023 The Truth About Health Clubs & Behavior Change - Jan Middelkamp

This week on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O'Rourke welcomes Ian Mullane to the show. Ian is the Founder & CEO of Keepme, an AI-powered sales and marketing CRM platform for the fitness industry. Launched in April 2019, Keepme has customers globally and assists hundreds of clubs with member acquisition and retention. Today, Ian joins Bryan to discuss AI tech adoption, his business, and operational insights across the industry. One Powerful Quote: 26:43: "Every unique idea only becomes executed because of the team that surrounds you." 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 3:00: Bryan and Ian talk about tech adoption barriers across the industry. 8:21: Ian highlights key misunderstandings about AI. 15:52: Bryan inquires about Keepme's integration with their customers. 18:18: Bryan asks Ian about Keepme's unique value proposition. 21:54: Ian further talks about Keepme's interface and communication for potential prospects. 26:26: Ian shares his pearls of wisdom to the listeners. Bullet List of Resources: https://www.keepme.ai/ Guest Contact Information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianmullane/ https://x.com/ianmullane https://www.bryankorourke.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/ http://www.fittechcouncil.org/ https://www.youtube.com/user/bko61163

4 Mars 31min

This week on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O'Rourke welcomes Doug Miller to the show. With extensive experience as an industry advisor, including his role with IHRSA's European Council, Doug brings valuable insights into the evolving fitness landscape. As the owner of Virtual Road Show, an innovative app providing transformational education to fitness professionals worldwide, he shares his perspective on industry trends and the future of fitness. Today, Doug joins Bryan to discuss his business, industry developments, and the impact of technology on fitness education. One Powerful Quote: 27:38: "I think we run a chance of relying a little bit too much on everything artificial, and we lose the humanity of being a club." 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 4:20: Bryan opens the show by asking Doug about the early days of IHRSA and the European fitness industry. 18:12: Bryan and Doug discuss the competition in the European fitness market. 24:47: Doug shares his perspectives on how technology has changed in the European fitness market. 29:39: Doug talks about his business, Virtual Road Show. 39:18: Doug imparts his final pearls of wisdom to the listeners. Bullet List of Resources: https://www.salesmakers.com/ https://www.healthandfitness.org Guest Contact Information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salesmakers/ https://x.com/salesmakers https://www.facebook.com/salesmakers https://www.bryankorourke.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/ http://www.fittechcouncil.org/ https://www.youtube.com/user/bko61163

25 Feb 45min

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O'Rourke welcomes Barry McDonald to the show. Barry is the CEO of NovoFit, an Australian owned and operated fitness equipment distribution company representing some of the top brands in the industry. With 20 years in the health and fitness industry, Barry has extensive experience and insight into the evolving potential of health, fitness, and wellness experiences from leading large-scale health club operations nationally to designing and developing premium fitness facilities across Australia and New Zealand. Today, he joins Bryan in a conversation on key global fitness trends, stoic leadership concepts, and other pearls of wisdom. One Powerful Quote: 30:25: "Never take yourself too seriously and be willing to take on things that are uncomfortable." 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 4:29: Bryan opens the show by asking Barry about fitness trends happening in the market. 13:17: Barry shares his experience from his previous roles and at NovoFit. 16:41: Bryan inquires with Barry about challenges faced by operators. 21:36: Barry gives his thoughts and experience on the new age of work today. 30:11: Barry imparts his pearls of wisdom to the listeners. Bullet List of Resources: https://novofit.com.au/ Guest Contact Information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-mcdonald-297a38a8/ https://www.bryankorourke.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/ http://www.fittechcouncil.org/ https://www.youtube.com/user/bko61163

27 Jan 33min

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, Bryan O'Rourke shares his recording of his recent SIBEC webinar on 12 key trends for 2025 in the global fitness industry. This presentation covers trends for suppliers, gym and health club operators, and others in the global fitness industry. From M&A and finance, to digital fitness, GLP1's, Micro and Macro trends, Bryan covers a wide range of subjects about the future of fitness across every spectrum in the industry. One Powerful Quote: "Ideas are great, but execution and prioritization is the secret stuff that actually results in outcomes given a set of ideas." 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 2:17: Bryan begins by talking about the landscape and understanding near-term and long-term trends. 9:01: Bryan talks about emerging programming and strength training. 11:04: Bryan talks about GLP1 longevity and health. 12:57: Bryan talks about authentic experiences or anti-badtech. 14:55: Bryan talks about human capital struggles. 16:27: Bryan talks about digital fitness for actively practicing self-care. 19:39: Bryan talks about finance and M&A. 21:13: Bryan talks about AI myths and inflated expectations. 23:25: Bryan talks about personalization at scale. 24:07: Bryan talks about self service solutions. 25:19: Bryan talks about cost of hesitations. 26:07: Bryan talks about the impatience economy. 26:58: Bryan talks about marketing success. 28:57: Bryan speaks on the micro convergence of five key trends in 2025. Bullet List of Resources: https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/future-of-fitness-2025-bryan-k-o-rourke-pdf/273973112 https://www.sibecevents.com/ Guest Contact Information: https://www.bryankorourke.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/ http://www.fittechcouncil.org/ https://www.youtube.com/user/bko61163

13 Dec 202431min

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O'Rourke welcomes Amy Boone Thompson to the show. Amy is the Owner & CEO of IDEA Health & Fitness Association, the world's leading organization of fitness and wellness professionals and has been for more than 40 years. She is also Chairman for World Active, a global initiative meant to set up an open and transparent platform for the fitness and physical activity sector to get "more people, more active, more often". Today, Amy joins Bryan to talk about her organizations, the future role of fitness professionals, and other interesting insights. One Powerful Quote: 15:54: "Be authentically you always." 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 3:02: Bryan opens the show by asking why Amy acquired IDEA and her envisioned future for the organization. 6:44: Amy highlights what's happening at World Active and the challenges with her role. 10:45: Amy shares her views on technology and its influence on fitness professionals. 15:47: Bryan wraps up the show with Amy imparting her final pearls of wisdom to the listeners. Bullet List of Resources: https://www.ideafit.com/ https://www.world-active.com/ Guest Contact Information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amybthompson/ https://www.bryankorourke.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/ http://www.fittechcouncil.org/ https://www.youtube.com/user/bko61163

21 Nov 202420min

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O'Rourke welcomes Herman Rutgers to the show. As an expert in setting up and expanding international brands in durable consumer goods with a specialization in sports, health & fitness, Herman is the International Ambassador for EuropeActive, the leading non-profit organization representing the European fitness and physical activity sector, and Board Member to Basic-Fit, the largest fitness chain in Europe. Today, Herman joins Bryan to talk about an array of topics including industry acquisitions, different operational styles, globalism, and EuropeActive's European Health & Fitness Forum. One Powerful Quote: 32:04: "The 4 P's of marketing are place, product, promotion, and price. I would add two other P's, people and profit." 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 2:29: Bryan opens the show by highlighting Herman's background and EuropeActive's Deloitte Research Report. 11:11: Bryan asks Herman how he juxtaposes US to European operators. 16:32: Bryan inquires with Herman about geopolitical events impacting the industry. 26:13: Herman shares his thoughts on technology and its impact on the industry. 31:58: Bryan wraps up the show with Herman imparting his pearls of wisdom to the listeners. Bullet List of Resources: https://www.europeactive.eu/ Guest Contact Information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/herman-rutgers-9a984ab/ https://www.bryankorourke.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/ http://www.fittechcouncil.org/ https://www.youtube.com/user/bko61163

14 Nov 202436min

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O'Rourke welcomes Dr. Cedric Bryant to the show. As Chief Executive Officer & President, Dr. Cedric Bryant leads ACE with a focus on science-backed education to support health and exercise professionals, utilizing emerging fitness technology, championing inclusivity and diversity, and sharing quality information to help all people develop long-term healthy habits and keep people moving. Today, Dr. Cedrick joins Bryan to talk about his background, his views on the changes in professional education and training, and what he envisions happening in the future. One Powerful Quote: 14:43: "What gets measured is what gets the attention." 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 2:15: Bryan opens the interview by highlighting Cedrick's background and his upbringing into the industry. 8:27: Cedrick shares his views on the change in professional education and training. 13:06: Cedrick extrapolates on the friction in these systematic changes. 15:33: Bryan asks Cedrick what ACE is doing organizationally to address these changes. 17:26: Bryan and Cedrick talk about health and wealth preservation. 21:14: Bryan inquires with Cedrick about what he envisions happening in the industry. 23:45: Dr. Cedrick imparts his pearls of wisdom to the listeners. Bullet List of Resources: https://www.acefitness.org/ Guest Contact Information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cedricbryant/ https://www.bryankorourke.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/ http://www.fittechcouncil.org/ https://www.youtube.com/user/bko61163

16 Okt 202427min

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O'Rourke welcomes Dave Wright to the show. Dave is the Founder of MYZONE, a cloud based and wearable technology fitness tracker that consists of a heart rate monitor chest strap and monitoring system that displays real time heart rate, calories, MEPs, and EFFORT to a watch, tv, or monitor whilst simultaneously creating an online logbook of all physical activity that can be viewed from anywhere in the world. He is also the owner of Creative Fitness Marketing (CFM), a global company with offices in the UK, Australia, and North America that has served the international fitness community for over 30 years and a member of the board for ukactive. Today, Bryan visits with Dave to discuss some interesting observations about ukactive, trends in the industry/direct to consumer fitness, and his advice as a serial entrepreneur. One Powerful Quote: 29:39: "Whose providing these new trends?" 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 3:18: Bryan opens the show highlighting Dave's background and asks about his observations and learnings as a founder. 8:59: Bryan asks Dave about ukactive. 11:14: Dave shares his thoughts on what's happening in the commercial fitness market. 14:43: Dave shares his thoughts on the hospitality vertical of the industry. 16:35: Dave talks about the direct to consumer segment. 22:23: Bryan inquires with Dave on overlooked trends happening in the space. 31:36: Dave gives his sentiments about cross global competition. 34:22: Dave imparts his pearls of wisdom to the listeners on being a fitness entrepreneur. Bullet List of Resources: https://www.myzone.org/ https://www.ukactive.com/ https://uk.cfm.net/ https://www.foundervsinvestor.com/#:~:text=Founder Elizabeth Zalman and Investor,In stores now!&text=Also available in E-book and Audiobook formats.&text=Every iconic tech company was once a startup. Guest Contact Information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-wright-bbaa6110/ Dave@myzone.org https://www.bryankorourke.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/ http://www.fittechcouncil.org/ https://www.youtube.com/user/bko61163

29 Sep 202439min