Gym Business - Business for Unicorns Podcast
355 episodes - English - Latest episode: 9 days ago - ★★★★★ - 54 ratingsThe Business for Unicorns Podcast is for brick-and-mortar gym owners who want actionable strategies to grow their business, take amazing care of their clients, and build a life and fitness business they truly love.
New episodes every Monday & Friday.
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Episodes
Episode 102: Mark and Pete on Identifying Where You Need Help in Your Business
November 29, 2021 09:30 - 14 minutes - 13.2 MBMark and Pete are back! In this episode, Mark and Pete talk about: Self-evaluation Planning Asking for help Interested in working with BFU? Learn more below: businessforunicorns.com/business-coaching businessforunicorns.com/unicorn-society
Episode 101: Michael, Mark & Pete Share the Most Common Mistakes Gym Owners Make
November 22, 2021 09:30 - 23 minutes - 20.2 MBMichael, Mark, and Pete are back with another episode of the season. This time, they discuss the most common mistakes they see fitness business owners make. This week, we discussed: Reactive vs. proactive hiring Raising prices Creating standard operating procedures Work with us: Unicorn Society Business for Unicorns [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Episode 100: Michael and Mark on the Importance of Mentorship and Peer-Learning for Entrepreneurs
November 08, 2021 09:30 - 35 minutes - 81.8 MBMichael and Mark are back with another bonus episode of the season...In this episode, Michael and Mark talk about mentorship in the fitness space, the importance of peer groups, and their experience with them. In this episode, Mark and Pete talk about: Why peer groups are useful The importance of mentorship Community of like-minded people Relationships you develop inside groups Work with us: Unicorn Society Business for Unicorns [email protected] michael@busines...
Episode 99: Kelly Edwards Explains How to Run a Successful Youth Athlete Program
November 01, 2021 08:30 - 51 minutes - 60.1 MBAbout Kelly: Kelly Edwards played for O’Dea High school, and won the state 3A championship three out of his four years there, 04, 05, 07 (they lost in the championship game his junior year- 06). After O’Dea he played for Che Dawson at Highline Community College. They won the Western Division title his sophomore year, giving them the #1 seed to the NWAC tournament, where they lost in the semi-finals. Kelly went on to play at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon for his junior and se...
Episode 98: Michael and Mark on "Non-Social Media" Marketing Strategies
October 25, 2021 09:00 - 25 minutes - 47.2 MBMichael and Mark are back with another bonus episode of the season...In this episode, we talk about social media and the importance of using marketing strategies off social media and offline. In this episode, Mark and Michael talk about: Other Strategies to invest in besides social media Non-paid strategies Digital marketing The importance of email marketing Referral Marketing What is your offline marketing and how to do it Their concern for social media Work with us: Unicorn...
Episode 97: Chris Burgess Shares How Customers Are Behaving Differently Post-COVID
October 18, 2021 16:00 - 52 minutes - 65.4 MBHave you ever thought about how last year affected your customers' behavior? In this episode, we are going to dive deep into some fascinating topics on consumer behavior and content creation with a very special guest, Chris Burgess. In this episode, Michael spoke with Chris about: Understanding consumer behavior Content creation Storytelling Mentioned in the Episode: Inside the Unicorn Unicorn Society Chris IG Lift the Bar
Episode 96: Michael and Mark Reflect on the Importance of Stepping "Out" of the Business
October 11, 2021 08:30 - 24 minutes - 30.9 MBMichael and Mark are back with another bonus episode of the season...In this episode, we talk about the most effective methods to get you "out" of the business and how to use your time off to restructure your process in order to find motivation and improve your leadership. In this episode, Mark and Michael talk about: Reflection time Business leadership Journaling Interested in working with BFU? Learn more below: businessforunicorns.com/business-coaching businessforunicorns.com/u...
Episode 95: Mark and Pete Discuss All Things Facility
September 20, 2021 08:30 - 40 minutes - 53.3 MBMark and Pete are back! In this episode, Mark and Pete talk about: Location selection Reinvesting in space Lease conditions Interested in working with BFU? Learn more below: businessforunicorns.com/business-coaching businessforunicorns.com/unicorn-society
Episode 94: Michael and Mark Announce Inside the Unicorn
September 13, 2021 15:22 - 13 minutes - 16.7 MBMichael and Mark are back with another bonus episode of the season...this time with a special announcement inside the Unicorn! In this episode, Mark and Michael talk about: Inside the Unicorn-A 2-Day Deep Dive Behind-the-Scenes of Mark Fisher Fitness Interested in working with BFU? Learn more below: businessforunicorns.com
Episode 93: Mark and Pete Talk Recruitment and Onboarding
August 23, 2021 08:30 - 46 minutes - 56.8 MBMark and Pete are back! In this episode, Mark and Pete talk about: Onboarding new staff members Building a solid application process The difference between onboarding and internship programs Interested in working with BFU? Learn more below: businessforunicorns.com/business-coaching businessforunicorns.com/unicorn-society
Episode 92: Pete and Mark Answer Rapid Fire Questions Part Two
August 16, 2021 08:00 - 29 minutes - 38.4 MBMark and Pete are back with another Q&A-style episode. In this episode, Mark and Pete talk about: How to get parents out of their own way when you're coaching kids How to deal with price increases How to prepare your coaches for bigger roles Interested in working with BFU? Learn more below: businessforunicorns.com/business-coaching businessforunicorns.com/unicorn-society
Episode 91: Pete and Mark Answer Grab Bag Rapid Fire Questions
August 09, 2021 08:00 - 41 minutes - 53.5 MBMark and Pete are back with another episode of the season... In this episode, Pete and Mark answer your questions in a rapid-fire round to give you as much information and value as they can to help you grow the skills you need to succeed in the fitness business world. In this episode, Mark and Pete talk about: Finding the right person for your team Onboarding new trainers and managing staff The ideal return on investment for fitness businesses Interested in working with BFU? L...
Episode 90: Bonus Episode Pete and Mark on Being Effective with Public Speaking
July 26, 2021 08:00 - 35 minutes - 43.8 MBMark and Pete are back with another bonus episode of the season...In this episode, Pete and Mark have an insightful conversation about Public Speaking where they share their secrets on how to develop the skill to communicate effectively with all the different kinds of audiences you may find in the fitness world. In this episode, Mark and Pete talk about: Public speaking How to be effective in public speaking The real impact of public speaking Interested in working with BFU? Learn...
Episode 89: Pete Dupuis and Eric Cressey Give the Fit Biz Lowdown on CSP
July 19, 2021 08:00 - 37 minutes - 46.7 MBMark is back with another bonus episode of the season...In this bonus episode, Pete and Eric explain how they built a massive fitness brand without paid digital marketing. We also discuss what actions and steps you can take to start developing relationships to grow your business. In this episode, Mark, Pete & Eric talk about: Digital marketing and Brand Building Constructing strong relationships for your business Communication and other business essentials Mentioned in this Episode:...
Episode 88: The Truth About Motivating Your Clients with Dr. Lisa Lewis
July 12, 2021 09:00 - 52 minutes - 60.1 MBAbout Lisa: Dr. Lisa Lewis is a licensed psychologist and certified addictions counselor. She holds a master’s degree in clinical counseling psychology and a doctorate in Counseling and Sport Psychology. Lisa has worked in college mental health, community mental health, inpatient and intensive outpatient psychiatric and substance abuse treatment centers since her career began in 2003. She currently provides psychotherapy and consultation services at her private practice in Brookline, MA, a...
Episode 88:The Truth About Motivating Your Clients with Dr. Lisa Lewis
July 12, 2021 09:00 - 52 minutes - 60.1 MBAbout Lisa: Dr. Lisa Lewis is a licensed psychologist and certified addictions counselor. She holds a master’s degree in clinical counseling psychology and a doctorate in Counseling and Sport Psychology. Lisa has worked in college mental health, community mental health, inpatient and intensive outpatient psychiatric and substance abuse treatment centers since her career began in 2003. She currently provides psychotherapy and consultation services at her private practice in Brookline, MA, a...
Episode 87: How and Why to Advocate for the Fitness Industry with Brett Ewer
July 12, 2021 01:34 - 23 minutes - 28.8 MBAbout Brett: A student of politics, argument, and persuasion, Brett has worked in DC and in statehouses across the country to inform public policy on a variety of topics, from state licensing to conflicts of interest in federal health and science agencies, to COVID relief. Prior to serving as CrossFit's Head of Government Relations, Brett worked in House and Senate offices, and later at a large, full-service public affairs and lobbying firm on advocacy and public relations campaigns. ...
Episode 86: Bonus Episode Michael & Mark Break Down Their Super Service Principles
July 02, 2021 09:00 - 18 minutes - 22.1 MBMark and Michael are back with another bonus episode of the season...In this bonus episode, we share our insights on how to create an exceptional service for your client, while keeping your team involved in the process. In this episode, Mark and Michael talk about: The super service principle The pyramid framework The keys to exceeding your customers’ experience
Episode 86: Bonus Episode Michael & Marck Break Down Their Super Service Principle.
July 02, 2021 09:00 - 18 minutes - 22.1 MBMark and Michael are back with another bonus episode of the season...In this bonus episode, we share our insights on how to create an exceptional service for your client, while keeping your team involved in the process. In this episode, Mark and Michael talk about: The super service principle The pyramid framework The keys to exceeding your customers’ experience
Episode 85: How to Get Sh*t Done with Wendy Shafranski
June 28, 2021 09:00 - 49 minutes - 60.9 MBAbout Wendy: After working for 12 years in corporate marketing, Wendy opened Vero Strength + Conditioning in 2009, starting with coaching and running the business and now working mainly behind the scenes, handling customer service, social media, events, sales, gym staff and administration. In the Fall of 2020, she launched Cerus Performance, a supplement company that bridges the gap between health and performance and we are starting to gain traction. In this episode, Michael spoke wi...
Episode 84: Rachel Cosgrove Shares How to Think Bigger as A Gym Owner
June 21, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 77.9 MBAbout Rachel: Rachel co-owns and operates Results Fitness, a fitness center in Southern California for the past 21 years with her husband and business partner, Alwyn Cosgrove. Results Fitness was voted one of the top 10 gyms in the United States three years in a row by Men’s Health Magazine along with being named one of the “Best Gyms” in Women’s Health in 2013 and was featured on BBC America for their fitness programming and philosophies. Rachel, again partnered with her husband, started ...
Episode 83: Cultivating Team Members to Think Like Owners with Mark Fitzgerald
June 14, 2021 09:00 - 49 minutes - 59.1 MBAbout Mark: Mark has spent the last 15 years working with athletes from a variety of sports at every level. He began his career with the Toronto Maple Leaf's organization and most recently was the head of performance for the Anaheim Ducks. Mark is the founder of Elite Training Systems (ETS) in Ontario, which has grown to 4 locations servicing athletes from all major and minor sports. He also serves as a consultant for a number of health and performance organizations. Currently Mark serve...
Episode 82: How to Make Evidence-Based Decisions in Your Business with Stu Brauer
June 07, 2021 09:00 - 51 minutes - 62.7 MBAbout Stuart: Stuart Brauer is a 20-year student of the fitness industry - having been involved in large chain, big box gyms and independently owned studios/gyms. He owns his own microgyma (Urban MVMNT) in Charlotte, NC, but his full time job is creating no-BS content and consulting with gym owners to un-f*ck their business. You can hear all about his unique business model and especially his guerrilla marketing strategies on the WTF Gym Talk - an all-round resource for everyone looking for...
Episode 81: Michael and Mark Share the Most Powerful Tool Every Gym Owner Needs
May 28, 2021 09:00 - 26 minutes - 32.9 MBMark and Michael are back with another bonus episode of the season. In this episode, Mark and Michael discuss: Our experience in peer groups Why we started the Unicorn Society Situations in which Unicorn Society is NOT going to be the best fit
Episode 80: Systematizing Your Training Experience with Brittany Welk
May 24, 2021 09:00 - 48 minutes - 56.3 MBAbout Brittany: Brittany Welk is the COO and Co-Founder of LadyStrong Fitness-- a boutique fitness studio designed to empower women to look good, feel good & perform good, both in fitness and in life! She has a passion for changing lives in our studio as well with other entrepreneurs like herself! Besides running the LadyStrong Fitness with her fiance and business partner Marciea, Brittany also is a Performance Consultant for studio owners at Loud Rumor. Her specialization is helping stud...
Episode 79: Alwyn Shares His Predictions for a Post-COVID Training Gym Industry
May 17, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 58.5 MBAbout Alwyn: Alwyn Cosgrove is the co-owner of Results Fitness - a gym twice named as America's Top Gyms by Men's Health magazine. His special brand is all about "changing the way fitness is done". The Scottish born, is considered a "rockstar" in the fitness industry. His passion led him from competing in martial arts, to reading everything related to fitness and training. His degree in Sports Performance further enhanced his learning along with training with fitness professionals and trai...
Episode 78: Michael and Mark on Navigating Change
May 14, 2021 09:00 - 36 minutes - 43.4 MBMark and Michael are back with another bonus episode of the season. In this episode, Mark and Michael discuss: Managing, navigating, coping, and designing change The tools we turn to when navigating change
Episode 77: Good vs. Great Nutrition Coaches with Laura Poburan
May 10, 2021 09:00 - 54 minutes - 49.7 MBAbout Laura: Laura is the Founder of TriggerMapping™ - a certification and mentorship program designed to help nutrition professionals radically change the lives of the people they’re called to serve by infusing traditional nutrition practice with deep connection and neuroscience. She is collectively waking coaches up to a new, more healing-centric form of mastery...where freeing clients from toxic relationships with food and chronic dieting patterns becomes our default. She instills in ...
Episode 76: Pete Dupuis on How to Get The Most Out of Your Team
May 03, 2021 09:00 - 57 minutes - 73.1 MBAbout Pete: Pete is one of the few fitness professionals who identify specifically as a "business guy." He has served as the Vice President and Business Director of Cressey Sports Performance since co-founding the company in 2007. With an MBA from Babson College, more than a decade of fitness industry experience, and a profound appreciation for the nitty-gritty realities of managing a fitness facility, Pete brings a unique perspective to discussions surrounding the business of fitness. ...
Episode 75: Bonus Episode with Michael, Mark... and Pete!
April 30, 2021 09:00 - 21 minutes - 26.2 MBMark and Michael are back with another bonus episode of the season...this time with a special guest and an announcement! In this episode, Mark, Pete, and Michael talk about: Having a bench of people you can hire from Having an effective internship program
Episode 74: Jess Shares Her Systems to Creating her Gym Culture
April 26, 2021 09:00 - 43 minutes - 52.2 MBAbout Jess: Jessica is co-owner of Empower Personalized Fitness. She and her best friend and business partner at the time Ronda Williams founded the company in 2004 and shared the responsibility for all aspects of the business for the 15 years. Her main focus during that time was on marketing, client relationship functions, business growth strategies, and employee mentorship. In January of 2021, Jessica took over as sole owner of Empower and now is helping her small business not only recov...
Episoe 73: Building An Online Sustainable Fitness Brand with Sam Leicht
April 19, 2021 09:00 - 52 minutes - 95.7 MBAbout Sam: Sam Leicht is a fitness coach and broadway actor based in NYC! Over the past three years he's starred on Broadway (The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical), toured the country, and started his own wellness business - Leichtning Health. Other coaches focus on "looking your best." Instead, he encourages his community to lean away from aesthetic goals in order to find sustainable health and wellness. He focuses on providing quality, lifelong fitness & lifestyle training to...
Episode 72: Michael and Mark Demystify MFF's Successful Referral Initiative
April 16, 2021 09:00 - 32 minutes - 40.5 MBMark and Michael are back with another bonus episode of the season. In this episode, Mark and Michael discuss: Lessons learned from our successful referral Initiative How to make sure your team members have clear roles and responsibilities
Episode 71: The Legendary Mike Boyle Talks Lessons Learned
April 12, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 75.3 MBAbout Mike: Michael Boyle is one of the foremost experts in the fields of Strength and Conditioning, Functional Training and general fitness. He currently spends his time lecturing, teaching, training and writing. In 1996 Michael co founded Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning, one of the first for-profit strength and conditioning companies in the world. Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning exists for one reason: to provide performance enhancement training for athletes of all levels. Athle...
Episode 70: JC Shares the One Thing Successful Gyms are Doing to Make it Through COVID
April 05, 2021 09:00 - 45 minutes - 53.6 MBAbout Jean-Claude: Jean- Claude Vacassin is the Founding Director of W10 Performance, the Professional Fitness Coaching Academy and the International Fitness Business Alliance. In addition, he consults on corporate wellbeing programmes, as well as to personal trainers and other gym owners. He has worked with athletes, sports brands and film companies, on various projects, been featured in various national newspapers and magazines, and is regular contributor for The Telegraph and Women’s...
EEpisode 69: Michael and Mark’s Approach to Quarterly Goal Setting
April 02, 2021 09:00 - 31 minutes - 38.2 MBMark and Michael are back with another bonus episode of the season. In this episode, Mark and Michael discuss: Inbox Management Quarterly Goal Setting and planning and why it's important
Episode 69: Michael and Mark’s Approach to Quarterly Goal Setting
April 02, 2021 09:00 - 31 minutes - 38.2 MBMark and Michael are back with another bonus episode of the season. In this episode, Mark and Michael discuss: Inbox Management Quarterly Goal Setting and planning and why it's important
Episode 68: Trina Gray on Owning Your Business and Not Letting It Own you
March 29, 2021 09:00 - 54 minutes - 64.1 MBAbout Trina: Trina Gray is recognized worldwide as a passionate leader in the fitness industry. She is a successful health club owner, business mentor, and presenter. Trina has owned Bay Athletic Club, a medical-based health club, and Bay Urban Fitness, a large group training studio, for 15 years. She also founded Team Rockstar Fit, an online coaching team of thousands of fitness professionals who partner with Beachbody®. She is the recipient of the first-ever IDEA Fitness Leader of th...
Episode 67: Matt Weaver on Cultivating A Beginner's Mindset as a Leader
March 22, 2021 09:00 - 53 minutes - 62.8 MBAbout Matt: Matthew Weaver is the founder of Results Transformation Center. His gym has thousands of Sacramento, Reno, Sparks, Elk Grove, Folsom, Rancho Cordova, Rocklin, and Roseville residents lose over a half million pounds. His gyms have helped people young and young and heart get into the best shape of their lives. In this episode, Michael spoke with Matt about: How to cultivate a beginners’ mindset as a leader Lessons learned while scaling to multiple locations How to find t...
Episode 66: Michael and Mark Share Tips for Building Genuine Team Connection
March 19, 2021 09:00 - 19 minutes - 23.6 MBMark and Michael are back with another bonus episode of the season. In this episode, Mark and Michael answer listener questions about: Suggestions for getting a team to engage outside the workplace How to find amazing qualified people to hire
Episode 65: Bob Shares His Secrets for Knowing How and When to Pivot in Life and Business
March 15, 2021 09:00 - 54 minutes - 63.2 MBAbout Bob: Bob Thompson, founder and CEO of Legion Transformation Center, and FitFX Labs. In this episode, Michael spoke with Bob about: Knowing how and when to pivot in your life and in your business The importance of taking risks and learning from mistakes Nurturing leads in a way that maximizes sales
Episode 64: Molly Gives a Peak Inside her New Book "Strong Women Lift Each Other Up"
March 08, 2021 10:00 - 55 minutes - 62.2 MBAbout Molly: Molly Galbraith, CSCS, is the Cofounder of Girls Gone Strong (GGS), the world’s largest platform providing evidence-based, interdisciplinary health, fitness, nutrition, and pregnancy education for women and the health and fitness professionals who work with them—including industry-leading certification programs and coaching. She's also the author of a brand-new book, Strong Women Lift Each Other Up. Her “Strong Women Lift Each Other Up” philosophy is woven through the fabr...
Episode 63: A Special Announcement, Plus Michael and Mark Give Some Tough Love About Marketing
March 05, 2021 10:00 - 25 minutes - 32.2 MBMark and Michael are back with another bonus episode of the season. In this episode, Mark and Michael discuss: Tough Love— what to do when your marketing campaigns aren’t working Plus: A special announcement at the top of the Episode
Episode 62: James Shares How to Grow Your Business by Delegating
March 01, 2021 10:00 - 45 minutes - 48.9 MBAbout James: James Cerbie is the founder and head coach at Rebel Performance, a modern strength and conditioning company dedicated to forging Apex Athletes and developing world-class coaches. He considers himself an educated meathead and decided to walk away from a Ph.D. in integrative physiology when he realized his true passion in life is coaching other humans. If he's not coaching, lifting, or reading a book, he can be found roaming the mountains with his beautiful wife and overly spo...
Episode 61: Chris Explains his Approach to Designing a World-Class Customer Experience
February 22, 2021 10:00 - 42 minutes - 54.2 MBAbout Chris: Chris Stevenson - former Power Ranger stuntman - is the founder of Stevenson Consulting, a full-service consulting firm based in Westlake Village, California. Chris’s current focus is to help businesses and entrepreneurs of all types maximize potential. His expertise stems from his past hands-on experience in all aspects of the health club industry. For almost 20 years, Chris and his team successfully owned and operated Stevenson Fitness, a full-service boutique health club in...
Episode 60: Michael and Mark Encourage You to Just Say "No" to Doing More
February 19, 2021 10:00 - 22 minutes - 27.4 MBMark and Michael are back with another bonus episode of the season. In this episode, Mark and Michael discuss: How to decide when to add a new service or product onto existing Managing your team's performance based on quantitative vs qualitative metrics
Episode 59: Coach Nat on Creating the Country's First Queer Gym
February 15, 2021 10:00 - 55 minutes - 63.3 MBAbout Nat: In her own words, "What do you get when you combine a former collegiate athlete with a shit-talking little Mexican butch? You get Coach Nat-- the Chief of making shit happen at the Queer Gym." In this episode, Michael spoke with Nat about: Why she started a place called the queer gym How you can make your training facilities more welcoming to the LGBTQ community Why she moved her business all online Generating leads through direct messaging
Episode 58: Connor's Approach to Earning Respect as a Leader
February 08, 2021 10:00 - 43 minutes - 55.5 MBAbout Connor: Connor Pettersson is the founder of Code 5 Fitness back in 2015, which has grown to over 1000 members, with 3 locations in Sydney's northern beaches. He's an all-around good guy on a journey to change 30,000 through education on training & basic healthy habits. In this episode, Michael spoke with Connor about: Earning respect as a leader The benefits of doing a daily huddle How to scale to multiple locations His approach to generating leads and following up
Episode 57: Michael and Mark Talk About Overcoming Burnout and Finding a Balanced Approach to Marketing
February 05, 2021 10:00 - 19 minutes - 24.4 MBMark and Michael are back with the third bonus episode of the season. In this episode, Mark and Michael discuss: Tips on Focusing and Staying Productive Content Marketing vs. Direct Response Marketing Mentioned in the Episode: [email protected] [email protected] Email us recommendations, questions, and for friendship!
Episode 56: Ben's Secrets for Creating Efficient and Scalable Systems in Your Business
February 01, 2021 10:00 - 53 minutes - 67 MBAbout Ben: Benjamin Pickard, B.Sc. Kin, CSCS, started Lean Strong Fitness in 2014 to use his passion, education, and experience in helping everyday people integrate fitness with their lives to get exceptional results. Known for his flexible approach to exercise and nutrition, Benjamin’s clients develop and confidently maintain a stronger, happier, and healthier lifestyle through fat loss, strength training, and nutrition coaching. Running personal training, small group, and online program...