From School Hall Bootcamps To Opening A SGPT Gym With 200 High Paying Members
The Fitness Marketing Agency Podcast
Release Date: 01/31/2025
The Fitness Marketing Agency Podcast
In this second episode, Dan Aguilera — mentor to hundreds of gym owners worldwide- joins us for a deep dive into recruitment, retention, and genuine gym growth. Dan shares why most owners fail to scale, how to avoid burnout, and the systems he uses to develop high-performing staff across multiple locations. If you’re struggling with staff churn or planning to open a second site the right way, this episode is a must-listen. Key highlights of this episode include: ✅ Why your business model could be killing your potential ✅ The “Backstage to Public” staff onboarding system ✅ How to...
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This week, we’re joined by Dan Aguilera, a multi-site gym owner and founder of Fitness Business Profits. Dan has helped countless fitness entrepreneurs step out of burnout and into sustainable, profitable growth. In this no-BS episode, Dan unpacks the mental shifts, business frameworks, and hard truths that separate gym owners who succeed from those who stall. If you're still trying to outwork your problems, this episode will change your perspective. Key highlights of this episode include: ✅ Why your business model could be killing your potential. ✅ The identity shift from coach to true...
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This week, we’re joined by Mike and Matt, two gym owners who went from cleaning treadmills to running a thriving small-group training business inside a rugby clubhouse. They share how they overcame a failing £25/month model, handled COVID chaos, and reshaped their offer, sales, and structure to hit 145+ members—without the stress. Key highlights of this episode include: ✅ Why open gym models are killing your growth ✅ The real secret to a successful gym partnership ✅ How sales calls became their growth engine ✅ Why charging more created better client results ✅ Lessons from...
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This week, we’re joined by one of FMA’s 7-figure clients who’s currently launching gym locations #6 and #7. He’s built a wildly successful multi-site business and shares exactly how he did it: systems, staff, stress, etc. If you’re a gym owner thinking about opening another location (or just want to run your current one better), this is a must-listen. Key highlights of this episode include: ✅ How to systemise success across multiple gym locations. ✅ Why most gym owners are the bottleneck to growth. ✅ What elite team structure looks like in a 7-figure gym. ✅ How to scale...
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https://fitnessmarketing.agency/This week, we’re joined by Sam West, a gym owner and performance coach who’s built a thriving hybrid model by combining in-person coaching with a growing online Hyrox program. From burnout in a finance job to traveling the country supporting his clients, Sam’s story is full of actionable insights for gym owners and online coaches looking to scale. In this episode, Sam shares how to: ✅ Prove your niche isn’t saturated—just untapped ✅ Avoid the trap of chasing "easy" online coaching ✅ Use real-life presence to retain online clients ✅ Create fun,...
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This week, we’re joined by a thriving online coach, Lorna Morie, who’s scaled their business to over 200 clients, all while working part-time and spending just £15/day on ads. We dig deep into the systems, strategies, and mindset that made it possible. From the truth about pricing to the missteps in hiring, this episode is packed with actionable gold for gym owners and coaches. Key highlights of this episode include: ✅ Why displaying your prices could hurt conversions. ✅ The client journey that drives 88% sign-up rates. ✅ Building big results from a small ad budget. ✅ How...
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This week, we’re joined by Kev Foley, owner of BFit Group and mentor at FBA, to unpack how gym acquisition can be the fast lane to real business freedom. Kev went from 60-hour coaching weeks to building a business that runs without him. Now, he acquires gyms, scales them, and mentors others to do the same. If you’re stuck on the gym floor and dreaming of a bigger future, don’t miss this one. Key highlights of this episode include: ✅ Why your business model should serve your lifestyle first. ✅ The underrated first hire that frees your time. ✅ How gym acquisition can fast-track your...
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This week, we’re joined by Ryan O’Neill, CEO of LegitFit—a booking and payments platform now used by 1 in 4 gyms in Ireland. Ryan shares the raw journey of building a business from idea to impact, and what gym owners must do to avoid common traps. From poor systems to bad data, Ryan uncovers why so many gyms are bleeding revenue and how to fix it. Key highlights of this episode include: ✅ Why your €10,000 problem is probably admin, not marketing ✅ The real reason your “brilliant” idea isn’t working ✅ Systems that save time and stop member churn ✅ How to lead a team...
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This week marks part 3 of our interview with elite fitness business coach Kirk Miller—former physique pro, online coaching mentor, and host of the Built to Last podcast. Kirk’s helped countless fitness coaches master the art of high-ticket sales by focusing not on tactics, but on belief, integrity, and strategy. If you’re struggling with sales calls, price objections, or staying in shape while running a business, this episode is packed with gold. Key highlights of this episode include: ✅ Why your belief system is your best sales script. ✅ The premium mindset that earns premium...
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This week, we’re joined by Kirk Miller—former elite athlete turned high-performance coach—for a brutally honest conversation about what really drives coaching success. Kirk has mentored hundreds of coaches and built a premium fitness brand by mastering mindset, trust, and alignment. In this episode, he reveals the emotional traps most coaches fall into—and the habits that helped him become a leader worth following. Key highlights of this episode include: ✅ The deep cost of coaching from insecurity and fear ✅ Why most coaches never truly build trust with clients ✅ The difference...
info_outlineIn this episode, we sit down with Liam Walsh, a long-standing FMA client and successful gym owner. Liam shares his incredible journey, from starting as a personal trainer and running bootcamps to building a six-figure fitness business. Discover how he overcame financial struggles, embraced risk, and used resilience to scale his gym to new heights. Whether you're just starting or looking to grow, Liam’s story is a must-listen for gym owners and online coaches.
Key Highlights:
- How a marquee gym can hit £16k/month revenue.
- Why risk-taking is key to business success.
- The power of community in fitness entrepreneurship.
- How SGPT boosted client retention.
- Strategies for mastering sales and marketing.
This episode is proudly sponsored by our partners at Over+Above. If you would like to find out more, check out their website here: https://www.oaperformance.com/ and their Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/overandabove_performance
To find out how Fitness Marketing Agency can help your Fitness Business, book a demo call using the link below: https://fitnessmarketingagency.com/fmademo?sl=podcastdescription
Connect with Fitness Marketing Agency on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fitnessmarketingagency
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#marketing
#gym
#fitnessmarketingagency
#gymowner
#personaltrainer
#fitnessbusiness
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:00:05 - Liam's Journey to Fitness Business
00:00:49 - Sponsorship Message
00:01:43 - Interview Begins
00:01:54 - Liam's Early Career and Challenges
00:10:59 - Starting a Bootcamp
00:12:59 - Struggles with Business Growth
00:15:26 - Joining FMA
00:19:02 - Risk Taking in Business
00:19:45 - The Importance of Community in Business
00:21:01 - Transitioning from Bootcamps to Small Group Training
00:21:50 - Adapting to Change and Overcoming Challenges
00:22:57 - The Power of Personal Sales Ability
00:30:07 - The Art of Conversation in Sales
00:34:26 - The Importance of Following a Sales Structure
00:34:56 - Delegating Sales and Achieving High Conversion Rates
00:36:02 - The Necessity of Calling Leads
00:37:59 - Persistence in Sales
00:38:23 - Importance of Resilience and Focus
00:38:44 - Securing a Contract
00:39:47 - The Power of Persistence
00:39:59 - The Value of Leads
00:40:22 - Building a Successful Business
00:40:57 - The Importance of Conversion Rate
00:42:10 - Building a Business from Scratch
00:42:16 - The Revenue Breakdown
00:42:29 - Searching for a New Venue
00:45:51 - The New Venue
00:50:45 - Investing in the Facility
00:52:12 - Raising Funds for the Facility
00:54:18 - The Ambassador Program
00:54:55 - The Ambassador Membership
00:55:23 - Securing Initial Investments
00:56:11 - Raising More Funds
00:56:51 - Securing the Funds
00:57:01 - Waiting for the Funds
00:57:24 - Reflection on Past Financial Challenges
00:57:43 - The Ambassador Program
01:02:59 - Reflection on the Journey
01:05:09 - Challenges in Building the Gym
01:09:57 - Overcoming Challenges
01:11:56 - The Gym's Layout
01:13:35 - Key Advice for Success
01:13:40 - Creating a Motivating Environment
01:14:20 - Facility Layout and Design
01:14:30 - Training Studio and Space Utilization
01:15:16 - Timetable and Group Sessions
01:15:43 - Pre-Launch and Target Signups
01:17:10 - Marketing and Sales Strategy
01:19:01 - Creating a Unique Gym Experience
01:21:45 - Importance of Details in Facility
01:23:03 - Membership Growth and Revenue
01:24:57 - Initial Thoughts
01:25:05 - Challenges in Launching a New Facility
01:25:20 - Planning for Future Expansion
01:25:47 - Considering Outdoor Space and Aesthetics
01:26:09 - Budgeting and Future Plans
01:26:52 - The Importance of Location and Future Expansion
01:28:22 - Balancing Business Growth and Personal Happiness
01:30:02 - The Joy of Coaching and Running a Business
01:31:23 - Final Thoughts and Appreciation