Mastering Fitness Staff Recruitment: Marketing, AI, and Referral Strategies to Build Your Dream Team: Fletcher Wimbush, Dr. Patrick Porter & Mark Harrington Jr: Episode 541
Fitness Business Podcast: Leadership, Innovation, and Profit
Release Date: 05/15/2025
Fitness Business Podcast: Leadership, Innovation, and Profit
In this dynamic episode, join Justin JT Tamsett and Brian Keane for a dynamic discussion on the evolving world of personal training, where they share practical marketing, business strategies and coaching insights to help personal trainers and fitness professionals thrive in today’s competitive market. You’ll learn about why your personal branding story is key to your success and pricing strategies that actually work. Midway through the episode, Dr. Patrick Porter adds a powerful health perspective, warning about the dangers of prolonged sitting and how “sitting is toxic” for overall...
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Become an FBP Insider! Our FREE LIVE online events created specifically for fitness business owners, managers, and coaches who want to sharpen their skills and grow their business - In this episode of the Fitness Business Podcast, host Justin 'JT' Tamsett is joined by AI and digital marketing expert Shama Hyder and brain fitness pioneer Dr. Patrick Porter to deliver actionable insights for fitness business managers and owners aiming to future-proof their operations. The discussion with Shama tackles common myths about AI artificial intelligence in the fitness industry,...
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Become an FBP Insider! We’re bringing you a brand-new series of LIVE online events created specifically for fitness business owners, managers, and coaches who want to sharpen their skills and grow their business - In this episode of the Fitness Business Podcast, host Justin ‘JT’ Tamsett engages with storytelling expert Danielle Krischik to explore the vital role of storytelling in fitness marketing. They discuss how stories create emotional connections, the neuroscience behind storytelling, and the importance of crafting a compelling brand narrative. Danielle emphasizes the...
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Become an FBP Insider! Online Live Event - Are you a fitness leader, manager, or gym owner searching for actionable strategies to revolutionize your staff recruitment and retention? This episode of the Fitness Business Podcast, hosted by JT Tamsett, is a must-listen for anyone serious about building a high-performing fitness business in today’s competitive market. Discover how to wear your sales and marketing hat when hiring, ensuring your recruitment process is as dynamic and creative as your member acquisition campaigns. You’ll learn how applying marketing principles to staff...
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Become a Patreon member! . We’re bringing you a brand-new series of LIVE online events created specifically for fitness business owners, managers, and coaches who want to sharpen their skills and grow their business - Is your inconsistent branding costing you clients? Our guest expert Seran Glanfield points out that studio owners often struggle with maintaining a consistent visual brand, diluting their memorability and impacting client recognition. She notes the critical role of consistent visual elements like logos and colors across all platforms. A clear, targeted message resonates far...
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Are you a gym owner, fitness entrepreneur, or wellness professional looking to inject some serious fun and engagement into your business? In this episode, host JT Tamsett and guests dive deep into the secrets of creating a customer-centric experience that keeps people coming back for more. Drawing inspiration from the wildly successful Savannah Bananas baseball team and social media marketing guru Richard Toutounji, this episode provides actionable insights on how to make your fitness studio, health club, or personal training business stand out from the crowd. Learn how to build a strong...
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As a leader, are you doing everything you can to elevate women in leadership? This episode of the Fitness Business Podcast features insights from global female leaders Mel Tempest and Allison Flatley on elevating women in leadership and ownership roles within the fitness industry. The discussion covers current trends, the importance of empowering women to share their stories, and the need for supportive policies and professional development. The episode also highlights the power of storytelling in marketing, using examples like Mari Llewellyn's Bloom Nutrition and Nike's "Just Do It" campaign....
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Fitness business owners and gym leaders, are you struggling to revive your personal training department? This episode of the Fitness Business Podcast dives deep into the current state of personal training in gyms with experts Richard Boyd and Bob Esquerre, who bring over 20 years of experience. Discover actionable strategies to relaunch or launch a thriving PT program, moving past COVID-era challenges. Learn how to adapt to the modern, educated gym member, measure success beyond revenue, and cultivate a team of trainers who drive member retention and build lasting relationships. Tune in for...
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Buckle up for an electrifying episode of the Fitness Business podcast featuring Ingrid Knight-Cohee, the 2024 IDEA Fitness Leader of the Year, who is revolutionizing group fitness with her groundbreaking MSINGI™ program. This isn't just another episode—it's a masterclass in transforming group fitness from an expense line to a profit center, packed with insider strategies for fitness leaders looking to innovate, engage members, and combat the growing epidemic of loneliness. Knight's unique Afrocentric functional movement program offers a fresh perspective on creating connection, motivation,...
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Do you have a “me” or a “we” fitness business? Zach Colman reveals the transformative concept of building a community brand in the fitness industry. He explains that a community brand is more than just a platform—it's an evolution from a personal brand to a collective ecosystem of shared values and experiences. Coleman emphasizes that modern fitness businesses must move beyond transactional interactions, recognizing that people now crave genuine connections and meaningful experiences. By focusing on core values, communication, and creating an environment where members feel...
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Are you a fitness leader, manager, or gym owner searching for actionable strategies to revolutionize your staff recruitment and retention? This episode of the Fitness Business Podcast, hosted by JT Tamsett, is a must-listen for anyone serious about building a high-performing fitness business in today’s competitive market. Discover how to wear your sales and marketing hat when hiring, ensuring your recruitment process is as dynamic and creative as your member acquisition campaigns. You’ll learn how applying marketing principles to staff acquisition can transform the quality and consistency of your hires. The episode dives deep into the power of crafting compelling job ads that resonate with potential candidates, making your gym stand out on job boards and attracting top-tier talent. The episode also unpacks the critical role of referrals, explaining why embedding a culture of referrals - where team members are rewarded for recommending candidates, not just successful hires - can create a self-sustaining pipeline of passionate, values-driven staff.
Also hear from Dr Patrick Porter about what should really be in all our morning routines, plus why that 2pm slump gets to all of us - and what you can do about it.
Key highlights from the episode:
- Innovative Use of AI in Recruitment: Learn how artificial intelligence is streamlining everything from candidate screening to interview scheduling, making your hiring process faster, smarter, and more efficient.
- Building a Referral-Driven Culture: Discover proven tactics to make daily referral requests a habit, and how to incentivize your team to help you build a robust bench of future staff, ensuring you’re never caught off guard by sudden vacancies.
- Prioritizing Integrity and Attitude: Find out why focusing on these core traits - rather than just technical skills - leads to stronger teams and a more positive workplace culture, ultimately boosting member satisfaction and retention.
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Quotes:
“Your sleep cycle starts in the morning.” - Dr Patrick Porter
“Never drink coffee first thing in the morning. I know a lot of people do that. Get up in the morning and drink a glass of water.” - Dr Patrick Porter
“Don't post a boring job description. You got to make this exciting." - Fletcher Wimbush
“Reward the referral, not the outcome.” - Fletcher Wimbush
Resources:
Be an FBP Insider on Patreon
Fitness Business Podcast’s LinkedIn Community
Mystery Shopping for Fitness Businesses - Website
Fletcher Wimbush - LinkedIn, Website, Facebook
FACT Driven Hire System - Use code: hirebetter
Hiring Expert GPT - Watch how it works here
Unlock your coaching potential with DISC
Fletcher’s Book Recommendation - Who by Geoff Smart
Indeed - Website
ZipRecruiter - Website
Lindsay Vastola Live Event: Own the Role, Achieve the Goal: How EQ Drives Performance & Accountability - Watch now on Patreon
Wise Words:
Dr Patrick Porter - Website, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram
Dr Patrick Porter’s Book - Thrive in Overdrive
Buy Your Headset Using our Link!
Merch Sponsor:
Be a Merch Sponsor - Here
REXer in the Trenches:
Mark Harrington - Website, LinkedIn, Instagram
Mark’s Book Recommendation - The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni
The Table Group - Website
Website - www.REXRoundtables.com
Email - [email protected]
Leadership Academy – www.REXLeadershipAcademy.com
Trusted Suppliers:
Reinig Insurance
Power Plate
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About Your Host: Justin "JT" Tamsett is a fitness industry veteran with over 30 years of experience who aims to reduce global healthcare costs by promoting physical activity. Through his company Active Management, he provides business coaching to fitness entrepreneurs, leads 8 REX Roundtables in the US and Australia, and has spoken at over 40 conferences across 23 countries. His ultimate goal is to create a world of opportunity for his daughter Zoe by helping more people move and stay healthy, while empowering gym owners to build successful businesses that contribute to a healthier society
Related: Fitness business growth strategies, gym staff retention tips, hiring personal trainers, fitness industry recruitment, employee onboarding best practices, fitness leadership development, gym management podcast, fitness industry trends 2025, recruitment marketing for gyms, fitness business success stories.
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