LIFTS Episode 87 - From F45 to Strong Pilates Going Global | Michael Ramsey’s Journey
Release Date: 08/24/2025
LIFTS Episode 121 – If Aging Is a Disease… Can We Cure It? | with Dr. Jonathann Kuo
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_outline
LIFTS Episode 120 – The Molecule Matters: How NAD Actually Works in the Body | with Rachele Pojednic
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 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_outline
LIFTS Episode 119 - The Golden Era of Fitness? Longevity, Mental Fitness & Human Performance | PerformX Special (Part 3 of 3) | with Giles Denning & Phil Learney
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 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_outline
LIFTS Episode 118 - Fitness Leaders Unfiltered at Coach360 After HFA Party
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 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_outline
LIFTS Episode 117 - Mark Mastrov, UFC Gyms & ABC Fitness on the Future of the Industry | LIVE at HFA 2026
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 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_outline
LIFTS Episode 116 - GLP-1s Are Changing Fitness: What Gym Operators Need to Know | PerformX Special (Part 2 of 3) | with Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi
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 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 UK’s leading educators on obesity management and lifestyle medicine, the conversation explores how these medications are reshaping the health...
info_outline
LIFTS Episode 115 - From Gyms to Health Hubs: The Next Era of Fitness | PerformX Special (Part 1 of 3) | with Jaclyn Hughes, Tim Gray & Rez Barad
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 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_outline
LIFTS Episode 114 - The Future of Personal Training, AI & Human Intelligence | at Connected Health & Fitness 2026
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. 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_outline
LIFTS Episode 113 - From HYROX to Longevity Clinics: The Future of Fitness is Human | Connected Health & Fitness Summit
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 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_outline
LIFTS Episode 112 – Why 60-Year-Olds Are Stronger Than 30-Year-Olds (Data Shocked Us) | Strength, Longevity & The Future of Fitness | with Troy Taylor
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 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 — in many cases, 60-year-olds are matching or outperforming 30-year-olds in relative strength gains. The difference isn’t age. It’s consistency, progressive...
info_outlineIn 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 fusion of strength, cardio, and Pilates in Strong.
- Franchise growth from Australia to the US.
- Why boutique studios still win over big box gyms.
- The critical role of innovation in fitness.
- Marketing strategies and customer acquisition costs.
- The challenges and opportunities of ClassPass.
- Building trust and community in local markets.
- Handling criticism from traditionalists in Pilates.
- Future outlook for Strong Pilates and boutique fitness.
👉 Learn more about Strong Pilates:
👉 Learn more about Michael Ramsey:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-ramsey-89402033/
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
🛒 Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop
📘 View our full catalog:
US – https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog
UK – 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 & Host Updates
0:59 Guest Introduction – Michael Ramsey
3:55 The Global Pilates Boom
4:38 From F45 to Strong Pilates
6:18 Fusing Pilates, Strength & Cardio
10:00 Entrepreneurship & Timing
13:19 Boutique vs. Big Box Gyms
15:03 What Makes Studios Successful
16:22 Marketing & Cost of Acquisition
18:18 The Rise of Strength Training
20:00 Innovation in Fitness
22:01 Expanding in the US Market
25:00 The ClassPass Debate
30:00 Filling Classes & Community
33:49 Challenges Entering the US
35:13 Wearables & Stress Study
36:00 Closing Thoughts