The Wexer Podcast: Recent Episodes
Wexer Podcast
Welcome to the Wexer Podcast! CEO Paul Bowman speaks to top digital experts and brings you insights and advice to support your digital journeys.
Wexer are a digital fitness specialist who deliver over 25 million fitness experiences per year through our partners worldwide.
Join Wexer CEO Paul Bowman as he connects with NuForm CEO Adam Halvorsen to discuss the real-world application of AI in the fitness industry. They discuss why many fitness corporations get bogged down by AI integration, and why small business owners have the ultimate advantage.
Learn how to spot the quick wins, target the low-hanging fruit, and implement a slow-and-steady AI strategy that delivers real, measurable results.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
NuForm Digital
Adam Halvorsen on LinkedIn
Join Wexer CEO Paul Bowman as he speaks with Morten Andersen, Wexer’s Global Head of Content, about the 2025 Virtual Fitness Trend Report and his predictions for 2026.
Morten highlights statistics directly from the trend report and focuses on the content that is moving the needle in the digital space. He shares user engagement practices from the most popular categories, including the virtual classes that spur growth, new product developments, and the importance of variety in a digital fitness library.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Morten Andersen on LinkedIn
Join Wexer CEO Paul Bowman as he speaks with Michael Bruno, Founder and CEO of Core Health and Fitness and Land America, about the “accidental” business journey that landed him into the fitness industry. Michael is a pioneer who revolutionized the offshore manufacturing model for fitness equipment during his more than 30-year extraordinary entrepreneurial career.
Michael shares his unique insights about core principles for success that are universal, applying to personal life and business.
Core Health & Fitness is more than gym equipment; they offer innovative solutions for all your facility needs. They’ve brought together the most recognizable fitness brands to ensure customers can offer members an authentic fitness experience.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Michael Bruno on LinkedIn
Core Health & Fitness
Join Wexer CEO Paul Bowman as he speaks with Karen Mason, Wexer’s Head of Customer Operations, about the diverse ways Wexer’s virtual content supports facilities, personal trainers, and studio instructors.
As a veteran group fitness instructor, Karen spent decades in the studio. This insider knowledge revealed a powerful truth: digital platforms are the essential tool for growing fitness businesses. Whether the challenge is finding last-minute substitutes, launching new classes and instructors, or easing shy beginners into the studio, Karen’s advice is clear: “Embrace digital!”
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Karen Mason on LinkedIn
Join Wexer CEO Paul Bowman as he speaks with Marco Benitez, CEO & Co-Founder of ROOK. ROOK, a fully HIPPA-compliant organization, empowers software and apps with clean and structured wearable health data through a single API and webhook.
Marco is as passionate about data as he is about fitness. As an early adopter of wearable technology, he built Rook to enhance people’s fitness journeys and save people’s lives. Marco says that while his product isn’t the sexy front-end of the user experience, the back-end, hyper-personalized, accurate data his company provides will transform the future of fitness.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Marco on LinkedIn
ROOK Website
Join Wexer CEO Paul Bowman as he speaks with Lorraine Valera, Wexer’s Senior Product Manager.
Lorraine is a digital fitness expert passionate about helping operators maximize their digital platforms. She reminds us about the many easy-to-administer, powerful Wexer tools, like favorites, commercials, interactive screen savers, and trailers, which often go unused. She shares her insights on how leveraging these features can help you create a profitable, engaging member experience that truly reflects your brand's unique identity.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Lorraine Valera on LinkedIn
Join Wexer CEO Paul Bowman as he speaks with Karen Mason, Wexer’s Head of Customer Operations.
Karen is back by popular demand to discuss how My Wexer empowers multi-site operators to maintain consistent brand and member experience across all locations. She explains how the platform allows for a core content library to be distributed and adapted to individual clubs based on class, usage, and trend data.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Karen Mason on LinkedIn
Join Wexer CEO Paul Bowman as he speaks with Chris Smith, the President and CEO at Fitness World Canada. At a young age, Chris knew fitness would be a major part of his life and has always been confident in his ability to achieve his goals. He imparts his knowledge about leading a team in a non-traditional style,shares his thoughts on the growth of digital at a global scale, and offers advice for fitness entrepreneurs on utilizing data and AI.
Fitness World gyms have everything members need to achieve their fitness goals. They offer state-of-the-art equipment, recovery tools, personalized workout programs, and nutrition plans so members can simply focus on crushing their fitness goals!
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Fitness World Canada
Chris Smith on LinkedIn
Join Wexer CEO Paul Bowman as he speaks with Karen Mason, Head of Customer Operations at Wexer. As the lead customer contact for Wexer’s digital platform, Karen is an expert in best practices for larger and smaller fitness clubs. She shares the secrets of customizing the MyWexer portal to enhance member experience and describes how club owners can offer members everything they need without increasing operational costs.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Karen Mason on LinkedIn
Join Wexer CEO Paul Bowman as he speaks with Matt Woodard, Business Development Manager at Wexer. Matt shares the current trends in corporate memberships, best practices for blending in-person and virtual experiences, how to create micro-successes that promote member retention, and a quick guide for success when launching a virtual facility.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Matt Woodard on LinkedIn
Join Wexer CEO Paul Bowman as he speaks with Emma Sills, Chief Operating Officer of PumpGyms. Emma shares her journey in fitness, from childhood runs with her father to spearheading operations at a leading 24/7 gym chain. Emma shares her insights on achieving 100% digital uptime, recruiting the right staff, and how she and her team make fitness easy for members.
PumpGyms offers a refreshing alternative to restricted opening hours and expensive contracts. They've stripped away the frills and fluff so clients can focus on what they really want. High spec equipment, spacious training areas and the very best in fitness staff and personal trainers.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Emma Sills on LinkedIn
PumpGyms
Join Wexer CEO Paul Bowman as he speaks with Jeames Gillett, Group Head of Growth & Ventures at nib Group. With over two decades of experience in health tech startups, physiotherapy, corporate wellness, and insurance growth, Jeames shares expert insights on maximizing AI potential, navigating healthcare investment, driving positive member health impact, and creating compelling digital content products.
nib Group is a trusted health partner that supports the health needs of over 1.5 million Australians, New Zealanders, and international students and workers, and provides travel insurance for global travelers.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Jeames Gillett on LinkedIn
nib Group
Wexer’s CEO Paul Bowman speaks with Hans Muench. Hans is a fitness industry expert, international public speaker, author, and Director of FIT-C. Hans has his finger on the pulse of the fitness and wellness industry. He shares the latest research and developments of digital touchpoints, persona-based content, AI strategies, wearables, and the future of integrating healthcare and nutrition into the digital space.
Muench Solutions, aka MSC GmbH, provides strategic and operational support to growing health club organizations and suppliers and contributes to international industry trade publications. FIT-C represents leading companies/organizations in the fitness industry. The council seeks to grow the fitness industry, improve the user experience, and mature the collection of real-time wellness data by creating interoperability standards for technology-based fitness devices.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Hans Muench on LinkedIn
Muench Solutions
Bodyfit's CEO, Nat Grosvenor, unveils the future of fitness, driven by biometric integration and strategic innovation. Learn about how she leverages her high-performing teams, her strategy to maintain relevance to clients of all ages, and how she adapts Bodyfit’s business model for sustained growth.
Bodyfit’s mission is to do meaningful work by changing lives for the better. They are more than just a gym; they are a vibrant community that celebrates diversity and inclusivity.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Nat Grosvenor on LinkedIn
Bodyfit
Paul’s conversation with Amy Thompson, the CEO of IDEA Health & Fitness Association helps unlock the secrets to thriving in the fitness industry. Amy discusses practical strategies for independent professionals and brick-and-mortar gyms, from retaining top talent as brand ambassadors, building a vibrant culture, boosting membership, and evolving your business with a robust group fitness schedule.
IDEA Health & Fitness Association is a membership association for fitness and wellness professionals, with approximately 22,000 members in over 80 countries. Members are personal fitness trainers, group fitness instructors, body-mind-spirit professionals, health club facility owners, managers, and fitness program directors. IDEA’s media division produces and distributes content in the form of magazines, journals, and conferences.
In 2025, join IDEA Fit at the regional Health & Fitness Summit in March in Denver, CO, or IDEA World, a 3-day education event and expo, in Sacramento, CA in July.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Amy B Thompson on LinkedIn
IDEA Fit Website
Morten Anderesen, Wexer’s Global Head of Content talks with Paul about 2024’s digital content statistics in Wexer’s ever-growing, well-rounded wellness library. He breaks down the differences in in-club usage versus mobile statistics, why some wellness trends seem to be losing ground, which trends are winning, and 2025 predictions.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Morten Andersen on LinkedIn
Paul speaks with Nad Myan, VP of Innovation and Corporate Growth at Good Life Fitness Canada. A respected figure in the fitness industry, Nad began his career in physical therapy and has since played a pivotal role in expanding the reach of fitness clubs globally. He is dedicated to supporting and inspiring individuals along their health journey.
GoodLife Fitness strives to be more than just a gym. They offer tools for members and communities to live a happy, healthy, and good life inside and outside of the gym.
Nad talks about the significant benefits of digital content including how it caters to members of all demographics, the potential cost savings, and how prioritizing member needs emboldens communities.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Good Life Fitness
Nad Myan on LinkedIn
Paul speaks with the Global Senior VP of Well-being at Accor, Emlyn Brown. At Accor, Emlyn manages the strategic direction of augmented hospitality for multiple luxury brands. Before joining Accor, he had many years of experience in professional sports, fitness, and the development of luxury health clubs.
Accor’s bold and visionary approach reaches far beyond the traditional hotel model, reimagining and continuously transforming hospitality to craft and unlock exceptional client experiences.
Emlyn discusses long-term well-being opportunities for the hospitality industry that meet the wellness aspirations of clients such as social bathing, nutrition, and brain health. He describes the probable effects of gamifying lifestyle elements, and how Accor succeeds at setting standards instead of keeping up with fads.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Accor
Emlyn Brown on LinkedIn
In this episode, Paul speaks with the National Product Manager of GLL, Owen Maskell. Owen utilizes his business experience to carefully curate gym experiences for the diverse local communities GLL serves.
GLL is a Charitable Social Enterprise owned by GLL staff and founded with the purpose and values to provide a different, fairer, and better way of doing business. Their purpose is to improve the physical, mental, and social well-being of local communities.
Owen discusses the metrics GLL uses to gauge user experience, and how digital fitness technology offers a well-rounded community experience that removes barriers.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
GLL
Owen Maskell on LinkedIn
In this episode, Paul speaks with the CEO of the Chiefs Rugby Club in New Zealand, Simon Graafhuis, and Megan Fleming the General Manager of Commercial & Marketing at Chiefs Rugby Club. Simon and Megan have many years of marketing and brand management experience.
The Chiefs Rugby Club was founded in 1996 for the inaugural Super 12 season. The team, initially called the Waikato Chiefs, was one of the five New Zealand professional rugby unions (alongside the Hurricanes, Crusaders, Blues, and Highlanders) who joined the competition and remain part of it.
Simon and Megan discuss the exciting ways digital is augmenting the Chiefs Rugby Club fan experience, including the recent 3-part documentary of the club, Chiefs Pass subscription services, and enhanced brand recognition.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Chiefs Rugby Club
Simon Graafhuis on LinkedIn
Megan Fleming on LinkedIn
In this episode, Paul speaks with Stewart Miller, the cofounder and CEO of LIvewire Production. With over 25 years in the fitness industry, Stewart has managed equipment, built an award-winning boutique gym in Dubai, and creates high-quality digital content for gyms and fitness centers worldwide.
Recognizing the transformative power of video in the digital age, Livewire Production expanded its horizons beyond fitness. They stand as a versatile video powerhouse offering premium fitness content and a broad spectrum of video production services. Their commitment is to provide interactive, engaging, and high-quality content that resonates with diverse audiences.
Stewart shares insights into the economics of digital content, AI and hyper-personalization, and the challenges small gyms face when putting in-house talent on camera.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
LiveWire Production
Stewart Miller on LinkedIn
In this episode, Paul welcomes Bryan O’Rourke back to the show. Bryan is the CEO of Core Health & Fitness and the President of the Fitness Industry Technology Council. He is an advisor for the health and fitness industry on business strategies, enhanced user experiences, and market trends.
Core Health & Fitness is more than gym equipment. They offer innovative solutions for all your facility needs. They have brought together the most recognizable fitness brands to ensure customers provide members an authentic fitness experience.
Bryan shares insights about digital trends such as building trust through authenticity, designing and personalizing user experiences, and separating the hype of AI from its core functionality.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Core Health & Fitness
Bryan O’Rourke on LinkedIn
In this episode, Paul is joined by Dan Uyemura, the CEO and Founder of PushPress. Dan has always been an entrepreneur at heart, and has had a gym membership since the 8th grade, but after years of desk work as a software engineer he was in need of a workout regimine. So, after being laid off from MySpace, Dan used his severance money to open a gym.
PushPress provides simple, elegant, recurring billing, and management solutions. They make gym management the easiest part of starting a fitness business. The organization was built to rebel against manual paperwork and complicated, overpriced software.
Dan shares how AI will revolutionize small business analytics, how small gyms can use their unique advantages to increase attendance and reduce churn, and tips for beginning your entrepreneurial journey.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
PushPress
Dan Uyemura on LinkedIn
In this episode, Paul is joined by Rob Cunningham. Rob is the Director of Leisure and Business Development at BH Live. Rob says his love of sports from rugby and general fitness is what motivates him to provide others with quality, conscious experiences.
BH Live is one of the UK’s leading leisure and event venue operators – a registered charity and social enterprise that designs and builds engaging experiences to inspire people and enrich lives.
Rob shares how BH Live deployed and executed various digital strategies, the workflow required to mobilize content creation, the key metrics BH uses to gauge the success of digital experiences, and how Gen Z is reshaping the leisure industry.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
BH Live Website
Rob Cunningham on LinkedIn
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In this episode, Paul is joined by Sean Tan. He is the Founder and CEO of RXERCISE HEALTH, Director of APAC Health & Fitness Association (HFA), and President & Co-Founder of Singapore Fitness Alliance (SFA). Sean has always had a competitive spirit negotiating his way through private equity, football, and as an attorney.
RXERCISE HEALTH’s mission is to find solutions that address physical inactivity for the general population.
Sean provides a comprehensive analysis of the fitness landscape in APAC countries, focusing on both the challenges and growth opportunities. He emphasizes the potential for developing digital fitness content tailored for mobile devices in rural areas, improving fitness education for the labor force, and the growth of mindfulness communities.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Sean Tan on LinkedIn
HFA Website
SFA Website
Rxercise Health Website
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In this episode, Paul is joined by Rudys Orlando Santana. As Head of Customer Success at Wexer, Rudys is dedicated to enhancing digital solutions that help brands bring their virtual strategies to life. He has extensive experience and a career built upon managing fitness and wellness facilities across the US.
Rudys highlights how Wexer digital platforms impact client engagement and retention at Eat the Frog, OHM Fitness, GLL, and Nordic Wellness. He shares the original pain points that led these organizations to search for a better solution, and how these successful brands are integrating their digital strategy to increase retention.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Rudys Orlando Santana on LinkedIn
Eat The Frog Website
Ohm Fitness Website
GLL Website
Nordic Wellness Website
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In this episode, Paul is joined by Jason Moore, CEO of Spren. Shortly after introducing high-quality body metrics accessible to anyone with a phone, Jason realized that offering a product that revolutionizes personalized fitness quickly attracts business partners.
Spren turns your phone into a validated health lab: Accurately measure body composition, HRV, and other critical markers to inform and personalize your health blueprint. Leave the complicated and time-consuming laboratory scans behind.
Jason explains how pairing personalized body data with health goals empowers users to control their fitness journey. He also discusses Spren's evolution and the future of body composition measurement over the next decade.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Spren
Jason Moore on LinkedIn
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In this episode, Paul is joined by Alberto Perlman, CEO & Co-Founder of Zumba Fitness. As an early adopter of internet-based businesses, Alberto never imagined himself in the fitness business, until he met a choreographer who made dance-fitness irresistible. Today, everyone knows Zumba and its followers are a compassionate community.
Zumba is a total workout, combining all elements of fitness – cardio, muscle conditioning, balance, and flexibility, boosted energy and a serious dose of awesome. The class that started the dance-fitness revolution and changed the way we look at a “workout” forever. It’s fun, effective and it is made for everyone.
Gain a greater understanding of the fitness industry by listening to Alberto share the history of Zumba’s adoption including the challenges, how Zumba leverages technology to reach more people, and
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Zumba
Alberto Perlman on LinkedIn
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In this episode, Paul is joined by Carrie Kepple, Owner and CEO of Styles Studios Fitness and a Board Member of the Fitness Industry Technology Council. A former journalist turned fitness mogul, Carrie entered the fitness industry following a serendipitous encounter at a California event. Today, she runs her boutique fitness studio chain and serves as the chairperson of the IHRSA, the leading trade association for the fitness industry.
Styles Studio Fitness’s vision is to create a safe and inclusive place for everyone to work on their fitness and wellness in our unforgettable club of studios with our accommodating, caring team of professionals who deliver our All Styles Welcome approach everyday! We work as one. We sweat the details.
Boost your fitness business by listening to Carrie discuss how to build community among clients, the elements of a strong brand, the future of Boutique Fitness, and ways in which digital creators and physical clubs can thrive together.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Styles Studio Fitness
Carrie Kepple
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In this episode, Paul chats with industry expert Mel Tempest. She is a keynote speaker, podcaster, fitness business advisor, and founder of Ballarat Body and Soul Health and Fitness Studio. Mel was well into her 30s before she entered a gym, yet shortly after her first class, she went on to become an aerobics instructor and a fitness industry powerhouse.
Ballarat Fitness provides an extensive timetable of classes, as well as personal training, small group training, and a spacious, diverse, and well-equipped gym floor. Add to this their awesome team, flexible terms, and supportive community and they offer everything anyone could want in a club.
Elevate your fitness business by tuning in to hear Mel share insights about marketing to the wealthy Boomer demographic, how education empowers, the impact future regulations may have on the fitness industry, and what 2024 has in store for her.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Gym Owners Fitness Business Podcast
Mel Tempest on LinkedIn
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In this episode, Paul chats with Akshay Verma, one of the co-founders of FITPASS. FITPASS provides access to over 7500 gyms and fitness studios across more than 40 cities in India. Akshay, previously involved in football and cricket, harbored a passion for physical activity. It wasn't until his time as an investment banker that he seriously considered a fitness career. A joint effort with his younger sister culminated in a fitness platform aimed at motivating the people of India toward a more active lifestyle.
FITPASS is India’s largest app-based full-stack corporate wellbeing and engagement platform that is making fitness affordable, accessible, and fun through technology, data, and intelligence.
Tune in to hear Akshay share insights about the top challenges of building a fitness business in India, building trust as an entrepreneur, how FITPASS leverages technology, and working with insurance companies to make fitness included in coverage.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
FITPASS
Akshay Verma on LinkedIn
Paul Bowman on LinkedIn
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In this episode, Paul chats with the CEO of Core Health & Fitness and the President of the Fitness Industry Technology Council, Bryan O’Rourke. Bryan has spent a significant part of his career as an advisor for the health and fitness industry on business strategies, enhanced user experiences, and market trends.
Core Health & Fitness is more than gym equipment. They offer innovative solutions for all your facility needs. They have brought together the most recognizable fitness brands to ensure their customers can offer members an authentic fitness experience.
Tune in to hear Bryan share insights about the five key growth factors driving the European market, what fitness clubs can do to stay relevant, the effects of GLP-1 drugs, personalized hybrid applications,
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Core Health & Fitness
Bryan O’Rourke on LinkedIn
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In this episode, Paul chats with the CIO of L.A. Fitness, Adam Zeitsiff. With over two decades in the fitness industry, Adam has seen technology play a larger role in the user experience. He was a student-athlete who let his health slip in his twenties only to transform himself back into a fitness junkie so he could continue enjoying life’s delights as much as possible.
LA Fitness is an American gym chain with more than 550 clubs across the United States and Canada. The company was founded in 1984 and is based in Irvine, California.
Tune in to hear Adam share insights about digital trends in personalized fitness experiences, how to clearly communicate the use case of digital initiatives, the integration of fitness analytics with healthcare systems, and talent requirements in the new digital landscape.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Adam Zeitsiff on LinkedIn
L.A. Fitness
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In this episode, Paul chats with the VP of Sales at Comm-Fit, Jessica Vo. Jessica has been selling the design, installation, and servicing of commercial-grade fitness centers for more than 16 years. Fitness has always been a major part of her life. Before her sales career began, she was a college athlete and a dedicated personal trainer.
Comm-Fit was founded on fitness and is committed to improving health and wellness throughout society. As leaders in the wellness industry, they strive every day to make a positive impact on the individuals and communities they serve.
Tune in to hear Jessica share insights about the wellness spaces in multifamily housing communities, trends in how these spaces are using digital fitness technology, and whether the spaces will be a threat to traditional gyms.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Jessica Vo on LinkedIn
Comm-Fit
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In this episode, Paul chats with the Founder and Managing Director of Revo Fitness, Andrew Holder. Andrew’s entrepreneurial fitness success story began while working in the family indoor sports business. The grit and determination he witnessed at their small business inspired him to create the Revo Fitness empire, which boasts 10K+ downloads of their fitness app and by the end of 2024, will include fifty facilities.
At Revo Fitness they know exercise is not only great for physical health but also has a positive impact on mental health. Revo Fitness strives to provide an environment and facilities where people can keep fit and active however they like. All Revo Fitness gyms are an inclusive space where everyone is welcome. They strive to ensure every member and employee feels welcome, accepted, and safe to work and train.
Tune in to hear Andrew discuss the growth strategy that led to his business success, how digital improves the member experience, the culture shift in Australia, and the benefits of balancing mindset with systems.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Revo Fitness
Andrew B Holder on LinkedIn
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In this episode, Paul chats with Wexer’s Global Head of Content, Morten Andersen about the 2023 Digital Fitness Content Report. Based in Denmark, Morten is responsible for strategic planning and execution of Wexer’s content and client strategy and for leading and guiding team members. With a career entrenched in sports and fitness and nearly a decade of data analysis experience at Wexer, Morten emerges as a distinguished authority in the field.
Tune in to hear Morten discuss the key factors that played a role in the growth of digital content in 2023, why Zumba is still a massive hit, current trends in digital fitness, the biggest surprise in the content report, and what to expect in digital fitness in 2024.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Morten Andersen on LinkedIn
Morten@Wexer.com
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In this episode, Paul chats with Adam Lewit, Director at NovoFit, an organization with the mission of creating the ultimate user experience allowing each and every person to achieve their personal best and reach their goals. Adam loves sports and surrounding himself with motivational people. With these passions and his ability to talk through stories, it was natural for Adam to excel in the commercial fitness industry.
NovoFit is a leading specialist in Fitness, Health and Wellbeing. They go beyond just selling fitness equipment. They actively work with clients to enhance their business, budgets, equipment, and customers to deliver best-in-class NovoFit ecosystems.
Tune in to hear Adam discuss the evolution of fitness brands, the impact of the exclusive partnership with Wexer on NovoFit’s business, the importance of isolating recovery from wellness, and how data will shape future workouts.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
NovoFit
Adam Lewit on LinkedIn
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In this episode, Paul talks with Ross Stewart Campbell, founder and CEO of Beyond Activ, the company creating the world’s largest health, fitness, wellbeing, and sports ecosystem. Ross is a self-proclaimed gym fanatic and fitness buff. Today, he focuses on creating physical and digital connections.
Beyond Active is building the world’s largest health, fitness, wellness, and sports ecosystem. A community of brands connecting to exchange knowledge and expertise, within an environment of collaboration and shared learning, whilst promoting industry development and investment.
Tune in to hear Ross delve into the key insights from Beyond Activ’s 2023 Industry Report. He discusses capital investments in specific geographical areas, opportunities in the corporate health and wellness sector, workforce shortages, and the exciting future of digital fitness.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Beyond Activ
Ross Stewart Campbell on LinkedIn
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In this episode, Paul talks with Troy Morgan, former Head of Wellbeing Strategy and co-investor of Springday, a digital wellbeing provider. Fitness has always been an integral part of Troy’s life. He started playing rugby as a toddler, opened his own fitness studio, and now works with digital platforms to deliver content to corporate organisations.
Springday curates digital ecosystems for organisations to support, inspire, and educate teams on their journey to a happier and healthier existence. They offer digital wellbeing solutions for a healthier and happier workforce.
Tune in to hear Troy share the pillars of growth in corporate wellness, the four journeys that create engagement in organisations, the role of AI in digital fitness, and key metrics of corporate wellness programs.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Springday
Troy Morgan on LinkedIn
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In this episode, Paul talks with Joe Berselli, the Senior Director of Global Hospitality at Core Health & Fitness. Joe has over twenty years of experience in the hospitality industry. Core and Wexer have several joint well-being center implementations at major hotels. The installations are designed to create a guest experience that fosters loyalty and repeat business.
Core Health & Fitness leads the way in providing hotels with the tools to meet the demands of modern travelers. From hyper-personalized digital fitness experiences with Wexer to technology-driven immersive workouts of their Start Trac Virtual bike, their hospitality-ready solutions redefine the hospitality well-being landscape.
Tune in to hear Joe share his insights about how the hospitality industry integrates digital fitness solutions to meet the needs of travelers, including in-room fitness technology, the social aspects of wellness centers, and the barriers to adopting digital fitness solutions for hotels.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Core Health & Fitness
Giovanni (Joe) Berselli on LinkedIn
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In this episode, Paul talks with Barrie Elvish, CEO of AUSactive, a not-for-profit association that supports the health and exercise industry in Australia. Barrie is an avid surfer, park runner, and former teacher who was on the verge of retirement when an agent recruited him for a six-month position with AUSactive. That was five years ago.
AUSactive is Australia’s peak body for the exercise and active health sector, to activate Australians to move more. They do this through providing services, education, and advocacy for exercise professionals, businesses, and students. Programs are designed to grow skills, businesses, and careers. They work with all stakeholders across the sector, driving the development of best practices, industry standards, and continuing education to support members so they are ready for emerging opportunities and rewarding careers.
Tune in to hear Barrie share his insights about AI's impact on the fitness industry, how the industry can avoid future employment concerns, and how AUSactive is working to strengthen the industry’s position with the government to change funding models.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
AUSactive
Barrie.Elvish@ausactive.org.au
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In this episode, Paul talks with Jamie Foggon, CTO of Wexer. Jamie’s career in tech has come full circle, from the early days of the internet to creating digital fitness strategies. His creativity and passion for design serve him in leading teams that are integrating multiple platforms to revolutionize the digital fitness experience.
Tune in to hear Jamie share his insights about how the integration of Wexer’s new feature-rich platform will impact clients, career guidance for those aspiring to advance, and how business, technology, and design come together to create success.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Jamie Foggon on LinkedIn
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In this episode, Paul talks with Matthew Januszek, entrepreneur, co-founder of Escape Fitness, and host of the popular Escape Your Limits podcast. At 15, Matthew was influenced by friends and family who were bodybuilding enthusiasts. He so profoundly embraced fitness, he decided all he wanted was to live in a gym and pick up girls. Now as a flourishing entrepreneur, he declares that health and fitness are the backbone of everything in his life.
With over 20 years experience in the fitness industry, Escape Fitness has been at the forefront of functional fitness innovation, product design, and rethinking modernized gym layouts to boost engagement and enhance the member experience. They are a global leader in functional fitness constantly challenging boundaries to make what seems impossible, possible.
Tune in to hear Matthew share his insights about how managing client expectations is key for success, how quality marketing can be a long-term asset, and how being present can enhance one’s life.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Escape Fitness
Matthew Januszek Escape on LinkedIn
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In this episode, Paul talks with Eric Falardeau, a partner with McKinsey & Company in Montreal. For Eric, the human brain and his fundamental belief that there is continued opportunity to keep innovating as a sector to solve human needs is what brought him to the fitness industry.
McKinsey & Company’s mission is to help their clients make distinctive, lasting, and substantial improvements in their performance, and to build a great firm that attracts, develops, excites, and retains exceptional people.
Tune in to hear Eric share his thoughts on how the fitness sector can seize opportunities by embracing new business models that create more value from each customer relationship, increasing information, innovation, and technology usage, and the importance of purpose and passion in action.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
McKinsey & Company
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In this episode, Paul talks with Austin Cohen, Founder and CEO of Flexit. An admitted early riser, Austin has engaged in competitive sports throughout his life. And leaning into his experiences and education at Columbia Business School, Austin is a successful venture capitalist raising money for fitness industry entrepreneurs and consumer luxury products.
Flexit is a set of technologies designed to deliver flexible, empowering, experiences in the wellness industry for consumers all over the world. Since 2018, Flexit’s mission is to offer access to one-on-one experiences across 28 modalities across four pillars of physical therapy and nutrition.
Tune in to hear Austin describe his method for success in raising capital, the key ingredients of impactful leadership, and what long-term, holistic, personalized fitness experiences are on the horizon.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Flexit
@flexit_fitness on Instagram
info@flexit.fit
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In this episode, Paul talks with Liz Clark, President and CEO of The Global Health and Fitness Industry Association (IHRSA). With a lifetime of experience in association management and a personal interest in physical fitness, Liz works to enhance the growth and development of the fitness industry through legislation. She also sits on the board of the Physical Activity Alliance.
The mission of IHRSA, the Global Health & Fitness Association, is to grow, promote, and protect the health and fitness industry and to provide its members with the benefits that will help them be more successful. IHRSA and its members—health and fitness clubs, gyms, studios, sports and aquatic facilities, and industry partners—are dedicated to making the world healthier through regular exercise. In addition, IHRSA's advocacy team is fighting to pass the Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act, federal legislation that incentivizes physical activity and lowers consumer costs.
Tune in to hear Liz discuss how she qualifies the impact and importance of the fitness industry for public health, military service, and general social well-being to create legislation that affects fitness business owners and operators.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
IHRSA
Liz Clark
info@ihrsa.org
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In this episode, Paul talks with WellnessLiving’s CEO and cofounder Len Fridman. In his words, Len was a scrawny competitive tennis player. That was until, at 18, he picked up some weights and never looked back. When faced with the decision to re-enter the corporate world, Len followed his passion and started his own boot camp fitness business. Later, he partnered with a friend to create the business that eventually grew into WellnessLiving.
WellnessLiving’s mission is to be an all-in-one solution for helping business owners easily run their businesses. Known as the software company with a heart, their customers are the heart and soul of their business! That's why they go above and beyond to serve and take the customer experience to whole new heights!
Tune in to hear Len discuss how data can turn into valuable insights, reduce member churn, create efficiencies in marketing campaigns, and guide business decisions toward scalable growth. For fitness business managers, Len explains the common challenges of implementing operating software, why the adoption of data is slow, and what the future of fitness looks like from an AI perspective.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
WellnessLiving
Len Fridman on LinkedIn
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In this episode, Paul talks with Thiago Somera, the Infrastructure and Supply Chain Director of Smart Fit. Thiago’s long history of international trade marketing and supply chain experience assist him in successfully implementing both physical clubs and digital platforms.
Smart Fit entered the Latin American market in 2009. Since that time, Smart Fit has grown to 1400 clubs in the region. Smart Fit has a strong culture of innovation that aims to constantly improve the customer experience, and the productivity of clubs. Ever since the launch of Smart Fit, it has revolutionized the concept of clubs, adding new spaces and equipment for varied training, which provide members with a more dynamic and productive experience in using the equipment and spaces at the clubs.
Tune in to hear Thiago describe how he manages the rapid growth of Smart Fit in the Latin American market, the blueprint for the customer journey from digital to physical, and how he uses micro-influencers and other marketing efforts to drive attention to their digital platform.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Thiago Somera: Infrastructure and Supply Chain Director at Smart Fit LinkedIn
Smart Fit Website
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In this episode, Paul sits down with Integrity Square’s founder and managing partner Pete Moore. His education in finance from Harvard Business School and his passion for fitness and sport, are what ultimately led Pete to a business deal with Gold’s Gym brand in 1999. In 2010, he morphed the two competencies into Integrity Square. Pete is also the host of a leading business-to-business podcast, HALO Talks for fitness professionals.
Integrity Square’s mission is to advise, connect, and empower fast-growing companies, exceptional entrepreneurs, seasoned executives, and capital providers in the $4.2T Health, Active Lifestyle, and Outdoors (HALO) sector.
Tune in to hear Pete share unique insights about the financial side of the fitness business, consolidation, and hybridization, and the relevance of the attention economy. This information is pertinent to your fitness business and will inspire you to upgrade your business playbook.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Integrity Square
HALO Talks Podcast
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In this episode, Paul sits down with IDEA’s owner and CEO, Amy Thompson. Amy is a natural competitor with over three decades of experience in the fitness industry. Her goal is to empower fitness professionals to create their businesses on their own terms.
IDEA Health & Fitness Association is a membership association for fitness and wellness professionals, with approximately 22,000 members in over 80 countries. Members are personal fitness trainers, group fitness instructors, body-mind-spirit professionals, health club facility owners, managers, and fitness program directors. IDEA’s media division produces and distributes content in the form of magazines, journals, and conferences.
Tune in to discover how fitness professionals can expand their careers, how the association offers a consolidated voice to individual fitness professionals, and predictions for the future of the industry.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
IDEA Health & Fitness Association
@ideafit on Twitter
Idea Fit on Facebook
@AmyBooneThompson on Instagram
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Integrating digital content adds value to individual members and franchisees.
On today’s episode, Paul sits down with Title Boxing Club’s Chief Revenue Officer and Co-founder and President of BoxUnion, Felicia Alexander. Felicia spent 20 years in the corporate world but always knew her career would center around the fitness industry.
Started in 2008, Title Boxing Club has become a powerhouse in the fitness industry by integrating in-gym classes and digital subscription fitness opportunities. Through Title University, Master instructors and coaches offer franchisees and individuals a carefully crafted curriculum that focuses on boxing as the core component. BoxUnion is a unique blend of boxing, HIIT, strength, energy, and community that makes every class a one-of-a-kind experience.
Tune in to discover how to elevate your fitness business, release the raw energy of digital content in just the right doses, and stay relevant in the ever-changing fitness landscape.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
Title Boxing Club
BoxUnion
@feeslalaland on Instagram
@titleboxingclub on Instagram
@boxunionstudio on Instagram
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As technologies continue to rapidly advance, the possibilities for application in the wellness industry are seemingly endless.
On today’s episode Paul sits down with DMI Managing Director Allison Mataya. Allison is a former Olympic development field hockey player and took advantage of the pandemic to lose weight, stop drinking, and start moving her body more!
DMI focuses on supporting companies through their digital transformation, and is seeing major trends in the convergence of wellness and digital transformations. This mix of mature and new technologies is creating a combustion for new advancements, especially in the wellness space.
This episode is packed with ideas for innovation in five key areas of technology within the wellness industry. Tune in for a look at the future of more personalized wellness content, ways to take action based on the data that is collected with today’s digital technologies, and all that is possible within the metaverse.
Additional Resources:
Wexer Virtual Fitness
DMI Digital Consultancy
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In this latest episode Paul speaks with Tony Frick, Chairman and CEO at HUSK.
Husk's purpose is to empower healthier living by enabling people to navigate a host of different wellness benefits. With an offering including; tele-nutrition, tele-mental health, wellness rewards and digital fitness, Husk is a real powerhouse in the wellness space.
With such a wealth of wellness expertise it was great to get Tony's thoughts on employee wellness packages, digital delivery and his predictions for the future of this ever-growing industry.
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In this latest episode Paul speaks with Nathan Forster, CEO and Co-Founder of NEOU!
Nate is a former pro-athlete and a long-term fitness fan with over a decade of experience in the industry.
NEOU was originally launched as a B2C offering just before the pandemic, then the sudden saturation of the fitness content market and consequent inflation of customer acquisition costs led NEOU to pivot to a B2B model.
It now focuses exclusively on servicing companies that are looking to create digital communities and that therefore need a platform, a user experience and production capabilities.
With experience of both the platform and the production side – Nate is perfectly placed to offer advice to any companies looking to level up their content.
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Mylene Mendoza-Dayrit is an industry veteran of 36 years who created a holistic wellness concept in 1996 – then tried to digitise it. It was, she acknowledges, so far ahead of its time that she had to scale back her intentions.
Fast-forward to today, however, and as CEO of Gold’s Gym in the Philippines she now runs corporate wellness programmes for 400 of the region’s largest brands.
Tune in to this hugely passionate podcast as Mylene shares her secrets to success in the corporate wellness space.
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In this latest episode we speak with industry veteran of almost 40 years, Frank Napolitano.
His high-profile career has included significant stints as president of 24 Hour Fitness, CEO of GlobalFit, chair of Wexer, vice chair of Fresh Fitness and senior VP of strategy at Town Sports International, among many other roles for leading fitness brands.
With his wealth of industry knowledge, he shares how the pandemic forced people to see technology not just as a tool, but as a product and what that means for the future of the fitness sector.
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From youth circus clown to personal trainer, fitness media agency director to Founder of functional fitness brand CrankIt Fitness, Owen Bowling is an entrepreneur with fitness in his blood.
Since July 2018, he has been CEO of The Wellness Program, a company he co-founded and whose ‘Coach Welly’ app harnesses AI and Messenger to enable gyms to effortlessly engage, support and reward their members via a conversational tech platform.
We knew he’d make a superb interviewee for The Wexer Podcast. Tune in as Owen shares his thoughts on how to balance personalisation, human interaction and tech in the wellness space.
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In the latest episode of The Wexer Podcast we spoke with Founding Partner of NXT,LLC, John Blackburn!
John has worked and consulted in the technology space for around 30 years, helping globally renowned brands such as Walmart, Target, Victoria’s Secret and even Amazon to successfully take their next steps in the digital world.
In this latest edition of The Wexer Podcast, he draws on his multi-sector experience to highlight parallels and predictions for the fitness sector, and it makes for very interesting listening.
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In the latest episode of The Wexer Podcast we speak with Will Brereton, a 20-year veteran of the fitness industry, specialising in content creation, business growth and digital transformation.
Since 2020 Will has focused on SH1FT Fitness, the digital-first group fitness format he founded in 2016.
Tune in as he shares his insights on all things content creation and his advice for those looking to start.
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In the latest episode of The Wexer Podcast we spoke with Senior Vice President of National Fitness and Wellness for Invited (formerly ClubCorp) Michele Meleski!
Michele has an abundance of experience across the fitness and wellness sector, from boutique studios to personal training, large fitness club operations to, now, lifestyle and country clubs.
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In this week’s edition of The Wexer Podcast we spoke with Managing Director of Active Nation, Stuart Martin!
Stuart Martin has long been a proponent of the value of all forms of physical activity, not just the activity that happens in a gym environment. Indeed, Active Nation’s mission is simply to persuade the nation to be active – “and I don’t mind how people do that,” he explains.
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"I think that connected equipment is here to stay and it's only going to grow to be a bigger percentage of the pie - not only in the gym but at home as well. We are already seeing a substantial prevalence of that too, if you look at pre-COVID vs now the percentage of connected fitness in homes has grown about 50%"
In this week’s edition of The Wexer Podcast we chat to Jason Leone – president, chief financial & administrative officer of Core Health & Fitness.
One of the world’s largest suppliers of commercial fitness equipment, Core’s portfolio of commercial brands encompasses Star Trac, StairMaster, Nautilus and Schwinn.
In this podcast, Leone discusses the digitalisation of the fitness industry from an equipment manufacturer perspective, offering valuable insights into how the space is changing.
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"I think hybrid memberships are the way forward and embracing the fact that people want to workout at home or when travelling - making it convenient and easy.
Incorporating that into your offering enhances the experience, which in turns sell the membership up front and hopefully retains the member longer. So they are the two things, sell it up front and keep them longer and then you're on to a winner."
In this weeks episode of The Wexer Podcast we speak to serial entrepreneur, founder of multiple fitness and spa businesses and now CEO of Wellness Solutions, Tony de Leede.
When it comes to the fitness and wellness industry, de Leede really has been there, done that – and that includes content production in the shape of Move123 and Mind123. Expect lots of top advice as well as Tony's secrets to staying ahead of the game.
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“If you are worried about needing to keep up with the big players in digital - you don't - it's just about that connection. Start creating content, it doesn't need to be superb because quality and how other people view quality is subjective - so just start!”
In the latest edition of The Wexer Podcast, we speak to the founder and president of Sweat Factor, Mike Donavanik.
One of Wexer’s most popular and prolific content partners, Sweat Factor is well-known for its short format HIIT workouts, but also recently introduced a new Self Care by Sweat Factor series as well as Desk Pilates.
As you might expect, Donavanik has some great insights to offer around content creation, as well as how COVID has changed the rules of the game.
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"To me it all ties back to understanding strategically where your digital platform fits in to your product mix and then doing everything that you can, like you would with any other product in your business, to really embrace it as part of your identity - not just some tool you have on the side that may help you reach your average sales price per member."
In this week's episode Wexer CEO Paul Bowman, speaks with Garrett Marshall, President of Fitness Streaming for Xponential Fitness. In this insight-packed episode Garrett talks through how Xponential have made boutique fitness more accessible by widening the reach of their content through digital fitness - with some major learnings for other operators looking to go down the same path.
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"In our space there's a number of people that aren't really awake to what's actually going to happen - but it's a real opportunity. With the recent advances in technology and with the right partners and the right thinking you aren't talking about spending $8million to go digital now - the risk is worth the reward, as well as your speed of execution - so that's the good news if you are willing to think long term."
In this week's episode Wexer CEO Paul Bowman catches up with Bryan O’Rourke, one of the leading global experts on technology, consumer and business trends in the health club and fitness industry and a regular keynote speaker.
Bryan provides insights on how consumer behaviour has changed and how fitness operators can not only survive but thrive in this changing landscape.
Links: Find out more at www.wexer.com
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“Don’t think about your digital strategy for today. Think about it for tomorrow, and for next year. Technology moves at a rapid pace, so if you aren’t already planning for the future, you’ll always be left behind and trying to catch up.”
This is just one excellent piece of advice from Nad Myan, director of growth and innovation for Evolution Wellness, as he speaks to Wexer CEO Paul Bowman in the first ever episode of the Wexer Podcast.
Find out more at www.wexer.com
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The Wexer Podcast - Paul Bowman speaks to top digital experts to bring you insights and advice to support your digital journeys.
Wexer, the digital fitness specialist who deliver over 25 million fitness experiences per year through partners worldwide.
The Wexer podcast, coming soon, for more information check out our website at www.wexer.com'
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