Active Management

Tag: leadership

  • Business Growth Starts With A Smile

    Business Growth Starts With A Smile

     

    How good is a laugh?

    When you laugh, your body releases endorphins — those feel-good hormones you also get from exercise… or sex!

    This week I ate at two restaurants. At The Founding Farmers, our waiter Dom had quick one-liners and made us smile all night. The second? Efficient but no smiles, no eye contact, no warmth. Same food quality. Totally different feeling.

    And that’s the thing, your team controls how your members feel.

    You can’t hire comedians, but you can build a culture where people relax, be real, and smile.

    You can teach skills but you can’t teach someone to smile.

    When you smile, your team mirrors it. When they smile, your members feel it. And when your members feel it, they talk about it.

    Funny, isn’t it? Business growth starts with a smile.

  • Does The Fitness Industry Really Understand Its Members?

    Does The Fitness Industry Really Understand Its Members?

    Let’s be brutally honest for a second — how many of your members actually love exercising?

    How many jump out of bed or finish work thinking, “I can’t wait to get to the gym!”

    Yet from day one, we tell them they need to train three times a week if they’re serious about results.

    Maybe… just maybe… we need to rethink our expectations, our messaging, and even our product if we truly want to improve retention.

    Last week, Aaron Moore from VIDA Fitness told my REX Roundtable in Washington that their members aim for nine visits a month. Luke Carlson from Discover Strength, who’s way smarter than me, said two 30-minute strength sessions a week are enough to improve health. That’s eight visits a month.

    So is twice a week the magic number?

    If our entire approach focused on getting members to train twice a week, from programming to communication, would we see stronger retention and happier members?

    I don’t know the definitive answer, but I do know this: I hate going to the dentist. If someone told me I had to go three times a week to keep my teeth, I’d take my chances and settle for once every six months!

    Your challenge this week: Dive into your member visitation data. See how often your members really train — and what that says about how well you understand them.

    You might be surprised by what you find.

  • 1% Better Leadership: Have Your Team’s Back & Do They Know It?

    1% Better Leadership: Have Your Team’s Back & Do They Know It?

     

    I’ve coached amateur sport, semi-pro teams, kids, and adults. And whether it’s on the field or in business, here’s the one percenter that matters most: Your team must know you have their back.

    When people feel supported, they make bold decisions. They step up. They take responsibility. And that’s the difference between just participating and actually winning.

    I learned this first-hand coaching a grand final. We won but I copped criticism for being too loud and too passionate. Really? How can you be too passionate about backing your team? Every single player on that court knew I was in their corner. That’s what mattered.

    Here’s the thing:

    • On the field or in the business arena, you support your team 100%.

    • Once the game ends, that’s when you analyse, adjust, and refine.

    I’d much rather a team make bold decisions in the moment than freeze and make none at all. And if you can’t trust your people when the pressure’s on, then you haven’t done the right prep at “training.”

    That’s the 1% difference. That’s leadership.

    So ask yourself: Does my team know I’ve got their back?

  • Why The Best Gym Owners Look Outside The Industry

    Why The Best Gym Owners Look Outside The Industry

     

    If you only look at other gym owners, you’ll only get as good as gym owners.

    If you want to get better (and even stand out), start looking outside our industry for champions of your weakest areas.

    British Airways once studied a Formula 1 pit crew to speed up aircraft maintenance, not another airline. That study was game-changing for their business.

    Last week, my REX Roundtable visited Text Em All — a US-based company world-famous for their culture – check out this link for their culture. We learned how they attract, keep, and keep amazing people engaged. One part of their secret sauce is Patrick Lencioni’s Five Dysfunctions of a Team is brought to life with real behaviours. It was brilliant (yep, I took photos – reach out if you’re curious).

    Your challenge:

    • Be brutally honest – where is your business weak?
    • Find a company outside the fitness industry that crushes it in that area.
    • Study them.
    • Personalise their secret sauce.
    • Grow.
    • Reap the rewards – maybe not all in 7 days lol

    If you need help finding one, email me. I might know just the business to learn from.

  • Replay: Creating Careers, Taking Vacations

    Replay: Creating Careers, Taking Vacations

    Management and Leadership in the Fitness Industry

    With Mark Fisher from Business For Unicorns and your host JT!

    When Mark Fisher opened his first gym, he found himself with a team he loved — but no real training on how to lead.

    Like many first time leaders, he was asking himself:

    • How do managers delegate without setting their team up for failure?
    • What systems can keep team members on track without micromanaging?
    • How can leaders stay connected with what their team REALLY wants in a way that supports them AND the business’s needs?

    In this training, Mark will share the systems he used to scale Mark Fisher Fitness to nearly $34m in revenue, To support the operator of a gym he owns remotely with only 2 hours each week, And in coaching nearly 150 top gym owners all over the world to create careers for their team while still taking a damn vacation once in a while.

    Who Is Mark Fisher?

    Business for Unicorns is run by gym owners, just like you. Founders, Mark Fisher and Michael Keeler, founded NYC’s wildly eccentric Mark Fisher Fitness in 2012. MFF has been named one of Men’s Health’s Top Gyms in America, been featured in the New York Times, Forbes, Inc., the Wall St Journal and more, and has grossed $30m in revenue and counting.

    Access all live event replays by becoming a FBP Insider – our VIP listener community – where of course you can also connect with the expert!

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  • The 1% That Cost Olympic Gold — Don’t Let It Cost You

    The 1% That Cost Olympic Gold — Don’t Let It Cost You

    In the men’s 100m final at the last Olympics, Noah Lyles won gold in 9.83 seconds.

    Letsile Tebogo came second in 9.88.

    If Tebogo had run just 1% faster, he’d have hit 9.78 and taken the gold — Botswana’s first-ever 100m title. One. Percent. That’s all it would’ve taken.

    So… if you could improve just 1% this month, what would it be? And what’s stopping you?

    In the gym, we celebrate 1% wins: heavier lifts, faster runs, better reps. But in business, we chase 10% revenue jumps and 12% cost cuts.

    The truth is sometimes 1% is all you need — if it’s in the right place. Here’s how to find that 1%:

    1. Zoom out and look at your business like you’re 1,000m in the air.
    2. Surround yourself with people who’ve been where you are.
    3. Or do both — that’s what REX Roundtables is all about.

    And if you improve 1% per month, the year-end result is 12.68% better than where you started at the beginning of the year. That’s worth celebrating.

    What’s your 1% focus this month?

  • How Streaks and Dopamine Boost Gym Member Retention

    How Streaks and Dopamine Boost Gym Member Retention

    Duolingo. Apple Fitness. Headspace. TikTok. They’ve all mastered one thing: streaks.

    Not because they’re cute but they trigger dopamine. And here’s the kicker: dopamine doesn’t reward outcomes — it rewards anticipation.

    That’s why daily wins, visible progress bars, and “almost there!” nudges keep people coming back.

    If you want members to train more consistently, here’s the playbook:

    • Use streaks to reward frequency
    • Add status to make it feel important
    • Drop in random rewards to surprise and delight

    You can run this manually with high-fives and shoutouts. But the bigger your business gets, the more you’ll need tech to help.

    I recently saw My Gym Rewards and makes life easier for you as an owner. Myzone is another popular app and much of the electronic equipment use similar tech.

    Gamification isn’t just for kids or apps. It’s retention fuel and your members’ brains are wired for it.

  • What Great Gym Owners Do That Other’s Won’t

    What Great Gym Owners Do That Other’s Won’t

     

    When you’re in a leadership role—owner or manager—it’s not just about making the right decisions. It’s about making the toughest right ones.

    And those decisions? They’re usually about people. They shape your club’s culture more than any policy or promotion ever will.

    In 2022, I walked the Gettysburg battlefields with my REX Roundtable. The leadership decisions made there—some bold, some delayed—shaped history. The lesson? Not making a decision is a decision.

    Here’s a simple 3-step filter for big calls:

    1. What’s the upside if it works?
    2. What’s the downside if it bombs?
    3. Can I live with the downside—really?

    Protecting culture might cost you in the short term—but it pays dividends in loyalty and legacy.

    Jeff Bezos sums it up best:

    “If the decision is reversible, go fast. If it’s hard to reverse, pump the brakes.”

  • A New Era of Fitness Leadership: REX Leadership Academy 2025

    A New Era of Fitness Leadership: REX Leadership Academy 2025

    The health and fitness industry is set to witness a transformative event with the introduction of the REX Leadership Academy, scheduled for July 15-17, 2025, at the Crotonville Conference Centre in Ossining, New York. This immersive, two-and-a-half-day program is meticulously designed to equip industry leaders with the skills and insights necessary to navigate the evolving landscape of health and fitness management.​

    Revitalizing Leadership Training in the Industry

    Historically, IHRSA offered similar leadership institutes aimed at enhancing the competencies of health club executives. However, with the discontinuation of such programs, a noticeable void emerged in the industry. Recognizing this gap, REX Roundtables has taken the initiative to revitalize and elevate leadership training through the REX Leadership Academy. This endeavor aligns with REX’s commitment to fostering continuous improvement and excellence within the health and fitness sector.​

    A Comprehensive Curriculum for Diverse Roles

    The academy’s curriculum is tailored to address the multifaceted challenges faced by professionals in the health and fitness industry. It is particularly beneficial for:​

    • Club or Studio Owners: Strategies to enhance business operations, boost member retention, and drive profitability.
    • Club or Studio Managers: Leadership techniques to inspire teams, streamline operations, and achieve organizational goals.​
    • Spa Owners or Managers: Gain specialized insights on enhancing client experience, optimizing operational efficiency, and driving profitability within the spa and wellness sector.
    • Department Managers: Skills to lead departments effectively and contribute to overarching business success.​
    • Aspiring Business Leaders: Fundamental leadership principles to accelerate career progression in the industry.​

    Key topics encompass Sales, Marketing & Personal Training; Leadership & Strategy; Culture & Customer Experience; Operations & Programming; Networking & One-on-One Sessions; and Financial Management.​

    REX Faculty and Guest Speakers

    The REX Leadership Academy boasts a distinguished lineup of faculty and guest speakers, each bringing a wealth of experience and expertise:​

    • Eddie Tock: Host & REX CEO, renowned for his strategic insights in the fitness industry.​
    • Allison Flatley: REX Chair, celebrated for her leadership in health club management.​
    • Brent Darden: REX Chair, former IHRSA interim President & CEO, with extensive industry knowledge.​
    • Justin Tamsett: REX Chair, an international speaker known for his expertise in member engagement.​
    • Frank Ancharski: REX Chair, specializing in operational excellence and customer experience.​
    • Mary Laudati: REX Chair, with a focus on marketing and sales.
    • Dan Duran: REX Chair, Personal Training Manager Roundtable and VP of Lionel University Global.​
    • Mark Miller: REX Chair, recognized for his work in organizational culture and leadership.​
    • Danielle Krischik: Keynote Speaker. Partner, Chief Strategy Officer at Knight Agency, offering expertise in strategic marketing.​
    • Frank Lawrence: CEO of Little Rock Athletic Centers, bringing financial insights from club operations.​
    • Mark Harrington Jr.: President of Healthworks Fitness, GymIt, and Republic Fitness, known for innovative business strategies.​
    • Lesley Carr: VP of Fitness at Healthworks and Republic Fitness, with a focus on fitness programming and leadership.​

    These industry luminaries will share their knowledge through keynote speeches, interactive sessions, and panel discussions, providing attendees with actionable strategies and a comprehensive understanding of effective leadership in the health and fitness domain.​

    An Engaging and Interactive Agenda

    The academy’s agenda is structured to maximize learning and networking opportunities:​

    https://rexleadershipacademy.com/#agenda

    Optional guided tours of clubs and studios in New York City are available on July 17-18, offering practical insights into successful operations.​

    A Commitment to Building a Leadership Community

    Beyond the structured sessions, the REX Leadership Academy emphasizes the creation of a supportive community among participants. The academy fosters an environment of honesty and openness, encouraging attendees to share experiences, challenges, and solutions. This collaborative approach ensures that the learning extends beyond the event, providing ongoing support and networking opportunities.​

    Limited Enrollment for Personalized Experience

    To maintain an intimate and interactive setting, enrollment is capped at 80 attendees. This limitation ensures personalized attention and fosters meaningful connections among participants and faculty. Prospective attendees are encouraged to secure their spots promptly to benefit from this unparalleled leadership development opportunity.​

     

    The REX Leadership Academy represents a pivotal moment for leadership development in the health and fitness industry. By bridging the gap left by previous programs, it offers a comprehensive, immersive experience designed to empower current and aspiring leaders. With its robust curriculum, esteemed faculty, and commitment to community building, the academy is poised to set a new standard for excellence in industry leadership training.

    For more information and to register, visit the official REX Leadership Academy website or contact Eddie Tock:

    https://rexleadershipacademy.com/
    [email protected]
    (914)-643-3207

  • The HFA Show 2025

    The HFA Show 2025

    A new brand. A new conference name. A new event. And JT is honoured to speak at his 18th IHRSA/HFA event in Vegas this March.

    Use the Promotional Code – HFASPK – and you’ll save $50 off education or $25 off the trade show.

    Go to https://hub.healthandfitness.org/hfa-show-pricing