Dan Uyemura - The AI-First Gym: How PushPress Is Rewriting the Playbook for Operators

In this episode, Eric Malzone sits down with Dr. Ryan Greene, founder and CEO of Monarch Athletic Clubs. Dr. Greene shares his journey from exercise physiology and medical training to creating an all-in-one health club designed for true wellness—not just fitness. They dive into why our healthcare system is really a "sick care" system, how Monarch integrates medicine, personal training, recovery, and community under one roof, and the surprising reason their clubs stayed open during the pandemic. Dr. Greene also opens up about the future of longevity, the problem with having data but no actionable plan, and why mental health and authentic community are the next frontiers in health. 🔑 Key Takeaways 🧠 Healthcare should keep people healthy, not just treat sickness—Monarch is built on prevention, not reaction. 💪 True health is compound interest: small, consistent actions in movement, nutrition, and recovery create lifelong results. 🩺 Diagnostics without integration are just data—real change happens when testing is paired with personalized, human-guided action. 🤝 Community is more than group workouts—it's creating spaces for vulnerable conversations around mental health, parenthood, and purpose. 💸 Value over cost: For the price of a boutique gym + trainer + clinic, Monarch wraps everything into one membership with guided oversight. 🚀 The future of fitness is integrated: blending medical oversight, performance training, and mental well-being in spaces built for connection.   https://monarchclubs.com/ 

In this episode, Dan Uyemura of PushPress returns to discuss the future of fitness technology with host Eric Malzone. They dive into PushPress's evolution into an AI-powered gym management platform, exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping operations for independent, community-focused gyms. Dan shares real-world examples of AI in action—from automated member management and smart reporting to AI coaching assistants that personalize member experiences. The conversation also tackles the bigger picture: why AI adoption is essential for survival in today's fast-moving tech landscape, how gyms can leverage AI as a team member rather than a job replacer, and why the fitness industry remains uniquely human and resilient in the face of automation. Whether you're a gym owner, coach, or tech enthusiast, this episode offers a practical and forward-looking view of how AI can empower small businesses to thrive. 🤖 AI is a transformative shift—ignoring it risks being left behind 📈 Independent gyms are strong; AI helps them scale without losing community feel 🛠️ Use AI as a teammate, not just a task-automator—improve decisions, not just output 🧠 Context is king—AI's power grows with member data, reviews, and subjective insights 👥 Member experience deepens with AI—personalized touchpoints and instant support 🏋️ You can't "AI your way to fitness"—human connection and hard work remain central 🚀 Future vision: "Vibe coding" gym ops, AI websites, and dynamic reporting in seconds 💡 Partnerships that benefit gyms, members, and platforms are the future Reach out to Dan and PushPress for partnerships or to explore AI-powered gym tools. https://www.pushpress.com/  LINKS: https://www.sportalliance.com/en/perfect-gym/  https://www.withflex.com/ 

The fitness and health industry is experiencing a major transformation driven by evolving consumer preferences, technological innovation, and the rise of artificial intelligence. In this episode, hosts sit down with Juliet Starrett and Alex Alimanestianu to break down the latest quarterly reports from major fitness industry players and explore the emerging bloodwork and health diagnostics revolution that's threatening to disrupt traditional healthcare companies. From the contrasting fortunes of legacy brands to the explosive growth in wearable technology, this conversation covers it all. Traditional gym chains like Lifetime Fitness and Planet Fitness are showing surprising resilience, with Planet Fitness in particular demonstrating strong financial health and an aggressive growth strategy. Meanwhile, Peloton continues to face ongoing challenges adapting to post-pandemic market conditions, and the boutique fitness sector under Exponential Fitness shows mixed results as operators navigate shifting consumer demand. Garmin is posting record-breaking years, benefiting from the booming wearable technology market that helps consumers track their health metrics in real-time. But the most significant disruption on the horizon comes from artificial intelligence's entry into health diagnostics and personalized wellness. Juliet highlights how tools like ChatGPT are enabling individuals to analyze their own blood work and medical data, fundamentally changing the patient experience. This democratization of health information threatens traditional diagnostic companies while creating opportunities for innovative health tech platforms like Function Health, which recently made major strategic moves. The convergence of wearable technology, consumer health data analytics, and AI-powered advisory services is reshaping how people approach fitness and wellness. As AI chatbots become more sophisticated at interpreting health data and providing personalized recommendations, the entire industry—from gyms to diagnostic labs to fitness equipment manufacturers—must adapt or risk obsolescence in a market where consumers increasingly expect immediate, affordable, and personalized health insights. In This Episode: Reunion conversations and conference highlights Longevity and wellness trends reshaping the industry The role of strength and conditioning in longevity practices Deep dive into Lifetime Fitness quarterly performance Peloton's ongoing challenges and strategic pivots Exponential Fitness franchises: the mixed bag Why globo gyms are making a comeback Planet Fitness playing offense with aggressive expansion Garmin's record-breaking year in wearables Function Health's big strategic move The bloodwork boom: How AI is disrupting medical diagnostics Meta AI glasses and the future of fitness tech LINKS: https://www.sportalliance.com/en/perfect-gym/ https://www.withflex.com/

In this episode, Eric Malzone talks with Carl Daikeler, co-founder and CEO of BODi (formerly Beachbody), about his remarkable path in transforming home fitness over the past quarter-century. Carl's story begins as a direct marketing expert who created 8 Minute Abs before building what would become one of the most extensive collections of fitness and nutrition programs available—featuring legendary workouts like P90X and Insanity from elite Super Trainers. The conversation covers BODi's transformation from a company focused on physical appearance to one championing healthspan and longevity. Carl discusses creating Shakeology®, which pioneered the superfood protein shake category, and how he developed one of the first social-influencer and affiliate networks in the fitness space. They dig into why the industry needs to serve everyday people seeking better health rather than just fitness enthusiasts, why genuine approaches work better than influencer marketing, and how keeping things simple opens fitness to more people. Key Takeaways 🏋️ Carl spent over 25 years building BODi from the success of 8 Minute Abs into a home fitness and nutrition leader serving millions 💪 Programs like P90X and Insanity showed that people would fully commit to challenging home workouts when given proper structure and support 📚 BODi's library includes more than 140 distinct programs created with top-tier Super Trainer experts 🥤 Shakeology® broke new ground as the original superfood protein shake made for regular people looking to improve their nutrition 📱 Carl created one of the fitness industry's first social-influencer and affiliate networks, ahead of the curve on community-driven growth 🤝 Real community support and accountability make the difference between short-term efforts and lasting lifestyle changes ❤️ The shift from Beachbody to BODi represents a bigger movement toward healthspan, longevity, and complete wellness instead of just aesthetics ⏱️ Consistent 10-20 minute daily movement creates meaningful health improvements without requiring marathon workout sessions ✨ People connect more with honest, relatable fitness content than they do with heavily produced influencer material 🎯 The fitness world needs to serve the 98% of people wanting sustainable health, not only the 2% pursuing elite performance or competition physiques 🌍 The Beachbody Foundation has given more than $10 million to support various organizations and communities, demonstrating a commitment to accessible wellness for everyone 🔮 Tomorrow's fitness innovations should focus on being affordable, accessible, and designed around where people actually are in their wellness journey LINKS: https://www.sportalliance.com/en/perfect-gym/  https://www.withflex.com/ 

In this episode, Eric Malzone sits down with Jay Worthy, CEO of MyZone, to dig into how fitness technology can actually keep people coming back instead of collecting dust in a drawer. With over 25 years in the industry, Jay breaks down MyZone's approach to cutting through the noise of endless health data—think MEPs tracking and community-driven motivation rather than just another stream of numbers nobody understands. They get into the real talk about why most wearables fail (spoiler: it's not the tech, it's the lack of support), how behavioral science drives lasting change, and why MyZone's betting on making fitness tracking simpler with their new MyZone Go product that works with devices people already own. The conversation also explores where AI fits into making sense of all that health data without overwhelming users, plus why companies in this space need to stop competing and start collaborating if anyone's serious about getting more people moving. Jay's philosophy boils down to this: motivation beats information every time, and building genuine community connections is what keeps people engaged long after the initial excitement wears off.   LINKS: https://www.sportalliance.com/en/perfect-gym/  https://www.withflex.com/ https://egym.com/int  

In this episode, Eric Malzone sits down with Adam Schafer to explore the evolution of Mind Pump, one of the most successful brands in fitness podcasting. Adam opens up about how authenticity, transparency, and strategic business decisions turned a passion project into a thriving enterprise. The conversation dives into the realities of building a sustainable business in the fitness and wellness space — from navigating multiple revenue streams to maintaining integrity and trust in a market increasingly influenced by AI and misinformation. 💡 Key takeaways include the importance of authentic storytelling, slow and steady business growth, and staying grounded in core values even as responsibilities expand. Eric and Adam also discuss the power of email marketing, community-driven engagement, and how genuine connection — not trends — is what truly fuels long-term success in the fitness, entrepreneurship, and personal development world. LINKS: https://www.sportalliance.com/en/perfect-gym/ https://www.withflex.com/ 

In this episode, Kim Gouch, Chief Brand and Marketing Officer at Retro Fitness, dives into her journey and the dynamic evolution of the fitness industry. She discusses how Retro Fitness is redefining the HVLP market through community-driven experiences, authentic branding, and meaningful consumer connections. Kim highlights the brand's Get Real campaign, which celebrates individuality and emotional connection in fitness, and shares how community engagement and simplicity in consumer experience shape their approach to growth and retention. She also explores the difference between branding and marketing, emphasizing that true success comes from building a brand for the future — one that resonates with younger generations through authenticity, technology integration, and inclusivity. With a focus on data-driven insights and collaborative innovation, Kim outlines Retro Fitness's strategy for explosive yet sustainable growth, ensuring the brand continues to inspire connection, wellness, and belonging in every community it serves. LINKS: https://www.sportalliance.com/en/perfect-gym/ https://www.withflex.com/  https://egym.com/int  *]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:9553d5a7-f9e9-4403-9d91-a68547ea7fbc-2" data-testid= "conversation-turn-6" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> #RetroFitness #KimGouch #FitnessIndustry #Branding #MarketingStrategy #GetRealCampaign #CommunityEngagement #FitnessBrand #GymMarketing #ConsumerExperience #WellnessCulture #HVLPFitness #HealthAndWellness #FitnessInnovation #GrowthStrategy #FutureOfFitness #AuthenticBranding #WellnessJourney #FitnessCommunity #FitnessBusiness #DataDrivenMarketing #FitnessTrends #BrandBuilding #WellnessLifestyle #FitnessMotivation        

Join host Eric Malzone as he speaks with Colleen Lewis, co-founder of bluSONIL, and Dr. Amy Lee, the company's Chief Medical Officer, about how bluSONIL is transforming the intersection of longevity, wellness, and regenerative aesthetics. Colleen, a seasoned leader in luxury brands and aesthetics, and Dr. Lee, a triple board-certified physician in metabolic health and nutrition, share how their partnership brings together business vision and medical expertise to create a high-touch, results-driven experience. They discuss identifying market gaps, the importance of evidence-based treatments, and the challenges of scaling a medically guided company while maintaining trust and authenticity. The conversation also explores bluSONIL's membership model, their educational approach to consumer wellness, and their shared belief in innovation, transparency, and holistic care—redefining how people pursue beauty, vitality, and long-term health. LINKS: https://www.sportalliance.com/en/perfect-gym/  https://www.withflex.com/  https://www.podcastcollective.io/ 

In this enlightening conversation, Dr. Andy Galpin, a distinguished professor and human performance scientist, shares invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of health and fitness. He expertly distinguishes between performance and longevity, emphasizing that while longevity focuses on lifespan, true performance encompasses immediate, measurable improvements in physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being. Dr. Galpin discusses the transformative role of technology and AI in healthcare and fitness, highlighting how these tools can enhance coaching and client care when applied strategically. As the founder of Absolute Rest, he reveals groundbreaking advancements in sleep science, introducing their revolutionary at-home sleep testing system that provides clinical-grade analysis without the traditional limitations of sleep labs. The conversation explores opportunities for industry professionals to collaborate with Dr. Galpin's various ventures, including Parker University's upcoming 65,000-square-foot advanced human performance center, Vitality Blueprint's biomarker tracking, and Rapid Health's personalized optimization programs. Throughout the discussion, Dr. Galpin emphasizes the importance of maintaining a first-principles approach while embracing technological advancement, offering valuable guidance for fitness professionals navigating this rapidly evolving industry. LINKS: https://www.sportalliance.com/en/perfect-gym/  https://www.withflex.com/  https://egym.com/int 

In this episode, Chris Clawson, a veteran leader in the fitness industry and current EGYM executive, joins Eric to discuss the evolution of fitness technology, the game-changing impact of EGYM's Genius ecosystem, and the industry's growing role in preventative healthcare. Chris shares insights from his 40-year career, the importance of holistic health solutions, and how partnerships and digital innovation are transforming gym experiences for both operators and members. The conversation also explores the push for better physical education, the influence of corporate wellness programs, and the need for industry-wide advocacy to elevate fitness as a pillar of public health. LINKS: https://www.sportalliance.com/en/perfect-gym/ https://www.withflex.com/ https://egym.com/int