Stronger, Healthier, Better: Fitness & Business Lessons from a Gym Design Expert
Release Date: 03/18/2025
Public Speaking Without Fear: Practical Strategies for Construction Leaders Who Want to Influence and Inspire
Construction Genius
Public speaking isnât just about talking; itâs about influencing, connecting, and leaving a mark that lasts long after the last word is spoken. Most people find public speaking daunting, but does it have to be that way? Public speaking is one of the biggest challenges for people no matter the industry. Some people are natural-born speakers. The others, not so much. In this episode of the Construction Genius podcast, Eric is joined by John Zalepka, a seasoned public speaking coach, to explore practical strategies to overcome fear, move beyond overconfidence, and connect with the...
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How Construction Leaders Win by Playing Long-Term Games
Construction Genius
True success comes from playing the long-term game, prioritizing relationships, skills, and trust that build over time. However, professionals often struggle with short-term thinkers, unnecessary interruptions, and guilt over leadership roles. In this episode, Eric sits down with Luca Dellana, an independent consultant and bestselling author who helps companies develop their people and solve complex organizational challenges. Together, they analyze the importance of defining your own game, building business relationships, balancing saying âyesâ and ânoâ early in your career, and more....
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Why This 21-Year-Old Chose Construction Over College (And Loves It)
Construction Genius
In this weekâs episode, our guest is 21-year-old Gabe Sotello, who is a steel framer and drywall hanger. Gabe shares his journey from trade school to the job site while offering us an honest picture of the challenges, culture, and opportunities in construction. He also explains his decision to choose trade school over college, adapting with humility, and the need to be an open-minded novice who will learn, absorb, and adjust quickly. With practical advice on work ethic, communication, and finding the right trade early, Gabe is here to give a real-world roadmap to young people in finding...
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The Hit Rate Revolution: Achieving 35-50% Win Rates and Doubling Revenue
Construction Genius
In a field like construction, where sales are complex, high-stakes, and often misunderstood, success depends less on competition on pricing and more on strategic engagement, early involvement, and paying attention and understanding the needs of the client. Meet Matthew Neuberger, a prominent figure in the business world who is an expert in business development, specializing in executive sales consultation and sales productivity training. As a dynamic presenter and trainer, he helps industry leaders to articulate successful management, sales, and prospecting strategies. Focusing on...
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Hire, Train, Retain: Proven Construction Hiring & Retention Strategies
Construction Genius
Struggling to findâand keepâthe right people in your construction business? Youâre not alone. In todayâs episode of Construction Genius, Eric sits down with Mike, creator of the XP3 Talent System, to unpack a proven, end-to-end process for hiring, onboarding, and retaining top talent in one of the most competitive industries on the planet. Youâll discover: Why most âbusiness problemsâ are really people problemsâand how to solve them at the root. The fatal flaw in relying on gut instinct to hire construction talent. How to define success in a role so you can hire with...
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The Window of Tolerance: Managing Your Nervous System Under Pressure
Construction Genius
Leadership development can take two distinct types: horizontal and vertical. Horizontal growth targets on adding new skills, knowledge, and competencies broadening what a leader can do. Vertical development, on the other hand, alters how a leader thinks, perceives, and responds. This enables leaders to handle complexity, stress, and uncertainty by increasing maturity, emotional regulation, and perspective. While horizontal development can make a leader more capable in the short term, vertical growth boosts their ability to inspire and create lasting value. However, to achieve sustainable...
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Mastering Strategic Shifts & Elite Project Management in Construction - Antonia Botero Returns
Construction Genius
Welcome back to another powerhouse episode of Construction Genius! Today, we welcome back industry expert and owner of MADD Project, Antonia Botero. Antonia returns to provide crucial insights on two vital topics for every construction leader: Strategic Adaptation and Project Management Excellence. In this episode, youâll discover: How to Build a Robust Construction Strategy: Evaluating your construction firm's strategic positioningâhigh value vs. high volume. Making critical decisions about project scale and niching to maintain competitive advantage. Effective ways to pivot your...
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$15 to $12.8 Million: The Rainmakerâs Blueprint
Construction Genius
In the fiercely competitive world of construction, a handful of people stand out as genuine rainmakersâthose uniquely gifted individuals who seem able to summon success and profitability from seemingly nowhere. Roger Leasure, President and CEO of , is precisely that kind of leader. In this episode of Construction Genius, which ranks among my top five all-time favorites, Roger reveals how he transformed a simple $15 investment into a staggering $12.8 million project. He dives deep into the core principles of genuine business development, sharing practical strategies that go far beyond...
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The Truth About Succession Planning: Why Most Construction Companies Get It Wrong
Construction Genius
Succession planning isnât just about naming someone to be the successor; itâs about ensuring that your business can thrive after you. In this episode, Eric appears as the guest of âThe Construction Hall of Fameâ podcast and shares his wisdom on succession planning, the blind spots that trip up the construction leaders, keeping your top talent from walking out of the door, and the importance of starting an early succession plan. Whether you are already thinking about your succession plan or years away from stepping down, this conversation will guide you to get started with confidence...
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If Your Construction Company Disappeared Tomorrow, Would Anyone Notice?
Construction Genius
Most construction companies claim they âdo great work and have strong relationships.â But if your business vanished tomorrow, would anyone really noticeâor care? In this episode of Construction Genius, I sit down with Justin Bieganek, founder of Mercury Creative Group, to unpack what branding really means for construction companiesâand why itâs about a lot more than your logo or website. If you're frustrated with being treated like a commodity, constantly undercut on price, or struggling to attract the right people to join your teamâyour brand might be the problem. And the good...
info_outlineChris Howell, CEO and Founder of SPX, is at the forefront of luxury gym design, blending aesthetics with functionality to create immersive fitness experiences. SPX crafts wellness spaces for high-end hospitality groups and multi-family residences, integrating cutting-edge equipment with innovative interior design.
In today's conversation, Chris shares insights into his career transition from Wall Street to fitness, influenced by his athletic background in lacrosse at Hofstra University. He emphasizes the importance of nutrition over exercise, sustainable fitness routines, and balancing cardio with strength training.
Chris also discusses gym design strategies, highlighting early collaboration with architects and the challenges of translating vision into execution. He delves into the sauna and cold plunge routines, injury rehabilitation, and the business strategy of targeting ideal clients. His approach underscores incremental changes for long-term health and success, both in fitness and business.
HIGHLIGHTS
[00:06] Gym Design Firm Overview
[01:56] Athletic Background and Career Transition
[04:21] Sauna and Cold Plunge Usage
[07:38] Nutrition and Fitness Challenges
[13:55] Balancing Cardio and Weights
[18:01] Managing Injuries and Rehabilitation
[21:12] Business Goals and Strategy
[25:17] Finding the Right Client Avatar
[29:14] Incremental Changes in Fitness and Nutrition
RESOURCES:
Connect with Chris Howell:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chrishowell16/
Website: spxgymdesign.com/
Restaurant Recommendations in NYC
Emily: https://www.pizzalovesemily.com/
Catch Steak: https://www.catchrestaurants.com/location/catch-nyc/
Resources to Help You Win in Construction
đ Construction Genius Book â No B.S., practical, hands-on leadership, strategy, sales, and marketing advice for construction companies. Click this link to buy the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Construction-Genius-Effective-Hands-Leadership/dp/B0BHTRDY1T/
đŻ The Shift: Move from Project Builder to People Leader â Master the leadership skills you need to succeed in construction. Click this link to learn more and enroll: https://theshift.constructiongenius.com
âď¸ Book a 10-Minute Call with Eric Anderton â If you want to discuss how I can help you coach your leaders, letâs connect. Book a 10-minute conversation here: https://10minutes.youcanbook.me
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