Fitness + Technology

In this episode of the Fitness + Technology Podcast, host Bryan O’Rourke welcomes back Garrett Marshall, a distinguished leader with over 22 years of experience driving growth in the wellness industry. Garrett’s expertise spans strategy and innovation, executive leadership, business development, strategic partnerships, and technological product development. He has notably served as CEO of Fitness On Demand and President of Xponential Fitness. Today, he is the Founder and Chief Growth Officer of Wellbuilt Ventures, helping clients scale revenue through data-driven strategies, and serves as an advisor to Vi, assisting leading health organizations in maximizing member health outcomes and financial returns. In this conversation, Garrett shares insights from his career, discusses his latest business ventures, and offers his perspective on emerging trends shaping the future of fitness and wellness. One Powerful Quote: 30:01: “If you want to continue to be able to deliver as a best in class provider of fitness, you

In this episode of the Fitness + Technology podcast, Bryan O’Rourke joins an exclusive panel live from FIBO to explore the future of the fitness industry through the lens of technology, innovation, and digital transformation. Featuring global industry leaders: Bryan K. O'Rourke – President, Fitness Industry Technology Council | Chairman, Vedere Ventures | CEO, Core Health & Fitness Hugo Braam – CEO & Co-Founder, Virtuagym Magdalena Szwed – Product Director, Benefit Systems Oddział Fitness Henrik Gockel – Founder, Prime Time Fitness GmbH Moderated by Hans Muench, FITC International Ambassador, this dynamic discussion dives into the trends and technologies shaping the next generation of fitness—from AI-powered personalization and connected ecosystems to evolving business models and digital wellness strategies. One Powerful Quote: 34:03: “When you do, even though you don’t understand, it forces you to understand and learn.”  4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 2:09:

This week on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O’Rourke welcomes Marco Benitez to the show. Marco is the CEO & Founder of ROOK, a wearable API that transforms health data and empowers apps and software with actionable insights. ROOK easily processes and embeds data from hundreds of wearables with single integration and shares access to deeper understanding and more actionable insights that allows users to make more informed decisions, find better solutions, and drive innovation. Today, Marco joins Bryan to talk about his business, data usage, and the implications on our industry. One Powerful Quote: 15:36: “The alignment between healthcare and fitness is the new name of wellness. Wellness is prevention.” 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 2:50: Bryan asks Marco about his background and his business, ROOK.  10:34: Bryan inquires with Marco about unifying data standards as the biggest opportunity and challenge for health. 13:46: Bryan and Marco talk about the

This week on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O’Rourke welcomes Mike Arce to the show. Mike is the CEO & Founder of Loud Rumor, which helps fitness studios dramatically increase membership by improving their marketing strategies through consulting. Today, Mike joins Bryan to talk about his business, lead generation marketing, implemented technology, and other implications around fitness operations.   One Powerful Quote: 34:57: “If you gamble, you’re just playing off feeling, but if you play the game, you do the right moves, and you live with the results.” 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 3:11: Bryan opens the show with Mike talking about his work experience. 7:31: Bryan and Mike talk about technology tools, changes in business development, and defining successful marketing. 30:37: Mike shares his thoughts on understanding contextual data for your business. Bullet List of Resources: https://www.loudrumor.com/ Guest Contact Information: https://www.linkedin

This week on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O’Rourke welcomes back Hans Muench to the show. As the Director of International Development at FIT-C, he leads the council's efforts to grow the fitness industry, improve fitness user experience, and mature the collection of real-time wellness data through the creation of interoperability standards for technology-based fitness devices. With over 35 years of experience in the health and fitness sector, Hans has a deep understanding of the global trends, challenges, and opportunities in this dynamic and evolving industry. Today, Hans joins Bryan to talk about the industry’s upcoming events, European fitness trends, and using AI tools for presenting truthful information. One Powerful Quote: 14:36: “Truth is much more difficult to present than fact and information in general because so much of it is junk.” 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 3:00: Bryan and Hans talk about upcoming industry events happening. 6:48: Hans

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 wi

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 p

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

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 strugg

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 professional

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 juxtapose

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 sys

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

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, Bryan O’Rourke shares his presentation live from Beyond Activ in New York. Beyond Activ is a leadership, investment, and business development event for owners, managers, and investors of health, wellness, fitness, and hospitality brands. Bryan was invited to present and host a panel on franchise innovation and growth with Emily Seaman, Head of Marketing from Momence, Bradford Smith, Chief Development Officer from PureGym, Eric Keller, VP of Support at Self Esteem Brands, and Justin Vartanian, Senior VP of International Division at Planet Fitness. You can access Bryan's presentation deck here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vSI72UFIcTKyT8G7yZ8jskOJaEknXvc6/view Recap of presentation is as follows: Key Drivers of Future Growth and Innovation (GII): Globalism, Demographics, Values, Technologies, and Economics are identified as the five mega-trend drivers of GII. Customer Spending and Attitudes: Younger generations (Gen Z and Millennials) are spending more on he

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: B

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 operato

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 virt

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O’Rourke welcomes Brandon Bean to the show. Brandon is the Co-Founder of Lumin Fitness, a smart movement platform with a cutting-edge operating system design to leverage the latest advances in computer vision, digital displays, and machine learning to deliver personalized, interactive fitness experiences. Today, Brandon joins Bryan to talk about his business and key trends happening in the space. One Powerful Quote: 15:55: “Data is dopamine.” 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 3:33: Bryan asks Brandon’s opinion on the latest trends in machine learning, personalization, and technology. 5:52: Brandon talks about his business, Lumin Fitness. 9:40: Brandon articulates how he conceptualized Lumin’s business model. 17:01: Bryan inquires with Brandon on pricing strategy. 18:26: Bryan and Brandon discuss globalization of the major fitness brands and the implications on their business strategy. 23:01: Bryan wraps up the sho

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O’Rourke welcomes Chris Edwards to the show. Chris is the Founder & CEO of TriCore Wellness which focuses on the integration of technology, health data, and professional coaching. TriCore Wellness seeks to develop and provide comprehensive wellness solutions for individuals, employees, and businesses. Today, Chris joins Bryan to talk about his business and truly define what wellness means.  One Powerful Quote: 2:53: “Wellness is essentially living optimally without limitations.” 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 2:46: Bryan opens the show by asking Chris how he defines the term wellness.  4:12: Chris highlights the key trends in the wellness industry space. 5:49: Bryan inquires with Chris about how to deploy these solutions. 6:54: Chris talks about the repercussions in some of the recent medical interventions happening today in wellness.  8:07: Bryan and Chris talk about the implications in integrative care an

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O’Rourke welcomes Alan Thompson to the show. Alan is the founder and CEO of GroeFit, a gym member management software powered by computer vision technology. GroeFit leverages cutting-edge AI to provide gym staff with real-time insights, transforming big box gyms into supportive communities that recognize and nurture every member’s fitness journey. Today, Alan joins Bryan to talk about GroeFit and why automated engagement is table-stakes for organizations.  One Powerful Quote: 13:38: “Get good at marketing, really good at marketing.” 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 2:10: Bryan opens the show with Alan sharing his journey to launching GroeFit.  5:17: Alan talks about personalization and how GroeFit delivers personalized experiences.  8:28: Alan explains why automated engagement and personalization are table-stakes for large organizations.  11:50: Alan shares his insights and pearls of wisdom to the listeners.  15: