Fitt Insider

Today I’m joined by Martin Adler, CEO of Brooklyn Boulders — operators of urban climbing, fitness, and community centers.    In this episode, we discuss the growing business of rock climbing, leveraging technology to enhance the climbing experience, and falling in love with the joy of movement.    More from Fitt Insider    Fitt Insider helps operators stay informed and make better decisions. We produce a weekly newsletter and podcast, curate an industry jobs board, and invest in early-stage companies.   *** Subscribe to our newsletter: https://insider.fitt.co/newsletter/   *** Visit the jobs board: https://jobs.fitt.co/   *** View current investment and get in touch: https://insider.fitt.co/investments/   More from Martin    Martin Adler is the CEO of Brooklyn Boulders.  He previously served as Brooklyn Boulders Vice President of Strategy & Growth and then as Interim CEO. Formerly a co-founder of Healthrageous (Acq. by Humana) and Chief of Product and Strategy at Reflexion Health (Acq. by Smith & Nephew), Adler has spent the past fifteen years developing companies and services that empower people to enhance their own wellbeing.   www.brooklynboulders.com  Arcade Climbing: www.arcadeclimbing.com   linkedin.com/in/martinadler 

Today I’m joined by Sarah Robb O’Hagan, CEO of Exos — a human performance company.    In this episode, we discuss Sarah’s experience at companies like Nike, Gatorade, Equinox, and Flywheel Sports. We talk about Exos programs that span work, sport, and life. Plus, we cover the company’s efforts to make elite performance more accessible through in-person and digital offerings.    More from Fitt Insider    Fitt Insider helps operators stay informed and make better decisions. We produce a weekly newsletter and podcast, curate an industry jobs board, and invest in early-stage companies.   *** Subscribe to our newsletter: https://insider.fitt.co/newsletter/   *** Visit the jobs board: https://jobs.fitt.co/   *** View current investment and get in touch: https://insider.fitt.co/investments/   More from Sarah   Sarah Robb O’Hagan took the helm at Exos in 2020 as chief executive officer. In this new era of the business, she’s leading Exos’ transformation from predominantly gym-based services, to a fully omnichannel performance program and coaching platform. Prior to Exos she served as CEO of Flywheel, global president of Equinox and Gatorade, and held leadership roles at iconic brands like Virgin and Nike. Sarah is the author of “Extreme YOU”, a book to help unleash potential in ambitious leaders, and she’s been named one of Forbes’ Most Powerful Women in Sports and one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business. She sits on the boards of JetBlue Airways and Strava, and is a trustee emeritus of the Women’s Sports Foundation.

Today I’m joined by Daniel Sobhani, CEO of Freeletics — an AI-powered fitness app.    In today’s episode, we discuss the company’s evolution from PDF workout plans to a digital fitness platform with more than 50M users. We cover the launch of Staedium, the company’s new game-based connected strength training product. And Daniel shares his thoughts on innovation, team building, gamification, and more.    More from Fitt Insider    Fitt Insider helps operators stay informed and make better decisions. We produce a weekly newsletter and podcast, curate an industry jobs board, and invest in early-stage companies.   *** Subscribe to our newsletter: https://insider.fitt.co/newsletter/   *** Visit the jobs board: https://jobs.fitt.co/   *** View current investment and get in touch: https://insider.fitt.co/investments/   More from Daniel    Daniel Sobhani is the CEO at Freeletics, the leading provider of AI-based fitness and mindset coaching, with more than 165 employees and nearly 53 million users worldwide. Born and raised in Munich, Germany, he studied business administration, mechanical engineering, finance and technology management in Munich and Sydney. After working at the renowned Boston Consulting Group, he then joined Freeletics in its early stages as CEO in 2014.  At the time, Freeletics was a very small, young startup, but one which was growing rapidly. Daniel helped foster its potential and guided the team to achieve international success in just a short space of time – all as a bootstrapped company.    After five successful years as a bootstrapped company, Daniel Sobhani steered Freeletics to the next milestones of the company’s history, as it closed a $45 million Series A funding round in 2018 and a $25 million Series B funding round in September 2020, to enable further product innovation,  exploring and building new business verticals and to expand Freeletics’ global footprint.   With its AI-powered and hyper-personalized digital fitness and lifestyle coaching, Freeletics has continued to disrupt a multi-billion-dollar industry which, before the company’s existence, had been dominated by stationary gyms and exclusive personal trainers. Aside from its financial success, the company has grown exponentially across the board. With almost one million users in early 2014, today the Freeletics app has over 52 million users in more than 175 countries. The company has continued to build on its product portfolio, also launching an e-commerce platform. With exciting things in the pipeline, Freeletics continues to strive to innovate and disrupt the digital fitness industry. Daniel has enabled and guided Freeletics to become the creator of one of the world‘s most popular fitness apps, inspiring and challenging people all over the world to become the greatest versions of themselves, both mentally and physically. And this is just the beginning. 

Today I’m joined by Akin Akman and Angela Manuel-Davis, co-founders of AARMY — a digital and in-person fitness concept.    In this episode, the team explains how AARMY accelerated its digital transformation during the pandemic. We also talk about the importance of building community in a virtual environment. And we discuss the company’s hybrid offering that includes studios, pop-ups, digital content, and potentially hardware.    More from Fitt Insider    Fitt Insider helps operators stay informed and make better decisions. We produce a weekly newsletter and podcast, curate an industry jobs board, and invest in early-stage companies.   *** Subscribe to our newsletter: https://insider.fitt.co/newsletter/   *** Visit the jobs board: https://jobs.fitt.co/   *** View current investment and get in touch: https://insider.fitt.co/investments/   More from AARMY   Akin Akman, Co-Founder & Chief Fitness Officer   As a tennis prodigy, Akin began his athlete journey at age 7 at the world-renowned IMG Academy training with legendary coach Nick Bollettieri. Akin has channeled all his years of training to create the signature AARMY Method, based on an authentic world-class athlete training philosophy. Transforming people from diverse backgrounds and different levels of fitness into true athletes has not only become Akin’s passion, it is also the hallmark of his brand making him widely considered the world’s #1 group fitness coach.   Angela Manuel-Davis, Co-Founder & Chief Motivation Officer    Angela is one of the world’s leading fitness coaches and most inspiring motivational speakers. Angela’s love of sports began early and directly from her family. The daughter of a legendary professional baseball coach, Angela went on to become a track star and Olympic trial semi-finalist. One of the world’s top 25 100 meter runners, Angela knows firsthand how a strong foundation of practice, goal setting, and focus can build strength in every part of life. She blends the transformative power of sport and spirituality to encourage a purpose-driven life in each one of her athletes.

Today I’m joined by Jeff Veldhuizen, CEO of Capti — a game-based smart bike.    In this episode, we discuss Capti’s immersive gaming experience. Jeff explains how Capti differs from other connected equipment makers. And he shares the company’s long-term goal of powering fitness in the metaverse.    More from Fitt Insider    Fitt Insider helps operators stay informed and make better decisions. We produce a weekly newsletter and podcast, curate an industry jobs board, and invest in early-stage companies.   Subscribe to our newsletter: https://insider.fitt.co/newsletter/   Visit the jobs board: https://jobs.fitt.co/   View current investment and get in touch: https://insider.fitt.co/investments/   More from Jeff    A respected leader in health and fitness, Jeff's career range includes general manager of high-growth businesses, growth marketer, strategist, and operator in CPG, CE, Sporting Goods, e-commerce, and connected fitness. A tech-driven marketing and direct-to-consumer executive, Jeff has been an integral part of shaping some of the world's most recognizable brands and their online presence.   https://capti.co/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-veldhuizen/ https://www.instagram.com/capti_bike/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/capti-fit/ https://www.facebook.com/CaptiSmartBike

Today I’m joined by Marc Maurer, co-CEO of On — a Swiss-engineered performance footwear and apparel company.    In this episode, we discuss the company’s recent IPO, including growth opportunities in retail and direct-to-consumer channels. Marc explains how On combines performance, design, and sustainability to stand out in a crowded market. And he shares the company’s mission to ignite the human spirit through movement.   More from Fitt Insider    Fitt Insider helps operators stay informed and make better decisions. We produce a weekly newsletter and podcast, curate an industry jobs board, and invest in early-stage companies.   Subscribe to our newsletter: https://insider.fitt.co/newsletter/   Visit the jobs board: https://jobs.fitt.co/   View current investment and get in touch: https://insider.fitt.co/investments/   More from Marc   Marc Maurer has served as the Co-Chief Executive Officer of On since January 2021. Marc joined On in March 2013 and served as the Chief Operating Officer since joining the brand. Prior to joining On, Marc served as Head of Business Development and Marketing for Valora Retail, a publicly-traded European retail company, from April 2012 to March 2013, where he was responsible for driving the company’s business development strategy. Marc also worked at McKinsey & Company as an Engagement Manager, from April 2007 to March 2012. Marc serves as a Board Member of the Swiss Entrepreneurs & Startup Association since 2020. Marc holds a Master’s in Business Administration from INSEAD.

Today I’m joined by Kimberly Ang, co-founder and CEO of KAYA — an app for rock climbers.    In this episode, Kim shares the company’s vision for building the Strava of rock climbing, including a premium subscription, increasing access to climbing, democratizing mentorship, and helping grow participation in the sport.    More from Fitt Insider    Fitt Insider helps operators stay informed and make better decisions. We produce a weekly newsletter and podcast, curate an industry jobs board, and invest in early-stage companies.   Subscribe to our newsletter: https://insider.fitt.co/newsletter/   Visit the jobs board: https://jobs.fitt.co/   View current investment and get in touch: https://insider.fitt.co/investments/   More from Kimberly   Kimberly is Co-Founder & CEO of KAYA, the climber’s app. An avid climber for 10+ years, she’s passionate about shaping KAYA to drive the growth of climbing and help every climber stay inspired, connected, and progressing. Founded in 2019 with a team of climber technologists, KAYA has quickly grown to become the largest network of climbers, gyms, and climbing areas in North America. Brands such as The North Face, Adidas, and USA Climbing partner with KAYA to run novel digital competitions and experiences. Kimberly has championed KAYA’s values-led initiatives in diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability.     Before co-founding KAYA, she was at IDEO, the global design and innovation firm. There she helped Fortune 500 companies stand up new brands and products in clean energy, health and wellness, and consumer technology sectors. Kimberly received her Masters in Social Sciences from the University of Chicago where she studied policy and sociology. She spent the first chapter of her career nerding out in public policy before opting for a more creative and entrepreneurial path. She now lives in Lake Tahoe, CA where she can stay close to her Bay Area roots while enjoying life in the mountains every day. 

Today, I’m joined by Benjamin Nazarian, CEO of Therabody – a wellness technology company.    In this episode, we discuss the rise of the recovery category. We explore Therabody’s evolution from a single product—the Theragun–into a platform for pain management, as well as the company’s transition into the consumer market.    Plus, we look at emerging and adjacent verticals, including breathwork, contrast therapy, mental fitness, and more.    More from Benjamin   Benjamin Nazarian is the Chief Executive Officer of Therabody. Under his leadership, Therabody evolved from a single device - Theragun, which pioneered the percussive therapy category - into an ecosystem of products and solutions that help people perform better, recover faster, and manage pain as an alternative to traditional medicine. Benjamin spearheaded Therabody’s global expansion to 10,000 retail locations in more than 60 countries. His commitment to creating cutting-edge products and solutions that are available to everybody has been integral to Therabody’s rapid growth and has established Therabody as a leader in the wellness industry.   Prior to Therabody, Benjamin spent much of his career as a Managing Partner of Omninet Capital, where he still serves on the investment committee. Benjamin graduated from the University of Southern California (USC), with a Bachelor of Science in accounting and received his Juris Doctorate from the Law Center at USC. He currently resides in Los Angeles.   More from Fitt Insider   Fitt Insider is a platform for entrepreneurs, executives, and investors redefining the business of fitness and wellness.   From our newsletter and podcast to our industry-specific jobs board, we create content and resources to drive the industry forward. We also invest in early-stage health and fitness companies.   For more, visit: https://insider.fitt.co/

Today, I’m joined by Jordan Fliegel. An experienced entrepreneur and investor, we talk about Jordan’s role at Techstars Sports, his investment fund, Founders First, and his time as founder of CoachUp and co-CEO of Draft.com.    The conversation also covers emerging opportunities in the Sports Tech category, as well as Jordan’s framework for evaluating companies and founders.     More from Jordan   Jordan Fliegel (born 1986) is an American tech entrepreneur and investor, focused on the sports industry.    Techstars Sports - Fliegel is currently Managing Director of the Techstars Sports Accelerator, which he launched in 2019. Techstars Sports invests $120k/company in 10 startups annually and provides mentorship, office space and hands-on support. The consortium of strategic partners backing the accelerator includes the Next Level Fund, Pacers Sports & Entertainment, NCAA, Indiana Sports Corp, Indianapolis Colts, and Indianapolis Motor Speedway/IndyCar. The accelerator has 30 portfolio companies, including Ergatta, which raised $30M at a $200M valuation in 2021.    Founders First - Fliegel is an investor in over 150 startups as Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Founders First, a vertical-agnostic early-stage angel fund and syndicate. Portfolio companies include Carta, Dapper Labs, Ramp, Fight Camp, MMHMM, Mparticle, Digits, Botkeeper, Merit, HqO, etc)  Draft.com - Fliegel was previously co-CEO of Draft.com ("DRAFT"), a venture-backed fantasy sports company headquartered in NYC. In 2017, he sold DRAFT for $48M to Paddy Power Betfair.    CoachUp.com - Fliegel was Founder and CEO (now Chairman) of CoachUp.com, the leading sports coaching platform with over 20,000 coaches, backed by $14M in venture capital and headquartered in Boston. NBA MVP Stephen Curry is Fliegel's partner and the lead spokesman at CoachUp.    Pro Basketball – Fliegel played professional basketball in the Israeli Premier League, Israeli National League and EuroCup league, and in 2018 led a group that bought a double-digit minority stake in the ANBL 4X Champion New Zealand Breakers.    Author - Fliegel writes and lectures on entrepreneurship, investing, and leadership and is the author of "Coaching Up!" (Wiley & Sons, 2016, with a foreword by NBA Champion Shane Battier).    Awards - Fliegel and his companies were named Inc “30 under 30”, Forbes "30 under 30", BBJ “40 under 40”, and Finalist for Ernst & Young “New England Entrepreneur of the Year”.    Personal: Fliegel grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He earned a B.A. in Philosophy & Government from Bowdoin College, and an M.B.A. from Tel Aviv University.    More from Fitt Insider    Fitt Insider is a platform for entrepreneurs, executives, and investors redefining the business of fitness and wellness.   From our newsletter and podcast to our industry-specific jobs board, we create content and resources to drive the industry forward. We also invest in early-stage health and fitness companies.   For more, visit: https://insider.fitt.co/

Today, I’m joined by Phil Southerland, founder and CEO of Supersapiens — a company using continuous glucose monitoring to help athletes manage their energy levels.    In this episode, we discuss advancements in glucose monitoring. Phil explains why the company is focused on endurance athletes and high performance. And he shares his vision for using sports as a platform to change the health of the world.    More from Phil   Phil Southerland was born in Tallahassee, Florida, and was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was only seven months old, the youngest case of diabetes on record in the world at that time. His parents were told that he would be dead or blind by 25. Fortunately, they were stubborn, and Phil had access to insulin, a knowledgeable medical team, and the latest in blood glucose monitoring tools. At six, he had the dream not to go blind and a drive to reach the A1C results needed.   He discovered his love of the bike when he was 12. While attending the University of Georgia, he dreamed of combining his passion for cycling and his personal mission to raise awareness around diabetes. In 2005, Team Type 1 was founded, and by 2007 an all-diabetes cycling team not only won but set the world record in the 3,000-mile Race Across America. Under Phil’s leadership, the dynamic squad rapidly grew from an amateur team to more than 100 athletes spanning the globe to inspire and unite people affected by diabetes and ranked in the top 25 professional cycling teams in the world in 2012.   In late 2012, Phil and the team partnered with Novo Nordisk to create Team Novo Nordisk. The team is spearheaded by the world’s first all-diabetes pro-cycling team and features a development team, elite team, and one female professional track star, Mandy Marquardt.   Now in his late-thirties, Phil has dedicated his life to redefining what it means to live with diabetes and is driving a global movement to show the world how exercise can save the health of the world.   "Exercise is the billion-dollar drug that rarely gets prescribed."   Throughout his career, professional highlights include speaking at the United Nations on World Bicycle Day, leading a session at SXSW, and addressing audiences at ADA and AADE to speaking to one person at an event in Boise, Idaho. For Phil, the value isn’t based on prestige as much as it is on impact. He is driven to make a difference in people’s lives and approaches it one person at a time.   To Phil, the bike has kept him alive for the past 25 years. While retired from professional racing, Phil regularly rides and still credits the bike for providing him with his continued health and sanity.   Phil is a dedicated and proud father to three boys with wife, Dr. Biljana Southerland. In addition to the bike, Phil is a passionate skier and deep-water scuba diver. He calls Atlanta, Georgia home, and is a supporter of the High Museum. Phil is a former board member of Camp Kudzu, Hope Sports, and JDRF. He is a voracious reader and enjoys collecting rare wines and watches. Phil is the author of the book ‘Not Dead Yet’, which chronicles his life from early diagnosis of diabetes to professional cyclist and his mission to change the face of diabetes on a global scale.   Southerland currently serves as the CEO and co-founder of Team Novo Nordisk, the world’s first all-diabetes professional cycling team, and the founder and president of the non-profit Team Type 1 Foundation. More from Fitt Insider    Fitt Insider is a platform for entrepreneurs, executives, and investors redefining the business of fitness and wellness.   From our newsletter and podcast to our industry-specific jobs board, we create content and resources to drive the industry forward. We also invest in early-stage health and fitness companies.   For more, visit: https://insider.fitt.co/