The Power of Presence in Business, Health and Leadership with Dave Nixon

What if success in business and life wasn’t about doing more, but removing what gets in the way? In this episode of Profit Made Simple, Coach Dan Henderson sits down with Dave Nixon – gym owner, TEDx speaker, author and high-performance coach – for a deeply reflective conversation on presence, performance and building a business that truly aligns with who you are.

From starting in the fitness industry at 15 to sleeping in his gym and surviving on tins of tuna, Dave shares the raw realities of entrepreneurship and the lessons that shaped his unconventional approach to business. Together, Dan and Dave explore why the best gyms aren’t just gyms, how community and culture outperform marketing spend, and why being present in the small moments unlocks performance in the big ones. This episode challenges traditional models of success and invites you to rethink leadership, health and growth through a more human, sustainable lens.

Our favourite quotable moments:

“The best gyms weren’t gyms – the best gyms had gyms.” – Dave Nixon

“Being present isn’t about adding more, it’s about removing what’s in the way.” – Dave Nixon

“We are our own bottleneck, and everything flows downstream from that.” – Dave Nixon

Resources:

Dan Henderson - Website, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube

About Guest:

Dave Nixon is a high-performance coach, gym owner, TEDx speaker and author. With over 20 years in the fitness industry, Dave works with athletes, business owners and leaders to help them become more present in everyday moments and perform at their best when it matters most.

About Dan:

Dan Henderson, founder of Fitness Profit, is a coach and business consultant who helps fitness owners achieve more freedom, impact, and income. With over a decade of experience in the industry, Dan is a well-respected leader, owning two successful businesses within the space: Fitness Profit and Australia's largest fitness conference, Filex. As a published author and entrepreneur, Dan shares his knowledge on the Profit Made Simple podcast, where he interviews industry experts and offers practical advice for growing your fitness business, building your brand, and achieving your goals. Join Dan each week and take your fitness business to new heights with Profit Made Simple.

Related: presence, performance, leadership, community, personal development, high performance, fitness business, coaching