Escape Your Limits & LIFTS

As if being a super heavyweight world champion powerlifter wasn't enough, Big Boy of Strength Cartel heads up an apparel and nutrition line that's leading the way with genuine passion, little ego and plenty of respect. Watch the full episode on YouTube – https://youtu.be/8wi8hQrecvg Middle child of his siblings, Big Boy grew up in Pasadena, LA. He always liked sports and always loved working out. He took part in baseball, basketball, soccer, fighting, boxing, and more, but it was football that he was truly passionate about. Big Boy played on defence and had dreams of playing in the NFL. That's how he originally got into lifting. By 17 years old, he'd dropped out of school, lived on his own and got in trouble. However, his explosive power and agility from a sports background and fast-twitch fitness meant that he had something to fall back on and develop into the business we see today. Big Boy's come from a place where he didn't like to put himself out there. He wasn't a fan of social media and didn't want his details in the public eye. He's grown and escaped his own limits, starting out scared in front of a camera to become one of the biggest names on many platforms with over 100k followers. Whether it's through clothing, supplements or online training, Strength Cartel is home to decades of combined powerlifting experience, passion for the lifestyle and the knowledge of how to build a community. Big Boy has created something original and against the grain, taking advantage of being in his own category when it came to starting a business. With Strength Cartel, he brings everything back to his roots, and engages with his audience to show them respect and appreciation at every opportunity. Expos are huge for SC, with people queueing for hours to meet Big Boy. Today, he's looking to grow the brand with goals to go overseas. Strength Cartel is all about promoting workouts as ways of generating positivity and changing lives. Big Boy continues to influence and grow, standing strong at the helm and leading by example. Episode Highlights: Learn about the mental process behind success; how confidence can give you super strength or a weak mind can destroy your performance. How you can let your body run on muscle memory to take over and ignore the mental aspect at the most vital time of taking on your physical goals. The difference between testing your strength and building your strength, and how lifting your max weight will lead to injury rather than growth long term. Why social media is so important for building many modern businesses, regardless of who you're looking to include in your audience. Find out the inspiration behind the Strength Cartel brand, and how everything relates to Big Boy's life. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Big Boy of Strength Cartel…

An icon of MMA and keystone to the success of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Tito Ortiz overcame a tough upbringing to not only hold a UFC belt, but build business after business through hard work and dedication. Watch the full episode on YouTube – https://youtu.be/Ixs6ovUUmxg Born to drug addicted parents, Tito Ortiz began life living in motels, cars, and other people's garages. He started hanging out with gangs before his conscience kicked in. He ditched the life of crime to earn money fishing. It didn't take long at school for physicality to get his attention. A successful school wrestling record saw him starting out as a wrestling partner for UFC fighter Tank Abbott. At the time because of his education, if Tito got paid to fight, he'd lose his scholarship. So he fought for free, twice in one night at UFC 13, beating one Wes Albritton in under a minute, before getting caught in a submission by Guy Mezger in the finals. Tito Ortiz's career saw him win a world title after one year of competition, before he held on to it for over four years, fighting to defend it five times. Tito's mixed martial arts record is a list of UFC royalty and more. With wins over Wanderlei Silva, Ken Shamrock, Vitor Belford, Forrest Griffin, Ryan Bader and more, he knows what it takes to succeed through dedication and commitment. Now set to take on Chuck Liddell, who came out of retirement to challenge Tito, he'll have one last chance at redemption. Away from the Octagon, Tito started Punishment Athletics clothing company in 1999. He's also heading up Primetime 360, a fighter management company that's doing right by athletes, with a roster including 20-1 women's featherweight champion, Cris Cyborg. Away from the sport, TO Auto Group – a wholesale car business, is another passion of the UFC legend's. His goal is to change the stereotype of a used car salesman. As if that wasn't enough, Tito is also enthusiastic about pursuing a career in acting. It's dedication that's seen him do right by himself and others, diversifying what he sets his mind to but keeping the commitment level high at all times, whether in or out of the cage. Episode Highlights : How instinct kicks in for anyone to survive, whether that's in a fight or making money in business. With Tito, his start was selling fish on the pier, aged nine years old. The importance of picking the right road when you're faced with options. For Tito, the choices were prison, death, or where he is today. While passion is priority, it's important to have an exit plan. How priorities and aims change, particularly when you become a parent. Find your metaphor for motivation, whether it's something that happened in your past or an experience of someone else you can draw from. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with UFC light heavyweight and entrepreneur, Tito Ortiz…

Heading up a seven-figure advertising agency for the fitness industry, Mike Arce knows why any advertisement or marketing effort needs to be more than just a short-term offer. Mike is responsible for the success of thousands of fitness spaces around the world. Having been in the industry for well over a decade, he's learnt the importance of sticking to what you know and doing it well. He's been in fitness long before his advertising interests took hold. Before moving into marketing, his time at LA Fitness, Pure Fitness, and his own PT company taught him valuable insight into audience, behaviour and how to focus 100% on a customer or client's needs. Discovering a passion for sales, Mike felt that he could do promotion and marketing for any industry. This, however, soon became too overwhelming and a specialist approach was needed. Niched back down into fitness, and now Mike's company is responsible for the success of fitness and wellness companies worldwide. He's also the host of video podcasts, The GOAT Show and The GSD Show, featuring some of the most influential people in the fitness business, sales, social media, SEO, funnel hacking, scaling and more. Loud Rumor is a seven-figure advertising agency that's responsible for 1000 fitness studios, independent gyms and boutiques around the world. The company helps dramatically increase membership using a tailored programme, or helps smaller businesses with marketing and sales strategies through consultation. As well as financial and business success for both company and client, Loud Rumor has a target to help 100,000 people jumpstart a healthy lifestyle through fitness, too. Episode Highlights : Why the right time for you to launch a business could be seen as a terrible time for anyone else. It all depends on circumstance. The importance of finding your niche and how to make your business easier to scale. How to use internet advertising and brand awareness in the long game rather than just for quick wins. Ways that you can get lower click costs an better ratios for web leads and ad spend online. How to use feelings and perceptions to your advantage and avoid losing customers to competitors. Think about your customers like you think about your family. Suddenly, it's not about the money and your efforts will be a lot more focused on how to benefit any client. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Mike Arce…

Chris Luera has spent a lot of time behind bars, but now he swings from them. From gang life and drug abuse to competing for glory in fitness, he's not only turned his life around to influence others with his positive change, but he's also risen to the top of his fitness game as a world champion in calisthenics. It all starts with hope. Born into a family of drug addicted parents, Chris Luera was surrounded by social services and abuse from day one. His birth mother died when he was 18 months old, and he went into foster care aged two and a half. His biological father couldn't cope. Chris' great aunt, aged 56, adopted Chris and took him in. His aunt and uncle became his mother and father. Despite this new loving environment, he'd began to experimented with drugs and was arrested by the age 11. He was smoking crack cocaine by 13, and descended into a life of gangs, crime and meth addiction between multiple prison sentences. What followed was an incredible turn around of positivity and giving back to the world through fitness. After many failed attempts, Chris got clean when he returned from prison and dedicated his time to positivity. He found a job and started to do his parents proud. Tragically, his mother passed away, and in a desperate attempt to get some sleep at this time, Chris used the gym as a way to exhaust his body. It was here he discovered a new passion of calisthenics. From humble beginnings in the gym and working out at Venice Beach, Chris is now 3x Middleweight World Champion and WCO Master Trainer. His Tatted Strength brand is followed by thousands, while his book and motivational speaking is showing the world how anyone can turn their life around. Episode Highlights : The importance of a strong support network, full of people that will stand by you no matter what and guide you in making the right decisions. Why you need to look at the people you're around if you're in a bad mindset. How a positive outlook is all about perspective, and why it's so important to always be working towards something so that you counteract any negative thoughts with activity. How to keep yourself busy and avoid apathy in times of great stress, depression or distraction. Why you should share your knowledge through as many outlets as possible, and how you can make a start in publishing to further your influence. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Chris Luera…

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…