Escape Your Limits & LIFTS

A founding member of Les Mills International, self-titled observer and catalyst, Emma Barry is known for delivering fitness magic both in terms of workout delivery with icons such as Equinox and also through business advice and knowledge shares. Since the birth and growth of high intensity workouts, she's travelled the world to teach, learn and love life. Watch the full episode on YouTube – https://youtu.be/OYHP4xNYGU4 Born in London and brought up in New Zealand before moving abroad yet again, Emma is no stranger to the fitness industry on any continent. She began teaching and personal training as a student, before joining the industry professionally in the early '90s during the original days of step and circuit training popularity. Changing the history of fitness, she was part of launching Les Mills International and helped lead the exercise giant on its growth journey through the rise of pre-choreographed classes such as Pump, which later became Bodypump. After weighing up the pros and cons of the decision, Emma decided to move to America and joined Equinox as director of group fitness programming, and she's continued to influence, inspire, educate and inform ever since. Today, in California, Emma spends her time speaking at conferences and fitness shows, taking on research and learning around the world, contributing to publications and forums, as well as mentoring and helping people clarify what they're doing or getting clear on project goals and putting energy behind them. Her clients range from boutique spaces in value markets and high end, to equipment manufacturers and anyone looking for feedback on the pros or cons of a particular product in group exercise. With over two decades in fitness, her invaluable levels of knowledge and market history can benefit any interest with a depth that few people can match. Episode Highlights - Hear why gender representation isn't coming into the fitness industry yet when it comes to the standard models of conventions and promotion. Learn about what lifestyling means in fitness and how the influence of different market sectors affect trends, actions, opportunities and offerings. The origins of Les Mills, and what brought the popularity of the company's programming at the perfect time for serious growth and longevity. How you can get clients and members to think like your brand, and why it's important to integrate your brand's values with lifestyles and mindspace. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Emma Barry…

Whether instructing, training, encouraging, recruiting or developing business, Barry Ennis has cemented his place in a niche of international fitness consultants. His meditative yoga background and business acumen brings a mindset to China that's inspiring enthusiasm and growth in all things fitness. Watch the full episode on YouTube – https://youtu.be/5cyug8kpQ7A Born in LA, Barry grew up playing baseball through college, making it far enough to play on professional scouting teams. His progressive coaches in baseball led Barry to undertake yoga. Not only was this the start of a new passion but, through shared interests, he ended up teaching his fellow students at college before becoming popular enough where it was time to get certified. Barry travelled to India to further study the discipline where it first originated. From Mumbai, he moved to Dubai where he helped create a bootcamp class business, and then moved on to work with the Flywheel Sports franchise, training the instructors before finding his new home in Shanghai. Since college, as well as an almost endless list of yoga disciplines, Barry's taught indoor cycling, HIIT, strength, barre, and more. He's now a master trainer / instructor at SpaceCycle in China. Training aside, Barry's also facilitating growth through focus on instructor education as well as bringing in masters from all over the world to teach – aiding fitness for the whole country As a trainer, ensuring a welcoming atmosphere is key. As a podcast host for Fitness Career Mastery, he provides a source for personal trainers, group fitness instructors or gym owners all over the world to share secrets to success in order to achieve mastery in their careers. Episode Highlights - How cities new to modern fitness facilities can draw on experience from industry-developed locations to grow efficiently and offer more to their memberships. What kind of progressive coaching in meditative disciplines can benefit other sports. How to combat the first job vs experience dilemma and rebrand yourself to grow your career anywhere in the world. Why knowledge sharing is more beneficial for a whole industry, rather than holding secrets to success and trying to keep information to yourself. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Barry Ennis… Please like and subscribe.

A hero of health education, Jeff Kreil is an expert in both fitness knowledge and business nous. He guides and enlightens the fitpros of tomorrow to not only reach their potential academically but go above and beyond to forge relationships with the industry, too. Through a holistic approach, he's helping to build the fitness world of tomorrow, student by student. Watch the full episode on YouTube – https://youtu.be/gg20jZgaopo Jeff started his professional fitness journey as a personal trainer, with a view to becoming a strength and conditioning coach for athletes. Soon, he fell in love with working with all kinds of people before joining 24 Hour Fitness. There for 10 years, he found a passion for teaching, so became part of 24 Hour Fitness University, developing talents through programmes before transitioning to APEX Fitness and working under nutrition guru, Neil Spruce. It took a while, but Jeff realised his life goal: To teach at a community college, helping employers find quality candidates and helping candidates find employment. With 20 years in the fitness industry under his belt, Jeff is now instructing kinesiology courses that prepare students for NASM CPT, NSCA CPT, and ACE GFI accreditation – all requirements for the Associates Degree in Exercise Science and Fitness Specialist Certificate of Achievement programme. Evolving the curriculum through industry feedback and employment opportunities, Jeff's approach teaches intention in programming. For example, how a particular movement aligns with the client assessments and how a fitpro should find reasoning behind every decision. There may be no wrong answer, but there does need to be justification, and that's what Jeff is a master of teaching. Episode Highlights - How to overcome misalignment in the education world to discover which certifications will get you where you want to be. How to best benefit the needs of any hiring manager with the most sought after skills. How a fitpro should dig deeper to know what it is in a client's life that's leading to their condition, whether it be pain-related or goal focused. Discovering the best ways to up retention rates and why some gyms are losing the relationship with members as soon as they walk out the doors. How do you modify your fitness offering as a PT to accommodate different types of class interest, injury, or any market segmentation? Ways that you can build a following through individualisation and how you conduct yourself in order to increase interest in your classes or sessions. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Jeff Kreil of Moorpark College. Please like and subscribe.

Heralded by the press as creating of some of the hardest and best boutique workouts, Kevin Yates of TRIB3 has been there since the beginning of the fitness industry's growth in the UK. His community-led work and welcoming attitude accompanies everything he does, driving for further success with some of the biggest operators around the world. Watch the full episode on YouTube – https://youtu.be/P0KsBPPT3ec Before becoming a man of influence for multiple fitness businesses, Kevin's profession spanned everything from playing football for Barnsley and Scunthorpe to undertaking a successful army career. In relation to the world of health and wellbeing, he worked for free for Fitness First to occupy his time and passion, as the army was still paying him, before being offered a paid job with the company later. There for 11 years, Kevin ended up as national fitness manager with 174 clubs under his belt. Along with many other big industry names, he also joined 1Rebel for three years before making his own boutique break as CEO of TRIB3. TRIB3 (pronounced "tribe," for the record), both in the boutique studio setting and behind the scenes, it's all about innovation and hard work. TRIB3's tagline of "more than just a workout" couldn't ring any more true, as it provides something new and exciting for every member. Whether pushing for a PB through your MyZone readings, trying one of the pre and post-workout nutrition treats for all, or joining every other member on a wall of fame after your first session, the community spirit and each club is something that's only bettered by the exercise offering. Episode Highlights - Discover how a successful business within any industry needs to stay on the move to adapt to unforeseen and uncontrollable circumstances. Importance of the spread of your customer base. Can you build your business for the right amount of people, is it scalable when the time is right? Learn how the boutique market is divided, how each part of the market is progressed and what the opportunities are for the future. How franchising can expand internationally and grow the business in different markets around the world. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Kevin Yates of TRIB3… Please like and subscribe.

In a one-two punch combo to the fitness industry, Andre Huseman and Vanessa Bourne are bringing customisation for combat sports to the masses, with BoxHaus. If you're a fan of boxing, or even muay thai and kickboxing, you need to know about this place. Watch the full episode on YouTube – https://youtu.be/lUTRhvIKIHE Mutual friends and an Ecuadorian background brought these two heavy hitters together to build their Newport Beach business. Vanessa has been in fitness for over a decade, having opened a successful Pilates studio and always had a passion for yoga, both personally and professionally. Andre was the source of a lot of hype within Orange County, having also been in the industry for over a decade with gym employment before a passion for boxing took over. His own training for fights and fitness began to seep into the service of training sessions for clients. An innovative approach along with merging previous business with BoxHaus meant that success was already ensured for both Andre and Vanessa. Their existing following and experience brought pre-launch marketing to a viral level, with tangible excitement and commitment that's often not seen within a start-up scenario. This custom combat offering is something that's only going to get more popular with these two driving progress. BoxHaus is Orange County's first boutique boxing studio, driven by passion, incredible visual branding throughout the location and a community spirit that involves all. Building a business through previous contacts, collaboration and creating unbelievable hype on social media meant that BoxHaus surpassed its projections even before the doors opened. With an incredible calorie burn and fun way to raise your heart rate at the base of the business, it's an offering that also thrives on quality and customisation that brings every benefit possible to members. Episode Highlights - The importance of knowing who you're appealing to and how to go all-in with the look, message and delivery of design. How to anticipate extra costs you may not have thought of, such as soundproofing, and which other areas of the market you can look for efficiency inspiration. Discover why it's so important to be genuine with your staffing team and trainers, and why real experience suited to the subject material is vital. You can't pull the wool over clients' and members' eyes. How can you find the balance to present an inviting environment and avoid intimidation with a combat sports service provision? Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Andre Huseman and Vanessa Bourne of BoxHaus … Please like and subscribe.

Adam Sedlack of UFC GYM has pioneered worldwide fitness with the biggest name in MMA to help people create, accomplish and win through fighting spirit. Watch the full episode on YouTube – https://youtu.be/UmMS7--wxws Adam started out in a summer job straight out of college with Family Fitness that was later acquired by 24 Hour Fitness. From there, he stayed on board and rose through the ranks to move across three or four different clubs and become a general manager; then started travelling the USA as district manager, regional director, and eventually divisional vice president of the company. Through this loyalty and dedication, Adam benefitted from mentorship opportunities under the likes of Mark Mastrov and Jim Rowley to become a better version of himself within the industry. Not only did this give him the skills and understanding of what it takes to be successful and, more importantly, what members need, but it also forged the relationships that have led to his current achievement. Today, as president of UFC GYM, Adam helps people train different to discover the benefits of a mental and physical approach that surpasses anything else in the fight game. As the name suggests, UFC GYM locations are places where people can train like an athlete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Between those walls and in the Octagon, it's all about integrity, character, discipline and dedication. UFC GYM's signature model has a core of classes that make each location offering great, including boxing, Brazilian jiu jitsu, conditioning, and daily ultimate training (DUT) to teach a safe way for members to become functionally fit. This approach with the right content and UFC DNA enables franchisees to better execute what UFC GYM is all about. On top of this, a boutique model within the gyms allow consistency in brand communication across the business, whether for employees or franchisees. Episode Highlights - How to stay humble with great success and continual achievement. Circle of association – how to use influence and mentorship to better yourself and your business. How to look at your industry in different ways by working with different people, and making the most of relocation to boost your career. In Adam's case, he's moved 20 times with 24 Hour Fitness. That's loyalty and dedication. Discover the differences between corporate business compared with a franchise opportunity. What are the challenges and how can you overcome them? How to appeal to an audience or customer base that wouldn't traditionally be of interest to your brand's origins and expectations. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Adam Sedlack of UFC GYM… Please like and subscribe.

Paul Chek of the C.H.E.K Institute has done it all. He's not only served in the military but got to the point of being invited to join Delta Force. Today, his thirst for knowledge and imparting what he's learned will leave you with the understanding of how to work with definitive and abstract ideas, appreciate values, and weigh up opportunity with financial benefit on a much bigger scale. That's just the start… Watch the full episode on YouTube –https://youtu.be/_w1boV_cLrk From a background of sheep farming and manufacturing produce from wool in the family business, Paul juxtaposed the physical with the mental, training in meditation with monks following his mother's influence as a yogi from an early age. Using this as the foundation of his developmental life, his close-to-the-earth, holistic upbringing set in motion a life of constantly having more energy than anyone around him. He started boxing at 12 before fighting competitively; it all started from there. Following his introduction to the ring, his work ethic and need for competition led him to become a kickboxer, motorcross racer, stock car driver, drag racer, rodeo rider, and played every sport he could play in high school. Later on, logging, working on drilling rigs, working in the fishing industry, and also learning about engineering and mechanics through practical application gave him skillset after skillset that pushed him to another level of challenge. Paul joined the army as a paratrooper. Aside from repairing weapons systems on Cobra helicopters, it also enabled him to join their boxing team, eventually becoming the team's trainer. From his nutrition knowledge and practicality, he taught even the elite soldiers how to have more energy and application of their incredible abilities in physical combat. Competitive edge is something that has stayed with him throughout his life. In his own words, Paul's work in the C.H.E.K Institute is a synthesis of the best minds in any profession, integrated into his own findings and developed into new concepts through online education, over 400 exhaustive articles, over 100 videos, 11 books along with audio books, meditation tools and more. As an athlete, author, inventor, speaker, educator, Paul Chek's skills are paramount in thought leadership and taking people on their own hero's journey. Internationally renowned, it's his insight and evidenced opinions that change the lives of countless people around the world. Episode Highlights - Learning business from unlikely industries, in the case sheep farming and wool production, and how this can lead to a life of endless achievement through application of the fundamentals. Eat the way you would on a farm. Paul's diet enabled him to cycle 250 miles a week, run 40 miles a week, swimming an average of a mile a day on top of six to eight hours a day of boxing training. Although it's not as straightforward as you think… The importance of surrounding yourself with the best. Paul's friendship group included a world kickboxing champion sparring partner, bodybuilding's Mr Canada with the biggest gym in town, two nationally ranked motorcross racers, elite skiers, black belt holders in various different martial arts… A melting pot of badass athletes. Learn the difference between people that know what to think and people that know how to think. How billions of people all damaging themselves through poor nutrition, and not in the ways you think. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Paul Chek of the C.H.E.K Institute… Please like and subscribe.

Few people know the importance of tailoring your offering to a customer base better than Colin Waggett, CEO of Third Space. He's the master of grasping opportunities at the ideal time to bring growth and new offerings to members interested in London luxury. Watch the full episode on YouTube – https://youtu.be/fsHuhNOddj4 Colin's professional background in hospitality, finance and casinos brought him to realise his passion for fitness is only matched by his ability to drive progress, implementing this wealth of experience. Since joining the industry, he's headed up a £500m company to thrive in over 20 countries and, today, provides outstanding fitness spaces that members feel are their own. Following seven years at Fitness First as CEO, Colin went on to co-found a venture into the boutique market with Psycle. This enabled the entrepreneur of opulence to continue to learn about himself in a smaller, premium offering, including discovering the different challenges that every business goes through during growth trajectories. Of course, the work is never done, with behind the scenes propositions in his current venture, Third Space, ever expanding – evolution is always on the cards. While the focus is on London, listen to find out where the next direction is heading. Third Space bills its locations as London's luxury health clubs, providing outstanding fitness spaces that members feel are their own, and the description doesn't disappoint. Another_Space offers three class concepts: yoga, cycle, and HIIT. These are pay-as-you-go offerings in two London locations. Colin and his team have found the magic ingredients of theatre, community and innovation, fulfilling members' love of the "new." This implemented in fitness offerings, whether group sessions, climbing, cardio or any aspect of functional fitness, ensures that this is a best-in-class business compared to the competition, complemented by every other facility in the clubs to ensure the highest quality of experience. Episode Highlights: How you can use the benefit of hindsight to implement lessons learnt for future opportunities. The importance of differentiation and how to stand out with a fitness offering and great service that brings balance to any member's life. Design is vital. How can you inspire your members or customers through ambiance alone, to complement everything else your business offers. What is the future of the boutique? Will people leave traditional clubs and migrate? Will they stay in full service gyms? Will members continue choose between the two? Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Colin Waggett of Third Space…. Please like and subscribe.

Former US Marine, Jim Rowley, set up New Evolution Ventures with Mark Mastrov to act as an umbrella for brands including Crunch Fitness, UFC GYMS, Madonna's Hardcandy Fitness, YogaWorks and more. Even after initial accomplishment, reaching his professional goals and working with some of the biggest names in fitness, Jim was responsible for evolving a business that was doing $90 million and took it to $300 million. Hear his success story, experience insights, predictions on the future of fitness and more in this inspiring episode. Watch the full episode on YouTube – https://youtu.be/QF_pk-XIMlk Born in Nappa Valley, Jim and his identical twin brother were raised by teenage parents in a family with strong lineage in the military. Due to this influence and aspirational approach, he graduated high school and immediately enlisted as a US Marine. After his service, Jim's future was to be filled with creating a fitness legacy that is stronger than ever. His 15 years in 24 Hour Fitness and expansive list of senior roles within the industry have built on success after success. In the early days in sales, Jim told himself: 'I want to be the youngest vice president promoted in the history of this company' at 24 Hour Fitness. It wasn't long before he reached his goal and was VP before he was 30, with 33 clubs under his belt. The US Marines gave Jim discipline, responsibility, courage and the philosophy to put in the hours. On top of that, Jim broke his approach down to what it was like to be a member, instead of making it all about sales. This was met well with both staff and prospective clients alike from his early days in the industry. Today, Jim is reaping the rewards of risking it all with a mortgage, three kids in private school and family responsibilities at 40 years old to go in his own direction in a joint venture with Mark Mastrov. The evolution of fitness is what inspired the name of New Evolution Ventures. Instead of having one brand with a huge presence, NeV is about aggregating multiple brands and learning from each of them simultaneously. This spawned the beginning of the UFC GYMs, the introduction of YogaWorks, and more. Episode Highlights: How to get over the apprehension of dramatically changing careers, especially when transitioning from the military to civilian life. Going from calling in every favour in order to get his first job to becoming a pioneer of the fitness industry and how you can achieve anything through hard work. The reasons you need to be accountable and responsible while persevering with your passion. It's a case of working hard andworking smart. How to achieve and deal with massive expansion through acquisition thanks to celebrity endorsement and efficient ad campaigns; the benefits of creating a lifestyle. Finding the balance to be there for your children while still staying successful in business. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Jim Rowley of New Evolution Ventures. Please like and subscribe.

Facing physical battles or business challenges, few fighters have more impressive UFC news headlines than featherweight legend, "Killer" Cub Swanson. Watch the full episode on YouTube – https://youtu.be/KPI66yyeQOU One of the most exciting fighters in UFC history, Cub Swanson has 25 wins to his name, but has also been awarded fight of the night, knockout of the night, fight of the year and more on multiple occasions. Despite his explosive actions in the cage, this mild-mannered family man leads a very different life day-to-day, but his fighting spirit and hunger for success still drives everything he does in every aspect of his business life. Dealing with family issues from as young as three years old when his father passed away, Cub is no stranger to coping with a challenge and overcoming adversity, but wholesomely appreciates the love and support he's received from those close to him. Cub started martial arts at 19, but felt anxious about confrontation at first. Never wanting to fight, he soon got the taste for combat as the ultimate test of him being a man, or discovering whether particular martial arts work against others or in a practical sense. Rough around the edges to begin with, Cub explains how his UFC journey has expanded his horizons, humbled him and allowed him to grow into who he is today with so much on his shoulders. Today, Cub's business is not just in the cage, but in his Killer Cub clothing line and looking to the future to implement his retirement plan post-Octagon. Episode Highlights: Cub is king of balancing business and personal life. In his case, it's how to channel aggression in the cage but stay relaxed and polite out of it. Learn how you can develop who you are on both sides of life, whatever you do. Hear how being stubborn can be a positive trait and used as motivation or determination to achieve anything. When's the best time to step out of your comfort zone and put everything into following your passion and becoming the best at what you do? Take inspiration from everywhere, and help it drive you to success and achievement. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with UFC featherweight legend, Cub Swanson… Please like and subscribe.