Fitness Business Podcast: Leadership, Innovation, and Profit

The Untold Story Behind the Fitness Business Podcast | JT on Imposter Syndrome, Leadership & Purpose | Episode 557

Stories do what facts alone cannot. They make people feel, remember, trust, and act. In this special season finale takeover, master storyteller Danielle Krischik (podcast host and author of The Story Effect) flips the mic and interviews JT so you can hear the real reason behind the Fitness Business Podcast, REX Roundtables [https://rexroundtables.com/], and JT's mission to get more people moving in quality facilities with qualified professionals. Key highlights from the episode: * Why storytelling shifts your brand from what you sell to why you exist * How JT's early life, sport, and career pivot shaped his leadership style * The role fitness facilities play in changing (and sometimes saving) lives Host takeover! Curious about the guest host of Fitness Business Podcast? That's Zoe, the host JT's daughter. Giveaway! Win a Copy of The Story Effect: Zoe (Guest Host!) is giving away two copies of The Story Effect. To enter: Go to fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/leaveusavoicemail [http://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/leaveusavoicemail]Click Start Recording Leave a short voice testimonial (under 60 seconds) Include your name and email Your voice may also be featured on a future episode! Take the Next Step: - Become an FBP Insider (7 days FREE): https://patreon.com/FitnessBusinessPodcast [https://patreon.com/FitnessBusinessPodcast]- Join our FREE live online events for fitness leaders: https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/onlineevents [https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/onlineevents]- Leave us a voicemail: fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/leaveusavoicemail [http://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/leaveusavoicemail]- Join our LinkedIn Community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9878228/ [https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9878228/]- Mystery Shopping for Fitness Businesses: https://mysteryshoppingforfitnessbusinesses.com.au/ [https://mysteryshoppingforfitnessbusinesses.com.au/] Quotes: "I have suffered and still do suffer imposter syndrome. I can be filled with self-doubt that I can actually help people or that I give value to people…" - JT "I really think the perception of our industry is what we get wrong… we're the most natural, healthy way to reduce the healthcare costs in every country, and yet governments still don't want to talk to us." - JT "If I can help save someone's life, if I can help save a marriage, if I can help someone get off medication because they're feeling better and more confident about themself through movement, then I'm happy." - JT Key Topics & Timestamps (00:00) Why stories beat data for trust and action (01:23) Join the FBP Insider on Patreon and the Story Effect giveaway (02:38) Danielle takes over the mic and explains why JT's story matters (03:48) JT's "shockers": imposter syndrome, saying yes too often, and staying in fitness (06:37) JT's childhood in Sydney and how sport shaped his resilience (08:55) The choice: friends, sport, or being smart (and what JT picked) (11:11) Teaching in tough schools, the chair incident, and choosing fitness instead (15:53) Fiona's story and the moment JT understood fitness changes lives (23:02) What the fitness industry gets wrong: perception and participation (29:19) JT's hardest season: ulcerative colitis, optimism, and the "whole movie" takeaway Our Guest Interviewer: Danielle Krischik, Partner, Chief Strategy Officer of The Knight Agency, and Author & Podcast Host of The Story Effect - Podcast and Book: https://www.fitprofinders.com/https://thestoryeffect.com [https://thestoryeffect.com] - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellekrischik/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellekrischik/] - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyeffectpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/storyeffectpodcast] - Knight Agency - https://knightagency.com/ [https://knightagency.com/] Merch Sponsor: Be a Merch Sponsor - https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/merch/ [https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/merch/] REX Roundtables: Website: www.REXRoundtables.com [http://www.rexroundtables.com]Email: Eddie@REXRoundtables.com [Eddie@REXRoundtables.com] A heartfelt thank you to the partners who support The Fitness Business Podcast: * Solution One Partners: Provides marketing, loyalty, and CRM solutions for the fitness industry. https://solutiononepartners.com/ [https://solutiononepartners.com/] * Arsenal Strength: Manufactures professional strength gym equipment and offers custom gym design. https://www.myarsenalstrength.com/ [https://www.myarsenalstrength.com/] * Power Systems: Sells a wide range of fitness, strength, and conditioning equipment. https://www.power-systems.com/ [https://www.power-systems.com/] * BlkBox Fitness: Designs and manufactures gym equipment and creates bespoke training facilities. https://www.blkboxfitness.com [https://www.blkboxfitness.com] * Replify: Replify provides AI-driven receptionist and sales automation for fitness businesses. https://www.replify.ai/ [https://www.replify.ai/] "What we leave behind is not set in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others." About Your Host: Justin "JT" Tamsett is a fitness industry veteran with over 30 years of experience who aims to reduce global healthcare costs by promoting physical activity. Through his company Active Management, he provides business coaching to fitness entrepreneurs, leads 8 REX Roundtables in the US and Australia, and has spoken at over 40 conferences across 23 countries. His ultimate goal is to create a world of opportunity for his daughter Zoe by helping more people move and stay healthy, while empowering gym owners to build successful businesses that contribute to a healthier society Please note: We only recommend products we care about (affiliate links support our free content). Thank you for your support!

Burnout in the Fitness Industry: How to Protect Your Health, Team, and Career Longevity with Emahlea Wilcher | Episode 556

Burnout is not a badge of honor. For years, working 22-hour days and never taking holidays was worn as proof of resilience. But the reality is different. A 2025 study published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine estimates burnout costs employers between $4,000 and $21,000 per employee per year in lost productivity, disengagement, and turnover. In this Wise Words episode, Justin Tamsett sits down with clinician, scientist, and founder of New Approach Health, Emahlea Wilcher, to unpack what burnout really is, how it impacts your body and brain, and what you can do right now to protect yourself and your team. If you are a coach, club owner, fitness entrepreneur, or leader who feels constantly tired, irritable, foggy, or disconnected, this conversation is essential listening. Key highlights from the episode: * What burnout actually is and how to recognize the early warning signs before you crash * How burnout impacts your body, brain, relationships, and income * Practical strategies to prevent burnout for yourself and your team Curious about the future host of Fitness Business Podcast? That's Zoe, the host JT's daughter! Take the Next Step: ✔ Become an FBP Insider (7 days FREE): https://patreon.com/FitnessBusinessPodcast [https://patreon.com/FitnessBusinessPodcast]✔ Join our FREE live online events for fitness leaders: https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/onlineevents [https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/onlineevents]✔ Leave us a voicemail: fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/leaveusavoicemail [http://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/leaveusavoicemail]✔ Join our LinkedIn Community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9878228/ [https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9878228/]✔ Mystery Shopping for Fitness Businesses: https://mysteryshoppingforfitnessbusinesses.com.au/ [https://mysteryshoppingforfitnessbusinesses.com.au/] Quotes: "I think of burnout as the point where your brain and your body hit the emergency brake after too much stress for too long." "You have to lower the floor instead of trying to raise the ceiling." "Burnout doesn't turn around because of a big dramatic change. It's the little shifts that make the difference." Key Topics & Timestamps (00:00) Why Burnout Is Not a Badge of Honor (04:00) The WHO Definition and Signs of Burnout (10:30) Physical and Mental Effects of Chronic Stress (18:00) Why Hustle Culture Keeps Leaders in Denial (25:00) The Minimum Viable Week Framework (32:00) Nervous System Resets and Daily Recovery (40:00) Preventing Burnout Across Your Team (48:00) Scrolling, Stress, and Habit Formation (57:00) One Boundary + One Nourishing Habit Challenge Our Guest: Emahlea Wilcher, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of New Approach Health ✔ Website: https://www.fitprofinders.com/https://www.newapproach.health [https://www.newapproach.health] ✔ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emahlea/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/emahlea/] ✔ Instagram: instagram.com/newapproach.health [http://instagram.com/newapproach.health] ✔ Costa Rica Burnout Recovery Retreat August 2026: https://www.newapproach.health/retreat [https://www.newapproach.health/retreat] Merch Sponsor: Be a Merch Sponsor - https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/merch/ [https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/merch/] REX Roundtables: Website: www.REXRoundtables.com [http://www.rexroundtables.com]Email: Eddie@REXRoundtables.com [Eddie@REXRoundtables.com] A heartfelt thank you to the partners who support The Fitness Business Podcast: * ABC Fitness Solutions: Simplifies operations, amplifies marketing and sales efforts, and enables a dynamic member experience. https://abcfitness.com/ [https://abcfitness.com/] * Lionel University: Provides online degree and certificate programs in Exercise Science and fitness education. https://www.lionel.edu/ [https://www.lionel.edu/] * Atlantis Strength: Designs and manufactures professional strength equipment for gyms and athletes.https://atlantisstrength.com/ [https://atlantisstrength.com/] * HireBob AI: Provides AI employees for fitness businesses for sales, support, and retention. https://hirebob.ai/ [https://hirebob.ai/] About Our Guest: Emahlea Wilcher, MPH, RD, LD, is a clinician, scientist, and founder of New Approach Health, a trauma-informed nutrition and burnout recovery practice. She helps high-achieving, stressed-out humans stop burning down their bodies to build their careers, using nervous-system–aware nutrition therapy and mind–body reconnection work. With dual master's degrees in public health nutrition and epidemiology (and her own history of burnout) Emahlea blends data, depth, and real-world compassion to help people feel safe, powerful, and at home in their bodies again. About Your Host: Justin "JT" Tamsett is a fitness industry veteran with over 30 years of experience who aims to reduce global healthcare costs by promoting physical activity. Through his company Active Management, he provides business coaching to fitness entrepreneurs, leads 8 REX Roundtables in the US and Australia, and has spoken at over 40 conferences across 23 countries. His ultimate goal is to create a world of opportunity for his daughter Zoe by helping more people move and stay healthy, while empowering gym owners to build successful businesses that contribute to a healthier society Please note: We only recommend products we care about (affiliate links support our free content). Thank you for your support!

How to Motivate Your Fitness Staff with Gamification and Recognition with Alex Grande | Episode 555

Staff turnover remains one of the biggest challenges in the fitness industry, especially with part time and casual teams. In this episode, Justin Tamsett is joined by Alex Grande, psychologist and workplace recognition expert, to unpack how gamification, rewards, and genuine recognition can dramatically improve engagement, performance, and retention in fitness businesses. Alex explains the science behind motivation, the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic drivers, and why simple, low cost recognition programs often outperform expensive incentive schemes. Together, they explore practical examples fitness business owners can implement immediately, from peer to peer shoutouts and leaderboards to automation using everyday tools like Microsoft Teams and Excel. If you want a more motivated team without burning yourself out as a leader, this episode is a must listen. Key highlights from the episode: * Why recognition from managers is often more powerful than praise from executives * How gamification increases engagement without relying only on cash rewards * The SAPs framework and how to use status, access, power, and rewards with staff * How peer to peer recognition strengthens culture and retention * Practical, low cost gamification ideas for fitness businesses * How automation tools can make recognition consistent and easy Curious about the future host of Fitness Business Podcast? That's Zoe, the host JT's daughter! Got value from today's episode? ✔ Leave us a review on your favorite podcast app ✔ Send us a voicemail at fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/leaveusavoicemail [http://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/leaveusavoicemail]✔ Share this episode with a colleague who wants to build a stronger team Ready for more: ✔ Become an FBP Insider and get 7 days FREE to start! Learn more on Patreon: https://patreon.com/FitnessBusinessPodcast [https://patreon.com/FitnessBusinessPodcast]✔ Our FREE LIVE online events created specifically for fitness business owners, managers, and coaches who want to sharpen their skills and grow their business - Learn More: https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/onlineevents [https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/onlineevents]✔ Call in and let JT know if you think this has been the best season: https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/leave-us-a-voicemail/ [https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/leave-us-a-voicemail/]✔ Leave a rating on Spotify or Apple Podcasts: https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/review/ [https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/review/] Quotes: "We underestimate how meaningful it is to stop and say thanks, and the impact it can create." - Alex Grande "Recognition from a manager is more meaningful than from an executive, oftentimes because the manager knows more about that person." - Alex Grande "People want to be appreciated and people want to be heard." - Alex Grande Jump Ahead: (00:03:00) What Reward and Recognition Really Mean in Fitness Businesses (00:05:00) Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Motivation and the SAPs Framework (00:06:00) The Psychology of Recognition and Why It Works (00:07:00) Why Manager Feedback Matters More Than Executive Praise (00:09:00) What Gamification Looks Like in a Real World Workplace (00:11:30) Using Status, Access, Power, and Rewards to Motivate Staff (00:14:30) Peer to Peer Recognition and Building Stronger Team Culture (00:18:00) Automating Recognition with Microsoft Teams and Power Automate (00:22:00) Engaging Part Time and Casual Staff Through Recognition (00:26:30) How to Start a Recognition Program Without Overthinking It Resources: ✔ Become an FBP Insider on Patreon: https://patreon.com/FitnessBusinessPodcast [https://patreon.com/FitnessBusinessPodcast]✔ Fitness Business Podcast's LinkedIn Community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9878228/ [https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9878228/]✔ Mystery Shopping for Fitness Businesses: https://mysteryshoppingforfitnessbusinesses.com.au/ [https://mysteryshoppingforfitnessbusinesses.com.au/] Recommended Books: ✔ Drive by Daniel Pink [https://amzn.to/4tbNVd2]✔ Influence: The Art of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini [https://amzn.to/4ajsIGl] Resources Mentioned: ✔ Microsoft 365 Tools ✔ Zapier ✔ Notion Our Guest: Alex Grande, Founder & CEO of Recognize ✔ Website: https://recognizeapp.com/ [https://recognizeapp.com/] ✔ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexgrande/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexgrande/] Merch Sponsor: Be a Merch Sponsor - https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/merch/ [https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/merch/] REX Roundtables: Website: www.REXRoundtables.com [http://www.rexroundtables.com]Email: Eddie@REXRoundtables.com [Eddie@REXRoundtables.com] A heartfelt thank you to the partners who support The Fitness Business Podcast: * Les Mills USA: Creates pre-choreographed group fitness classes and offers home workouts. https://www.lesmills.com/us/ [https://www.lesmills.com/us/] * Referrizer: Provides automated marketing, referral, lead, and reputation management for local businesses. https://referrizer.com/ [https://referrizer.com/] * Energy Lounger: Sells the EnergyLounger, a full-body red and near-infrared light therapy device. http://www.energylounger.com/ [http://www.energylounger.com/] * Real Leader Fitness: Manufactures and sells commercial fitness and gym equipment. https://www.realleaderfitness.com/ [https://www.realleaderfitness.com/] * The Covery: Offers wellness, hormone replacement, weight loss, and aesthetic treatments. https://www.thecovery.com/ [https://www.thecovery.com/] https://www.thecovery.com/ "What we leave behind is not set in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others." About Our Guest: Alex Grande is an entrepreneur and workplace innovation expert who combines gamification with HR technology to help organizations build stronger, more connected cultures. As the founder of Recognize, a social employee engagement SaaS platform, he helps companies improve communication, recognition, and retention through behavioral science and thoughtful design. With a degree in psychology and published research in unconscious bias and social cognition, Alex brings an evidence-based, human-centered approach to creating recognition programs that drive lasting cultural change. About Your Host: Justin "JT" Tamsett is a fitness industry veteran with over 30 years of experience who aims to reduce global healthcare costs by promoting physical activity. Through his company Active Management, he provides business coaching to fitness entrepreneurs, leads 8 REX Roundtables in the US and Australia, and has spoken at over 40 conferences across 23 countries. His ultimate goal is to create a world of opportunity for his daughter Zoe by helping more people move and stay healthy, while empowering gym owners to build successful businesses that contribute to a healthier society. Please note: We only recommend products we care about (affiliate links support our free content). Thank you for your support!

Fueling Leadership: Self-Leadership, Values, and Alignment with Heather Wiser Soubra | Episode 554

If your body and mind are the engine of your leadership, what fuel are you putting into it? In this episode of The Fitness Business Podcast, Justin Tamsett sits down with Heather Wise Soubra, founder and CEO of Wiser Way Coaching and Director of the George Washington Leadership Institute at Mount Vernon. Heather shares powerful, practical insights on self-leadership—exploring how clarity, presence, values, habits, and alignment shape not just how we lead others, but how we lead ourselves first. This conversation is especially relevant for fitness business owners and leaders navigating pressure, chaos, and constant decision-making. Heather offers grounded strategies for responding instead of reacting, setting boundaries with integrity, and building daily practices that support sustainable leadership performance. Key highlights from the episode: ✔ Why self-leadership is the foundation of effective leadership ✔ How to build the "well" so you're resourced before pressure hits ✔ The importance of identifying and living by your personal leadership values ✔ How morning routines shape decision-making, communication, and energy ✔ Practical tools for boundary setting without guilt or conflict ✔ Why alignment—not hustle—is the key to long-term leadership impact Curious about the future host of Fitness Business Podcast? That's Zoe, the host JT's daughter! Got value from today's episode? ✔ Leave us a review on your favorite podcast app ✔ Send us a voicemail at fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/leaveusavoicemail [http://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/leaveusavoicemail]✔ Share this episode with a colleague who wants to build a stronger team Ready for more: ✔ Become an FBP Insider and get 7 days FREE to start! Learn more on Patreon: https://patreon.com/FitnessBusinessPodcast [https://patreon.com/FitnessBusinessPodcast]✔ Our FREE LIVE online events created specifically for fitness business owners, managers, and coaches who want to sharpen their skills and grow their business - Learn More: https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/onlineevents [https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/onlineevents]✔ Call in and let JT know if you think this has been the best season: https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/leave-us-a-voicemail/ [https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/leave-us-a-voicemail/]✔ Leave a rating on Spotify or Apple Podcasts: https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/review/ [https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/review/] Resources: ✔ Become an FBP Insider on Patreon: https://patreon.com/FitnessBusinessPodcast [https://patreon.com/FitnessBusinessPodcast]✔ Fitness Business Podcast's LinkedIn Community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9878228/ [https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9878228/]✔ Mystery Shopping for Fitness Businesses: https://mysteryshoppingforfitnessbusinesses.com.au/ [https://mysteryshoppingforfitnessbusinesses.com.au/] Recommended Books: ✔ Walk the Talk by Carolyn Taylor ✔ The 4‑Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss ✔ The Way of Integrity by Martha Beck ✔ PDF of Brene Brown's value exercises - https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/prod/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/22_0120-Values-Document-BBbrandedUU.pdf Our Guest: Heather Wiser Soubra, Founder, Wiser Way Coaching and Director, George Washington Leadership Institute, Leadership Coach and Executive Facilitator ✔ Website: https://wiserwaycoaching.com/ [https://wiserwaycoaching.com/] ✔ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherwisersoubra/ [https://www.instagram.com/heatherwisersoubra/] ✔ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathersoubra/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathersoubra/] Merch Sponsor: Mystery Shopping for Fitness Businesses (Australia exclusive) [https://mysteryshoppingforfitnessbusinesses.com.au/] Be a Merch Sponsor - https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/merch/ [https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/merch/] REX Roundtables: Website: www.REXRoundtables.com [http://www.rexroundtables.com]Email: Eddie@REXRoundtables.com [Eddie@REXRoundtables.com] A heartfelt thank you to the partners who support The Fitness Business Podcast: ✔ BeBalanced Centers: Provides natural hormone balancing for weight loss and symptom relief. https://www.bebalancedcenters.com/ [https://www.bebalancedcenters.com/]✔ Instinctive Insights: Provides profit-driven marketing and data science services to increase customer acquisition. https://www.instinctiveinsights.com/ [https://www.instinctiveinsights.com/]✔ Eleiko: Manufactures and sells premium strength and weightlifting equipment. https://eleiko.com/en-us [https://eleiko.com/en-us]✔ NetGym: Provides automated staff operations and sub-request management for fitness studios. https://www.netgym.com [https://www.netgym.com]✔ EGYM: Provides smart, connected fitness technology and equipment for gyms. https://egym.com/us [https://egym.com/us] About Our Guest: Heather Wiser Soubra is Founder and CEO of Wiser Way Coaching and Director of The George Washington Leadership Institute at Mount Vernon. An ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC), she empowers leaders and teams to reach their fullest potential by tapping into inner wisdom and building on strengths. Previously Senior Vice President at the International Dairy Foods Association, Heather holds degrees from George Mason University in intercultural communication and coaching, plus an Executive Certificate in Facilitation from Georgetown University. About Your Host: Justin "JT" Tamsett is a fitness industry veteran with over 30 years of experience who aims to reduce global healthcare costs by promoting physical activity. Through his company Active Management, he provides business coaching to fitness entrepreneurs, leads 8 REX Roundtables in the US and Australia, and has spoken at over 40 conferences across 23 countries. His ultimate goal is to create a world of opportunity for his daughter Zoe by helping more people move and stay healthy, while empowering gym owners to build successful businesses that contribute to a healthier society Please note: We only recommend products we care about (affiliate links support our free content). Thank you for your support!

Stop Losing Money on Bad Hires: Expert Fitness Recruiting Strategies with Christine Howe | Episode 553

Hiring the right people can make or break your fitness business. One great hire can elevate culture, performance, and profitability — while one poor hire can drain time, money, and momentum. In this episode, Justin "JT" Tamsett sits down with Christine Howe, founder of Fit Pro Finders and one of the most experienced recruiters in the global fitness industry, to unpack what it really takes to find, interview, and retain top talent today. From AI in recruitment to interviewing techniques, compensation strategy, onboarding, and resume red flags, Christine shares practical, experience-driven insights that every owner, manager, and leader can apply immediately. If recruitment feels overwhelming, inconsistent, or time-consuming, this episode will change how you approach hiring — forever. Key highlights from the episode: ✔ How to spot the right candidates faster: Christine explains the three interview questions she always asks to assess passion, preparedness, and long-term fit — and why video interviews are now non-negotiable. ✔ Why recruitment is only 50% of a successful hire: Learn how onboarding, leadership, and coaching determine whether great candidates thrive or fail after they're hired. ✔ What owners get wrong about resumes, compensation, and culture: From salary benchmarking to resume metrics and social media red flags, Christine breaks down what truly matters when choosing between top candidates. Curious about the future host of Fitness Business Podcast? That's Zoe, the host JT's daughter! Got value from today's episode? ✔ Leave us a review on your favorite podcast app ✔ Send us a voicemail at fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/leaveusavoicemail [http://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/leaveusavoicemail]✔ Share this episode with a colleague who wants to build a stronger team Ready for more: - Become an FBP Insider and get 7 days FREE to start! Learn more on Patreon: https://patreon.com/FitnessBusinessPodcast [https://patreon.com/FitnessBusinessPodcast] - Our FREE LIVE online events created specifically for fitness business owners, managers, and coaches who want to sharpen their skills and grow their business - Learn More: https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/onlineevents [https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/onlineevents] - Call in and let JT know if you think this has been the best season: https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/leave-us-a-voicemail/ [https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/leave-us-a-voicemail/] - Leave a rating on Spotify or Apple Podcasts: https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/review/ [https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/review/] Quotes: "Recruiting is only 50% of what makes a successful hire; the other 50% is leadership, onboarding, and training." - Christine Howe "You can't perform well at something you don't like doing. Passion and purpose always matter." - Christine Howe "One poor hiring decision can change your P&L for the entire year." - Justin 'JT' Tamsett Resources: - Become an FBP Insider on Patreon: https://patreon.com/FitnessBusinessPodcast [https://patreon.com/FitnessBusinessPodcast] - Fitness Business Podcast's LinkedIn Community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9878228/ [https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9878228/] - Mystery Shopping for Fitness Businesses: https://mysteryshoppingforfitnessbusinesses.com.au/ [https://mysteryshoppingforfitnessbusinesses.com.au/] Our Guest: Christine Howe, Owner and Principle Recruiter of Fit Pro Finders * Website: https://www.fitprofinders.com/ [https://www.fitprofinders.com/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fitprofinders/ [https://www.instagram.com/fitprofinders/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fit-pro-finders/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/fit-pro-finders/] Merch Sponsor: Be a Merch Sponsor - https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/merch/ [https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/merch/] REX Roundtables: Website: www.REXRoundtables.com [http://www.rexroundtables.com]Email: Eddie@REXRoundtables.com [Eddie@REXRoundtables.com] The companies you're about to hear about are REX Roundtable Trusted Suppliers. They're also experts who help fitness businesses thrive. You can learn more about each one at FitnessBusinessPodcast.com. Support them as they support us. * Groe Solutions: Provides AI and computer vision software for gym member retention. https://www.groe.solutions [https://www.groe.solutions] * Budderfly: Provides comprehensive, no-cost energy efficiency as a service for businesses. https://www.budderfly.com/ [https://www.budderfly.com/] * Gym TV (Club Com): Provides custom digital entertainment, music, and signage for fitness clubs.https://www.clubcom.com/ [https://www.clubcom.com/] * Simple Again (Performance Food Centers): Helps businesses open smoothie and juice bars with clean ingredients. https://www.performancefoodcenters.com [https://www.performancefoodcenters.com] * Power Plate: Sells whole-body and targeted vibration plate machines for fitness and wellness.https://www.powerplate.com/ [https://www.powerplate.com/] Skip to the good part: (03:53) Why hiring the right people matters more than ever (05:10) AI in recruitment: what it can — and can't — replace (07:45) Hiring inside vs. outside the fitness industry (12:10) Christine's three go-to interview questions (18:40) Common hiring challenges and payroll realities (23:30) Why onboarding determines hiring success (30:05) Best practices for interviews and candidate experience (36:40) Resume mistakes and what actually stands out (42:20) Social media, reference checks, and red flags (47:30) The future of recruitment in the fitness industry About Our Guest: Christine is the owner and lead recruiter for Fit Pro Finders, a full-service staffing firm that specializes in entry to executive levels roles in the fitness, wellness, and sports industries. Her services include creative sourcing, detailed screening, candidate interviews, career and business coaching. Prior to launching Fit Pro Finders she recruited for major fitness brands, including Xponential Fitness, Crunch, Equinox, Planet Fitness, and LifeTime. Christine loves sharing her passion and expertise in how to make the right match between job seeker and employer. About Your Host: Justin "JT" Tamsett is a fitness industry veteran with over 30 years of experience who aims to reduce global healthcare costs by promoting physical activity. Through his company Active Management, he provides business coaching to fitness entrepreneurs, leads 8 REX Roundtables in the US and Australia, and has spoken at over 40 conferences across 23 countries. His ultimate goal is to create a world of opportunity for his daughter Zoe by helping more people move and stay healthy, while empowering gym owners to build successful businesses that contribute to a healthier society Please note: We only recommend products we care about (affiliate links support our free content). Thank you for your support!