HALO Talks: Elevating Wellness

Dr. Bechara Saab is a classically trained chemist with a passion for understanding the intricacies of the human mind. After completing his Ph.D in neuroscience at Mount Sinai in Toronto, Dr. Saab pursued a career as a principal investigator at the University of Zurich, where he opened his own laboratory. Through his work, he made a groundbreaking discovery - a strong correlation between the lack of exploratory drive in individuals with mental illness and their symptoms. This revelation prompted him to delve deeper into the field of mental health.

He faced a major obstacle in his journey however. Situated in a psychiatry hospital, he witnessed how his colleagues, despite their passion and dedication, lacked access to objective tools when delivering treatment. This limitation had hindered the progress of psychiatry for centuries. Determined to change the landscape of mental health treatment, Dr. Saab recognized the revolutionary potential of objective measurement in the field. The ability to treat the brain as a physical organ and measure its activities objectively could pave the way for more effective therapies. Dr. Saab began working on innovative methods to measure and analyze brain activity, enabling further precision for psychiatric treatments.

His relentless pursuit to understand the inner workings of the mind and commitment to bridging the gap between psychiatry and objective medicine, has the potential to transform the field of mental health. With his groundbreaking research and dedication to improving therapeutic approaches, Dr. Saab is on a mission to revolutionize the treatment and understanding of mental illness.

Bechara states, "The complexity of the brain mathematically indicates that not only are no two brains alike, but there have never been any two brains alike in history, nor will there ever be . . . no matter how long we exist as a species."

Some key moments:

• Chemist turned neuroscientist researches motivation and mental illness.
• Rewiring brain through activity and meditation training.
• Meditation improves focus and endurance.
• Human face analysis and biomarkers for emotions.
• Categorizing digital therapeutics as medical devices.
• 14 full-time staff + 250 global partners. Singapore headquarters. North America focus.

A few key takeaways:

1. Utilizing Technology for Diagnosis: Mobio utilizes smartphone cameras and technology to diagnose stress, mental illness, and other underlying conditions. By harnessing the power of smartphones, they are able to create objective tools for mental health assessment.
2. Importance of Brain Plasticity: The brain is constantly changing and has a remarkable level of plasticity throughout a person's life. This means that people can enhance their brain's functionality through engaging in activities repeatedly and through meditation. These activities can lead to rewiring the brain and result in increased resilience to stress, improved focus, and the ability to overcome phobias.
3. Mind-Body Connection: The brain is in constant communication with the rest of the body. Breathing plays a significant role in modulating brain states. Slowing it down through practices such as breathing through the nose can create a positive feedback loop, helping individuals achieve a more relaxed state of mind.
4. Holistic Approach to Brain Health: In addition to technology-based diagnosis and brain training exercises, Dr. Saab emphasizes the importance of overall health factors like exercise, good sleep, and a healthy diet as crucial components for brain health and slowing down the aging process.
5. Integration of Brain Optimization in Fitness Studios: Dr. Saab suggests infusing brain optimization techniques, such as mindfulness training and meditation, into the programming of fitness studios and health clubs. By incorporating these practices, individuals can experience improved mental recovery after strenuous exercise.

Resources:

• Dr. Bechara Saab: https://www.linkedin.com/in/becharasaab/
• Mobio Interactive: https://www.mobiointeractive.com/

Click here to download transcript.

Connect With Us:

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

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: www.ratethispodcast.com/halotalks and don't forget to check out the HALO Academy for Executive Education opportunities.

On today's episode we chat with Alex Peacock from Leisure Labs. He joins us from the UK to discuss the future of technology in the fitness industry, and how to prioritize your tech investments for maximum impact in 2023. With over 20 years of experience, he has witnessed the industry's shift toward embracing new technologies, but there's still work to be done, and Alex shares his insights on where we currently stand and what lies ahead.

Pete and Alex dive deep into the top three technology priorities for fitness operators. They discuss the importance of operational foundations, choosing the right platforms, and how to leverage technology as an accelerator rather than a hindrance. They also touch on the challenges of change management and the role of employee training when implementing new technologies.

On the role of tech Alex states, "I always view technology as an accelerator. It will accelerate things, but that can be good and that can be bad. So if you're doing things badly, if you have the wrong operational processes in place, technology is going to make that more of a problem than it is today."

Some key moments:

• Operators still have work to do. Hospitality and retail are making progress. Technology investment is increasing in fitness.
• Software suppliers are being challenged but are getting more investment.
• Platforms and member management systems are opening up. Chat, AI, and machine learning becoming practical at scale.
• Evolution of technology blurs human-AI boundaries.

A few key takeaways:

• Alex focuses on the direction of technology in the industry, the importance of prioritization for operators, and the impact of technology in 2023.
• The fitness industry has been slow to embrace new technologies in the past, but there has been a recent shift with more investments in tech and innovation. However, there is still work to be done, particularly in comparison to other sectors like hospitality and retail.
• Operators should prioritize getting their operational foundations right before implementing new technologies. It is essential to have the right systems in place and ensure they are properly integrated.
• Doing this will allow for easier implementation of "newer" things like conversational chatbots, data science, machine learning, and personalization engines. Change management and proper training for employees are also crucial factors in successful rollouts.

Resources:

• Alex Peacock: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexpeacock/?originalSubdomain=uk
• Leisure Labs: https://leisurelabs.co.uk/

Click here to download transcript.

Connect With Us:

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

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: www.ratethispodcast.com/halotalks and don't forget to check out the HALO Academy for Executive Education opportunities.

Udaiyan Jatar, born and raised in India, had a unique upbringing due to his father's career as a fighter pilot. He attended 13 different schools across 6 states and became proficient in 4 or 5 languages. Coming from a family with a strong military background, this played a significant role in shaping his life. After completing his education, Jatar started his career in door-to-door sales. He later pursued an MBA and joined Procter and Gamble, a major company in India during the time of the country's economic opening.

In this role, he gained valuable experience working to take products to market from scratch. Later on, Jatar transitioned to Coca-Cola and played a pivotal role in helping the company expand into new categories within the Indian market. His significant contributions to Coke's growth in India showcased his strategic thinking, business acumen, and ability to identify unique market opportunities. Currently, Udaiyan Jatar is CEO and Co-Founder of Tecton, where he's working hard to move the needle on bringing an exogenous keytone beverage to the mass market while educating people at the same time.

On the future of the beverage business he states, "When I looked at our portfolio strategy at Coca-Cola company globally, I realized sugar had an uphill battle ahead. You also had the problem with aging populations not wanting to drink caffeine. And I also believed in my heart of hearts that I want to drink products we made that I was happy to drink, and that I was happy for my children to drink."

Tecton opened its Series A round of $10m at the beginning of 2023 and has already raised ~$5m from investors that include the former Chief of Neurosurgery at Walter Reed, an owner of an NFL team, and Empire Family Investments. (The owners of Empire Marketing Strategies, the nation's largest food broker.)

Some key moments:

• Job with Coke in India, ran a joint venture with Coke and Nestle
• Company shifted focus to health industry, created Tecton
• DARPA funded, military-focused product.
• Educate mass market on military technology products.
• Dream big, start small. Test, learn, refine. Focus on "high-end dining," not McDonald's. Defend transcendent brands against competitors.
• Looking forward to helping with distributors, samples, podcast, and ambassador program. Tecton will be a future household name!

A few key takeaways:

1. The genesis of the business was driven by his Co-Founder's severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) after retiring from Special Forces.
2. Tecton is a product that provides constant energy supply to the brain through the use of ketones, which are more efficient for brain cell metabolism than glucose.
3. DARPA, the Defense Research Projects Agency associated with the Pentagon, invested in the technology behind it, as well as looks for hard-to-commercialize technologies beneficial for the military and long-term performance of soldiers.
4. Udaiyan emphasized the importance of starting small, testing and refining before scaling up, and targeting high-end establishments before larger chains when launching their product.
5. There's a huge need to also educate the mass market and healthcare providers about the benefits of the technology, as well as the importance of reaching influencers and the tip of the adoption curve to spread their message effectively.

As a special gift for the HALO community, enter the code HALO on the company's website for 20% off. Expires Dec 31, 2023.

Resources:

• Tecton: https://www.tectonlife.com/science
• Udaiyan Jatar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/udaiyanjatar/
• More on the history of Tecton: https://youtu.be/5SCxZnT1FUU

Click here to download transcript.

Connect With Us:

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

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: www.ratethispodcast.com/halotalks and don't forget to check out the HALO Academy for Executive Education opportunities.

HALO Talks, on behalf of Integrity Square, is pleased to share this podcast with our new client, HealthFitness Corporation. HealthFitness is committed to further expansion into facilities-based fitness management and has engaged Integrity Square to assist in outreach with prospective owners who are seeking a great home for their company and employees. If you are interested in exploring opportunities after hearing this podcast, please reach out to Rosa Alaimo-Quinn, our Chief of Staff, to arrange an introductory call with our team. ([email protected])

Sean McManamy is a key figure in the fitness industry, with a focus on creating communities and a sense of belonging through the management of fitness programs and on-site facilities. He has been with Trustmark, HealthFitness' parent company, since before their acquisition of HealthFitness in 2010. Trustmark is a benefits company that has supported employers and their teams for more than 100 years.

Over the past decade, Sean has been instrumental in driving the success of HealthFitness, which now employs over 2,000 associates across the United States. They manage more than 400 sites for approximately 140 clients, primarily in the corporate sector but also serving hospitals, colleges, and municipalities. Despite the challenges faced, including the recent pandemic, Sean's leadership has enabled HealthFitness to thrive in this constantly evolving industry.

"The foundation of our business has always been managing onsite fitness programs, and that's still our bread and butter today through a lot of twists and turns, through a little something called a pandemic!" states McManamy. "We love this space, and we're ready to grow and ready to invest to grow."

Some key moments:

• History of location management from staffing to building relationships.
• April of 2021 HealthFitness acquired Midtown Health, a fitness management provider and subsidiary of Chicago-based Tennis Corporation of America (TCA) leading to a successful onboarding of 400 employees and 100% client retention. Expanded product portfolio, including virtual fitness, gym network and assisted stretching program.
• Increased communication and employee engagement during COVID.
• Family businesses prioritize employees and clients. Strong connection between employees and clients. Proud of support provided through benefits, education, and networking.
• Thinking strategically about build/buy/partner decisions to address emerging client needs

A few key takeaways:

1. Employers are recognizing the value of direct employee communication. Coordinated and smart communication is essential to compete with other benefits and employer programs.
2. While the corporate fitness and wellness market has not recovered to pre-COVID levels, our clients are increasingly looking to create positive return-to-office experiences with key amenities like the fitness center.
3. One-on-one interactions and building relationships with on-site employees are crucial for engagement. Sitting down and talking directly with employees is the most effective way to do that!
4. Membership at corporate fitness centers has been down from pre-COVID levels, but membership at health system wellness centers has recovered to 100% or higher.
5. Fostering community within companies is a priority for clients. Companies are looking to the fitness center to help them strengthen and foster this sense of community, particularly as employees work on-site, in a hybrid model, or fully virtually.
6. There is a growing demand for better amenities and experiences. Companies are investing more in their office spaces, including larger and better-equipped facilities, and there is competition to attract and retain talent. Companies are seeking more programming and better services in corporate spaces to create a great workplace environment.

Resources: Sean McManamy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanmcmanamy/ Health Fitness: https://www.healthfitness.com/ Trustmark: https://www.trustmarkbenefits.com

Connect With Us:

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

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: www.ratethispodcast.com/halotalks and don't forget to check out the HALO Academy for Executive Education opportunities.

Eziah Syed is a former athlete with a background in fitness and health. He played basketball at a national level in Canada and also had some experience in the tech space. His life took a turn when his mother was diagnosed with cancer and his brother suffered a serious fall, resulting in multiple injuries. These personal experiences made Eziah reflect on the healthcare system and the care received. He noticed gaps and questioned why his own injuries were taking longer to heal than expected. This led him to explore the connection between nutrition and healing, realizing that the medical community was largely unaware of the impact of nutrition on the body's healing process. Eziah decided to take action and founded his own firm to bridge the gap between healthcare and nutrition, aiming to provide better guidance and resources for those in need.

He states, "We developed our own formulations, and we go through a very rigorous pharma-like process, to develop what we call nutrapharma which lives in a class in between pharma and supplements. We don't even use the word supplements. We call this nutrapharma because you'll see from us randomized published trials, placebo controlled trials, biopsy studies and more. You'll see a variety of things being done that typically aren't done In the dietary supplement world, and we think that's what's allowed us to get the adoption in the medical community and then in professional sports and the athletic world."

Some key moments:

• Health challenges spark realization, founding innovative firm.
• Validated medical nutrition product with scientific rigor.
• Building science, renowned physicians, clinical data. Winning strategy.
• Product portfolio designed for acute and daily needs.
• Start-ups require grit and resilience in challenging environments. A book on proactive healthcare is recommended.

A few key takeaways:

1. Mend has developed a line of products called nutrapharma, which are formulated with scientific rigor similar to pharmaceuticals. They have undergone randomized trials, placebo-controlled trials, and biopsy studies, setting them apart from the others.

2. Eziah sought validation from medical professionals, including renowned physicians and dietitians, to confirm the legitimacy of their products. This led to the formation of a scientific advisory board, helping gain acceptance from the medical community.

3. Mend has created products for both acute needs, such as injuries and surgeries, and daily maintenance addressing chronic conditions. Each formulation targets specific endpoints, such as protein and inflammatory markers, to provide evidence-based treatment.

4. Sayed emphasizes the challenges and roller coaster nature of startups, highlighting the importance of grit and resilience. They compare the startup experience to a cold plunge, where uncomfortable situations are embraced to learn and activate the parasympathetic nervous system.

Resources:

• Mend: https://mend.me/
• Mend Science Board: https://mend.me/pages/science
• Eziah Syed: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eziah/

Connect With Us:

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

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: www.ratethispodcast.com/halotalks and don't forget to check out the HALO Academy for Executive Education opportunities.

Randy Sussman is an entrepreneur who identified a gap in the market for pickleball apparel early on. Observing that players were initially wearing items like heavy cotton shirts with kitschy designs, he quickly realized the need for high-quality, stylish clothing in this growing sport. The number of players have grown exponentially to approximately 7-8 million players, with 35-40 million having tried it at least once last year.

Determined to meet this demand Randy approached his friend David, an experienced apparel professional in New York City. Despite initial skepticism, Randy's unwavering conviction convinced David to offer his advice. This marked the beginning of Sussman's journey into the world of pickleball apparel, challenging the conventional belief that "you only go into the apparel business to lose money!"

The sport shows no signs of letting up. Sussman states, "You visit the courts in Delray . . . and you see really strong play! Night time or on the weekends . . . you find kids that are in their twenties, early thirties, teenagers . . . they're all out there playing, and they can really play the game! They're athletes. They come from hockey. They come from baseball. They fall in love with this sport."

Some key moments:

• Launched in December 2019. Despite the pandemic in March 2020, they expanded from t-shirts and hoodies to wristbands, hats, visors, shorts, and more.
• The sport of pickleball, with its ability to encompass a health active lifestyle outdoors, aligns perfectly with the industry's goals.
• Pickleball creates a strong sense of community. It brings people together like no other sport.
• With millions of people playing and a growing industry, major players are getting involved. The Atlantic City open, owned by three partners including Kyle Yates, attracted 780 players and a dozen vendors.

A few key takeaways:

1. Randy Sussman is the founder of PB1965, a brand specializing in pickleball apparel. They offer fun and fashionable clothing that allows players to proudly represent the sport.
2. The industry has experienced tremendous growth in recent years. Now there are an estimated 7-8 million players, with around 35-40 million people trying the sport at least once last year.
3. PB1965 focuses on creating a sense of community. The brand's logo and quality apparel help players feel proud to be a part of the sport. PB1965 aims to differentiate itself from generic sportswear by cultivating a unique identity specific to pickleball.
4. The US Open pickleball tournament showcased the diversity of players in terms of age. From 11-year-old kids to seasoned seniors, pickleball appeals to a wide range of ages. PB1965 considers this demographic diversity when designing and marketing its apparel.
5. Despite facing challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, PB1965 has successfully navigated the market. Their line has grown from t-shirts and hoodies to include wristbands, hats, visors, shorts, and skorts. PB1965 aims to continue evolving to meet the changing needs and preferences of pickleball players.

Resources:

• PB 1965: http://www.pb1965.com
• US Open Pickleball Tournament: https://www.usopenpickleballchampionship.com/
• Atlantic City Pickleball Open: https://atlanticcitypickleballopen.com/
• Kyle Yates: https://www.instagram.com/kyleyates.pb/?hl=en

Connect With Us:

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

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: www.ratethispodcast.com/halotalks and don't forget to check out the HALO Academy for Executive Education opportunities.

Natacha Nelson's journey has been one of resilience and determination. In college, she faced the disappointment of not making any sports teams and struggled to find her identity as a mixed-race individual. Battling addiction, she eventually left. Not too shortly after, a moment of realization pushed her to make major changes. Working tirelessly in multiple restaurants, Natacha decided to return to a junior college to pursue her dream of going into the medical space. Starting with anatomy and physiology classes, she gradually worked her way up, eventually becoming a chiropractor and running her own business, specializing in working with athletes. Despite the challenges and setbacks, Natacha's unwavering spirit led her to achieve her goals and serve as a testament to the power of perseverance.

On making effective, lasting changes, Natasha approaches it in a unique way. She states, 'When it comes to whether it's food or exercise, most people say, 'okay, I'm going to give up all these foods' or 'exercise every day' or whatever . . . and they make it too big. When it comes to food for example, I always ask what is it that you can add into your diet (or lifestyle) first? Adding a fruit, a vegetable, more water, better sleep."

Some key moments:

• Struggle with identity, addiction, and determination lead to success.
• Personal trajectory, triggers, partying, mental health acceptance.
• Exercise used for stress relief and motivation.
• Her 8-week course helps people recognize and address triggers.
• Love learning, connecting, and communicating with others.
• Freedom, entrepreneurship, trade-offs, flexibility, connection, balance.

A few key takeaways:

1. Natacha shares her journey of resilience and overcoming challenges. From struggling in college to getting into the medical field, to running her own business, her story highlights the power of determination and self-belief.
2. The importance of sharing our stories and being open about our struggles is a recurring theme in this episode. Natacha discusses how she initially hesitated to share her full story with others but eventually became comfortable in her own skin. This allowed her to share experiences without any shame or embarrassment, which led to her writing a book and creating a course to help others.
3. Natacha's course, "The Untamed Heart," is an eight-week program that can be done at one's own pace online. Additionally, she offers live sessions where participants can interact with her and other group members, providing a more intimate learning experience.
4. The shift in societal attitudes towards mental health is also highlighted. Natacha points out that there is now more acceptance and understanding when it comes to discussing mental health issues, which creates an environment where people feel more comfortable seeking help and support.

Click here to download transcript.

Resources:

• Natacha Nelson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natacha-nelson-a76a93111/
• Untamed Heart: https://www.bebetter.life/the-untamed-heart

Connect With Us:

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

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: www.ratethispodcast.com/halotalks and don't forget to check out the HALO Academy for Executive Education opportunities.

Rechelle Balanzat, an extremely determined, driven, and resilient entrepreneur, has overcome the rather large challenges of breaking into the highly competitive dry cleaning market with her company, JULIETTE. With her immense success in this competitive space, Rechelle now helms three different brands and 6 locations in NYC. New York has been her home for over 20 years, enabling her to understand the city's unique mentality and lifestyle. Her expertise with the fast-paced demands of New Yorkers (who expect everything to be done "yesterday!") extends to providing them with efficient and timely cleaning services.

Balanzat has literally worked in dry cleaners herself, learned the business from the ground up, and has created a brand poised to conquer new markets (when the time is right.) She emphasizes the importance of creating a strong company culture, finding the right people who align with what your company stands for as well as the values and the needs of your customers. Rechelle's customer-centric focus and leading with integrity has allowed her to build a workforce that truly embodies her brand's high-touch model. On the challenges of building a business she states, "Fundraising was a wonderful learning lesson. I say that because it was filled with surprises. It was filled with decisions and outcomes that I was not expecting nor that I wanted. But it forced me to look at other ways to make money. It forced me to think outside of the box when I launched in 2014, and I was immediately successful. I was cash flow positive and prototype built! Then it was, 'let's go raise!' but I could not split my time between actively fundraising and trying to build the business. I had to focus on building to profitability as soon as possible."

Some key moments:

• Entrepreneurs should strongly consider focusing on building their brand locally first.
• Pete's gas station encounter with a Top Golf Culinary Team Manager.
• Client relations matter, creating a motivated culture.
• Sexy NYC brand that caters to high performers. JULIETTE is a brand that stands alone in the dry cleaning space.
• Price list is not the primary decision factor. The whole experience matters.
• Success is defined by personal decisions and opportunities.

A few key takeaways:

1. Rechelle emphasizes the importance of understanding the needs and demands of customers, especially in a highly competitive area like NYC. She saw an opportunity to disrupt the fragmented and antiquated market by providing a more modern, high tech, and customer-centric approach.
2. Unlike previous dry cleaning businesses that focused on scalability and centralization, Rechelle's company takes a more personalized approach. She focuses on providing high-touch, high-quality care for garments and ensuring customers receive their items back in the time promised.
3. Hiring and training the right type of people is a significant challenge for any business. Rechelle prioritizes creating a culture centered around consumer satisfaction, leading with integrity, and finding employees who embody care and attention to detail.
4. There's no "fun" in fundraising! Rechelle's business is totally self-funded and, while VC's are definitely paying attention now, one of her goals is to shed further light on the inequities that exist for women and minorities in the fundraising world.

Click here to download transcript.

Resources:

• Rechelle Balanzat: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irechelle/
• Juliette: https://www.juliette.nyc/

Connect With Us:

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

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: www.ratethispodcast.com/halotalks and don't forget to check out the HALO Academy for Executive Education opportunities.

Live from the floor of the March 2023 IHRSA Trade Show in San Diego, host Pete Moore interviews Blake Richards formerly with Nike as a Senior Data Quality Analyst, then Senior Global Membership Ops Process Coordinator and now as the Founder of Wunup.

Wunup is a one-of-a-kind app that dives into world of gamification and peer-to-peer challenges in the fitness industry. Blake shares his journey from working at Nike to creating his own company, and how the culture and innovation at Nike influenced his entrepreneurial pursuits. From linking up with Apple Health and Stripe to creating challenges and inviting friends, Blake reveals the inner workings of his fun new tool.

With regard to the challenges and accountability for fitness between friends he states, "One thing we'd focus on is accountability, and it was through friends doing different challenges. Basically we would just be using Venmo. I was gifted an Apple Watch and we were all doing these challenges competing for things like Chick-fil-A and bragging rights and we asked ourselves if there's anything else out there? It was from that point where we just kind of started."

Some key moments:

• Nike taught him about company motivation and diversity. Starting a business requires research and learning.

• Democratizing a platform for group challenges.

• Link Apple Health, Strava, etc . . .create a Stripe account, and start challenge!

• Art and science project that drives market. Embed into existing competitions for partnerships. Donation component for positive perception.

A few key takeaways:

1. Wunup allows users to wager between friends with their own money as a reward, making it unique among other fitness platforms.
2. Before starting Wunup, Blake worked at Nike for two years, where he gained valuable insights into company culture, innovation, and the importance of hiring people with diverse backgrounds. He also learned about achieving excellence and execution at the highest level.
3. Blake's desire to improve processes and tell the story of athletes led him to start his own company. He emphasizes the importance of taking the time to learn from other companies and industries before diving into entrepreneurship.
4. Blake's experience with accountability and fitness challenges among friends, using Venmo as a platform, inspired him to create Wunup as a more comprehensive and gamified fitness solution.
5. Wunnup connects to Apple Health and Stripe and allows users to create fitness challenges with their friends. Challenges can be based on activities like running, walking, cycling, swimming, or calorie tracking. Users can wager money on these challenges, adding a competitive element to their fitness goals.

Click here to download transcript.

Connect With Us:

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

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: www.ratethispodcast.com/halotalks and don't forget to check out the HALO Academy for Executive Education opportunities.

In this episode, Cale Owen of Gym Launch dives deep into strategies to help engage gym members, maximize profit, and help take business owners to the next level. Cale opens up about the challenge many gym-goers face - the reluctance to put in hard work and effort. He shares his recommendations on how to combat this and engage members by regularly reaching out to them, checking on their progress and well-being. (The simple handwritten card can be a game-changer in client retention!)

Pete and Cale go on to discuss the (extremely!) broken marketing and advertising strategies all too prevalent in the fitness industry. Owen states, "The question then becomes . . . what is the offer? And are we able to monetize on that enough to where that new client that I just signed up from this ad pays not only for themselves, the cost to acquire them, but also pays for the next person plus profit in the 1st 30 days? That's the equation we look for. Can we make a profit and pay for 2 new customers right at sign up? . . . We teach gym owners how to be able to do that."

When it comes to an effective rewards/incentive system, Cale and Pete both agree that aligning rewards with what clients truly value, rather than relying solely on cost and discounting is critical. (This is a lesson many in the industry have yet to learn, unfortunately.) It's crucial owners start thinking about marketing as an investment into their company, not a cost! Learn how to maximize profit per client and find ways to monetize beyond the all too common "race to zero" (and consequently showing lack of value for what we offer.)

Some key moments:

• Jim Launch was founded by Alex and Leila Hormozi in 2016. Initially, they did gym makeovers and later switched to a licensing model with information courses and coaching. Gym Launch now offers more services to help gym owners reach more people and make profitable businesses.
• Maximize profit by understanding customer lifetime value.
• Adjust offer and pricing based on activities.
• Reward systems must be done creatively, offering what the client values.
• Regular client outreach is essential for gym retention. Gym owners should divide members into groups and reach out at least once a week, preferably twice.
• Sending personalized handwritten cards once a month or quarterly for larger gyms is a nice touch. Knowing clients' names and making them feel recognized is crucial for a successful gym.
• Fitness is always in demand, regardless of trends.

A few key takeaways:

1. Building relationships and providing personalized support is crucial for gym owners to retain members. The speaker recommends reaching out to members regularly and sending handwritten cards to celebrate their achievements.
2. Incorporating workout recovery products and services is essential for gyms to prevent losing customers to other recovery spas and services. Pete mentions HigherDose that offers various recovery products like infrared technology, LED light masks, and PEMF mats and blankets.
3. The podcast discusses the broken model in the fitness industry and how gym owners struggle with marketing, advertising, and sales. Gym Launch offers a "done for you" system to help owners with lead generation, sales training, and client messaging.
4. Knowing your numbers and staying cash flow positive is crucial. Understanding the lifetime value of clients and spending within means can lead to scaling and continuous spending for advertising and business growth.
5. Gym owners should focus on maximizing profit per client and finding ways to monetize beyond membership fees, such as selling supplements. Additionally, implementing creative and meaningful reward systems based on what the client values can increase client retention and profitability.

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Resources: If you're not already familiar, check out Promotion Vault . . . mentioned in the podcast. We spoke with CEO, Brian Mitchell a while back.

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