peterson.

Today, we're speaking with Ed Harrold, an author, breath educator, and health, performance and leadership coach. Breathing is the first and last things we do as humans. Did you know you breathe in and out around 25,000 times a day? But you might be breathing wrong and not even know it. At a cellular level, oxygen is body fuel. It's how you nourish your muscles and brain. So, what exactly happens if you're breathing incorrectly? The bottom line is that it can seriously affect your health. For the past 25 years, Ed Harrold, a master in the science of mindful breathing, has been committed to helping people understand the importance of transforming the automatic and unconscious process of breathing to a deliberate conscious series of choices. He invites you to consider the various dimensions of breath: length, depth, rate, and rhythm. Are you ready to learn how to breathe for health and longevity, and not just survival? Please welcome Ed Harrold to the Escape Your Limits podcast. For more information visit https://escapefitness.com/podcast Video version – https://youtu.be/9CQjWI40Vds Ed Harrold is an author, breath educator, and health, performance, and leadership coach. He is a master in the science of mindful breathing to improve overall health, well-being, and performance. Ed's breathing practices are used in fitness & athletic training, stress reduction, performance coaching, and corporate settings. A contributing wellness expert for: Huffington Post, HuffingtonPostLIVE, Thrive Global, Corporate Wellness Magazine, Mind Body Green, TRX Training, The Daily Love, and Wanderlust Journal. Ed's mastery in the science of breath has guided him to apply mindful, conscious breathing practices in the fitness & athletic industry, corporate wellness and organizational performance programs as well as lifestyle coaching for individuals. Ed's Breath AS Medicine continuing education trainings support the healthcare, health and wellness coaching, fitness, psychotherapy and medical fitness industries. Ed blends the fields of neuroscience and the wisdom of contemplative traditions into effective strategies to improve health, performance and overall well-being. Ed's fluency in mindfulness-based strategies combined with the belief in the human potential gives him the depth and understanding to meet individuals and group needs across industries and platforms. Visit https://www.edharrold.com/ to learn more about Ed Harrold's methods for rediscovering your breath. Episode highlights - Breath control is the first step to controlling your thoughts. When we feel good, we think good. As you get control of your breath, you gain access to your health. Being in a flow state is one of the most optimal feelings of being in a human body. Breathing for health and longevity, not just for survival. The relationship between heart rate and breathing. Bringing mindfulness and control to the activity of breathing. Stress reduction and the pandemic. The proper way to breathe during exercise. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with master breathwork coach Ed Harrold.

Today, we're speaking with Patrick and Talilla Henchoz. Patrick is the founder of one of the great fitness chain success stories of the '90s, Esporta Health and Fitness Clubs.He was the first to build and sell a fitness chain in the UK. Growing the business to 38 clubs with over 200,000 members. Talilla is a personal trainer and social media influencer who founded a global digital fitness brand called Club V from scratch in July 2020 during the pandemic. Her all-inclusive virtual fitness service is built on the five pillars of health: body, mind, nutrition, community, and sustainability. Daily live-streamed workouts, which include HIIT, strength, low impact, core, yoga, and pilates, engage thousands of members across 50 countries. Club V inspires its community by reminding people to celebrate their body rather than simply what it looks like. Together, Patrick and Talilla are at the forefront of an evolving industry—never forgetting that the most important person in the room is the customer. Home workouts are here to stay, and we're excited to see how Club V continues developing its offering. Please welcome Patrick and Talilla Henchoz to the Escape Your Limits podcast. For more information visit https://escapefitness.com/podcast Video version – https://youtu.be/n0FPSUNXafI Patrick Henchoz is the founder of Esporta Health and Fitness Clubs. He was the first to build and sell a fitness chain in the UK. Growing the business to 38 clubs with over 200,000 members. Talilla, is a personal trainer and social media influencer who founded a global digital fitness brand called Club V. It's not just another fitness plan designed to 'burn fat' and 'detox'. Club V helps its members hit the RESET button and create sustainable changes. Working with top nutritionists, life coaches, physiologists, pilates and yoga instructors, Talilla provides her community with an all-inclusive offering. To learn more about Club V, visit: www.weareclubv.co.uk Episode highlights - Fitness is more about mental than it is about physical. Fitness is not just a quick fix. It's all about making the customer feel important. Community is everything. Nobody can predict how club membership will rebound. Celebrate your body and what it can do rather than what it looks like. You have to constantly pivot and see the potential. Add value through high touch vs. high tech. It's about having passion and the ability to adapt. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Patrick and Talilla Henchoz.

Today, we're speaking with Ian Mullane, the Founder and CEO of Keepme, a business dedicated to increasing the revenue of health and fitness operators utilizing Artificial Intelligence. He's being working with AI for the past six years and is committed to better understanding why members leave the gym. As the fitness sector is confronted with its greatest ever challenge, clubs worldwide are pulling out all the stops to keep their members active and engaged. Ian says operators need to rely on data and hyper-personalization to move into the future. It's adapt or die, especially for the brick and mortar gyms and clubs. Recently, he published a powerful white paper in an effort to spark conversations around the shift and disruption that's currently happening within the fitness industry. The truth is that the industry will never be the same. It will never return to how things were pre-COVID. Are you ready to learn the six key rules for survival? For more information visit https://escapefitness.com/podcast Video version – https://youtu.be/fbDsjylzYuA Ian Mullane is the Founder and CEO of Keepme, a business dedicated to increasing the revenue of health and fitness operators utilizing integrated Artificial Intelligence. Relying on years of data, he wants to show you how to stop guessing and offer a game-changing level of personalization for gym and club members. By reimagining the customer journey, operators have the opportunity to enhance their service offerings, engagement, product customization, and more. Technology today has completely disrupted every business around the globe. The fitness industry is no exception. The industry will never return to how things were pre-COVID. If brick and mortar operators are not ready adapt and make the customer the center of all experiences when it comes to the personal wellness ecosystem, they may not survive. Keep.me uses predictive and machine learning models, operators can hyper-personalise engagements with a commercial and operational perspective and increase response levels to benefit the business. After 18 years of working with some of the biggest names in Fintech, including Thomson Financial and SS&C, Ian Mullane left corporate life as the COO of Sungard's Asia Pacific business. Since then, he's founded and grown a number of companies including Locowise.com, Vanda.fit and most recently, Keepme, an AI-powered membership retention tool. Episode highlights - Brick and mortar operations face big challenges ahead You need to optimize for revenue and for retention Apps are nothing more than vehicles to create experiences 5G will change how people consume fitness content Adapt or die You probably don't know your competition Personalization is the future of fitness How to reimagine the customer journey Effect of membership plans on retention rates Making the customer the center of the ecosystem How fitness will become like banking Power of first-mover advantage Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Ian Mullane.

Today, we are speaking with Jason Stella, the National Education Manager for LifeTime Training and a podcast host who has more than 20 years of experience in the health and fitness industry. He's an innovator who has dedicated his life to coaching and consulting the top fitness and nutrition companies in the U.S. and also developed the Alpha Training program. Jason is a firm believer in personal development and capitalizing on your strengths to reach your full potential, both in business and in life. Living by the 3 P's (purpose, preparation, performance, and persistence) he's been able to re-invent himself over the years and return to doing what he loves, which involves getting trainers to elevate the training industry. From personal and small group training trends, the challenges and opportunities the global pandemic has presented, lessons learned from 2020, and best practices to take into the future, his insights will give you an idea of what to expect in the world of health and fitness in 2021. Please welcome, Jason Stella, to the Escape Your Limits podcast. For more information visit https://escapefitness.com/podcast Video version – https://youtu.be/kFAymkaR7g0 Jason Stella is the National Education Manager for LifeTime Training and a podcast host who has more than 20 years of experience in the health and fitness industry. He's an innovator who has dedicated his life to coaching and consulting the top fitness and nutrition companies in the U.S. and also developed the Alpha Training program. Episode highlights - How to successfully take your personal training business online Importance of having a vision and taking risks Failure is not failure, it's a learning experiences Behavior modification and accountability 5 fundamentals every trainer needs to be successful Why personal development is so important to him How purpose, preparation, performance, and persistence bring out your potential The essentials of creating a successful group training program How the personal training business model is changing due to the pandemic Consistency is the key to your fitness goals. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Jason Stella.

Today, we are speaking with a global health and fitness industry analyst who is committed to improving the health and well-being of society. He is the Founder of Gymtopia, the award-winning platform distinguished for curating corporate social responsibility projects and authoring reports that analyze the fitness industry's evolution. With a mission to help purpose-driven, high-impact social enterprises be successful, he produces work that is both inspiring and influential. His most recent report: Health Club Industry Active Ageing Report argues that the fitness industry needs to harness the opportunity of engaging an ageing society. What do consumers really want? What does it mean to operate a purposeful business? How do you get the government to care about the fitness industry in this era of COVID? You're about to find out. Please welcome the Managing Director of UK-based Oxygen Consulting and Founder of Gymtopia, Ray Algar, to the Escape Your Limits podcast. For more information visit https://escapefitness.com/podcast Video version – https://youtu.be/BqwKwbtllao Escape Your Limits homepage – https://escapefitness.com/podcast Ray Algar is a global health and fitness industry analyst who is committed to improving the health and well-being of society. He is the Founder of Gymtopia, the award-winning platform distinguished for curating corporate social responsibility projects and authoring reports that analyze the fitness industry's evolution. Ray Algar is a UK-based strategic business analyst and adviser to the global health and fitness industry. His entire career has involved collaborating with organisations to encourage people to become healthier and more physically active. Fitness businesses have been started or scaled from the insights contained in his work. He is motivated by a deep sense of curiosity and a desire to produce work that has the capacity to move people. With a mission to help purpose-driven, high-impact social enterprises be successful, he produces work that is both inspiring and influential. Visit www.oxygen-consulting.co.uk to learn more about Ray Algar. Episode highlights - Let go of what's no longer serving you. Consumers don't just want a product. They want a story. Even world-class leaders make mistakes. Big shifts in the ways consumers are interacting with physical activity. Creating places of belonging within the industry. Phenomenon of 'gym substitution.' Why biggest is not always best. Having a compass in times of volatility. Creating social impact. Learning lessons COVID has taught the industry. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Ray Algar.

Today, we're speaking with the founder and CEO of one of America's fastest growing fitness franchises, Bedros Keuilian. He is a sought-after high-performance consultant and mentor, best-selling author, and self-made entrepreneur who has built multiple million dollar generating global brands and businesses. His book, Man Up: How to Cut the Bullshit and Kick Ass in Business (and in Life), is a powerful guide for anyone who wants to grow a company, make a difference, or launch a new brand. He'll teach you to be resourceful and use your purpose, passion, mindset, and determination to overcome any adversity. He is a prime example of what it means to live the American Dream. Are you prepared to learn how to MAN UP and dominate your goals? Please welcome Bedros Keuilian to the Escape Your Limits podcast. For more information visit https://escapefitness.com/podcast Bedros Keuilian is the mastermind behind many of the most successful brands, businesses, thought leaders and best-selling authors throughout multiple industries. Odds are you've seen his international franchise Fit Body Boot Camp in your town, or his coaching and consulting clients on hit TV shows featured on ABC, NBC, Spike TV, in popular magazines, & on top of the New York Times Bestseller list. Bedros Keuilian is the founder and CEO of Fit Body Boot Camp, which is one the fastest growing fitness franchises in the country. He is a sought-after consultant and mentor, a best-selling author, and a self-made entrepreneur. His rags to riches story is a powerful lesson in determination, resourcefulness, and what it means to not only survive, but to thrive. His book, Man Up: How to Cut the Bullshit and Kick Ass in Business (and in Life), is a New York Times Bestseller and will teach you how to use your purpose, passion, mindset, and determination to overcome any adversity. On a mission to shake things up, Bedros is the guy you want to be looking to for advice if you're interested in growing a company, making an impactful difference, or launching a new brand. There is such thing as living the American Dream. He is living it and wants to teach you how to do the same. Visit https://bedroskeuilian.com/ to learn more about Bedros Keuilian. Episode highlights - No politician is going to put me out of business Suffering and adversity mean you're alive Why you shouldn't choose easy over hard How the pandemic can make you a greater leader The power in offering hope to your team To succeed you have to be specific Why businesses need to market their local community Differentiate yourself to beat the competition Join Matthew Januszek in powerful conversation with Bedros Keuilian.

In this week's Escape Your Limits podcast Director and Host, Matthew Januszek, sits down with our podcast Manager, Wendy de Knoop, to discuss navigating the business through 2020 and the invaluable lessons he's learned along the way. Matthew also dives into what to expect from the Escape Fitness brand in the year ahead. Additionally, this episode will present you with powerful and provocative real-life accounts of how some of the most influential and successful people in the world escaped their own limits to overcome mental, physical, and emotional hurdles to champion their highest potential. It is our hope that their stories of self-development and discipline, leadership, getting into elite physical condition, and achieving what others said couldn't be done will inspire you to tap into your own greatness and achieve your goals in 2021. What does it mean to Escape Your Limits? You're about to find out. Tune in to this end of year compilation on the Escape Your Limits podcast. For more information visit https://escapefitness.com/podcast Video version – https://youtu.be/4YRw-9bFokk Over the past 20 years, Escape Fitness has forged countless meaningful relationships with the world's greatest business leaders, entrepreneurs, and industry influencers. Each guest featured in this end of year episode shares specific, actionable, real-life experiences and demonstrates how to champion your highest potential and make success happen for anyone. You're about to discover how to Escape Your Limits. Episode highlights - What you can expect from the Escape Fitness brand in 2021 The lessons Matthew Januszek learned about business and life in 2020 Fitness industry trends to look out for How the world's most influential people overcame adversity to escape their own limits Inspiration to achieve your goals in the New Year Achieving remarkable results not only in business but for the mind and body Join us as we offer insights into what's ahead for Escape Fitness and the industry in 2021 and get inspired by some of the world's greatest leaders to achieve your goals and Escape Your Limits in the New Year.

Today, we are speaking with the Executive Director of a family-owned and operated company that has become the world's largest group fitness provider. What began as a single gym in Auckland, New Zealand, more than 50 years ago has evolved into a business with a network of more than 140,000 trained instructors who deliver exciting training programs to millions of members each week. Driven by the defining philosophy to "make people fall in love with fitness," he has spent decades dedicated to pushing the envelope to offer life-changing fitness experiences to the masses. This ambitious mogul opens up about how he harnessed technology to expand the market, dealt with setbacks and failure, and how digital fitness is shifting the club industry Please welcome the founder and Executive Director of Les Mills International, Phillip Mills, to the Escape Your Limits podcast. For more information visit https://escapefitness.com/podcast Video – https://youtu.be/HipEWhEWh0A Phillip Mills heads up one of the most recognisable brands in fitness. More than 50 years since the launch of the company, he continues to drive the business forward on his father's mission to "make people fall in love with fitness." In 1997, Phillip established Les Mills International, a separate company to Les Mills NZ, in order to take licensed fitness programming to the global market. Always one step ahead of the game, he was quick to realise the power of digital and the opportunities it created to engage and inspire. A focus on enhancing the in-club experience through Trip, the fully immersive cycling experience, Phillip also began rolling out development for Les Mills On Demand. Hailed as the Netflix of Fitness, Les Mills On Demand provides anytime, anywhere access to quality group exercise classes – extending operator influence into homes and daily lives. The goal? To grow the market and drive participants back to their local club. Today, LMI continues to drive a "fitter planet," working with operator partners to engage even more participants across the world. Les Mills International is on a mission to create a fitter planet. For them, that means helping people fall in love with fitness. What began as a single gym in Auckland, New Zealand, more than 50 years ago has evolved into a business with a network of more than 140,000 trained instructors who deliver exciting training programs to millions of members each week. Visit www.lesmills.com to learn more about Phillip Mills and the world's most popular workouts. Episode highlights - You do not freeze during a recession. You find ways to add value to your business. 30% of the world's population are using some kind of gym. Your best defence against the virus is to be fit and healthy. You must do what you love and love what you do. What your best defence against COVID-19 is Marketing to the out of shape and deconditioned market Why Les Mills built huge studios in their clubs What makes Les Mills different than other fitness brands The importance of music and group fitness His views on failure and success Join Matthew Januszek in this insightful conversation with Phillip Mills.