The PushPress Podcast

What’s the secret to making smarter business decisions? Hint: It starts with understanding your customers.

In this episode of the PushPress Podcast, Dan sits down with Jason Fernandez of "Best Hour of Their Day" to explore how customer feedback can drive meaningful change in any business (not just gyms).

From creating specific, actionable surveys to implementing attribute mapping, Jason discusses how gym owners and entrepreneurs can allocate resources wisely, balance innovation, and focus on what truly matters to their customers.

Curious about what you're wasting time on and what your clients actually value? Listen now to figure out how to get the information you need to make better decisions for your fitness business.

And when you’ve started getting the feedback, shoot us an email: we want to know what you learn from your members.

Timestamps:

[00:44] The Lost Art of Customer Feedback

[03:18] The Importance of Specific Questions

[06:22] Creating Effective Surveys

[08:24] Attribute Mapping for Business Success

[17:09] Effective Onboarding Strategies

[20:45] Customer Feedback Drives Business Decisions

[23:53] Balancing Innovation and Core Competencies

Are you truly working on your business, or are you getting caught up in the day-to-day grind?

In this episode of the PushPress Podcast, Dan Uyemura and Nick Reyes break down what it really means to level up your gym operations by working smarter, not harder. They share strategies for leveraging your time, mastering calendar management, setting clear goals, coaching your team effectively, and building systems and processes to create lasting impact. Plus, they emphasize the importance of carving out “forest time” to see the bigger picture and focus on long-term growth.

From refining your financial strategy to tackling uncomfortable but necessary tasks, this episode is focused on helping you take control of your business, including:

[3:12] Why calendar management is your secret weapon

[7:03] Effective goal-setting for gym owners

[10:08] Coaching your team vs. doing the work yourself

[12:43] The power of financial literacy and strategy

[16:01] Building sustainable systems and processes

Hit play and discover the steps you can take to replace overwhelm with efficiency and intentional growth. Then, take a walk, spend that time thinking about your business, and then don't forget to tell us: what mind-blowing idea did you have during that “forest time”? Email us at [email protected].

Understanding these five psychological principles could change the way you coach forever.

On this episode of the PushPress Podcast, Dan Uyemura and Nick Reyes break down the key psychological triggers that every fitness coach should know to create meaningful connections and drive real results for their clients. From the power of ego to the peak-end rule, reciprocity, social proof, and the complexities of cognitive dissonance, you’ll learn how to ethically leverage human behavior to create deeper trust and engagement in your gym.

Don't just coach your clients physically; connect with them mentally.

Hit play, start reshaping your coaching approach today, and then let us know: is there a certain area of psychology that you find most fascinating?

Timestamps:

[0:21] Ethical considerations around using psychological tools

[1:25] How understanding ego can transform client engagement

[6:51] Giving without expectations builds trust

[9:33] Use the peak-end rule to create unforgettable client experiences

[14:46] The power of sharing authentic success stories

[18:00] Cognitive dissonance and how alignment drives behavior change

In this episode, Dan and Nick explore some of the biggest marketing trends for 2025, including why humanizing your message beats robotic perfection, how AI is reshaping SEO, and why partnerships will be indispensable for small businesses in challenging economic climates.

The guys also break down how you can actively and easily market your gym, like telling authentic stories, mapping your marketing to the buyer’s funnel, and leveraging partnerships to save costs and expand your reach.

Forget about flashy trends that burn out quickly. This episode is all about staying adaptable, relevant, and real in your marketing.

Got thoughts about this episode or marketing in general? Drop us a line at ⁠[email protected]⁠.

Timestamps:

[03:00] Why human beats perfect in the age of AI

[08:32] The power of authentic storytelling

[10:35] Funnel not megaphone strategy for content

[12:52] Using content to test your marketing ideas

[14:57] How AI is changing SEO forever

[20:11] Leveraging local partnerships for success

If the word "sales" makes you cringe, this episode is for you. Dan & Nick break down why sales is essential for your gym’s success and how to approach it with authenticity. They share why sales is not just another task, but the first act of coaching for every client who walks through your door.

Learn practical tips like using “battle cards” to personalize consults, following up meaningfully with leads, and the importance of disqualifying prospects who aren’t the right fit for your gym. They also discuss why speed-to-lead matters and how to own your pipeline to gain a competitive edge.

Listen to reframe sales into an ethical, empathetic process that transforms prospects into loyal members.

What misconception about sales is holding your gym back? Hit us up at [email protected] and share your thoughts!

Timestamps:

[03:09] Sales is the first act of coaching

[04:23] How you prepare determines your success

[09:40] Speed to lead and why it matters

[12:46] Follow up with leads — or lose them

[18:11] Own your pipeline

[20:07] Disqualifying prospects

Are you responding to emails between coaching classes or brainstorming marketing plans during your own morning run?

As a gym owner, you're guaranteed to juggle multiple roles and default to multitasking. But if multitasking feels like your Achilles' heel, it just might be.

On this episode of the PushPress Podcast, Dan and Nick discuss why cramming too much into your day can actually reduce productivity and how to systematize your schedule to achieve more while staying focused.

From decoding the balance between physical and mental tasks to real-life examples of how entrepreneurs can optimize their workflows, discover a smarter framework to crush your day-to-day tasks. You’ll also learn tips on leveraging technology like ChatGPT to prevent burning out.

Hit play and take a step toward efficiency and success to start working smarter, not harder.

Do you have an AI hack for multitasking? Or have you identified the activities that let you balance physical and mental loads? Let us know at [email protected].

Timestamps:

[0:42] Understanding why multitasking breaks productivity

[4:57] The role stress plays in multitasking failures

[8:44] Use your workday rhythms to schedule key responsibilities

[13:53] Hacks to use ChatGPT as your thought assistant

[19:48] Finding the balance between physical and mental loads and high and low stress loads

Every great brand has great stories, and your gym is no exception. From underdog successes to major milestones, the stories happening within your walls have the power to inspire your members in their workouts and attract new leads to your gym.

But are you collecting them?

In this episode of the PushPress Podcast, Dan Uyemura and Nick Reyes share why storytelling is a vital tool for modern-day gym marketing. They discuss how to identify the stories in your gym, train your team to recognize them, and communicate them effectively to build engagement, trust, and loyalty with your members.

Learn how to engineer experiences that create compelling stories, how to use technology to capture and share moments quickly, and how social proof can improve both your marketing and sales strategy.

Even the most established gyms can increase revenue and community impact through better storytelling, so this episode is for everyone.

What’s the best story your gym has? Share it with us at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])! Or better yet, tag us when you post it on social.

Timestamps:

[0:42] Why humans are drawn to stories and how this impacts marketing

[3:56] Finding the "goldmine" of stories already in your gym

[5:58] Training your staff to spot and collect member stories

[8:18] Why publishing quickly is crucial

[12:13] Leveraging technology to scale story creation

[15:45] Leveraging stories to supercharge your sales process

Opening a gym is exciting, but it’s also daunting. How do you set the right prices? How can you attract — and eventually retain — loyal members? And, crucially, how do you avoid spreading yourself too thin?

In this episode of the PushPress Podcast, Dan and Nick dig deep into the lessons they’ve learned as gym owners — and from talking with hundreds of PushPress clients and prospects.

With a focus on real-world experience, they’ll help you shift from simply running a gym to leading and growing a successful fitness brand. Gain actionable advice like avoiding "cheap client traps," scaling intelligently, and why mentorship could be the missing piece for your fitness business.

What would you do differently if you could start over? Or, if you’re new, what’s your biggest challenge right now? Send us your thoughts at ⁠[email protected]⁠.

Timestamps:

[0:40] Introduction to gym ownership challenges

[2:12] Why most new owners get stuck in "trainers-only" mode

[4:30] Hiring a mentor vs. navigating it alone

[8:14] Pricing mistakes new gym owners make (and how to stop)

[12:49] Avoid over-offering too soon

[15:18] Why onboarding isn’t just a one-week process

[20:18] Intentionally drive engagement for retention

[24:05] How customer reviews can supercharge retention

Academies vs. boxes. Committed clubs vs. belt tracking.

CrossFit and Jiu-Jitsu fitness businesses may focus on different sports and talk different languages, but they still face the same biggest challenge: churn.

On this episode of the PushPress Podcast, Dan and Nick explore how Jiu Jitsu academies and CrossFit gyms can address retention issues using creative strategies, like Committed Clubs and data-driven tracking systems. Miguel Jurado, PushPress Account Executive and BJJ blue belt, joins the discussion, bringing insight from working closely with Checkmat Academy.

Together, they also examine cross-industry learnings where gyms and academies can borrow from each other to minimize churn, set engaging goals, and cultivate deeper member loyalty.

In this episode, you'll learn how tools like belt-tracking software and short-term reward systems can keep members motivated, whether they’re earning belts or striving for fitness goals.

Have a tip about retention that works for your gym or academy? Email us at [email protected].

Timestamps:

[0:40] Introduction to churn in fitness businesses

[1:31] Comparing churn in Jiu-Jitsu vs. CrossFit gyms

[3:37] What is the “Blue Belt Blues”?

[6:45] How “Committed Clubs” boost engagement

[8:20] Lessons CrossFit gyms can learn from Jiu-Jitsu

[11:10] Belt-tracking-inspired systems for CrossFit

[14:06] How PushPress aims to help gyms reduce churn

Adding more revenue streams sounds like a sure way to grow your fitness business, right? Think again. On this episode of the PushPress Podcast, Dan and Nick explore the hidden dangers of trying to "do it all," sharing why overextending with too many services can often lead to failure.

They tackle questions gym owners regularly ask, like "Should I add 24-hour access?" or "What about a kid's program?" and explain why having the right focus is more important than endless options. Learn how to identify your ideal customer profile, create synergistic programs, and avoid getting pulled into too many directions.

Have you built an offering that totally flopped or stretched your resources thin? Share your experience with us at ⁠[email protected]⁠.

Timestamps:

[00:43] Too many offerings can backfire for gym owners

[02:30] Half-ass effort = Zero results

[05:26] Identifying your ideal customer profile (ICP)

[06:55] Building synergistic programs that deliver real value

[07:47] Is your gym a Cheesecake Factory or an In-N-Out?

[09:45] Private training is your first step towards a focused revenue stream

[15:00] Real talk on private training, retail, and scalable revenue streams