
Fitness Business Podcast: Leadership, Innovation, and Profit
Are you a gym owner or manager looking to improve conversions from prospects to members, member satisfaction, employee retention, innovation and profitability? Many fitness podcasts focus solely on lead generation, but we believe the real key to long-term success lies in effective leadership and reducing churn of both staff and members. Host Justin "JT" Tamsett, a leader in the global fitness and wellness culture, brings you actionable advice from multiple industry experts in each episode.
With over 1 million downloads, this podcast offers brilliant strategies to overcome challenges in the fitness industry today. Whether you run a big-box gym or boutique studio, this podcast is your lifeline to hands-on experience. Educate yourself today on how to hit record sales numbers, boost member retention, build a high-performing team, and skyrocket your revenue through strong leadership. Listen and subscribe now!
Q: Is this podcast right for me?
A: The podcast is for independent, chain and franchise owners, managers and department managers ready to be the best: Planet Fitness, LA Fitness, Equinox, Anytime Fitness, PureGym, David Lloyd Leisure, Virgin Active, Snap Fitness, Crunch Fitness, F45, Pure Barre, Barry's Bootcamp, SoulCycle, Psycle, The Movement Nation, and much more.
Q: How often are new episodes released?
A: New episodes drop twice a month, delivering valuable education to help you grow your fitness business.
Q: What can I expect to learn from the show this season?
A: Expect to learn about building strong communities, boosting member retention, creating a better employee experience, and navigating the future of fitness.
Q: Who are your sponsors?
A: This show is supported by REX Roundtables and Active Management
About Your Host: Justin “JT” Tamsett is a seasoned fitness industry veteran and passionate advocate for promoting physical activity. His mission is to reduce the health care costs across the globe by having more people move and move more often. JT’s hope is that his daughter Zoe can grow up in a world full of opportunity rather than one where governments and communities don’t have the burden of an ageing and sickening population. With over 30 years of experience, JT has owned gyms, coached fitness classes, and now specialises in business coaching for fitness entrepreneurs.
Through his company, Active Management, JT provides guidance and support to gym owners worldwide, empowering them to build successful businesses and contribute to a healthier society. He also leads 8 REX Roundtables in the US and Australia, spoken at over 40 conferences in 23 countries, and consulted with gyms worldwide. JT’s commitment to improving health extends beyond his professional endeavours, as he has also dedicated himself to coaching various sports and actively participates in industry organisations.
Latest episodes

Jul 25, 2023 • 28min
510 Nikki Rausch: Successful Strategies for Relationship Sales
Are you ready to make more money? By listening to today's podcast, you will learn what to say and how to say it to up level your influence and income. The small tips in this episode are guaranteed to change your sales approach. Get contact information and more show notes here: https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/510 Nikki Rausch is the CEO of Sales Maven and a sales expert who helps entrepreneurs and business owners transform their sales process. She is known for her unique approach to selling, that combines selling skills with kindness and authenticity. Summary: Nikki Rausch believes successful sales is about building relationships and having real conversations with potential clients. She teaches a five-step sales process called the Selling Staircase, which includes introduction, creating curiosity, discovery, proposal, and close. She emphasizes the importance of creating curiosity to pique people's interest and asking smart questions to understand their needs. Nikki also recommends having a high-end offering to create an anchor for other offers, and using top-down selling to present options to clients. She encourages salespeople to ask for the sale and issue invitations to work together. Finally, she advises following up with clients and staying in touch to maintain the relationship. Key Takeaways: Practice creating curiosity to pique people's interest and have more business conversations. Be clear and stand in your place of credibility and authority when recommending your solution. Use top-down selling to present options to clients, starting with the most expensive offer. Ask for the sale and issue invitations to work together. Follow up with clients and stay in touch to maintain the relationship.

Jul 20, 2023 • 13min
509 The Value Proposition for Igniting Your Passion
Join Sarah Pellegrino as she speaks with Mel Tempest, 20+ year fitness business operator and organizer of the Ignite Fitness Business Event taking place September 14, 2023! Hear what’s unique about this Australian event and why YOU need to attend! Show Summary: Calling all Melbourne fitness business professionals – are you ready for the Ignite Fitness Business Event taking place on Thursday, September 14, 2023? Think speed dating meets fitness industry roundtable, networking event. This personalized, one-day event will be capped at around 70 people, providing you with an intimate setting to get your fitness business questions answered right on the spot! There will be different roundtables with hosts that specialize on certain topics. Each table will foster different discussions and you’ll leave with a whole new network of professionals you can lean on! Show notes: https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/509 Ignite Fitness Business Event: https://ignitefitnessbusiness.com.au

Jul 18, 2023 • 31min
508 Steph Tuss: Holding Your Team Accountable: Creating a Culture of Accountability in Your Business
Steph Tuss, CEO of Life Is Now, joins the Fitness Business Podcast to discuss the importance of accountability in teams. She emphasizes the need for a clear vision communicated to the team, as well as agreed-upon measures of success. Tuss believes accountability should be a collaborative process, with leaders supporting their team members in achieving their goals. She also highlights the importance of fostering a culture of psychological safety, where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and engaging in healthy debate. Tuss provides practical strategies for holding teams accountable and creating a productive and innovative environment. Key Takeaways: A clear vision communicated to the team is essential for fostering accountability. Agreed-upon measures of success help team members understand their responsibilities and hold themselves accountable. Leaders should approach accountability conversations to support and empower team members, rather than to reprimand or criticize. Building psychological safety within the organization encourages healthy debate and innovation. Mistakes should be seen as learning opportunities and leaders should model vulnerability by admitting their own mistakes.

Jul 11, 2023 • 48min
507 The Latest Design Trends for Gyms with Rudy Fabiano
How have you prepared your facility's design to meet changing user expectations? According to today's guest, more dedicated space for recovery, member entrance and lobby areas are just a few of the top trends in club renovations. This episode is like a free design consultation from Rudiy Fabiano one of the top club designers in the industry. Listen carefully for some DIY projects that you can start tomorrow! Full show notes: https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/507

Jul 4, 2023 • 40min
506 Gender in the Gym: Women's Approach to Health and Fitness
Attention gym owners! Are you truly aware of women's distinct desires and preferences regarding fitness and wellness? Extensive research indicates their needs often differ from men in the same age group. As a gym owner, unlocking the obstacles that prevent women from joining your establishment will open up a vast untapped market. Discover invaluable insights on women's health and fitness requirements from Murphy Research, based on reliable data. SHOW NOTES: https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/506

Jun 27, 2023 • 23min
505: The Future of Fitness Is In Exercise Modification
Natalie Carey is a fitness expert who believes that exercise modification and inclusivity for all bodies is the key to financial success in the fitness industry. In this episode of the Fitness Business podcast, Natalie shares her insights on how to incorporate exercise modification into your business model. Natalie discusses the importance of exercise modification for inclusiveness and how it can benefit personal trainers and big box clubs. She provides tips on how to incorporate exercise modification into your business model, and shares her thoughts on the future of fitness. Fitness modification certainly is a trend in the industry worth talking about. This forward thinking approach helps personal trainers and fitness clubs bring in additional cash flow, as well as loyal new members. Everyone wants to feel included, and if you offer this programming, your community culture will hit an all time high. Listen along, as Natalie Carey will help you see the financial benefit in the future of fitness modification.

Jun 20, 2023 • 35min
504: John Briggs: Avoiding Burnout in the Workplace
Today, you'll feel refreshed as you learn how to prevent workplace burnout by creating a healthy environment, not only for your employees, but also for yourself. Listen along as our industry expert, John Briggs, author and founder of InciteTax gives advice on how to get energized while increasing productivity. Show notes: https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/504

Jun 13, 2023 • 32min
503 Thinking Ahead: Moving the Fitness Industry Through Education and Advocacy
In this interview, Chris Craytor discusses the Phit Act, which allows individuals to use their health savings accounts or flexible spending accounts for fitness-related expenses. He explains the importance of the Phit Act for promoting physical activity, and the challenges in getting it passed in Congress. Chris also shares his insights on the fitness industry and the evolving role of technology in engaging members. Additionally, he discusses the topic of integrating the fitness industry with the medical wellness industry and the challenges that come with it. Chris Craytor is the CEO of ACAC Fitness and Wellness Centers, CEO for Welld Health, and currently the Chair of the IHRSA Board of Directors. He has been in the fitness industry since 2004 and has extensive experience in navigating the competitive landscape of the industry. Full show notes: https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/503

Jun 6, 2023 • 30min
502 Gender in the Gym: Men's Approach to Fitness and Health
Dr. Sarah Marion is a fitness industry expert with a new study titled "Gender in the Gym." In this two-part series, she discusses the research findings for men and women. In this episode, she delivers the research findings for men, which include the fitness barriers for men, the fitness habits of men, and what men are looking for in a fitness facility. Overview Dr. Sarah Marion's research findings for men are based on data pulled from Murphy research. The research uncovered the fitness barriers for men, the fitness habits of men, and what men are looking for when it comes to a fitness facility. In this episode, Dr. Sarah Marion shares her top three tips to get men into the gym. She discusses the importance of retaining members as they move into middle age, working with tech, and finding ways to strengthen social bonds at the gym. Dr. Sarah Marion also provides insights into the clear differences in how men and women approach health, and the consistency of those differences. See all show notes here: https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/502

May 29, 2023 • 34min
501 Wellness Programs for Revenue, Retention, and Results with Lindsay Vastola
Looking for a way to improve your revenue? Offering a signature wellness program may be the perfect addition to your list of services. Lindsay Vastola delivers an episode filled with amazing advice on how your signature wellness program will result in revenue, retention and most importantly success! Lindsay Vastola is the founder of MOMENTUM 365, a lifestyle coaching program for women. She serves the fitness industry through her Fitness Leadership Academy, providing professional development education and training for fitness professionals. She is a former gym owner, previous editor of Personal Fitness Professional (PFP) magazine, advisory board member, and experienced speaker and coach across industries specializing in creating signature programs, communication, Emotional Intelligence, and personal leadership
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