On this episode of HALO Talks, host Pete Moore welcomes Garrett Salpeter, founder of NeuFit, for a conversation about breakthrough technologies in injury recovery and nervous system stimulation. Salpeter shares his personal journey from college hockey player facing disappointing traditional rehabilitation, to discovering the power of functional neurology and direct current devices that changed his trajectory, and helped heal his own injuries without surgery.

Diving deep into the science, Garrett explains how NeuFit's Neubie device leverages neuro-bioelectric stimulation to restore function, accelerate rehab, and, in some cases, deliver rapid results for athletes and weekend warriors alike. The discussion explores the latest on how electrical, magnetic, and light energies impact the body, why nervous system re-education is a game-changer for recovery, and how the device is reshaping protocols for everyone from post-op patients to those suffering with chronic pain.

Tune in to hear real-world success stories, the business of bringing new medical technology to over 400 clinics, and what's next for this rapidly growing field. If you're interested in workout recovery, new innovations, and helping people get back to peak performance faster, this is a must-listen.

On the evolving importance of rehab after surgery, Garrett says, "There was, even in the time of my own career in the last 15 to 18 years, when many surgeons had the mindset of, 'I did the important part, the surgery's done, what you do after that doesn't really matter. It's going to be the same no matter what you do.' Now I think the pendulum has swung . . . to a much more appropriate understanding of, 'Hey, the rehab that you do afterwards has a huge impact on the overall outcome, and the ability to reduce the risk of reinjury and get back to higher levels of perform— or similar levels of performance.'"

Key themes discussed

• Garrett's injury and foray into neuro-recovery technology
• Differences between light, magnetic, and electrical healing modalities
• How the Neubie device accelerates functional recovery
• The nervous system's role in healing and performance
• Common injuries and conditions addressed by Neubie technology
• Collaboration and acceptance from traditional medical professionals
• Business model and adoption in clinics and fitness facilities

A Few Key Takeaways:

1.Personal Experience Led to Innovation: Garrett shared how his disappointing experiences with traditional injury recovery as a college hockey player sparked his journey into functional neurology and, ultimately, his mission to develop better healing technologies. His own recovery from a serious ligament injury, where alternative approaches helped him avoid surgery, was a pivotal moment in his career.

2. Direct Current & Nervous System Focus: The NeuFit technology, specifically the Neubie device, is built on leveraging direct current electrical stimulation to work with the body's nervous system, rather than just targeting the muscles themselves. This creates a fundamentally different and, as Salpeter argues, more effective pathway for recovery and functional restoration.

3. How It Works: The device is used to "map" the body, helping identify neurological hotspots, areas where the nervous system isn't responding well due to injury or chronic compensations. The device stimulates these target areas, helping restore proper neuromuscular function, which often results in large, rapid improvements in mobility and pain reduction.

4. Broad Applications, Rapid Results: While the tech can help with a wide range of issues—from acute sports injuries and surgeries to chronic pain and even neurological problems, it excels at accelerating recovery. Garrett provided examples, including high-profile athletes who experienced significant breakthroughs after stalling in traditional rehab.

5. Integration with Mainstream Rehab & Business Model: The tech is currently used in hundreds of clinics, and Salpeter noted that the medical community has become more accepting and collaborative, especially as proof mounts of improved recovery outcomes. Clinics can either purchase or lease the device, and the model is designed to deliver strong client results, engagement, and retention through visible, rapid progress.

Resources:

• Garrett Salpeter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrett-salpeter-a860ab4
• NeuFit: https://www.neu.fit/
• Integrity Square: https://www.integritysq.com
• Prospect Wizard: https://www.theprospectwizard.com
• Promotion Vault: https://www.promotionvault.com
• HigherDose: https://www.higherdose.com

On this episode of HALO Talks, host Pete Moore sits down with Chris Mirabile, founder of NOVOS, for an inspiring conversation about the science of longevity, the importance of preventative health, and the journey from personal health crises to building an impactful company in the supplement space. Chris shares his compelling story of surviving a brain tumor at age 16 which launched his lifelong passion for optimizing long-term health, and reveals how that experience shaped his unique view on wellness and aging. The conversation goes into the challenges of building credibility in a noisy market, and the rigorous scientific process (and team) behind NOVOS' approach.

Expect to hear insights on biological aging versus chronological age, the steps NOVOS takes with clinical trials and advisory board selection, strategies for building a mission-driven company, and how to stay authentic amid the wellness industry's hype.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, a health enthusiast, or just curious about the future of aging, this episode offers a blend of personal conviction, actionable business advice, and leading-edge science.

Regarding a recent Mayo Clinic endorsement Chris says, "Some of the practitioners, including the head of longevity medicine at Mayo Clinic Arizona said, 'I want to recommend this to my patients. I want it readily available at the Mayo Clinic store.' So that, that is something that is really symbolic."

Key themes discussed

• Personal journey inspiring longevity focus
• Evolution of health terminology: Wellness, anti-aging, longevity
• Human psychology, short-term vs. long-term health goals
• Building a respected scientific advisory board
• Competition in the longevity and supplement industry
• Scientific validation and clinical trials for NOVOS
• Measuring and reducing biological age with epigenetic tests

A Few Key Takeaways:

1.Personal Health Crisis Sparked a Lifelong Passion: Chris shared how being diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 16 completely reshaped his outlook on health, shifting his priorities from aesthetics and performance to long-term health, disease avoidance, and optimal well-being.

2. The Language of Longevity Matters: Both Pete and Chris discussed the evolution of words used in the industry. Mirabile isn't a fan of "anti-aging," and prefers "longevity," emphasizing a holistic, forward-looking approach to health focusing on long-term outcomes rather than quick fixes.

3. Bridging Science and Supplements with Credibility: Chris described how NOVOS set itself apart by investing years into R&D, building relationships with renowned scientists (like Dr. George Church), and producing clinical trials for their products, standing in contrast to the more hype-driven supplement companies.

4. The Importance of Short-term and Long-term Benefits: A key insight Chris stressed is that compliance is crucial. NOVOS products are formulated to offer both immediate benefits (so users feel a difference) and actual long-term health impacts, supporting both "healthspan" and "lifespan."

5. Biological Age Testing and Results: NOVOS offers an epigenetic biological age test called Novos Age, which Mirabile says is one of the most scientifically grounded tools available. Initial data suggests that consistent use of NOVOS supplements can help users "slow down" or even reduce their biological aging rate.

Resources:

• Chris Mirabile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismirabile
• NOVOS: https://novoslabs.com
• Integrity Square: https://www.integritysq.com
• Prospect Wizard: https://www.theprospectwizard.com
• Promotion Vault: https://www.promotionvault.com
• HigherDose: https://www.higherdose.com

Welcome to HALO Talks! In this episode, host Pete Moore sits down with Jessica and Damien Zouaoui, the husband-and-wife team behind Oakwell Beer Spa in Denver, Colorado. They started in New York City, where feeling professionally unfulfilled, they decided to quit their corporate jobs, sell everything, and head off on a 14-month adventure across 25 countries looking for a unique business idea! Along the way, they experienced beer spas in the Polish Alps, social wellness spots in South Korea and Japan, and quickly realized Americans were missing out on these accessible, communal wellness concepts.

Jessica and Damien talk about how their love for hospitality and wellness merged with their analytical approach to create Oakwell Beer Spa, a modern, science-backed spa experience where hydrotherapy baths infused with hops and barley offer real holistic benefits.

From navigating the challenges of getting funding and finding the right city, to making the spa inclusive for both men and women and designing it for scalability, their story is packed with insights for entrepreneurs and wellness enthusiasts alike. Listen as Pete unconvers how the team turned Oakwell into a thriving business and how they're now preparing to franchise the concept across the U.S.

When it comes to the number one question they get Jessica states, "Just for everyone that's listening, you don't actually bathe in beer! That is the number one question that we get. So we're not pouring a PBR Coors into a tub! The water, it's hydrotherapy that's infused with hops, malt, and then we have different herbal blends."

Key themes discussed

• Entrepreneurial journey and world travel for inspiration
• Origin and concept of the Oakwell Beer Spa
• Adapting global wellness experiences for the U.S. market
• Avoiding gimmicks and focusing on real wellness benefits
• Overcoming funding and commercial space challenges
• Importance of corporate job experience for entrepreneurship
• Scaling strategy: Franchising versus corporate-owned locations

A Few Key Takeaways:

1.Beer Spa Origin Story: Jessica and Damien talked about how their entrepreneurial path began in New York City, where they found themselves unfulfilled in corporate jobs. Their decision to quit, travel to 25 countries, and search for a unique business idea culminated in the creation of Oakwell Beer Spa in Denver, a fusion of hospitality, wellness, and their love for beer, inspired by spa concepts encountered during their travels.

2. Beer Spa Concept. More Than a Gimmick: They emphasized that Oakwell Beer Spa is not a "bathe in beer" gimmick. The hydrotherapy bath infuses water with hops and malted barley (key beer ingredients), which have legitimate wellness benefits; Hops offers a relaxing aromatherapy effect, and barley nourishes the skin much like an oatmeal bath. They collaborated with herbalists to develop various infusions to address different wellness needs.

3. Intentional Market Selection & Adaptation: After researching, they chose Denver for its beer and wellness-centric culture, affordable costs, and manageable competition. Their approach was deliberate: Bring in a global wellness trend to the U.S., but adapt it to local tastes and legal considerations, ensuring the business would be scalable and not just a novelty.

4. Overcoming Entrepreneurial Hurdles: Their story is a lesson in persistence. Despite pitching to over 40 banks and being turned down due to the unproven nature of their concept, they eventually secured funding through city-backed small business loans and nonprofit lenders. They also faced real estate challenges due to the city's low vacancy rates and potential landlords' skepticism about an unproven concept.

5. Scalability and Franchise Vision: From the beginning, their goal was to scale. After perfecting their concept with two corporate-owned locations, they began preparing for franchising—refining operations, training systems, and brand standards to ensure consistency.

Resources:

• Jessica Zouaoui: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jfrench10
• Damien Zouaoui: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damienzouaoui/
• Oakwell Beer Spa: https://www.oakwell.com
• Integrity Square: https://www.integritysq.com
• Prospect Wizard: https://www.theprospectwizard.com
• Promotion Vault: https://www.promotionvault.com
• HigherDose: https://www.higherdose.com

Welcome to this episode of HALO Talks, where Pete Moore sits down with Angel Olavarria, founder of Strive mens skincare, and cosmetic chemist from Forest Hills, Queens. Angel reflects on his journey from a career in sales to becoming an entrepreneur in men's skincare. He reflects on the idea that people tend to attribute positive attributes to others who are very attractive, inspired him to dig deeper into self-presentation, which eventually led him down the path of skincare science.

Angel discusses the often confusing (and slightly sometimes sketchy) world of men's skincare, his hands-on approach to developing formulas, and the importance of using the proper amount of evidence-based ingredients. He also opens up about the process behind launching his business, staying true to his principles, and building a brand that values authenticity over flashy marketing tricks.

It doesn't matter if you're interested in men's skincare or not. What is key here are the lessons Angel has learned as he continues to (rapidly!) scale Strive. If you're an aspiring entrepreneur or even seasoned business owner and are looking for fresh insights into building a thoughtful and impactful brand, this episode offers a candid look at balancing passion, discipline, and business in today's competitive market.

Key themes discussed

• Journey from sales to skincare entrepreneurship
• The complexity and science behind truly effective skincare
• Importance of authenticity and principles in entrepreneurship
• Product development: Balancing simplicity and efficacy
• Marketing strategies: Digital, SEO, and sampling challenges
• Pricing, margins, and growth without sacrificing values

A Few Key Takeaways:

1.The Power of Skincare for Personal Branding: Angel shared how men's attention to self-care and skincare can enhance the tendency for people to attribute positive qualities to those who appear attractive and well-groomed. This observation sparked his journey into men's skincare and eventually founding Strive.

2. Authenticity in Entrepreneurship: He stressed how he builds his business on strong principles, refusing to compromise quality or add unnecessary complexity to men's routines. He wants Strive to be genuinely useful, not just another product pushed by aggressive marketing.

3. Science-Backed Formulations vs. Marketing Gimmicks: The chat also highlighted the importance of using ingredients with proven efficacy, like niacinamide or retinol, both backed by decades of research. Olavarria pointed out that many competitors focus on trendy but unproven plant extracts, often prioritizing marketing narratives over results.

4. Lean Operations and Smart Growth: Angel explained how he handles most of his business personally, takes advantage of contractors and US-based suppliers, and leverages technology (like AI) to stay nimble. He emphasized starting with fewer SKUs and growing thoughtfully to avoid complexity and inefficiency.

5. Philosophy of Continuous Improvement and Authentic Brand Building: The brand name "Strive" embodies the drive to always work toward something and improve. Angel wants the brand to inspire men to strive, not just for looks, but for personal growth. He also values authentic ambassador relationships, only working with those who genuinely connect to his products.

Resources:

• Angel Olavarria: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelolavarriajr
• Strive Skincare: https://www.striveskin.com
• Integrity Square: https://www.integritysq.com
• Prospect Wizard: https://www.theprospectwizard.com
• Promotion Vault: https://www.promotionvault.com
• HigherDose: https://www.higherdose.com

In this new episode of HALO Talks, host Pete Moore sits down with David Appel from KORB Health to dive into the rapidly evolving world of GLP-1s, fitness, and clinical care integration. Pulling from his experience as a longtime coach-turned-operator, Appel talks about the genesis of KORB and how they're working to bridge the gap between telehealth, health clubs, and innovative weight loss solutions. They bring up marketing strategies that connect with new demographics, the challenges and opportunities of GLP-1 programming, and the importance of education for both fitness professionals and their clients.

If you're curious about the future of fitness, medical wellness, and how health club operators can leverage these advancements to better serve their members, this one is a must-listen.

Regarding the role of provider relationships in weight loss success: "Through this provider relationship they're not going to ramp up the drug just to get the weight loss if you're not doing any of the other parts to help with it . . . because otherwise you're just going to end up feeling sick, because you have too much of the medication going on, your body isn't going to be able to adapt."

Key themes discussed

• Integration of GLP-1 therapies with fitness and clinical care
• Marketing challenges for GLP-1 workouts in health clubs
• Creating specialized programming for GLP-1 users
• Partnerships between telehealth platforms and health clubs
• Addressing stigma and privacy for GLP-1 medication users
• Effects of GLP-1 on muscle strength and aging
• Education and training for trainers on GLP-1 protocols

A Few Key Takeaways:

1.New Approaches to Programming & Marketing: David emphasizes the importance of offering low-impact, accessible workout programs for people on GLPs. However, clubs should avoid overtly labeling classes as "GLP Workouts" to spare members any stigma, instead designing inclusive, beginner-friendly options. The success comes from blending with existing offerings and focusing on education and engagement.

2. Partnerships and Revenue Sharing: Appel explains that KORB partners with established fitness chains like InShape Family Fitness, using marketing agreements involving SMS, email, and in-club signage. They've seen successful campaigns, with up to 3% penetration in club populations through integrated services and revenue share models.

3. Importance of Ongoing Support and Telehealth: KORB Health provides telehealth care without long-term contracts or membership fees. Members get virtual consultations and ongoing support, leading to better retention and more effective weight loss compared to drop-shipped, no-support solutions. The personal provider relationship is critical to sustainable results.

4. Market Challenges and Opportunities: The industry is still the "Wild West" with many low-cost and questionable suppliers. David stresses the importance of using vetted providers and compounding pharmacies. He believes health club operators should see GLP integration as an opportunity, not a threat, to grow their business and deliver improved outcomes for their members.

Resources:

• Dave Appel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-appel-8211305
• Korb Health: https://www.korbhealth.com
• Integrity Square: https://www.integritysq.com
• Prospect Wizard: https://www.theprospectwizard.com
• Promotion Vault: https://www.promotionvault.com
• HigherDose: https://www.higherdose.com

Welcome to another episode of HALO Talks! On today's Fast Break, host Pete Moore catches up with Erika Wasser, Co-Founder of Prospr. This is Erika's second appearance on the pod, her first being back in 2020. (Link below to the full episode.)

Wasser has been on a mission to streamline club and studio operations for years, tackling the challenge of consolidating disparate tools into one seamless platform. She shares some exciting updates about how Prospr has evolved into an enterprise-level solution, now integrating with major platforms like Awardco, Mariana Tek, and Mindbody, with more on the horizon.

She also touches on why a lot of businesses are switching over to her solution. Mainly it's because of its power to consolidate multiple management tools and create operational consistency across. She mentions tons of new features like auto-routed ticketing, robust operational checklists, AI-powered scheduling, and bilingual communications, all designed to make life easier for managers and frontline staff.

As always, Erika brings her trademark wisdom and humor ("If you're an entrepreneur, prep your liver!") offering candid advice for fellow entrepreneurs about patience and perseverance. Listen now to hear how Prospr is transforming the way studios and clubs operate.

Resources:

• Erika Wasser: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-wasser-b7176817
• Prospr: https://prospr.work/
• Erika's first HALO Talks: https://www.halotalks.com/erika-wasser-co-founder-prospr-at-work/
• Prospect Wizard: https://www.theprospectwizard.com
• Promotion Vault: https://www.promotionvault.com
• HigherDose: https://www.higherdose.com

Connect With Us:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehaloadvisors/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Integritysquare YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@halotalks LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/integrity-square/ Website: https://www.halotalks.com

In this episode of HALO Talks, host Pete Moore reconnects with longtime friend and real estate industry veteran Jeff Roseman, Vice Chairman at Newmark and previous guest. (Podcast #151. Link below.) Together, they dive into the surging demand for fitness and wellness tenants in New York City, discussing how the HALO space has helped revitalize the retail and office markets.

Jeff shares insider perspectives on landlord-tenant dynamics, the nuances of leasing deals—including the New York-centric "good guy clause"—and the importance of understanding market economics. The conversation covers emerging concepts, evolving tenant rep strategies, and the exciting growth of new brands shaping the city's HALO landscape.

Whether you're a seasoned operator, an aspiring entrepreneur, or just curious about what's driving NYC's commercial real estate trends, this episode is packed with practical insights, some fun anecdotes, and a bullish outlook on the future of in-person fitness and retail.

On the good guy clause Roseman says, "The good guy guarantee is just you basically guaranteeing that you're going to stay in the space, you're guaranteeing that you're going to pay rent, and if business is terrible and you have to leave, you just hand back the keys . . . because getting the keys back from a delinquent tenant can take a year, if not longer. And that really screws everything up."

Key themes discussed

• Surge in fitness/wellness tenants in NYC real estate.
• Landlord flexibility with new fitness concepts and brands.
• Importance and explanation of the Good Guy clause.
• Tenant support: Financial guidance and market understanding.
• Shifts in lease terms, rents, and office building resets.
• Notable fitness/wellness brands landlords favor recently.

A Few Key Takeaways:

1.Fitness & Wellness Tenants Are Booming in NYC: Jeff mentions that fitness and wellness tenants in NYC surged by 40% year-over-year. The variety of brands—from Pilates to high-intensity and recovery concepts—highlights a vibrant, evolving landscape that's energizing the local commercial real estate market.

2. The HALO Sector Has Been a Lifeline for Commercial Real Estate: Fitness, wellness, and associated businesses have played a crucial role in making office buildings more attractive post-pandemic. Amenities like fitness centers, healthy cafes, and wellness offerings are now seen as vital for drawing people back to workspaces, not just traditional banks or drugstores.

3. Landlord-Tenant Dynamics & the Role of Good Guy Guarantees: Pete and Jeff also talk about the "unique" structure of New York City leases, especially the use of the "good guy" guarantee. This provision allows independent operators flexibility to exit a lease without ongoing liability if things don't work out, while big national chains with strong credit are typically held to stricter long-term obligations.

4. Site Selection Is About More than Just Rent and Buildout Costs: Roseman emphasizes the importance of understanding market dynamics, competition, and location history—not just the physical space or potential cost savings from a previous tenant's buildout. Success comes down to execution, market insight, and a thorough understanding of what makes a site (and business model) viable.

5. The Resilience of In-Person Retail and Fitness: Despite predictions that online shopping and the pandemic would devastate brick-and-mortar retail and fitness centers, Jeff Roseman is bullish on the future. In-person experiences—whether for workouts, wellness, or shopping—are proving essential, and new, creative concepts continue to drive the city's vibrancy.

Resources:

• Jeff Roseman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreydroseman
• Jeff's prior HALO Talks: https://www.halotalks.com/jeff-roseman-vice-chairman-newmark-knight-frank
• Integrity Square: https://www.integritysq.com
• Prospect Wizard: https://www.theprospectwizard.com
• Promotion Vault: https://www.promotionvault.com
• HigherDose: https://www.higherdose.com

In this Fast Break, HALO sector veteran Jay Shoates put forward some powerful ideas on building fitness businesses that serve both professionals and the local community, as well as the importance of always learning and adapting.

Some key takeaways:

• Agility in Business: The HALO sector isn't one-size-fits-all. Jay emphasized the importance of being agile, exploring different roles from facility operations to consulting to ensure full utilization and holistic contribution to the industry.
• Community Connection: Success isn't defined by facility size, but by the value you provide and your connection to the community. As Jay puts it, "You have to be in some form a servant of your community in order for your community to come service you."
• Consistency and Lifelong Learning: Whether managing a boutique gym or expanding to a 30,000 square foot facility, consistent service and a commitment to ongoing learning (Jay is still eager for more with the HALO Academy!) remain the foundation for sustainable growth.

If you're in the HALO space, these are words to live by . . . and build by!

Resources:

• Jay Shoates: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-shoates-227348108/
• Prospect Wizard: https://www.theprospectwizard.com
• Promotion Vault: https://www.promotionvault.com
• HigherDose: https://www.higherdose.com

Connect With Us:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehaloadvisors/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Integritysquare YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@halotalks LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/integrity-square/ Website: https://www.halotalks.com

On this episode of HALO Talks, host Pete Moore sits down with Hunter Ziesing, founder of Longevity Health, to dive into the rapidly chaing volving world of preventive health and personal wellness data. Bringing decades of experience from Wall Street, athletic pursuits, and nonprofit work, Hunter shares his inspiration for moving into longevity and healthspan solutions after seeing friends and family struggle with preventable health issues.

He discusses Longevity Health's mission: Democratizing access to clinical-grade health data and AI-driven recommendations. . . basically what elite practitioners charge six figures for, made accessible to the masses. Learn about how he aims to empower individuals to truly own their health data, integrate information from wearables and medical tests, and leverage AI for personalized action.

This episode also explores the business of building scalable solutions, collaborating with fitness chains, and balancing the desire to revolutionize public health with mindful entrepreneurship.

On affordable (preventative!) health care for all, Zasing states, " My mission is to really give people the Peter Attia. You know. . .what he charges $150,000 for, for as little as 30 cents a day."

Key themes discussed

• Leveraging personal health data for prevention and longevity
• AI integration in health management and recommendations
• Consumer ownership and use of health data
• Partnerships with fitness clubs and labs for testing
• Transition from nonprofit to for-profit health ventures
• Scaling health platforms through technology and collaborations
• Challenges and vision for democratizing preventive healthcare

A Few Key Takeaways:

1.Data-Driven Personalized Health is the Future: Hunter is building a platform (Longevity Health) that brings together personal health data—from wearables, medical records, blood tests, and more—to help guide individuals in preventative health and wellness. His mission is to democratize access, offering "Peter Attia-level" insights at an affordable price.

2. Behavior Change is Achievable and Measurable: Through previous ventures like the national cycling series supporting Livestrong, and his work at Paceline, Hunter demonstrated that motivating people with goals, teams, and rewards (even as simple as a dollar for hitting your heart rate target) can create real, lasting behavior change.

3. AI-Powered Recommendations Enhance Preventive Care: The company is beta testing an AI engine that analyzes your consolidated health data, gives personalized recommendations, and will eventually act almost like a virtual doctor. For now, a human clinician still reviews and oversees the AI's conclusions, ensuring safety and accuracy.

4. Consumer Ownership Over Health Data is Key: Both Ziesing and Pete discuss the importance of individuals owning their own health data. Regulatory shifts (even tech giants like Apple and Google are getting behind this) are beginning to empower consumers, rather than siloing data within companies.

5. Partnerships and Integrations Will Drive Scale: Rather than trying to own every piece of the ecosystem, Hunter emphasizes the strategy of partnering with gyms, health clubs, and existing testing providers. The vision is to make Longevity Health the connective "last mile" that ties together disparate data to deliver actionable insight—potentially white-labeling the tech or integrating with large fitness chains for scale.

Resources:

• Hunter Ziesing: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hunterziesing/
• Longevity Health: https://www.longevityhealth.me/
• Integrity Square: https://www.integritysq.com
• Prospect Wizard: https://www.theprospectwizard.com
• Promotion Vault: https://www.promotionvault.com
• HigherDose: https://www.higherdose.com

On this episode of HALO Talks, host Pete Moore sits down with Chris Rotondi, franchisee of a Serotonin Center in Greenwich, Connecticut. From his early days as the 13th employee at Shift4 to his foray into the HALO (Health, Active Lifestyle, Outdoor) space, Chris talks about his entrepreneurial path and passion for biohacking, longevity, and helping others transform their lives.

Listen now as Pete and Chris discuss the hard truths behind starting and scaling a HALO business, the importance of authentic local marketing, and the unique advantages (and sometimes challenges!) of joining a strong franchise network.

Whether you're interested in the business side of wellness, new trends in anti-aging, or just enjoy hearing candid stories from the front lines of entrepreneurship, this episode delivers plenty of insights and takeaways. (And if you missed it, we interviewed Seratonin Center CEO Eric Casaburi a while back. Link down below.)

On expanding within a franchise, Rotondi states, "After your first store it gets a lot easier to take where you are in that first location, and start the second one from that same level, rather than going back and having to relearn all those rookie mistakes that maybe you made when you first opened."

Key themes discussed

• Chris's inspiration to open a Serotonin Center.
• The importance of word-of-mouth and community marketing.
• Challenges and rewards of operating a franchise.
• The evolving mainstream acceptance of biohacking and longevity practices.
• Collaborations and partnerships with local businesses for mutual growth.
• Scaling, staffing, and operational complexities in health franchises.

A Few Key Takeaways:

1.Entrepreneurial Path & Inspiration: Rotondi shared how his extensive experience at Shift4, where he was surrounded by entrepreneurs and watched a company scale from startup to IPO, inspired him to eventually strike out on his own. This not only shaped his mindset but also gave him the confidence and motivation to take the leap into business ownership.

2. Choosing Serotonin Centers Was a Passion Play: Rather than conducting an exhaustive analysis of possible business options, Chris says that he was immediately drawn to Serotonin and felt a strong alignment with the concept. He dabbled in real estate but realized he needed a business that delivered a tangible positive impact—and found that in the HALO space.

3. Transformative Results Make the Business Rewarding: The most fulfilling aspect of running the center is seeing noticeable transformations in clients—whether it's 35-40 pounds of weight loss or improved health outcomes. These stories not only validate the mission but also create infectious momentum through word of mouth.

4. Franchising as a Strategic Advantage: Rotondi also emphasizes the value of being part of a franchise system, especially in a highly regulated, evolving industry like health and longevity. The franchisor provides critical infrastructure, best practices, and ongoing support, allowing franchisees to scale faster and avoid common pitfalls that solo operators might typically face.

5. Local Networking & Authentic Marketing Are Key: For growth, Chris focuses on the importance of networking and building authentic relationships in his local market (Greenwich, CT). Word of mouth remains king, and collaborations with other health and wellness businesses (like co-branded menu items with nearby cafés) drive new client acquisition and community engagement.

Resources:

• Chris Rotondi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-rotondi
• Seratonin Centers: https://www.serotonincenters.com
• Eric Casaburi Seratonin CEO: https://www.halotalks.com/episode-368-eric-casaburi-serotonin-anti-aging-centers
• Integrity Square: https://www.integritysq.com
• Prospect Wizard: https://www.theprospectwizard.com
• Promotion Vault: https://www.promotionvault.com
• HigherDose: https://www.higherdose.com