Building a strong team is not a guessing game. It is one of the most important responsibilities of any owner or operator who wants a people-first and financially healthy business. In this solo episode, Annie pulls from two decades of leadership inside luxury fitness and wellness spaces to break down what it really takes to hire well.

You’ll hear why most hiring problems start long before the interview even happens, and why speed and convenience are the enemies of a strong culture. Annie shares how to get clear on the values that actually matter for your business, what a precise job description should look like today, and how to design interview conversations that reveal who someone really is instead of who they think you want them to be.

She also speaks candidly about the shifting talent pool, the rise of AI-written job descriptions, and why clarity, communication, and a high EQ approach are now non negotiable if you want to attract great people and avoid constant performance management issues.

Key Takeaways

• Clarity is a leadership responsibility
• Values should drive hiring decisions, not convenience
• Job descriptions must act as filters
• Interviews should be thoughtful, human, and revealing
• Strong candidates want to interview you too
• When you take care in the hiring process, you take care of your culture

Call to Action
If you’re building or rebuilding a team in your club, studio, or wellness space and want support with job descriptions, interview design, or hiring strategy, Annie can help. Connect on LinkedIn or visit the website to start the conversation.

Send us a text

Oasis Consulting Firm
People-first consulting for luxury health clubs, boutique studios, spas and recovery centers. We help you grow revenue, improve retention, and build teams that last. Founded by Annie Adragna, 20+ years in leadership and executive recruiting across top brands like Life Time, Equinox and Midtown Athletic Clubs.

Work with us: oasisconsultingfirm.co (find ways to work together, schedule a 30-minute call with Annie and grab some free resources there)

Connect:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @oasis_consulting_firm
• LinkedIn: Annie Adragna

About Annie:
Founder of Oasis Consulting Firm and host of Well Run Podcast. Consultant, strategist and executive recruiter focused on people-first operations and profitable growth.

In this episode on Well Run, I break down what really happens inside fitness and wellness clubs during the holiday rush and why leaders cannot treat this season like business as usual. The volume changes. The energy changes. The expectations change. Your team feels every bit of that.

I talk about how to lead with clarity and emotional intelligence when things get busy. We get into scheduling that actually supports your people, preparing your team for an influx of guests who may not understand your space, and why your presence on the floor matters more than any polished plan.

I share a story from a Christmas Eve emergency that reminded me how important safety refreshers are this time of year. We look at how to prepare your members, how to celebrate your team without adding pressure, and how to guide your operation with steadiness, not strain.

This episode is about leading through humanity, staying grounded and giving your people what they need to serve at a high level without burning out.

Key Takeaways

Your team needs clarity more than intensity
The holidays bring unpredictable traffic and stressed guests. Leadership is about stabilizing the energy, not pushing harder.

Scheduling is a leadership skill
If the schedule is off, your people feel it immediately. Build it with intention, not hope.

Your presence sets the tone
When leaders are visible and steady, teams stay calm and confident.

Safety training matters more than you think
Emergencies do not wait for convenient moments. A prepared team can change the outcome of someone’s life.

Members follow your cues
Reminding your community that your team is carrying more than usual supports a healthier culture for everyone.

Celebration should never add stress
Ask your team what feels good instead of assuming they want more events on their already full calendar.

Humanity is the heart of leadership
When you take care of the humans who run your club, everything else improves.

Send us a text

Oasis Consulting Firm
People-first consulting for luxury health clubs, boutique studios, spas and recovery centers. We help you grow revenue, improve retention, and build teams that last. Founded by Annie Adragna, 20+ years in leadership and executive recruiting across top brands like Life Time, Equinox and Midtown Athletic Clubs.

Work with us: oasisconsultingfirm.co (find ways to work together, schedule a 30-minute call with Annie and grab some free resources there)

Connect:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @oasis_consulting_firm
• LinkedIn: Annie Adragna

About Annie:
Founder of Oasis Consulting Firm and host of Well Run Podcast. Consultant, strategist and executive recruiter focused on people-first operations and profitable growth.

Maximizing Wellness: Integrating Recovery and Longevity Strategies in Fitness Clubs

In this episode of WELL RUN. Podcast, Annie Adragna sits down with Jason Stella, a longtime leader in the health, fitness, and recovery space with nearly three decades of experience guiding people and organizations toward better performance and longevity.

Now serving as Chief Innovation and Growth Officer for Forward-Thinking Advisory Group, Jason shares what true recovery looks like and why it’s becoming the cornerstone of modern fitness and wellness. Together, they unpack the three dimensions of recovery—physical, psychological, and physiological—and how clubs can move beyond buzzwords to create systems that actually improve outcomes.

The conversation covers practical ways to integrate cold plunges, red light therapy, and other advanced wellness technologies into health clubs, while avoiding the industry’s biggest trap: buying gear without strategy or education. Jason and Annie explore what separates successful integration from wasted investment, and why healthspan—not just lifespan—is the new goal for members and operators alike.

Key Topics Covered:

• Defining recovery and what it isn’t
• Physical, psychological, and physiological dimensions of recovery
• How to design a recovery culture, not just a recovery room
• Common mistakes clubs make when investing in wellness tech
• Real-world results from tools like ArcLED and cold plunge systems
• Why focusing on healthspan is the future of fitness

Connect with Jason:
Instagram

LinkedIn

Email: [email protected]

Send us a text

Oasis Consulting Firm
People-first consulting for luxury health clubs, boutique studios, spas and recovery centers. We help you grow revenue, improve retention, and build teams that last. Founded by Annie Adragna, 20+ years in leadership and executive recruiting across top brands like Life Time, Equinox and Midtown Athletic Clubs.

Work with us: oasisconsultingfirm.co (find ways to work together, schedule a 30-minute call with Annie and grab some free resources there)

Connect:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @oasis_consulting_firm
• LinkedIn: Annie Adragna

About Annie:
Founder of Oasis Consulting Firm and host of Well Run Podcast. Consultant, strategist and executive recruiter focused on people-first operations and profitable growth.

In this episode of Well Run, host Annie Adragna returns after a short break to share her reflections from the Beyond Activ Americas fitness conference in Dallas.

Annie unpacks what truly resonated — from the industry’s rapid innovation and renewed focus on longevity and wellness, to the simple truth that still drives success: people. She shares key insights and personal connections with industry leaders like Jeff Zwiefel and Mark Mastrov, whose reminder that “it’s about people — find great people and you can do anything” became the heart of this episode.

Through thoughtful reflection, Annie explores the evolving landscape of luxury fitness spaces, the shift from lifespan to healthspan, and why emotionally intelligent leadership remains the most undervalued business strategy in the industry. She emphasizes the power of high-touch experiences in an increasingly high-tech world, and the need for more real, human conversations about what it takes to lead well.

If you attended Beyond Activ or want to continue the conversation on EQ leadership and people-first profit, Annie invites you to reach out and share your biggest take-aways!

Or, if you’re a fitness or wellness leader ready to navigate the people side of business with more clarity and confidence, book a free 30-minute coffee chat with Annie to talk through your next step

Send us a text

Oasis Consulting Firm
People-first consulting for luxury health clubs, boutique studios, spas and recovery centers. We help you grow revenue, improve retention, and build teams that last. Founded by Annie Adragna, 20+ years in leadership and executive recruiting across top brands like Life Time, Equinox and Midtown Athletic Clubs.

Work with us: oasisconsultingfirm.co (find ways to work together, schedule a 30-minute call with Annie and grab some free resources there)

Connect:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @oasis_consulting_firm
• LinkedIn: Annie Adragna

About Annie:
Founder of Oasis Consulting Firm and host of Well Run Podcast. Consultant, strategist and executive recruiter focused on people-first operations and profitable growth.

Staffing isn’t just an HR headache — it’s one of the most overlooked revenue strategies in the fitness, wellness, and spa industries. In this episode of Well Run, Annie Adragna breaks down why the battle for talent is the real bottom-line issue every owner and operator should be paying attention to.

With more candidates seeking positive culture, growth opportunities, and respect over just a paycheck, the old approach to hiring and retention simply doesn’t cut it anymore. Annie explains the staggering costs of turnover — from 50% to 200% of an employee’s salary and how trainer churn rates as high as 80% can quietly (or not so quietly) drain profit.

This episode highlights:

• Why staffing should be treated as a revenue strategy, not just a back-office function
• The true cost of losing good talent — from direct hiring expenses to lost members and revenue
• The cultural red flags that drive candidates and employees away
• Practical ways to assess whether you would want to work in your own business

If you’re ready to stop money from slipping through the cracks, listen in and then take the Revenue Leaks Quiz to find out where staffing and retention may already be costing you.

Send us a text

Oasis Consulting Firm
People-first consulting for luxury health clubs, boutique studios, spas and recovery centers. We help you grow revenue, improve retention, and build teams that last. Founded by Annie Adragna, 20+ years in leadership and executive recruiting across top brands like Life Time, Equinox and Midtown Athletic Clubs.

Work with us: oasisconsultingfirm.co (find ways to work together, schedule a 30-minute call with Annie and grab some free resources there)

Connect:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @oasis_consulting_firm
• LinkedIn: Annie Adragna

About Annie:
Founder of Oasis Consulting Firm and host of Well Run Podcast. Consultant, strategist and executive recruiter focused on people-first operations and profitable growth.

In this episode of Well Run, Annie Adragna tackles the problem of toxic leadership in gyms, health clubs and wellness businesses. From fear-based managers who rely on intimidation to leaders who hide behind “false harmony,” these patterns hurt staff morale, increase turnover, and create hidden revenue leaks.

Drawing on 23 years of experience in luxury fitness and wellness management, Annie explains why EQ leadership in the fitness industry is no longer optional — it’s the foundation of profitable, people-first growth. She shares practical leadership strategies that improve retention, boost employee engagement and directly impact your club’s bottom line.

You’ll learn how to:

• Recognize fear-based leadership behaviors that cost you money
• Spot “false harmony” and how it undermines trust and performance
• Shift toward high EQ leadership that creates a thriving workplace culture
• Ask the right questions, acknowledge meaningful contributions, and build systems that support both people and profit

If you’re ready to elevate your leadership approach and fix the cultural issues that silently drain revenue, this episode is your playbook. Annie also introduces a free tool — the Revenue Leaks Quiz — to help fitness and wellness operators uncover profit drains and strengthen long-term business sustainability.

Send us a text

Oasis Consulting Firm
People-first consulting for luxury health clubs, boutique studios, spas and recovery centers. We help you grow revenue, improve retention, and build teams that last. Founded by Annie Adragna, 20+ years in leadership and executive recruiting across top brands like Life Time, Equinox and Midtown Athletic Clubs.

Work with us: oasisconsultingfirm.co (find ways to work together, schedule a 30-minute call with Annie and grab some free resources there)

Connect:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @oasis_consulting_firm
• LinkedIn: Annie Adragna

About Annie:
Founder of Oasis Consulting Firm and host of Well Run Podcast. Consultant, strategist and executive recruiter focused on people-first operations and profitable growth.

In this episode of Well Run, Annie Adragna breaks down why discount-driven membership strategies are one of the fastest ways to undermine long-term success in the luxury fitness industry.

Instead of chasing short-term spikes from flash sales and promos, Annie explains why the most successful operators focus on Lifetime Value (LTV) — the total revenue a member contributes over their entire relationship with your club.

She shows how compounding membership value through retention, engagement, and upsells leads to sustainable growth. Backed by real data and a cautionary CrossFit case study, this episode is packed with actionable strategies: from tiered memberships to intentional upsells to creating a culture where retention is everyone’s responsibility.

If you’re ready to stop racing to the bottom and start building $12,000 clients, this one’s for you.

how do gyms make money without discounts

what is lifetime value in the fitness industry

how to increase average revenue per member in a gym

best revenue strategies for fitness clubs

how to keep gym members longer

how to sell high-value memberships

sustainable growth for fitness businesses

Send us a text

Oasis Consulting Firm
People-first consulting for luxury health clubs, boutique studios, spas and recovery centers. We help you grow revenue, improve retention, and build teams that last. Founded by Annie Adragna, 20+ years in leadership and executive recruiting across top brands like Life Time, Equinox and Midtown Athletic Clubs.

Work with us: oasisconsultingfirm.co (find ways to work together, schedule a 30-minute call with Annie and grab some free resources there)

Connect:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @oasis_consulting_firm
• LinkedIn: Annie Adragna

About Annie:
Founder of Oasis Consulting Firm and host of Well Run Podcast. Consultant, strategist and executive recruiter focused on people-first operations and profitable growth.

How do gyms make money without relying on constant discounts? It starts with retention — and retention starts in the first 90 days.

In this episode of Well Run, Annie Adragna explains why the first 30–90 days of a new member’s journey determine their long-term loyalty and lifetime value. She shares the exact usage thresholds that matter most — like why 4–6 visits in the first month predicts retention and why a 14-day no-show is your biggest red flag.

Annie also spotlights what the best fitness clubs are doing differently in onboarding: from structured fitness assessments and connection experiences to celebrating early wins and tracking usage with simple dashboards. These proven strategies not only keep gym members longer, but also increase the average revenue per member and create sustainable growth without discounts.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why nearly 50% of cancellations happen in the first 90 days.
• How to keep gym members longer by tracking early usage.
• What lifetime value really means in the fitness industry — and how to grow it.
• The best revenue strategies for fitness clubs that don’t rely on discounts.
• How to sell and deliver high-value memberships through smart onboarding.
• A simple framework to increase average revenue per member in your gym.

If you’re serious about building sustainable growth for your fitness business, this is where it starts: helping members succeed in their very first 90 days.

Send us a text

Oasis Consulting Firm
People-first consulting for luxury health clubs, boutique studios, spas and recovery centers. We help you grow revenue, improve retention, and build teams that last. Founded by Annie Adragna, 20+ years in leadership and executive recruiting across top brands like Life Time, Equinox and Midtown Athletic Clubs.

Work with us: oasisconsultingfirm.co (find ways to work together, schedule a 30-minute call with Annie and grab some free resources there)

Connect:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @oasis_consulting_firm
• LinkedIn: Annie Adragna

About Annie:
Founder of Oasis Consulting Firm and host of Well Run Podcast. Consultant, strategist and executive recruiter focused on people-first operations and profitable growth.

In this episode of Well Run, Annie Adragna, a seasoned consultant and mentor in the fitness and wellness industry, explores one of the most overlooked truths in club management: member love doesn’t equal member loyalty.

Annie breaks down why retention is built on behavior, not just sentiment and why usage frequency is the single greatest predictor of long-term loyalty. From onboarding to group class participation, she shares practical strategies for building a retention dashboard that highlights early warning signs and opportunities to re-engage members before they walk out the door.

You’ll also hear a powerful story from The Ritz-Carlton that illustrates how small but meaningful gestures transform satisfied customers into lifelong loyal advocates...something every club operator can apply today.

Key Takeaways:

• Love is an emotion. Loyalty is a behavior.
• Why tracking member usage in the first 90 days is critical.
• The surprising retention power of group exercise.
• How proactive outreach and personalized touchpoints drive loyalty.
• What the fitness industry can learn from Ritz-Carlton’s legendary service culture.

If you want to build an unshakeable membership base, this episode is packed with strategies you can start using right away.

Send us a text

Oasis Consulting Firm
People-first consulting for luxury health clubs, boutique studios, spas and recovery centers. We help you grow revenue, improve retention, and build teams that last. Founded by Annie Adragna, 20+ years in leadership and executive recruiting across top brands like Life Time, Equinox and Midtown Athletic Clubs.

Work with us: oasisconsultingfirm.co (find ways to work together, schedule a 30-minute call with Annie and grab some free resources there)

Connect:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @oasis_consulting_firm
• LinkedIn: Annie Adragna

About Annie:
Founder of Oasis Consulting Firm and host of Well Run Podcast. Consultant, strategist and executive recruiter focused on people-first operations and profitable growth.

Welcome to the very first episode of Well Run—a weekly podcast for owners and operators of luxury fitness clubs, wellness centers, and recovery spaces. Hosted by Annie Adragna, a seasoned leader with 20+ years in the industry, this show explores how to build sustainable businesses, strong cultures, and high-performing teams.

In this kickoff episode, Annie dig into why emotional intelligence (EQ) in leadership is the most critical factor for long-term success. She explains how low EQ leadership can drive turnover, weaken member retention, and stall revenue growth—and why high EQ leaders consistently create respected clubs and motivated teams.

Key Takeaways

• What emotional quotient (EQ) really means in the context of fitness and wellness leadership.
• The cost of low EQ leadership in gyms, health clubs, and wellness businesses.
• How high EQ leadership drives member retention, employee engagement, and profitability.
• Practical strategies to improve culture and strengthen your leadership skills.
• A preview of upcoming episodes tackling real industry challenges and growth opportunities.

This is just the beginning of weekly conversations designed for leaders who want to transform their fitness or wellness business into a thriving, people-first operation.

Send us a text

Oasis Consulting Firm
People-first consulting for luxury health clubs, boutique studios, spas and recovery centers. We help you grow revenue, improve retention, and build teams that last. Founded by Annie Adragna, 20+ years in leadership and executive recruiting across top brands like Life Time, Equinox and Midtown Athletic Clubs.

Work with us: oasisconsultingfirm.co (find ways to work together, schedule a 30-minute call with Annie and grab some free resources there)

Connect:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @oasis_consulting_firm
• LinkedIn: Annie Adragna

About Annie:
Founder of Oasis Consulting Firm and host of Well Run Podcast. Consultant, strategist and executive recruiter focused on people-first operations and profitable growth.