Episodes

618
Oct. 6, 2026

Episode #618: Med Spa Expansion, Regulation, and Niches-Insights from Amanda Guarniere of GuardianMD

Welcome to another episode of HALO Talks. Host Pete Moore sits down with Amanda Guarniere, a Nurse Practitioner, clinical operator, and VP of Sales and Marketing at GuardianMD, where we take a deep dive into the rapidly evolving world of med spas, IV hydration, telehealth, and weight loss services. With the medical wellness sector booming and the lines between fitness, healthcare, and recovery increasingly blurred, operators are eager to tap into these lucrative new categories. Amanda brings ...
617
Sept. 29, 2026

Episode #617: From the Marines to Boardrooms-Jon Sheldon's Lessons on Leadership and Team Dynamics

Welcome back to HALO Talks, where we dive deep into the strategies and stories driving success in the Health, Active Lifestyle, and Outdoor sector. In this episode, host Pete Moore sits down with Jon Sheldon, founder of Belleau Wood Coaching and a true "coach of coaches" who specializes in transforming vision into action. Drawing upon a unique background that includes Marine Corps leadership, financial advisory, and now business coaching for owner-operators across industries, Jon shares battle-...
Guest: Jon Sheldon
Sept. 23, 2026

HALO Talks Fast Break: Revolutionizing Club Benefits-Amy Bach on Welld Health's Impact Across 10,000 Locations

This HALO Talks Fast Break is a must-listen for operators looking to streamline insurance payment headaches and unlock new member revenue with Welld Health. Amy Bach is their Chief Commercial Officer. She joined Pete Moore for a rapid-fire rundown on how tech is transforming check-in reimbursement for gyms and studios nationwide. Some takeaways: 🚦 Real-Time Reimbursement Replaces Frustrations Remember when waiting 2 months for a payout (if it ever came) was "business as usual"? That's hist...
Guest: Amy Bach
616
Sept. 22, 2026

Episode #616: Regenerative Medicine, Market Education, and the Future of Wellness-Insights from Bill Quateman

On this episode of HALO Talks, host Pete Moore sits down with Bill Quateman, founder and international director of Advanced BioCell. Known for his transition from an acclaimed recording artist to a pioneer in orthomolecular medicine and regenerative health therapies, Bill talks about his unique professional path and what he's learned along the way. Listeners will learn how he parlayed lessons from the music industry and personal passion into heading up building a clinic specializing in personali...
Guest: Bill Quateman
615
Sept. 15, 2026

Episode #615: Inside Austin Pickle Ranch with Tim Klitch-Growth, Community, and Private Equity in Pickleball

In this episode, host Pete Moore sits down with Tim Klitch, a former D1 tennis player, "Chief Fun Officer" and co-founder of Austin Pickle Ranch. Pete and Tim talk about everything from how pickleball skyrocketed from a niche sport to a 40-million-player phenomenon, the blend of social energy and accessibility that fuels its growth, and what it really takes to make money in this space. You'll hear how Austin Pickle Ranch's beginnings from a rooftop to a 50,000-square-foot facility, the data-d...
Guest: Tim Klitch
614
Sept. 8, 2026

Episode #614: Building Sweathouz (SWTHZ)-Nico Varano on Scaling, Unit Economics, and Operational Excellence

In this episode of HALO Talks, host Pete Moore sits down with Nico Varano, CEO of SWTHZ who initially started as a franchisee and went on to help built the company into a fast-rising player in the contrast therapy and workout recovery space. Nico talks about his fairly unconventional path from finance into to the HALO sector, reveals why focus and simplicity drive SWTHZ's unit economics, and explains how a data-driven approach helps franchisees scale profitably. With over 100 studios and priv...
Guest: Nico Varano
613
Sept. 1, 2026

Episode #613: SoulFire's Formula-Blending Brand Identity, Community, and Profitability in Boutique Fitness

Welcome to HALO Talks! In this episode, we sit down with Kat and Brooke Wyman, the co-founders behind SoulFire Collective Yoga, a rapidly growing boutique fitness concept in the D.C. metro area. What began as a smaller, community-driven studio at Rehoboth Beach in Delaware, quickly blossomed into a thriving brand with locations in Bethesda and Arlington, thanks to a blend of deep-rooted passion for wellness and sharp operational backgrounds . . . Kat from Lululemon and Brooke from the restaurant...
612
Aug. 25, 2026

Episode #612: Building Community Through Contrast Therapy-Carrie Bacon's Vision for 180 Degree Bathhouse

In this episode, host Pete Moore sits down with Carrie Bacon, a classically trained acupuncturist and co-founder of 180 Degrees Bathhouse in Kansas City. With decades of experience in acupuncture, bodywork, and holistic wellness (sparked by her own journey to recovery) Carrie talks about the intersection of contrast therapy, sauna culture, and acupuncture in building healthier communities. She shares her vision for micro bathhouses as hyper-local hubs combating the epidemic of loneliness and chr...
Guest: Carrie Bacon
611
Aug. 18, 2026

Episode #611: Outpatient Innovation-Dr. Munir Ghesani Discusses Theranostics, Expansion, and Clinical Trials

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Munir Ghesani, Chief Medical Director at United Theranostics, to explore the cutting edge of personalized cancer treatment and the business of scaling innovative healthcare delivery. Dr. Ghesani discusses his three decades long path in New York's academic medicine scene to leading a fast-growing outpatient theranostics group, detailing why he left academia, what makes theranostics uniquely effective for patients, and how United Theranostics is building a nat...
Aug. 13, 2026

HALO Academy Two Minute Financial Drills: The Three Strategic Buyers Circling Independent Operators Right Now

It's Thursday and that means a 2 Minute Financial Drill! Now that we're slowly creeping into the fall and the pending restart of the HALO Academy in a new format (more on that later) keep an eye out for these. This one is clipped from Pete Moore's panel with Brian Smith at Piper Sandler at this past Athletech News ATN Summit in NYC. ● PureGym US, Crunch area developers, and Planet Fitness area developers are the three strategic buyers actively circling independent clubs right now. ● These buy...
Guest: Brian Smith
610
Aug. 11, 2026

Episode #610: Navigating Legal Challenges in Fitness-Cory Sterling on Waivers, Compliance, and Scaling Safely

Welcome back to HALO Talks! In today's episode, host Pete Moore sits down with Cory Sterling, founder of Conscious Counsel, legal advisor, and entrepreneur dedicated to the health, active lifestyle, and outdoor (HALO) sectors. After starting his career in professional sports marketing and feeling uninspired by traditional corporate law, Sterling pivoted to blend his passion for movement and wellness with legal expertise, serving gym owners, studio operators, and wellness entrepreneurs across Nor...
Guest: Cory Sterling
609
Aug. 4, 2026

Episode #609: Building a Fitness Empire-Tony Scrimale Talks Growth, PE Strategy, and the Crunch Brand

Welcome to HALO Talks, where we take deep dives into the minds behind the most dynamic brands in the health, active lifestyle, and outdoors space. In this episode, we're joined by Tony Scrimale, CEO of CR Fitness and a true industry operator whose path took him from upstate New York to the heart of Florida's gym scene. Starting as a young gym enthusiast, Tony's grass-roots experience paved the way for an entrepreneurial ride . . . moving from walking the floor early on, to eventually leading a p...
Guest: Tony Scrimale
608
July 28, 2026

Episode #608: Dario Miceli-Making Padel Magazine and Championing a New Sport in America

In this episode, host Pete Moore sits down with Dario Miceli, the passionate founder of Padel Magazine, to explore the explosive growth and unique challenges of padel, one of the world's fastest-rising racket sports. Dario shares his career path from real estate investor to becoming the unlikely publisher of a global magazine, revealing what makes padel so addictive, how it's carving its own unconventional path in the U.S., and why the current market still feels like the Wild West. From navigat...
Guest: Dario Miceli
607
July 21, 2026

Episode #607: Building EoS Fitness-Growth Strategies and Leadership Lessons from CEO, Rich Drengberg

Welcome to HALO Talks, where host Pete Moore sits down with Rich Drengberg, CEO of EoS Fitness and a seasoned leader in the fitness industry. In a rare podcast appearance, Rich shares his journey from Gold's Gym SoCal to transforming EoS into a powerhouse of high-value, low-price gyms across the Sunbelt. Listeners will get an inside look at EoS's disciplined growth, the importance of industry relationships, lessons from private equity partnerships, and why knowing your brand's identity is crucia...
606
July 14, 2026

Episode #606: Building Planet Fitness-Joe Pepe Jr. on Family Legacy, Private Equity, and Scaling Fitness Clubs

In this episode, we sit down with Joe Pepe Jr., CEO of IGNITE Fitness Holdings, one of the largest Planet Fitness area developers and a second-generation leader in the health club industry. Born into a family deeply rooted in fitness entrepreneurship, with his father tracing back to the industry's early days, Joe shares his path evolving from a family-owned gym business to building one of the most successful Planet Fitness franchises in the country. Pete and Joe also touch on how early risk-t...
Guest: Joe Pepe, Jr.
605
July 7, 2026

Episode #605: How Mighty Pilates Became a Leader-Community Building, Teacher Training, and Smart Expansion

On this episode of HALO Talks, Pete Moore sits down with Cricket Wardein, founder of Mighty Pilates, and Cat Martin, the company's CEO and longtime fan, to explore the explosive growth and evolution of their premium Pilates studio brand. Starting with a single location in San Francisco in 2009, Mighty Pilates has grown to 11 studios, with a 12th on the way, successfully combining authentic, high-quality Pilates instruction with a strong sense of community and innovative business strategies. Lis...
604
June 30, 2026

Episode #604: Offset Loading's Breakthroughs in Athletic Training-Dr. Joel Seedman and Sal LoDuca Discuss

Welcome to another episode of HALO Talks! Today, Pete Moore is joined by Dr. Joel Seedman and Sal LoDuca for a discussion on advanced human performance and an innovative strength training methodology known as offset loading. Sal shares the origins of their company and his quest to enhance the nervous system of athletes through contralateral training and randomized exercise, which led him to discover and collaborate with Dr. Seedman, often referred to as "The father of offset loading." Togethe...
603
June 23, 2026

Episode #603: Behind UFC Gym's Global Franchise Surge with Adam Sedlack

Welcome back to HALO Talks! In this episode, we're joined once again by Adam Sedlack, CEO of UFC Gym, for another conversation that explores the evolution of the brand since his last appearance in May, 2019. (Link below.) Adam takes us behind the scenes on navigating the challenges of COVID-19, transitioning to a franchise-focused, asset-light business model, and expanding globally, with UFC Gyms now operating in 48 countries and growing. You'll hear firsthand how strategic decisions protecte...
Guest: Adam Sedlack
602
June 9, 2026

Episode #602: Connecting Family Fitness-Lessons from GreatLIFE'S Integrated Approach with Nick Ovenden

On this episode of HALO Talks, we welcome Nick Ovenden of GreatLIFE, an organization that has redefined community recreation in the Sioux Falls, South Dakota area. What began as a sort of "accidental" golf course acquisition has evolved into a network of six golf courses, 19 fitness centers, and a bowling alley, serving over 40,000 members within a 90-mile radius. Nick joins us to discuss the unique business model that blends fitness, golf, and family activities under one membership, fostering i...
601
June 2, 2026

Episode #601: Growing Club 16 and She's Fit-Inside British Columbia's Fitness Boom with Trevor Linden and Carl Ulmer

Welcome to HALO Talks NYC! In this episode, in this episodes, host Pete Moore sits down with Vancouver-based fitness entrepreneurs Trevor Linden and Carl Ulmer to explore the fantastic growth behind Club 16 and She's Fit health clubs in British Columbia. From the early days of innovating women's-only fitness spaces to strategic brand evolution and ambitious expansion plans, Trevor and Carl share candid insights on adaptation, leadership, and building a values-driven organization. They discuss...
600
May 26, 2026

Episode #600: Inside Ola Capital-Richey Hansen's Move from Endurance Sports to Healthy Aging Investments

Welcome to HALO Talks! In this episode, host Pete Moore sits down with Richey Hansen, a former college athlete turned sports injury prevention clinic founder, coach, and now. . . venture investor. Drawing from his roots in the sports world and experience leading the Roots Running Project (a nonprofit that supports post-collegiate athletes) Richey talks about the unique dynamics of training groups, the benefits of nonprofit structures for athlete development, and his transition into the world of ...
599
May 19, 2026

Episode #599: Leveraging Incentives for Massive Growth-John Dwyer's Winning Gym Strategies

On this episode of HALO Talks, Pete Moore sits down with internationally renowned marketing expert John Dwyer, also known as JD, for a deep dive into proven direct response marketing strategies that deliver real ROI . . . no vague brand-building promises. Hailing from Australia and celebrated for his practical, results-oriented approach, Jack shares stories from his decades-long career, including how a simple contest formula brought hundreds of qualified leads to gyms at a fraction of the usual ...
598
May 12, 2026

Episode #598: Building an American-Made Brand-Jim Stallman Discusses Eco Global and Imagination Playground

Welcome to HALO Talks! In this episode, host Pete Moore sits down with Jim Stallman, the driving force behind Eco Global Manufacturing, a multi-generational family business based in Providence, Rhode Island. From its humble beginnings in upholstery supply after World War II to a diverse portfolio spanning technical foams, medical supplies, playground equipment, and pet products, Eco Global's story is one of relentless innovation and American manufacturing pride. Jim shares how the company evolv...
597
May 5, 2026

Episode #597: Alexander Tsiaras Explains StoryMD and the Power of Owning Your Medical Data

Welcome back to HALO Talks. In this episode, host Pete Moore sits down with Alexander Tsiaras, founder of StoryMD and a pioneering force at the intersection of digital health and patient empowerment. From his roots as a DARPA programmer developing virtual surgery for astronauts and soldiers (!!) to raising over $55 million in grants and private capital, Alexander has dedicated his career to transforming healthcare data into a powerful, patient-centered narrative. Together, they discuss the frac...