Escape Your Limits & LIFTS

Investment is more than just about the stock market. Money makes the world go round, but it’s education, fitness and wellness where private equity investor Gregg Wilson is placing his bets for the future. Watch the full episode on YouTube – https://youtu.be/qbbP-2UUEKE In his own words, Gregg Wilson has always valued the dollar. He grew up in a family-held business and got to grips with the highs and lows before wanting to get involved more with the finance side. From there, he took a further interest in banking, starting as a generalist before finding his passion for entrepreneurialism in wellness and education. Gregg has had continued success throughout his career, having founded two private equity firms, worked with CIVIC Partners, which managed over $1 billion of capital for Bank of America, invested in LA Fitness at a time when profitability had soared to $40m due to revenue growth, and more. Gregg is no stranger to this world, as he has 40 years of investing under his belt. His company, Maxim Partners, supplies capital and industry-specific resources to management partners in two focused sectors – wellness and education.  In 2016, Gregg oversaw the acquisition of Cybex by Life Fitness – a $195 million move that saw an already-impressive portfolio of Hammer Strength, SCIFIT and more, bolstered with additional quality fitness equipment under the umbrella of the Brunswick Corporation.    Episode Highlights : The importance of passion when it comes to entrepreneurialism and why that passion needs to be shared by investors also. How to find advice and experience when making a big business move such as expanding abroad. The importance of knowing your customer, knowing their fitness needs and evolving with these aspects in mind. How investment groups in fitness changed the landscape for funding and buyout options for entrepreneurs.    Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Gregg Wilson…

Change is hard. Storyteller, speaker and coach, Bobby Cappuccio, educates us on how to roll with resistance and be objective in order to bring out the best, whether personally or professionally. Watch the full episode on YouTube – https://youtu.be/6P4iuKGrdPA Overcoming a number of hardships in an abusive Brooklyn upbringing, Bobby took to fitness as a way of not getting noticed. It was something he could do by himself. With Tourette’s and physical disfiguration as a child, the limelight was the last thing he wanted at the time. He’s passionate about both performance and movement, but also communication, empathy and training people to make the world a better place. Bobby has a rich history within the fitness industry. As co-founder of PT Academy Global and through his work as a presenter and author, he’s leading change from the front and educating the industry with every seminar or publication. Prior to that, he’s worked in influential positions at 24 Hour Fitness, FitPro and the National Academy of Sports Medicine. He’s spent the last two decades pushing for both an industry-wide and individual shift in perspective, for a new holistic approach to behavioural change. Today, he’s coaching a lot of health and wellness professionals, other coaches and managers – some of the top leaders in the industry. Bobby helps audiences understand the accountability of a client and how trainers must relate to every need, belief and behaviour of who they train, rather than using a hierarchical system of what’s worked in their own lives. He’s making the fitness space a better place for everyone.   Highlights -  While most people use fitness as a way of getting more attention, hear how Bobby started out trying to escape the eyes of others by concentrating on getting healthy. Interpretation of events is important to understanding that everyone is right in any situation. Bobby explains why internal responses and self fulfilling prophecies lead to people seeing opportunity, instruction or insult, all from the same occurrence. What’s a trainer’s journey, what’s their focus, and how does a client’s perception affect who they choose to workout with? How group exercise and tribal fitness brings a payoff in the process that reflects who you have become on your personal fitness journey. How a conversation with which you may disagree, can lead to finding a bridge of commonality, using empathy and understanding to benefit both parties. How to be effective in communicating and transferring skillsets. Using inquiry over advocacy to help you move through challenges and towards the outcome that you want most.    Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Bobby Cappuccio…

Lee Haney has had an incredible career of repeat Mr Olympia success along with the greats – Arnold Schwarzenegger, Frank Zane, Dorian Yates – the difference is that he’s won the bodybuilding competition eight times! It’s a record that’s only matched by fellow physical hero, Ronnie Coleman. Today, a mentor, author, motivational speaker and devout Christian, Lee uses his experience and understanding to better the lives of others in every way possible, whether that’s helping people stay fit at any age, keep injury free, or get a foot up in life after an unfortunate start. Lee Haney first entered a bodybuilding competition aged 16 years old – Mr South Carolina. He didn’t know what posing trunks were at the time, so he bought a pair of standard underpants from Kmart. While Lee didn’t win the competition, it was a humble beginning that gave him the bug for competing. Years of inspiration followed, pushed harder by the incredible physiques of muscle icons such as Robbie Robertson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Frank Zane, Dorian Yates and more. Whether he was appreciating their symmetry, or studying their nutrition, Lee Haney has admired others putting the hard work in both before and after him. It’s not just about the physical for Lee, either, as he references the effect of Muhammad Ali and the power of words, backing up what your dreams are and putting your potential into action. Lee Haney’s bodybuilding dominance in Mr Olympia spanned between 1984 and 1991. Although, his success is not just about bodybuilding… As a boxing trainer, he managed to get Evander Holyfield from cruiserweight to heavyweight through workout and nutrition advice – 192 to 214lbs in five weeks! Since competing, Lee has started International Association of Fitness Science – a certification programme that teaches correct training, how to match workouts to body parts, nutrition and blending it all together. Then there’s Lee’s selflessness that’s spanned his life, helping others to be their best. Haney’s Harvest House started as a retreat centre. It has developed over time and even been forced to move location due to expansion of a nearby airport, but today the charity organization is all about giving vulnerable kids directions and life skills. As well as raising money through the Lee Haney Games event each year, you can also donate at haneyharvesthouse.com For more information visit leehaney.com   Episode Highlights -  Hear about how one of the greatest bodybuilders in history started out – his inspiration, encouragement, advice and who he looked up to. Realising your aha moment when it hits and you discover that you’ve got something special to offer the world. How to take the people around you to great places by imparting wisdom and sharing your journey or experience with them for mutual benefit. Learn the importance of positivity and how important it is to encourage your children from an early age. How understanding the science of fitness can lead to ways of stimulating muscle growth that doesn’t require lifting heavy and damaging your joints. Why Lee Haney believes negative reps will damage your body, despite the popularity rise of slow movement on the negative.   Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Lee Haney…  

As CEO of BRICK, Jarett Perelmutter is king of innovating on and adapting original ideas. He believes not only in the family of fitness, but also that a rising tide lifts all boats. Developing communities, his selfless sharing of knowledge has brought benefits to members’ bodies, minds and even other businesses, all for the greater good. Watch the full episode on YouTube – https://youtu.be/rrq2COjAtY8 Spiritual and passionate, Jarett came from a martial arts background. As a child, martial arts taught him discipline and he quickly discovered the difference between having fun and stepping out of line. He’s a lifelong student of the fight game, whether he’s actively fighting, training relentlessly for fitness and enjoyment, or setting up business. Seeing trends emerging, JP got into the fitness industry at the right time to use his foresight for the benefit of bringing something new to the masses.  JP wanted his company to be different. Since learning about the “what’s your why” questions, he realised he was putting a lot of those approaches in place even before knowing what they were.  In this episode, JP tells us the background of BRICK and how it overcame people’s ignorance to prove it’s so much more than just ‘a fancy CrossFit gym’.  Established in LA and now with locations all around the world, BRICK is a driving force for performance and support in the world of health and wellness.  Today, on top of training, scaling his business and continuing his quest for excellence, JP is building and engaging in respectful relationships with industry counterparts for mutual business benefit. Complementing his own originality and experience, he has created a community in BRICK that goes beyond just business and fitness – it’s family.   Episode Highlights - Why you should keep the core of what you’re passionate about at the heart of your business, no matter how it changes over the years. How to get into a market, take what you’ve been doing, and do it better each time around. Why the “legal dictatorship” approach of a martial arts environment can be beneficial to a hierarchy within any fitness space. Learn how JP compares the fight game to CrossFit, where you’re no longer fighting a person, but fighting the barbell, the clock, or yourself.   Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Jarett Perelmutter …  

Lee Haney has had an incredible career of repeat Mr Olympia success along with the greats – Arnold Schwarzenegger, Frank Zane, Dorian Yates – the difference is that he’s won the bodybuilding competition eight times! It’s a record that’s only matched by fellow physical hero, Ronnie Coleman. Today, a mentor, author, motivational speaker and devout Christian, Lee uses his experience and understanding to better the lives of others in every way possible, whether that’s helping people stay fit at any age, keep injury free, or get a foot up in life after an unfortunate start. Watch the full episode on YouTube – https://youtu.be/p3wPtgxjs7A Lee Haney first entered a bodybuilding competition aged 16 years old – Mr South Carolina. He didn’t know what posing trunks were at the time, so he bought a pair of standard underpants from Kmart. While Lee didn’t win the competition, it was a humble beginning that gave him the bug for competing. Years of inspiration followed, pushed harder by the incredible physiques of muscle icons such as Robbie Robertson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Frank Zane, Dorian Yates and more. Whether he was appreciating their symmetry, or studying their nutrition, Lee Haney has admired others putting the hard work in both before and after him. It’s not just about the physical for Lee, either, as he references the effect of Muhammad Ali and the power of words, backing up what your dreams are and putting your potential into action. Lee Haney’s bodybuilding dominance in Mr Olympia spanned between 1984 and 1991. Although, his success is not just about bodybuilding… As a boxing trainer, he managed to get Evander Holyfield from cruiserweight to heavyweight through workout and nutrition advice – 192 to 214lbs in five weeks! Since competing, Lee has started International Association of Fitness Science – a certification programme that teaches correct training, how to match workouts to body parts, nutrition and blending it all together. Then there’s Lee’s selflessness that’s spanned his life, helping others to be their best. Haney’s Harvest House started as a retreat centre. It has developed over time and even been forced to move location due to expansion of a nearby airport, but today the charity organization is all about giving vulnerable kids directions and life skills. As well as raising money through the Lee Haney Games event each year, you can also donate at haneyharvesthouse.com For more information visit leehaney.com   Episode Highlights -  Hear about how one of the greatest bodybuilders in history started out – his inspiration, encouragement, advice and who he looked up to. Realising your aha moment when it hits and you discover that you’ve got something special to offer the world. How to take the people around you to great places by imparting wisdom and sharing your journey or experience with them for mutual benefit. Learn the importance of positivity and how important it is to encourage your children from an early age. How understanding the science of fitness can lead to ways of stimulating muscle growth that doesn’t require lifting heavy and damaging your joints. Why Lee Haney believes negative reps will damage your body, despite the popularity rise of slow movement on the negative.   Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Lee Haney…  

Steven Ward is a man who knows the route to the top, from intern to CEO, through dedication and continued personal growth. Today, with ukactive, he’s tackling real issues that will save a population’s future by getting more people, more active, more often. Like many children, Steve had dreams of being a professional footballer. While this didn’t work out, his huge passion for sport has stuck with him. Combined with a university degree in international policy and strategy, he’s created a specialism for sport and policy that will improve communities through communication and knowledge shares. With over a decade of industry experience, his time at every hierarchal stage within ukactive means he knows the company inside out like no other. He was the second employee in the public affairs and policy team, which has now grown to support members in understanding the stakeholder and policy landscape, and maximise the opportunities presented by the national debate around physical activity to get more people moving. In Steve’s own words: “ukactive provides services and facilitates partnerships for a broad range of organisations, all of which support our vision and have a role to play in achieving that goal.” Set up in 1991 by some of the founders that went on to set up Fitness First, Esporta, LA Fitness and more, these entrepreneurs had a vision for changing the industry.  ukactive evolved, with a mission of more people, more active, more often. Today, as a campaigning movement it serves its 4000 members through not only creative new initiatives and innovations, but with a research team that’s bringing data to life for the benefit of everyone. ukactive is all about building bigger partnerships, becoming a bigger influence on government, and having a bigger impact on the nation.   Episode Highlights - Ways of creating a vibrant, energetic sector that’s full of opportunity in order to give members the chance to grow. How ukative has grown as a movement to receive backing from a breadth of organisations that share the vision to get more people, more active, more often. How to decide where to start in business and where you can have the biggest impact, whether through opportunity, identity or integrity. Why the private sector can step up and invest in fitness across the nation, when the public sector can’t.     Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Steve Ward…

Steven Ward is a man who knows the route to the top, from intern to CEO, through dedication and continued personal growth. Today, with ukactive, he’s tackling real issues that will save a population’s future by getting more people, more active, more often. Watch the full episode on YouTube – https://youtu.be/4ZK3BWQcDJA Like many children, Steve had dreams of being a professional footballer. While this didn’t work out, his huge passion for sport has stuck with him. Combined with a university degree in international policy and strategy, he’s created a specialism for sport and policy that will improve communities through communication and knowledge shares. With over a decade of industry experience, his time at every hierarchal stage within ukactive means he knows the company inside out like no other. He was the second employee in the public affairs and policy team, which has now grown to support members in understanding the stakeholder and policy landscape, and maximise the opportunities presented by the national debate around physical activity to get more people moving. In Steve’s own words: “ukactive provides services and facilitates partnerships for a broad range of organisations, all of which support our vision and have a role to play in achieving that goal.” Set up in 1991 by some of the founders that went on to set up Fitness First, Esporta, LA Fitness and more, these entrepreneurs had a vision for changing the industry.  ukactive evolved, with a mission of more people, more active, more often. Today, as a campaigning movement it serves its 4000 members through not only creative new initiatives and innovations, but with a research team that’s bringing data to life for the benefit of everyone. ukactive is all about building bigger partnerships, becoming a bigger influence on government, and having a bigger impact on the nation.   Episode Highlights - Ways of creating a vibrant, energetic sector that’s full of opportunity in order to give members the chance to grow. How ukative has grown as a movement to receive backing from a breadth of organisations that share the vision to get more people, more active, more often. How to decide where to start in business and where you can have the biggest impact, whether through opportunity, identity or integrity. Why the private sector can step up and invest in fitness across the nation, when the public sector can’t.     Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Steve Ward…

Chris Long doesn’t work in his own gym – it belongs to his members. He may own the business, but this episode is all about what his work does for his clients. Chris’ business focuses on the importance of impacting people and benefitting others. While his training takes an incredibly practical approach, he’s also able to pivot in order to roll with the punches and deal with any challenges that may arise. Watch the full episode on YouTube – https://youtu.be/lDPv0mgYUVc From a young age, Chris was always active, even having held a baseball bat from the age of two and a half years old. He’d played basketball and took to the track throughout school, but it was football that he fell in love with for its high energy and impact. Success followed his passion, although an injury called an end to his sporting career in arena football and Chris became a PT, working for a few companies before going it alone. One of these roles was a job with industry giant 24 Hour Fitness, where he was fast-tracked into management and grew his skills from there. Chris is a perfectionist with a competitive streak. He’s confident and driven, but he’s humble enough to know it’s all about the members. Through mentoring, he developed an appreciation of periodisation, strength and conditioning, all of which contributed to his work preventing overtraining and benefiting everyone he trains through his own life lessons. Chris has a career and a business built on helping people. Creative in his training, Chris ensures that every client is motivated by meeting their needs, whether simple or complex. Introductory or advanced, Chris keeps his movements simple in approach: push, pull, squat, hinge, rotate. At the same time as these fundamental movement patterns, his methodologies are based around an acronym of core principles: SPACE (speed, power, agility, strength and endurance). This is all about avoiding injuries through workouts based in scientific research. His training is about getting clients to believe in themselves more when they leave the session than when they arrive.   Episode Highlights -  The importance of being creative with programming and why you always have to be at the top of your game when training any client. How to achieve a mindset that enables you to overcome anything through fitness. Why any trainer needs to inspire confidence and self-belief in a client, and how they can use science to promote the right kind of movement with any workout. Learn what mentorship can do for your future, bouncing ideas off someone instead of concentrating on the past.     Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Chris Long…

Eric Leija is the Primal Swoledier, Onnit’s senior kettlebell coach. From a background passion for MMA and UFC fighting, his workouts now bring fitness through flows, complexes and flair, mastering a tool that’s often overlooked for full body programmes. Inspired by former UFC commentator and podcast pro, Joe Rogan, Eric tells his story of mastering movement, mind-altering substances, and how Dragon Ball Z led him to taking up martial arts. Watch the full episode on YouTube – https://youtu.be/1e59PokgnJQ At school, Eric Leija ate junk food and enjoyed being fat. However, it was the teasing that caused him to initially take up bodybuilding, informed and inspired by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding book. Developing his interest in fitness, discovering the UFC’s mixed martial arts disciplines and even watching Dragon Ball Z led to Eric taking up Jiu Jitsu. However, he still kept his head down, before realising that his education had come at the expense of his social skills development. Especially as he wasn’t interested in drinking, Eric found it difficult to connect with classmates. He dropped out of college and drove to Minnesota to experience the fighter’s lifestyle through a mutual UFC fighter friend of his brother. Immersing himself in this world, while also experimenting with other ways of expanding his mind, Eric found a new confidence in how to dedicate his efforts. This turning point led Eric to doing his own thing, but he had to make money. Here, his journey with Onnit began, as an interest shared with CEO Aubrey Marcus led Eric to start work in the factory, packing products and embracing all things Onnit. When Onnit went from a product manufacturer to educating clients and customers by opening its own gym, the company offered Eric the opportunity to become a trainer. His hard work and dedication to Onnit’s values and lifestyle, staying in shape and always taking an interest in MMA, meant that he was ideally placed to teach others how to use the training tools. Today, Eric stands alongside Joe Rogan, UFC champ Tyron Woodley, and serial entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk as a representative and member of the Onnit family. Through his social media following, Eric demonstrates his value by giving out free workouts regularly, rather than teasing audiences and putting up a paywall. This even extends to a four-week programme that can be found on his website, ericleija.com    Episode Highlights -  How important it is to pick a brand name that stands out and is memorable, even if your original idea for it may have come from a different point of inspiration. The effect of smashing preconceptions and doing your own thing, and how this motivation can come from the most unlikely experiences. What, other than fitness, brought Aubrey Marcus (founder and CEO of Onnit), Joe Rogan, UFC fighters and more together as a vested interest in their social lives. How putting in the hard graft and removing any entitlement from your actions will bring incredible opportunities.     Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Eric Leija…

Previously a stand-up comic, Tony Horton has always been used to proving that he’s worth the limelight. He was there at the birth of personal training as we know it and has since motivated millions, including Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and Billy Idol, through fitness, personal training and his exercise regimens with Beachbody.com and P90X. Watch the full episode on YouTube – https://youtu.be/xt-ZW5C_JZY Born into a military family, Tony had moved a lot as a child with his father serving in the army. His first notable ventures into fitness came when he provided personal training to a professional at 20thCentury Fox, before offering PT services to movie stars and musicians, or representing fitness giants Thighmaster and NordicTrack.  Originally Tony moved to California thinking he’d become an actor. He’d wanted to be a cross between Jim Carreyand Brad Pitt, but has since said things turned out better for him, creating some of the most famous and effective workout programmes available. Today, Tony Horton is still one of the biggest personalities in fitness. He puts his level of motivation down to loving what he does. At 60 years old, he’s still training and surrounds himself with people equally as passionate in his life. A world-class motivational speaker, Tony is incredibly active on social media, inspiring others and teaching us all about how to live the best life. Through his books, programmes and events, Tony’s passion and philosophy, combined with his humour, make his message one that not only benefits the world’s future, but entertains us all, too.    Episode Highlights -  What it’s like training celebrities such as Billy Idol, Tom Petty, Annie Lennox, Stephen Stills and Bruce Springsteen regularly, and whether there’s a difference in pressure. Why you need to walk the walk if you want people to believe that you’re genuine about what you’re selling. Why you should be chasing your passion and not just the money. How you can stay motivated, even after you’ve succeeded and achieved your original goals, or if you’re facing a business venture failing. Learn the biggest reasons for sticking to what you know, from Tony Horton’s advice after undertaking a variety of business ventures.   Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Tony Horton…