Future of Fitness

Eric Malzone
  • 5.0 (61)
  • FITNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

We are putting a shoulder into the fitness industry and pushing it forward into the modern digital age. Eric Malzone, a 14-year industry veteran, entrepreneur, advisor, and coach, interviews the brightest movers and shakers in the fitness and health industries. Interviewing some of the industry's top executives, entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders, topics will vary covering cutting edge technology, entrepreneurship, hot industry trends, and so much more. If you're in or around the industry, this is how you keep your edge sharp.

  1. 22H AGO

    Anthony Geisler's Sequel Brands: Five Boutique Brands, Zero Debt, 100% Control

    In this episode, Eric sits down with serial fitness entrepreneur Anthony Geisler to unpack his new venture, Sequel, why he's doubling down on longevity, and how he sees the future of fitness shifting toward healthspan, tech-enabled training, and democratized wellness for the masses.​ ✨ Key takeaways 🔥 It's you vs. you: Anthony sees entrepreneurship and fitness through the same lens as Kobe's "Mamba mentality" – the real competition is with your own potential, not other brands.​ 🏛️ Sequel as the "second act": After Xponential, he's rebuilt with the same core team, no debt, and 100% ownership, aiming to run the playbook without public-market and PE constraints.​ 📈 Health > "fitness industry": He argues the world—not just the fitness sector—is shifting, with longevity, biohacking, GLP-1s, and tech-driven consumer education driving massive tailwinds.​ 🧬 Ultimate Longevity Center​ 🧊 The "playground" model: Sauna, cold, hyperbaric, red light, stretching, EMS, and more under one roof, wrapped in memberships designed to be accessible and habit-forming rather than "celebrity-only" wellness.​ 💪 Pilates 2.0: With Pilates Addiction, he's pushing a higher-intensity, more entertaining, HIIT-style Pilates experience aimed at younger, performance-focused consumers who want more "squeeze" from each session.​ ⚡ EMS finally done right​​ 🧂 Real-world protocol: Anthony walks through his own longevity stack – from salt and whole food to aminos, sunlight, steps, and sleep – and why most people are just one hydration and protein fix away from feeling better.​ Episode overview Anthony opens up on why, after achieving significant financial success and a multi-brand empire at Xponential, he chose to start all over again with Sequel. For him, business is his arena, and building is his version of Kobe Bryant staying in the game as long as possible—driven by competition with himself and loyalty to the team that loves to build. Checkout our sponsors ✨ 🔗 Perfect Gym: https://www.perfectgym.com/en 🔗 eGym: https://egym.com/int

    49 min

  2. 5D AGO

    Garrett Salpeter - The NeuFit Framework: Nervous System First, Tissue Second

    In this episode, Eric Malzone sits down with Garrett Salpeter, founder of NeuFit and creator of the NEUBIE direct current device, to unpack how targeting the nervous system can dramatically speed up recovery, reduce chronic pain, and unlock higher levels of performance across rehab, fitness, and even neurodegenerative conditions.​ 🧠 Key takeaways 💥 Your nervous system is the "software" running your body's "hardware" (muscles, joints, tissues), and most rehab focuses on hardware while ignoring the software that actually controls healing and performance.​ ⚡ Direct current (NEUBIE) works with the body's natural signaling pathways and can rapidly "turn on" inhibited muscles, improve movement quality, and often cut recovery timelines by 10–60% compared to traditional norms.​ 🏃‍♂️ From Achilles tears and ACL reconstruction to chronic back pain, neuropathy, MS, and spinal cord injuries, NeuFit's method shows consistent results by reprogramming protective guarding patterns in the nervous system.​ 🏋️‍♀️ For gyms and performance centers, NEUBIE becomes a powerful tool to keep clients training through injuries, accelerate mobility and hypertrophy, and support the growing "health optimization + longevity" model of training.​ 📈 A head‑to‑head human study on diabetic neuropathy showed direct current improving nerve conduction, sensation, and function, while traditional TENS mainly offered temporary pain relief with little functional change.​ Episode overview Eric opens by sharing his own experience using NEUBIE on a lingering Achilles issue that traditional methods couldn't fix, and how one intense session left him sore but noticeably better within a week or two. Garrett then traces his journey from disappointed hockey player and engineering student to building a medical device company around direct current and neuroscience-informed rehab.​ He explains why NeuFit is spelled "NEU" (for neurological) and why he believes neurological fitness is the real upstream driver of faster injury recovery, metabolic and hormonal health, and long-term high performance. Instead of obsessing over damaged tissues on imaging, his approach starts with how the nervous system is reacting—guarding, bracing, shutting down, or misdirecting load. LINKS: https://www.perfectgym.com/en  https://egym.com/int  ​

    50 min

  3. FEB 10

    Mark Fisher - The Gym Owner's AI Stack: A Framework for 2026

    In this episode, Eric Malzone sits down with Mark Fisher to dig into the messy, exciting reality of AI for brick-and-mortar gym owners, from overhyped agents and AI bubbles to very real, practical use cases that actually move the needle for local fitness businesses. TAKEAWAYS​ 🔥 How AI is both wildly overhyped and still underutilized in fitness, and why your "felt" productivity with tools like Cursor or Claude may not match real-world outcomes.​ 🤖 The rise of agents (like the infamous Claude/Molt bot), why they're not truly ready for most operators yet, and the real risks of letting AI touch your money, calendars, and accounts.​ 📲 Why AI-generated content is turning LinkedIn into a "dead internet" vibe, how obviously-bot posts can hurt your brand, and what authentic, personality-driven content still does well.​ 🏋️ How brick-and-mortar gyms should rethink email and organic social in 2026, given brutal deliverability changes and collapsing organic reach on platforms like Instagram.​ 📈 The core growth levers that still work for local gyms—paid ads, real referral systems, and high-volume local business partnerships—and why these matter more than obsessing over nurture content.​ 🧠 "Pocket expert" use cases: using AI to triage real-life operator headaches (like insurance claims after a pipe burst, leases, legalese, and tax questions) so you show up smarter to human pros.​ 🩺 Personal health and finance with AI: building a longitudinal health file, interpreting labs and wearables, and stress-testing your investment and insurance decisions—without pretending AI replaces your doctor or advisor.​ 🔍 The emerging game of AI search optimization for gyms (alongside old-school Google SEO) and why your website, Google Business Profile, and Instagram still function as your digital storefront.   LINKS: https://go.businessforunicorns.com/gym-owners-and-ai ****** https://connectedhealthandfitness.com/events/connected-health-fitness-summit-2026  https://www.perfectgym.com/en  https://egym.com/int

    59 min

  4. FEB 5

    Daniel Wischer & Erwin Korst - Why Most AI Initiatives Fail: Sport Alliance on Being Data Ready vs. Data Aware

    In this episode of The Future of Fitness, Daniel from Sport Alliance (tech whiz behind their cloud platform) and Erwin (sales powerhouse with 30 years in fitness) break down why fitness operators are scrambling—or should be—with AI hype exploding but data chaos holding everyone back. From Boston's new HQ amid freezing temps, they spill on Sport Alliance sponsoring 2026, ditching legacy systems for a single source of truth, conquering Europe's 11,000+ gyms (50% of big chains), and launching in the massive US market with an open, free marketplace of 150+ integrations that funnels all member data—like payments, body scans, workouts—back to operators for killer upsells, retention forecasts, and autopilot AI by 2030. Forget boiled frog syndrome; they tackle migration fears head-on after 8,000 club switches, urging gym chains (10+ locations) to audit stacks now before competitors lap you on personalized member magic. Keywords: fitness data readiness, AI gym management, Sport Alliance US expansion, open fitness platform, legacy system migration. TAKEAWAYS 🚀 Clean, unified data is AI's fuel—scattered silos kill personalization and revenue. 🐸 Beware boiled frog trap: Operators adapt to bad tech until it's too late to switch. 🔄 Migrations made painless: No data loss, easy staff training after 8K+ successes. 🌐 Open ecosystem rocks: Free 150+ integrations, data flows back for custom journeys. 📈 By 2030: AI handles retention/marketing; staff focuses purely on members. 💼 Sport Alliance dominates Europe (11K gyms), primed for US enterprise growth.   LINKS: https://connectedhealthandfitness.com/events/connected-health-fitness-summit-2026  https://www.perfectgym.com/en  https://egym.com/int

    53 min

  5. JAN 31

    Paul Byrne - The Consumer Health Revolution: Why GLP-1s, Biometrics, and AI Are Finally Converging

    In this episode, Eric Malzone sits down with industry veteran and Harrison Co. partner Paul Byrne to unpack the "consumer health revolution" transforming fitness, healthcare, and longevity—from GLP‑1s and peptides to wearables, AI "robo docs," and accessible longevity clinics.​ ✨ Key takeaways 💊 GLP‑1 medications are reshaping weight loss, gym membership trends, and preventive health behavior, creating massive downstream demand for strength training, protein, and active lifestyles.​ 📲 Wearables, home testing, and AI tools are finally solving the "now what?" problem by turning continuous data (sleep, HRV, glucose, labs, imaging) into practical, day‑to‑day health decisions.​ 🧬 Once ultra‑premium tools—CGMs, genomic testing, body comp and blood pressure tech—have crashed down the cost curve, moving precision health from elite to mainstream.​ 🏥 Even traditionally skeptical players like insurers and large health systems are waking up to the math: paying for prevention is cheaper than treating complex chronic disease.​ ⏱️ Sleep, recovery, and sleep apnea tech (CPAPs, home sleep testing, cooling beds, anti‑snoring devices) are exploding as people realize poor sleep underpins everything from heart disease to dementia.​ 🏋️‍♂️ Gyms are sitting on the most underutilized distribution channel for "accessible longevity," from GLP‑1 support and peptide education to in‑club recovery and mini‑longevity clinics.​ 🧠 AI‑augmented patients are forcing healthcare to evolve, coming into visits with better questions, deeper context, and personal data that rivals a small clinic's EMR. LINKS: https://connectedhealthandfitness.com/events/connected-health-fitness-summit-2026  https://www.perfectgym.com/en  https://egym.com/int

    52 min

  6. JAN 26

    Verdine Baker - From StretchLab to iFLEX, Sequel Brands' Twist on Dynamic Stretching

    In this episode, Eric Malzone chats with Verdine Baker, who shares his inspiring journey from being a professional athlete 🏅 to leading StretchLab and now iFlex. They dive into how the wellness industry is evolving 🌿, the remarkable success of StretchLab 💪, and why consumer education is key to lasting health and wellness awareness 📚. Verdine highlights the importance of innovation, technology integration, and franchisee support in meeting the growing demand for high-quality wellness services ⚙️. The conversation also explores the challenges brought by COVID-19 😷 and how the future of stretching is becoming a vital part of everyday health practices 🧘‍♂️. 💡 Key Takeaways p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> 🌍 The wellness industry is experiencing a major shift in consumer mindset. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> 💪 StretchLab's success comes from its strong and unique market position. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> ⚡ COVID-19 accelerated the demand for wellness and recovery services. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> 🤝 Franchisee experience remains essential for sustainable growth. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> 💻 Technology integration enhances service quality and accessibility. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> 🧠 Consumer education fuels health and wellness awareness. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> 🧘 Stretching is becoming a necessity across all demographics. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> 👶 The average age of wellness consumers is getting younger. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> 🚀 Innovative approaches are key to keeping members engaged. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> 🌈 The future of wellness embraces a holistic view of health. https://connectedhealthandfitness.com/events/connected-health-fitness-summit-2026  https://www.perfectgym.com/en

    41 min

  7. JAN 21

    Amber Burke - The Quiet Scale: Burn Bootcamp's Massive Growth Without the Noise

    In this episode, Eric Malzone sits down with Amber Burke, COO of Burn Bootcamp, for a deep, candid conversation on what it really takes to scale a boutique fitness franchise without losing its soul. Amber shares her journey from Division I athlete and strength coach to C-suite leader, offering a rare operator's perspective on franchise growth, leadership, technology discipline, and community-driven fitness. They unpack Burn Bootcamp's steady rise from 250 to nearly 400 locations, why the brand has avoided outside capital, and how product integrity, people, and culture fuel long-term success. The conversation also explores the current state of boutique fitness, the balance between technology and human connection, and why strength training, accountability, and community remain timeless drivers of results. We discussed: 🔥 Scaling a boutique fitness brand from 250 to 400+ locations without outside capital 💪 Why product excellence and consistency matter more than hype in fitness franchising 🏋️ Personal training in a group setting as Burn Bootcamp's core differentiator 👩‍👧 How free child watch drives retention, accountability, and community 📈 Franchise growth challenges: finance, technology, and franchise development 🧠 Leadership lessons from transitioning coach mentality into executive leadership 🤖 Technology discipline: choosing tools that improve efficiency and profitability 🌍 Expansion strategy across suburban markets and future global growth 🔄 The real state of boutique fitness and why some concepts lose long-term value ⚡ Strength training's resurgence and why fundamentals never go out of style   LINKS: https://connectedhealthandfitness.com/events/connected-health-fitness-summit-2026  https://www.perfectgym.com/en  https://egym.com/int

    51 min

  8. JAN 16

    Brian Le Gette - Ammortal & The Future of "Human Vibrancy"

    In this episode of the Future of Fitness, host Eric Malzone welcomes Brian Le Gette, co-founder of Ammortal. They dive deep into the inspiration, technology, and mission behind Ammortal's revolutionary wellness chamber—a futuristic device designed to enhance human vibrancy by synergistically working on the mind and body. Brian shares his entrepreneurial journey, the science behind stacking multiple bio-energetic modalities, and how Ammortal is transforming recovery and performance for professional athletes, high-net-worth individuals, clinics, and luxury hotels. The conversation also explores the evolving language of the wellness industry and Brian's vision for rebranding it around the concept of "human vibrancy." 🔋 Combines multiple bio-energetic modalities – light, PEMF, vibration, hydrogen gas, and guided audio – to reduce inflammation, open cell walls, and reduce oxidative stress. 🧠 Focuses on calming the nervous system first – because mental state is "upstream" from physical recovery and performance. ⚡ Delivers a time-efficient, immersive experience – all modalities run in parallel in a 25–30 minute session tailored to individual outcomes (sleep, energy, recovery, etc.). 🏟 Serving diverse verticals – from NFL and MLB teams to luxury hotels, med spas, and private homes. 💡 Built around "unconditional love for the customer" – a design and business philosophy aimed at creating products that feel personal, effective, and joyful to use. 🌍 Advocating for "human vibrancy" – a new industry-wide framing to move beyond terms like biohacking, longevity, or wellness toward a more holistic, aspirational vision. 🤝 Open to collaboration – Brian invites feedback, partnerships, and conversations with innovators, funders, and other mission-aligned brands.   https://connectedhealthandfitness.com/events/connected-health-fitness-summit-2026  https://www.perfectgym.com/en

    47 min
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5
out of 5
61 Ratings

About

We are putting a shoulder into the fitness industry and pushing it forward into the modern digital age. Eric Malzone, a 14-year industry veteran, entrepreneur, advisor, and coach, interviews the brightest movers and shakers in the fitness and health industries. Interviewing some of the industry's top executives, entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders, topics will vary covering cutting edge technology, entrepreneurship, hot industry trends, and so much more. If you're in or around the industry, this is how you keep your edge sharp.

Information

  • Creator
    Eric Malzone
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    530
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Future of Fitness

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