Fitt Insider

Today I’m joined by Brian Reilly.    Brian is the co-founder and managing partner of Will Ventures — an early-stage firm investing across health & wellness, media, and consumer products.    In this episode, we discuss the firm’s $55M inaugural fund. We take a closer look at a few of their portfolio companies — including Elo, Liteboxer, and Breathwork. Then Brian talks through ideas and untapped opportunities he’s interested in backing.    Let’s get into it.    More from Brian    Brian brings a diverse professional background to bear on his work, with experience spanning the sports, fitness and healthcare sectors and across technologies (wearables, disposables, artificial intelligence, machine-learning) and business environments (VC-funded startups and investment firms).   In addition to his investment expertise, Brian has deep technology experience, gained as a Founding Member and the Director of Product and Research at the Sports Innovation Lab, the premier sports technology research and advisory firm, and as a product manager at MC10, where he was responsible for the development and commercialization of next-generation sports, fitness and healthcare wearables and software systems for big data storage and machine-learning.   Brian earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Harvard University and was a member of the college’s varsity football team. He is from East Windsor, New Jersey. > Brian’s Twitter and LinkedIn > Will Ventures Twitter (company)   More from Fitt Insider    Fitt Insider is a newsletter and podcast dedicated to the business of fitness and wellness.  Join industry-leading operators and investors by subscribing: http://insider.fitt.co

Today I’m joined by Harpreet Singh Rai, CEO of Oura — makers of a health-tracking smart ring.    In this episode, we talk about the evolution of wearables from step counting to health monitoring. We discuss Oura’s focus on accurate, actionable data. And Harpreet explains why he thinks competition from Apple, Amazon, and Google is actually a good thing.    More from Harpreet   Harpreet Singh Rai is the Chief Executive Officer of Oura and a member of its board. His purpose is to be part of a team that is committed to improving population-level health and wellbeing. Under his leadership, Oura has grown to a team of over 150 employees and has launched its generation 2 ring, shipping over 300,000 units to 98 different countries. He is responsible for Oura’s vision and strategy and guides decisions that ensure the organization's financial health. Before joining Oura in 2017, Harpreet was a portfolio manager who led the technology, media and telecom portfolio at Eminence Capital for 9 years. He began his career working in Morgan Stanley’s merger and acquisitions group. Harpreet studied electrical engineering at the University of Michigan.   More from Fitt Insider    Fitt Insider is a newsletter and podcast dedicated to the business of fitness and wellness.    Join industry-leading operators and investors by subscribing: http://insider.fitt.co

Today I’m joined by Brett Thomas.    Brett is the co-founder and managing partner of CAVU Venture Partners — a leading venture capital firm investing in better-for-you food and beverage brands, as well as companies across health and wellness.    In this episode, we discuss the evolving definition of health and how it’s broadening the firm’s thesis. We explore the art, science, and luck behind investments in Beyond Meat, Vital Proteins, Hims, and Thrive Market. And Brett talks about CAVU’s role in a new $225M SPAC targeting the health and wellness space.    More from Brett   Brett Thomas is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of CAVU Venture Partners. Prior to co-founding CAVU in 2015, Brett was the founder of Thematic Capital Partners, a private investment vehicle focused on private/public equity investments in the consumer sector. Before entering into the consumer investing space, Brett worked at Scout Capital Management for 5 years, a long-short hedge fund focusing on special situations with over $9B in AUM based in NYC. He is a graduate of Boston College, with a concentration in Finance, and was a Division I Student Athlete. In 2017, Brett was elected to Boston College's prestigious "40 under 40 list" and was named a “Consumer Catalyst” by Forbes as one of the top dealmakers and influencers in the consumer space. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his 3 kids and wife and rooting for all professional Cleveland sports teams, hoping one day to see the Cleveland Indians win a World Series!   More from Fitt Insider    Fitt Insider is a newsletter and podcast dedicated to the business of fitness and wellness.  Join industry-leading operators and investors by subscribing: http://insider.fitt.co

This week, we’re excited to bring you another edition of Startup Spotlight – a series where we speak with early-stage founders working on fitness and wellness startups.   Today I’m joined by Wilfred Valenta, CEO of Silofit.    Silofit is a network of private, on-demand fitness spaces.    In this episode, we discuss innovative approaches to brick and mortar fitness. Wilfred shares his vision for a decentralized gym — spanning real estate, software, and services. And we talk about why the company is focused on helping fitness professionals grow their business.    More from Wilfred   Wilfred is the CEO & Co-founder of Silofit, a platform for fitness and wellness professionals to run their physical and digital business completely from end to end. The company offers private workout space at 40% less compared to standard gyms, an app to help sell content and find leads, and supporting education and certification. Silofit is venture-backed by Whitecap VP, Courtside VC, Alate Partners, and famed football player Ndamukong Suh. Currently operating 8 spaces across 2 cities, the company is set to demonstrate significant growth as it enters the U.S. market in 2021. More from Fitt Insider    Fitt Insider is a newsletter and podcast dedicated to the business of fitness and wellness.  Join industry-leading operators and investors by subscribing: http://insider.fitt.co

Today I’m joined by Brian Kirkbride.    Brian is the co-founder and co-CEO of FitLab — an integrated holding company of Performance Lifestyle brands.    In this episode, we talk about FitLab’s evolution from venture studio to holding company. How they’ve partnered with brands like XPT, McGregor Fast, and Freeletics. Then Brian and I discuss the future of the fitness space, including digital options, the in-person experience, and community.    More from Brian   Brian Kirkbride is the co-Founder and co-CEO of FitLab, the fitness and sport lifestyle company whose brands include Electric, Freeletics, McGregor FAST and XPT.    Brian has spent nearly two decades building and scaling companies in sport, fitness and wellness. At Nike, Brian oversaw business development and partnerships, and was founder & GM of the Nike+ Lab and the Nike+ Accelerator. Brian was previously COO of Kalologie, a retail wellness company, as well as a venture capitalist at Highland Capital Partners. Brian received an undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt and a MBA from Harvard Business School.   More from Fitt Insider    Fitt Insider is a newsletter and podcast dedicated to the business of fitness and wellness.  Join industry-leading operators and investors by subscribing: http://insider.fitt.co

Today I’m joined by Jimmy DeCicco, CEO of Super Coffee.    In this episode, we discuss the company’s journey from college room to Shark Tank and landing an investment from Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez.   Jimmy also talks about the importance of being action-oriented, building a strong culture and team, and how he thinks about the evolution of the better-for-you food and beverage category.    Let’s get into it.    More from Jimmy   Jimmy is the oldest of the three DeCicco brothers who founded Super Coffee in 2015 as tired collegiate student-athletes. Sick of unhealthy bottled coffees and energy drinks, the DeCicco brothers invented a sugar-free, enhanced coffee in their dorm room and challenged big sugar head-on.  Today, Super Coffee is the fastest growing food and beverage company in the country (Inc. 5000, 2020). The DeCicco brothers appeared on ABC’s Shark Tank in 2018 (Season 9, Episode 22), the Forbes 30 Under 30 List 2019, and were EY’s Entrepreneurs of the Year in 2020 (NYC Region). Super Coffee is nationally distributed by Anheuser Busch and is available in over 50,000 stores in the US. The DeCicco brothers have raised over $50 million in venture capital, attracting big-name investors like Jennifer Lopez, Alex Rodriguez, Aaron Rodgers, Baron Davis, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Anheuser Busch and more.   More from Fitt Insider    Fitt Insider is a newsletter and podcast dedicated to the business of fitness and wellness.  Join industry-leading operators and investors by subscribing: http://insider.fitt.co

This week, we’re excited to bring you another edition of Startup Spotlight – a recurring series where we speak with early-stage founders working on fitness and wellness startups.   We usually focus on established companies, operators, and inventors — and we’ll continue bringing you those conversations most weeks. But, from time to time, we’re highlight companies at the beginning of their journey.   Today I’m joined by Emily Hochman, the founder and CEO of Wellory.    In this episode, we talk about building the anti-diet app. How Emily was able to raise $4.2M to personalize nutrition. And the growing opportunity to create a high-touch experience for health seekers.    More from Emily   Emily Hochman is the Founder and CEO of Wellory, the anti-diet nutrition app on a mission to make personalized nutrition accessible for all. Hochman has been featured in Business Insider, Thrive Global, Well+Good, named Bucknell University’s 13 Under 35 Innovators and Forbes 30 Under 30.   More from Fitt Insider    Fitt Insider is a newsletter and podcast dedicated to the business of fitness and wellness.  Join industry-leading operators and investors by subscribing: http://insider.fitt.co

Today I’m joined by Avrum Elmakis, founder and CEO of CLMBR — a connected vertical climbing machine.    I this episode, we talk about launching a company during a pandemic, introducing a new piece of equipment to the connected fitness category, why CLMBR plans to target the commercial sector in addition to at-home, and how the company landed investors like Jay-Z, Pitbull, and Novak Djokovic.    More from Avrum   Avrum Elmakis is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at CLMBR. A serial entrepreneur, Avrum has founded and sold many successful businesses, and won EY Entrepreneur of the Year in 2013. At CLMBR, he is responsible for leading a team of design, fitness and tech visionaries in creating the world’s most advanced climbing machine. He is also the owner of two Rise Nation climbing studios in Colorado and still serves as the chairman of the board of TDBBS, his business which scaled quickly into a behemoth in the pet industry. He is an avid skier and enjoys spending time with his wife and four daughters and loving the great state of Colorado.   More from Fitt Insider    Fitt Insider is a newsletter and podcast dedicated to the business of fitness and wellness.    Join industry-leading operators and investors by subscribing: http://insider.fitt.co  

Today I’m joined by John Burns, CEO of TB12.    TB12 is a health and wellness company founded by Tom Brady and his personal trainer Alex Guerrero.    In this episode, we talk about the company’s mission to help people perform better and live pain-free.    Building a business that encompasses physical locations, digital content, nutritional supplements, fitness equipment, and more.    And John talks about the company’s plans to develop an education and certification program for TB12 coaches.    More from John    John Burns is the CEO of TB12, the health and wellness company founded by 6-time Super Bowl Champion Tom Brady and co-Founder Alex Guerrero.  John is responsible for leading all aspects of the company’s operations and growth strategy. He has enjoyed a successful career in executive leadership and venture capital.  With a strong passion for entrepreneurship and brand building, he has served as Founder, Chairman, and/or CEO of multiple consumer companies. John has a particular interest in health, wellness, sports, and fitness. He serves, or has served, on the Boards of TB12, Spartan Race, Grillos Pickles, Yasso, and EverybodyFights. John received his undergraduate degree from Boston College and his M.B.A. from Babson College.   More from Fitt Insider    Fitt Insider is a newsletter and podcast dedicated to the business of fitness and wellness.  Join industry-leading operators and investors by subscribing: http://insider.fitt.co

Today I’m joined by Jason LaRose, CEO of Equinox Media.    In this episode, we discuss the SoulCycle at-home bike and Variis by Equinox — the digital platform powering the content and connected fitness experience.    We talk about the role of the instructor, music, community, and programming in producing fitness content.    Then we look ahead to the return of exercising in person, and how Equinox will approach an omnichannel fitness environment.    Let’s get into it    More about Jason   Jason LaRose is the CEO of Equinox Media, a transformative on-demand platform offering access to the best brands in fitness. In his role, LaRose is responsible for leading strategy, growth and expansion for the company.   LaRose joined Equinox Media following more than 20 years of experience in brand, e-commerce, omnichannel retailing, and building communities in the digital and athletic spaces. Prior to Equinox Media, LaRose was President of North America for Under Armour where he spearheaded the company’s entrée into wearables and fitness tracking apps, expanded the Under Armour Connected Fitness platform, and established the global e-commerce business. In the earlier days of e-commerce and social media, LaRose served as an Associate Principal in the Consumer and Digital Practices at McKinsey & Company where he helped companies expand their brands into the digital space. LaRose also previously served as a board member at Shop.org and held numerous executive strategy and operating positions at Sears Holding Corporation and Express, LLC.   LaRose holds a B.S. from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Duke University.   More from Fitt Insider    Fitt Insider is a weekly newsletter and podcast about the business of fitness and wellness.    From product launches and funding news to game-changing innovation, Fitt Insider provides listeners with insights and analysis on this ever-evolving industry.    Join your peers and colleagues from companies like Equinox, Apple, Peloton, Goldman Sachs, Nike, and ClassPass by subscribing.   Website:  http://insider.fitt.co