That Digital Take with Torri Webster

iHeartRadio

That Digital Take uncovers the ever-evolving world of influencers—challenging the industry, harnessing its power, and exploring how it connects us all. Through the lens of pop culture and entertainment,Torri blends: Insider interviews with industry leaders, viral influencers/ creators, actors, and rising stars. Behind-the-scenes  storytelling from her own experience navigating the digital space. Actionable takeaways for listeners curious about how digital culture shapes careers, business, and society.

  1. Sep 28

    Take #82 - Michael Ramsey: STRONG Pilates, Men vs. Pilates, Haters & Hot Takes

    What happens when a broken ankle turns into a global fitness empire? This week on That Digital Take, Michael Ramsey, co-founder and CEO of STRONG Pilates, shares how a frustrating recovery on the reformer sparked the idea for a workout with more strength and cardio, and how that idea grew from one Australian studio into an international brand with locations across Canada and around the world. Michael gets honest about what it really takes to stand out in a saturated fitness industry, why the Pilates algorithm is such a volatile space, and what he makes of the viral "Men vs. Pilates" trend. He also shares the one piece of advice every entrepreneur needs before starting a business, how fitness marketing has completely changed since 2019, how to handle social media haters as your brand grows, and the "worst-case scenario" exercise he uses when things get hard. Plus, his biggest Pilates hot take and the wellness brand he can't stop talking about. Whether you're a Pilates devotee, a founder, or a creator trying to build something that lasts, this conversation is packed with lessons on brand building, business growth, and knowing the difference between a trend and a movement. Chapters:11:08 – Plan A, Plan B, and the worst-case scenario mindset13:22 – Classical Pilates vs. modern Pilates16:28 – The "Men vs. Pilates" trend20:39 – The #1 rule before starting a business27:05 – Dealing with social media haters28:57 – How fitness marketing has changed36:09 – Why he loves Eight Sleep38:33 – Michael's Pilates hot take

  2. Sep 14

    Take #80: Torchella Bachelorette Recap + Contrast Season

    It's been a while since a solo episode, so this is a proper catch-up, and it ends somewhere I wasn't expecting. First: D23 as a first-timer. Sneaking onto the grounds early thanks to friends in high places, the celebrity sightings, and Disney laying out everything they have coming. Then one perfect day at Disneyland with Adam. Then the main event, the bachelorette. Thirteen girls, planned entirely by me from January on: transportation, villas, menus, every moving part. JSX down to Cabo to meet the bachelor party, a welcome day at a villa that genuinely blew my mind, private chefs, a boat day I negotiated from the living room, a BBQ pool day, Bagatelle in unreasonable heat, and a Sunday surprise that was not for the faint of heart. Huge thank you to Suzanne and the Creative Destination Events team for every balloon and custom detail that made it TORCHELLA, and to the Cabo Villas team for taking care of us on every level. Cabo as a bachelorette destination: land, sea, party, relaxation, you get a bit of everything. From there, straight to New York with Moroccanoil to celebrate Aryna Sabalenka as the new face of the brand. Very glam, very spoiled. And then everything stopped. After losing someone close to me, I took time off, and that's the topic of the week: leaning on creativity in times of grief. A Labour Day weekend spent alone, clearing out my home because moving energy matters, new shows (Homeland), and honest reflections on living in contrast. If you're in a season of high highs and low lows, you're not alone. Holding space for you. Love you all.

  3. Aug 31

    Take #79 - Mel Grauds on Building Melrose Training, Brand Deals, Motherhood & Why Community Beats Reach

    Most people in the creator economy build the audience first, then figure out what to sell. Mel Grauds did it backwards, and it worked. Mel founded Melrose Training in 2020 with virtual classes, one-on-one clients and no following. Six years later she's running three Toronto studio locations, Yorkville, Rosedale and King West, plus virtual training and LIFT, her new small-group strength class. Along the way she's partnered with alo, Knix, Under Armour, Formula Fig, Revlon and Healthy Planet, and was chosen by Sporting Life to lead the official stretch at the Sporting Life 10K. In this episode of That Digital Take, host Torri Webster sits down with Mel to talk about what the business actually looks like behind the Instagram version, and the bet she's making that's quietly rewriting the influencer event playbook: taking the production, the brand access and the budget, and pointing all of it at real customers instead of creators. They get into the real barrier keeping women out of the weight room, the cost of building a brand on transparency, the structural risk of being the face of your own company, how motherhood changed what she's willing to say yes to, and how you prove community is real when brands only measure impressions. Topics covered: creator economy · fitness entrepreneurship · brand partnerships · influencer marketing · community building · women's strength training · Toronto small business · motherhood and entrepreneurship · in-person events · personal branding

About

That Digital Take uncovers the ever-evolving world of influencers—challenging the industry, harnessing its power, and exploring how it connects us all. Through the lens of pop culture and entertainment,Torri blends: Insider interviews with industry leaders, viral influencers/ creators, actors, and rising stars. Behind-the-scenes  storytelling from her own experience navigating the digital space. Actionable takeaways for listeners curious about how digital culture shapes careers, business, and society.

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