Sometimes people assume that franchising is a rich person's game: buy the rights, follow the manual, hope for the best. Aroha Leigh has spent her career proving that's not how it actually works.She's the Director of Global Product for Lift Brands, the group behind Snap Fitness, 9Round, Fitness On Demand and Fitstop, running fitness concepts in 18 countries. Her job is to study what makes a franchise work for the person running it day to day, not just for head office.In this episode she gets into the balancing act of keeping a global brand consistent while still leaving room for individual clubs to make their own mark, what actually separates franchisees who scale from the ones who stall, and how the Australian network's habit of piloting new ideas fast ends up shaping what other regions do too.We cover:• The "positive tension" between franchisor and franchisee, and why the strongest networks lean into it instead of avoiding it• What actually separates franchisees who scale from the ones who stall• The biggest misconception people have when they buy into a franchise for the first time• The unexpected friend Aroha found waiting at reception in one of the European clubsLinksAroha's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aroha-leigh-cfe-023b86108/Lift Brands: https://www.liftbrands.com/Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/mate-spot-me/id1825744433Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7bPjITT99fBLQ0DbyxhheVInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/matespotme/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mate-spot-me/#Fitness #FitnessPodcast #FitnessIndustry #MateSpotMe #NovoFit

By the time you finish this episode, you'll probably feel a bit guilty about skipping your last training session. That's the effect Bart Walsh tends to have.

Eighteen months ago, Bart sat down with us for our very episode of the pod. This week he's back, and he's brought a different life with him. Since then he's walked away from his job as Head of Fitness at Jetts to bet everything on himself as a full-time motivational speaker, touring boardrooms, factory floors and conference stages across the country.

This episode is a moving conversation about grief, gratitude and building a life around serving others.

We cover:

- Turning grief and hardship into a mission bigger than yourself

- Taking risks to chase bigger and better things- Gratitude as the thing that actually makes you push harder, not just feel nice

- The 30-second video that hit 2.7 million views and had strangers around the world running in Bart's honour

- Where our industry is heading next: hyper-personalisation, wearable data and community driven fitness

Links

Bart's Website: https://bartwalsh.com.au/

Bart's Viral Post: https://www.instagram.com/p/Db2kkYaB2-X/

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/mate-spot-me/id1825744433

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MateSpotMe

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matespotme/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mate-spot-me/

#Fitness #FitnessPodcast #FitnessIndustry #MateSpotMe #NovoFit

In this week's episode, we sit down with Nikki Van Hees, a multi-site gym owner from the Netherlands, to talk about how her family's gym, Piazza Sports, fought off a budget franchise that opened across the road - not by cutting price, but by going all out on technology.Nikki walks us through building a member journey around EGYM, why data changed how they train and retain people, and what it took to get members on board with a completely new training experience. We also get into why she opened one of the first Pilates reformer studios in the Netherlands, and what Europe and Australia can each learn from the other.We cover:- Competing with a budget gym without racing to the bottom on price- Building a tech-driven member journey with EGYM- Getting buy-in from staff and members- How Europe and Australia are learning from each other on wellness, recovery and boutique fitnessCatch ya on the next one mates.Nikki's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-van-hees-5191aa226/Piazza Sports: https://www.piazzasports.nl/en/Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/mate-spot-me/id1825744433Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7bPjITT99fBLQ0DbyxhheVInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/matespotme/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mate-spot-me/#Podcast #FitnessPodcast #FitnessIndustry #Podcast #Australia

In this week's episode, we sit down with Adam Lewit, founder of NovoFit, to hear how a $80,000 loan and a lot of nerve turned into one of Australia's leading commercial fitness distributors.

Adam takes us back to the early days of Summit Fitness, the leap into commercial distribution through Sports Art, and the high-stakes bet on Precor that nearly broke the business before it made it. It's a conversation about risk, relationships and what it actually takes to earn the trust of global manufacturers.

We cover:

- The jump from home fitness retail to commercial distribution

- What global brands actually look for when choosing a distributor

- Building trust through relationships, not just contracts

- Where the fitness industry is heading, from AI to the shift toward wellness

Whether you're building a brand, managing supplier relationships or just want to hear what it takes to bring the world's best fitness equipment into the Australian market, Adam brings two decades of hard-earned lessons and a few good stories along the way.

See you next time spotters.

Adam's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-lewit-28319316/

NovoFit: https://novofit.com.au/

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/mate-spot-me/id1825744433

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7bPjITT99fBLQ0DbyxhheV

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MateSpotMe

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matespotme/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mate-spot-me/

#Podcast #FitnessPodcast #FitnessIndustry #Podcast #Australia

In this episode of Mate, Spot Me, we sit down with Kalen Coughlan, Head of Fitness Operations at Revo Fitness, to unpack what it takes to build and scale one of Australia's fastest-growing gym brands.

We dive into how Revo has stayed ahead of changing member expectations, why getting the basics right still wins, and how constant evolution has helped them grow to more than 70 clubs nationwide.

We cover:

- How Revo uses member feedback to shape every club

- Why getting the fundamentals right beats chasing every trend

- Lessons from opening clubs at an incredible pace across Australia

- Building a strong team culture while scaling rapidly

- The role branding, community and partnerships play in long-term growth

Whether you're opening your first facility, expanding your network, or simply interested in what makes a high-performing gym business tick, Kalen hits us with plenty of practical insights from someone who's helped shape one of Australia's biggest gym success stories.

See you next time mates.

Kalen's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kalen-coughlan-a0a626177/

Apple Podcasts: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/mate-spot-me/id1825744433

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MateSpotMe

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matespotme/

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/mate-spot-me/

In our 10th episode of the pod, we sit down with Anna Davies, Founder of Refined Wellness, to unpack how wellness is shifting from a premium add-on to an expected part of the fitness experience.We get into what it actually takes to commercialise wellness inside a gym environment, from understanding your member to building an offering that fits.We also explore how different markets are approaching wellness, why Australia is still finding its feet, and what operators can learn from global leaders across Europe, the US, and the Middle East.We cover:

• Why member demographic should drive every wellness decision
• The shift from one-off sessions to integrated membership tiers
• How flow and layout impact the entire user experience
• The difference between recovery, longevity, and performance-led offerings
• Why perceived value in wellness is outpacing traditional gym models
• Global trends shaping the future of fitness and wellness

If you’re trying to work out where wellness fits in your facility, this is a practical look at what’s working, what’s not, and where things are heading.Catch ya on the next one.Apple Podcasts: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast...YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MateSpotMe

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/110233219 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matespotme/

In this episode, we sit down with Ed Morrison, Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand at CrossFit, to unpack what continues to make CrossFit relevant in an increasingly competitive fitness landscape.

We explore the affiliate model, the balance between methodology and flexibility, and the realities of running a CrossFit business today.

We also get into the evolution of CrossFit globally and locally, how the brand has matured over time, and the ongoing challenge of separating the sport from the everyday gym experience.

We cover:

• Why service quality outweighs marketing and branding
• The role of methodology in building successful affiliates
• Retention, community, and long-term member value
• Navigating trends without losing your core offering
• The difference between CrossFit as a sport vs a training model

Catch you next time mates.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/mate-spot-me/id1825744433
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7bPjITT99fBLQ0DbyxhheV
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mate-spot-me/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matespotme/

In this episode, we're bringing the pod back in-house with a chat between our esteemed hosts Barry and Jerram. They’re in the hot seat for this one, answering the questions and reflecting on their years running gyms, coaching, and building fitness businesses, unpacking the lessons that shaped how they think about the industry today.

We also get into the trends that are front of mind for 2026 - how community‑based events and competition are taking off, the role of wellness and recovery in gym spaces, how strength‑focused training is sticking around, and what tech and innovation might actually look like in Aussie gyms this year.

We cover:

- Personal stories from starting out in gyms, PT, and club management

- Lessons learned from transitioning from operators to industry leaders

- How to stay grounded while growing a business and team

- Reflections on trends, training philosophies, and fitness education

- Insights on balancing life, fitness, and the high-pressure world of leadership

That’s it from us, see you on the next episode.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/mate-spot-me/id1825744433

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7bPjITT99fBLQ0DbyxhheV

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mate-spot-me/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matespotme/

In our first episode of 2026, we’re joined by Fiona Kiaris from YMCA Victoria. Fiona is a trained mindfulness facilitator and a fitness industry leader who’s spent years helping teams and communities move from constant distraction to genuine connection. We talk about why mindfulness has become more relevant than ever, what it looks like in real life (not just meditation apps and buzzwords), and how leaders and facilities can create environments where people feel calmer, clearer, and more purposeful at work and in training. Key moments we unpack: • Why modern life is making us more distracted, more burnt out, and less present• What mindfulness really means• How mindfulness supports emotional intelligence, empathy, and better leadership behaviours • The trap of “transactional mindfulness” and why consistency matters more than intensity • Practical, simple tools you can use immediately, including Fiona’s STOP method• How gyms can support wellbeing without needing to run a full mindfulness program Together, these ideas point to practical ways mindfulness can benefit us as individuals, our teams, and the environments and culture we create.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/mate-spot-me/id1825744433Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7bPjITT99fBLQ0DbyxhheVFiona’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fiona-kriaris-733131146NovoFit LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/novofitausNovoFit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/novofitausNovoFit Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NovoFitAus

In this episode, we sit down with the great Geoff Lord, founder, chairman, and CEO of the Belgravia Group - and one of Australia’s most influential business leaders driving impact in fitness, leisure, and community.

With his trademark no-nonsense approach, Geoff brings clarity, humour, and hard-earned lessons on leadership and growth. We'd also like to congratulate Geoff on being awarded the 2025 Beyond Activ APAC Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising his lifelong dedication to the health, fitness, and wellness industries, and his mission to positively influence the lives of one million Aussie kids.

We cover:

- Leadership lessons from decades of growing teams, businesses, and culture

- The importance of backing yourself in- The strength of building incrementally instead of chasing big bets too soon

- Making decisions through the lens of effectiveness (doing the right things) and efficiency (doing things right)

- How Belgravia Group’s diverse businesses work together toward a common purpose

Whether you're running a gym, leading a team, or building a business, Geoff’s insights provide a grounded playbook for scaling with purpose. There are some true gems of wisdom in this episode you won't want to miss!

Belgravia Group: https://belgraviagroup.com.au/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/novofitaus/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/novofitaus/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NovoFitAus