Fitt Insider

Today I'm joined by Soraya Darabi Soraya is the co-founder and managing partner of Trail Mix Ventures. In today's episode, I talked with Soraya about investing in the future of living well, her take on the current state of the wellness industry, and her advice for founders looking to start a company in the space. I had a great time chatting with Soraya and I hope you enjoy listening. Let's get into it. More from Soraya >> Soraya Darabi began her career as Manager of Digital Partnerships and Social Media at The New York Times, and went on to co-found Foodspotting (acq. by OpenTable) and Zady. Soraya made Fast Company's Most Creative People, Inc.'s 30 Under 30, and Fortune's 40 Under 40. She was twice named a Mentor of the Year by TechStars, is a YGL at The World Economic Forum, and serves as a NY State Trustee for The Nature Conservancy. https://www.trailmix.vc/ https://www.instagram.com/trailmixvc/ More from Fitt Insider >> Fitt Insider is a weekly newsletter and podcast about the business of fitness and wellness. From product launches and funding news to game-changing innovation, Fitt Insider provides listeners with insights and analysis on this ever-evolving industry. Join your peers and colleagues from companies like Equinox, lululemon, Peloton, Beyond Meat, Nike, and ClassPass by subscribing at http://insider.fitt.co.

Today I'm joined by Debra Strougo Frohlich Debra is one of the Founders of Row House In today's episode, I talked with Debra about what it takes to succeed in the fitness industry, her experience building and scaling a boutique concept, and why Row House stands out in a crowded studio landscape. I had a great time chatting with Debra and I hope you enjoy listening. Let's get into it. More from Debra >> Debra Strougo Frohlich is the Founder of Row House, which she and her husband launched in 2014 with the intention of scaling. Today that dream has been realized with close to 100 studio locations opened and about 300 studios committed to after just two short years of franchising. Debra is a New York City native, and is fortunate to spend most of her time in Manhattan where she continues to own and operate Row House studios and her other brand, EVF Performance. Debra began her career with a dual career: Business Development by day and fitness hustle by night. With a background in digital analytics she worked for 5 years in content aggregation for an EW Scripps Company; launching subscription and advertising revenue. Identifying that this could be the future of fitness, she launched Fitizens.com to aggregate Fitness Experts and Enthusiasts in 2007. Although this was a successful launch, it was before its time. While teaching fitness and doing various other biz dev projects in fitness, tech, publishing, etc Debra met her husband and business partner, Eric Von Frohlich and they proceeded to build two fitness studio based brands – Row House and EVF Performance. As they were building those, Debra spent 5 years in NYC Tourism, under Mayor Bloomberg during his administration where the team was able to surpass tourism goals. Debra's direct contributions were in creating a million dollar business by generating revenue against NYC digital as well as hard assets. Partners included NYC businesses large and small, looking to reach NYC visitors from near and far. She was also part of the original task force who created Broadway Week, which will persevere as Restaurant Week has as a NYC economic stimulus and mainstay. In 2014, Row House opened its doors to disrupt the fitness industry. Debra ran the studios and grew the brand until 2017 went she successfully created a partnership to expand Row House through franchising. The company is now controlled by Xponential and Debra and Eric continue to operate Row House studios in NYC. Debra is a mom at 3. She loves to connect people and ideas - and is keeping her eyes out for her next big one!. More from Fitt Insider >> Fitt Insider is a weekly newsletter and podcast about the business of fitness and wellness. From product launches and funding news to game-changing innovation, Fitt Insider provides listeners with insights and analysis on this ever-evolving industry. Join your peers and colleagues from companies like Equinox, lululemon, Peloton, Beyond Meat, Nike, and ClassPass by subscribing at http://insider.fitt.co.

Today I'm joined by Lauren Foundos Lauren is the founder and CEO of FORTË In today's episode, I talked with Lauren about using content to scale beyond the four walls of a studio or gym, how the company created a turnkey solution for live streaming classes, and the company's new plan to go beyond a marketplace and become the technology infrastructure for streaming fitness content. More from Lauren & FORTË Lauren Foundos, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of FORTË since 2015. FORTË streams live and on-demand, cutting-edge fitness classes from well-known boutique studios worldwide directly to you. FORTË is a tech company (b2b) and a subscription based fitness streaming platform (b2c). FORTË builds hardware and software that is installed into their partner studios, which enables them to seamlessly live stream classes directly to the FORTË platform. Their Netflix-style hub showcases leading boutique fitness studios and coaches worldwide with a variety of classes ranging from meditation, to boxing, yoga, HIIT, and more. Before launching her own company, FORTË, Lauren spent a decade working on Wall Street, with the last five years in finance on the trading floor as an Institutional US Government Bond Broker at Whitaker Securities where she helped to dramatically increase UST Short Coupon and Bill desk revenues. Prior to that she worked at Deutsche Bank in Synthetic Equities and Cloudview Capital Management, a global-macro hedge fund, on their trading desk. Lauren graduated from the University of Maryland in 2006, with a BA in communications and concentration in business. She earned ACC Academic Honor Roll, and Intercollegiate Athletic Honor Roll during her time at Maryland. Lauren is a two-time all-American field hockey player, she played in the Junior Olympics, and went on to play Division I at the University of Maryland, the nation's top ranked program. She plays the piano, violin, has two older brothers, adores her parents, and loves to ski. Lauren won the NBC/Comcast Innovation Award at the NAMIC National Conference for her FORTË pitch presentation. She also spoke at the Collision Conference, CES, MotionSoft, the Club Industry Show, as well as, appeared on Verizon's GO90 TV Show. https://www.forte.fit/ More from Fitt Insider >> Fitt Insider is a weekly newsletter and podcast about the business of fitness and wellness. From product launches and funding news to game-changing innovation, Fitt Insider provides listeners with insights and analysis on this ever-evolving industry. Join your peers and colleagues from companies like Equinox, lululemon, Peloton, Beyond Meat, Nike, and ClassPass by subscribing at http://insider.fitt.co.

Today I'm joined by Ed Buckley. Ed is the Chairman and CEO of Peerfit. In today's episode, I talked with Ed about pioneering the concept of "fully-funded fitness", building the billion-dollar bridge between fitness and healthcare, and what the significance of the name, "Peerfit". I had a great time chatting with Ed and I hope you enjoy listening. Let's get into it. More from Ed & Peerfit >> Edward J. Buckley, III, PhD, is the CEO of Peerfit, the market leader in connecting employers and carriers with innovative fitness experiences. Ed leads Peerfit's expansion strategy by driving national partnerships, business development, and fundraising. With nearly 10 years in the fitness industry, and a background in digital health behavior research, Ed continues to push the envelope on innovation in the fitness-technology space. He is passionate about designing new ways to drive engagement and help deliver flexibility and personalization to the health and wellness marketplace. Ed holds a PhD in Digital Health Behavior, and a Master's of Public Health, from the University of Florida. He is also the co-founder and Vice-President of the Board of Governors for Balance180, a non-profit that encourages children with disabilities to be physically active. More from Fitt Insider >> Fitt Insider is a weekly newsletter and podcast about the business of fitness and wellness. From product launches and funding news to game-changing innovation, Fitt Insider provides listeners with insights and analysis on this ever-evolving industry. Join your peers and colleagues from companies like Equinox, lululemon, Peloton, Beyond Meat, Nike, and ClassPass by subscribing at http://insider.fitt.co.

Today I'm joined by Rick Stollmeyer. Rick is the co-founder and CEO of MINDBODY. In today's episode, I talked with Rick about the 20-year history of Mindbody. His take on the evolution of the wellness industry — including a growing opportunity in India and the future of boutique studios. And Rick's advice for entrepreneurs raising capital. I had a great time chatting with Rick and I hope you enjoy listening. More from Rick & MINDBODY >> Rick Stollmeyer co-founded MINDBODY in his garage in 2001. He serves as the company's CEO and principle visionary, ensuring that everything MINDBODY undertakes—from product line to business development to team member enrichment—serves the company's purpose to help people lead healthier, happier lives by connecting the world to wellness. In 2005, Rick transformed the industry when he migrated the company's business management software to the cloud. Today, MINDBODY remains the leading software-as-a-service platform for the wellness services industry, streamlining business management for wellness practitioners and making it easier for them to do what they love—improve the lives of their customers. MINDBODY now powers fitness, wellness, and beauty businesses worldwide. Rick lives with his wife, Jill, near the company headquarters in San Luis Obispo, California. More from Fitt Insider >> Fitt Insider is a weekly newsletter and podcast about the business of fitness and wellness. From product launches and funding news to game-changing innovation, Fitt Insider provides listeners with insights and analysis on this ever-evolving industry. Join your peers and colleagues from companies like Equinox, lululemon, Peloton, Beyond Meat, Nike, and ClassPass by subscribing at http://insider.fitt.co.

Today I'm joined by Jim Crowell. Jim is the CEO of OPEX. On today's episode, we talk about Jim's experience as a gym owner, his journey to becoming the CEO of a fast-growing fitness company, and his thoughts on the future of the fitness industry. I had a great time chatting with Jim and hope you enjoy listening. More from Jim & OPEX >> Jim is a CEO, a business investigator, and a communication strategist in the fitness industry. His work ethic, experience and vision allow him to help fitness businesses in multiple verticals grow and protect their businesses at scale. Over his 15 year career, Jim has successfully traded energy commodities at $750M hedge fund, he's owned and sold 2 gyms with over 500 clients under his coaches' tutelage, and he's helped build and grow OPEX Fitness, Brand X, Big Dawgs Athlete and numerous other coaching companies within the chaos of the ever-changing fitness industry. Along the way, he's never stopped learning. Jim graduated Harvard's Core Course with honors and then went on to earn his MBA from The University of North Carolina all while working full time with OPEX. He's got a ferocious interest in understanding how systems works, and he couples that with his love of simple communication to support his team, gyms, coaches, and clients. Get in touch opexfit.com jim@opexfit.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-crowell/ https://www.instagram.com/crowelljim/ More from Fitt Insider >> Fitt Insider is a weekly newsletter and podcast about the business of fitness and wellness. From product launches and funding news to game-changing innovation, Fitt Insider provides listeners with insights and analysis on this ever-evolving industry. Join your peers and colleagues from companies like Equinox, lululemon, Peloton, Beyond Meat, Nike, and ClassPass by subscribing at http://insider.fitt.co.

Today I'm joined by Jim Huether. Jim is the CEO of Hyperice. On today's episode, we talk with Jim about the company's innovative and technology-focused approach to recovery, how he thinks about leadership and team building, and why Hyperice got into the world of e-sports. I had a great time chatting with Jim and hope you enjoy listening. Let's get into it. More from Jim and Hyperice >> Jim is an Executive Leader with expertise within the health technology and medical industries. After joining HYPERICE in 2014, Jim and Team have landed the company on the Inc. 500 fastest growing company list three times, as well as being named one of the 5 most innovative companies in America. Prior to joining HYPERICE, Jim was Executive Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for Xenith, LLC, a cutting-edge sports health / technology company at the forefront of head injury protection for athlete populations. Jim brings additional Marketing and Finance experience from roles at Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) and Smith Barney, Citigroup. Jim received his MBA in Finance and Marketing from Loyola Marymount University. https://hyperice.com/ More from Fitt Insider >> Fitt Insider is a weekly newsletter and podcast about the business of fitness and wellness. From product launches and funding news to game-changing innovation, Fitt Insider provides listeners with insights and analysis on this ever-evolving industry. Join your peers and colleagues from companies like Equinox, lululemon, Peloton, Beyond Meat, Nike, and ClassPass by subscribing at http://insider.fitt.co.

Today I'm joined by Lisa Blau. Lisa is a co-founder of Able partners. On today's episode, we talked to Lisa about the boundless nature of the wellness industry, how startups can find success by breaking down land-held stigmas, and the importance of building a strong brand. I had a great time chatting with Lisa and hope you enjoy listening. Let's get into it. More from Lisa Blau and Able Partners >> Lisa Blau​ has spent the last decade as an active angel investor focused on consumer businesses, often in the health, wellness and active lifestyle space with a particular interest in supporting women-led entrepreneurial ventures. Together with Amanda Eilian, she is the founding partner of Able, an investment fund focused on funding early-stage startups in the healthy living and lifestyle space, with a focus on female founders. Some of their investments include Juice Beauty, Daily Harvest, The Wing, Primary Kids, Moon Juice, Goop and Chief. Previously, Lisa co-founded VitalJuice.com, a daily email newsletter on healthy living tips and trends that was acquired by Tasting Table. She also helped build and launch Portero, an online luxury goods auction platform sold to Richemont. She has experience building businesses from the ground up with partners such as AOL, Amazon, Kleiner Perkins and The Pilot Group. Lisa started her career as a producer at CNN. She is a Board Member of The New York Public Library, KIPP New York, and The Mount Sinai Parenting Center. Lisa also chairs the Investment Committee of the Leadership Now Project, a membership organization of business professionals committed to renewing democracy. She has a B.A. from Duke University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Lisa lives in New York City with her husband and three children. More from Fitt Insider >> Fitt Insider is a weekly newsletter and podcast about the business of fitness and wellness. From product launches and funding news to game-changing innovation, Fitt Insider provides listeners with insights and analysis on this ever-evolving industry. Join your peers and colleagues from companies like Equinox, lululemon, Peloton, Beyond Meat, Nike, and ClassPass by subscribing at http://insider.fitt.co.

Today I'm joined by Khalil Zahar. Khalil is the CEO and co-founder of FightCamp. On today's episode, we talk with Khalil about the evolving definition of wellness, the disruption taking place in the fitness industry, how FightCamp plans to own the boxing vertical, and what it takes to stand out in the connected fitness category. I had a great time chatting with Khalil and I hope you enjoy listening. More from Khalil & FightCamp >> An engineer by profession, Khalil Zahar was completing his master thesis in Microelectromechanical Systems when he discovered his passion for boxing. Training with some of the best boxing coaches in the region, Zahar realized that quantifying his progress in the ring was a near impossibility. He saw the need for an interactive device that would provide users real-time stats and accurate feedback on each of their punches, and it was then that the idea of FightCamp was born. Zahar has since grown FightCamp from a tracking system loved by MMA and the UFC's biggest stars into an at-home fitness experience that enables everyone, no matter where they are on their boxing journey, to enjoy the mental and physical effects of the sport. In addition to creating FightCamp and its parent company, Hykso, Zahar is also a mentor at the Founder Institute, where he was a top graduate and was selected as the International Startup Festival's Best On-Stage Pitch. Zahar is an alumnus of Y Combinator, a prestigious Silicon Valley startup incubator that accepts less than 1% of the hundreds of applicants that apply to its program. With FightCamp, Khalil Zahar has grown the venture into an expansive and nurturing community and has made boxing an accessible and convenient workout for everyone. Website >> https://joinfightcamp.com/ Instagram >> https://www.instagram.com/fightcamp_/ More from Fitt Insider >> Fitt Insider is a weekly newsletter and podcast about the business of fitness and wellness. From product launches and funding news to game-changing innovation, Fitt Insider provides listeners with insights and analysis on this ever-evolving industry. Join your peers and colleagues from companies like Equinox, lululemon, Peloton, Beyond Meat, Nike, and ClassPass by subscribing at http://insider.fitt.co.

Today I'm joined by Will Ahmed Will is the founder and CEO of WHOOP. On today's episode, we talk with Will about unlocking human performance, how alcohol affects recovery, and the difference between wellness and what Will refers to as a Performance Lifestyle. I had a great time chatting with Will and I hope you enjoy listening. Let's get into it. More from Will and WHOOP >> Will Ahmed is the Founder and CEO of WHOOP, which has developed next generation wearable technology for optimizing human performance. WHOOP today works with professional athletes across every sports league, college athletes across every conference, Olympians and the U.S. military; the company more recently released its first consumer product. Ahmed has raised more than $50 million from top investors and has an active advisory board that consists of some of the world's most notable cardiologists, technologists, marketers, and designers. Ahmed wrote "The Feedback Tool: Measuring Fitness, Intensity, and Recovery," which sparked the underlying physiology and engineering for his work today. Ahmed was named a 2011 Harvard College Scholar for finishing in the top 10% of his class and a CSA Scholar Athlete; he captained the Harvard Men's Varsity Squash Team. Ahmed was recently named to Forbes 30 Under 30 and Boston Business Journal 40 Under 40. More from Fitt Insider >> Fitt Insider is a weekly newsletter and podcast about the business of fitness and wellness. From product launches and funding news to game-changing innovation, Fitt Insider provides listeners with insights and analysis on this ever-evolving industry. Join your peers and colleagues from companies like Equinox, lululemon, Peloton, Beyond Meat, Nike, and ClassPass by subscribing at http://insider.fitt.co.