Run a Profitable Gym

"If you can afford him, you need to go see Greg Glassman." In 1999, Brian Mulvaney found Greg in a dojo in Santa Cruz after his neighbor--a fitness trainer herself--described Greg as "the best in town." Fifteen years later, Mulvaney is the director of strategy for CrossFit HQ. The brand, which didn't have a name then, has become a worldwide phenomenon. But the exercise prescription hasn't changed. "A CrossFitter today would recognize the programming from 15 years ago," Mulvaney said. In this interview, Mulvaney walks us through the history of CrossFit through the eyes of an insider. Then we get into the real purpose of the interview: the philosophy at HQ that makes CrossFit take up arms against Big Soda, licensure and bad science. Mulvaney answers the question, "Why US?" Full show notes: http://twobraincoaching.com/twobrainradio-episode-8-brian-mulvaney-strategist-at-crossfit-hq/

I should have hit "record" before I dialed the phone. And I should have hung up before I hit "STOP."I first encountered Dave Tate over fifteen years ago on the Supertraining Forum, and I've read or watched something from him every week since. But I still wasn't prepared for the depths we reached in this conversation.Eleven minutes into the call, I had to say, "Stop, Dave. I have to start recording this stuff!" and we started over. But he didn't miss a beat, and I was laughing within 30 seconds--"I was probably looking for porn" is how he answered the first question.But don't think this is a "powerlifter in the locker room" inside-joke episode. This is a show about big ideas, not big lifts. It's not Dave's autobiography, not a step-by-step guide to using accommodating resistance, and not a sales pitch for EliteFTS.com products (though it could be.) It's a view of the field through the eyes of the guy pulling the plow.Full episode notes are at: two-brain-radio-episode-7-the-dave-tate-effect

Knowing WHY you choose a given exercise can have a lot to do with its correction and instruction. In this episode, we run through a few common mistakes Dr. Phillip Carlyle teaches through his SpinalFit program.But MORE importantly, we talk about what CrossFit coaches are doing RIGHT. Phillip is a CrossFitter, a chiropractor and owner of SpinalFit.co, and he believes most chiropractors will want to work with you if you handle the relationship properly.To read the full episode notes and watch two videos from Phillip, visit here: http://twobraincoaching.com/two-brain-radio-episode-6-how-to-work-with-chiropractors/

Greg Everett of Catalyst Athletics is almost a household name. Anyone (especially in the USA) interested in weightlifting has heard of Everett—but why? Greg is an incredible coach. But he's an even better producer of content, and that's why he's able to make a great living as a nationally renowned coach. Get that? He's a great coach—and he knows how to tell you so. Greg spends almost as much time sharing his knowledge and building his audience as he does coaching. And that's a very, very smart move. In this episode, Greg talks about the "art of coaching"—the stuff between the reps that makes a trainer a "real coach." He also talks about his business, CrossFit, models and mentors. His website is https://www.catalystathletics.com/

Jay is co-owner of CrossFit Thames -- arguably the best-known gym in Europe -- and CrossFit Hale in California. He believes gym owners can do just as well with a small gym as a large one IF they focus on individual coaching and retention instead of large class sizes.Jay has learned to be an entrepreneur through his CrossFit gyms, and believes "The Cat in the Hat" to be a great read for new business owners.

Several months ago, Deacon Andrews sold his brick-and-mortar box, packed his family into a horse trailer and started driving toward California. He kept a squat rack, his dirt bikes and a love for coaching.Deacon moved all his programming online to SisuStrong.com. I was lucky enough to be included on the project as a mentor, and saw the idea go from concept to delivery.With any new technology, you're bound to try things that won't work. These aren't mistakes; they're just tests of the system. And Deacon's rapidly pushing the envelope. In this episode, he shares his bright spots and his challenges as he pioneers online coaching for action sports.

Episode 2 - Jason AckermanI met Jason Ackerman at St. Jude's Children's Hospital in 2013. Over the next several months, Jay and I shared a weekly call to discuss business, but regularly digressed into training clients, diet and programming.After a few months, Jay accepted an offer for his affiliate (CrossFit Albany) that was the highest price I've ever seen paid for a gym of this type. Most "box"-style gyms really aren't worth more than the value of their used equipment. But Jason managed to sell a BRAND, not a BOX. We go into great detail on that process in this interview.

In this discussion, Greg Amundson, the original CrossFit firebreather and a seasoned coach, dives deep into the evolution of CrossFit, blending old-school techniques with modern spiritual insights. He shares how mentorship shapes personal growth and the significance of positivity in training. Greg emphasizes the importance of building a supportive gym culture and the dual nature of coaching, balancing technical skills with emotional intelligence. His journey highlights the transformative power of community, lifelong learning, and welcoming new athletes.