In this episode, Rick and Suzanne speak on the many ways you can finance your franchise locations.

From bootstrapping with cash to leveraging your 401(k) or even tapping into home equity, this episode explores every legitimate funding avenue.

Suzanne brings extensive real-world knowledge about franchisee behaviors and finance strategies. Her guidance is grounded in working with hundreds of aspiring owners through the complex franchise process.

Rick and Suzanne break down six ways to fund your Alloy franchise, demystify the SBA process, and explain how retirement accounts can be legally used, penalty-free. You’ll also learn why trusts may derail a HELOC and how personal guarantees are unavoidable but manageable.

If you've ever hesitated to open a franchise because of funding uncertainty, this episode will give you clarity and confidence. Tune in and build the path to ownership with insight, not fear.

Listen now and take control of your pricing with confidence.

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)

How to finance an Alloy franchise (02:32)

Funding via cash or friends/family (03:13)

SBA loans: pros, cons, and realities (06:24)

401(k) rollover (ROBS): Structure and benefits (11:27)

Using a HELOC: risks and strategy (14:49)

Conventional loans through local banks (17:44)

Comparing timeline and complexity across methods (20:06)

Risk exposure by method (SBA, ROBS, HELOC) (22:08)

Final take on personal risk and commitment (22:52)

Additional Resources:

Links Mentioned

FranFund: https://franfund.com

Benetrends: https://www.benetrends.com

SBA Loans: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans

—-

- Alloy Personal Training

- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity

---------

You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

Rick Mayo and Matt Helland break down how to confidently increase your membership rates without losing your sanity or your client base.

With decades of experience in the fitness business, Rick and Matt discuss Alloy’s tested strategy for rolling out rate hikes in a way that boosts both your margins and your team’s confidence.

They start with raising rates for new members to build proof, then walk through how to approach existing clients with personal conversations rooted in value.

They explore the psychology of price increases, including how mindset, especially among your team, can make or break your rollout. They also offer tactics to prevent messy pricing tiers and ensure consistency across your business.

Thinking about upgrading your gym or your staff pay? This episode covers how to align that with your rate increase strategy. Don't miss these actionable tips from leaders who've done it all.

Listen now and take control of your pricing with confidence.

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)

Raise prices first for new clients (02:04)

Use one-on-one meetings for existing clients (06:02)

Prepare team mindset for difficult conversations (11:29)

Communicate clearly and frequently with the team (12:24)

Address “selling from your wallet” mindset (16:49)

Avoid messy pricing tiers (21:22)

Clients who balk likely were already on the fence (26:18)

Use increases as a business health check (27:23)

Additional Resources:

- Alloy Personal Training

- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity

---------

You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

In this powerful episode, Rick Mayo welcomes Courtney Clark, a keynote speaker, author, and resilience researcher with an extraordinary backstory.

From aspiring actress to nonprofit founder to four-time cancer survivor, Courtney has a deep understanding of what it means to pivot when life demands it.

Courtney discusses her concept of resilience, not as positivity, but as adaptability. She argues that many people are stuck in rigid mental models and need to “quit to keep going.” Her research reveals how deeply society has ingrained the idea that quitting is failure, when it can actually be the most strategic move.

The conversation dives into entrepreneurship, toxic positivity, the pitfalls of overcommitting to failing plans, and Courtney’s deeply personal health journey, including a cancer diagnosis linked to 9/11 exposure.

If you’ve ever struggled to let go of a plan that isn’t working, this episode is a must-listen. Tap play and learn how adaptability could be your greatest asset.

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)

Courtney's journey to speaking and teaching (02:32)

Resilience and adaptability (05:57)

Adaptability in entrepreneurship  (09:11)

Courtney's personal journey with cancer (21:42)

The importance of change (28:19)

Final thoughts and contact information (31:09)

Additional Resources:

CourtneyClark.com – Courtney’s website

—-

- Alloy Personal Training

- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity

---------

You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

In this episode, Rick speaks with multi-unit Alloy franchisee, Mike Arce, about his new book "The Standard is You."

Mike talks about his new book and how it’s designed to unlock the potential in employees by teaching them to manage up.

He explains the concept of self-leadership and how employees can take ownership of their growth. It’s a fresh way of thinking that turns the traditional "just do your job" mentality on its head.

Business owners will also learn how empowering their staff to lead from within creates a more successful company culture. If you’re an entrepreneur, Mike’s advice will give you the tools to attract, lead, and keep the best talent.

Listen in now to discover how "managing up" could change everything for you and your workplace.

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)

Mike’s Book for employees to empower themselves (03:28)

Employees can be pivotal in a company’s success (05:03)

Defining employees by their actions, not job title (07:08)

Employees discussing Mike’s book as a team-building exercise (09:28)

Employees must learn to lead themselves (10:10)

Why you need to move C players out to make room for A players (22:21)

How avoiding loss can sometimes prevent growth (29:16)

Hiring the right people for the company culture is key (31:01)

Additional Resources:

The Standard Is You Book: https://thestandardisyou.com/

Loud Rumor: https://www.loudrumor.com/

Behind Gym Doors by Loud Rumor Podcast: https://www.loudrumor.com/podcasts/

—-

- Alloy Personal Training

- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity

---------

You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

In this episode, Rick speaks with Joy Sandoz, a multi-location Alloy franchisee known for her excellent community-building practices.

With a background that spans graphic production to personal training and business ownership, Joy shares some tips on how to create a gym where members feel like family.

She shares how the simple things – from knowing everyone's names to hosting fun events – make a huge difference in member retention.

Rick and Joy also discuss the importance of leadership and developing soft skills to lead teams effectively. Joy has empowered her staff to grow by teaching them the ins and outs of the business while creating an inclusive, growth-focused culture.

Joy’s tips for anyone looking to get into the fitness franchise business? Lean into your soft skills and be authentic. 

Listen in to hear more!

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)

Joy's shift from a non-athletic background to fitness (02:27)

Importance of community in gym culture (05:59)

Creating a gym atmosphere where people want to hang out (08:04)

Building a team that feels like family (15:18)

Continuous learning for personal and team growth (18:33)

Developing leadership by teaching team independence (23:40)

Additional Resources:

- Joy’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mappchik

- Alloy Personal Training

- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity

---------

You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

In this episode, Rick discusses Alloys’ rapid growth and the changing landscape of the fitness industry.

Rick reveals how Alloy has been able to scale its fitness franchise model, now with over 300 locations sold and 100 open, all while catering to an underserved age group: 45-65-year-olds.

He also highlights how the wellness space is becoming increasingly complex with trends like cold plunges and extreme diets, and how the focus should return to foundational practices like strength training and regular movement.

Rick shares his philosophy of focusing on strength training first, followed by cardiovascular health through walking, and a small amount of high-intensity effort to finish the session. He also talks about the growing awareness of wellness, with innovations like GLP-1 weight loss drugs and their relationship to fitness. Strength training can help mitigate some of their potential downsides.

Tune in to hear Rick's thoughts on the future of fitness and wellness.

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)

Alloy's rapid growth and market strategy (01:35)

Empirical evidence and market fit (03:24)

Market reception and success stories (06:16)

Modern fitness prescription and wellness fatigue (11:12)

Strength training and cardiovascular activity (14:47)

Challenges of class-based fitness (24:54)

Impact of GLP-1 and future of fitness (29:44)

Additional Resources:

- Alloy Personal Training

- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity

---------

You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

In this episode, Rick Mayo and Matt Helland discuss the science and psychology behind the Alloy method of training frequency.

With over three decades of experience, Rick and Matt explain why 2-3 days a week is ideal for the majority of Alloy clients, especially those 40 and older.

They break down the physiological and psychological benefits of less frequent, high-quality training, including better strength gains, improved insulin sensitivity, reduced injury risk, and elevated mood.

Alloy’s structured programming delivers a “minimal effective dose” that respects recovery while maximizing results.

Listen in and find out why less is truly more when it comes to lasting fitness.

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)

Benefits of two to three days a week training (04:30)

Metabolic and joint health benefits (07:09)

Psychological and energy benefits (13:20)

Reduced risk of overuse injuries (16:12)

Minimal effective dose and programming (17:20)

Client education and sales tactics (19:00)

Success stories and brand integrity (23:53)

Additional Resources:

- Alloy Personal Training

- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity

---------

You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

In this episode, Rick Mayo shares how his business has managed to create a thriving, close-knit community while scaling up to hundreds of locations. Rick was interviewed on the Dynamic Disruption Podcast, where he dives into Alloy’s approach to building relationships, simplifying operations, and putting human connections at the heart of fitness.

Starting in 1992, Rick explains how his Alloy stands out by focusing on personal, one-on-one interactions instead of the typical crowded gym experience.

It’s not just about the workouts, but also about understanding people’s life challenges and tailoring fitness to meet those needs.

Rick talks about how the Alloy model thrives with a small membership base that allows for deep connections between trainers and clients.

He also shares some truly inspiring client success stories that show why fitness is way more than just looking good.

And with Alloy growing very fast, Rick talks about maintaining the core values while bringing in new franchisees and expanding across the country. Listen in!

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)

Older demographic drawn by premium, personalized training (00:50)

Evolution from grassroots to digital marketing (02:06)

Referrals remain a major source of growth (04:20)

“Stronger Together” client story program (05:15)

Fitness goals are often rooted in life’s serious challenges (06:45)

Building community with only 130-250 members (09:23)

Dunbar’s number and client intimacy (10:59)

“Surprisingly personable” gift system (13:45)

Coaching with behavioral science at core (16:56)

Alloy’s expansion plans through 2030 (18:11)

Additional Resources:

- Alloy Personal Training

- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity

---------

You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

In this episode, Rick Mayo sits down with John Herrera, the guy who crushed the presale record at Alloy Alamo Heights and built an awesome community from day one. He is the director of training.

John’s journey through the fitness world - from managing gyms in different states to leading at Alloy - is full of lessons on what it really takes to get people excited and keep them coming back.

Rick and John discuss how quick follow-ups and genuine care make all the difference in turning interested leads into committed members. John reveals how setting expectations early and coaching with heart helped keep churn low.

If you’re looking for real advice on growing a fitness business that people love being part of, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways

Intro and John's background (00:00)

Breaking presale record at 150 members (06:22)

Organic marketing and local business outreach (08:27)

Speed to lead follow-up approach (12:04)

Overcoming fear of bothering leads (15:27)

Using referrals for growth (20:18)

Setting member expectations during Starting Point Sessions (26:23)

Coaching with seven core tenets and closing procedures (34:01)

Impact of personalized follow-up texts on retention (38:42)

Additional Resources:

- Alloy Personal Training

- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity

---------

You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

In this episode, Rick Mayo sits down with Chris Hogan, a dynamic coach who transformed his life by losing 100 pounds and overcoming a lifelong stutter. Now coaching across multiple Alloy clubs, Chris shares how he turned his challenges into a passion for helping others.

Chris and Rick discuss why effective coaching goes beyond programming to building trust, holding clients accountable, and creating a community where everyone feels like a winner. He also reveals the mindset shifts that helped him succeed and why humility and continuous learning are important for every coach.

If you’re ready to be inspired and learn how to build genuine connections that drive real client transformation, this episode is a must-listen. Listen in!

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)

Chris Hogan's background and personal journey (02:05)

Transition to becoming a trainer (05:52)

Chris Hogan's role at Alloy (08:48)

Advice for new coaches and clients (10:08)

Building client confidence and accountability (22:10)

Final thoughts and future aspirations (25:26)

Additional Resources:

- Alloy Personal Training

- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity

---------

You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!