

Gym World Worldwide
John Franklin
Gym World is a weekly show about making money in the fitness industry.
Join the co-founders of Kilo, John Franklin and Mateo Lopez, as they interview some of the industry's most successful entrepreneurs.
Join the co-founders of Kilo, John Franklin and Mateo Lopez, as they interview some of the industry's most successful entrepreneurs.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 3, 2025 • 49min
These gym owners bring in $113K/month from CrossFit
🌎 Ken Williams and Jessika Loving opened their first CrossFit gym well after the “peak era” of CrossFit. Today, they run four successful locations. In this conversation with Mateo Lopez, they break down how acquisitions, solid systems, and smart processes helped them grow after COVID and carve out a model that stands out in a crowded market.P.S. If you like the show, then you'll love the Gym World newsletter. Every Friday, John Franklin breaks down the possibilities of making money in the fitness industry. Subscribe here (https://usekilo.com/gym-world/) so you don't miss out.📱 Socials:Ken - https://www.instagram.com/kennywilliams30/Jessika -https://www.instagram.com/jessika_loving/?hl=enCrossFit SBR - https://www.instagram.com/crossfitsbr/D-Town CrossFit - https://www.instagram.com/dtowncrossfit/?hl=enCrossFit McKinney - https://www.instagram.com/crossfitmckinney/CrossFit Prosper - https://www.instagram.com/crossfitprospertx/🔥 Show Notes:(00:00) Introducing Ken & Jessika(5:51) Transition to CrossFit and initial challenges(11:16) Gym space and layout(18:22) Expansion (23:17) Run a successful gym with Kilo (visit https://usekilo.com/)(23:49) Acquisition and considerations for gym owners(34:34) Operational systems and processes(39:42) Front-end offer and conversion process(46:57) Future plans and where to find Ken & Jessika

Sep 26, 2025 • 39min
Kaleda Connell: If I opened another gym today, here’s what I’d do differently
🌎 Thinking about opening a gym or fixing the one you’ve got? Kilo CEO Kaleda Connell (https://www.instagram.com/heykaleda/?hl=en) joins Mateo Lopez to share the biggest lessons she’s learned as a gym owner and what she'd do differently if she started today. Get insights on pricing, space, staffing, and the systems that set gyms up for long-term success.P.S. If you like the show, then you'll love the Gym World newsletter. Every Friday, John Franklin breaks down the possibilities of making money in the fitness industry. Subscribe here (https://usekilo.com/gym-world/) so you don't miss out.📱 Socials:Kilo - https://www.instagram.com/kilogyms/Kilo (website) - https://usekilo.com/🔥 Show Notes:(00:00) Introducing Kaleda(5:36) Differences in the gym industry today(7:50) Pricing strategies(13:48) Run a successful gym with Kilo (visit https://usekilo.com/)(14:20) Staffing, admin tasks, and space(19:47) Selling the business(24:46) The role of software and automation(28:25) Lessons learned and advice for gym owners(35:01) Would Kaleda open a gym again?(36:59) Where to find Kaleda

Sep 19, 2025 • 54min
From broke gym to making $1.3M/year: what changed?
🌎 Disclaimer: This episode contains discussion of suicide and related topics, which may be distressing to some viewers. View discretion is advised. John Franklin (https://www.instagram.com/johnisbuilding/) talks with Anthony Amen (https://www.instagram.com/anthonyamenfitness/) of Redefine Fitness. Anthony opens up about overcoming setbacks after COVID, the highs and lows of gym ownership, and what it takes to run a 7-figure business with a $90K-per month location.P.S. If you like the show, then you'll love the Gym World newsletter. Every Friday, John Franklin breaks down the possibilities of making money in the fitness industry. Subscribe here (https://usekilo.com/gym-world/) so you don't miss out.📱 Socials:Redefine Fitness - https://www.instagram.com/redefinefitnessli/Redefine Fitness (website) - https://redefine-fitness.com/🔥 Show Notes:(00:00) Introducing Anthony(1:11) Anthony's background and personal struggles(4:27) Transition to gym ownership(7:32) What is Redefine Fitness?(9:28) Run a successful gym with Kilo (visit https://usekilo.com/)(10:00) Challenges, successes, and building a strong team(23:07) Expansion and growth(28:54) Choosing the right location(33:43) Raising rates(35:55) Managing churn (38:11) Marketing strategies(43:48) Advice for gym owners (51:05) Future aspirations and where to find Anthony

Sep 12, 2025 • 45min
5 mistakes I'll never make again running a gym
🌎 Mateo Lopez sits down with Gym World's own John Franklin (https://www.instagram.com/johnisbuilding/) to unpack the five hardest lessons he learned running gyms. From costly mistakes to valuable insights, John shares what he wishes he knew sooner, so you don’t have to make the same errors.P.S. If you like the show, then you'll love the Gym World newsletter. Every Friday, John Franklin breaks down the possibilities of making money in the fitness industry. Subscribe here (https://usekilo.com/gym-world/) so you don't miss out.🔥 Show Notes:(00:00) Introducing John(4:05) Partner selection(11:46) Run a successful gym with Kilo (visit https://usekilo.com/)(12:18) Location challenges and lease agreements(19:40) Expansion mistakes(29:59) Pricing and member promotions(34:52) Real estate and ownership(38:44) Lessons learned and final advice

Sep 5, 2025 • 33min
She doubled her clientele and built a $42K/month studio
🌎 How does a women-only gym with just 165 members make $42,000/month? John Franklin (https://www.instagram.com/johnisbuilding/) talks with Nora Matthew (https://www.instagram.com/coach_nora_matthew/) about Her Strength Studio, her small-group training model, and building a community for women of all ages.P.S. If you like the show, then you'll love the Gym World newsletter. Every Friday, John Franklin breaks down the possibilities of making money in the fitness industry. Subscribe here (https://usekilo.com/gym-world/) so you don't miss out.📱 Socials:Her Strength Studio - https://www.instagram.com/her_strength_studioHer Strength Studio (website) - https://herstrength.studio/🎙️ Listen On:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/gym-world-worldwide/id1659702465Spotify- https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/gymworld 🔥 Show Notes:(00:00) Introducing Nora(1:28) What is Her Strength Studio?(6:28) Member demographics and growth(9:17) Training older clients(15:01) Social media strategy and marketing(17:39) Run a successful gym with Kilo (visit https://usekilo.com/)(18:11) Staffing and retention(22:47) Community events and partnerships(26:35) Balancing family and business(31:25) Where to go to find Nora

Aug 29, 2025 • 55min
Why one gym gave up $700K/yr to build a better business
🌎 Why would two gym owners walk away from $700K a year in large group revenue? Mateo Lopez chats with Lane and Payden Montgomery from Go Performance & Fitness about their decision to switch to semi-private training, the obstacles they hit along the way, and how going smaller gave them more control and a stronger business.P.S. If you like the show, then you'll love the Gym World newsletter. Every Friday, John Franklin breaks down the possibilities of making money in the fitness industry. Subscribe here (https://usekilo.com/gym-world/) so you don't miss out.📱 Socials:Go Performance & Fitness - https://www.instagram.com/goperformanceptcGo Performance & Fitness (website) - https://goperformanceptc.com/🔥 Show Notes:(00:00) Introducing Lane & Payden(2:01) What is Go Performance & Fitness?(5:00) Challenges of large group training model(9:45) Burnout and implementing semi-private training(21:43) Handling the transition and client reactions(31:52) How the business improved with semi-private training(37:40) Run a successful gym with Kilo (visit https://usekilo.com/)(38:12) Building a strong team and core values (42:45) Financial impact(47:13) Future plans for the gym(53:16) Where to go to find Lane & Payden

Aug 22, 2025 • 27min
The gym that scaled to 8 locations by serving an overlooked group
🌎 John Franklin (https://www.instagram.com/johnisbuilding/) chats with Ryan Webb (https://www.instagram.com/ry.webbsig/) from Agrove Academy about the semi-private model that helped them scale to 8 locations in 2 years serving the neurodivergent community in California.P.S. If you like the show, then you'll love the Gym World newsletter. Every Friday, John Franklin breaks down the possibilities of making money in the fitness industry. Subscribe here (https://usekilo.com/gym-world/) so you don't miss out.📱 Socials:Agrove Academy - https://www.instagram.com/agroveacademy/?hl=enAgrove Academy (website) - https://agroveacademyelkgrove.com/🔥 Show Notes:(00:00) Introducing Ryan(1:11) What is Agrove Academy? (7:31) State funding and pricing strategy(11:57) Run a successful gym with Kilo (visit https://usekilo.com/)(12:29) Hiring staff and pay(13:36) Marketing and growth strategy(18:21) Operational details and sales strategy(22:18) Advice for gym owners(25:19 ) Where to go to find Ryan

Aug 15, 2025 • 46min
The CrossFit gym owner who’s still going strong after 15 years
🌎 Mateo Lopez chats with Danny Soul (https://www.instagram.com/dannysoul305/?hl=en) about Team Soul Training, a CrossFit gym that's been going strong for 15 years. Discover Danny's tactics for building culture, member retention, and long-term success.P.S. If you like the show, then you'll love the Gym World newsletter. Every Friday, John Franklin breaks down the possibilities of making money in the fitness industry. Subscribe here (https://usekilo.com/gym-world/) so you don't miss out.📱Socials:Team Soul Training - https://www.instagram.com/teamsoul/?hl=enTeam Soul Training (website) - https://teamsoultraining.com/🔥 Show Notes:(00:00) Introducing Danny(2:21) Danny's background and lessons(14:24) Run a successful gym with Kilo (visit https://usekilo.com/)(14:56) Business model and program offerings(19:45) Packaging and pricing(29:51) Organization(32:20) Team and culture(37:32) Advice for aspiring gym owners(39:33) Advice for becoming a better coach(42:11) Where to go to find Danny

Aug 8, 2025 • 35min
The most creative gyms of 2025 (so far)
🌎 John Franklin (https://www.instagram.com/johnisbuilding/) and Mateo Lopez recap 7 of the most creative and tactical gyms they’ve featured on the pod this year. Find out how they’re growing faster, retaining more members, and boosting revenue.P.S. If you like the show, then you'll love the Gym World newsletter. Every Friday, John Franklin breaks down the possibilities of making money in the fitness industry. Subscribe here (https://usekilo.com/gym-world/) so you don't miss out.🔥 Show Notes:(00:00) Intro(2:00) Empyre Fitness: combining fashion and fitness(6:14) Train Unique: serving athletes with intellectual and adaptive disabilities(10:56) Unleash'd Strength: leveraging social media for growth(14:45) The Collective: creating a polished onboarding experience(19:24) Run a successful gym with Kilo (visit https://usekilo.com/)(19:56) Forged Fitness: HYROX affiliation and events(23:39) OCR Academy: kids' programs(28:05) The Yard: a unique training pod model(31:53) Key takeaways and final thoughts📖 Read About:Empyre Fitness - https://usekilo.com/how-a-tattoo-brand-turned-into-a-profitable-gym/Train Unique - https://usekilo.com/gym-owner-makes-45k-month-training-special-needs-athletes/Unleash'd Strength - https://usekilo.com/this-gym-owner-got-200-members-from-social-media/The Collective - https://usekilo.com/how-to-build-an-onboarding-system-that-converts-like-crazy/Forged Fitness - https://usekilo.com/gym-owner-makes-over-500-hour-with-hyrox-events/OCR Academy - https://usekilo.com/this-ninja-gym-makes-6-figures-from-kids-programs/The Yard - https://usekilo.com/this-gym-makes-60k-month-by-renting-training-pods/📺 Watch:Empyre Fitness - https://youtu.be/3NVRdUc909kTrain Unique - https://youtu.be/whssi9LCw5sUnleash'd Strength - https://youtu.be/ltAdYLjHOG0The Collective - https://youtu.be/c5LPuY_g15sForged Fitness - https://youtu.be/mrUZo5bjxQgOCR Academy - https://youtu.be/7QX7ewKQVwUThe Yard - https://youtu.be/Dx0HwkMG5Bk

Aug 1, 2025 • 35min
The gym that maxed out at 200 members in 1 year
🌎 John Franklin (https://www.instagram.com/johnisbuilding/) and Mateo Lopez sit down with Matt Skeffington (https://www.instagram.com/matt_skeffington/) from Fuel Personal Training, who scaled his gym to 200 members in just a year. He shares lessons from early mistakes, how he built better systems, improved team culture, and delivers a top-tier member experience.P.S. If you like the show, then you'll love the Gym World newsletter. Every Friday, John Franklin breaks down the possibilities of making money in the fitness industry. Subscribe here (https://usekilo.com/gym-world/) so you don't miss out.📱Socials:Fuel Personal Training - https://www.instagram.com/fuelpersonaltraining/Fuel Personal Training (website) - https://www.fuelpersonaltrainingnh.com/🔥 Show Notes:(00:00) Introducing Matt(6:03) What is Fuel Personal Training?(12:54) Run a successful gym with Kilo (visit https://usekilo.com/)(13:25) Pricing and membership structure (16:23) Marketing strategies(21:46) Member onboarding and trial process(27:08) Staffing and facility management(33:15) Where to go to find Matt