Fitt Insider Joe Vennare
-
- Business
-
Fitt Insider is the show where we talk with the entrepreneurs, executives, and investors who are redefining the business of fitness and wellness.
-
234. Eric Litman, Founder & CEO of Aescape
Today, I’m joined by Eric Litman, Founder and CEO of Aescape.
Underwhelmed by traditional massage therapy, Eric created Aescape. Using AI robotics, the company provides a precise, consistent, fully automated bodywork experience.
In this episode, we discuss Aescape’s seven-year journey to launch.
We also cover:
• Partnering with Equinox
• The future of human-robot interactions
• Creating an on-demand massage marketplace
Subscribe to the podcast → insider.fitt.co/podcast
Subscribe to our newsletter → insider.fitt.co/subscribe
Follow us on LinkedIn → linkedin.com/company/fittinsider
Aescape’s Website: https://www.aescape.com/
Become an Aescape Partner: https://www.aescape.com/partner
-
The Fitt Insider Podcast is brought to you by EGYM. Visit EGYM.com to learn more about its smart workout solutions for fitness and health facilities.
Fitt Talent: https://talent.fitt.co/
Consulting: https://consulting.fitt.co/
Investments: https://capital.fitt.co/
Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:22) Why AI robotics and massages?
(03:21) Challenges in developing Aescape
(08:10) How the robotic massages work
(12:26) Designing the robotic arms
(17:05) Safety and user comfort
(19:25) Business model
(22:15) Rollout and partnerships
(25:27) Future of human-robot interactions
(27:11) Roadmap
(28:34) Conclusion -
233. Cheryl Sew Hoy, Founder & CEO of Tiny Health
Today, I’m joined by Cheryl Sew Hoy, Founder & CEO of Tiny Health.
Designed for moms and infants, Tiny Health’s comprehensive microbiome tests aim to improve immune systems and prevent chronic disease. In growth mode, it secured $8.5M last month.
In this episode, we discuss the company’s family-focused approach to gut health.
We also cover:
• How the gut impacts infant well-being
• Tiny’s future plans for pet microbiome tests
• The relationship between daily environment and microbiome
Subscribe to the podcast → insider.fitt.co/podcast
Subscribe to our newsletter → insider.fitt.co/subscribe
Follow us on LinkedIn → linkedin.com/company/fittinsider
Tiny Health’s Website: https://www.tinyhealth.com/
Tiny Health’s B2B Website: https://www.poweredbytiny.com/
Tiny Health’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/tiny.health/
-
The Fitt Insider Podcast is brought to you by EGYM. Visit EGYM.com to learn more about its smart workout solutions for fitness and health facilities.
Fitt Talent: https://talent.fitt.co/
Consulting: https://consulting.fitt.co/
Investments: https://capital.fitt.co/
Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:18) Microbiome testing for babies
(03:33) Cheryl's personal journey and motivation for starting Tiny Health
(08:00) Initial due diligence process
(12:06) Challenges in developing the microbiome test
(15:57) Democratizing access to health data
(20:30) Measuring gut health improvements
(21:03) Baby gut types
(23:14) Timing and frequency of testing
(27:03) Environmental impact on gut health
(28:37) Transparency and science in microbiome testing
(32:09) Building trust with consumers
(37:13) Company vision
(40:23) Upcoming roadmap
(41:24) Conclusion -
232. Krystal Zell, CEO of Tonal
Today, I’m joined by Krystal Zell, CEO of Tonal.
After raising $130M last year, Tonal is recalibrating. Doubling down on hyper-personalized at-home fitness, it's leveraging AI to make its hardware smarter than ever.
In this episode, we discuss the company’s intelligent strength training system in depth.
We also cover:
Bringing strength training to new audiences
Building a profitable and sustainable business
Creating and scaling truly personalized workouts
Subscribe to the podcast → insider.fitt.co/podcast
Subscribe to our newsletter → insider.fitt.co/subscribe
Follow us on LinkedIn → linkedin.com/company/fittinsider
Tonal’s Website: https://www.tonal.com/
Krystal’s Email: kyrstal@tonal.com
Tonal’s FB: https://www.facebook.com/TonalStrong
Tonal’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/tonal
-
The Fitt Insider Podcast is brought to you by EGYM. Visit EGYM.com to learn more about its smart workout solutions for fitness and health facilities.
Fitt Talent: https://talent.fitt.co/
Consulting: https://consulting.fitt.co/
Investments: https://capital.fitt.co/
Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction
(02:05) Krystal’s experience at Tonal
(03:27) Balancing growth and profitability
(08:47) Motivation for joining Tonal
(12:39) Expanding into new audiences
(16:29) Partnerships and distribution strategy
(18:16) Messaging and branding evolution
(20:43) Changing perceptions about strength training
(24:12) AI, personalization, and data-driven experience
(28:34) Interoperability and data integration
(30:38) Future roadmap
(32:31) Consolidation in the industry
(35:06) Building a profitable and sustainable business
(37:58) Conclusion -
231. Samantha Citro Alexander, Co-Founder & CEO of bitewell
Today, I’m joined by Samantha Citro Alexander, co-founder & CEO of bitewell.
Streamlining food as medicine, bitewell combines nutrition education with insurance-subsidized grocery shopping and delivery. Partnering with employers and providers, the company is on a mission to make healthy eating healthcare’s first line of defense.
In this episode, we talk about the company’s digital food “farmacy.”
We also cover:
• Food insecurity vs. nutrition insecurity
• bitewell’s approach to making food as medicine mainstream
• How employers, health plans, policymakers, and startups can transform well-being
Subscribe to the podcast → insider.fitt.co/podcast
Subscribe to our newsletter → insider.fitt.co/subscribe
Follow us on LinkedIn → linkedin.com/company/fittinsider
bitewell’s Website: https://www.bitewell.com/
Samantha’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthacitro/
-
The Fitt Insider Podcast is brought to you by EGYM. Visit EGYM.com to learn more about its smart workout solutions for fitness and health facilities.
Fitt Talent: https://talent.fitt.co/
Consulting: https://consulting.fitt.co/
Investments: https://capital.fitt.co/
Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:57) bitewell’s origin story
(04:05) Employer and health plan involvement
(08:36) Food as medicine
(16:56) Customizable engagement program
(20:29) Food Insecurity vs. Nutrition Insecurity
(25:24) Logistics and infrastructure
(27:22) Challenges with the food system and healthcare
(30:28) Influencing change and bitewell’s mission driven work
(33:23) Shifting incentives and teaming up as an industry
(35:59) Future Plans and Partnerships
(37:36) Conclusion -
230. Brian Kirkbride, Co-founder & Co-CEO of FitLab
Today, I’m joined by Brian Kirkbride, co-founder & co-CEO of FitLab.
An experienced founder, Fortune 500 exec, and investor, Brian oversees the company’s 11-brand portfolio of studios, equipment, and experiences — including Assault Fitness, XPT, Ragnar, and McGregor FAST. Scaling up FitLab is pushing expansion.
In this episode, we discuss the company’s integrated lifestyle platform.
We also cover:
• Acquiring vs. building companies
• Partnering with Nike to launch boutique studios
• Uniting memberships and experiences across portfolio brands
Subscribe to the podcast → insider.fitt.co/podcast
Subscribe to our newsletter → insider.fitt.co/subscribe
Follow us on LinkedIn → linkedin.com/company/fittinsider
FitLab’s Website: https://www.fitlab.com/
-
The Fitt Insider Podcast is brought to you by EGYM. Visit EGYM.com to learn more about its smart workout solutions for fitness and health facilities.
Fitt Talent: https://talent.fitt.co/
Consulting: https://consulting.fitt.co/
Investments: https://capital.fitt.co/
Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction
(00:40) The FitLab state of the union
(02:04) FitLab’s vision
(11:53) Decision-making processes for acquiring, partnering, or building new brands
(16:53) Progress towards achieving a fully integrated system
(19:05) Fitness industry future and challenges
(24:02) Consolidation, integration, scaling, and execution
(27:36) Partnership with Nike
(34:15) Nike's training and running studios
(37:31) Nike's digital fitness initiatives
(40:12) Wearable data and integration
(43:52) Holistic health and preventative care
(46:11) Future roadmap
(48:47) Conclusion -
229. Amanda Rees, Co-founder & CEO of Bold
Today, I’m joined by Amanda Rees, co-founder & CEO of Bold.
A fitness-based approach to healthy aging, Bold’s personalized exercise programs help older adults build strength, ease pain, and prevent falls. Partnering with Medicare, the platform aims to replace musculoskeletal disability with lifelong vitality.
In this episode, we talk about tailoring fitness to an underserved demographic.
We also cover:
• Amanda’s experience as a caregiver and fitness instructor
• The importance of fall prevention for seniors
• Bold’s partnership with Medicare
Subscribe to the podcast → insider.fitt.co/podcast
Subscribe to our newsletter → insider.fitt.co/subscribe
Follow us on LinkedIn → linkedin.com/company/fittinsider
Bold’s Website: https://agebold.com/
-
The Fitt Insider Podcast is brought to you by EGYM. Visit EGYM.com to learn more about its smart workout solutions for fitness and health facilities.
Fitt Talent: https://talent.fitt.co/
Consulting: https://consulting.fitt.co/
Investments: https://capital.fitt.co/
Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:39) Bold founding story
(07:55) The Bold platform
(10:49) Instructor expertise and engagement
(12:42) Technology and personalization
(16:52) Simplifying fitness for older adults
(20:49) Challenges with healthcare business models
(23:04) Partnership with health plans
(23:57) Balance training
(26:03) Engagement strategies with health plans
(27:40) Adapting to diverse populations
(29:02) Movement as medicine
(32:10) Shift towards healthspan and longevity
(33:55) Future roadmap
(35:48) Conclusion