Business Muscle

In this episode, we sit down with Kristen Bonito, founder of The Mom Comm—soon to be rebranded as Momentum! Kristen shares how what started as a stroller bootcamp side hustle evolved into a thriving brick-and-mortar studio, a growing run club, and a full team of instructors supporting over 60 women. She gets real about the messy middle of business growth while raising kids, how she built community from the ground up, and the bold leap she’s taking with her upcoming rebrand.

We dive deep into the mindset shifts it takes to go from instructor to entrepreneur, what it really means to lead a team while staying mission-driven, and how she’s navigating the fear and excitement of change. If you're a mom, a business owner, or someone building a movement—this one’s for you! Enjoy!

Momentum : https://www.momentumfitstudio.com/

Work with us here: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/

You can follow us on Instagram @businessmusclepodcast, @elisecaira and @dr.ariel.dpt. 

Get your FREE Business Starter Checklist: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/freechecklist

FIXXED: https://www.fixxedstudios.com/

Sweat Fixx: https://www.sweatfixx.com/

Solo episode with our co-host Elise today! “Passive income” sounds glamorous, but in today’s episode, Elise shares why it usually starts with sweat equity and late nights. In this episode, she dives into why active income is king for reliable cash flow, faster feedback, and building skills that compound over time. You’ll hear the reality of ratios—thousands per month from a business versus the trickle of ebooks or affiliate links—and her top tips for growing active income: doing the reps, mastering sales, and outlasting the competition. The bottom line? Don’t be afraid to work. Let’s make active income COOL again. Enjoy! 

You can follow us on Instagram @businessmusclepodcast, @elisecaira and @dr.ariel.dpt. 

Get your FREE Business Starter Checklist: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/freechecklist

FIXXED: https://www.fixxedstudios.com/

Sweat Fixx: https://www.sweatfixx.com/

Today we’re chatting with Simone Bernstein, founder of barre3 Brookline and Spark Permanent Jewelry—two women-led brands built on creativity, community, and resilience. In this episode, Simone shares how she went from college graduate to fitness studio owner, what it was like to open a second studio just before the pandemic, and how shutting it down—and navigating a traumatic subtenant experience—taught her to protect her energy and put herself first.

We also dive into the explosive success of Spark, her permanent jewelry brand that made back its investment in just one month. Simone opens up about her mental health journey, how she’s redefining what success looks like, and why connection with other women in business is at the heart of everything she builds. Her story is raw, honest, and packed with wisdom for any founder facing hard pivots or fresh starts.

Barre3 Brookline: https://barre3.com/studio-locations/brookline

Spark by Simone: https://www.sparkbysimone.com/

You can follow us on Instagram @businessmusclepodcast, @elisecaira and @dr.ariel.dpt. 

Get your FREE Business Starter Checklist: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/freechecklist

FIXXED: https://www.fixxedstudios.com/

Sweat Fixx: https://www.sweatfixx.com/

Everyone’s talking about AI, but do you actually know how to use it effectively? In this episode, we’re breaking down exactly how we use ChatGPT every single week across multiple businesses and consulting projects—no theory, just practical examples.

We cover:

• How we use ChatGPT as a brainstorming partner for podcast topics, class ideas, event names, and captions.
• Drafting polished emails in minutes while keeping our tone direct and friendly.
• Turning messy notes into organized team trainings, agendas, and SOPs.
• Pulling out the best podcast quotes for reels and repurposed content.
• Crafting Instagram hooks and captions that sound on-trend and effortless.
• Getting fresh workout programming ideas to stay creative and inspired.
• Drafting contracts, policies, and job descriptions to save hours of work.

Whether you’re running a business, building a brand, or just trying to save time, you’ll walk away with actionable ways to use AI right now. Enjoy! 

You can follow us on Instagram @businessmusclepodcast, @elisecaira and @dr.ariel.dpt. 

Get your FREE Business Starter Checklist: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/freechecklist

FIXXED: https://www.fixxedstudios.com/

Sweat Fixx: https://www.sweatfixx.com/

Derek Durkin started with eight clients in the basement of a gym—and now runs Train Full Send, a high-impact group fitness business with two thriving locations. In this episode, he shares how he went from structural engineer to Barry’s trainer, to launching his own virtual platform during COVID, and eventually building out his dream space in Needham Heights! 

We talk about what it takes to scale a second location, the systems he swears by, and how to lead a team in a seasonal town like Mashpee. Derek gets honest about what worked, what didn’t, and what he wishes he’d done differently. If you’re a coach or trainer dreaming of starting your own thing, this one’s packed with practical advice and hard-earned lessons.

You can follow us on Instagram @businessmusclepodcast, @elisecaira and @dr.ariel.dpt. 

Get your FREE Business Starter Checklist: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/freechecklist

FIXXED: https://www.fixxedstudios.com/

Sweat Fixx: https://www.sweatfixx.com/

Starting a small business is no joke, and the stats prove it: most don’t make it past five years! But what’s behind that number isn’t just bad luck. In this episode, we’re breaking down the real reasons small businesses fail—and more importantly, how you can avoid falling into the same traps. From unclear target markets to poor cash flow management, we walk through the most common issues that sink businesses.

You’ll also hear practical tips for building smarter systems, creating visibility through simple marketing, and making intentional hiring decisions. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure whether you're "doing it right," this episode will help you feel less alone—and way more equipped. The good news? Most of the things that lead to failure are totally within your control. Let’s make sure your business is built to beat the odds.

Work with us here: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/

You can follow us on Instagram @businessmusclepodcast, @elisecaira and @dr.ariel.dpt. 

Get your FREE Business Starter Checklist: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/freechecklist

FIXXED: https://www.fixxedstudios.com/

Sweat Fixx: https://www.sweatfixx.com/

Courtney Little was helping people heal long before wellness became trendy. A Clinical Nutritionist and founder of Courtney Little Wellness, she’s been guiding clients through personalized, root-cause healing since 2007. In this episode, Courtney shares how she built her business before the industry really existed—and how her own personal health journey has shaped everything she offers today.

We talk about her early days launching CLW, what it was like to grow a wellness brand when few people were talking about functional health, and how she’s evolved her approach to serve the needs of clients today. She explains what most people misunderstand about nutrition, the labs she recommends for every woman, and why so many people struggle to lose weight—no matter how hard they try.

Courtney also opens up about her new CLW Membership, a platform designed to make healing more accessible without sacrificing quality care. She talks about what it means to scale without burning out, and how digital business has shifted her impact. Don’t miss our rapid-fire questions on her favorite wellness trends (and the ones she could do without) and the supplements she swears by! Enjoy! 

Courtney Little Wellness: https://www.courtneylittlewellness.com/

Work with us here: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/

You can follow us on Instagram @businessmusclepodcast, @elisecaira and @dr.ariel.dpt. 

Get your FREE Business Starter Checklist: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/freechecklist

FIXXED: https://www.fixxedstudios.com/

Sweat Fixx: https://www.sweatfixx.com/

You can have the best service, product, or offer in the world—but if no one knows about it, it doesn’t matter. In this episode, we’re digging into why marketing often falls to the bottom of the list for small business owners and what to do about it. Visibility isn’t optional, and you don’t need to be everywhere—you just need to show up where it counts!

We’ll walk you through simple, effective marketing strategies you can start today—like updating your Google Business Profile, collecting reviews, creating low-effort videos, and building an email list (even a tiny one). Plus, we’ll show you how to ditch the overwhelm and build a plan that actually fits your life and bandwidth. If you’ve been stuck in marketing paralysis or don’t know where to start, this one’s for you.

Work with us here: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/

You can follow us on Instagram @businessmusclepodcast, @elisecaira and @dr.ariel.dpt. 

Get your FREE Business Starter Checklist: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/freechecklist

FIXXED: https://www.fixxedstudios.com/

Sweat Fixx: https://www.sweatfixx.com/

Today we’re joined by Jessica Dion, founder of Zest—a coworking space made for wellness entrepreneurs. What started as a scribbled idea during a Business Muscle session is now a fully launched space, built with heart, grit, and a whole lot of self-belief. Jessica takes us behind the scenes of building something from scratch, including what surprised her, what scared her, and what she had to unlearn.

From marketing a totally new concept to navigating financial risk and isolation as a founder, Jessica brings honesty and insight to every step of the journey. If you’ve got a big idea and feel stuck by fear, perfectionism, or the myth that “if you build it, they’ll come,” this episode is your sign to start anyway.

Zest: https://www.zestthecollective.com/

Work with us here: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/

You can follow us on Instagram @businessmusclepodcast, @elisecaira and @dr.ariel.dpt. 

Get your FREE Business Starter Checklist: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/freechecklist

FIXXED: https://www.fixxedstudios.com/

Sweat Fixx: https://www.sweatfixx.com/

If you’ve ever second-guessed a choice, delayed a decision, or felt overwhelmed by too many options—you’re not alone. Decision-making is one of the most overlooked yet crucial business skills. In this episode, we unpack how to treat decision-making like a muscle, and give you tools to start making smarter, faster, and more confident choices.

We break down types of decisions you face daily (strategic, tactical, and emotional), share practical frameworks like the 70% rule, and offer simple reflection tools to help you get unstuck. You’ll walk away knowing that you’re not bad at making decisions—you’re just under-practiced. And if you’re ready to trust yourself more, build clarity, and keep your business moving forward, this episode is for you!

Work with us here: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/

You can follow us on Instagram @businessmusclepodcast, @elisecaira and @dr.ariel.dpt. 

Get your FREE Business Starter Checklist: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/freechecklist

FIXXED: https://www.fixxedstudios.com/

Sweat Fixx: https://www.sweatfixx.com/