Ep 329 - The Gentleman” Uresk | From Street Fighter to Life Coach | A Tale of Resilience & Redemption

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S, recorded live at EuropeActive Health and Fitness Forum in Cologne. Here, hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of Sweatworks are joined by some of the industry’s most respected and successful influencers, insight experts and investors to talk about the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories shaping the future of the sector. On this episode, our hosts dive into the detail with: Karsten Hollasch, Global Private Equity Leader Financial Advisory, Herman Rutgers Ambassador,  EuropeActive, Ian Mullane, Founder and CEO, Keepme.ai, Utku Toprakseven, Chief Product Officer, 4Global, Eric Falardeau, Partner, Montreal Global Leader, McKinsey’s Fitness & Wellness Group and Jop Gerritsen, Partner, Amsterdam  Topics discussed include: ●       Fitness trends at home, outdoors and in-club. ●       The impact of VAT reduction on market penetration. ●       Digital tools, wearables and the potential in the European market. ●       2030 European participation targets. Can we reach them? ●       The impact of AI in the fitness industry. ●       Using AI generated data in fitness industry, with a focus on privacy and value exchange. ●       Data in evidencing the value of physical activity in a preventative health care system. ●       Using social value as a metric to measure the health impact of physical activity. ●       Three ways AI can support the fitness industry’s growth right now: Classical AI, Copilot (Chatbot)      and Automated Content Generation. ●       Decarbonizing the fitness industry, potential for cost savings and environmental impact. ●       Do consumers make buying decisions based on the sustainability of the goods and services? ====================================================== Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new video when it’s published: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop View our full catalog:  https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue  ====================================================== Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Escapefitness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapefitness Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/escapefitness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/escapefitness/   0:00 Intro 1:00 Karsten Hollasch & Herman Rutgers 22:56 Ian Mullane | CEO of Keepme.ai 40:57 Eric Falardeau & Jop Gerritsen | McKinsey & Company 1:06:41 Utku Toprakseven | Chief Product Officer of 4Global

In this week’s episode of LIFTS – your a bite-size dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories - hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of Sweatworks, are joined by  Lisa Kuecker, serial entrepreneur, public speaker and founder of international boutique fitness consultancy sensation, Studio Grow.    In this LIFTS podcast, topics include: ●       GLP-1s move into mainstream via COSTCO prescriptions. ●       The positive effect of exercise for those taking GLP-1s. ●       Merger of Orangetheory and Self Esteem Brands (Anytime Fitness). ●       Fitness franchises and expansion strategies. ●       Technogym’s impressive financial 2023 performance. ●       The huge commercial opportunity presented by the sale of used equipment. ●       Shift from hardware to service – The next play for fitness kit provider. ====================================================== Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new video when it’s published: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop View our full catalog:  https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue  ====================================================== Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Escapefitness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapefitness Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/escapefitness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/escapefitness/   0:00       Intro  02:45    Introducing Lisa Kuecker, founder, Studio Grow 04:28    The value of taking intentional time off work 06:21    Introduction of GLP-1 prescriptions by COSTCO 07:21    GLP-1’s move into mainstream 09:23    Reducing GLP-1 side effects through exercise 14:03    Merger of Orangetheory and Self Esteem Brands (Anytime Fitness) 17:14    Fitness franchises and expansion strategies 23:26    Technogym’s impressive financial 2023 performance 24:40    The huge commercial opportunity presented by the sale of used equipment 26:52    Shift from hardware to service – The next play for fitness kit providers?

After a few weeks of broadcasting inspiring interviews with the movers and shakers at international events, welcome back to our regular L.I.F.T.S, a bite-size dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and stories hitting the headlines and stirring up debate.   In this week’s episode, hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of SweatWorks, are joined by Andrew Kolman, Vice President of Global Product Development, Matrix Fitness at Johnson Health Tech. Conversation focuses on three news-busting stories: the merging of two brand titans - Orangetheory and Self Esteem Brands, the acquisition of Bowflex by Johnson Health Tech and the raising of $1.8 Billion by Equinox.  In this LIFTS podcast topics include: ●       The potential impact of a merger between Orangetheory and Self Esteem Brands. ●       The challenges and opportunities of merging two hugely successful brands. ●       Leveraging fitness brands for cross-promotion and personalized experiences. ●       The potential that drove Johnson Health Tech ‘s acquisition of Bowflex. ●       Managing the fusion of fitness and entertainment. ●       The impact of Equinox’s $1.8 billion investment on the wider industry. ●       Designing fitness lines to address under-served market segments.       ●       Fitness industry trends, premium offerings, consumer behavior. ====================================================== Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new video when it’s published: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop View our full catalog:  https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue  ====================================================== Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Escapefitness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapefitness Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/escapefitness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/escapefitness/   0:00       Intro 1:32       Merger of Orangetheory and Self Esteem Brands (Anytime Fitness) 2:20       Key role of data and analytics 4:26       Combining two franchise businesses for growth and the importance of a united leadership 7:20       Leveraging fitness brands for cross-promotion and personalized experiences 10:29    Johnson Health Tech’s acquisition of Bowflex 12:43    What made Bowflex such an attractive proposition 19:56    Managing the transition of fitness into the content and entertainment space 25:03    Equinox’s raising of $1.8 billion 28:10    Onyx: Designed to address under-served segments of the market 29:21    Fitness industry trends, premium offerings, consumer behavior.

With guests today located across all different time zones, welcome back to a truly international episode of L.I.F.T.S, a bite-size dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and stories hitting the headlines and stirring up debate.   In this week’s episode, ahead of FIBO and the European Health Futures Forum (EHFF), hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of SweatWorks, are joined by Jennifer Halsall-de Wit, a member of EuropeActive’s Inclusion Advisory Board, and Beau de Leeuw, a transgender advocate. Through their work, both of our guests’ pioneer diversity, equity and inclusion research in the European fitness sector in order to empower everybody to achieve their full potential by uncovering hidden barriers, biases and systemic hurdles obstructing progress.  In this LIFTS, we discuss some topics that are really sparking debate including: ●       Planet Fitness revoking a woman’s membership after she photographed a transgender member in the locker room. ●       Inclusivity versus privacy in fitness environments. ●       Safety for trans and non-binary individuals within gyms. ●       Cases where situations have been exploited and politized unnecessarily. ●       How the younger generations are redefining the process. ●       The need to make uncomfortable decisions in order to progress.       ●       The media scrutiny of Andrew Huberman, his private life and cancel culture. ====================================================== Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new video when it’s published: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop View our full catalog:  https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue  ====================================================== Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Escapefitness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapefitness Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/escapefitness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/escapefitness/   0:00 Intro 2:52 Planet Fitness’s policy amidst locker room issue 9:56 Gender identity and locker room comfort levels 11:22 Safety for trans and non-binary individuals 13:07 Gender-neutral changing rooms 15:00 Safety, culture and identity in a diverse society 21:26 Inclusivity in gyms and gender identity 25:05 Inclusivity in fitness industry and cancel culture 29:18 Media scrutiny of a public figure’s private life

On this week’s episode of the Escape Your Limits podcast, we are joined by John Jaquish, a doctor of biomechanical engineering on a mission to educate the world as to why traditional weightlifting is a waste of time. Driven by an obsessive interest in bone health stemming from his mothers’ osteoporosis diagnosis, invented the X3® – a device that improves bone strength, whilst limiting the risk of injury, through the application of variable (adaptive) resistance. Dr. Jaquish is absolutely committed to advancing oesteogenic load research and travels the world speaking about its implications. A number of his articles have been printed in medical journals and he has also written and published a couple of books: ‘Oesteogenic Loading’ and ‘Weight Lifting is a Waste of Time – And So Is Cardio. There’s A Better Way To Have The Body You Want’. Whilst Dr. Jaquish is a disruptor and very happy to question the effectiveness of traditional weight training techniques, his findings are also supported by several independent studies. His methods are used in training the world's most elite athletes and associations such as the entire Miami Heat organization, various NFL and NBA players, as well as Olympians.   In this podcast, John talks extensively about: ● Strength training and maximizing muscle growth. ● Volume training, hypertrophy and stretch-induced training. ● Nutrition, Hydration and ‘The Carnivore Diet.’ ● Semaglutide, weight loss and lifestyle changes. ● Big changes coming to Testosterone Replacement Therapy. ● Genetic outliers and impacts on training.   To learn more about Dr. John Jaquish, click here: https://www.jaquishbiomedical.com/ https://primalmedical.net/ ====================================================== Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new video when it’s published: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop View our full catalog:  https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue  ====================================================== Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Escapefitness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapefitness Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/escapefitness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/escapefitness/

Welcome to our exclusive podcast, recorded live at IHRSA 2024, in LA. In this episode, hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness is joined by Ian O’Dwyer, Co-Founder of Feel SOMA and Richard Boyd, Director of Global Wellness Designs, to discuss all things recovery and taking a more complete approach to improving lives worldwide in the Wellness, Health & Fitness Industry. Topics discussed in this episode, include: ●       Structuring the concept of recovery within fitness. ●       Stress, inflammation and fluid flow and recovery. ●       How eustress can actually build resilience. ●       Debating cold therapy and cryotherapy. ●       Importance of movement and mobility. ●       Fascial mobility and how to train fascia in different directions. ●       Integrating recovery into fitness spaces. ====================================================== Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new video when it’s published: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop View our full catalog:  https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue  ====================================================== Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Escapefitness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapefitness Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/escapefitness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/escapefitness/

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S. In this episode, recorded live at IHRSA, the USA’s largest fitness industry trade show, hosts  Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of Sweatworks, are joined by two incredibly inspirational individuals whose vision, ambition and leadership is pioneering the evolution of the fitness sector.  Please join us in welcoming Anthony Geisler, Founder and CEO, Xponential Fitness and Philipp Roesch-Schlanderer, Founder and CEO, EGYM to today’s very special IHRSA inspired LIFTS episode.  Topics discussed include: ·        The growth of Xponential Fitness. ·        Fitness and wellness trends and the rise of the boutique market. ·        Taking a macro rather than micro view of trends. ·        Xponential's Lindora acquisition. ·        Scaling business through acquisition and franchising. ·        The birth and growth of EGYM. ·        EGYM Genius –AI powered training. ·        The power of Interoperability. ·        The future of fitness for health: workout like a pill. ====================================================== Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new video when it’s published: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop View our full catalog:  https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue  ====================================================== Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Escapefitness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapefitness Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/escapefitness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/escapefitness/

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S. This episode is part of a series of recordings live from the EMEA’s biggest Health, Fitness, Wellness and Sports Festival, Beyond Activ. In this episode, hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of Sweatworks, are joined by industry heavyweight, Chris Clawson, recently appointed Chief Commercial Officer at EGYM and former Life Fitness CEO, to discuss the status of the fitness industry as well as the opportunities and challenges facing the future of fitness.  Topics discussed in this LIFTS episode, include: ·        Looking at the fitness industry with a fresh set of eyes. ·        The challenge of inbreeding within the fitness industry. ·        Different market phases; laggards, leaders and drivers. ·        The reasons why Peloton was so successful. ·        From content creation to capturing, captivating and keeping the customer. ·        Fitness Industry growth in the Middle East. ·        AI-powered fitness technology and its impact. ====================================================== Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new video when it’s published: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop View our full catalog:  https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue  ====================================================== Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Escapefitness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapefitness Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/escapefitness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/escapefitness/

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S. This episode is the second part of a two-part podcast series recorded live at the EMEA’s biggest Health, Fitness, Wellness and Sports Festival, Beyond Activ, Feb 20-22, 2024. In this episode, hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of Sweatworks, dive into the opportunities that exist for operators, suppliers, investors and developers keen to establish a presence in the UAE. Our hosts are joined by an eclectic mix of international industry disruptors, all finding their way and successfully developing businesses in the KSA and wider UAE region.  Please welcome to this podcast, Adnan Alkhalaf , Leejam; Lindsay Madden-Nadeau, Red Sea Global;  Herman Rutgers, EuropeActive;  Dr. Dimitri Koutsoubakis, & Gareth Jones, Wellfit; David Stalker, Group CEO MyZone and Jennifer Vaughan Maanavi, Physique 57. Topics discussed in this LIFTS episode, include: ·        The impact of Beyond Activ in the KSA. ·        Prevalent KSA population health issues tacked by an active lifestyle. ·        A winning mindset for business success in the KSA. ·        Responsible tourism and regenerative development in Saudi Arabia. ·        Setting new standards and building sustainable Giga environments. ·        How the KSA can learn from the rest of the world to drive growth and success. ·        The importance of ‘network’ and ‘collaboration.’ ·        The challenges of educating a population.       The need to ‘love’ rather than ‘wow’ consumers. ====================================================== Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new video when it’s published: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop View our full catalog:  https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue  ====================================================== Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Escapefitness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapefitness Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/escapefitness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/escapefitness/

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S. This episode is part-one of a two-part podcast series recorded live at the EMEA’s biggest Health, Fitness, Wellness and Sports Festival, Beyond Activ, Feb 20-22, 2024. In this episode, hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of Sweatworks, talk to fitness and wellness operators experiencing huge success in the Kingdom of Saud Arabia (KSA) and take a deep dive into the reasons why, right now, the KSA is providing the perfect environment for culturally aligned fitness and wellness businesses to thrive. On this episode our hosts are joined by: Abdul Mohsin, Brand Ambassador, Delta Fitness Abbas Almas, Senior Director of Marketing, Sales and Business Development, Kun Sports Ross Stewart Campbell, Founder and CEO, Beyond Activ Shadan Alsagri, Deputy COO, Leejam Sports Emlyn Brown, Global Senior Vice President, Accor Jason Tubbs, CEO, Fitness First Middle East Nathan Clute, CSO, Armah Sports Company  In this episode, topics discussed include: ·        KSA's Fitness Business Blueprint: Components of success. ·        Cultural considerations when hosting an event in the KSA. ·        Saudi Arabia’s Active Vision 2030. ·        Cultural evolution in the KSA and its impact on the fitness industry. ·        Collaboration: key to creating luxury fitness and wellness environments. ·        Building sustainable giga environments. ·        The talent challenge: recruiting and training quality personal trainers. ·        Cultural challenges: Importing western brands into the KSA.        Why 1Rebel did not succeed in the KSA. ====================================================== Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new video when it’s published: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop View our full catalog:  https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue  ====================================================== Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Escapefitness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapefitness Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/escapefitness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/escapefitness/