LIFTS Episode 98 - Strava vs Garmin, Basic‑Fit Expansion & AI's Rise with Leon Rudge

In this episode of LIFTS, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with fitness technology veteran Leon Rudge for a deep dive into three major stories shaping the industry: the Basic‑Fit/Clever‑Fit mega‑merger, the Strava vs Garmin lawsuit, and Ladder's push into integrated nutrition tracking.

Leon also shares insights from four months immersed in Southeast Asia's digital‑nomad tech hubs.

Key topics include:

• Leon's experiences inside Southeast Asia's booming digital‑nomad tech scene.

• Why the Basic‑Fit acquisition signals a new phase for European fitness.

• The real story behind the Strava vs. Garmin lawsuit.

• Why integration, not features, is the new competitive advantage.

• How Ladder is using nutrition tracking to boost retention.

• The rise of AI across fitness products and ecosystems.

• Why culture gets lost as companies scale and how to prevent it.

• Predictions for global fitness technology in 2025–2026.

👉 To learn more about Leon Rudge click here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonrudge/

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00:00 Intro & Retreat Check‑In

01:26 Matthew's Immersive Retreat

03:05 Guest Intro: Leon Rudge

03:36 Why Leon Moved to Southeast Asia

05:24 Traditional Tech vs the New Tech Mindset

06:36 AI‑Driven Digital Nomad Culture

08:10 Story 1: Basic‑Fit Acquires Clever‑Fit

11:15 Tech Integration Challenges Ahead

13:57 Data Strategy & App Ecosystems

15:29 Story 2: Strava vs Garmin Lawsuit

17:34 Why Integrations Fail

24:32 Story 3: Ladder Adds Nutrition Tracking

26:14 Strength Apps & Measurement Challenges

32:00 Key Takeaways: Integration & Longevity

37:25 AI Boom or Bubble?

37:38 Closing Thoughts