In this episode of The Best of Raleigh, host Gretchen Coley sits down with Sam Siegel, founder of Empire Training Academy, to talk about fitness, mindset, and building real community through strength training.

Sam shares his journey from college athlete to fitness entrepreneur, why he left big box gyms to create something different, and how Empire blends safe barbell strength training with conditioning in a high energy group setting. They dive into why community matters just as much as results, how fitness can become a favorite hour of the day, and the powerful impact of knowing every member’s story.