Product Market Fitness

From Infantry to Affiliate Owner: Garrett Bastianelli is on a Mission

Today’s episode is with Garrett Bastianelli — owner, head coach, and GM at CrossFit Prevail. We talk about his journey from military service to gym ownership, the realities of running a CrossFit affiliate, and how he’s balancing coaching, business, and personal fitness. He shares how his military background shaped his leadership and adaptability, the origin story of CrossFit Prevail (spoiler: it started in a one-car garage), and how the Carolina Summer Games grew from year one to a standout event in the region. We also talk about: * The value of building a coaching team * Letting go of the “Games athlete” identity * The L3 certification process * Fitness as a tool for living, not just competing It’s a real look behind the curtain of affiliate life — from sweaty palms and spreadsheets to finding joy in movement again. Today’s episode is brought to you by STERLING FITNESS [http://WWW.BUILTBYSTERLING.COM]. Wanna get a little better at lifting? gymnastics? Maybe you want to lose a few pounds or get ready for a big event coming up (Fittest of the Coast anyone?). Daniel is the coach you need. He’ll design a plan that fits with your goals and schedule. Coach you on the best way to execute, and ensure you’re accountable to yourself. Book time with him today! [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfb9JyAYjqQVTw-RQI2q8d4FQeN5vfi_hEyAGYkJ_0yLY0wvw/alreadyresponded] ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro to Garrett & CrossFit Prevail03:45 – Recap of the Carolina Summer Games08:20 – Event programming strategy & future ideas13:05 – Garrett’s fitness origin story & military background19:30 – Getting his L1 and L3 certifications25:15 – What it’s like to take (and fail) the L3 exam29:45 – Life after the military: transitioning to gym ownership35:20 – From garage gym to full facility39:55 – Challenges of first-time business ownership44:30 – Fitness as a relationship business48:10 – How Garrett’s personal fitness goals have evolved53:00 – Why he let go of the “Games” dream56:30 – CrossFit’s recent marketing campaign59:15 – Garrett’s take on intensity, community, and longevity01:02:00 – Shoutouts: Randy Moss, The Rock, and what Garrett’s excited about This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.productmarket.fitness [https://www.productmarket.fitness?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Algebra Teacher turned Gym CEO: Cameron White's Journey to Impact

Cameron White didn’t buy Impact Fitness Co. to chase clout.She did it to create real change for real people — and that starts with redefining what success in fitness actually looks like. In this episode, we cover: * How Cameron defines and obsesses over impact * Her shift from chasing athlete outcomes to helping people move better and feel stronger * Building a world-class team around her skillset * How she balances personal performance with business ownership * The moments that make gym ownership worth it Whether you run a gym, coach, or just care about doing fitness the right way — this one hits. 🎧 Listen in now ⏱ Timestamps 00:00 — Intro + how PMF found Cameron03:41 — Her coaching journey + starting Impact Fitness Co17:36 — Hiring coaches: what matters most23:50 — How she balances coaching, ownership, and training herself29:41 — Stories that keep her motivated to stay in the game34:10 — Challenges of gym ownership that no one talks about This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.productmarket.fitness [https://www.productmarket.fitness?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Carrie McClenaghan Found Her Fit at Whoop—In Work and in Training

Carrie McClenaghan isn’t just building AI content at Whoop. She’s also hammering training sessions and coaching at one of the fittest gyms in South Carolina—Reaction Fitness Collective. And she gets to do all of this because she specifically designed her work life to match and enable her fitness pursuits. In this episode, we discuss: * How Carrie prioritized her lifestyle goals before choosing her job * What it’s like working at Whoop on the AI and content team * How she manages full-time work + training * What to watch for at this year’s CrossFit Games Timestamps: 04:21 – From athlete to coach: how gymnastics and CrossFit shaped her work ethic09:03 – Why Carrie prioritized a flexible career to support her fitness lifestyle14:18 – How working at Whoop influences her personal training18:32 – Inside Whoop’s AI and content strategy: Carrie’s role on the team23:50 – What Carrie’s learned coaching at Reaction Fitness Collective38:56 – How Carrie structures her day to balance remote work and training52:24 – Why community is her competitive edge56:33 – Crossfit Games Preview 82:45 – Carrie’s final thoughts on training, fulfillment, and community This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.productmarket.fitness [https://www.productmarket.fitness?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Beating Cancer. Building a Business. Competing at the Games.

Got an incredible episode for you this week. I’ve known this week’s guest, Jacob Farley, since 2009. In the summer of 2013, we were in a wedding together. He shared during that time that he had cancer and was going to be losing his leg. What follows is a story of perseverance, incredible struggle and loss, adaptation, and the determination to never give up even when everything was stacked against him. Jacob shares how going through chemo, losing physical function, and rebuilding from scratch helped him re-discover his love of fitness. The role his family and faith played in helping him get where he is today. And how he’s developed a deeper sense of meaning through it all. What We Cover: * How the worst thing ever (cancer) led Jacob to the Adaptive Games * Why “full send” training isn’t always the answer * Balancing intense training with business building * The seasonality of hard pursuits * How he’s building a family, his fitness, and his business Timestamps: (00:00) Intro(03:10) Getting diagnosed with cancer (11:20) CrossFit as a part of recovery(15:00) Getting into competition and qualifying for the Games(25:50) Managing fatigue and adapting his programming(30:30) Mindset shifts: identity over achievement(35:45) Building a financial advisory firm(41:10) Lessons from fitness that translate to business(46:15) Encouragement for anyone starting over(51:00) Final thoughts and where to follow Jacob So grateful for Jacob sharing his story. Who else is pushing the edges of fitness and business? Reply to this email and let me know. I love featuring great stories we can all be inspired and encouraged by. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.productmarket.fitness [https://www.productmarket.fitness?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

From Gymnast to Gym Owner: Amy Fryt Keeps Defying Gravity

This week, I sat down with Amy Fryt—owner of Reaction Fitness Collective in Greenville, SC. Amy’s story starts with competitive gymnastics and winds through years of collegiate athletics, competitive crossfit, and entrepreneurship. Eventually, she took the leap into gym ownership—and she hasn’t looked back. We talked about how she’s building a gym culture that doesn’t just produce fit people, but also healthy and strong communities of people who enjoy spending time together. In this episode, we cover: * How her athletic background shapes her coaching philosophy * Why she built Reaction Fitness Collective for everyday people, not only elite athletes * The tension between doing it all and doing it well * What it looks like to run a business rooted in relationships and consistency * How she views fitness and competition past the age of 30 If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to build a gym, a business, or a community while chasing your own fitness, this one’s for you. Timestamps 05:00 – Intro and Amy’s early background in competitive gymnastics18:00 – Building Reaction Fitness: the vision and the first clients24:30 – Why she coaches “regular people” over elite athletes28:10 – The risk of burnout in gym ownership and how she avoids it35:00 – The mental game: how her mindset has evolved over the years39:25 – How she fosters community without forcing it55:00 – What success really means to her now1:02:00 – Final advice to anyone chasing a vision This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.productmarket.fitness [https://www.productmarket.fitness?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]