Run a Profitable Gym

What are you avoiding?

Today’s guest, Gretchen Bredemeier, is here to talk about coaching kids. Most people have a lot to learn about motivating kids. Why do I say "motivating" kids instead of "training" kids? Because there are already a lot of programs out there on how to train kids; however, the kids must want to be there. The parents have to bring them, but if the kids don’t like the class, they won’t stay. Gretchen is an expert in this area. Success is important for motivation—even more so with kids than adults. While Gretchen frequently asks kids to create their own games, she doesn’t let them run wild for the entire hour. On the other hand, she doesn’t burn herself out by trying to have full control over every second of a kids class. In this episode, Gretchen talks about how they get more kids, keep more kids, price their programs and grow their programs. Gretchen’s personality is also something you should note. If you can find someone like Gretchen to embrace "intrapreneurship" and grow a kids program under your umbrella, it can be a win for both of you. Be sure to take good notes and reach out to Gretchen with any questions you might have at the conclusion of the episode.About Gretchen: Gretchen has been at Loco CrossFit for almost four years and coaching since 2015. In addition to coaching regular classes, she is the coordinator for the youth programs at Loco and hopes to expand into classes to include the elderly, as well as those in detention centers and shelters. She is an expert in body-weight movements and has a background in deaf education. She also works as an interpreter. Originally from Indiana, she currently lives in Leesburg, Virginia, with her husband, Brian. Timeline: 0:57 – Gretchen Bredemeier introduction. 4:03 – What brought Gretchen to coaching kids and coaching CrossFit? 5:36 – Starting to coach kids at CrossFit Loco.6:53 – What does a well-run kids program look like? 8:58 – Implementing an on-ramp for a kids program.10:32 – What to charge for a kids program session.10:52 – How exposing kids to a group environment can create a barrier. 11:53 – Recognizing kids who demonstrate leadership ability through a workout.15:08 – Teaching kids that is OK to be emotional in front of peers. 16:52 – How does progression happen within the kids program? 18:31 – Dealing with parents who feel their kid needs to be at a higher level.20:03 – The most convenient time slots for parents and kids.22:25 – Letting kids be kids and eliminating too many rules. 26:20 – Getting kids to take nutrition seriously.28:42 – What is an appropriate coach-to-athlete ratio in a kids class? 31:37 – Intrapreneurship and how much ownership Gretchen has of the CrossFit program at Loco. 34:54 – Where can current box owners find a person like Gretchen to help with kids? 36:18 – How to prepare for a kids class and psych yourself up. 39:19 – What authority does Gretchen have over financial decisions for the kids program?41:26 – Can kid involvement within CrossFit bleed over and encourage parents to be involved? 42:12 – All about the Loco CrossFit sports program. 46:44 – How did the CrossFit Loco sports team program start and how big is it now?51:34 – How to grow a sports team program at your gym.53:04 – How to contact Gretchen.

For years, I've been surprised at how quickly CrossFit gyms have embraced yoga but ignored Pilates. Mobility is a virtue, true; but stability is a necessity. Mobility and stability are the yin and yang of every joint's function. Getting really, really bendy might put you in better positions...but won't help you hold weight there. Pilates can.Yoga is great. But it's hard to introduce into a CrossFit gym, as hundreds have discovered. Doing yoga requires more than a soft mat on your black rubber flooring; it requires an environment that's very different from the "just get it done" setup of a typical box. At least in my own gyms, yoga and mobility programs are usually met with excitement when introduced, but fade to zero within two months.But Pilates was built from the misfit mindset, like CrossFit. You don't have to embrace a 3,000-year-old culture or religion to do Pilates. And you can teach the basics very quickly.Today’s guest is Sara Benson of BoxPilates.com and CrossFit Reanimated. She has been a Pilates instructor for years, but only when her husband Dan got a back injury did he start incorporating Pilates into his CrossFit routine. Now they are starting a course online to teach you how to incorporate Pilates into your own CrossFit gym, how to put together a specialty group, and how to incorporate Pilates into regular stability work. Sarah will be presenting at the TwoBrain Summit on June 3-4, but if you can’t make it,  reach out to her with any questions you may have!In this Interview: What it’s like to quit your corporate job and start a CrossFit gym Comparing and contrasting CrossFit with Pilates The importance of pelvic control and how Pilates can help with this issuePlus: Finding the right balance between Stability and Mobility Integrating BoxPilates into your own gym Gaining control and stability within the transverse abdominal region About Sara:Athletics, health and fitness have always been a major part of Sara’s life. Prior to becoming a CrossFit level one trainer, Sara pursued her passion for fitness and helping people improve strength and stability through Pilates. After injuring herself in 2008, discovering Pilates became a blessing and enabled her to return to her chosen sports and make drastic improvements in performance. It was soon after that she discovered CrossFit and the many similarities between the two that complemented each other.It is now Sara’s passion to help people become more active and live healthier lifestyles. She teaches both CrossFit and Pilates and is helping other gyms integrate Pilates into their workout routines and programs. Timeline:2:45 – Box Pilates Introduction6:09 – Sarah Benson’s story and how she got her start with Pilates and CrossFit9:10 – Opening CrossFit reanimated along with a Pilates studio10:29 – Quitting a corporate job to start a CrossFit gym11:07 – The difference between mat Pilates and Pilates with equipment12:49 – What is the difference between Yoga and Pilates?15:01 – Joseph Pilates and the founding of Pilates18:24 – Working through full range of motion with CrossFit and Pilates19:49 – Comparing and contrasting CrossFit and Pilates22:16 – How does on ramp work for an integrated gym that includes CrossFit and Pilates25:11 – Stability versus Mobility27:16 – Lack of stability and how to address it30:33 – Gaining control and stability within the transverse abdominal region 34:45 – What is the point of improving stability and posture?36:40 – The importance of pelvic control and how Pilates can help38:04 – Success stories from Pilates44:43 – What are the biggest challenges that clients face within the gym47:10 – How can you star

It is very easy to open a CrossFit gym, but it’s hard to keep one running. CrossFit gym owners must learn fast and develop their skills in areas like Facebook marketing and email lists. But what's MORE important is developing in-person relationships with the people around you, including other businesses with overlapping target markets.Many entrepreneurs don't possess the skills or mindset to develop a solid cross-referral program. But Tammy and Kaleda do, and in this episode they'll share how to approach other businesses, how to use the "help first" mindset to start a referral program, and even how to mentor others to be more successful.Tammy and Kaleda are provide many actionable steps you can take starting today. I also hope that you realize how much you know and how great of a position you are in to help those in your community do better. Entrepreneurship is the lynchpin of our economy and it is necessary to save not only my local economy but yours too!The 2017 Two Brian Summit is coming this June 3rd and 4th. Be sure to register here for this event!In this Interview: What does forming partnerships with a local business look like? How to form a business group within your CrossFit gym What knowledge are other businesses missing out on?Plus: The "help first"principle and how to implement it Being rewarded for helping other businesses in your community Going out of the way to help a competitorAbout Kaleda:Kaleda is from Palmerston, Ontario where she grew up on her family’s farm.  She has been training using the CrossFit method since 2012 and before that was an avid hockey and soccer player. After realizing there was nowhere to work out within in her town, she started Degree CrossFit Seaforth. She began by working out of her own garage but now she owns her own affiliate and is a successful box owner!About Tammy:Tammy is an experienced coach having trained others in spinning, kickboxing, metabolic conditioning, boot camps, and yoga. After participating in her first WOD she was instantly hooked to CrossFit. She now own CrossFit TPA near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is focused on helping her clients get healthier and obtain the results that they desire!Timeline:2:49 – Thinking Outside the Box introduction6:17 – Kaleda’s story and how she got her start with CrossFit8:53 – Tammy’s story and how she got hers tart with CrossFit13:06 – What does forming partnerships with local businesses look like? - Kaleda14:30 – Starting a conversation with a local business and forming partnerships - Kaleda16:32 – Forming a business group within your CrossFit gym - Tammy 21:21 – What are the lessons you have learned that you can teach other business owners - Kaleda25:00 – What knowledge is passed on most often to other business owners - Tammy30:47 – How often do tech related problems come up when helping other businesses - Kaleda32:53 – Why videos are more impactful than a regular post on social media -Tammy36:31 – Revitalizing old machines by creating posts on Facebook37:13 – How has implementing the help first principle come back to you -Kaleda39:18 – Are other businesses providing active referrals for helping them first? - Kaleda40:42 – What rewards have you seen from partnering with other businesses?  -Tammy44:46 – Taking time to help another gym owner within your community - Kaleda47:02 – Going out of your way to help someone open a nearby CrossFit gym -Tammy

What does "professional" mean?

It's 8am in Rochester, NY. Brian Lelli sits and waits for the moving van to arrive at his house.On Thursday, Brian said goodbye to his CrossFit community. He's moving his young family to Florida and leaving his gym in the capable hands of his GM.I talk a LOT on this podcast about the ability to walk away from your business for days, weeks or months. Maybe you just need a few hours each day to work ON the business instead of IN the business. Or maybe you're like me, and have other businesses to group. Maybe you just need a damn nap. Brian is an outlier, running his gym completely remotely. But his experience shows us what's REALLY possible.The people who I want to talk to on this podcast are the gym owners pushing the limits. The guy netting a million dollars is interesting. So is the guy who can leave his gym, move five states away, still own it, and still make a profit.Listen and play close attention to the infrastructure and systems Brian discusses to run his box smooth and efficiently - they're the SAME systems, with the same feedback loop, you'll need to take ANY time off from your business.The 2017 Two Brian Summit is coming this June 3rd and 4th. Be sure to register here for this event!In this Interview:Which systems are necessary for a gym to run independentlyHow much communication is necessary when running a gym from afarHow to grow staff from low levels of responsibility to FULL responsibilityThe icon problem with small business owners, and how to beat itPlus:How much money will Brian be making while working remotelyKey characteristics of a general managerImplementing feedback loops and accountability amongst staffAbout Brian:Brian first got into fitness back in college while at the Rochester Institute of Technology where he started a weightlifting club with some friends. This was Brian’s first chance to learn coaching from others. For the next decade Brian trained and competed as a power lifter until in 2011 he decided to create a better healthier body for himself. At first a CrossFit denier, he quickly found his home training CrossFit and opened his own box in his garage. Brian is super helpful and a very experienced coach who is always available for questions!Timeline:3:29 – Brian Lelli Introduction5:11 – Brian’s story of how he got into CrossFit7:34 – Does training or working at another CrossFit gym help before starting your own?8:39 – Moving to Florida and leaving the CrossFit gym behind independently11:47 – What systems are necessary for a gym to run independently13:52 – Implementing feedback loops and accountability within a CrossFit gym15:02 – How much communication is necessary when running a gym from afar?16:37 – When hiring someone what to look for first17:36 – More on the key characteristics of a general manager20:26 – The advantages of having a hard date set for accomplishing your goal21:03 – How can other gyms be run independently through a proficient general manager22:23 – The role of a joy girl in a CrossFit gym24:24 – Adding more and more roles to the general manager position25:27 – How much decision-making power does the general manager have?26:35 – Announcing a large change to members of your gym28:51 – The icon problem with small business owners30:18 – How will Brian be spending his extra time in Florida?31:50 – Will Brian’s box still be profitable while he is away and how much will he be making?

"Can You Go?" - how long could you leave your business? Included is an ACTION you can take this weekend to get you started.

What's your intent: In your training? In your business TODAY? In listening to this podcast right NOW?

On today’s podcast we are joined by Tate Stewart of CrossFit 1420. Tate is a former college football player and strength-and-conditioning coach from Houston, Texas. Today we talk about leadership in the service industry. Tate is an accomplished gym owner, and he's about to complete the Two-Brain mentor-in-training program. Read more about The Path to Mentorship here.Reminder: The 2017 Two-Brain Summit is coming this June 3rd and 4th in Chicago. Be sure to register now!In this Interview:A unique story about service to others from ChrisThe process of raising your gym’s ratesThe TwoBrain mentoring philosophyPlus:How Tate started with CrossFitLearning from mentors and the important role they playIs a Lion Untested a Lion At All? About Tate:Tate is a former college football player at the University of Houston. After suffering from a bad injury he transitioned into a college strength-and-conditioning coach and helped athletes prepare for the NFL draft. Tate was introduced to CrossFit and while initially hesitant, he became hooked very quickly. With the motivation to provide a better life for his family, he opened a CrossFit gym, CrossFit 1420. Tate is a selfless leader, constantly putting others before himself. This can be credited largely to his mentors throughout his life. The importance of good mentorship is invaluable and something Tate believes strongly in. Timeline:2:47 – A unique story about service to others8:33 – Tate Stewart introduction and how he got started in CrossFit10:27 – Tate’s start as a college football strength and conditioning coach11:37 – The first impression of the CrossFit world13:48 – Making big changes to open a gym and provide for a family15:58 – Turning to others to find help, how to find a mentor20:53 – Tate’s introduction to the Two-Brain Family23:15 – What is the greatest lesson Tate ever learned from his father?26:50 – The mentorship of legendary coach Lee Hayes28:57 – The personnel structure of Tate’s gym and keeping everyone on the same page35:18 – The process of raising rates by exhibiting authoritative and servant leadership39:57 – The response from clients after raising rates44:04 – Grandfather Rates and how to implement them and deal with inconsistent rates54:03 – How important is it for a mentor to have gone through struggles in their own life61:56 – The process of being trained as a Two-Brain mentor68:36 – The mentoring process under the Two-Brain philosophy    Books we mention in this episode:Three Kings: A Study in Brokenness, by Gene EdwardsThe Power of One, by Bryce CourtenaySilence, by Shusaku Endo