

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 31, 2025 • 1h 3min
Inside the $600K-a-month gym model
🌎What happens when you blend a gym with a medical clinic? Jon Cheung figured it out. He built Evolve Strength — a hybrid fitness and healthcare model where trainers, physiotherapists, and specialists all work under one roof. It’s a system that keeps 7 gyms full, helps 15,000+ members, and generates up to $600K per month per location. Mateo Lopez talked to Jon about how he built it, how he structured leases for maximum efficiency, and why this “shopping mall for health and fitness” could be the future of gyms.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:Evolve Strength - https://www.instagram.com/evolve_strength/Evolve Strength (website) - https://www.evolvestrength.ca🎙️ Listen On:YouTube: https://youtu.be/THEtj0faRL4🔥 Show Notes:(0:00) Gym Utilization and Equipment Rotation(2:23) Introduction to Evolve Strength(4:15) History and Evolution of Evolve Strength(6:33) Gym Layout and Equipment Selection(10:39) Reddit AMA and Equipment Feedback(13:50) Balancing Equipment Usage and Personal Trainers(17:02) Space Utilization and Revenue Generation(32:09) Run a successful gym with Kilo (visit https://usekilo.com/)(32:40) Sales Process and Business Education(44:45) Franchising and Expansion Plans(51:13) Startup Costs and Staffing(1:00:11) Future Plans and Market Strategy

Oct 24, 2025 • 49min
These gym owners opened 42 locations in 5 years
🌎 John Franklin sits down with Josh Mildren and Benny Woolford from REVL Training — the duo who launched a gym franchise during COVID and grew it to 42 locations across five countries. They break down how REVL built an $11M global brand through tight programming, a proven presale playbook, and a focus on culture that’s fueling their next move into North America.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:REVL Training - https://www.instagram.com/revl.training/REVL Training (website) - https://revltraining.comJosh - https://www.instagram.com/joshmildren/Benny - https://www.instagram.com/bennywoolford/🔥 Show Notes:(0:00) Opening Global Locations and Initial Challenges(3:13) Gym Layout and Training Methodology(4:52) Impact of COVID-19 and Franchise Structure(7:11) Growth and Expansion Plans(18:21) Run a successful gym with Kilo (visit https://usekilo.com/) (18:52) Training Blocks and Community Building(21:22) Studio Economics and Staffing(30:43) Marketing and Member Engagement(38:10) Franchise Support and Growth(39:56) Future Plans and Market Entry

Oct 17, 2025 • 43min
This UK gym owner is redefining the member experience
🌎 John Franklin (https://www.instagram.com/johnisbuilding/) chats with Joe Gaunt (https://www.instagram.com/joehealthlabshq) from Zeno Health Club. They talk about creating a standout client experience and Joe's new health and wellness venture that could soon reach the American 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:Zeno Health Club - https://www.instagram.com/zenohealthclub/Zeno Health Club (website) - https://zenohealthclub.com/Health Labs HQ - https://www.instagram.com/healthlabshq/🔥 Show Notes:(00:00) Introducing Joe and Zeno Health Club(7:08) The space(9:34) Membership packages and pricing (13:43) Run a successful gym with Kilo (visit https://usekilo.com/)(14:15) Marketing and member acquisition (19:55) Challenges and lessons learned(22:26) Staffing the gym(25:18) HYROX affiliation(27:35) Advice for gym owners and social strategy(33:58) Health Labs HQ and future plans (40:53) Where to go to find Joe

Oct 10, 2025 • 40min
John Franklin: What I'd do differently if I opened another gym tomorrow
🌎 We talk to a lot of gym owners on Gym World, but today John Franklin (https://www.instagram.com/johnisbuilding/) flips the script. Mateo Lopez sits down with him to find out exactly what John would do if he opened another gym tomorrow. From the type of gym he’d run to how he’d price it, this episode is packed with lessons you can apply to your own 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.🔥 Show Notes:(00:00) Introducing John(6:12) Buying vs. starting a gym(9:28) Run a successful gym with Kilo (visit https://usekilo.com/)(9:59) Acquiring a gym(12:24) Real estate and site selection(15:39) Niche models, pricing strategy, and premium facility(28:15) Hiring and retaining a good team(32:19) Non-negotiable processes and systems(35:02) Advice for new gym owners(39:20) Closing remarks

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


