The Business Of Strength Podcast

Greg Hammond of Concept2 calls in to talk with Joe and Dan. They discuss his role at Concept2, their unique company hierarchy, how they establish relationships with pro athletes like Conor McGregor and more! About Greg: Greg has been with Concept2 since 1996 and works very closely with the growing motocross and mixed martial arts markets as well as with CrossFit, Police and Fire departments. Currently Greg lives in Johnson, Vermont with his wife Laurie and still races motocross locally and has started to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. When he is not on the road for Concept2 he enjoys training local athletes and getting the most out of living in Vermont by snowboarding, mountain biking, running and Nordic ski racing. To attend one of our Business Of Strength mentorships visit http://www.strengthentrepreneurs.com

Give a gym tour that is sure to “seal the deal” for any potential new client. When someone walks into your gym for the first time you need to have a well-defined process for showing them your “secret sauce.” In today's world, you only have a few seconds to peak that person’s interest and make them feel like they made the right choice by coming to your gym. NOT having a clearly defined process might be a reason you not closing deals and/or converting leads to clients. Up your game by giving potential clients The Ultimate Gym Tour! Topic Include: • Why give gym tours instead of free sessions? • What we used to do…and it was terrible! • Key components to a killer gym tour. • Creating a process that your coaches can follow. • Selling the solution. • Giving The Ultimate Gym Tour™

Brandon Lilly calls in for another Business Of Strength Podcast. For more information visit www.varsityhouse.tv/brandonlilly

Date Tate is the founder and CEO of EliteFTS one of the largest education and equipment companies in the world. EliteFTS has been educating and outfitting some of the strongest athletes in the world for over 20-years. Dave’s journey started as an elite powerlifter. He was one of the original “founding fathers” at Westside Barbell and at his best totaled 2205lbs. Only after a series of injuries and having to retire form the sport did Dave turn his eyes on the business world. Today Dave runs a multi-million dollar fitness empire and continues to educate, motivate, and inspire millions around the world. Topics Include: • Turning educational failure into success. • How following your passion can create the driving force needed for success. • The beginning of EliteFTS • How selling equipment was NOT what he intended • Giving back through education • The backbone of the business of EliteFTS • Dave’s day to day role • How vision and core values paly a huge roll in the foundation of EliteFTS • The future and what on the horizon • The Fixing Dave Tate Project • Dave Biggest mistakes • Advice for anyone trying to make it big in the industry!

In this episode Joe and Dan speak to world champion powerlifter turned Strength Entrepreneur Mark Bell. Mark tells his story of how he transformed himself from a youth athlete into a champion powerlifter. During that time, he saw a need for better gear and started making sleeves, wraps, and other high-quality gear for lifter out of his garage.  Now his company Sling Shot, who makes some of the best gear in the world for lifters, is one of the fastest growing companies in the fitness industry. His invention of the Sling Shot has revolutionized how people bench press. Marks vision is to create a company that can reach millions of people around the world live healthier pain free lives. Mark is the self-proclaimed Meathead Millionaire who leveraged a powerlifting career into a multi-million dollar business empire.  Topics Include: • Becoming a powerlifter as a teen. • Shooting Bigger, Stronger, Faster with his brother Chris Bell. • The inception for Sling Shot. • His company mission. • His day to day operations. • The future of Sling Shot • Super Training Gym “The Strongest Gym in the West.” • Marks mission to help as many people as possible. • The war on carbs. • Taking Sling Shot to the 100-Million dollar mark.

Pat Davidson, Ph.D, is an exercise physiologist, strength and conditioning coach, author, consultant, and traveling lecturer. Pat started out in the fitness world as an athlete who was looking to find any training and nutrition tool possible to make him the best he could possibly be at sports. This passion for training knowledge ultimately led Pat to pursuing a Master’s in Science in Strength and Conditioning, and a Ph.D in Exercise Physiology. Pat has worked as a Professor of Exercise Science at Springfield College and Brooklyn College, along with being the Director of Continuing Education and Training Methodology at Peak Performance in NYC. Joe, Dan and Sean speak with Pat about a wide range of topics an gain some insight into how he transformated his passion, into a real profession. Powered By Varsity House Gym www.strengthentrepreneurs.com

Matt Wenning tells his story of how he transformed himself from a youth athlete into a champion powerlifter. Matt discusses his time as a collegiate and NFL strength coach and how/why he decided to start his own company. We talk about the business of Wenning Strength including his gym Ludus Magnus, his work helping fireman reduce injuries and stress, to his days as a military contractor working with elite military operators. Matt’s no nonsense blue color approach to his brand is what attracts many people to want to work with him. In his words “I’m just trying to be the most badass dude I can be!” Matt is a true example of someone who has turned their passion into a profession.

A Window Into The World Of Sports Marketing With Mike Gallucci In this episode Joe and Dan speak to marketing expert and founding member of Sportsmemorabilia.com, Mike Gallucci. Mike is a local NJ guy who started from the ground up with the small on-line start up. Mike sheds light on how he took a small online operation to a global brand. He takes us along the ride from initial “start-up” to eventually being purchased by a billion-dollar brand! Get insight on how he turned his passion for sports into his profession. Topics Include: • Today’s marketing landscape • Marketing tips for small businesses • Getting a start-up purchased • His passion for business development • How he turned an internship into a career • How SEO and Organic Search works • Exclusive Partnering with Pro Athletes • The life and mind of a cereal entrepreneur Connect with Mike • http://www.sportsmemorabilia.com • http://www.Instagram.com/mgallucci This episode is brought to you by Varsity House Gym a world leader in strength & conditioning. 

In this episode Joe had the amazing opportunity to train with and interview strength & conditioning legend Dan John. Dan John has over 40 years’ experience as a high-level athlete and coach. He is an American track & field champion (discuss) and has competed multiple times in the Highland Games. Dan John had his best year of discuss at the age of 47 years old and still competes regularly today. He attributes this to his success to a change in training philosophy that he is now known for. He is a master level Kettlebell coach, and lectures on his training philosophy all over the world. Dan John is most widely known for his writing. To date he has had several bestselling books on training. His book “Never Let Go” has been a perennial best seller for years and his new book “What Now” is currently an Amazon Best Seller.  You DO NOT want to miss this episode as it is loaded with gems ranging from training, life, and his now infamous black shirt.  Topic Include: • The importance of finishing what you start. • His early writing career and T-Nation. • How he had his best year of throwing at age 47. • Carrying implements to get super strong. • Early life as a strength coach. • The relationship between Theology, Philosophy, and Geometry. • Givens & Proofs • The training matrix that took over 40-years to develop. • Finding your Niche in the industry. • Barbell Theory of Passion. • Living a minimalist life to create freedom. • Life on a checklist. • A-Grade, B-Grade and the circle you keep. • Early education and being a Fulbright Scholar • The now “famous” garage gym workouts. • Delivering an amazing client / coaching experience. 

In this episode Joe and Dan discuss who to turn your front deck into much more than just a check-in station! The guys will show you how they went from no front desk at all to making it the epicenter of the gym. They will show you how to streamline your processes and create a revenue generating profit center that not only makes money but serves as the go to customer service counter for your gym. The front desk is the beginning and end in every clients training session, you better make sure it’s representing your gym the right way. Topic Include: • Do you need a front desk? • What are some of the duties you can off load to the front desk? • Turning the front desk into a profit center? • The front desk as your customer service and client experience epicenter. • Getting started. What to do first. Attend a Business of Strength Mentorship at Varsity House Gym: • www.strengthentrepreneurs.com