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

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

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

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

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O’Rourke welcomes Adam Alfia to the show. Adam is the Founder of Real Time Feedback, which is a customer engagement platform that allows customers to directly interact with businesses in real time. Customers submit discreet feedbacks that are sent in real time to a businesses owners and managers. The business can respond using the in-app 2 way chat feature to work with the customer to resolve any complaints. Once the issue has been resolved, the business can send the customer a link to give a positive review of the business. Today, Adam joins Bryan to talk about his business and his insights in managing the customer experience.

One Powerful Quote:

17:04: “Build it as if you are talking to a 3 year old.”

4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:

3:08: Bryan opens the show by asking Adam how customers have changed in a more digital world.

10:54: Adam speaks on the barriers in adopting customer engagement platforms.

16:18: Bryan & Adam talk about simplicity as a key differentiator.

17:48: Adam shares his advice for operators to resimplify their processes to be more customer friendly.

21:55: Adam imparts his savvy business advice to the listeners.

Bullet List of Resources:

https://www.realtimefeedback.com/

Guest Contact Information:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamalfia/

https://x.com/adam_alfia

https://www.bryankorourke.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/

http://www.fittechcouncil.org/

https://www.youtube.com/user/bko61163

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, Bryan O’Rourke welcomes back the infamous Sal Pellegrino to the show. Sal 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 in leading organizations. He is currently the Executive Director for FISA, which provides valuable research and unique events for the commercial and not-for-profit fitness industry. Today, Sal joins Bryan to recap his experience at CanFitPro, FISA, and latest trends in the industry.

One Powerful Quote:

14:13: “We have to continue to share our collective wisdom.”

4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:

2:11: Bryan opens the show with Sal sharing his experience at CanFitPro.

4:53: Sal talks about FISA.

8:20: Sal shares his insights on the top trends happening in the industry.

12:49: Bryan asks Sal how operators can benefit from these trends.

14:44: Bryan inquires with Sal about the resistance in operators adopting technology solutions.

16:25: Bryan wraps up the show with Sal sharing the next FISA event and his contact information.

Bullet List of Resources:

https://beyondactiv.com/events/americas/

https://www.nunify.com/events/alloy

https://fisana.org/

Guest Contact Information:

https://x.com/Sal_Pellegrino

https://www.linkedin.com/in/salpellegrino/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/

http://www.fittechcouncil.org/

https://www.youtube.com/user/bko61163

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, Bryan O’Rourke shares his panel discussion, The Download On Digital, from 2024 IDEA World live from Los Angeles. He is joined by fitness technology gurus Garrett Marshall, Eric Posner, Jeffrey Scott, Mike G. Hansen, and Deb/Debbie/Deborah Praver (Eble) as they take a deep dive into the latest trends, innovations, and how technology is revolutionizing the fitness industry. The panel also answers questions from the audience highlighting key topics in digitization, retention, hybrid experiences, strategies, content creation, and AI.

One Powerful Quote:

37:18: “You’re not gonna get what you don’t ask for."

4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:

3:12: Bryan opens the panel discussion with Garrett Marshall and Jeffrey Scott discussing wearable technologies and fitness apps reshaping the role of group fitness/trainers and the opportunities/challenges presented for these experiences.

11:03: Garrett Marshall speaks on the impact of virtual reality on the industry, how he sees it evolving, and how group fitness/trainers can incorporate it.

13:41: Bryan asks Deborah to speak on the proliferation of online fitness content and its impact for digital participants. Jeffrey and Mike add their insights.

19:25: Bryan asks Jeffrey whether digitization has improved or hindered accountability/adherence and how professionals can strike a balance to maintain client relationships.

21:54: Bryan asks Mike how AI is reshaping the role of fitness professionals and what skills they should have to stay relevant and competitive.

25:22: Bryan answers a question on monitoring clients and the depth of personalization.

29:36: Jeffrey asks Mike how to speak to AI and ask the right questions/prompts. Garrett and Bryan add their thoughts.

32:55: The panel answers a question on creating valuable fitness content.

36:14: The panel answers a question on building your online community base.

38:38: The panel answers a question on noncompete concerns.

41:57: The panel answers a question on synchronizing group fitness teams and trainers with digital platforms.

47:13: The panel answers a question on conducting digital transformation.

51:23: The panel answers a question on niche vertical integration.

52:18: The panel answers a question on preferred style of training.

56:10: The panel answers a question on scaling an online business.

1:00:50: The panel answers a question on balancing in-training and online training rates.

Bullet List of Resources:

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7218632384433250304/?commentUrn=urn:li:comment:(ugcPost:7218632383250489344,7218701436937760769)&actorCompanyId=757050

Guest Contact Information:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrettmarshall/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericmposner/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-scott-8b171447/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeghansen/

https://x.com/Mike_G_Hansen

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deb-debbie-deborah-praver-eble-b777486/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/

http://www.fittechcouncil.org/

https://www.youtube.com/user/bko61163