Brian Von Ancken - Wellness Growth Mastermind: How to Build a Thriving Industry Community

In this episode, Eric Malzone sits down with Brian Von Ancken to unpack the evolution of the wellness industry, the challenges founders face, and the transformative power of community. Brian shares lessons from building the Wellness Growth Mastermind—a collective of 200+ founders from leading and emerging brands—highlighting the importance of trust, authenticity, and a value-first approach. Together, they explore industry trends, the role of memorable customer experiences, and how wellness is shaping its future alongside healthcare. 🔑 Takeaways 🌿 The wellness industry is rapidly evolving beyond traditional healthcare. 🤝 Building community thrives on trust and a give-first mentality. ✨ Memorable customer experiences are essential for long-term success. 📚 Education and networking are powerful tools in mastermind groups. 📉 Founders face challenges like shifting consumer behavior and income constraints. 💪 Dedication and hard work are non-negotiable in the wellness space. 💡 A value-first mindset fosters sustainable relationships and growth. 🏥 The future of wellness may increasingly integrate with healthcare systems. 🌎 Community support accelerates both individual and collective progress. 🚀 Consumer interest signals a hopeful turning point for the wellness industry.

In this conversation, Eric Malzone and Jon Ward explore the rapidly evolving fitness industry, highlighting the growing integration of mental and physical health, the value of genuine connections, and the ongoing challenges of leadership and knowledge-sharing. Jon also introduces his initiative, The Assembly, a platform designed to foster collaboration among industry leaders and innovators through a unique networking experience centered on holistic health and wellness. Key Takeaways The fitness industry is experiencing significant maturation and consolidation. Mental health is now recognized as an essential component of overall wellness. Networking should prioritize authentic connections over purely transactional interactions. The Assembly provides a distinctive platform for industry leaders to collaborate. Wellness influencers often face challenges in balancing integrity with monetization. There is a growing demand for more thought leadership in the fitness sector. Consumer behavior in fitness has shifted dramatically in recent years. Building supportive communities is critical for fostering brand loyalty. Innovative solutions are required to meet the evolving needs of consumers. The Assembly aims to break down silos within the health and wellness ecosystem.

In this conversation, Eric Malzone interviews Bill Davis, CEO of ABC Fitness, discussing the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the fitness industry. They explore how ABC Fitness is leveraging AI for operational efficiency, customer engagement, and product development. Bill shares insights on the importance of critical thinking in applying AI, the establishment of AI champions within the organization, and the future of roles in the industry as AI continues to evolve. The discussion highlights the balance between leveraging AI for operational efficiency and enhancing customer experiences, as well as the potential convergence of fitness and health data. 🤖 AI is not just a tool—it’s a transformative force 🧠 Critical thinking is essential for effective AI use 📈 Building AI capabilities at scale is key 👥 AI champions drive successful implementation ⚡ The pace of AI innovation demands adaptation 💬 Operators can leverage AI for stronger customer engagement 🧑‍💻 Entry-level roles may be vulnerable to AI ⚙️ AI boosts operational efficiency in fitness businesses 🔗 Fitness + health data convergence is a future possibility 📊 Personal AI use enhances productivity & decision-making https://egym.com/int  

In this episode, Juliet, Alex, and Eric discuss the latest quarterly reports from leading fitness companies including Garmin, Life Time, Planet Fitness, Peloton, and Xponential. The conversation covers each company's performance, marketing strategies, and trends in the fitness industry. They also explore the reintroduction of the Presidential Fitness Test and its potential impact, examine the viability of longevity clinics, and debate CrossFit's new marketing campaign. The episode concludes with actionable insights for improving local physical education and the evolving landscape of the fitness sector. https://www.podcastcollective.io/ https://egym.com/ https://goteamup.com/  

In this episode, Dr. Stacy Sims dives into the latest advancements in women’s health research, with a special focus on hormonal health, nutrition, and training strategies for women over 45. She breaks down why tracking menstrual cycles is key to understanding hormonal shifts, how restrictive diets can impact overall health, and why supplements like creatine and vitamin D are essential at this stage of life. Dr. Sims also highlights the importance of adapting training around perimenopause, incorporating strength work safely, and maintaining consistency while listening to your body. Beyond personal health, the conversation explores the growing FemTech movement, the push for more inclusive and women-centered research, and how to evaluate scientific claims with a critical lens. This episode offers practical strategies and fresh perspectives on women’s health, performance, and longevity. https://goteamup.com/  https://www.podcastcollective.io/  

In this conversation, Eric Malzone and Justin Tamsett explore the shifting landscape of the fitness industry, emphasizing the growing importance of community, strong leadership, and integrating fitness with healthcare. They discuss how REX Round Tables offers fitness professionals a platform for peer support, problem-solving, and shared learning, as well as the critical role of behavioral change in boosting gym attendance. The discussion also addresses the challenges of an increasingly crowded market, the potential of the industry to improve mental health and strengthen community ties, and the opportunities that come from adopting strategies from other sectors. They highlight how leadership development, technology, and inspiring community stories can shape the future of fitness and drive better health outcomes. Key Takeaways The fitness industry is shifting toward a broader focus on wellness. REX Round Tables provides essential peer support and collaboration for fitness professionals. Learning from other industries can enhance fitness business operations. Strong leadership development is vital for industry growth. Encouraging behavioral change is key to increasing gym attendance. Competition is rising due to the growing number of service providers. Mental health and community connection are integral to fitness. Integrating fitness with healthcare can improve health outcomes. Technology will play a major role in shaping the industry’s future. Positive community stories can inspire and motivate professionals. https://goteamup.com/  https://podcastcollective.io/   https://egym.com/int 

In this episode of The Future of Fitness, host Eric Malzone sits down with Evelyn Webster, CEO of SoulCycle, to explore the shifting dynamics of fitness and wellness in a post-pandemic world and how evolving consumer behavior is shaping the industry’s future. Evelyn shares how SoulCycle is redefining wellness beyond the bike, embracing experiential spending, and strengthening its emotional connection with riders to build lasting loyalty. She dives into the brand’s innovative use of AI and technology to personalize the customer journey—such as matching riders with instructors who play their favorite music, a strategy that has doubled new customer retention. The conversation also highlights SoulCycle’s brand strategy, the importance of investing in talent, expanding into retail beyond apparel, and forming strategic partnerships to reach new audiences. With a strong emphasis on a test-and-learn mindset, Evelyn offers valuable insights on driving growth, enhancing customer experience, and staying relevant in a rapidly changing wellness landscape. https://goteamup.com/  https://podcastcollective.io/   https://egym.com/int 

In this episode of The Future of Fitness, host Eric Malzone welcomes guest Royi Metser, founder and CEO of Avelo, to discuss his journey in creating an innovative running product at Avelo Running. Metser shares his personal motivation rooted in a period of unfitness during the COVID-19 pandemic that led to an obsession with improving running performance. He emphasizes the importance of creating a vertically integrated smart running shoe that combines hardware and software to offer real-time data, injury prevention, and enhanced performance for runners. The conversation delves into the biomechanics of running, the persistent high rate of running-related injuries, and how Avelo’s product aims to address these issues by quantifying biomechanical load and providing personalized coaching. Metser also touches on his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of balancing hardware and software development, and the excitement surrounding their active Kickstarter campaign. https://goteamup.com/  https://podcastcollective.io/ 

In this conversation, Michael Ramsey, co-founder of Strong Pilates, shares his journey from personal trainer to entrepreneur in the boutique fitness space. He discusses the unique offerings of Strong Pilates, which combines strength training with traditional Pilates and cardio, creating a comprehensive workout experience. Michael highlights the importance of member satisfaction, the franchise model's success, and the brand's rapid expansion. He also addresses industry challenges, the need for innovation, and the significance of building brand equity in a competitive market.     https://goteamup.com/  https://podcastcollective.io/ 

In this conversation, Amber Martinez shares her extensive journey in the fitness industry, emphasizing the critical role of people in business success. She discusses her evolution from a front desk employee to a leader in various capacities, highlighting the importance of culture, operations, and sales integration. Amber provides insights on scaling culture, measuring the impact of people and culture, and establishing standards for accountability. She also addresses the challenges of navigating personality assessments in hiring and the necessity of selling the importance of culture to business leaders. Finally, Amber discusses the implications of AI on company culture and the importance of networking and collaboration in the industry. https://goteamup.com/ https://podcastcollective.io/ https://egym.com/int