Escape Your Limits & LIFTS

Today, we’re speaking with Brendan Kane, a business and digital strategist who has worked with Fortune 500 companies, the world’s biggest brands, and high-profile celebrities.   He is best known for gaining one million followers on social media in 30 days.   If you’re interested in learning how to leverage social media to make difference for your brand, he’s the guy to turn to.   In this week’s Escape Your Limits podcast episode, Brendan reveals how to cut through the noise and disrupt the pattern to earn the click or stop the scroll. He also offers insights on how he was able to grow his following so quickly, techniques you can use to make your content go viral, and explains why just because you have one million followers that doesn’t mean you’re reaching or engaging one million people.   Tune in to learn how to crack the code that will lead to the best performing content you can put out into the world that will provide the most value.   For more information, visit  https://escapefitness.com/podcast   Video version - https://youtu.be/9_9NLw_ktHg   Brendan Kane is an out-of-the-box thinker for Fortune 500 corporations, brands, and celebrities. He thrives on helping his clients systematically engage new audiences that reward relevant content, products, and services with their attention and purchases. His greatest strength lies in unlocking value by transforming complexity into simplicity through tools and methods that amplify growth and enable execution.   Having started his career at Lakeshore Entertainment, Brendan oversaw all aspects of the company’s interactive media strategy. He worked on 16 films that generated a worldwide gross of $685 million and also pioneered the first-ever influencer campaign to effectively promote Crank starring Jason Statham.   He has since built social media applications and digital platforms for celebrity clients such as Taylor Swift, Rihanna, and pro skateboarder Ryan Sheckler. Brendan served as vice president of digital for Paramount Pictures and helped scale one of the largest social optimization firms in the world.   Episode highlights -   •99% of brands suck at creating content. •Just because you have one million followers doesn’t mean you’re engaging one million people. •You have to become a student of the game. •Are you learning or just consuming content? •You gotta get out of your own way. •Social media is meant for your audience, not for your brand. •There’s not one way to be successful, there’s multiple approaches. •The most important thing is that you test, test, test. •You can make any subject interesting or go viral, you just have to add value.   

Today, we’re speaking with Jan Spaticchia, a serial entrepreneur who has empowered millions of people to transform their lives through engagement with one of his fitness franchise brands. He is the Chair of énergie Group, Vice Chair of BMF, and Founder of Visivo. As the world now moves into a new and exciting digital age, Spaticchia is already planning for the future and is on the verge of launching Visivo, a VR fitness club membership experience, the first of its kind in the world. Are you ready to learn how to start up, build, sell, and buy back a franchise with one of the best in the game? Please welcome Jan Spaticchia to the Escape Your Limits podcast. Video version - https://youtu.be/1S8MhNoHbnY Escape Your Limits homepage – https://escapefitness.com/podcast   Jan Spaticchia is the Chair of énergie Group, Vice Chair of BMF, and Founder of Visivo. He is also the founder of National Fitness Day. As a creative visionary, Jan is passionate about finding ways to break the rules and stay innovative in the competitive fitness market. His franchise group is one the biggest and fastest growing in the UK. In 2019, Spaticchia handed over ownership of the énergie Group, a hugely successful franchise business that he grew from scratch into the UK’s leading franchise operator. A year later, after the pandemic struck, Spaticchia found himself leading a rescue MDO, supported by RM Funds, to buy back the company. During lockdown 1.0, 38,000 of the 140,000 énergie fitness members across the UK continued to support their local club and pay their membership fees. This meant the company was able to suspend franchisee fees during closure and also invest in a digital provision to enable the creation of a virtual platform to deliver at-home workouts to members. During lockdown 2.0, énergie fitness did not apply a blanket freeze and instead supported members virtually towards the achievement of individual goals based around fitness, nutrition, and mindset offers.   Episode highlights -  The fitness market has changed forever. We didn't do what everybody else did. We didn't freeze memberships. Necessity is the mother of all invention. If you don’t have fire in your belly for franchising, it’s doesn’t work. You have to have a little luck on your side. Local management is crucial for international expansion. Taking a different approach to the rest of the market. Franchises that are passionate and follow systems do best. Importance of focusing on your staff and club members. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Jan Spaticchia.

The two most fundamental aspects of your health are diet and exercise. But chronic exposure to stress, sleep deprivation, sedentary behavior, and processed food are causing metabolic dysfunction in your body. Jim Lavalle, an internationally recognized clinical pharmacist, author, nutrition expert, and founder of the Metabolic Code®, is here to shed some light on the underlying metabolic issues that stop people from feeling healthy. Your body is constantly working as a complete metabolic system, signaling and telling your body what to do. When it gets out of whack, it can cause serious health issues. Tune in to episode #177 of the Escape Your Limits podcast to learn all about how you can reach optimum levels of health and vitality, manage your stress hormones, avoid stress fractures, strengthen your immune system, and age better. Please welcome Jim Lavalle to the Escape Your Limits podcast.   For more information visit https://escapefitness.com/podcast Video version – https://youtu.be/Zgy44D0RgdA   Jim Lavalle is an internationally recognized clinical pharmacist, author, nutrition expert, and founder of LaValle Metabolic Institute. He is best known for his expertise in metabolic and personalized integrative medicine and therapies. Has an extensive background in natural products, drug/nutrient depletion, and the underlying metabolic issues that stop people from feeling healthy. The author of more than 20 books, including, “Your Blood Never Lies,” “Cracking the Metabolic Code,” and “Nutritional Cost of Drugs.” Jim Lavalle was named one of the “50 Most Influential Pharmacists” by American Druggist magazine. He has also developed health programs for the fitness industry (healthcare and professional sports teams) such as Orlando Magic, Chicago Blackhawks, and the Anaheim Ducks – to name a few. He has trained thousands of health care professionals on the value of predictive health. Jim is an appointed faculty member and course educator for the Integrative Medicine postgraduate program at George Washington University School of medicine. Previously, he was a correspondent on ESPN2’s No. 1 rated “BodyShaping” fitness program. Visit www.jimlavalle.com to learn more about the underlying metabolic issues that stop you from feeling healthy.   Episode highlights People deserve vitality at every stage in life. It isn’t how hard you train. It’s how well you rest. 78% of the US population is overweight. You can’t put a Band-Aid on a bullet hole. If you’re getting stress fractures, you’re overtraining. The more muscle you hold as you age, the better your metabolism will be. If your resting heart rate is 10% above average, you probably need a day off. Your immune system is the center of your aging process. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Jim Lavalle.

Today, we’re speaking with Rita McGrath, a renowned Columbia Business School professor and premier expert on innovation, entrepreneurship, and growth strategies during times of uncertainty. The pandemic is forcing every business regardless of industry to reevaluate their operations and to stay relevant while also staying on top of strategic inflection points. According to Rita McGrath, the pandemic is offering businesses an opportunity to grow, or to stay as they are. Her new book, Seeing Around Corners, helps leaders recognize the inflection points that could lead to innovation and success. The pivotal changes taking place in business environments today are a wake-up call for leaders to not only define their cultural values, but to stay ahead of the tech game and get closer to the customer experience. There's no substitute for the knowledge and expertise this week’s guest has to offer. Please welcome Rita McGrath to the Escape Your Limits podcast. For more information visit https://escapefitness.com/podcast Video version - https://youtu.be/T2M2c3s4eT0   Rita McGrath is a best-selling author, a sought-after speaker, and a longtime professor at Columbia Business School. She is known as The Entrepreneurial Strategist and a globally recognized champion of harnessing disruptive influences for competitive advantage. Rita McGrath is widely recognized as a premier expert on leading innovation and growth during times of uncertainty.  As a consultant to CEOs, her work has had a lasting impact on the strategy and growth programs of Fortune 500 companies worldwide. Rita is also the founder of Valize, an innovation platform whose mission is to help organizations build lasting innovation capability as the basis for long term shared prosperity. Visit www.ritamcgrath.com to learn more about this Entrepreneurial Strategist and discover how to see business environment changes as opportunities.   Episode highlights - Keep focused on your customers’ end state You need to create something other people can’t copy Treat your employees like human beings, not robots Employee satisfaction leads to greater customer satisfaction As a brand, focus on what’s true for you Inflection points provide opportunities for innovation The pandemic’s impact on the fitness industry Arenas vs. industries Staying on top of new technologies and changing lives Three kinds of competitors to watch out for Observations on leadership   Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Rita McGrath.

Today, we’re speaking with celebrity personal trainer Gunnar Peterson. He is a household name in the health-and-fitness industry. He is the guy responsible for shaping some of the most famous bodies in the world and has trained everyone from the Kardashians to Sylvester Stallone to the Los Angeles Lakers. His dedication to fitness dates back to 1989. Today, he specializes in functional fitness and strengthening conditioning training with an emphasis on the basics and consistency. In his Hollywood gym, Gunnar works with his clients on movement to hit all three planes of motion to improve flexibility and improve cardiovascular conditioning. In this episode, our host Matthew Januszek and Gunnar Peterson discuss everything from the future of traditional gyms to fitness data, the clients he trains, and the importance of recovery. Please welcome Gunnar Peterson to the Escape Your Limits podcast. For more information visit https://escapefitness.com/podcast Video version – https://youtu.be/RTnv0M_LmnY  Gunnar Peterson is a Beverly Hills-based personal trainer whose clients include celebrities, professional athletes, and everyday people. Gunnar was formerly the Los Angeles Lakers’ Director of Strength and Endurance. He is widely recognized for his expertise in functional training and his commitment to developing and implementing innovative fitness techniques. With over 28 years in the fitness industry, Gunnar’s dynamic approach, boundless energy and (sometimes risky) humor only add to the effectiveness of the experience his clients enjoy. Gunnar is certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association and is a graduate of Duke University. He is an editor and wrote a regular column for Muscle and Fitness magazine for over a decade, he is on the advisory board for Fitness magazine as well as contributor to Clean Eating magazine. Gunnar is also regularly featured in Allure, Elle, In Style, In Touch, Us, Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, and other magazines. His television appearances include The Today Show, Fox & Friends, CNN, CNN Headline News, The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, Extra, Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Lala’s Full Court Life, Revenge Body and numerous shows for E! and VH1. Visit www.gunnarpeterson.com to learn more about Gunnar and what sets him apart when it comes to personal trainers.   Episode highlights - If you’re not growing, that’s a fast road to destruction. What do you enjoy? Because that’s what will deliver results. Training clients who come in, work hard, and are consistent. Gyms returning when people move past the fear stage. Is data giving you power or debilitating you? Using social media as a tool for inspiration vs. distraction. How to deal with adversity. The importance of recovery.   Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with celebrity personal trainer Gunnar Peterson.

Today, we’re speaking with Ed Harrold, an author, breath educator, and health, performance and leadership coach. Breathing is the first and last things we do as humans. Did you know you breathe in and out around 25,000 times a day? But you might be breathing wrong and not even know it. At a cellular level, oxygen is body fuel. It’s how you nourish your muscles and brain. So, what exactly happens if you’re breathing incorrectly? The bottom line is that it can seriously affect your health. For the past 25 years, Ed Harrold, a master in the science of mindful breathing, has been committed to helping people understand the importance of transforming the automatic and unconscious process of breathing to a deliberate conscious series of choices. He invites you to consider the various dimensions of breath: length, depth, rate, and rhythm. Are you ready to learn how to breathe for health and longevity, and not just survival? Please welcome Ed Harrold to the Escape Your Limits podcast. For more information visit https://escapefitness.com/podcast Video version – https://youtu.be/9CQjWI40Vds     Ed Harrold is an author, breath educator, and health, performance, and leadership coach. He is a master in the science of mindful breathing to improve overall health, well-being, and performance. Ed’s breathing practices are used in fitness & athletic training, stress reduction, performance coaching, and corporate settings. A contributing wellness expert for: Huffington Post, HuffingtonPostLIVE, Thrive Global, Corporate Wellness Magazine, Mind Body Green, TRX Training, The Daily Love, and Wanderlust Journal. Ed’s mastery in the science of breath has guided him to apply mindful, conscious breathing practices in the fitness & athletic industry, corporate wellness and organizational performance programs as well as lifestyle coaching for individuals.  Ed's Breath AS Medicine continuing education trainings support the healthcare, health and wellness coaching, fitness, psychotherapy and medical fitness industries. Ed blends the fields of neuroscience and the wisdom of contemplative traditions into effective strategies to improve health, performance and overall well-being.  Ed’s fluency in mindfulness-based strategies combined with the belief in the human potential gives him the depth and understanding to meet individuals and group needs across industries and platforms. Visit https://www.edharrold.com/ to learn more about Ed Harrold’s methods for rediscovering your breath.   Episode highlights - Breath control is the first step to controlling your thoughts. When we feel good, we think good. As you get control of your breath, you gain access to your health. Being in a flow state is one of the most optimal feelings of being in a human body. Breathing for health and longevity, not just for survival. The relationship between heart rate and breathing. Bringing mindfulness and control to the activity of breathing. Stress reduction and the pandemic. The proper way to breathe during exercise.   Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with master breathwork coach Ed Harrold.

Today, we’re speaking with Patrick and Talilla Henchoz. Patrick is the founder of one of the great fitness chain success stories of the ‘90s, Esporta Health and Fitness Clubs.He was the first to build and sell a fitness chain in the UK. Growing the business to 38 clubs with over 200,000 members. Talilla is a personal trainer and social media influencer who founded a global digital fitness brand called Club V from scratch in July 2020 during the pandemic. Her all-inclusive virtual fitness service is built on the five pillars of health: body, mind, nutrition, community, and sustainability. Daily live-streamed workouts, which include HIIT, strength, low impact, core, yoga, and pilates, engage thousands of members across 50 countries. Club V inspires its community by reminding people to celebrate their body rather than simply what it looks like. Together, Patrick and Talilla are at the forefront of an evolving industry—never forgetting that the most important person in the room is the customer. Home workouts are here to stay, and we’re excited to see how Club V continues developing its offering. Please welcome Patrick and Talilla Henchoz to the Escape Your Limits podcast. For more information visit https://escapefitness.com/podcast Video version – https://youtu.be/n0FPSUNXafI  Patrick Henchoz is the founder of Esporta Health and Fitness Clubs. He was the first to build and sell a fitness chain in the UK. Growing the business to 38 clubs with over 200,000 members. Talilla, is a personal trainer and social media influencer who founded a global digital fitness brand called Club V. It’s not just another fitness plan designed to ‘burn fat’ and ‘detox’. Club V helps its members hit the RESET button and create sustainable changes. Working with top nutritionists, life coaches, physiologists, pilates and yoga instructors, Talilla provides her community with an all-inclusive offering.  To learn more about Club V, visit: www.weareclubv.co.uk   Episode highlights -  Fitness is more about mental than it is about physical. Fitness is not just a quick fix. It’s all about making the customer feel important. Community is everything. Nobody can predict how club membership will rebound. Celebrate your body and what it can do rather than what it looks like. You have to constantly pivot and see the potential. Add value through high touch vs. high tech. It’s about having passion and the ability to adapt. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Patrick and Talilla Henchoz.

Today, we’re speaking with Ian Mullane, the Founder and CEO of Keepme, a business dedicated to increasing the revenue of health and fitness operators utilizing Artificial Intelligence. He’s being working with AI for the past six years and is committed to better understanding why members leave the gym. As the fitness sector is confronted with its greatest ever challenge, clubs worldwide are pulling out all the stops to keep their members active and engaged. Ian says operators need to rely on data and hyper-personalization to move into the future. It’s adapt or die, especially for the brick and mortar gyms and clubs. Recently, he published a powerful white paper in an effort to spark conversations around the shift and disruption that’s currently happening within the fitness industry. The truth is that the industry will never be the same. It will never return to how things were pre-COVID. Are you ready to learn the six key rules for survival? For more information visit https://escapefitness.com/podcast Video version – https://youtu.be/fbDsjylzYuA   Ian Mullane is the Founder and CEO of Keepme, a business dedicated to increasing the revenue of health and fitness operators utilizing integrated Artificial Intelligence. Relying on years of data, he wants to show you how to stop guessing and offer a game-changing level of personalization for gym and club members. By reimagining the customer journey, operators have the opportunity to enhance their service offerings, engagement, product customization, and more. Technology today has completely disrupted every business around the globe. The fitness industry is no exception. The industry will never return to how things were pre-COVID. If brick and mortar operators are not ready adapt and make the customer the center of all experiences when it comes to the personal wellness ecosystem, they may not survive. Keep.me uses predictive and machine learning models, operators can hyper-personalise engagements with a commercial and operational perspective and increase response levels to benefit the business. After 18 years of working with some of the biggest names in Fintech, including Thomson Financial and SS&C, Ian Mullane left corporate life as the COO of Sungard’s Asia Pacific business. Since then, he’s founded and grown a number of companies including Locowise.com, Vanda.fit and most recently, Keepme, an AI-powered membership retention tool.   Episode highlights - Brick and mortar operations face big challenges ahead You need to optimize for revenue and for retention Apps are nothing more than vehicles to create experiences 5G will change how people consume fitness content Adapt or die You probably don’t know your competition Personalization is the future of fitness How to reimagine the customer journey Effect of membership plans on retention rates Making the customer the center of the ecosystem How fitness will become like banking Power of first-mover advantage Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Ian Mullane.

Today, we are speaking with Jason Stella, the National Education Manager for LifeTime Training and a podcast host who has more than 20 years of experience in the health and fitness industry. He’s an innovator who has dedicated his life to coaching and consulting the top fitness and nutrition companies in the U.S. and also developed the Alpha Training program. Jason is a firm believer in personal development and capitalizing on your strengths to reach your full potential, both in business and in life. Living by the 3 P’s (purpose, preparation, performance, and persistence) he’s been able to re-invent himself over the years and return to doing what he loves, which involves getting trainers to elevate the training industry. From personal and small group training trends, the challenges and opportunities the global pandemic has presented, lessons learned from 2020, and best practices to take into the future, his insights will give you an idea of what to expect in the world of health and fitness in 2021. Please welcome, Jason Stella, to the Escape Your Limits podcast. For more information visit https://escapefitness.com/podcast Video version – https://youtu.be/kFAymkaR7g0     Jason Stella is the National Education Manager for LifeTime Training and a podcast host who has more than 20 years of experience in the health and fitness industry. He’s an innovator who has dedicated his life to coaching and consulting the top fitness and nutrition companies in the U.S. and also developed the Alpha Training program.   Episode highlights - How to successfully take your personal training business online Importance of having a vision and taking risks Failure is not failure, it’s a learning experiences Behavior modification and accountability 5 fundamentals every trainer needs to be successful Why personal development is so important to him How purpose, preparation, performance, and persistence bring out your potential The essentials of creating a successful group training program How the personal training business model is changing due to the pandemic Consistency is the key to your fitness goals. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Jason Stella.

Today, we are speaking with a global health and fitness industry analyst who is committed to improving the health and well-being of society. He is the Founder of Gymtopia, the award-winning platform distinguished for curating corporate social responsibility projects and authoring reports that analyze the fitness industry’s evolution. With a mission to help purpose-driven, high-impact social enterprises be successful, he produces work that is both inspiring and influential. His most recent report: Health Club Industry Active Ageing Report argues that the fitness industry needs to harness the opportunity of engaging an ageing society. What do consumers really want? What does it mean to operate a purposeful business? How do you get the government to care about the fitness industry in this era of COVID? You’re about to find out. Please welcome the Managing Director of UK-based Oxygen Consulting and Founder of Gymtopia, Ray Algar, to the Escape Your Limits podcast. For more information visit https://escapefitness.com/podcast Video version – https://youtu.be/BqwKwbtllao Escape Your Limits homepage – https://escapefitness.com/podcast   Ray Algar is a global health and fitness industry analyst who is committed to improving the health and well-being of society. He is the Founder of Gymtopia, the award-winning platform distinguished for curating corporate social responsibility projects and authoring reports that analyze the fitness industry’s evolution. Ray Algar is a UK-based strategic business analyst and adviser to the global health and fitness industry. His entire career has involved collaborating with organisations to encourage people to become healthier and more physically active. Fitness businesses have been started or scaled from the insights contained in his work. He is motivated by a deep sense of curiosity and a desire to produce work that has the capacity to move people. With a mission to help purpose-driven, high-impact social enterprises be successful, he produces work that is both inspiring and influential. Visit www.oxygen-consulting.co.uk to learn more about Ray Algar.   Episode highlights - Let go of what’s no longer serving you. Consumers don’t just want a product. They want a story. Even world-class leaders make mistakes. Big shifts in the ways consumers are interacting with physical activity. Creating places of belonging within the industry. Phenomenon of ‘gym substitution.’ Why biggest is not always best. Having a compass in times of volatility. Creating social impact. Learning lessons COVID has taught the industry. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Ray Algar.