HALO Talks

Today's episode will be a movie one day! Siavash Fashi's extraordinary story of resilience, ambition, and success is truly remarkable. His journey from the war-torn streets of Iran to the vibrant fitness community of Culver City is incredible. He went from being a young lifter inspired by Arnold Schwarzenegger to a determined refugee navigating the turbulent streets of England and eventually the challenging landscapes of America.  Fashi's passion for fitness and bodybuilding started as a teenager. At around 18, he often visited a wrestling gym and lifted weights with whatever resources he could find. (Bodybuilding was illegal in Iran back in his days!) Despite the challenges of lacking proper nutritional knowledge and language barriers, he remained all in. He trained his entire body daily, driven by inspiration from fitness images and the scant, often incorrect information he could access. With grit and unwavering determination, Siavash founded Six Pack Gym, a thriving hub in Culver City, CA where he's not on

In this episode, we're talking with Peter Webb, CEO of Nuforma. Although reliatively new to Pilates, Peter brings with him an extensive 25-year background in the HALO sector. We dive into the innovative world of Nuforma, which takes a groundbreaking approach to make Pilates more accessible to a wider audience.  We'll look at how Nuforma's unique reformer units, which come equipped with monitors and self-service functionalities, are transforming traditional Pilates classes. Peter shares insights into the company's journey, including the development of the equipment and its expansion strategy. Whether you're an operator looking to introduce Nuforma to your gym floor or simply interested in the burgeoning Pilates sector, this episode is a must-listen!  About the Nuforma, Webb states, "Obviously, this is a a much different type of unit than you would have versus a 'classical' reformer. It's made of steel. It's German engineered. It has the monitor, and so on. We've also added a new element-a weight plate system."

At 22 years old, Vince Gabriele attended his first Perform Better seminar as a newly minted personal trainer. When he saw long-time industry veteran, Tom Plummer speak, he was instantly inspired and became determined to be in his shoes one day. Today, Vince is a highly successful gym owner-turned consultant. He shares his journey from struggling with money management to mastering essential business metrics like EBITDA, cost per lead, and lifetime customer value. He discusses insights on prioritizing personal success, family time, and the satisfaction of helping others grow without financial gain. Vince emphasizes the importance of understanding and catering to your target market, the significance of community-building within gyms, and the traits that distinguish successful gym owners. He also reflects on the practical advice from marketing expert Seth Godin that shaped his career decisions. On learning from his past financial mistakes, Gabriele states, "I got really into some hot water because I wasn't doing

In this episode, we're excited to once again chat with fellow B2B HALO sector podcaster and industry veteran, Eric Malzone. Eric--known for his work in the Future Fitness and the Podcast Collective-- has conducted over 800 interviews and dives deep into the evolving landscape of the HALO space with host, Pete Moore. He shares his journey from selling his gyms to slowly becoming a leading voice in fitness podcasts, emphasizing the impact, reach, and direct feedback podcasts provide. Eric journey as a podcaster began with a simple realization: If he was going to create content, he might as well share it with others. This led him to start recording his discussions and sharing them with a broader audience. The impact of (any podcaster's!) work can be measured in two significant ways: The tangible metrics such as audience numbers, LinkedIn impressions, and social media interactions. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, is the direct feedback you receives from listeners about specific episodes or topics, which t

In this first-ever "HALO Talks Live" episode held at Sid's Gym in NYC on October 17 2024 to a packed house, we dove deep into everything from fitness innovation, building a brand from the ground up, deciding to 'break the mold' of the fitness space, guerilla marketing, and a ton more with legendary Crunch Fitness founder Doug Levine. Host Pete Moore and Doug explored Crunch's creative, unorthodox beginnings, from viral marketing campaigns to avant-garde classes like aerial yoga and others.  Sue Hitzmann, visionary creator of the world famous MELT Method (and also a Crunch veteran from the early days & HALO Talks alum!) started us off and discussed the importance of fascia health for true body wellness, emphasizing proactive self-care, how 'recovery' has changed over the years, the importance of proper trainer education, why facilities should strongly consider getting their instructors up to speed on the methodology, and more.  Levine was the driving force behind Crunch Fitness, and he transformed the fitn

Arman Eckelbarger began his career in consulting, experiencing initial success before pausing to prioritize family life. As his family grew, he eventually moved to a more stable 9-to-5 job in insurance and investments, a field he dedicated eight years to. That really do it for him, so he returned to consulting, embracing the always-evolving HALO space. Today, he focuses on enhancing health, muscle span, and lifespan, guiding individuals to enjoy the rewards of their financial success while maintaining overall well-being. His journey reflects adaptability and a commitment to both personal and professional growth. Arman dives deep into his systematic approach to health optimization including extensive lab work, customized nutrition and exercise plans, and the integration of DNA methylation tests. He discusses the importance of belief alignment with clients and the critical role of insulin in managing health. Listen now to hear Arman's insightful perspectives on achieving better health, and learn about the cutti

In this episode we welcome Meghann Butcher from RepSpark, a B2B e-commerce platform that's revolutionizing retail for boutique gyms, golf shops, and pro shops. Meghann shares her expertise on the challenges faced by studio operators in managing retail and how RepSpark can seamlessly bridge the gap, helping businesses maximize their retail potential. Butcher is a seasoned expert dedicated to simplifying operations for business owners and operators. She clearly understands that many of these professionals aren't trained buyers or merchandisers, despite their unique opportunity to serve a guaranteed daily clientele. Meghann focuses on making the entire processes easy and seamless, empowering owners to maximize potential profits without the hassle of managing a complex back end. Megan goes into depth about not only optimizing retail spaces, but also making them a profitable extension of your fitness studio. Whether you're running a small boutique gym or a larger operation, this episode is packed with valuable ins

Curtis Christopherson has been a pioneering force in the personal training industry in Canada for the past 25 years. At a time when personal training was predominantly reserved for the affluent, athletes, and celebrities, he launched Innovative Fitness with a single location. He successfully navigated the company through significant challenges such as the dot-com bubble, the financial crisis, and the pandemic. Today, Innovative Fitness is renowned for its high-end boutique model, specializing in one-on-one and one-on-two personalized fitness and training sessions within their 4,000 to 5,000 square foot facilities. His commitment to quality and innovation has firmly established the brand as a leader in the field. Curtis details the operational and strategic initiatives that have fueled their continued growth as well as discuss the importance of standardizing personal services in their franchise model, the benefits of brand partnerships, and the holistic approach to wellness that includes everything from moveme

Steven Webster has carved out a rather unique career path combining sports, technology, and coaching. Originally from the UK and now in California, Steven boasts an impressive martial arts background. His expertise extends beyond the dojo, selling his first company to Adobe and working with customers including NASA, Nike, and the NFL. Also a Microsoft alumnus, he's made significant contributions to athletic coaching, leading British University sports teams to ten national championships. His multifaceted knowledge spans movement recognition, coaching intelligence, artificial intelligence, and athletic intelligence. Webster and host Pete Moore explore his early passion for computers sparked initially by his Dad (an electrical engineer) to eventually founding ASENSEI, a company specializing in movement recognition technology for fitness and healthcare. We uncover Steve's insights on enhancing consumer engagement, solving real-world problems through AI, and the future of interactive training technology. This is a

In today's episode, host Pete Moore welcomes (for his second appearance on HALO Talks) Deekron Krikorian--formerly known as the Fitness DJ--and currently a new author, fitness professional specializing in those over 40, and a seasoned entrepreneur. He shares how his father's rugby background created a lifelong commitment to health and fitness. Transitioning from a corporate career to promoting customized, curated fitness music for professionals, Deekron's prior company "Motion Traxx" grabbed over 100,000+ listeners monthly, leading to powerful brand partnerships. He's since authored a new book focusing on the "9 shifts"—a holistic system addressing the Mind, Body, and Life challenges that many of us face, especially as we get older. Deekron and Pete delve into crucial topics including deception in 'healthy snacks' marketing, the significance of 'imperfect actions' for high achievers, and balancing data-driven fitness coaching with personal accountability. Deekron also discusses his coaching philosophy, emphas

In today's episode, we dive into (a relatively new field in the US) the fascinating world of 'healthy/performance lighting' with Kyle Harris. Join host Pete Moore as they explore Brainlit technology, a Swedish company that creates healthier indoor environments by mimicking the natural spectrum of sunlight through advanced LED modulation. Kyle and Pete discuss expanding partnerships with major sports teams like the Sacramento Kings, tackling market challenges, and the impressive patent portfolio that underpins Brainlit's revolutionary approach. We'll also touch on the technology's journey into various markets, the quantifiable benefits for athlete performance and overall wellness, and the future-proof nature of lighting solutions making waves in the US sports sector. Inspired by Tord Wengren, one of the team behind behind Bluetooth and a platform expert from companies like Samsung and Huawei, Brainlet aims to revolutionize indoor lighting. Under Kyle’s influence, the company focuses on modulating and controlli

Michael Riordan, a fellow New Yorker and entrepreneur, shares his journey in building a unique fitness tourism business. We'll dive into how his personal experience and professional background as a personal trainer inspired him to create immersive, wellness-focused tours for travelers and business people visiting the city.  While in Hawaii, he was faced with the decision of either running on a treadmill or exploring outdoors, he chose the latter and embarked on a beach run that turned out to be one of the most memorable experiences of his life. This moment of clarity inspired him to integrate more local and immersive activities into his routine. Back in his professional life, he noticed a recurring theme among his clients, who often traveled to fun destinations for work but rarely got to experience the local culture. Michael became a staunch advocate for blending fitness with business and/or adventure travel, encouraging clients to explore and enjoy their surroundings, no matter where their travels took them.

Chris Craytor took on a significant challenge when joining the board of IHRSA, the  International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association. At a time when raising funds was particularly difficult, Craytor played a key role in steering the organization towards a stronger focus on advocacy, education, and research. With the strategic hire of Liz Clark as CEO, Craytor helped pivot IHRSA—now known as the Health and Fitness Association—towards these critical areas. This shift was underscored by the COVID pandemic, which signifcantly heightened awareness among club operators about the importance of advocacy. Craytor envisions increased efforts to influence state-level legislation, recognizing that many crucial battles for the industry are won and lost at the local level.  Chris and host Pete Moore discuss a range of topics crucial to the fitness industry, including managing member relationships, especially within the Medicare Advantage community, and the critical role of customer retention. Chris shares his inn

Host Pete Moore is joined by an industry pioneer and long-time friend Jill Kinney, currently the Founder/Chairman of Active Wellness. They deep dive into the ever-evolving landscape of fitness for the senior population, focusing on Jill's innovative work with Active Wellness. She shares her insights on redefining fitness centers, especially within healthcare systems and senior living communities, through the creation of Activate—a high-touch, personalized wellness program which are transforming traditional spaces into profitable, consumer-facing wellness hubs.  Drawing from a rich background in developing, owning, and operating fitness clubs, Jill has successfully melded her expertise to create distinct, consumer-focused models within the industry.  Kinney states, "I don't think the health care systems or hospitals per se, really understand marketing. Most of the folks that we've dealt with felt like their medical fitness center was somehow or another going to be so unique that it would have no competition .

Host Pete Moore had a sit-down at the Health & Fitness Association 2024 trade show in Los Angeles with Cyrus Massoumi, the visionary founder behind Dr. B, a revolutionary telemedicine platform. Pete chats with Cyrus about his journey from founding Zocdoc to his passionate pursuit of affordable, how the name came about, remote healthcare solutions through Dr. B, and more. They also discuss how COVID has transformed medical interactions and highlight the critical role of exercise in managing medical conditions. Massoumi offers insightful perspectives on utilizing FSA and HSA dollars for fitness expenses and shares how Dr. B's partnerships with fitness brands are making healthcare more accessible. You'll learn about the importance of letters of medical necessity, the compliance landscape of telehealth, innovative ways to maximize healthcare benefits, and how this can complement your fitness journey. Massoumi is driving a holistic approach to wellness and pushing the boundaries of healthcare, ensuring it meet

Today we're diving into the Pilates/boutique fitness world with two incredible guests, Liz Polk and Andrea Speir, Co-Founders of Speir Pilates. We explore how Liz and Andrea have transformed their love for Pilates into a thriving business that not only promotes health and wellness but also fosters community and inclusivity. Liz and Andrea share their journey, from leaving corporate careers, including Liz's decade at Netflix, to building a brand known for its welcoming atmosphere and thier collaborative spirit with other businesses. We'll discuss their strategies for maintaining high-quality instruction, the importance of a strong entrepreneurial management team, and their innovative use of technology to enhance member experience. These two women have created something unique. Speir Pilates is not just about fitness, but about creating a supportive, family-like culture and pioneering unique events from bachelorette parties to influencer classes. There's something here for any business owner in the HALO space!

Host Pete Moore sits down with Sam O'Keefe to delve into the (often confusing!) world of HSA (Health Savings Accounts) and FSA (Flexible Spending Accounts) and their intersection with the HALO (Health, Active Lifestyle, Outdoors) sector. In a market worth nearly $150B, Sam shares her expertise on how fitness-related expenses, including gym memberships and fitness programs, can become eligible for reimbursement under certain conditions. We'll explore how Flex, Sam's fintech company, is making it easier for HALO-businesses to integrate HSA and FSA benefits, facilitating seamless payments and reimbursements for members. Sam also discusses the critical role of exercise in both mental and physical health, the psychology behind spending HSA and FSA funds, and the entrepreneurial challenges she continues to face in this very new, rather niche space. From the nuances of telehealth evaluations to contributing and spending behaviors in HSA and FSA accounts, this episode is packed with valuable insights for anyone inter

Today we're joined by Beth Potter and Peter Pastijn, industry veterans in the HALO sector and two top players at Studio Grow, one of Integrity Square's strategic partners who provide top notch, in-the-trenches coaching for boutique studio owners worldwide.  Beth and Peter draw parallels between Studio Grow and the role of a regional director, highlighting the extensive network they provide, from legal and marketing, to specialized coaches. They emphasize the importance of collaboration, ongoing support, and the value their services they can bring to not only independents but also franchisees, with some groups even adding Studio Grow to their Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDD's.)  They also explore the need for succession planning and exit strategies, the impact of holistic wellness trends, and how Studio Grow is fostering confidence and understanding of financial metrics like EBITDA among studio owners. On Studio Grow's services Pastijn states, "If I'm coaching a session with an advanced studio and they wan

Greta Wagner is a seasoned fitness industry veteran with over four decades of experience in the HALO (Health, Active Lifestyle, Outdoor) space. A current Board Member of the Health & Fitness Assocation (formerly IHRSA), and Executive Director of Chelsea Piers, her journey began at the age of 16, when she started teaching what used to be called "aerobic dance." After a decade-long hiatus in the golf industry, her return to fitness was marked by a pivotal realization: The sector had seen little growth and was still grappling with engaging the same 80% of people who do not participate in regular exercise or attend fitness clubs. Her career reflects both her adaptability and enduring passion for promoting a healthier lifestyle.  Greta shares her invaluable perspectives on fostering inclusivity, broadening communication, and the significance of a positive work culture that transcends beyond just having state-of-the-art facilities. Also discussed are the pressures of athleticism on young kids, branding excellen

We're excited to bring back Lauren Foundos, founder of FORTE. Join her in a deep dive into the dynamic world of virtual fitness and digital engagement. Lauren transitioned her company through the intense periods of the pandemic by focusing on survival and being nimble. As the world shifted towards hybrid work post-pandemic (particularly with many NYC companies settling on a sort of 3 days in office, 2 days out), she noticed the parallels between this new work dynamic and the ever-evolving fitness landscape.  Lauren and host Pete Moore discuss the crucial role of relationships and engagement in the middle market, the benchmarks for success in virtual class participation, and the long-term value of community building. She provides insights on leveraging live-streamed classes and data to boost member retention and overall experience. We'll also hear about the challenges of maintaining client attention, and the evolving landscape of video and streaming technology in the HALO space. We'll wrap up with a closer loo