The Conveners - Michael Hirst

The Conveners - Hannah Enguell

In this episode of The Conveners, Andy King sits down with Dr. Hannah to explore her inspiring journey from hospital medicine and geriatric care into the evolving world of lifestyle medicine and entrepreneurship. Drawing on years of experience working with older adults and individuals living with chronic conditions, Hannah reflects on the pivotal moments that led her to question whether traditional healthcare is doing enough to support long-term wellbeing. Together, they unpack the growing importance of lifestyle medicine—focusing on exercise, nutrition, sleep, and behaviour change—and why these elements are often overlooked within conventional systems like the NHS. Hannah shares her candid perspective on the structural challenges facing institutional healthcare, and why meaningful change may need to happen beyond secondary care settings. The conversation dives into the intersection between healthcare and the physical activity sector, exploring how collaboration across industries could better support healthier ageing. They also discuss wider influences such as social determinants of health, persistent inequalities, and the emerging role of GLP-1 medications in shaping weight management and behaviour. Finally, Hannah offers insight into her entrepreneurial ambitions: creating scalable, affordable solutions that measurably improve people’s lives—while delivering broader societal value. This episode is a thoughtful and honest reflection on reinvention, purpose, and what it really means to live a “good life.” www.futurefitgroup.co.uk www.futurefittraining.co.uk www.futurefitforbusiness.co.uk @future_fit_training @futurefitforbusiness

The Conveners - Tanya Hall

Andy King chats with Tanya from eGym on the Conveners podcast, covering everything from her accidental start in fitness to where the industry is heading. Tanya didn’t plan a career in fitness, she got into it after having her son, starting part-time at a local leisure centre and working her way through roles in membership, reception and swim school. The turning point came when an older member told her she’d managed to carry her shopping home on the bus for the first time. That moment stuck, and eventually led her to eGym, where she’s now spent about seven years leading their public leisure sales team. They talk a lot about what makes eGym different, not just making strength training feel simple and accessible, but actually producing real health outcome data. Things like strength improvements or reduced HbA1c aren’t just nice-to-have stats; they’re helping operators unlock funding from public health and community sources, rather than relying purely on big upfront spend. Places like Blackpool, Plymouth, Corby and Pembrokeshire all come up as examples doing interesting things with it. There’s also some chat about Genius AI, which personalises workouts across the whole gym floor, even on kit that isn’t eGym. The conversation gets more personal when they get into GLP-1s. Both Andy and Tanya have been on their own journeys for around two years. Tanya is really open about how tough the start was, side effects, hair loss, poor sleep, alongside losing six stone in under a year. She talks about the strange psychological side of that kind of change, briefly coming off the medication, regaining weight quickly, and moving onto Monjaro. They also touch on how people are figuring dosing out as they go, the likelihood this becomes a long-term thing, and what’s coming next, like retatrutide or oral versions. From a sector point of view, Tanya’s take is pretty clear: the biggest opportunity is helping people who’d never normally step into a gym feel comfortable enough to do so. That means simple things, where equipment is placed, how staff show up, and recognising that fitness professionals aren’t therapists but still play a role in confidence and behaviour change. Her overall feeling is that GLP-1s could be huge for the industry, but only if it adapts instead of pushing back.

The Conveners - Rhys Jones

Forget chasing empty numbers. In this episode, Rhys reveals how genuine connection and relentless curiosity create real social change, from pioneering COVID health programs to leading Plymouth’s ambitious wellness agenda. We break down how grassroots sports and marathon grit translate into system-wide leadership, and why authentic relationships will always outperform top-down mandates. You'll learn how Rhys uses deep self-awareness, coaching, and even AI experimentation to build resilient teams capable of busting through stubborn bureaucracy. The Bottom Line: Leadership isn't just about results. It’s about the relentless pursuit of a difference. Whether you’re a community champion or a seasoned executive, this conversation is your blueprint for turning big ambition into tangible action. Listen now and lead with purpose.

The Conveners - Michael Hirst

Most leisure trusts focus on facilities, but BPL puts people and purpose first. CEO Michael Hirst explains how a fun, community-driven culture, despite market challenges, is reshaping the industry. BPL’s focus on staff well-being, social value, and strong community partnerships drives innovative programs where employees and customers thrive. From tailored incentives to storytelling-led impact measurement, their approach goes beyond numbers. In this conversation, we explore embedding social value into a commercial model, the power of staff recognition, and the role of local, flexible thinking. Michael also highlights how partnerships with health services and councils are transforming leisure centres into community health hubs. The takeaway: success in leisure today isn’t just about running facilities. It’s about improving lives. This episode offers practical insights for leaders looking to stay competitive while making a meaningful impact.

The Conveners - David Joerring

David Joerring, founder of HealthKey.Health, joins host Andy King to explore how smarter health data, better habits, and accessible tools can transform long‑term wellbeing. A practical, energising conversation for anyone looking to take ownership of their health journey. Please note: this episode was recorded remotely, so audio quality may vary slightly.