Daniel Hinojosa is the visionary founder and CEO of Lift ATX, a community-driven gym in East Austin that has become a vibrant hub for fitness, inclusivity, and local camaraderie. A proud East Austinite for over two decades, Daniel opened Lift ATX in September 2020, driven by a deep desire to give back to the neighborhood that welcomed him when he arrived in the city.Originally hailing from Corpus Christi, Texas, Daniel was raised in a close-knit Hispanic household and grew up immersed in sports and community life. He moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas and quickly found his calling in education. Over the next 15–16 years, Daniel dedicated himself to supporting students most in need, serving as a tutor, mentor, counselor, coach, and eventually athletic director at East Austin schools.Recognizing the burnout many educators face, Daniel pursued his MBA to gain the business acumen required to launch a new venture—one that would continue uplifting the community differently. That vision materialized with the launch of Lift ATX on September 1, 2020.Lift ATX is far more than a fitness facility; it's a cultural landmark for East Austin. The gym offers an affordable, welcoming, and inclusive environment, anchored by a mission to promote health and advocate for community resilience amid rapid gentrification.From hosting fundraisers and networking gatherings to showcasing local artists and featuring vendors—especially women- and minority-owned businesses—Lift ATX is deeply embedded in the fabric of East Austin.An especially popular feature? The gym is dog-friendly, reinforcing its open, friendly, and accessible vibe.Daniel's leadership has been tested early on by major challenges: the impact of COVID‑19, the 2021 Texas winter storm, and the complex social dynamics of social media discourse. Yet, he remained resolute in preserving Lift ATX as a sanctuary—modifying the space to include open-air turf, extra fans, and safer layouts while leaning into social media as a platform for advocacy around health, inclusivity, and social justice.Despite these obstacles, Lift ATX has thrived—and Daniel continues to expand the physical space to match the growing community demand, all the while maintaining the familial spirit that defines the gym.

Alex Earle's path to becoming CEO of Black Swan Yoga and Onnit Gym is a testament to visionary leadership in the fitness and wellness space. With a deep-rooted passion for movement, mindfulness, and community, Alex has played a pivotal role in shaping two of Austin’s most influential fitness brands. His journey has been marked by a unique blend of strategic thinking and cultural awareness, helping both Black Swan and Onnit expand their reach while staying true to their core values. As CEO, Alex is focused on creating inclusive, empowering environments that redefine what modern fitness can look like—on and off the mat.

Larry Maloney's journey at Onnit Gym exemplifies dedication and growth within the fitness industry. He began his career at Onnit Gym in an entry-level position, focusing on client relations and daily operations. He did this while working simultaneously as the GM of another gym in Austin. Through his commitment and leadership, Larry advanced to become the Chief Operations Officer (COO). In this role, he has been instrumental in building teams that prioritize delivering exceptional fitness experiences to help Onnit gym continue to strive to be the number 1 gym in Texas.

Tara LaFerrara’s journey as a trainer began in 2013 when she realized the same drive and team spirit she thrived on as a former DI athlete could fuel her coaching. With 12+ years of experience and certifications in personal training, hypertrophy, menopause coaching, mobility, and Olympic weightlifting, she blends science-backed strength with a no-BS, compassionate approach to movement.

Enjoy this podcast as we explore her journey through the fitness world, growing her brand online, finding her niche in fitness, and ultimately launching the Broads App.

The ultimate organic pre-workout - James Benefico

James Benefico, originally from New York and a proud Austin resident since 2012, dramatically reshaped his life by shedding a 80 lbs, igniting a fervor for health and wellness.James embarked on a mission to redefine supplement industry standards after a synthetic preworkout supplement nearly resulted in a medical emergency in 2014. A catalyst for change, he pioneered the creation of the world's first USDA Organic Pre-Workout under his company, Organic Muscle. Committed to promoting clean and nutritious fitness supplements, Benefico continues to champion a healthy lifestyle and redefine industry norms.

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My Fitness business (Powered by WeStrive) interviews personal trainers and gym owners in Austin, Texas to learn how they're growing their businesses and break down the ups/downs of the fitness industry.

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Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠https://westrive.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/westriveapp

From Fitness Model to Fitness Coach - Sean Alexander

My name is Sean Alexander Hickle, a 26-year-old born and raised in Lubbock, Texas. I reside in Austin, Texas, where I am pursuing a degree in Exercise Science at the University of Texas. Fitness and studying the human body have always been my passion, and I enjoy helping individuals develop their physicality and improve their athletic performance. With seven years of experience as a professional fitness coach, I am dedicated to helping clients achieve sustainable autonomy on the path toward reaching their fitness goals.‍I obtained personal training accreditations from ACE and ISSA to enhance my knowledge and skills, further solidifying my expertise in the field. My athletic background includes tennis, competitive gymnastics, and even a stint period as a bodybuilder. Additionally, I successfully completed (i.e., survived) a marathon.To round out my athletic achievements, I was also a college cheerleader for a year at Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas (if Navarro sounds familiar, it's the same school featured in the Netflix show "Cheer").

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My Fitness business (Powered by WeStrive) interviews personal trainers and gym owners in Austin, Texas to learn how they're growing their businesses and break down the ups/downs of the fitness industry.

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Podcast: ⁠⁠https://westrive.com/podcast⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/westriveapp

IFBB PRO Couple - McKayla Mathewes & Mike Mathewes

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My Fitness business (Powered by WeStrive) interviews personal trainers and gym owners in Austin, Texas to learn how they're growing their businesses and break down the ups/downs of the fitness industry.

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Podcast: ⁠https://westrive.com/podcast⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/westriveapp

Online Strength Coach - Allison Tenney

Allison is the owner of Allison Tenney Fitness, LLC. Through strength training and fitness, Allison helps women build next-level strength, confidence, and the courage to seize their personal power.

She is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA-CSCS) and holds several other fitness credentials including: USA Weightlifting, FMS, SFG, and RKC kettlebell certifications.

Allison played Division I soccer and also coached college athletes for over 13 years where she was the assistant soccer coach and high-performance manager for the women's soccer team, before starting her own online fitness business.

Today, Allison combines her passion for movement and strength training with her commitment to social justice and aims to elevate the fitness profession and make it more inclusive for everybody and every body.

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My Fitness business (Powered by WeStrive) interviews personal trainers and gym owners in Austin, Texas to learn how they're growing their businesses and break down the ups/downs of the fitness industry.

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Podcast: https://westrive.com/podcast

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/westriveapp

Gut & Hormone Dietitian -Dasha Agoulnik

Dasha is a registered dietitian, 5x published nutrition researcher, and 2x award winning bikini athlete. She graduated from the top Nutrition graduate program in the country, Tufts University’s Friedman School. Her research and coaching focuses on optimizing metabolic and digestive health through nutrition and exercise. CorePerform has helped over 500 people (and growing) get results in just 3 months with 100% success. She recently won Friedman’s 100k Pitch competition for her patent pending protein and was welcomed into the US Food and Innovation Council with leaders in the industry like Kellogg, Campbell, Nestle and more.

Dasha founded the entrepreneurial council at UMass Amherst, won the entrepreneurship scholarship from Tufts University, and was the first masters student to write and defend a Thesis at the Friedman School of Nutrition. Her eclectic nature and talent for teaching has led her  to presenting over 50 webinars and lectures. She recently launched a GI mentorship, which took 40 practitioners through 12 weeks of intensive materials. Professional organizations such as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and NASM have accredited 20+ CEU units for mentorship and numerous companies have become sponsors. Dasha has been serving students to continue learning by hosting over 25 interns, presenting as a guest lecturer at Cornell University, and speaking to college clubs and wellness initiatives.

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My Fitness business (Powered by WeStrive) interviews personal trainers and gym owners in Austin, Texas to learn how they're growing their businesses and break down the ups/downs of the fitness industry.

---

Podcast: https://westrive.com/podcast

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/westriveapp