Escape Your Limits & LIFTS

In today's episode, we reconnect with Frank Zane, 3x Mr. Olympia and one of the most admired and influential bodybuilders of all time. He's also one of our most popular podcast guests. Wondering how you can build a stunning physique like Frank Zane? Well, this 3x Mr. Olympia legend is keen on sharing his wealth of wisdom and expertise. During our interview, we discuss his cutting-edge training techniques, diet and nutrition insights, recovery, his commitment to excellence, and even answer some of his fans' most pressing questions. If you're aspiring to achieve a Frank Zane body… here's how he got it.

How do you know if you're getting enough sleep? How much sleep do you really need? Is your sleep not what it used to be? Do you wake up at 3 a.m. and struggle to fall back asleep? Are you feeling sleep-deprived no matter how many hours you spend in bed? A good night's sleep is incredibly important for your health. In fact, it's just as important as eating healthy and exercising. However, according to the CDC, about 70 million Americans have chronic sleep problems. Chronically bad sleep is more than just annoying. It weakens the immune system, reduces memory and attention span, and increases the likelihood of chronic conditions like depression, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Studies suggest that the less sleep you get, the shorter your life span. Why sleep is so important is still a bit of a mystery, but Dr. Michael Breus a.k.a. the "Sleep Doctor" can help you determine your unique sleep needs and answer the most common questions to solve your sleeping problems and optimize your health.

The fitness business is a traditionally male-dominated space, but some women like our guest today have broken through the glass ceiling to rise to the position of CEO. She's calling the shots at one of America's fastest growing boxing and kickboxing franchises, RockBox. Since making the jump from Orange Theory, she has been an influential force in the expansion of the fight club meets night club brand. With plans to expand the franchise internationally, this powerhouse executive has her sights set on making boxing accessible to as many people as possible. How? You'll have to watch and find out.

Paul Byrne is the former President of Precor. He's also a forward-thinking innovator who's the reason every gym in America has an elliptical machine. Under his leadership, he transformed Precor into a $350 million-dollar global supplier of home and commercial fitness equipment and was a key asset in its recent acquisition by Peloton. Today, he serves as an industry advisor and is the author of two powerful prediction reports that will change the game for the health and wellness sector and continue pushing the entire industry to innovate. What does the future look like for manufacturers? Where is the boutique segment headed? How do you go about being successful in an overly saturated consumer space? Paul has the answers.

How do you start a wildly successful business with little to no money? What allows some entrepreneurs to bootstrap their business to success while others falter and fail? The truth is: It takes remarkably little money to make money, if you're clever and work hard. British entrepreneur Oliver Cookson should know. He bootstrapped Myprotein, a successful sports nutrition business, in 2004 after borrowing £500 from the bank. No venture capitalists. No outside help or influence. A few years later, he sold Myprotein to The Hut Group, maintaining 100% equity and earning a nine-digit exit. During our interview, he highlights the advantages of bootstrapping a self-sustaining, self-funded business. Nothing is off the table, as long as it's relevant to the customer. Oliver was recently named the UK's number one self-made millionaire under 40 with a net worth of £306 million. His memoir, "Bootstrap Your Life," which he began writing at the beginning of the first lockdown is due to be published in summer 2021. Oliver also hosts the podcast Bootstrap Your Life, which features 15-minute episodes that cover topics such as self-esteem, business advice, mental health, mindset, and investment. Link to Oliver's Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bootstrap-Your-Life-turn-million/dp/0349429197/ref=sr_1_1?field-isbn=9780349429199&qid=1620308719&refinements=p_66%3A9780349429199&sr=8-1

Elaine Jobson is a fitness industry veteran, with 25 years of experience working in executive positions for the world's largest fitness brands. In this week's Escape Your Limits podcast episode, she talks about her industry experiences, how she has adapted Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs to develop an award-winning, international fitness franchise, and shares real life lessons on how to lead people and transform workplace culture. She is best known for teaming up with well-known industry entrepreneurs including Mike Balfour OBE, Founder of Fitness First, and Sir Richard Branson owner of Virgin Active South Africa. Elaine is passionate about building successful companies through great cultures and growing exceptional leaders.

What's the secret of Planet Fitness's massive success? Planet Fitness isn't really known to attract members who are super in shape and is often the butt of jokes when it comes to the fitness industry. Did you know that more than 40% of its current members had never even stepped foot in a gym before signing up? Planet Fitness has a competitive business model, strong brand, and low-cost memberships, but that's not necessarily how it became the leader in fitness franchising. Many people believe it's the no-frills atmosphere, simple selection of machines, and free pizza but there's so much more to it than that! The key to success in business is to not be afraid of doing things differently. This week, we sit down with Victor Brick, the CEO of Planet Fitness Growth Partners, one of the largest privately owned fitness franchises. He's here to reveal the secret formula that makes Planet Fitness such a huge success. Victor also explains how to use other people's money to finance business growth, why goal setting and dreaming big are essential, and dives into the pros and cons of being a franchisee. Episode Highlights: How to use other people's money to finance business growth The secret behind Planet Fitness's massive success Why Planet Fitness gives members free pizza What makes the franchise so competitive Importance of goal setting and dreaming big The pros and cons of being a franchisee Strategies for franchise growth Gym inclusivity and affordability About Victor Brick Victor Brick has 35 years of success in the fitness industry and is CEO of Planet Fitness Growth Partners (PFGP), the largest privately owned Planet Fitness franchise with 80+ clubs in the US and Australia. He's also an author and motivational speaker. He co-founded the John W. Brick Mental Health Foundation in honor of his brother, John, who struggled throughout his life with mental health, but was never once offered a holistic plan supporting his wellbeing. His brother suffered from schizophrenia and died of complications from the disease. The foundation's goal is to change the way the world treats mental health. Victor was also the co-founder of Brick Bodies, which is a chain of full-service health clubs in the Baltimore, Maryland area. He is still the Chairman of the Board for Brick Bodies. Brick Bodies Padonia was named as one the top 25 health clubs in the United States by Fitness Magazine. He is a member of the board for the John Hopkins Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, the Board of Advisors for the Global Wellness Summit, and the Board of Directors for Defiance Fuel, which is the first structured water on the market.

When was the last time you thought about how you influence others — how you change minds, shape opinions, move others to act? The ability to influence is one of the essential skills for not only success, but happiness. The bottom line is that influence matters. Jon Levy, a behavioral scientist and author, best known for his work in the fields of human connection, influence, and adventure believes the size of your life is in proportion to how uncomfortable you're willing to be and understanding the power of influence in today's connected world. How can you make a consumer's entire experience with your brand, especially at the end, really special? Want the secret to guaranteeing gym members are left with a positive impression when they leave your facility? Do you know what the IKEA Effect is, why it's important, and how to leverage it to improve your business model and build a loyal community? Why is novelty important and how can you leverage it to be happier and more successful? Our guest this week has all the answers. Levy specializes in applying research to transform the ways companies approach marketing, sales, consumer engagement, and culture. He also founded "The Influencers," a secret dining experience and community, whose participants include more than 2000 leaders across industries, ranging from Nobel laureates, Olympians, and celebrities, to executives, editors-in-chief and royalty. In 2016, Jon released his first book, "The 2 AM Principle: Discover the Science of Adventure," which explores the science of living a fun, exciting and remarkable life.

Today, we're speaking with the President and CEO of Self Made Training Facility, Miguel Aguilar. Two years ago, he was our guest on the Escape Your Limits podcast, where he shared his humble and inspiring story of his rise to success. This time around, we caught up with Miguel at his Self Made headquarters to discuss how he managed to come out on top during an ongoing pandemic. When things get tough, do you sink or swim? Miguel decided to swim. When thousands of gym owners reluctantly closed their doors in early 2020, hoping to reopen in two weeks when things went back to "normal," he never wavered. Instead, he banded together with other Riverside Country fitness facilities and stayed open. His franchise owners educated the consumer while staying open and didn't give in to the bully tactics attempting to close down business. Miguel was able to put his head down and have faith that things would work out. Throughout this interview, he reveals how Self Made became one of the most successful training franchises in America, operating 40 locations in 11 different states. Miguel also explains how they managed to stay open while countless other gyms were forced to shut down. This is one interview you don't want to miss. One thing's for sure: You're going to walk away inspired. Please welcome Miguel Aguilar back to the Escape Your Limits podcast.

How do you conquer life's impossible challenges? Why is resilience more important now than ever before? How can you live your life with more purpose and authenticity? Our guest this week is Stacey Copas. She is the author of the book How To Be Resilient, a coach, international keynote speaker, and facilitator on finding the opportunity in change and adversity. At 12 years old, she broke her neck and almost drowned in a swimming pool diving accident and became a quadriplegic – needing a wheelchair the rest of her life. Stacey has created a framework of resilience based on her life experiences of overcoming adversity. By sharing her experiences of how she has coped, adapted, and thrived she hopes to help others overcome the challenges and setbacks they face. There was a time when it felt like her world had ended, but she believes that accident was the best thing that could've happened to her. This is her story. You're about to be inspired like never before.