Escape Your Limits

Welcome back to L.I.F.T.S, bringing you the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and stories hitting the headlines and stirring up some debate.   This week’s episode covers some big headlines as hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of Sweatworks, discuss some of the fitness, health and wellbeing stories hitting the headlines.  Every week, our hosts discuss the breaking news, providing their own perspective on the headlines whilst provoking thoughts and conversations. In today’s slightly extended episode, discussions cover: Muscle Centric Medicine and its link to longevity. IKEA’s entry into the home fitness market and the potential impact. Apple acquiring Peloton – insights, feasibility and impact.  Patent infringement in the Fittech and Wellness industries. Apple’s brand image versus its commercial objectives. Diversity, Equality, Inclusion (DEI) – can brands be everything to everyone? Bryan Johnson’s anti-aging Blueprint project. ===================

On this week’s episode of the Escape Your Limits Podcast, we head straight to the beating heart of innovation, walking the floor at CES 2024, Las Vegas, the most powerful tech event in the world, to interview thought leaders and put some of the industry’s most exciting new products and ideas to the test. From digital strength training, smart yoga mats and air-quality monitors, to infrared light therapy devices, complete solutions and office wellness products that generate power as you work, CES 2024 did not disappoint.  From the show floor, we caught up with industry experts including Barry Warrington, CEO at The EnergyLounger, David Araica from Ergomotion, Jørgen Solstad, Head of Consumer Products at Airthings, Jordan Mascaro, Marketing Manager with LifeSpan Fitness, Vinod Ajjarapu, CEO & Founder of Wellnesys and Cheng Chieh Wu with Guangzhou Yuandong Smart Sports Technology. Discussing what each expert is pioneering, supporting and recognizing in the fast-moving world of fitness, this podcast highlights

Welcome to this week’s LIFTS, live from CES 2024, the most powerful tech event in the world, showcasing the latest innovations in AI, connected fitness, healthcare and much more.  On this week’s episode, hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of Sweatworks, take to the show floor to interview some exciting start-ups breaking onto the scene as well as established businesses taking the future of fitness by storm.  They speak with Connor Holowachuk, Co-Founder of Eigen Fitness, Debra Strougo, fitness industry expert, speaker and advisor, Fritz Desir, CEO of Proxie Health, Gary Simpson, Founder of Myrow and Steffan Weiss, CEO & Founder at Straffr and Julian Barnes, CEO and Co-Founder BFS  In this episode, the team discuss; Eigen Fitness’ new innovation ‘Node’, an AI powered wearable which quantifies and personalizes strength training. The future of single device wearables. Dialling up the market with passion projects from small, incubator founders. Proxie

On this week’s episode of the Escape Your Limits podcast, our guest is Eric Uresk, a man on a mission to help people empower their strength, gain unshakeable confidence and master their mindset.  Despite a JiuJitsu and Judo Black Belt, with over 20 years of martial arts and mindfulness experience, Eric has not had a free ride to success. As a teenager, he became a character of violence in order to survive and feel safe, transcending into a life of crime and addiction. Homeless, and facing close brushes with death due to his lifestyle, he turned to the 12-step program at age 23 and began a ‘journey of truth’. Eric transformed his life, becoming a World Champion Mindset Coach, holding Black Belts in JiuJitsu and Judo, now driven to help transform the lives of others through radical honesty, personal responsibility and his signature Martial Arts Mindset program.    In this episode of the Escape your Limits Podcast, Eric talks about:   Fighting addiction; a disease of isolation and separation. Finding a feel

Welcome back to L.I.F.T.S, bringing you the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and stories hitting the headlines and stirring up debate.   This week’s episode covers some big headlines as hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of Sweatworks, come together with Krissy Van, the Director of Content at All Things Fitness and Wellness (ATFW), to discuss what’s hitting the fitness industry headlines.  Each week, our hosts discuss the latest news, providing their own viewpoint on the headlines to open up the debate, all delivered in a snackable, bite-sized 30-minute podcast. Today’s discussion is driven by the following news agenda: New advert from Planet Fitness featuring Grammy-award winner Megan Thee Stallion as ‘Mother Fitness.’ Saudi Arabia NEOM Investment fund to hold 6% in Technogym. NEOM’s focus on improving lifespan and healthspan. Equinox to offer training program for clients using GLP-1s. Resolutions and trends for the New Year. =======================

On this week’s episode of the Escape Your Limits podcast, our guest is Dr. Mike Wasilisin, a chiropractor-come-social-media-influencer, who turned his MoveU social media into a platform to bring his movement practice to the masses.  Through a refreshing combination of visual body art, humor, and ergonomic education, Dr. Mike Wasilisin spearheads a unique, entrepreneurial approach to free people from pain. His methodology focuses around the importance of positional presence, alignment awareness and activation exercises.  A man on a mission, he strongly challenges traditional methods of treating the symptoms instead of the root causes, and empowers people to take back the control of their own bodies and pain by improving the way they move through exercise and throughout their lives.  In this episode of the Escape your Limits Podcast, Dr. Mike talks about:   Why everyone has it in them to live a pain-free life. Frustrations over the current healthcare system.  Anatomy artists, humor, and ergonomic educati

On this week’s episode of the Escape Your Limits podcast, we are joined by two of the industry’s most sought after thought leaders; Anthony Vennare, successful entrepreneur and Founder of Fiit Insider, and Mo Iqbal, Founder and CEO of Sweatworks, to take a look back at the fitness industry ‘Flexes and Fails’ of 2023 as well as discuss 2024 predictions and future trends. The fitness industry has been through a tumultuous time. A time of change, challenges and opportunities. Some innovations have received rocketing success and yet others have fallen by the wayside. Technology has seen a surge in advancements from connected fitness, to AI and AR/VR experiences whilst consumer demand has become more modernized and personalized.  The industry is in a moment of great development, but knowing which innovation, technology or trend to follow presents its own problems.  In this episode of the Escape your Limits Podcast, Matthew, Mo and Anthony discuss 2023 ‘Flexes and Fails’ and debate the predictions and future trend

On this week’s episode of the Escape Your Limits podcast, our guest is Roald Tromp, CEO of CBD Sports. Having exposed his body to many years of competitive sports from baseball, tennis and skiing to CrossFit and MMA, Roald developed a knee injury that resulted in chronic pain. He learnt to live with the pain which not only hampered his athletic performance but also limited his ability to carry out everyday tasks and made it almost impossible to get a good night’s sleep, slowing recovery. Whilst working at a sports exhibition, Roald was encouraged to try a CBD product to help him cope with the knee pain and to get him through the long days. This encounter changed his life and set him on a new journey into the world of cannabinoid products. In 2018, Roald founded CBD Sports, the world’s largest one stop platform offering a range of CBD products specifically for athletes. Roald advocates that any athlete – pro or amateur can benefit from CBD supplements as part of their daily routine. Benefits include fa

On this week’s episode of the Escape Your Limits podcast, our guest is Jay Worthy, a hugely accomplished corporate leader who, at the height of his success, swapped life in the boardroom for life as a self-employed, high-performance coach. Few in the industry have climbed the corporate career ladder as fast as Jason. Having entered the fitness industry as a personal trainer, Jason flipped to supplier side, joining Technogym in a sales role before, in 2012 accepting a position as GM for EMEA with Life Fitness.  This moved marked the start of a meteoric rise through the corporate ranks which included significant stepping stones such as MD UK, MD EMEA, VP of Innovation and CTO, leading to the appointment as President and CEO in 2018. In this role, Jason successfully  led the separation of Life Fitness (a $1BN division of Brunswick Corporation) from parent company  by way of a sale to KPS Capital Partners, then reset the global growth strategy to safeguard the company’s future. In 2022, Jason returned to operati

On this week’s episode of the Escape Your Limits podcast, our guest is Kevin Yates. With a wealth of industry experience, Yates was COO at 1Rebel, the CEO & Founder of TRIB3, a 2022 Great British Entrepreneur of the Year winner and has recently been appointed by Lifts Brands to its EMEA Leadership team as COO, tasked with driving the operations of franchised fitness operator Snap Fitness in the UK and Ireland.  Kevin is known for being an innovative trailblazer, responsible for helping drive the big boutique fitness boom in the UK. He is experienced in business turnaround and development, both in the UK and in emerging markets and is a specialist in bringing creativity, discipline, efficiency and focus to business with his hands-on approach and strategic outlook.  In this episode of the Escape your Limits Podcast, Kevin talks about:   Facing mistakes head-on and taking learnings from them. Differences between owned and franchised businesses. The massive push on boutique fitness growth. Opportuni

Welcome back to L.I.F.T.S, bringing you the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and stories hitting the headlines and stirring up debate.   This week’s episode covers some big headlines as hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of Sweatworks, together with special guest, Joe De Sena, Founder and CEO of Spartan Race, discuss the breaking stories shaping the fitness industry.  Every week, our hosts discuss the breaking news, providing their own perspective on the headlines whilst provoking thoughts and conversations, all delivered in a quick-fix, 30-minute podcast. Today’s discussion is driven by the following news agenda: UFC CEO, Dana White gives in to cancel culture in Peloton tirade. Tonal announces retail expansion, now available at Best Buy. Beyond Meat is struggling and plant-based meat industry worries. ====================================================== Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new video when

On this week’s episode of the Escape Your Limits podcast, our guest is James Balfour, founder of the  iconic, trailblazing, boutique fitness brand, 1Rebel. When the brand entered the market in 2014, it reimagined fitness, offering an endorphin-rich, community drive experience that combined beautifully quirky, high-end environments with quality programming, instruction and community. This was arguably the start of the boutique fitness revolution. In this podcast, James Balfour gives a very candid account of the brand’s pandemic survival strategy, its strategic pivots to remain relevant, strong and sustainable through changing market conditions and a glimpse at the brand’s future ambitions. James’ also talks about his personal experience of the pandemic. As an eternal optimist, he always believed the storm would eventually pass, which it did, but at what cost? James talks about the collateral damage and harsh lessons learned about the importance of family and friendship. In this podcast, James talks very frank

Welcome back to L.I.F.T.S, bringing you the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and stories hitting the headlines and stirring up debate.   This week’s episode covers some big headlines as hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of Sweatworks, together with special guest, Glen Stollery, CEO Les Mills IMEA, discuss the breaking stories shaping the fitness industry.  Every week, our hosts discuss the breaking news, providing their own perspective on the headlines whilst provoking thoughts and conversations, all delivered in a quick-fix, 30-minute podcast. Today’s discussion is driven by the following news agenda: Gym Nation’s separation from JD Sports. F45 Founder Rob Deutsch’s move to The Yard. The evolution of boutique fitness. Oulu’s attempt to sue Ultra Human for copying Oura ring tech. The launch of Lifetime Fitness’ wellness brand Miora. The integration of wellness services into the traditional fitness offer. ===========================================

On this week’s episode of the Escape Your Limits podcast, our guests are Vishal Amin and Daniel Chappell, Co-Founders of UNTIL, a member’s club and workspace spinning the industry on its head. A business launch with an ambition to fix a broken industry, UNTIL is liberating freelance practitioners and small businesses by providing them with access to premium facilities, digital products and expertise to help them grow their business.   Vishal has spent his career unlocking business opportunities from early stage start-ups to global organizations whilst Daniel has a wealth of experience working in the world of fitness and sport that spans over a decade.   In this episode of the Escape your Limits Podcast, Vishal and Daniel talk about:   Shaking up an archaic industry.  Empowering practitioners to know their ‘brand’. Consolidating a fragmented industry. Being a ‘petri-dish’ for practitioners.  Having a proactive mindset to health and fitness. Creating a high-quality, supportive community of professi

Welcome back to L.I.F.T.S, bringing you the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and stories hitting the headlines and stirring up some debate.   This week’s episode is hot off the press as hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of Sweatworks, together with special guest, Jim Crowell, sought after fitness industry investor and advisor and Managing Member from Sage House, deep dive into the headlines rocking the fitness world. Every week, our hosts discuss the breaking news, providing their own perspective on the headlines whilst provoking thoughts and conversations, all delivered in a quick-fix, 30-minute podcast. Today’s discussion is driven by the following news agenda: The launch of the new Apple watch. Apple disrupting healthcare. Spartan Arabia distancing itself from Founders comments. UFC President slamming Peloton. ====================================================== Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a n

On this week’s episode of the Escape Your Limits podcast, our guest is James Griffiths, founder of Wild Training, a hugely successful and growing fitness brand. Having established a franchise business in 2010 that went on to successfully operate 27 franchises under the Wild Fitness brand, James moved his attention to the creation of Wild Training Gym, a unique training facility based in the UK that coaches everyone from beginners to pro athletes.  Applying the unique Wild Training philosophy James works with his team of coaches to help athletes maximize power, endurance and control across the full range of natural movement.  The learnings, knowledge and experience used by James to fuel Wild Training come from an insatiable curiosity and drive to absorb and apply as much information as he can from the experiences of other successful coaches, athletes and business leaders.  Through adapting elements of established training systems including CrossFit, HYROX and even the ancient art of Capoeira plus the integrat

Welcome back to L.I.F.T.S, bringing you the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and stories hitting the headlines and stirring up some debate.   This week’s episode is jam-packed with news as hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of Sweatworks, together with special guest, Debra Strougo, fitness industry advisor and founder of Row House, dissect the headlines rocking the fitness world. Every week, our hosts discuss the breaking news, providing their own perspective on the headlines whilst provoking thoughts and conversations, all delivered in a quick-fix, 30-minute podcast. Today’s discussion is driven by the following news agenda: The rebranding of Nautilus. Anytime Fitness’ collaboration with Apple. HYROX and Centr’s partnership. Lifetime Fitness’ move to offer member injectable weight loss drug. ====================================================== Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new video when it’s pub

On this week’s episode of the Escape Your Limits podcast, our guest is Todd Payette, champion Bodybuilder, renowned prep coach and praised author of ‘Shoulder Down’, a book detailing his journey seeking the ultimate in physical perfection while battling his inner demons.  After finding his father’s body shortly after his suicide, a six-year-old Todd battled to find a place in the world from an early age. Channeling a subsequent fear of death to drive his passion for health and fitness, setting out on a quest to be a bigger, faster and stronger version of himself, ultimately building an amour around himself.  Despite his success as a bodybuilder, Todd took a difficult road through life, facing both physical and mental abuse, homelessness and incarceration along the way. Having learnt some impactful life lessons, he now champions positivity, not letting your past hold you back and never giving up.  In this episode of the Escape your Limits Podcast, Todd talks about:   How is fear of death drove his passion t

Welcome back to the fourth episode of L.I.F.T.S., bringing you the latest industry fitness trends and stories hitting the headlines and stirring up some debate.   This week, hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of Sweatworks, are joined by industry expert, entrepreneur and Founder of Endorphinz, Mike Hansen to deep dive into the latest fitness news making the headlines.  In today’s episode of LIFTS, we’re talking about: Beachbody receives notice of NYSE Trading Share Price Listing Rule Non-Compliance F45 files ‘restated’ financials reporting a $372M Loss Bhout successful in raising 10 million euros to spread its ultra-smart boxing bag and gamified studio concept Johnson Health Tech launches a digital studio in the UK Escape Fitness partnership with Hyperice  ====================================================== Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new video when it’s published: https://www.youtube.co

On this week’s episode of the Escape Your Limits podcast, our guest is Ugo Amobi.  As Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Nano Genesis Labs, a 4-year-old bionanotechnology company, Ugo is one of the world’s leading pioneers in this new and exciting science.  Working with his team of engineers and scientists, Ugo is investing in and developing the application of nanotechnology to affectively administrate natural carbon molecules with healing equalities to tackle some of the world’s most prolific health inhibitors including inflammation, chronic pain, cancer, suppressed immunity and brain function impairment. In addition to his commercial, nanotechnology research and development company, Ugo is also investing in microgrids and energy creation technologies with the aim of electrifying the entire continent of Africa with its 1.2 billion citizens. This will substantially increase the living standard for everyone, creating jobs and business opportunities that cannot exist without a reliable and dependable supply of elec