The Drop In CEO

In this episode, Deb Coviello sits down with Shaun Grove, CEO of Stride Fitness and seasoned fitness franchising executive. Shaun's career path is anything but conventional — from playing college and professional football, to practicing law, to becoming an FBI agent, to scaling Club Pilates from 11 locations to 150+ under Exponential Fitness. He shares what it really takes to build a franchise system that lasts, why the "grow fast or die slow" mindset can be dangerous, and why he believes the future of fitness lies at the intersection of cardio, strength training, and recovery — all under one roof. Whether you're a C-suite leader, an aspiring entrepreneur, or a fitness enthusiast, this episode is packed with hard-won wisdom about leadership, systems, and building something that truly scales.

 For more information, go to: stridefitnessfranchising.com

Episode Highlights:

9:01 — Acquiring Stride Fitness and Leading Through a Messy Transition

Shaun describes how he took over Stride Fitness, which had 17 struggling locations, and gave franchisees a transparent choice: evolve, go independent, or exit. His willingness to help owners on their terms — working with landlords and lenders — set the tone for the kind of leader he is and the culture he was building.

11:47 — Why a Law Degree Makes You a Better Leader (In Any Field)

Shaun reflects on how the critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills developed in law school have been invaluable across every role he's held — from litigator to FBI agent to franchise CEO. A reminder that foundational skills transfer far beyond the career path you started on.

17:58 — The Biggest Lesson in Franchising: You're in the Royalty Business

Shaun delivers one of the most important insights in franchising: your success as a franchisor is entirely tied to the success of your franchisees. Selling territories is not the goal — getting those locations open, profitable, and sustainable is. This mindset shift is what helped Club Pilates grow responsibly and predictably.

25:38 — The Future of Fitness: Cardio + Strength + Recovery in One Place

Shaun explains the vision behind the redesigned Stride Fitness model — a 2,000–2,800 sq ft boutique studio blending cardio, strength training, and recovery (massage chairs, compression therapy, red light therapy, and myofascial release) into a single membership. He argues that strength training is the missing piece in most fitness routines, especially for longevity.

Shaun Grove is the CEO of STRIDE Fitness, a boutique studio concept blending cardio, strength, and recovery under one roof. A former attorney and FBI agent turned fitness franchising executive, Shaun previously served as President of Club Pilates — growing it from 11 locations to 700+ worldwide — before acquiring and redesigning STRIDE with a bold new vision for the future of fitness. 

Connect with Shaun:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/stride-franchise
https://www.instagram.com/stridefitness_huntingtonbeach/

For more information about my services or if you just want to connect and have a chat, reach out at: https://dropinceo.com/contact/

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In this episode, Deb Coviello sits down with Hall of Fame speaker, award-winning author, and business strategist Meridith Elliot Powell to explore one of the biggest challenges facing C-Suite leaders today: uncertainty. Meridith shares her research-backed, three-step formula for surviving disruption and leveraging it as a competitive advantage. From adapting your perspective to listening deeply to your customers and committing to process, this conversation is packed with actionable strategies for any leader navigating a turbulent marketplace.

Episode Highlights:

• 2:44 — Meridith shares her origin story and why she became obsessed with uncertainty: how 2016 sparked her research into companies that thrived through the Great Depression, World Wars, and other disruptions — and the three-step formula she developed from that work.
• 9:03 — The three-step formula revealed: (1) Adapt your perspective so uncertainty leads to opportunity, (2) Focus on people by mastering the skill of listening to your team, customers, and network, and (3) Commit to process by leading your team for tomorrow, not just today.
• 20:02 — Meridith's powerful "seeds, weeds, and needs" quarterly review tool: a simple three-question exercise to help leaders identify what's working, what's wasting time, and what's missing — so they can focus energy on what truly moves the needle.

Meridith Elliot Powell is a Hall of Fame and million-dollar speaker, award-winning author, and former C-Suite executive with more than 25 years of business leadership experience across manufacturing, finance, healthcare, and travel and tourism. After studying organizations that grew through history's greatest economic disruptions — from the Great Depression to the 2008 financial crisis — she developed a proven formula to help leaders and organizations turn uncertainty into opportunity.  

Connect with Meridith:

https://www.facebook.com/MeridithElliotPowell/
https://www.youtube.com/user/meridithepowell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/meridithelliottpowell
https://www.instagram.com/powellmeridithelliott/
https://x.com/meridithpowell

For more information about my services or if you just want to connect and have a chat, reach out at: https://dropinceo.com/contact/

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In this episode of the Drop in CEO podcast, host Deb Coviello welcomes Joe Bockerstette, Managing Partner at Business Enterprise Mapping. Joe shares his journey from engineering to consulting, angel investing, and leading transformative workflow improvements for organizations. Together, they discuss the realities of process management, the challenges of change leadership, and practical advice for business leaders seeking sustainable growth and peace of mind.

Episode Highlights:

• [1:00] Joe Barker’s career journey: from engineering to consulting and angel investing
• [9:00] The realities and risks of angel investing for entrepreneurs and investors
• [17:00] Mapping business processes: identifying “red clouds” and driving organizational change
• [24:30] Real-world example: Transforming a marketing firm’s operations and achieving peace of mind

Joe Bockerstette is the Managing Partner of Business Enterprise Mapping in Phoenix AZ., a professional services firm delivering transformative workflow improvement. He has more than 30 years’ experience as a CEO, business consultant, and private equity/angel investor. Joe was previously a Consulting Partner with PwC, co-founded a private equity firm, Equity Management Group and was the first Managing Partner of the Main Street Venture Fund, an angel pledge fund in Indiana. Joe holds a BS degree in Engineering from the University of Cincinnati, and an MBA from Xavier University. He has served as a director on a variety of public, private, and non-profit boards and has co-authored three books, Attracting an Angel, How to Get Money from Business Angels and Why Most Entrepreneurs Don't, Time Based Manufacturing and Red Cloud Road, How Strategic Process Management Drives Competitive Advantage.

Company Website: www.businessmapping.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-bockerstette-86875a17

For more information about my services or if you just want to connect and have a chat, reach out at: https://dropinceo.com/contact/

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In this episode of the Drop in CEO podcast, host Deb Coviello welcomes Terry Blachek, an accomplished entrepreneur and franchise leader with over 35 years of experience in the health, fitness, and consumer lifestyle sectors. Terry shares his journey from humble beginnings to scaling major fitness brands like Orange Theory Fitness, discusses the importance of clarity, business models, and mindset, and offers actionable advice for leaders looking to grow and sustain their businesses.

Episode Highlights:

• 2:22 — Terry’s entrepreneurial roots and early career in fitness and business
• 6:18 — The founding and explosive growth of Orange Theory Fitness
• 10:25 — The power of clarity, communication, and solving the right problem in business
• 19:36 — Mindset, overcoming adversity, and building a personal advisory board

Terry Blachek is an accomplished entrepreneur, speaker, and franchise leader with over 35 years in health, fitness, and lifestyle industries. As Managing Director at Franvest Capital Partners, he scales high-growth brands, including The Dog Stop. A founding partner of Orangetheory Fitness, he built Austin Fitness Group into 130+ studios and earned induction into the Orangetheory Hall of Fame. A recognized industry voice, he’s spoken at IHRSA, Disney Institute, and hosts the Tuesday with Terry podcast. Formerly an executive at Crunch, Lifestyle Family Fitness, and The Fitness Company, Terry continues to inspire leaders with his proven expertise in growth, culture, and performance.

Company Website: https://franvest.ca/our-team/

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-blachek-78431a174/

For more information about my services or if you just want to connect and have a chat, reach out at: https://dropinceo.com/contact/

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In this episode of the Drop in CEO podcast, Deb Coviello welcomes back Todd Wilkowski, a seasoned fractional general counsel and trusted advisor to family-owned and closely held businesses. Together, they explore the evolution of the fractional executive model, the importance of building relationships over transactions, and how proactive legal and business strategies can empower small and medium-sized businesses. Todd shares personal stories, the VROOM framework, and insights on collaboration, risk, and the future of work in the age of AI.

Episode Highlights:

1. 02:00 – Todd shares his unique background, from Air Force officer to trusted legal advisor, and the value of diverse experiences.
2. 21:00 – The rise of the fractional executive model: why relationships, not transactions, are the future for business advisors.
3. 33:00 – Introducing the VROOM framework: Value, Relationship, Resources, Responsiveness, Relevancy, and Measurability for client success.
4. 45:30 – Embracing AI and collaboration: how technology and human connection are shaping the next era of business leadership.

Todd is a trusted advisor and outside general counsel for private, closely held, and family-owned businesses. A former Air Force officer and experienced construction law attorney, he brings a unique perspective to risk management, compliance, and strategy. Before joining Frost Brown Todd, he spent seven years as General Counsel for Baker Concrete Construction, overseeing all legal and enterprise risk functions. Todd provides practical, strategic counsel on contracts, disputes, HR, and governance, helping companies strengthen operations and seize growth opportunities. His proactive, business-minded approach helps clients manage risk, plan for succession, and position their organizations for long-term success.

Company Website: https://frostbrowntodd.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-wilkowski-8802286/

For more information about my services or if you just want to connect and have a chat, reach out at: https://dropinceo.com/contact/

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In this episode of the Drop in CEO podcast, Deb Coviello explores the pitfalls of short-term thinking among CEOs and introduces the concept of fractional leadership as a solution for sustainable success. Deb shares personal stories, client experiences, and practical questions to help leaders move from crisis management to strategic, balanced leadership.

Episode Highlights:

• [0:24] Introduction: The CEO Trap – Why Chasing Results Isn’t Sustainable
• [3:14] The Power of Fractional Leadership and Coaching
• [6:44] Key Questions for Leaders: Moving from Reactivity to Strategy
• [15:10] Resources and Next Steps: Mini Courses and Coaching Offers

For more information about my services or if you just want to connect and have a chat, reach out at: https://dropinceo.com/contact/

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In this episode of the Drop in CEO podcast, host Deb Coviello welcomes serial entrepreneur and author Elle George. Together, they explore the critical lessons of business partnerships, the importance of alignment, and how to recover and thrive after setbacks. Elle shares insights from her new book, "Before You Shake Hands," offering practical advice for leaders navigating complex relationships.

Episode Highlights:

• [1:05] Elle George introduces herself, her entrepreneurial journey in Bali, and the inspiration behind her book.
• [4:40] Elle discusses overcoming a failed partnership, rebuilding confidence, and launching multiple businesses.
• [17:00] The importance of alignment, red flags in business relationships, and the critical questions to ask before partnering.
• [32:40] Strategies for handling toxic partnerships, keeping records, and maintaining personal equilibrium as a leader.

Elle George is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and disruptor based in Bali, Indonesia. With over 15 years of experience, Elle has founded and operated multiple businesses across nutrition, hospitality, manufacturing, and wellness. Her latest book, "Before You Shake Hands," is a practical toolkit for navigating business partnerships, drawing on her own hard-earned lessons in alignment, resilience, and leadership.

For more information about my services or if you just want to connect and have a chat, reach out at: https://dropinceo.com/contact/

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In this episode of the Drop in CEO Podcast, Deb Coviello explores what it truly means to be a CEO, emphasizing that leadership is about value and impact, not just titles. Through personal stories and actionable advice, Deb encourages listeners to recognize their own gifts, shift their mindset, and take steps toward leaving a legacy in their organizations.

Episode Highlights:

• 01:00 — Introduction: What does it mean to be a CEO?
• 01:39 — Personal story: Learning from failure and embracing outcomes
• 03:20 — The real value of leadership beyond titles
• 12:11 — Actionable steps: Vision, values, and your 30-60-90 day plan

For more information about my services or if you just want to connect and have a chat, reach out at: https://dropinceo.com/contact/

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In this episode of the Drop In CEO Podcast, Deb Coviello explores the power of fractional leadership for businesses facing crisis or transformation. She shares practical strategies for leveraging outside expertise, discusses the value of upskilling through curated audio mini-courses, and offers actionable steps for leaders to assess and fill skill gaps within their teams.  

Episode Highlights

• Introduction to Fractional Leadership [2:00]
  Deb introduces the concept of fractional leaders as a secret weapon for navigating business crises and explains her role as the Drop In CEO.

• Why Leaders Wait Too Long to Ask for Help [2:18]
  Discussion on the pitfalls of pride, the importance of timely support, and how fractional leaders can fill critical gaps.

• Real-World Success Story [7:29]
  Deb shares a client case study on using fractional leadership to achieve food safety certification and organizational growth.
• Actionable Steps for Leaders [11:13]
  Step-by-step guide for assessing team skills, identifying gaps, and deciding when to bring in fractional expertise.

For more information about my services or if you just want to connect and have a chat, reach out at: https://dropinceo.com/contact/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Drop In CEO Podcast, host Deb Coviello explores how C-Suite leaders can successfully navigate constant change. Deb shares actionable strategies, real client stories, and a practical playbook to help leaders adapt, communicate, and sustain change in their organizations.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:00 — Introduction: The importance of adapting to change as a leader
• 02:13 — The four pillars of managing change: What, Why, Who, and How
• 08:54 — Real client story: Building high-performance teams through effective change management
• 15:41 — Actionable playbook: How to practice and sustain change in your organization

For more information about my services or if you just want to connect and have a chat, reach out at: https://dropinceo.com/contact/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.