Barbell Business

🔥 From Plateau to 350+ Members – How Zach Thew Scaled Catoctin CrossFit to a Thriving, Full-Time Team 🔥

When Zach Thew took over Catoctin CrossFit in 2013, he had no idea the battles ahead—including losing 35% of his members during the shutdowns. But instead of throwing in the towel, he doubled down, rebuilt, and grew.

📈 From 170 to 350+ members in just over 2 years 💰 Churn under 5% while scaling operations 💪 Built a team of 5 FULL-TIME coaches 🔑 Leveraged Big Little Gyms to refine strategy, scale, and systemize growth

In this episode, Zach breaks down the exact steps he took to: ✅ Attract more members & dominate his local market ✅ Increase retention & keep members engaged long-term ✅ Transition from working IN the business to scaling it as an owner

🎧 If you're a gym owner looking to grow, scale, and create a thriving business—this is a must-listen!

💬 Tag a gym owner who needs to hear this!

🔥 Ready to scale YOUR gym? Book a free strategy call at ⁠BigLittleGyms.com⁠.

Want To Grow Your Gym? Go Here: https://biglittlegyms.com/

I just did a deep dive into how to get your Gym to the TOP of Google in 2025. 🚀

If your gym isn't ranking #1 or at least near the top of Google, you're missing out on a steady stream of high-quality leads.

Most gym owners are still relying on outdated SEO tactics that just don't work anymore. Or they're relying too much on paid traffic. Google has changed, and if you're not adapting, you're getting left behind.

So I put together a step-by-step breakdown of what's working NOW, including:

✅ The 5 key factors Google actually uses to rank gyms

✅ The biggest mistake that's hurting your rankings (and how to fix it)

✅ Why your Google Business Profile matters more than ever

✅ How to turn website visitors into actual paying members

✅ The exact process I use to help gyms dominate local search

You'd be wise, if you own a gym, to check it out and take action. Enjoy the full 49 minute video and leave a like and thumb up in the comments section!

FREE Resources for Gym Owners:

Free No-Sweat Intro Sales Guide: https://biglittlegyms.com/how-to-sell...

Free Google Local Search Checklist: https://biglittlegyms.com/how-to-opti...

Complete Facebook Ads For More Gym Members Tutorial: https://biglittlegyms.com/complete-fa...

Complete Instagram Ads For More Gym Members Tutorial: https://biglittlegyms.com/complete-in...

Instagram: / biglittlegyms

Facebook: / biglittlegyms

About us: If you're new to my channel, my name is Will Hurst. I'm the founder and owner of Big Little Gyms (https://biglittlegyms.com), a platform that helps gym owners scale their businesses with proven strategies and systems.

Whether you're just starting or want to take your gym to the next level, we're here to provide the tools, coaching, and expertise you need to succeed.

Over the past few years, we've helped 1000+ gym owners break free from the day-to-day grind and build businesses that run smoothly and profitably, with several hitting 6-figure profits and even 7-figure revenues.

Here's how I got here... I started in the fitness industry with my own gym and successfully scaled it to $1M/year using the same systems and processes we now teach at Big Little Gyms. Big Little Gyms was recognized on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list for our fast growth, which is proof that our methods work - not just for us, but for the hundreds of gym owners we've helped along the way.

Today, we've built a community of over 700+ gym owners, all benefiting from our proven framework to build and scale profitable gyms, without being tied to the business 24/7.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Why Your Gym Isn't Ranking on Google

0:23 - The 4 Biggest Lead Generation Problems for Gyms

6:23 - How Google Ranks Local Businesses in 2025

9:03 - The Importance of Reviews & Reputation for SEO

12:40 - Google Business Profile: The #1 Ranking Factor

17:20 - Avoiding SEO Hacks & Black Hat Tricks

22:49 - Step-by-Step Guide to Ranking Your Gym #1

26:00 - Optimizing Your Website for Lead Generation

34:50 - Building Local Authority with Backlinks & PR

42:03 - Staying Consistent: Long-Term SEO Success

48:03 - How Big Little Gyms Can Help Your Gym Grow

Ready to grow your Gym? Book a free strategy call with Big Little Gyms at BigLittleGyms.com. For years, Jim Breuer, owner of Momentum Fitness in Eau Claire, WI, felt stuck—his gym was plateaued for nearly seven years. But instead of staying stuck, Jim made a game-changing decision—he joined Big Little Gyms.

What happened next?

🚀 He shattered his growth ceiling, hitting a record $60K month 📈 Grew total revenue by over $80K year-over-year 💪 Expanded personal training revenue by over $30K 🔑 Discovered the key strategies to breaking free from stagnation

Now, Jim is actively working on buying out his partners and fully taking ownership of his gym's future. In this episode, we break down: ✅ The mistakes that kept him stuck for years ✅ The key shifts that finally unlocked growth ✅ How mentorship and systems made all the difference ✅ The next big steps for Momentum Fitness

If you're a gym owner struggling to break through a plateau, this episode is packed with real-world insights and strategies you can apply today.

🔗 Subscribe, listen, and learn how to scale your gym smarter!

🎧 Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube!

🔥 Want to follow in Jim's footsteps? Book a free strategy call with Big Little Gyms at BigLittleGyms.com.

In this episode of The Barbell Business Podcast, we sit down with Mycal Anders, a Marine Corps veteran, elite strength coach, keynote speaker, and the founder of Next Level Performance Consulting. Mycal has taken the leadership skills he developed in the military and applied them to the world of fitness, growing his gym, scaling his revenue, and creating a thriving community of high-performing individuals.

🔥 What you'll learn in this episode: ✅ How Mycal doubled his gym's revenue while maintaining a strong community ✅ The leadership principles that helped him scale his business ✅ How mindset and strategy play a crucial role in gym growth ✅ The difference between performance consulting and traditional fitness coaching ✅ How Mycal transitioned from the battlefield to the barbell and built a lasting impact

If you're a gym owner, entrepreneur, or leader looking for actionable strategies on scaling your business, improving leadership, and fostering a high-performing team, this episode is for you!

Want To Grow Your Gym? Go Here: https://biglittlegyms.com/

FREE Resources for Gym Owners:

Free No-Sweat Intro Sales Guide: https://biglittlegyms.com/how-to-sell-gym-memberships/

Free Google Local Search Checklist: https://biglittlegyms.com/how-to-optimize-your-gyms-google-local-search-and-attract-more-customers/

Complete Facebook Ads For More Gym Members Tutorial: https://biglittlegyms.com/complete-facebook-ads-for-more-gym-members-tutorial-2022/

Complete Instagram Ads For More Gym Members Tutorial: https://biglittlegyms.com/complete-instagram-ads-for-more-gym-members-tutorial/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biglittlegyms

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/biglittlegyms

Youtube: https://youtu.be/D8Uy1QyMaRo

In this episode of The Barbell Business Podcast, we sit down with Mike Wilson, owner of CrossFit OYL in Rhome, Texas.

Mike shares his incredible journey of leaving a high-paying engineering career to pursue his passion for fitness.

Along the way, he grew his gym from 59 to 230 members, quadrupled revenue, navigated the challenges of buying out a business partner, and moved into a 10,000-square-foot facility.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• The risks and rewards of transitioning from corporate life to gym ownership
• Proven strategies for scaling a fitness business
• Insights into navigating tough decisions like partner buyouts
• The mindset needed to achieve personal and professional growth

If you're a gym owner, entrepreneur, or someone seeking inspiration to take bold steps toward your dreams, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Tune in now!

Want To Grow Your Gym? Go Here: https://biglittlegyms.com/

FREE Resources for Gym Owners:

• Free No-Sweat Intro Sales Guide: https://biglittlegyms.com/how-to-sell-gym-memberships/
• Free Google Local Search Checklist: https://biglittlegyms.com/how-to-optimize-your-gyms-google-local-search-and-attract-more-customers/
• Complete Facebook Ads For More Gym Members Tutorial: https://biglittlegyms.com/complete-facebook-ads-for-more-gym-members-tutorial-2022/
• Complete Instagram Ads For More Gym Members Tutorial: https://biglittlegyms.com/complete-instagram-ads-for-more-gym-members-tutorial/
• Follow us on social media👇

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@biglittlegyms

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biglittlegyms

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/biglittlegyms

In this episode of Barbell Business, we sit down with Drew Girton, gym owner of Pendulum Fitness. Drew is a industry veteran, coach, and business owner, join us as we explore his incredible journey and the strategies behind his success. With over 20 year experience, Drew has helped countless individuals achieve their fitness goals while building a thriving business.

Join us as we dive into: Drew's origin story and how he got started in the fitness industry. The keys to growing and scaling his successful gym business. Insights into coaching methodologies, fitness trends, and what makes a great coach. The mindset shifts required to overcome challenges and achieve peak performance. How partnering with Big Little Gyms helped Drew take his business to the next level.

Whether you're a gym owner, coach, or fitness enthusiast, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration.

Tune in and get ready to level up your fitness business!

Want To Grow Your Gym? Go Here: https://biglittlegyms.com/ FREE Resources for Gym Owners: - Free No-Sweat Intro Sales Guide: https://biglittlegyms.com/how-to-sell-gym-memberships/ - Free Google Local Search Checklist: https://biglittlegyms.com/how-to-optimize-your-gyms-google-local-search-and-attract-more-customers/ - Complete Facebook Ads For More Gym Members Tutorial: https://biglittlegyms.com/complete-facebook-ads-for-more-gym-members-tutorial-2022/ - Complete Instagram Ads For More Gym Members Tutorial: https://biglittlegyms.com/complete-instagram-ads-for-more-gym-members-tutorial/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@biglittlegyms Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biglittlegyms Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/biglittlegyms

📲 🎧 Listen to the audio version on the Apple Podcast App or Stitcher for Android Here

http://bit.ly/BarbellShruggedApple

http://bit.ly/BarbellShruggedStitcher

Barbell Shrugged helps people get better. Usually in the gym, but outside as well. In 2012 they posted their first podcast and have been putting out weekly free videos and podcasts ever since. Along the way we've created successful online coaching programs including The Shrugged Strength Challenge, The Muscle Gain Challenge, FLIGHT, Barbell Shredded, and Barbell Bikini.

We're also dedicated to helping affiliate gym owners grow their businesses and better serve their members by providing owners tools and resources like the Barbell Business Podcast.

Find Barbell Shrugged here:

Website: http://www.BarbellShrugged.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/barbellshruggedpodcast

Twitter: http://twitter.com/barbellshrugged

Instagram: http://instagram.com/barbellshruggedpodcast

Find Barbell Business Here:

Website: http://www.BarbellBusiness.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/barbellbusiness

Twitter: http://twitter.com/barbellbusiness

Instagram: http://instagram.com/barbellbusinesspodcast

Some fear is great because it keeps us alive. Are you afraid of making a left turn out into traffic when there's not an opening? Good. Don't die. Other fears, while they feel exactly the same in our bodies, are less useful. Are you afraid of sales conversations with prospects? Or of public speaking? Or of raising your membership prices? Yeah? We need to talk about that.

This week, we met up with Peter Scott of Fearless Life Experience to talk about the fears that stand in our way and how to conquer them. A former investment banker, Peter shares his personal story about how fear got him into a career that he found to be empty and unhealthy. Once he recognized that fear was his primary motivation and saw the ruinous path he was on, he changed course and transformed his life. Now he coaches other entrepreneurs on fearless living, which leads not only to a life that's more fulfilling but a business that's more profitable.

By confronting fears head-on, Peter takes us through the small and big things we can do to transform our fears (which may manifest as stress, anxiety, or worry) into confidence. Listen in to discover what might be waiting for you on the other side of your fear breakthrough.

• The difference between rational and irrational fear
• How competence leads to confidence
• The personal and business benefits of a fearless life
• How to confront fear and transform it into confidence

How do you make your gym stand out when every other gym in town offers the same services and specials? I mean, we know your gym is the best, but how will your prospects know? We asked killer marketer Jeff Sherman of Tech Sweat about how to make a connection with your clients before you even meet them.

In this episode, we talk to him about what in the wide world of social media marketing is worth our time, what trends to let go of, and why it's necessary in order to get our potential clients to know, like, and trust us before they become members.

If you have some discomfort about putting yourself "out there" on Facebook Live, Instagram, and elsewhere on the World Wide Web, this episode is for you. Jeff walks us through the most effective and easiest ways to create and curate content for our audiences, so that when we make them an offer, they're fully prepared to say "yes."

• How to get prospects to know, like, and trust you
• How to create and curate content
• How to create an effective advertising funnel
• The best tools for online marketing right now

This week, we met up with our friend Conner Moore at a box in Mission Viejo, California. To be clear, we said "a box," not "his box." That's because Conner shut his box down. Ultimately, this is a story of Conner's success, but we met with him today to talk about that particular phase of failure, what he learned, and how it can help the rest of us.

"I am really excited to be a part of this and share the story, because I think one thing that we missed is the idea that we can grow from critical failure, and we attached the idea that something is a success or failure when it's really just another flow of experience that we can then leverage to create further experience down the road."

We talk to Conner about finding the "why" behind your business. In his case, his "why" ultimately took him to a better career fit. Listen in to hear his hard-won wisdom about making the most of your life.