Sustaining Tech Innovation & Winning Personalization With Hugo Braam

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O'Rourke welcomes the iconic and highly respected Sal Pellegrino to the show. Sal is the Senior Strategic Account Manager at Precor where he oversees, directs, and manages key strategic commercial club accounts. With a background in physical education, he has worked in the fitness and wellness industry in a variety of roles, from club owner to equipment sales professional, to industry trend spotter, and advisor to leading organizations. Sal shares with Bryan his insights as well as the story of his professional career. If you are interested in learning more about IHRSA's Innovation Summit on September 17th, you can visit their website at http://hub.ihrsa.org/innovation-summit. One Powerful Quote: 15:58: "People buy from those they like and they trust. And I think as the career has evolved, when you can carry over those relationships…that is to me as the ultimate complement that people have stayed with me, with the brands that I sell, because I honestly won't sell them something if I wouldn't buy it myself. I really believe that you have to really want and believe in the product that you sell, and I think that transparency or trust is so critical especially now more than ever." Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting Key Topics Discussed: 3:25: Bryan starts the show by asking Sal about his inspiration for creating his weekly update sessions on the top industry takeaways. 8:20: Bryan inquires with Sal about his thoughts of his professional career. 10:49: Bryan asks Sal how he has adapted to servicing customers and their needs in the industry space. Sal mentions how his digital presence has allowed him to stay relevant. 14:44: Bryan and Sal have an open discussion on technology as a tool around trust. Bryan notes that Sal's content has leveraged his reputation and built that trust as the most valuable commodity today. 17:20: Sal shares his opinion on the COVID-19 situation for the industry. He notes this crisis has been an opportunity for his clients and colleagues and what he believes will happen next year. 20:38: Bryan wraps up the show and Sal imparts his wisdom to the listeners. Bullet List of Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salpellegrino/ Guest Contact Information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salpellegrino/ https://twitter.com/Sal_Pellegrino https://www.facebook.com/sal.pellegrino.54 https://www.bryankorourke.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/ http://www.fittechcouncil.org/ https://www.youtube.com/user/bko61163

27 Aug 202025min

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O'Rourke welcomes well known and highly regarded Adam Zeitsiff to the show. Adam is currently the President & CEO of Gold's Gym International where he oversees the global icon with more than 650 locations serving 3+ million people across six continents in 29 countries. With a background in technology, Adam shares his views on the challenges his organization faces and in advance of participating in the Fitness Industry Technology Council's latest webinar on enhancing digital engagement. This episode focuses on Adam's perspective on technology and how Gold's Gym pivoted their offerings in the midst of a global pandemic. If you are interest in learning more about digitizing the customer/member experience with Adam, Bryan, & Dana Milkie of eGym on Tuesday, August 11th at 2PM EST, please register for the event here: https://egym.zoom.us/webinar/register/5015962309571/WN_uTjhWui8S7C-qRgDiLagqQ If you are interested in learning more IHRSA's Innovation Summit on September 11th, you can visit their website at http://hub.ihrsa.org/innovation-summit. One Powerful Quote: 9:18: "I think that's kinda what we have to do as an industry either we're doing it ourselves or as smaller brands. We just have to leverage partners because now it's just survival…I think even as a smaller brand, if you're going to survive, you gotta be hybrid in your offerings and so I think technology took a step forward even more as a survival requirement… and not just doing it because others are doing it in some way, shape, or form." Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 4:04: Adam shares with Bryan his perspective on the update where things stand for Gold's Gym. 7:32: Bryan asks Adam his general observations on technology in the wake of the global pandemic. Adam shares his thoughts and why he thinks adopting technology is now a survival requirement. 10:42: Adam highlights the top technology implementations Gold's Gym enacted with their app group classes scheduling, open AMP music licensing, and large content generated by their global franchisees. 15:25: Bryan wraps up the show and inquires with Adam on his final words of wisdom. Adam notes there is a great opportunity to take advantage of the perception that the industry can be a place of health, wellness, and preventative care. He notes there is a chance to become a difference maker in any lifestyle. Bullet List of Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-zeitsiff/ Guest Contact Information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-zeitsiff/ https://twitter.com/adamzeit https://www.facebook.com/adam.zeitsiff https://www.bryankorourke.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/ http://www.fittechcouncil.org/ https://www.youtube.com/user/bko61163

6 Aug 202018min

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O'Rourke welcomes long time colleague and friend Daron Allen to the show. Daron has been in the club business for over 25 years, notably with his positions as GM for The Health & Fitness Connection and VP/Executive Director for Osteopathic Health System of Texas. He currently is the CEO of Visual Fitness Planner which specializes in point of sale and customer relationship management support for personal training. This episode focuses on the challenges for club owners in adopting technology and the processes involved in dramatically improving their operations. One Powerful Quote: 8:00: "I think that the most important thing for a club operator today is… to make sure they choose a technology partner that they can commit to for a long period of time…They need to know they have a partnership mentality, that they are going to work together to craft a future." Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 3:40: Bryan asks Daron about his experience as it related to technology first being adopted in the industry space. 7:11: Daron shares his thoughts on what sees as the biggest challenges for club operators to have a technology roadmap. 10:05: Daron agrees and adds to Bryan's sentiment that the greatest problem is the change in organizational process. 13:26: Daron emphasizes how successful operators build their foundation base first and then implement technology that adds to their business plan. 15:34: Daron believes the future holds that there will be systems that communicate data as automated responses that drive insightful action. 17:19: Daron comments why leveraging data to support a true health club's business strategy is important. 19:23: Bryan and Daron discuss how hard it will be to compete if you don't have these capabilities. 21:24: Bryan asks Daron's his view on the term "enterprise". 23:48: Daron concurs with Bryan on the issue of data ownership. 25:35: Bryan and Daron note the dynamic changes that have occurred with membership management. 26:52: Bryan wraps up the show and asks Daron to give his final words of wisdom. Daron advises listeners to look forward to the future and ensure their foundation for technology is setup for success. Bullet List of Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daron-allen-116574/ https://vfp.us/ Guest Contact Information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daron-allen-116574/ https://www.bryankorourke.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/ http://www.fittechcouncil.org/ https://www.youtube.com/user/bko61163

15 Juli 202029min

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O'Rourke welcomes friend and FIT-C board member Dr. Ted Vickey to the show. Ted is an educator and advisor with over 25 years of experience and has played key roles as Executive Director for The White House, Senior Advisor for Fitness Technology for American Council on Exercise, and Committee Chair for the United States Golf Association. His doctoral background is in physical activity and social networking from National University of Ireland, Galway. He currently works as an assistant professor at Point Loma Nazarene University as a professor of kinesiology and is the founder of FitWell, a fitness technology management consulting company specializing in operations, design consulting, and professional development. This episode focuses on the dynamics behind health coaching and the impact of technology for fitness professionals. Bryan and Ted have an open conversation about the trends and what this means for the industry as a whole. If you are interested in learning more about the virtual event "Fitness & The Future of The Health Coach Professional" with Bryan and Ted happening on Tuesday, July 14th, at 12 PM MT, you can register here: https://egym.zoom.us/webinar/register/2115934445232/WN_yefTlt_vRxeeATTkcmt_Qg One Powerful Quote: 7:13: "Imagine the ability to collect that data as a health coach and then to really be able to prescribe or to suggest what sort of activity a person should do…Fitness is not a look; fitness is a lifestyle. I believe that the technology is going to allow people to live that lifestyle with a health coach, a personal trainer being a part of that." Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 4:01: Bryan asks Ted his thoughts on the future role of fitness instructors and professional trainers. 6:00: Bryan and Ted discuss the vision that technology will become a mainstream tool for health coaching. 8:11: Ted shares data on what trainers have thought about technology historically and what he thinks will be the "Spotify Model" of personal training. 9:43: Bryan and Ted openly talk about the market opportunity to provide health coaching as a motivator for health and wealth preservation. 11:57: Bryan and Ted continue their conversation on added increasing financial incentive to avoid the burdening cost of traditional health care treatment services. Ted notes the potential for club operators to embrace the whole experience outside a physical location. 14:32: Ted emphasizes the importance of sleep and encourages personal trainers/ health coaches to become certified. 15:29: Bryan and Ted share how data has become ubiquitous for fitness centers and professionals. Ted highlights that sioled data will become transparent for interpretation and used for real time support. 18:05: Bryan wraps up the show and asks Ted to share his final counsel. Ted advises personal trainers/health coaches to learn the business side of fitness and adopt technology that best suits their needs. If you are interested in attending Ted's summit which will include advice on personal branding, creating a business plan, and how to use technology, go to: www.tedv.link/climb Bullet List of Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tedvickey/ https://www.tedvickey.com/ Guest Contact Information: https://www.tedvickey.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tedvickey/ https://twitter.com/tedvickey https://www.facebook.com/tedvickey https://www.bryankorourke.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/ http://www.fittechcouncil.org/ https://www.youtube.com/user/bko61163

7 Juli 202021min

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O'Rourke welcomes long time friend and fitness aficionado Dan McDonogh to the show. Dan is a fitness leader with over 20 years experience and has played key roles as Program Director and Senior Manager for Group Training & Athletic Performance for several global brands including Les Mills International, TRX, and Under Armour, respectively. He currently works as the Director of Performance Programming for GoodLife Fitness where he continues to drive brand awareness, growth, and retention through education and content engagement. This episode focuses on the impact and changes in the marketplace as a result of the pandemic and how industry professionals such as Dan have responded. One Powerful Quote: 20:54: "So when you're now delivering experiences or sessions, don't destroy them. Make it about the reunion. Make it about it we're now back together and give them permission to ease back into it…Take it easy and make it about the regathering and the human connection as suppose to physically destroying them." Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 3:47: Bryan asks Dan to share his personal experience on how he adjusted as a fitness professional. 6:09: Dan expresses his sentiments on trainers/instructors pivoting to online platforms to offer their services. He comments on the challenge this created as most were inexperienced creating memorable, digestible content. 9:23: Dan discusses reopening GoodLife Fitness markets in Canada including their safe standard measures and digital approach for members. 15:35: Bryan and Dan discuss the interim pain in the industry for fitness professionals. Dan notes club/studio owners need to revisit their culture, compensation, and benefit plans to retain their talent. 18:59: Dan shares his advice to listeners on what to focus on in the coming weeks. He says his priority is the importance of self-care and routine as social interactions become present again. He also encourages that trainings/classes should resume as a reunion and center around the human connection. Bullet List of Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-mcdonogh-7129673b/ Guest Contact Information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-mcdonogh-7129673b/ https://www.facebook.com/dan.mcdonogh.5 https://www.bryankorourke.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/ http://www.fittechcouncil.org/ https://www.youtube.com/user/bko61163

24 Juni 202023min

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O'Rourke welcomes long time friend and colleague Tim Keightley to the show. Tim heads up fitness operations and sales as a VP for Texas Family Fitness. His experience track record ranges from creating the largest personal training business in Europe to elevating some of the most successful health club operations in the US as fitness director for Fitness First UK, VP of sales & business development for Les Mills US, and VP of fitness operations for Gold's Gym, respectively. Listeners will hear Tim's insights into how he and his team used the pandemic to reorganize Texas Family Fitness and implement new guidelines for reopening their facilities. If you are interested in learning more about the virtual event "Closing The Health & Fitness Gap: How You Can Stay Competitive In the Gym Industry of the Future " with Bryan, Tim, and Dana Milkie of eGym happening on Tuesday, June 16th at 1pm CST, you can register FREE here: https://egym.zoom.us/webinar/register/5215910525970/WN_qQzXbARpRP6gH29jmT8OXw One Powerful Quote: 29:18: "Worst case scenario, if they don't come back, we're still maintaining a great reputation and hopefully they will still talk well about us in the future… Look at your people first see what you can learn about your business and secondly…be prepared for those who do not want to come back." Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 4:02: Bryan asks Tim about Texas Family Fitness and how his team has handled their unique situation. Tim explains the procedures they have implemented and why they are changing the culture. 13:51: Tim shares with Bryan reopening Texas Family Fitness facilities and how they used a "What If" guideline to manage their processes. 17:30: Bryan inquires with Tim about the member experience, club capacity, and services offered as they have adjusted to only essential business operations. Tim also notes how they took advantage of online group fitness classes. 23:04: Bryan and Tim discuss the challenges with reopening and how retaining personal trainers and keeping management talent has been the biggest difficulty. Tim says his team has started to develop their culture to become more people driven. 26:43: Tim shares his final thoughts and encourages listeners to invest in your staff to learn about your business. He advises the audience to be prepared for losing customers but to maintain a positive reputation. Bullet List of Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timdkeightley/ Guest Contact Information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timdkeightley/ https://twitter.com/TimDKeightley https://www.facebook.com/tim.d.keightley https://www.bryankorourke.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/ http://www.fittechcouncil.org/ https://www.youtube.com/user/bko61163

7 Juni 202031min

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O'Rourke welcomes long time friend and colleague Dana Milkie to the show. Dana is a key executive leader well known and respected throughout the industry including his positions as Senior VP of ABC Financial, President & CEO of InTouch Technology, and now VP of North America at eGym. As an expert in growth, resources, and profitability strategies, listeners will hear Dana's insights from his new position and how he is changing the direction at eGym as a result of the crisis in business shutdown and uncertain consumer behavior. Also FIT-C's upcoming webinar "Conquering the Crisis. How Tech Will Help Gyms Pivot" will be on Tuesday May 12th at 2PM Eastern. You can register for FREE now here: https://egym.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oYZTN6fBQ46tgqIsv5DfLA. We hope these conversations continue to be of value and interest to you as the situation continues. If there is anything we can do for you, again please reach out @bryankorourke or at bryankorourke@gmail.com One Powerful Quote: 15:48: "We are all in this together. We're trying to figure out how to change the industry, affect what the clubs are doing in the middle of a crisis like we've never seen before anywhere. So if we work together…we want to help everybody in the industry come out the other side if not stronger, at least with a strategy going forward that reflects what happening in the world and allows them to be positioned well for what clubs are going to look like." Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 5:35: Bryan asks Dana on the long term implications around trends in the fitness industry. Dana says the challenge will be how operators shift demand to a more convenient and omnipresent option for consumers. 8:57: Bryan agrees with Dana and shares his thoughts on how this accustomed behavior will be essential to all industries as customers expect a digital connection. Dana notes this will be a hard pressed conversation and an opportunity to stress the importance of health. 11:55: Dana shares why he joined eGym and how the organization wants to help leverage their technology as a solution to help the marketplace. 13:38: Bryan inquires with Dana about eGym's free digital member app. If you interested in learning more, click here: https://egym.com/en/apps/. 15:40: Dana shares his final thoughts and encourages listeners that the community of the fitness industry will survive and flourish once again. He reminders the audience that eGym is available to help everyone with a strategy going forward that will reflect a good position for the future. Bullet List of Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-milkie-38ab47/ Guest Contact Information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-milkie-38ab47/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000732609828 https://www.bryankorourke.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/ http://www.fittechcouncil.org/ https://www.youtube.com/user/bko61163

27 Apr 202018min

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O'Rourke welcomes long time friend and business partner Robert Dyer to the show. Robert is a health club and fitness industry executive, leader, and entrepreneur with over thirty years of experience operating a variety of health club business models including consulting and advising fitness facility owners and global suppliers. His most notable position was CEO of Fitmarc, where he nurtured a team of fitness professionals into the largest distributor of Les Mills group exercise and business solutions in the U.S. He currently is an investor in Vedere Ventures, whose portfolio includes VertiMax, Motosumo, 24 Seven Fitness, and Moon Mission Media. Listeners will hear Robert's advice on continuing to operate businesses and how to move forward together during these unprecedented times. We hope these conversations continue to be of value and interest to you as the situation continues. If there is anything we can do for you, again please reach out @bryankorourke or at bryankorourke@gmail.com If you are interested in purchasing Bryan and Robert's book, 9 Partnership Principles: A Story of Life Lessons & Working Together, you can do so here: https://www.amazon.com/Partnership-Principles-Lessons-Working-Together/dp/148346315X One Powerful Quote: 5:19: "Eventually, you have to have a strategy in understanding of how to do things. We need to do things differently and how to do those based on that, as we move forward, we are in a new normal. That new normal is undetermined, undefined right now. And I think that has to make us rethink in all areas what we are doing in our industry." Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 3:50: Bryan asks Robert his impression on the world as it is for club owners and gym operators. Robert mentions his reasoning why these challenging times are opportunities for change and explains the new normal that will impact our industry. 6:03: Bryan and Robert openly discuss the structure around controllable/uncontrollable factors already identified in operations. 8:04: Bryan inquires with Robert about the reluctance to adopt technology. Robert agrees that this is a reality and a necessity as a result of the industry needing to grow for the better. Bryan and Robert recollect their business partnership and the process they underwent to change their business operations for success. 17:11: Robert gives listeners his final thoughts and suggests that the fitness industry needs a continuity plan in place as a roadmap in times like this. He also advises the industry should have an open communication strategy in place for conversations that lead to collaboration, understanding, and respect. Bullet List of Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rjdyer/ Guest Contact Information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rjdyer/ https://www.facebook.com/RobertJDyer https://www.bryankorourke.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/ http://www.fittechcouncil.org/ https://www.youtube.com/user/bko61163

9 Apr 202023min