Today I’m joined by Akin Akman and Angela Manuel-Davis, co-founders of AARMY — a digital and in-person fitness concept. 

In this episode, the team explains how AARMY accelerated its digital transformation during the pandemic. We also talk about the importance of building community in a virtual environment. And we discuss the company’s hybrid offering that includes studios, pop-ups, digital content, and potentially hardware. 

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Fitt Insider helps operators stay informed and make better decisions. We produce a weekly newsletter and podcast, curate an industry jobs board, and invest in early-stage companies.

*** Subscribe to our newsletter: https://insider.fitt.co/newsletter/

*** Visit the jobs board: https://jobs.fitt.co/

*** View current investment and get in touch: https://insider.fitt.co/investments/

More from AARMY

Akin Akman, Co-Founder & Chief Fitness Officer

As a tennis prodigy, Akin began his athlete journey at age 7 at the world-renowned IMG Academy training with legendary coach Nick Bollettieri. Akin has channeled all his years of training to create the signature AARMY Method, based on an authentic world-class athlete training philosophy. Transforming people from diverse backgrounds and different levels of fitness into true athletes has not only become Akin’s passion, it is also the hallmark of his brand making him widely considered the world’s #1 group fitness coach.

Angela Manuel-Davis, Co-Founder & Chief Motivation Officer 

Angela is one of the world’s leading fitness coaches and most inspiring motivational speakers. Angela’s love of sports began early and directly from her family. The daughter of a legendary professional baseball coach, Angela went on to become a track star and Olympic trial semi-finalist. One of the world’s top 25 100 meter runners, Angela knows firsthand how a strong foundation of practice, goal setting, and focus can build strength in every part of life. She blends the transformative power of sport and spirituality to encourage a purpose-driven life in each one of her athletes.

Today I’m joined by Jeff Veldhuizen, CEO of Capti — a game-based smart bike. 

In this episode, we discuss Capti’s immersive gaming experience. Jeff explains how Capti differs from other connected equipment makers. And he shares the company’s long-term goal of powering fitness in the metaverse. 

More from Fitt Insider 

Fitt Insider helps operators stay informed and make better decisions. We produce a weekly newsletter and podcast, curate an industry jobs board, and invest in early-stage companies.

Subscribe to our newsletter: https://insider.fitt.co/newsletter/

Visit the jobs board: https://jobs.fitt.co/

View current investment and get in touch: https://insider.fitt.co/investments/

More from Jeff 

A respected leader in health and fitness, Jeff's career range includes general manager of high-growth businesses, growth marketer, strategist, and operator in CPG, CE, Sporting Goods, e-commerce, and connected fitness. A tech-driven marketing and direct-to-consumer executive, Jeff has been an integral part of shaping some of the world's most recognizable brands and their online presence.

https://capti.co/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-veldhuizen/

https://www.instagram.com/capti_bike/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/capti-fit/

https://www.facebook.com/CaptiSmartBike

Today I’m joined by Marc Maurer, co-CEO of On — a Swiss-engineered performance footwear and apparel company. 

In this episode, we discuss the company’s recent IPO, including growth opportunities in retail and direct-to-consumer channels. Marc explains how On combines performance, design, and sustainability to stand out in a crowded market. And he shares the company’s mission to ignite the human spirit through movement.

More from Fitt Insider 

Fitt Insider helps operators stay informed and make better decisions. We produce a weekly newsletter and podcast, curate an industry jobs board, and invest in early-stage companies.

Subscribe to our newsletter: https://insider.fitt.co/newsletter/

Visit the jobs board: https://jobs.fitt.co/

View current investment and get in touch: https://insider.fitt.co/investments/

More from Marc

Marc Maurer has served as the Co-Chief Executive Officer of On since January 2021. Marc joined On in March 2013 and served as the Chief Operating Officer since joining the brand. Prior to joining On, Marc served as Head of Business Development and Marketing for Valora Retail, a publicly-traded European retail company, from April 2012 to March 2013, where he was responsible for driving the company’s business development strategy. Marc also worked at McKinsey & Company as an Engagement Manager, from April 2007 to March 2012. Marc serves as a Board Member of the Swiss Entrepreneurs & Startup Association since 2020. Marc holds a Master’s in Business Administration from INSEAD.

Today I’m joined by Kimberly Ang, co-founder and CEO of KAYA — an app for rock climbers. 

In this episode, Kim shares the company’s vision for building the Strava of rock climbing, including a premium subscription, increasing access to climbing, democratizing mentorship, and helping grow participation in the sport. 

More from Fitt Insider 

Fitt Insider helps operators stay informed and make better decisions. We produce a weekly newsletter and podcast, curate an industry jobs board, and invest in early-stage companies.

Subscribe to our newsletter: https://insider.fitt.co/newsletter/

Visit the jobs board: https://jobs.fitt.co/

View current investment and get in touch: https://insider.fitt.co/investments/

More from Kimberly

Kimberly is Co-Founder & CEO of KAYA, the climber’s app. An avid climber for 10+ years, she’s passionate about shaping KAYA to drive the growth of climbing and help every climber stay inspired, connected, and progressing. Founded in 2019 with a team of climber technologists, KAYA has quickly grown to become the largest network of climbers, gyms, and climbing areas in North America. Brands such as The North Face, Adidas, and USA Climbing partner with KAYA to run novel digital competitions and experiences. Kimberly has championed KAYA’s values-led initiatives in diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability.  

Before co-founding KAYA, she was at IDEO, the global design and innovation firm. There she helped Fortune 500 companies stand up new brands and products in clean energy, health and wellness, and consumer technology sectors. Kimberly received her Masters in Social Sciences from the University of Chicago where she studied policy and sociology. She spent the first chapter of her career nerding out in public policy before opting for a more creative and entrepreneurial path. She now lives in Lake Tahoe, CA where she can stay close to her Bay Area roots while enjoying life in the mountains every day. 

Today, I’m joined by Benjamin Nazarian, CEO of Therabody – a wellness technology company. 

In this episode, we discuss the rise of the recovery category. We explore Therabody’s evolution from a single product—the Theragun–into a platform for pain management, as well as the company’s transition into the consumer market. 

Plus, we look at emerging and adjacent verticals, including breathwork, contrast therapy, mental fitness, and more. 

More from Benjamin

Benjamin Nazarian is the Chief Executive Officer of Therabody. Under his leadership, Therabody evolved from a single device - Theragun, which pioneered the percussive therapy category - into an ecosystem of products and solutions that help people perform better, recover faster, and manage pain as an alternative to traditional medicine. Benjamin spearheaded Therabody’s global expansion to 10,000 retail locations in more than 60 countries. His commitment to creating cutting-edge products and solutions that are available to everybody has been integral to Therabody’s rapid growth and has established Therabody as a leader in the wellness industry.

Prior to Therabody, Benjamin spent much of his career as a Managing Partner of Omninet Capital, where he still serves on the investment committee. Benjamin graduated from the University of Southern California (USC), with a Bachelor of Science in accounting and received his Juris Doctorate from the Law Center at USC. He currently resides in Los Angeles.

More from Fitt Insider

Fitt Insider is a platform for entrepreneurs, executives, and investors redefining the business of fitness and wellness.

From our newsletter and podcast to our industry-specific jobs board, we create content and resources to drive the industry forward. We also invest in early-stage health and fitness companies.

For more, visit: https://insider.fitt.co/

Today, I’m joined by Jordan Fliegel. An experienced entrepreneur and investor, we talk about Jordan’s role at Techstars Sports, his investment fund, Founders First, and his time as founder of CoachUp and co-CEO of Draft.com. 

The conversation also covers emerging opportunities in the Sports Tech category, as well as Jordan’s framework for evaluating companies and founders.  

More from Jordan

Jordan Fliegel (born 1986) is an American tech entrepreneur and investor, focused on the sports industry. 

Techstars Sports - Fliegel is currently Managing Director of the Techstars Sports Accelerator, which he launched in 2019. Techstars Sports invests $120k/company in 10 startups annually and provides mentorship, office space and hands-on support. The consortium of strategic partners backing the accelerator includes the Next Level Fund, Pacers Sports & Entertainment, NCAA, Indiana Sports Corp, Indianapolis Colts, and Indianapolis Motor Speedway/IndyCar. The accelerator has 30 portfolio companies, including Ergatta, which raised $30M at a $200M valuation in 2021. 

Founders First - Fliegel is an investor in over 150 startups as Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Founders First, a vertical-agnostic early-stage angel fund and syndicate. Portfolio companies include Carta, Dapper Labs, Ramp, Fight Camp, MMHMM, Mparticle, Digits, Botkeeper, Merit, HqO, etc) 

Draft.com - Fliegel was previously co-CEO of Draft.com ("DRAFT"), a venture-backed fantasy sports company headquartered in NYC. In 2017, he sold DRAFT for $48M to Paddy Power Betfair. 

CoachUp.com - Fliegel was Founder and CEO (now Chairman) of CoachUp.com, the leading sports coaching platform with over 20,000 coaches, backed by $14M in venture capital and headquartered in Boston. NBA MVP Stephen Curry is Fliegel's partner and the lead spokesman at CoachUp. 

Pro Basketball – Fliegel played professional basketball in the Israeli Premier League, Israeli National League and EuroCup league, and in 2018 led a group that bought a double-digit minority stake in the ANBL 4X Champion New Zealand Breakers. 

Author - Fliegel writes and lectures on entrepreneurship, investing, and leadership and is the author of "Coaching Up!" (Wiley & Sons, 2016, with a foreword by NBA Champion Shane Battier). 

Awards - Fliegel and his companies were named Inc “30 under 30”, Forbes "30 under 30", BBJ “40 under 40”, and Finalist for Ernst & Young “New England Entrepreneur of the Year”. 

Personal: Fliegel grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He earned a B.A. in Philosophy & Government from Bowdoin College, and an M.B.A. from Tel Aviv University. 

More from Fitt Insider 

Fitt Insider is a platform for entrepreneurs, executives, and investors redefining the business of fitness and wellness.

From our newsletter and podcast to our industry-specific jobs board, we create content and resources to drive the industry forward. We also invest in early-stage health and fitness companies.

For more, visit: https://insider.fitt.co/

Today, I’m joined by Phil Southerland, founder and CEO of Supersapiens — a company using continuous glucose monitoring to help athletes manage their energy levels. 

In this episode, we discuss advancements in glucose monitoring. Phil explains why the company is focused on endurance athletes and high performance. And he shares his vision for using sports as a platform to change the health of the world. 

More from Phil

Phil Southerland was born in Tallahassee, Florida, and was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was only seven months old, the youngest case of diabetes on record in the world at that time. His parents were told that he would be dead or blind by 25. Fortunately, they were stubborn, and Phil had access to insulin, a knowledgeable medical team, and the latest in blood glucose monitoring tools. At six, he had the dream not to go blind and a drive to reach the A1C results needed.

He discovered his love of the bike when he was 12. While attending the University of Georgia, he dreamed of combining his passion for cycling and his personal mission to raise awareness around diabetes. In 2005, Team Type 1 was founded, and by 2007 an all-diabetes cycling team not only won but set the world record in the 3,000-mile Race Across America. Under Phil’s leadership, the dynamic squad rapidly grew from an amateur team to more than 100 athletes spanning the globe to inspire and unite people affected by diabetes and ranked in the top 25 professional cycling teams in the world in 2012.

In late 2012, Phil and the team partnered with Novo Nordisk to create Team Novo Nordisk. The team is spearheaded by the world’s first all-diabetes pro-cycling team and features a development team, elite team, and one female professional track star, Mandy Marquardt.

Now in his late-thirties, Phil has dedicated his life to redefining what it means to live with diabetes and is driving a global movement to show the world how exercise can save the health of the world.

"Exercise is the billion-dollar drug that rarely gets prescribed."

Throughout his career, professional highlights include speaking at the United Nations on World Bicycle Day, leading a session at SXSW, and addressing audiences at ADA and AADE to speaking to one person at an event in Boise, Idaho. For Phil, the value isn’t based on prestige as much as it is on impact. He is driven to make a difference in people’s lives and approaches it one person at a time.

To Phil, the bike has kept him alive for the past 25 years. While retired from professional racing, Phil regularly rides and still credits the bike for providing him with his continued health and sanity.

Phil is a dedicated and proud father to three boys with wife, Dr. Biljana Southerland. In addition to the bike, Phil is a passionate skier and deep-water scuba diver. He calls Atlanta, Georgia home, and is a supporter of the High Museum. Phil is a former board member of Camp Kudzu, Hope Sports, and JDRF. He is a voracious reader and enjoys collecting rare wines and watches. Phil is the author of the book ‘Not Dead Yet’, which chronicles his life from early diagnosis of diabetes to professional cyclist and his mission to change the face of diabetes on

a global scale.

Southerland currently serves as the CEO and co-founder of Team Novo Nordisk, the world’s first all-diabetes professional cycling team, and the founder and president of the non-profit Team Type 1 Foundation.

More from Fitt Insider 

Fitt Insider is a platform for entrepreneurs, executives, and investors redefining the business of fitness and wellness.

From our newsletter and podcast to our industry-specific jobs board, we create content and resources to drive the industry forward. We also invest in early-stage health and fitness companies.

For more, visit: https://insider.fitt.co/

Today I’m joined by Ara Katz, co-founder & co-CEO of Seed Health — a microbial sciences company. 

In this episode, we discuss the microbiome and the many ways it impacts well-being. Ara explains Seed’s approach to building a platform around studying and commercializing probiotics. And we talk about the differences between wellness, healthcare, and consumer life science. 

More from Ara 

A serial entrepreneur, advisor and angel investor, Ara Katz has eclectic experience at the intersection of health, tech, environment, media and design. 

She founded Seed Health to pioneer applications of microbes for both human and environmental health. Her work encompasses the translation of breakthrough science for a pipeline of probiotic innovations from discovery through commercialization across product, brand, insights, design-thinking, delivery technologies, industrial design, international DTC, new retail strategies, community, fundraising, channel expansion, business development and science communication. 

She spearheaded the company’s $40MM fundraising to accelerate R+D and accelerate the company’s pipeline beyond gut microbiome into microbial applications across dermatology, oral hygiene, pediatrics, women's health, infant health and nutrition. She brought the company carbon negative, to profitability, and led the acquisition of digital health ML company, Auggi.

Ara is also a co-founder of Seed Health’s environmental division, SeedLabs, and its first partner biotech company focused on women’s health, LUCA Biologics. Their first therapeutic for rUTI enters the clinic in September 2021 followed by interventions for BV and Preterm Birth. 

Previously, Ara co-founded mobile commerce startup Spring, where she helped launch ApplePay on iPhone, and has invested in and advised companies across consumer, health and tech such as: RXDefine (TeleMed), C16 Biosciences (Sustainability), MindBodyGreen (Wellness), Mahmee (Maternal Care), Stadium Goods (Consumer / Marketplace), and Unicycle (Ed Tech). 

Ara was a Visiting Fellow at the MIT Media Lab, where she helped create the Center for Future Storytelling and CCA’s Design Thinking MBA program. She has appeared on numerous podcasts like Rich Roll, Girlboss Radio, Welltodo, Commune and Broken Brain. She has been named in Marie Claire’s ‘The New Guard: The 50 Most Influential Women in America,’ Business Insider’s Silicon Alley ‘Top 100’ and ‘36 Rockstar Women in NYC Tech,’ Create + Cultivate’s ‘100 List for STEM,’ and Women We Admire’s ‘Top 100 Women CEOs of 2021.’ Her work has earned accolades such as Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas 2019, 2020, and 2021,TIME’s Best Inventions 2018, and a Webby Award for Best Use of Stories in 2020. 

She lives in Venice, California with her husband and five-year-old son, Pax (the reason Seed Health exists). She is passionate about the communication of science, the interplay of the environment and physical space, and the connecting of never before connected dots. Lastly, she’s the proud owner of several tardigrades who live at Harvard’s Museum of Natural History.

More from Fitt Insider

Fitt Insider is a platform for entrepreneurs, executives, and investors redefining the business of fitness and wellness.

From our newsletter and podcast to our industry-specific jobs board, we create content and resources to drive the industry forward. We also invest in early-stage health and fitness companies.

For more, visit: https://insider.fitt.co/

Today I’m joined by Tom Aulet, co-founder and CEO of Ergatta — a game-based connected rower. 

In this episode, Tom lays out the opportunity in creating fitness offerings that go beyond instructor-led, boutique-style classes. We talk about the company’s approach to designing game-based content. And we discuss the potential for Ergatta to enter new categories in addition to rowing. 

More from Tom

Tom is a teacher, turned economic analyst, turned enterprise software revenue leader, turned tech entrepreneur.  After graduating from Vanderbilt with a degree in Spanish & Economics, Tom spent a year teaching English to high schoolers in Spain and then two years as an economic consultant at Cornerstone Research.  Wanting something completely new, he then jumped to marketing software platform MediaMath where he did global enterprise deals, ran an EMEA & LATAM revenue team out of London, and eventually built and ran a global sales team.  While struggling to find a practical and enjoyable fitness routine with a demanding job, Tom got the idea for Ergatta, partnered with his two favorite ex-colleagues and built the world’s first game-based cardio machine. 

More from Fitt Insider 

Fitt Insider is a platform for entrepreneurs, executives, and investors redefining the business of fitness and wellness.

From our newsletter and podcast to our industry-specific jobs board, we create content and resources to drive the industry forward. We also invest in early-stage health and fitness companies.

For more, visit: https://insider.fitt.co/

Today I’m joined by Joey Gonzalez, the CEO of Barry’s — a premium boutique fitness brand. 

In this episode, Joey shares his experience with the company, from customer and instructor to chief executive. We talk about Barry’s X, the company’s new digital platform, as well as Joey’s vision for an omnichannel offering that includes partnering with connected fitness brands. Plus, we discuss the importance of building a values- and mission-driven company culture. 

More from Joey 

Joey Gonzalez is the CEO of Barry’s, the original cardio and strength interval workout that began a global boutique fitness movement.     

His Barry’s journey started in 2003, as a client in the iconic Red Room. He became an instructor soon after working his way up the ranks before finally taking the helm of the business as CEO in 2015.

Since then, Gonzalez has dedicated his life to expanding the Barry’s brand across the country and around the world, fostering diverse communities across 4 continents. Barry’s now has 80 studios in 30 cities and 14 countries across the US, UK, France, Italy, Scandinavia, Mexico, Australia and South East Asia, and welcomes 150,000 people globally through its doors each week. 

In 2020, Gonzalez oversaw the creation of Barry’s At-Home, an innovative virtual concept that allowed Barry’s members to experience a digital workout with Barry’s instructors from around the world, from the comfort of their own homes. Since launching, Barry’s At-Home has held over 20,000 digitally streamed classes and seen over 800,000 faces on the screen. He also oversaw the opening of 18 outdoors studios in select markets across the country including New York City, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Boston, DC, Mexico City, and Miami. 

Under Gonzalez’s stewardship, the brand has become known for its values of diversity and inclusivity, celebrating every member of Barry’s global community through weekly diversity, inclusion and belonging workshops and initiatives such as United We Sprint, an annual celebration of World Pride month. 

In 2018, Gonzalez was named to Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business list and received CEO Award of the Year from North Castle Partners. He sits on the board of the Family Equality Council and is currently studying at Harvard Business School to earn his OPM degree. In 2020, Gonzalez was named EY Of The Year Greater Los Angeles’ Entrepreneur of the Year. 

He currently resides in Miami, FL with his husband, daughter and son. 

More from Fitt Insider

Fitt Insider is a platform for entrepreneurs, executives, and investors redefining the business of fitness and wellness.

From our newsletter and podcast to our industry-specific jobs board, we create content and resources to drive the industry forward. We also invest in early-stage health and fitness companies.

For more, visit: https://insider.fitt.co/