Escape Your Limits

In this episode of LIFTS, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with fitness technology veteran Leon Rudge for a deep dive into three major stories shaping the industry: the Basic‑Fit/Clever‑Fit mega‑merger, the Strava vs Garmin lawsuit, and Ladder's push into integrated nutrition tracking. Leon also shares insights from four months immersed in Southeast Asia's digital‑nomad tech hubs. Key topics include: • Leon's experiences inside Southeast Asia's booming digital‑nomad tech scene. • Why the Basic‑Fit acquisition signals a new phase for European fitness. • The real story behind the Strava vs. Garmin lawsuit. • Why integration, not features, is the new competitive advantage. • How Ladder is using nutrition tracking to boost retention. • The rise of AI across fitness products and ecosystems. • Why culture gets lost as companies scale and how to prevent it. • Predictions for global fitness technology in 2025–2026.  

In this episode of the LIFTS Podcast, Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with Dr. Sean Pastuch, founder of Active Life, to challenge the industry's obsession with recovery rooms and redefine what it truly means to treat fitness as healthcare. From debunking lazy innovation to outlining a blueprint for gyms that prioritize people over gadgets, this conversation reimagines how fitness professionals can become the front line of real health transformation. Key topics include: • Why recovery rooms are the 'lazy man's innovation.' • The economics and illusion of retention in gyms. • How trainers can evolve into healthcare professionals. • The difference between preventative and responsive fitness. • How to attract and develop high-value trainers. • When AI should, and shouldn't-- replace human judgment. • Why fitness must specialize like medicine to truly grow.  

In this special remote episode of the LIFTS Podcast, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with Liz Clark and Anton Severin of the Health & Fitness Association (formerly IHRSA) to unpack the 2024–2025 Global Fitness Report and explore the intersection of data, health, and the future of fitness. Recorded across three continents, this conversation dives deep into how exercise is redefining healthcare, the evolving role of recovery and wellness, and what's next for the global industry. Key topics discussed: The new definition of obesity and its massive implications for public health. How fitness must be recognized as preventative healthcare. Global fitness market growth and emerging trends. Why recovery and wellness are now the new anchors in gyms. The rise of wearables, AI, and the need for standardized fitness data. Bridging fitness with healthcare through credible evidence and policy. The future of the FIT Act and global legislative momentum. Recruiting and retaining qualified trainers and i

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S – your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories. In this episode, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal are joined by Dan Uyemura, CEO and Founder of PushPress, to explore how AI and technology are reshaping the fitness industry while keeping the human touch at the core. Key topics include: Why boutique gym owners remain optimistic despite economic headwinds. How AI tools like Gym Happy are changing client engagement. The balance between human-to-human connection and automation. Why churn and onboarding are the most important KPIs to track. How AI adoption differs across generations and what that means for gyms. The importance of trust, privacy, and protecting client data. Predictions on how AI will evolve in fitness over the next few years. Why execution matters more than optimism when running a gym. How community and culture will always anchor fitness experiences.

Join hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal for a special series of sit-down interviews recorded live at W3Fit North America. From recovery trends to leadership lessons, these conversations uncover what’s really shaping the fitness industry today. Key highlights include: Jarrod Saracco on the real ROI of recovery and why most clubs still can’t monetize it. Hillis Lake on 40 years of strength training evolution—from Nautilus to CrossFit. Patrick Regan on leading with authenticity and casting the right culture. Eric Weber on Woodway’s legacy and the future of treadmill innovation. Kent Lehnhoff on bridging fitness and nutrition with evidence-based supplements. Hector Troncoso on bringing high-quality fitness to the Mexican middle class. How HYROX and CrossFit changed how we view athleticism. The future of education and recovery certifications. The problem of misinformation in the influencer era.

Live from W3Fit North America, Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with guests Star Sage and Loryn Huff to discuss the latest fitness industry trends. From billion-dollar wearable valuations to AI-powered recovery and celebrity-backed fitness ventures, this panel explores the future of wellness. Key Topics: Oura’s $11B valuation and the future of wearables. Closed vs. open data ecosystems in fitness tech. Tom Brady’s AI-powered massage company and scalability concerns. The evolving role of recovery as an essential moat for gyms. Dua Lipa’s investment in Pilates and Gen Z engagement. How premium clubs deliver longevity, not just sweat. Celebrity partnerships vs. real consumer impact. Industry identity, intentionality, and member retention strategies.

Live from W3Fit North America at the Four Seasons Westlake Village, Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal host a special onstage edition of the LIFTS podcast. In this wide-ranging conversation, they explore the future of the fitness industry—from AI gyms and private equity consolidation to the booming recovery market and the resurgence of strength training. Discussion highlights include: What makes live podcasts unique compared to studio episodes. First impressions of Fred Fitness, the AI-first gym. The impact of mergers, acquisitions, and private equity in fitness tech. How AI is reshaping software, business, and member experience. Why recovery is the next big differentiator for gyms. Programming and personalization in recovery spaces. Revenue and retention gains from recovery add-ons. Strength training, Pilates, and pickleball as the future modalities. The cultural rise of run clubs and community-based fitness. How fitness brands can innovate to stay ahead of shifting trends.

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S – your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories. This week, Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with Marco Benitez—former Taekwondo champion turned biomedical engineer and now CEO of rook, a health tech company that transforms wearable data into actionable health insights. Together, they explore how wearables are reshaping the future of fitness, healthcare, and personal health. Key topics covered include: Why your smartwatch might already know more about your health than your doctor. How Apple, Samsung, and Aura are competing in the wearable health space. The challenge of making sense of endless health data. What FDA approval for consumer wearables really means. How fitness coaches and gyms can use wearable data to improve client outcomes. The differences in HRV tracking across Apple, Whoop, and Aura. Wearables as a bridge between fitness and healthcare industries. The future of implants, rings, and continuous monitoring devices.

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S – your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories. In this episode, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with entrepreneur and engineer Rami Alhamad, co-founder and CEO of Alma, an AI-powered nutrition companion. From his early days building PUSH, the pioneering strength-tracking wearable later acquired by WHOOP, to his mission with Alma, Rami shares insights on persistence, startup timing, decision-making, and the future of fitness technology. Key topics covered include: How persistence and decision-making frameworks shaped Rami’s entrepreneurial journey. The origins of PUSH and its role in strength-tracking innovation. Why timing is everything in startups. Rami’s decision to sell PUSH to WHOOP and lessons learned. The pivot from hardware to AI-powered nutrition with Alma. Why ChatGPT is Alma’s real competitor. Challenges in nutrition tracking and how AI is solving them. Insights into branding, Nike, and the importance of offlin

In this special debate episode of the LIFTS Podcast, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal are joined by guest co-host Jack Thomas (Fitness Business Asia) to moderate a high-level discussion on the impact of ClassPass for boutique fitness owners. Industry voices Jeff Bladt (ClassPass/Playlist) and Rachel Hirsch (Wellness Growth Ventures, The 2% Club, and studio owner) share opposing perspectives on whether ClassPass is a powerful growth partner or a dangerous dependency. Discussion highlights include: The origin and evolution of ClassPass. How ClassPass transformed consumer behavior in fitness. Free trials, pricing power, and fairness for studios. Parallels with aggregators in travel, dining, and delivery. Revenue data showing both growth and risks for studio owners. Strategies to avoid over-reliance on ClassPass. How ClassPass affects women-led boutique studios. Industry-wide calls for better collaboration between aggregators and studios.

On this week’s episode of the Escape Your Limits Podcast, we welcome Owen Hanson, a dynamic entrepreneur, former athlete and the ultimate example of crime to come back. Once a USC football player with a bright future, Owen’s competitive drive led him to build a multi- million-dollar bookmaking business — but that success came at a cost. Drawn deeper into the criminal underworld, Owen became entangled with one of the world’s most dangerous cartels, running international drug operations while living a life of extreme luxury. After his dramatic arrest by the FBI — helicopters, undercover agents, and all — Owen found himself locked in a 6x8 prison cell. But instead of giving up, he found a new purpose: fitness, mindset mastery, and even launching a protein ice-cream brand from behind bars. In this powerful episode, Owen shares his jaw-dropping journey from national championships to Cartel connections, from extravagant spending to creative prison hustles, and ultimately to a path of personal redemption. He opens u

In this episode of the LIFTS podcast, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with Lauren Foundos, founder of Forte (recently acquired by Echelon Fitness). Lauren shares her journey from Wall Street bond trading to becoming a pioneer in digital fitness, her lessons from building Forte, and her insights on the future of the fitness industry. Highlights: - How Lauren transitioned from Wall Street to fitness entrepreneurship. - The early challenges of selling digital fitness before gyms were ready. - Lessons learned from building and rebuilding fitness tech. - How content drives engagement and performance in gyms. - Why personal training is undervalued and how to fix it. - The explosive growth of Pilates and low-impact workouts. - How wearables and AI are reshaping fitness engagement. - The power of intellectual property in fitness tech. - Predictions for the future of gyms, training, and consumer behavior.

In this episode of LIFTS, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with Michael Ramsey, co-founder of Strong Pilates, to explore the explosive growth of Pilates worldwide. Ramsey shares his journey from F45 franchise success to launching Strong Pilates, a unique fusion of strength, cardio, and Pilates that has rapidly expanded across 14 countries. The discussion covers the evolution of boutique fitness, the importance of product innovation, franchise support, marketing strategies, and the controversial role of ClassPass. Key Topics: How an injury led Ramsey to discover Pilates. The fusion of strength, cardio, and Pilates in Strong. Franchise growth from Australia to the US. Why boutique studios still win over big box gyms. The critical role of innovation in fitness. Marketing strategies and customer acquisition costs. The challenges and opportunities of ClassPass. Building trust and community in local markets. Handling criticism from traditionalists in Pilates. Future outlook for Strong Pilates and

Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal speak with Royi Metser, Founder & CEO of Avelo Running, about the explosive growth of running, the evolution of smart footwear, and how data-driven insights are changing the sport forever.   In this episode, you’ll learn: How Gen Z and women are driving the second running boom. Why running clubs are replacing bars as social hubs. The challenges big brands faced in launching smart shoes. How Avelo integrates cutting-edge materials with advanced sensors. The importance of mechanical load monitoring for injury prevention. Why Kickstarter backers snapped up Avelo’s first batch in under 20 hours. Insights on running form myths and individual biomechanics. The role of gyms and treadmills in the future of running. How data can help every runner train smarter and safer.

Matthew and Mo dive into this week’s hottest fitness topics — from personal diet experiments to the future of wearables in healthcare, political plays in fitness, market shifts in Pilates, and the explosive rise of Hyrox. This no-guest episode is packed with insights, debates, and predictions shaping the fitness industry. In this episode: • Matthew’s 5-week results on the Warrior Diet. • Mo’s take on the White House wearable health initiative. • The political and cultural impact of reviving the Presidential Fitness Challenge. • Why Pilates is booming — and if it’s nearing saturation. • Planet Fitness’ rumored acquisition of Basic-Fit. • How Hyrox is becoming a lifestyle brand. • Predictions for the next mega-brands in fitness.   Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes. Contact us at wendy@escapefitness.com for advertising opportunities. Subscribe on YouTube and turn on notifications so you never miss a new video: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness

In this episode of LIFTS, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal welcome Star Sage, a leading force in the recovery and wellness industry. Star shares her expertise from years at Hyperice and how recovery is now central to events, gyms, hotels, and even Gen Z culture. Highlights include: How Hyperice helped redefine recovery in mainstream culture. The shift from cocktail hours to compression lounges at elite events. Why hotels are investing in 24/7 recovery rooms. The Gen Z obsession with wellness over nightlife. How recovery boosts gym retention and member engagement. Underrated recovery methods that need more hype. New intersections between hospitality, entertainment, and wellness. Star's predictions for the future of recovery.

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S – your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories. In this episode, Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with Sal Pellegrino, Executive Director of FISA, to uncover key trends shaping the fitness industry. From Gen Z’s influence on gym design to tariffs and global supply chain issues, this conversation delivers actionable insights for club operators, suppliers, and fitness professionals. Topics include: Origins and purpose of FISA. Key insights from the FISA Trend Report. Why Gen Z is reshaping gym design. Strength training vs. cardio trends post-pandemic. Impact of tariffs on fitness equipment pricing. Growth and strategies behind Planet Fitness. The influence of technology, AI, and social media. Future predictions for gym models and wellness hubs.

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S – your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories. In this compelling episode, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal speak with fitness veteran Rod Hill about his latest venture, ZENERGIE – a revolutionary gym concept focused on longevity, functional health, and the 40+ demographic. Topics include: Why Rod believes the 40+ market is the most underserved in fitness. Spain’s role as a rising longevity hub. How AI and smart equipment are shaping personalized wellness. Rod’s critique of pharmaceuticals vs. fitness in preventative care. What ZENERGY offers that traditional gyms and wellness centers don’t. The link between emotional well-being, strength, and VO2 max. Franchising fitness for healthspan, not just lifespan. Educating vs. intimidating: a new approach to member engagement.

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S – your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories. In this episode of LIFTS, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with Brian von Ancken, wellness entrepreneur and mastermind community leader, to dive into the future of fitness, biohacking, and collaborative innovation. From protein cold foam to recovery clogs, and even fecal transplants, nothing is off the table.   Key Topics Discussed: Brian’s journey scaling brands like Tough Mudder, Barry’s, and Othership. How his mastermind group connects over 200 wellness entrepreneurs. Elite athlete fecal transplants: biohacking or bizarre?. The explosion of protein products in mainstream retail. Innovation in recovery footwear and smart shoes. How to responsibly vet science and trends in wellness. Why American foods still use dyes banned in Europe. The rise of wellness as the new luxury experience. Building a supportive and ethical health industry community.

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S – your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories. Matthew and Mo sit down with Edward Hertzman, founder of Athletech News, to unpack insights from last week’s Innovation Summit in NYC. From fitness industry disruption and wearable tech to rethinking health outcomes and branding, they explore where the industry is heading. Key takeaways include: Why the fitness industry may need a new name. The dangers of unregulated TRT use and peptide clinics. Tracking actual health outcomes instead of just gym check-ins. The role of wearables in reshaping accountability and personalization. How HVLP models like EOS and Crunch are thriving. The strategic value of long-term thinking in event planning. What disruption in fitness can learn from other industries. The surprising power of fashion and discipline in health branding. Opportunities for collaboration across wellness, hospitality, and tech.