Escape Your Limits

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 d

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

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 i

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 thousand

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,

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

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 com

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

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

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 Peters

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

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

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 ver

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 wel

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

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 ind

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:

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