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LIFTS Episode 89 - ClassPass Debate: Does It Help or Hurt Studio Owners? Jeff Bladt vs. Rachel Hirsch

Release Date: 09/14/2025

LIFTS Episode 90 - Building the Future of AI-Powered Nutrition with Rami Alhamad

Escape Your Limits & LIFTS

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S – your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories. In this episode, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with entrepreneur and engineer Rami Alhamad, co-founder and CEO of Alma, an AI-powered nutrition companion. From his early days building PUSH, the pioneering strength-tracking wearable later acquired by WHOOP, to his mission with Alma, Rami shares insights on persistence, startup timing, decision-making, and the future of fitness technology. Key topics covered include: How persistence and decision-making...

LIFTS Episode 89 - ClassPass Debate: Does It Help or Hurt Studio Owners? Jeff Bladt vs. Rachel Hirsch

Escape Your Limits & LIFTS

In this special debate episode of the LIFTS Podcast, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal are joined by guest co-host Jack Thomas (Fitness Business Asia) to moderate a high-level discussion on the impact of ClassPass for boutique fitness owners. Industry voices Jeff Bladt (ClassPass/Playlist) and Rachel Hirsch (Wellness Growth Ventures, The 2% Club, and studio owner) share opposing perspectives on whether ClassPass is a powerful growth partner or a dangerous dependency. Discussion highlights include: The origin and evolution of ClassPass. How ClassPass transformed consumer behavior in...

EYL Ep 343 - My Crazy FBI Arrest Story That Changed Everything! | Owen Hanson

Escape Your Limits & LIFTS

On this week’s episode of the Escape Your Limits Podcast, we welcome Owen Hanson, a dynamic entrepreneur, former athlete and the ultimate example of crime to come back. Once a USC football player with a bright future, Owen’s competitive drive led him to build a multi- million-dollar bookmaking business — but that success came at a cost. Drawn deeper into the criminal underworld, Owen became entangled with one of the world’s most dangerous cartels, running international drug operations while living a life of extreme luxury. After his dramatic arrest by the FBI — helicopters,...

LIFTS Episode 88 - From Bond Trading to Fitness Tech: Lauren Foundos' Journey

Escape Your Limits & LIFTS

In this episode of the LIFTS podcast, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with Lauren Foundos, founder of Forte (recently acquired by Echelon Fitness). Lauren shares her journey from Wall Street bond trading to becoming a pioneer in digital fitness, her lessons from building Forte, and her insights on the future of the fitness industry. Highlights: - How Lauren transitioned from Wall Street to fitness entrepreneurship. - The early challenges of selling digital fitness before gyms were ready. - Lessons learned from building and rebuilding fitness tech. - How content drives...

LIFTS Episode 87 - From F45 to Strong Pilates Going Global | Michael Ramsey’s Journey

Escape Your Limits & LIFTS

In this episode of LIFTS, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with Michael Ramsey, co-founder of Strong Pilates, to explore the explosive growth of Pilates worldwide. Ramsey shares his journey from F45 franchise success to launching Strong Pilates, a unique fusion of strength, cardio, and Pilates that has rapidly expanded across 14 countries. The discussion covers the evolution of boutique fitness, the importance of product innovation, franchise support, marketing strategies, and the controversial role of ClassPass. Key Topics: How an injury led Ramsey to discover Pilates. The...

LIFTS Episode 86 - Inside the Running Boom and Smart Footwear Revolution with Royi Metser

Escape Your Limits & LIFTS

Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal speak with Royi Metser, Founder & CEO of Avelo Running, about the explosive growth of running, the evolution of smart footwear, and how data-driven insights are changing the sport forever. In this episode, you’ll learn: How Gen Z and women are driving the second running boom. Why running clubs are replacing bars as social hubs. The challenges big brands faced in launching smart shoes. How Avelo integrates cutting-edge materials with advanced sensors. The importance of mechanical load monitoring for injury prevention. Why Kickstarter backers...

LIFTS Episode 85 - Trump Brings Back Presidential Fitness Test and National Wearable Data Integration

Escape Your Limits & LIFTS

Matthew and Mo dive into this week’s hottest fitness topics — from personal diet experiments to the future of wearables in healthcare, political plays in fitness, market shifts in Pilates, and the explosive rise of Hyrox. This no-guest episode is packed with insights, debates, and predictions shaping the fitness industry. In this episode: • Matthew’s 5-week results on the Warrior Diet. • Mo’s take on the White House wearable health initiative. • The political and cultural impact of reviving the Presidential Fitness Challenge. • Why Pilates is booming — and if it’s nearing...

LIFTS Episode 84 - Wellness, Hospitality, and Recovery Trends and Events Popular with Gen Z | Star Sage of Hyperice

Escape Your Limits & LIFTS

In this episode of LIFTS, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal welcome Star Sage, a leading force in the recovery and wellness industry. Star shares her expertise from years at Hyperice and how recovery is now central to events, gyms, hotels, and even Gen Z culture. Highlights include: How Hyperice helped redefine recovery in mainstream culture. The shift from cocktail hours to compression lounges at elite events. Why hotels are investing in 24/7 recovery rooms. The Gen Z obsession with wellness over nightlife. How recovery boosts gym retention and member engagement. Underrated recovery...

LIFTS Episode 83 - FISA Insights, Tariffs, Trends & Planet Fitness Growth with Sal Pellegrino

Escape Your Limits & LIFTS

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S – your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories. In this episode, Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with Sal Pellegrino, Executive Director of FISA, to uncover key trends shaping the fitness industry. From Gen Z’s influence on gym design to tariffs and global supply chain issues, this conversation delivers actionable insights for club operators, suppliers, and fitness professionals. Topics include: Origins and purpose of FISA. Key insights from the FISA Trend Report. Why Gen Z is reshaping gym design. Strength...

LIFTS Episode 82 - Building Gyms for Longevity, Not Just Muscle | Rod Hill of Zenergie

Escape Your Limits & LIFTS

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S – your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories. In this compelling episode, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal speak with fitness veteran Rod Hill about his latest venture, ZENERGIE – a revolutionary gym concept focused on longevity, functional health, and the 40+ demographic. Topics include: Why Rod believes the 40+ market is the most underserved in fitness. Spain’s role as a rising longevity hub. How AI and smart equipment are shaping personalized wellness. Rod’s critique of pharmaceuticals vs. fitness in...

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Industry voices Jeff Bladt (ClassPass/Playlist) and Rachel Hirsch (Wellness Growth Ventures, The 2% Club, and studio owner) share opposing perspectives on whether ClassPass is a powerful growth partner or a dangerous dependency.

Discussion highlights include: