LIFTS Episode 86 - Inside the Running Boom and Smart Footwear Revolution with Royi Metser
Release Date: 08/17/2025
Escape Your Limits & LIFTS
Welcome to the latest episode of LIFTS, your bite-sized dose of the latest industry fitness trends and stories. In this episode, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal explore one of the most provocative ideas in modern health and wellness: what if aging itself is a disease? Joined by Dr. Jonathann Kuo, founder of Extension Health, the conversation dives into the rapid rise of longevity medicine, peptides, and advanced performance therapies. As concierge health models, diagnostics, and biohacking treatments move into the mainstream, a new category is emerging at the intersection of...
info_outlineEscape Your Limits & LIFTS
Welcome to the latest episode of LIFTS, your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories. In this episode, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal explore one of the most talked-about topics in modern wellness: NAD and the rapid rise of longevity therapies. Joined by Rachele Pojednic, Chief Science Officer at Restore Hyper Wellness, the conversation breaks down what NAD actually is, how it functions within the body, and why it has become such a focal point in energy, recovery, and healthy aging. As wellness clinics, IV therapies, and performance treatments continue to...
info_outlineEscape Your Limits & LIFTS
Welcome to the latest episode of LIFTS, your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories. In this special episode recorded live at PerformX, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal explore why many believe the fitness industry is entering a golden era of fitness and wellbeing. Joined by Giles Denning and Phil Learney, the conversation explores how fitness, wellness, longevity, and human performance are beginning to converge. As consumer expectations continue to evolve, gyms and operators are being challenged to think beyond traditional training models. Members are...
info_outlineEscape 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 special episode recorded live at the Coach360 After Party during HFA 2026 in San Diego, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with four influential leaders from across the fitness industry for an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes conversation on where the industry is headed. Featuring insights from Bob Thomas, Sal Pellegrino, Pamela J. Brown (Crunch Fitness), and Marc Rodriguez, this conversation explores the shifting landscape of fitness, from emerging medical...
info_outlineEscape 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 special episode recorded live from HFA 2026 in San Diego, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with three of the most influential leaders in the global fitness industry to break down where the space is heading next. Featuring insights from Mark S. Mastrov (24 Hour Fitness), Adam Sedlack (UFC Gyms), and Bill Davis (ABC Fitness), this episode dives into the rapid evolution of fitness business models, technology, member behavior, and the growing intersection...
info_outlineEscape Your Limits & LIFTS
Welcome to the latest episode of LIFTS, your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories. In this special episode recorded live at PerformX, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal explore one of the most significant and rapidly evolving topics in health and fitness today: the rise of GLP-1 medications and what they mean for the fitness industry. Joined by Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi, GP, personal trainer, health coach, and one of the UKโs leading educators on obesity management and lifestyle medicine, the conversation explores how these medications are reshaping the health...
info_outlineEscape Your Limits & LIFTS
Welcome to the latest episode of LIFTS, your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories. In this special episode recorded live at PerformX, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal explore one of the most important shifts happening in the fitness industry today: the evolution of the gym into a health hub. Joined by Jaclyn Hughes (Ultimate Training Solutions), Tim Gray (Health Optimisation Summit & The Biohacker), and Rez Barad (House of Fitness), the panel examines how fitness, longevity, biohacking, and preventative healthcare are beginning to converge. As...
info_outlineEscape 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. Recorded live at Connected Health & Fitness Summit 2026, Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with three industry leaders to unpack the convergence of fitness, technology, wellness, and human intelligence. Guests include: David Van Daff (NASM): A 30-year fitness industry veteran representing the National Academy of Sports Medicine, discussing certification evolution, AI in training, and the expanding expectations placed on personal trainers. Jeff Yasuda (Feed...
info_outlineEscape 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 special live episode from the Connected Health & Fitness Summit 2026 in Los Angeles, Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with four leaders shaping the future of performance, longevity, franchising, and workforce training. Guests include: Douglas Gremmen (HYROX): On building one of the fastest growing competitive fitness brands in the world and why purpose-driven training is the ultimate disruptor. Dean Kelly (Extension Health): On physician-led...
info_outlineEscape Your Limits & LIFTS
Welcome to the latest episode of LIFTS, your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories. In this episode, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal are joined by Troy Taylor from Tonal to explore one of the most important shifts happening in fitness today: strength as the foundation of longevity. Drawing on connected strength data from thousands of members, this conversation examines a surprising insight โ in many cases, 60-year-olds are matching or outperforming 30-year-olds in relative strength gains. The difference isnโt age. Itโs consistency, progressive...
info_outlineMatthew 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, youโll 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 snapped up Aveloโs first batch in under 20 hours.
- Insights on running form myths and individual biomechanics.
- The role of gyms and treadmills in the future of running.
- How data can help every runner train smarter and safer.
๐ Learn more about Avelo Running:
๐ Learn more about Avelo Running Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/avelorunning/avelo-meet-the-worlds-smartest-running-shoe
๐ Learn more about Royi Metser:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/royi-metser-6886a211/
Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes.
Contact us at wendy@escapefitness.com for advertising opportunities.
Subscribe on YouTube and turn on notifications so you never miss a new video:
https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness
๐ Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop
๐ View our full catalog:
US โ https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog
UK โ https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue
Follow Escape Fitness on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Escapefitness
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapefitness
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/escapefitness
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/escapefitness/
0:00 Intro & Creatine Experiment
4:03 Creatine Gummies & Supplement Quality
6:28 Guest Introduction โ Royi Metser
8:11 The Second Running Boom
12:13 Why Running is Timeless
14:56 Treadmills vs Outdoor Running
18:19 Running Clubs as Community Hubs
20:19 Why Big Brands Failed at Smart Shoes
25:21 The Materials & Tech Behind Avelo
32:23 Preventing Running Injuries with Data
32:41 Kickstarter Launch Success
34:34 Guiding Runners Beyond Guesswork
36:29 Debunking Running Form Myths
38:09 Host Takeaways
43:09 Closing Thoughts & Preorder Info