Active Management

Tag: leadership

Myzone Assembles Stellar Leadership Team To Drive Growth

Myzone has announced three significant appointments to its global leadership team to drive product development and business growth. Jennie So joins the business as Chief Product Officer, Kyle Millroy joins as Senior Vice

Jennie So

President of Global Sales and Craig Artley has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer.

Leading on product development and innovation, So, based in Hong Kong, comes with 25 years’ product experience working for brands such as Burberry and WeWork. So is also the founder of LILAX ANALYTICS, a trailblazing AI-powered platform that helps brands build omnichannel experiences to boost customer engagement. Her expertise in leveraging AI to enhance customer experience will play a pivotal role in Myzone’s product strategy moving forward.

Speaking of her appointment, So said: “I’m incredibly excited to be joining Myzone at such an important stage in its journey. I’m passionate about creating world class consumer products and experiences, and the opportunity to improve millions of people’s lives through improved health and fitness is something I couldn’t pass up. Myzone already does a great job at leveraging the power of data, community and gamification which gives us a fantastic platform on which to develop new products and functionality.”

Joining So in the newly created position of Senior Vice President of Global Sales, Kyle Millroy is a seasoned professional in the fitness industry, having been instrumental in the growth of Johnson Health Tech across South Africa as well as leading the Benelux and EMEA Distributor business for Life Fitness.

Kyle Millroy

Speaking of his appointment, Millroy says: “As a Hall of Fame user I have been a big fan of Myzone for many years. The brand is well-known and well-respected within the health and fitness world which is a great foundation for growth. My focus will be on expanding our worldwide gym partner network, helping gym operators understand the value Myzone can add to their members’ experience, and building out our distributor business.”

The third new addition to the leadership team is Craig Artley, joining as Chief Financial Officer. An experienced executive director and finance leader, Artley’s former roles include Chief Financial Officer at FSB Technology and Finance Director at Sporting Group. His background in corporate finance and extensive experience in putting in place governance and controls to support the scaling of a business will underpin Myzone’s ambitious growth plans.

Artley adds: “The last seven years of my career have been spent in companies that straddle sports/esports, technology and media, so moving to Myzone is a natural step for me. Being able to combine my passion for fitness with building the Myzone finance function for ambitious growth is something I’m hugely excited about.”

Speaking of the appointments, Myzone Global CEO, Jay Worthy, says: “The success of any business is dictated by the calibre of its team. Building on more than a decade of market success, Myzone is perfectly positioned for our next period of growth. We have already developed a global network of gym operators supporting hundreds of thousands of Myzone users. The next stage in the brand’s development is to focus on building a company structure that will support this growth in a sustainable way, whilst simultaneously developing products and experiences that will support the ever-evolving needs and desires of consumers. The digital fitness and wellbeing market is predicted to be worth US$83.42bn by 2029 and Myzone plans on becoming a leading player in that market.”

The new appointments follow the recent additions of Tom Davies, formerly Director of Marketing at Anytime Fitness as Global Marketing Director and Vahid Zadeh, formerly Principal Tech Leader, Data Science at WHOOP as Chief Technology Officer. Together, these leaders form a powerhouse team poised to drive the company into a new period of growth.

For more information about Myzone visit: myzone.org.

January 21, 2025
Fuel Women’s Fitness Business Summit Expands Globally to Make Way for Women in New Zealand

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – 25th October 2023 – After three incredibly successful annual events in Sydney, Fuel Women’s Fitness Business Summit is thrilled to announce its much-anticipated international launch in Auckland, New Zealand. Day 1 of the event is set to take place at the luxury event venue, Cocoon House, on February 22nd and will move to the stunning Hilton Auckland on 23rd 2024 for Day 2.

Embodying the spirit of their 2024 theme, ‘Make Way,’ Fuel co-founders Alisha Smith and Deborah Goldberg are excited about providing a dynamic platform for women in the New Zealand fitness industry to forge new paths and foster growth and leadership.

“We’ve got some exceptional talent lined up to present a combination of strategic, tactical, and personal development skills,” said Smith, “These women such as activist, Puna Wano-Bryant; women’s health and fitness advocate Tracy Minnoch-Nuku; and global industry stalwart, Emma Barry, all know the industry inside and out, and are powerful advocates for the development of women.”

Following the overwhelming response to previous events, Fuel Women’s Fitness Business Summit is returning to its original format, inviting delegates to participate in a dynamic 2-day experience. Attendees can choose to register for either the impactful Day 1 Firestarter, a group coaching day dedicated to an in-depth exploration of leadership skills, or Day 2 Fuel Summit, which will feature seven diverse sessions covering an array of personal development and professional strategy topics, all designed to inspire participants to ‘Make Way’ for new opportunities and progress.

“Events like this rely on huge support from the industry and one of our first and most supportive partnerships has always been Technogym,” explained Goldberg. “It’s a brand we’re proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with and we’re thrilled to continue that long relationship by partnering with Technogym NZ.”

A leading advocate for wellness solutions, Technogym has eagerly stepped in as the Wellness Activation Partner for Fuel. Olivia Sheppard, Senior Marketing Manager for Technogym in New Zealand, expressed the company’s enthusiasm, stating, “Technogym is thrilled to be the Wellness Activation Partner for Fuel’s first-ever New Zealand summit. Technogym wholeheartedly aligns with Fuel in fostering an environment for women to lead, grow, and excel in business. We’re proud to stand behind Fuel and all the wonderful female delegates attending this exciting new summit in Tāmaki Makaurau!”

With the summit’s expansion to Auckland, Fuel Women’s Fitness Business Summit is dedicated to continuing its mission of inspiring, fostering, and nurturing the next generation of women leaders and business owners in the fitness sector.

For more information on corporate tables, tickets and sponsorship opportunities, head to fuel-summit.com or contact:
Deborah Goldberg +61 421 328 983
Alisha Smith +61 491 659 697

October 30, 2023
You Can Join The REX Community & Take Your Gym Business To The Next Level

Yeah, yeah I know . . . you hear this all the time! But at REX we don’t talk about the next level being just membership numbers, we focus on your entire business from operations to strategy to leadership going up to the next level.

Three Agendas At REX (That Most Business Coaches Don’t Understand)

Agenda 1 – Operations

This is where 95% of business coaching programs and conferences sit because it is easy to coach operations. The focus of agenda 1 is the work. At REX we use Slack, Facebook groups and Zoom calls to cover off operational best business practices. This expedites finding solutions, it also means when we get face to face we can focus on Agenda 2 and 3.

Agenda 2 – Strategy

Discussion here is on the organisation or business. It requires discipline to keep focussed on the mechanisms that bring people together with resources to accomplish the organisation’s purpose. This agenda includes plans, strategies, structure, delegation, staffing, systems for communication, coordination and control, resource allocation methods, rewards and recognition systems both formal and informal and finally the all-pervasive culture of the organisation. Way harder than agenda 1 discussion and a hiding from agenda topics simply means a weak foundation to operations.

Agenda 3 – You, the leaders

The third agenda addresses individual development and transformation. Individual development does not mean learning more about the first or second agenda topics. It means learning more about you and your relationship/impact on those you work with.

Want To Know More About These Three Agendas

Click here and I’ll send you a copy.

Who Are REX Members?

REX members are owners and managers who want to focus on improving their agenda 2 and 3. They are simply people who want the business working for them and not them working for the business.

REX members want to learn and share experiences to ensure the entire Roundtables gets better. They know as there are no competitors in the room, the decisions they make will come from thoughtful and profound thinking and discussion between people that genuinely care about them. No other fitness business program on the planet has the REX family feeling.

Want to know if REX Roundtables is right for you?

Click here and book a time to chat with me

REX Roundtables Is About Family

When you read The Dysfunctions Of A Team by Patrick Lencioni you realise that trust is the primary function of any team. At REX we work on trust at every opportunity as this means, there is great candour and support in every REX group. When you’re asking for advice, direction, thoughts on an idea or just chatting your REX want the best for you and will challenge you, ask you questions you’ve never been asked before and support you for success. When you experience this, you’ll agree nothing in a blog, brochure or even a phone conversation can explain what this experience is like!

This REX bond is unique and wonderful.

Want to Join The REX Family?

Click here and book a time to chat with me

April 20, 2023
ChatGPT Will Be The End of Personal Trainers Who Are Awesome Programmers
Right before our eyes we are seeing a metamorphosis of personal trainers. For all the trainers who have a marketing message that they can program to help clients lose 5kg, run a marathon or even just touch their toes you will be out of business in less than a year!

If you are a PT that just shows yourself scantily clad on the beach proclaiming you have the world’s best online program to get results for clients, fill in your unemployment forms now! Your clients can get the program you write in seconds and for free from ChatGPT.

For those with bricks and mortar studios or contractors inside clubs, if your value proposition is periodised programs you write, well the death knell is ringing for you too.

Clients know the results they want. They know their commitment to time in the gym – length and how often they can attend. And of course they know the ‘when’ they want results. That’s all they need to ask ChatGPT to write them a question.

So why does anyone need a personal trainer anymore?

What ChatGPT cannot do:
- Correct technique
- Support through human to human connection
- Hold clients accountable
- Help build habits with positive reinforcement
- Celebrate success
These are the soft skills of personal training. They are the communication and emotional intelligence pieces of the puzzle.

We’ve always known they are all critical to a successful PT and their business but now it is never more relevant.

What should 2023 look like then for personal trainers and PT Departments:
- Personal trainers must work on their soft communication skills.
- Department Managers and business owners your team development training needs to focus on strengthening the soft communication skills.
It is no longer how good you can bench press (or any other exercise) it is how you can motivate me to bench press, ensure my bench press is performed correctly, get me to bench press with you again next week, and high five me when I do a personal best!

Personal training is changing before our eyes!

And according to ChatGPT . . .

Soft communication skills are essential personal attributes and abilities that help you communicate, collaborate, and connect with others in a meaningful way.

In a world where relationships matter more than ever, these skills are vital for building positive and productive interactions with people around you.

Here are some examples of soft communication skills that you can develop to improve your interactions with others:
1. Active listening: Paying attention to others and showing that you care about what they have to say.
2. Empathy: Putting yourself in someone else’s shoes and understanding their perspective.
3. Verbal and nonverbal communication: Using words, tone, and body language to express yourself clearly and effectively.
4. Conflict resolution: Finding solutions to disagreements and problems that are fair and respectful to all parties involved.
5. Collaboration: Working together with others to achieve common goals and make a positive impact.
6. Emotional intelligence: Being aware of and managing your own emotions, as well as recognizing and responding to the emotions of others.
7. Adaptability: Being flexible and open to change and new situations.
8. Positive attitude: Maintaining an optimistic outlook and being supportive of others, even in challenging situations.
By developing these soft communication skills, you can build stronger relationships with those around you and create a more fulfilling and successful life.

At REX Roundtables we discuss AI and how it impacts our current future businesses. Additionally, we share resources and best practices to help in team development. If you would like to find out more about REX, then let’s chat – click here
April 13, 2023
REX Roundtables, Fitness Businesses & ChatGPT
As I finish the first round of REX Roundtables for 2023 (4 in Australia and 3 in the US) the biggest takeaway by far has been the capabilities of ChatGPT. In just 60 minutes of our meeting we have discovered ways that businesses can use this to:
- Write operational manuals;
- Draft member letters;
- Save time on blogs (even start writing blogs);
- Reduce business costs; and
- Open our business minds of what is possible.
Now, before you pile on and say “Be careful JT, this is AI and it is fraught with danger.” Let me say, that we simply explored and began the education process of how this could be used in business. We looked at the opportunities and efficiencies that it could give our business. The emphasis was absolutely on ‘could’ and that we need to better understand how we could use it.

I do want to share that individually many owners had looked at ChatGPT. They had even played with it. They then left it thinking too hard or not relevant to them. When REX Roundtables come together, there are 10+ owners sharing how they think they can use it – this automatically gives us 10 simples hack to business that this platform can help with. Add in another layer of how members from other REX groups use it and we have an even bigger brain dump. The final layer is experiences the REX Chairs have with ChatGPT and I would suggest you now have a comprehensive list of ideas for using this in your business.

The discussion around ChatGPT is just one example of the benefits of being on a REX Roundtable. Of course there are numerous others, but after the last round of REX meetings I am confident to say, that our ChatGPT discussion and the lesson learned will cover the cost of being a member of REX Roundtables for at least 12 months.

You don’t have to miss out on these conversations, you can join REX Roundtables in Australia or the US with me or Europe with Fausto. Send me a note and we can chat about what is REX and how you’ll benefit – personally & professionally.

What is ChatGPT

Deep learning methods are used by OpenAI’s huge language model CHATGPT to produce responses to user input that are human-like. It may be used for many different jobs like language translation, question answering, and text completion because it is built to comprehend and generate natural language text.

The “GPT” in CHATGPT stands for “Generative Pre-trained Transformer,” which refers to the model’s architecture and training procedure. CHATGPT is a big language model created by OpenAI. The model can produce text that is coherent and contextually relevant since it has been pre-trained on large volumes of text data from the internet.

Many applications, including chatbots, virtual assistants, and customer service, can make use of CHATGPT. It is an effective tool for communication and automation since it can comprehend and produce language that is similar to that of humans. But, it’s crucial to remember that CHATGPT isn’t flawless and occasionally commits mistakes or produces unsuitable results, so it should always be used with care and under the supervision of a human.

For more info on REX Roundtables at www.REXRoundtables.com
March 16, 2023
Do You Need Leads For Your Fitness Business? Think Again!
At REX Roundtables the most common statement from over 250 members is “I am all Zoomed out!” And rightly so after the past 3 years which simply adds to the profound benefit of meeting face to face as part of your REX Roundtable.

It was phenomenal last month, where I got to chair 3 REX Roundtables in the US and we had MASSIVE business break throughs. Not how to generate more leads – we’ll leave that for the cowboy marketers that DM’ing you on every social platform – but more why do we need more leads. We focussed on the business set up, the staffing, the business strategy and the developing the culture.

All 3 REX groups agreed that people are our greatest asset. We need to truly look after them, so our focus for the meetings was on our businesses becoming an employer of choice.

There was unanimous agreement, that look after your people and they will look after your customers/members and they in turn will drive quality leads.

REX WSF

REX OMS

REX IPL

If you are interested in joining my US REX Roundtable, we have limited spots left so contact Eddie – [email protected].

If you are interested in joining my Aussie REX Roundtables, we have room to join the Aussie or the NSW REX groups, so email me – [email protected].

Five reasons, gym owners should think about participating in REX Roundtables:
1. Peer Learning and Networking: REX Roundtables give gym owners a forum to discuss their best practises, learn from each other’s successes and failures, and make connections with like-minded colleagues in the industry. Gym owners can connect with a network of other gym owners through REX Roundtables who are familiar with the particular opportunities and problems faced by the fitness sector.
2. Personal and Professional Development: The conversations and presentations during REX Roundtables are intended to assist gym owners in developing their operations, leadership, and business strategies. Gym owners can advance their knowledge and abilities in management, sales, marketing, and other fields by taking part in REX Roundtables.
3. Access to Expertise: Special guests who are authorities in many facets of the fitness business frequently speak at REX Roundtables. These professionals can provide insightful commentary and counsel on subjects like industry legislation, technology, and fitness trends.
4. Support and Accountability: REX Roundtables offer a welcoming environment for gym owners to set objectives, monitor their progress, and hold themselves accountable. For gym owners who might not have access to a support network or mentorship in their local community, this might be extremely helpful.
5. Improved Profitability: Gym owners can find possibilities to enhance their operations and boost profitability by exchanging best practises and learning from others’ experiences. REX Roundtables give gym owners the information and resources they need to make decisions that will increase their revenue.
For more info – www.REXRoundtables.com
March 9, 2023
A Bucket List Tick After Going To The Cooper Institute in Dallas

Last month I ran a REX Roundtable for fitness industry suppliers at the Cooper Institute. For 2 days we immersed ourselves in business in the meeting room and outside we explored the world renowned campus.

On one of my walks, I ran into Dr Kenneth Cooper himself. He is now 92 years of age and strength trains in the gym several times a week. He told me, “I gave up running after I broke my leg – skiing – a few years ago.”

Just one benefit of REX Roundtables is visit clubs all across the US and Australia as part of our meetings. We dive into how the clubs operate, seeking best practices to increase efficiencies and experiences for members and customers.

The REX Supplier is a great group of industry vendors who want to enhance how they work with their customers. Every meeting the focus is on ‘creating greater positive impact on who they work with, so the word of mouth promotion allows them to grow organically.

If you are interested in joining my US REX Roundtable, we only have 3 spots left so contact Eddie – [email protected].

If you are interested in joining my Aussie REX Roundtable, we launch in March so contact me – [email protected].

Why The Cooper Institute Is So Awesome

The Cooper Institute is a well-known nonprofit organisation with headquarters in Dallas, Texas, that focuses on encouraging healthy lives via research and teaching. The Institute was a pioneer in the field of preventive medicine and its contributions have had a significant impact on public health programmes in the United States and around the world. It was founded in 1970 by renowned physician and exercise scientist Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper. This blog post will discuss what makes the Cooper Institute different from other health and fitness facilities and why it is such a great facility.

The Cooper Institute is first and foremost a research-based institution committed to furthering the field of preventive medicine. The Institute’s research initiatives are centred on a variety of issues, such as ageing, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Organizations like the American Heart Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued evidence-based guidelines for physical activity and exercise as a result of the Institute’s research. The VO2max test, which measures a person’s maximum oxygen absorption and is regarded as the gold standard for evaluating cardiovascular fitness, was developed in part because to research from the Cooper Institute.

The Cooper Institute provides a range of instructional programmes and tools for health and fitness professionals in addition to its research initiatives. The Institute’s courses and certifications are made to give professionals the most recent scientific information and useful skills to assist them enhance their customers’ health and fitness. Many fitness organisations accept the Institute’s certificates, including the Certified Personal Trainer and the Certified Group Workout Instructor, which are highly respected in the field.

The Cooper Institute’s cutting-edge fitness centre is another excellent feature of the building. The 62,000 square foot Cooper Fitness Center in Dallas is a facility with a variety of amenities and fitness gear. The facility has areas for aerobic fitness, strength training, group exercise classes, an indoor track, a pool, and a spa. Yoga, Pilates, cycling, and boot camp are just a few of the group exercise classes that are available at the Cooper Fitness Center. Expert trainers and instructors at the facility offer members individualised coaching and assistance to help them reach their fitness objectives.

The Cooper Institute’s cutting-edge fitness centre is another excellent feature of the building. The 62,000 square foot Cooper Fitness Center in Dallas is a facility with a variety of amenities and fitness gear. The facility has areas for aerobic fitness, strength training, group exercise classes, an indoor track, a pool, and a spa. Yoga, Pilates, cycling, and boot camp are just a few of the group exercise classes that are available at the Cooper Fitness Center. Expert trainers and instructors at the facility offer members individualised coaching and assistance to help them reach their fitness objectives.

Ultimately, the Cooper Institute is a fantastic facility because of its goal and principles. The Institute’s goal is to advocate for research, education, and lifelong health and wellness. Integrity, excellence, innovation, and collaboration are some of the values upheld by the Institute that direct its activities and motivate its workers and partners to have a good impact on the world. The Cooper Institute is a leader in the field of preventive medicine and a great resource for anybody looking to improve their health and fitness due to its dedication to evidence-based practise, education, community outreach, and innovation.

In conclusion, the Dallas-based Cooper Institute is a fantastic facility that stands out for its research, instruction, fitness centre, community involvement, and principles. Public health initiatives in the United States and other countries have benefited significantly from the Institute’s contributions to preventive medicine. The Cooper Institute is an invaluable tool that may assist you in achieving your objectives, whether you are a fitness professional, a community leader, or a layperson looking to enhance your health and wellness.

Find out more – https://www.cooperinstitute.org

March 2, 2023
How Can You Find Fitness Business Opportunities?

The last few weeks my REX Roundtables have been meeting and I am often asked what can you talk about for 2 days?! Well in a fast moving fitness industry, we have to be abreast of changes, trends, successes and failings.

These REX Roundtables meetings we do our own reconnaissance on the fitness industry – just as the cavalry did in years past.

The cavalry’s major missions was reconnaissance – identify enemy strengths & weaknesses AND find the opportunities.

Guaranteed by the end of a REX meeting, new opportunities will be found in every REX member’s business!

February 23, 2023
Working Smart In Challenging Times For Gyms
Working smart in challenging times seems to be the secret sauce of the REX Roundtable Members in over the past 2 years and their number 1 2023 resolution.

When we collected data, as of the end of 2021, the recovery rate of North American REX Members was 81.93%. Before doing this, had you asked me anecdotally , I would have said 60 to 80% was the range, not the average.

Because of the culture of continuous learning and challenging each other to get better, many of the REX Members have followed several of Ram Charan’s “rules”. (Ram Charan is the most influential consultant alive, and counsel to the top companies, CEOs, and boards of our time.) Here are just a few for you to think about and see how quickly you can implement these:
- Keep Investing in new products, service development and renovation. Most importantly, continue to invest in your brand! The more disciplined leader, who invests in the future now has a chance to really make huge gains on competitors.
- Invest in your people. Reward them, not just with money but with recognition, as they face new challenges. Most of your team are now doing three the work they did just 2 years ago.
- Communicate frequently, intensively and honestly. They will appreciate your candor as you seek their input to address difficult times.
- In good times, you manage P&L and in tough times you manage cash and receivables, so focus on these!
- Seriously consider how you can take the pain of your members if they are experiencing financial distress and may choose to reduce their involvement with your club. What kind of recession programs can you offer them that will help reduce financial pressure on their budgets? Even if this does not make a huge difference, the intention to help and the care that is expressed in such intentions can have a beneficial impact on customer loyalty when they are choosing what they may have to cut out of their budget.
- Cut back and prune selectively. Do not use across the board budget cuts to balance your budget. Look at those things that your business is doing that have low benefits and high costs to you. Which products or programs or services are more expensive than others? Cut them back and take the saved money and time to invest in those parts of the organization that seem a bit stronger at this point.
Bring your key thinkers together.

The research shows over and over again when a strong group of people think through their reactions to a high-stressed situation, they are much more likely to survive it successfully.

This is a huge advantage for every REX Member.
February 16, 2023
If You’re The Fitness Business Leader – Step Up Now!

As leaders we have to make decisions but real leaders make the harder right decisions.

There are lots of decisions we can and should make but generally there is only one harder right decision and that’s one you need to make!

February 9, 2023