Episodes

Larry Blundred found solace and a new passion through an unexpected yet heartwarming intervention by friends. In the wake of his wife's passing due to a brain tumor, Larry was navigating a tumultuous period, balancing the demands of his job and his role as a caretaker. Amidst all this, he was introduced to pickleball by two friends. Initially unfamiliar with the game and without a paddle, he quickly embraced the sport, finding both emotional refuge and camaraderie on the court. His journey into ...

Barbara Safani began her career in human resources with a specialization in recruiting candidates. Her career took a transformative turn when she found herself searching for new opportunities and ended up having to revamp her own professional narrative. This provided her with valuable insights into the many challenges job seekers face. Motivated by her newfound perspective, she decided to leverage her recruitment skills to help candidates present themselves more effectively to potential employer...

James McGinniss is the Co-Founder and CEO of David Energy, a technology-enabled electricity provider that caters primarily to multi-location businesses, quick-serve restaurants, and fitness brands, with a special emphasis on the latter. A mechanical engineering Master's graduate from the University of Texas, James was drawn to the renewable energy sector during a significant solar and wind power boom in the state. Witnessing firsthand the economic opportunities in solar, he recognized this as a ...

In today's special episode (big #500!) host Pete Moore hands the mic to industry veteran Al Noshirvani and dives into a wealth of topics currently affecting the HALO (Health, Active Lifestyle, Outdoor) sector. Listen for insightful stories about overcoming business challenges, from employee and landlord issues to the complexities of deal funding, and aligning management teams. Pete shares his personal and professional experiences and Al (who has been "in the room" on some deal closings) praises...

Ryan Valencic, an accomplished entrepreneur with a 12+ years in the trenches, has built and successfully exited multiple businesses. With a family background in franchising, Ryan continues to hone his skills as a serial entrepreneur, currently overseeing multiple companies. He is in the midst of launching an innovative health tech platform and about a year ago, Ryan joined Cultivate Advisors to lead their partnerships, drawing on his extensive professional experience to drive new opportunities. ...

We're excited to welcome back Kevin McHugh, a legend in the HALO sector and a key player in helping reinvent the Atlantic Club. (Check out his first episode here if you missed it.) Host Pete Moore sits down with Kevin and delves into how the Atlantic Club took the challenging COVID-19 shutdown as an opportunity to completely rethink and transform their business model and facilities. Kevin provides an in-depth look at the strategic decisions and renovations that not only helped them recover post...

Sara Al Hardan's journey into the fit tech industry began unexpectedly when she joined a small startup that unfortunately didn't succeed. This eventually led her to connect with Jeff Miller who shared with her an innovative lateral motion device called the Phantom Edge, which he and his brother Ken invented. With a strong background and passion for health, wellness, and mobility—fueled by her personal connection to Parkinson's disease through her mother—Sara jumped in. She and Pete discuss the ...

Neal Valera's passion for golf began in college, where he competed at the collegiate level. Aspiring to turn pro, he realized he wasn't quite at that level. Unwilling to settle for a "traditional desk job," he began personal training in 2007. His entreprenurial spirit led him to collaborate with his business partner, Dennis Dunphy, in 2015. Together, they attended a course with Dr. Arthur Faygenholtz who specialized in stick stretching. Inspired by their mentor, Neal and Dennis developed an inno...

Dan Schreiber is a dedicated fitness enthusiast and a former athlete who enjoys the simplicity and effectiveness of outdoor exercises. With a philosophy rooted in maximizing training efficiency, Dan appreciates workouts that integrate both strength and conditioning without the confines of traditional gym settings. Embracing the freedom of outdoor activities, he often engages in HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training), plyometrics, and hiking to maintain a robust fitness regimen. His athletic ba...

Sandra Statz is a seasoned veteran in the beauty industry and the inspiration behind the innovative beauty brand, AP Chem. With a focus on the often overlooked Gen X market, Sandra brings a wealth of experience from her days at major beauty conglomerates. In this episode we'll dive into the origins of AP Chem, discussing the unique approach Sandra and her Co-Founder are taking to create science-forward, fun, and effective beauty products targeted at mature consumers. We also touch on the inters...

We're excited to have Blake Rose and Brian Price from OLA Beach Tennis on the episode. These childhood friends-turned-entrepreneurs share their journey of bringing the vibrant and accessible sport of beach tennis from Rio's shores to the sands of Southern California. Learn how they transformed a fun discovery abroad into a flourishing community-building sport that mixes play, wellness, and social interaction. Beach tennis isn't simply about the game. These guys have created a fantastic space whe...

Nick Allen is the visionary Founder behind Sunnyside, a pioneering health and wellness app designed for individuals who consume alcohol regularly and are looking to moderate their habits without committing to complete sobriety. Motivated by the lack of middle-ground solutions in the alcohol health space, Nick identified a substantial demographic of people who drink more than what might be considered healthy and are interested in adjusting their drinking habits, yet have no intention of becoming ...

Delaine Fowler is an innovative physical therapist with over 20 years experience. Early in her career, she noted a recurring pattern; numerous workers from the same company were suffering identical injuries. Driven by curiosity and a proactive mindset, she started reaching out to these companies, offering to tour their facilities to attempt to understand the underlying causes of these injuries. She quickly recognized an opportunity to intervene before workers ever needed medical attention. She ...

Alexa Newkirk has always seen wellness and fitness as her sanctuary—a vital outlet from the everyday challenges of adolescence and an effective tool in her battle against anxiety and depression during high school. Recognizing the profound impact that holistic health—encompassing physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being—had on her life, Alexa was inspired to dedicate herself to guiding young individuals in discovering their own passion for health and wellness. At bKYND ("Be Kind"), whe...

Henry Penix is an innovative entrepreneur in the holistic health industry who embarked on a transformative journey about eight years ago when he co-founded a unique clinic. This space was a melting pot of traditional and alternative medicines, featuring professionals ranging from MD's and DO's to chiropractors, offering a diverse array of healing modalities. Amidst these varied treatments, Penix and his team discovered the profound impact of sound frequency therapies. The approach was so succes...

Radz Zalewski, an astute entrepreneur with a passion for fitness and branding, is all about transforming how gyms create and maintain their connections with members. Recognizing the pivotal role that supplements and apparel play in establishing a gym's identity, he holds a firm belief that every individual wearing a gym's shirt not only promotes the brand but also strengthens the communal bond. His approach targets missed opportunities for brand connection by ensuring that members endorse their ...

Lauren Brenner is the innovative mind behind the groundbreaking fitness concept, Powerbox 360—a fusion of an immersive nightlife energy vibe with a killer workout. Brenner's concept transports participants into a 360 degree panorama of pulsating visuals and heart-pounding beats reminiscent of an electrifying club environment. Her vision extends beyond "just" the workout though. She aspires to transform attendees from passive onlookers to dynamic players in their fitness journey. With a fierce ...

Matt Slowinski, a college junior when the pandemic struck, found himself at a crossroads along with his friend Aaron Reznik. With their academic lives interrupted and traditional internships inaccessible, Matt turned to his long-standing passion for tennis as a way to fill his time. For years, he and Aaron had coached private tennis lessons during the summer break. As they sought to shape their uncertain futures, Matt's entrepreneurial nature shone through. Leveraging his skill on the court, he...

Maxine Carrington is the Chief People Officer at Northwell Health. She's a highly recognized, dedicated, and forward-thinking professional who works closely with a team led by CEO Michael Dowling. Reflecting her company's expansive vision of health, she takes her role far beyond the traditional confines of her industry. Maxine is not one to simply wait for illness to manifest in her 85,000+ community; she is a proactive leader who seeks to address the root causes of health issues before they esc...

Chris Craytor's journey with IHRSA, now formally known as the Health and Fitness Association, is a story of transformation and strategic development. When Craytor first joined the board, he was immediately faced with the challenge of fundraising for advocacy—a task that was met with more rejections than approvals. Despite the difficulty in securing even modest contributions, his determination did not wane. Recognizing the newly imperative need for advocacy given what happened to fitness clubs n...

Monica Marder, a dynamic entrepreneur with a penchant for wellness innovation, embarked on a transformative journey in 2018 when she founded her first fitness studio. Struggling to find a workout regimen that was both low impact and incorporated functional strength training, but distinctly different from traditional Pilates, Monica envisioned an alternative that combined intensity with a result-driven atmosphere. Her previous corporate job required extensive travel, allowing her to scout fitnes...

Ethan Blauner's story begins in the tumultuous period of the pandemic when the doors of the (unfortunately now defunct) Switch Playground--like many big box and boutique gyms across the globe--shuttered and left trainers wandering in an uncertain fitness landscape. As routines crumbled, Ethan faced the challenge that rattled the entire industry . . . the abrupt transition from physical spaces to a virtual existence where the workout mat was to become the new gym floor. It was during this time o...

Sid Raman is a structural engineer with over three decades of experience in the construction and building sector. His expertise took an innovative turn roughly seven years ago, as he delved into the niche of construction automation and robotics. Sid discovered a new-found excitement in the application of motors and controllers, and the fascinating overlap between the principles governing both construction machinery and robotic systems. Host Pete Moore and Sid sit down to discuss the ground brea...

Matthew Schober is the Co-Founder of Concierge Health (previously known as Gym Farm), a company that provides services to fitness facilities. Host Pete Moore and Matt discuss ancillary revenues, establishing new revenue streams for clubs, and the complex challenges and opportunities in the insurance and corporate markets. Matthew elaborates on how Concierge Health's platform--Connections--integrates AI coaching, nutrition, and employee well-being, offering an engaging experience for individuals ...