Today on The Casey Adams Show, Casey sits down with Troy Taylor, VP of Performance Innovation at Tonal, to explore the intersection of technology, strength training, and human performance. Troy shares his journey from high-performance coaching to leading innovation at Tonal, offering insights into how the company is redefining at-home fitness. They discuss the rise of AI in training, the impact of COVID-19 on the fitness industry, and why recovery routines are just as important as workouts. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of fitness and performance.

Learn more about Tonal: https://www.tonal.com/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to High Performance Training

02:59 The Evolution of Tonal and Its Unique Features

05:53 Troy Taylor's Journey in High Performance Coaching

08:58 Lessons from Olympic Athletes and Their Resilience

12:01 Joining Tonal: Navigating Hyper-Growth During a Pandemic

15:11 Integrating Human Performance Science into Training Programs

18:09 Innovations in Tonal: The Impact of Data and Research

20:53 The Launch of Tonal 2 and New Features

24:01 Exploring the New Aero Mode for Cardiovascular Training

26:11 Innovative Movement Patterns in Cardio Training

27:52 The Future of AI in Fitness

33:01 Creating the Ideal Home Gym Environment

36:29 Daily Performance and Workout Routines

39:03 Daily Rituals and Recovery Modalities

42:09 The Future of Tonal and Strength Training Awareness

On this episode of The Casey Adams Show, Alyse Borkan, co-founder of Rocco—the viral drinks fridge that won Domino's Groundbreaking Product of 2024—shares how she’s redefining the beverage industry. With a background in scaling high-growth consumer brands like Our Place, Coterie, and Billie (acquired by Edgewell), Alyse brings deep expertise in brand-building, creative marketing, and product launches. She discusses the challenges of launching a hardware product, the power of strategic brand partnerships, and how Rocco is designed to seamlessly blend into any space while enhancing social experiences.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Rocko and Elise Borkan

03:05 The Design Philosophy Behind Rocko

06:01 The Beverage Landscape and Consumer Trends

09:06 Innovative Partnerships with Beverage Brands

11:56 Challenges in Hardware Development

14:58 The Iterative Design Process

18:08 Elise's Journey into Business and Marketing

23:40 From Journalism to Startups

25:03 Building Brands at Casper and Billie

28:05 Creating a Unique Brand Perspective

31:01 Marketing Tactics for Early Stage Brands

32:30 The Power of Limited Inventory

35:22 White Glove Delivery Experience

37:34 Evolving Brand Mission and Perspective

39:30 Innovative Features of the Rocco Fridge

41:40 Future Vision for Rocco

43:00 Advice to My Younger Self

Today on The Casey Adams Show, I sit down with Brandon Sawalich, President and CEO of Starkey, the #1 hearing aid company in the U.S. With over 5,000 employees across 29 countries, Starkey is leading the way in hearing innovation by integrating AI, sensors, and health and wellness technology into their products, transforming hearing aids into high-tech health devices.

Brandon has spent 30 years in the hearing industry, working across multiple areas of the company before becoming CEO in 2020. His forward-thinking leadership and commitment to continuous innovation have helped Starkey maintain its reputation for groundbreaking products and expand its market dominance. Under his leadership, Starkey has set the standard for the best sound quality and advanced technology available.

In this episode, we dive into the business of Starkey through Brandon’s journey—how he helped scale the company, drive strategic direction, and shape the future of hearing technology. We also discuss the importance of hearing health, the role of artificial intelligence in hearing aids, and what’s next for the industry.

Brandon has also served as Chairman of the Board for the Hearing Industries Association, working with government leaders to expand hearing aid accessibility. He is a member of the George W. Bush Presidential Center’s Executive Advisory Council and was named ‘Executive of the Year’ in the 2023 Excellence in Customer Service Awards.

Tune in for an insightful conversation on leadership, innovation, and how technology is shaping the future of hearing health.

Learn more about Starkey

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In this episode, Casey Adams interviews Jesse Tinsley, founder of Employer.com, to explore his journey in the recruiting industry and his expertise in mergers and acquisitions. They discuss Jesse’s strategic approach to high-profile deals, including TikTok’s U.S. bid and the acquisition of Bench, and dive into the power of premium domains, creative deal structuring, and the impact of AI on business. Jesse shares insights on building a founder-friendly reputation, the importance of speed in acquisitions, and his customer-centric philosophy.

00:00 Introduction to Jesse Tinsley and Employer.com
01:50 Jesse’s journey in recruiting and entrepreneurship
04:43 Inside the TikTok acquisition opportunity
10:11 Navigating political challenges in M&A
13:10 The transition to strategic acquisitions
16:33 Why domains matter in business success
22:57 Creative strategies for domain acquisitions
27:22 Bench acquisition: lessons and future plans
29:31 Speed as a competitive edge in acquisitions
32:24 How to operationalize successful acquisitions
34:18 Building relationships to drive inbound deals
37:07 Developing a strategic mindset for major acquisitions
40:37 Advice for founders on crafting M&A strategies
46:42 How AI is transforming business and acquisitions
50:17 Jesse’s vision for the future and staying customer-centric

In this episode of The Casey Adams Show, John Hecker, founder and CEO of Merch Bar, shares his journey from the music industry to building a technology company focused on merchandise. He discusses the challenges and successes of signing artists like Avril Lavigne, the impact of streaming on the music business, and the role of AI in music creation. He also delves into the importance of fan engagement, the crowdfunding campaign with Republic.com, and offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Learn more about Merch Bar: https://www.merchbar.com/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Merch Bar and John Hecker

02:29 John Hecker's Journey into the Music Business

04:52 The Story Behind Signing Avril Lavigne

10:59 Transitioning from Music to Technology

17:55 The Impact of AI on the Music Industry

21:19 Understanding Merch Bar and Merchagogo

24:20 Exploring Equity Crowdfunding with Republic

29:56 The Evolution of Music and Fan Engagement

37:31 Entrepreneurial Mindset and Personal Growth

42:31 Future Visions: Community and Engagement in Merchandising

46:23 Purpose and What Keeps Us Up at Night

In this episode of The Casey Adams Show, Mesh Gelman, Founder and CEO of Cumulus Coffee, takes us on the inspiring journey behind his revolutionary cold coffee machine. Mesh shares how he identified a gap in the market for high-quality cold coffee at home and developed a cutting-edge nitro cold brew experience. He opens up about his entrepreneurial background, a pivotal meeting with Starbucks legend Howard Schultz, and the role of storytelling in building a brand. Meche also delves into the challenges of fundraising, launching a new product, and fostering deep connections with customers. Join us for a masterclass in innovation, resilience, and the future of coffee.

🎉 Exclusive Offer: Use code "CASEY" for $100 off your Cumulus Coffee machine! Shop now!

Chapters:

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In this conversation, Casey Adams interviews Dr. Jonathan Leary, the founder & CEO of Remedy Place, a pioneering social wellness club. They discuss the unique concept of Remedy Place, which combines self-care with social experiences, and Jonathan's journey from medical school to entrepreneurship. The conversation delves into the importance of a comprehensive business plan, the rise of ice baths and cold therapy, and the recent partnership with Kohler to create a signature ice bath product. They also explore fundraising strategies and the significance of experiential events in building the Remedy brand. In this conversation, Jonathan discusses the evolution of Remedy, emphasizing the importance of social experiences in health and wellness. The discussion underscores the need for awareness and education in health practices, encouraging listeners to take ownership of their well-being.

00:00 Introduction to Remedy Place

02:56 The Concept of a Social Wellness Club

05:58 The Journey to Creating Remedy Place

08:48 The Importance of a Comprehensive Business Plan

12:08 The Rise of Ice Baths and Cold Therapy

15:03 Partnership with Kohler and Product Launch

17:58 Fundraising and Business Growth Strategies

21:01 Experiential Events and Brand Activations

26:38 Experiential Venues and Social Health

29:15 Expansion in New York: The Need for More Space

30:53 Functional Medicine: Understanding Health Beyond the Surface

36:44 The Importance of Data in Health Management

40:27 Preventing Surgery: A Holistic Approach to Health

47:38 Daily and Weekly Remedies: A Personal Insight

Learn more about Remedy Place: https://www.remedyplace.com/

In this conversation, Casey Adams interviews Pramod Sharma, the founder and CEO of Napkin AI, discussing his entrepreneurial journey from Osmo to Napkin AI. Pramod shares insights on the importance of graphics in communication, the challenges of building a startup, and the significance of user feedback in product development. He emphasizes the need for conviction in pursuing ideas, the lessons learned from the acquisition of Osmo, and the evolving landscape of AI technology. The discussion also touches on the dynamics of raising capital and the value of small, agile teams in driving innovation.

Learn more: www.napkin.ai

00:00 Introduction to Napkin AI

03:07 The Genesis of Napkin AI

05:56 Pramod's Journey: From Google to Osmo

09:08 The Conviction to Start Osmo

12:01 Early Influences and Passion for Physics

14:54 The Move to the U.S. and College Experience

17:47 Osmo's Growth and Acquisition

21:04 Lessons Learned from Building Osmo

23:59 Fundraising Insights and Building a Product People Love

26:24 The Importance of Finding Champions for Your Idea

28:17 The Story Behind the Name 'Napkin'

31:51 User-Driven Development: Lessons from Launching Napkin

36:34 The Power of Small Teams in Startup Success

39:15 AI's Role in Personal Efficiency and Creativity

42:24 Looking Ahead: The Future of Visual Quality in Graphics

44:30 Personal Growth Through Startup Challenges

Hamza Alsamraee is an entrepreneur and math enthusiast, currently the Co-Founder and CEO of NewForm AI, where he develops distribution strategies for clients like Western Union and Acorns. Previously, he was the Co-Founder and Head of Growth at Faves, a Lightspeed-backed startup. Hamza is also a content creator, known for his popular Instagram account Daily Math, which gained over 200k followers and 100 million views. He authored two math books: "Advanced Calculus Explored" and "Paradoxes," published at ages 16 and 18, respectively. A Stanford graduate in Mathematics and Management Science & Engineering, Hamza is originally from Baghdad, Iraq. Join us on The Casey Adams Show as we explore his insights on entrepreneurship, AI, and the intersection of technology and creativity.

Learn more about NewForm AI: https://newform.ai

Learn more about Casey Adams: https://www.caseyadams.com

On this episode of The Casey Adams Show, I sat down with Anthony Katz, the visionary founder and CEO of Hyperice, who is on a mission to build what he calls the "Nike of recovery." Anthony’s journey is one of relentless perseverance and innovation. From being a high school history teacher and basketball coach to building a $700 million company, Anthony has revolutionized the recovery technology space with game-changing products like the Hypervolt massage gun, which led Hyperice to generate over $100 million in revenue in 2018.

Anthony's entrepreneurial story started with a simple yet impactful idea—creating a better way to ice muscles using wetsuit scraps and ice packs. His innovation caught the attention of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, who encouraged Anthony to refine the product. With Bryant's feedback, Katz pushed forward, eventually securing investments from elite athletes like LeBron James, Chris Paul, and Naomi Osaka. Today, Hyperice products are used by top athletes worldwide, from NBA stars to weekend warriors, making Anthony Katz a key player in the sports recovery industry.

Learn more about Hyperice: https://hyperice.com/

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