The Business Of Fitness: Building What Lasts With Yves Preissler
Release Date: 06/21/2026
Private Equity Trends Shaping The Fitness Industry With Jeremy Hirsch
Fitness + Technology
In this episode of the Fitness + Technology Podcast, Bryan O'Rourke welcomes Jeremy Hirsch, Head of Franchise & Multi-Unit Services at Houlihan Lokey, a leading global investment bank. Houlihan Lokey is recognized for providing independent strategic and financial advice to corporations, financial sponsors, and governments, with expertise spanning mergers and acquisitions, capital solutions, financial restructuring, and valuation advisory services. In this conversation, Bryan and Jeremy explore the latest trends shaping private equity, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic business...
info_outline
Affirmation vs. Information: Rethinking Fitness Leadership With Chris Stevenson
Fitness + Technology
In this episode of the Fitness + Technology Podcast, Bryan O'Rourke welcomes back Chris Stevenson to the show. Chris is the Founder of , a consulting firm that helps health clubs, studios, parks and recreation departments, and fitness professionals reach their goals through speaking, workshops, and customized services. In this conversation, Bryan and Chris share observations from the field and explore technology, longevity, and the human side of the industry. Check out FIT-C's 2026 Digital Pulse Report: Learn more about Fitness Brazil 2026: One Powerful Quote: 11:30: “Sometimes I think...
info_outline
AI, Longevity, & Business Solutions: LIVE From Beyond Activ Europe With Vincenzo Lardinelli
Fitness + Technology
In this episode of the Fitness + Technology Podcast, Bryan O'Rourke joins Vincenzo Lardinelli live from Beyond Activ Europe in Madrid. Vincenzo is the founder and CEO of FLITFIT, a live and on-demand fitness platform built to help clubs extend their offering online, and serves as the Italian Ambassador for the Fitness Industry Technology Council. A frequent voice on AI, longevity, and the future of connected fitness, he brings a distinctly European and operator-focused perspective to the conversation. Beyond Activ Europe is a premier business and investment conference bringing together leaders...
info_outline
The Business Of Fitness: Building What Lasts With Yves Preissler
Fitness + Technology
In this episode of the Fitness + Technology Podcast, Bryan O'Rourke welcomes Yves Preissler to the show. Yves is the Founder and CEO of YP Business Consulting, a globally active, privately owned advisory firm specializing in final-decision advisory and concept architecture for the fitness, wellness, recovery, sport, and hospitality industries. With over 20 years of international experience and more than 150 projects delivered across four continents, including the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, YP works with boards, investors, developers, and operators at the earliest and...
info_outline
A Respectful Disagreement on AI & Its Hype Cycle — LIVE from FIBO 2026 With Bryan O’Rourke, Pablo Viñaspre, & Marcin Obel
Fitness + Technology
In this episode of the Fitness + Technology Podcast, Bryan O’Rourke shares his panel discussion from FIBO’s Future Forum, “A Respectful Disagreement on AI & Its Hype Cycle.” Moderated by Hans Muench, Bryan is joined by Pablo Viñaspre of FitnessKPI and Marcin Obel of Qodeca for an honest conversation about what’s working in AI, what’s falling short, and what fitness operators should actually be paying attention to. Listeners will gain practical insights, candid perspectives, and a discussion that moves beyond the buzzwords surrounding artificial intelligence. If you’re...
info_outline
Reimagining In-Club Experiences Through Technology With Tracey Spain Estes
Fitness + Technology
In this episode of the Fitness + Technology Podcast, Bryan O’Rourke sits down with Tracey Spain Estes, Senior Account Manager at LG Electronics. Tracey brings more than 20 years of experience in the health, wellness, and fitness industry, with a proven track record in strategic account leadership and sales performance. Her background includes leadership roles with Life Fitness and the YMCA, where she developed deep expertise in strategic development, sales operations, marketing strategy, and fitness training. With a strong focus on technology in the fitness industry, Tracey joins Bryan to...
info_outline
Inside FIBO: The World’s Largest Health, Fitness, & Wellness Exhibition With Florian Brauer
Fitness + Technology
In this episode of the Fitness + Technology Podcast, Bryan O’Rourke sits down with Florian Brauer, Senior Global Brand Manager for FIBO—the world’s largest exhibition platform for health, fitness, and wellness. Florian oversees FIBO’s global brand strategy, shaping its international identity and managing a growing portfolio of regional events, including FIBO Arabia. He also cultivates partnerships with industry organizations, federations, and thought leaders worldwide. As a central figure behind one of the industry’s most influential gatherings, Florian plays a key role in...
info_outline
Cutting Through The AI Hype Cycle In Fitness With Chris Sullivan
Fitness + Technology
In this episode of the Fitness + Technology Podcast, Bryan O’Rourke sits down with Chris Sullivan, recently CIO of Self Esteem Brands and now Lead Principal Advisor at Brillect. Together, they explore the realities of scaling technology in complex, franchise-driven environments. Drawing on his background in retail and digital innovation, Chris shares insights on navigating growth, overcoming operational challenges, and cutting through the noise of AI hype to uncover real business value. Now advising organizations through Brillect, he delivers strategic insights grounded in experience,...
info_outline
Gamification That Pays: Inside the Referral + Loyalty Tactics Fueling Growth LIVE From HFA Show 2026
Fitness + Technology
In this episode of the Fitness + Technology Podcast, Bryan O’Rourke presents “Gamification That Pays: Inside the Referral + Loyalty Tactics Fueling Growth,” a panel discussion recorded live at the HFA Show in San Diego. Bryan is joined by Heather Malstaff, Director of Sales & Operations at Extraordinary Brands; Martin Johns, Owner and General Manager of Raintree Athletic Club; and Amie Boring, Technical Solutions Consultant at Chuze Fitness. Together, they examine how referral programs, loyalty strategies, and gamified campaigns are being leveraged to shape member behavior and...
info_outline
Operate Fit: Building Better Systems For Nonprofits With Jim Paro
Fitness + Technology
In this episode of the Fitness + Technology Podcast, host Bryan O’Rourke welcomes Jim Paro, Founder of Operate Fit, to the show. Operate Fit is a platform designed to help community-focused organizations modernize how they manage their operations. By replacing paper forms, scattered spreadsheets, and manual processes with centralized digital workflows, the platform helps facilities save time, reduce operational risk, and maintain compliance. In this conversation, Jim joins Bryan to discuss the operational challenges many facilities face today, why digitizing workflows is becoming essential...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Fitness + Technology Podcast, Bryan O'Rourke welcomes Yves Preissler to the show. Yves is the Founder and CEO of YP Business Consulting, a globally active, privately owned advisory firm specializing in final-decision advisory and concept architecture for the fitness, wellness, recovery, sport, and hospitality industries. With over 20 years of international experience and more than 150 projects delivered across four continents, including the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, YP works with boards, investors, developers, and operators at the earliest and most critical stages of decision-making, from concept validation through to full execution and performance. A member of the International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC), a contributing author to Beyond Reps, and founder of AFROFIT, Yves brings a rare combination of strategic rigor, regional expertise, and operational clarity to every engagement. Today, he joins Bryan to share his perspective, and some genuinely candid views, on user experience, operational excellence, and what it takes to build fitness and wellness businesses that truly last.
Check out FITC’s 2026 Digital Pulse Report: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GTV2QT18
One Powerful Quote:
8:11: “All are attractive ideas, but not every idea is a strong business.”
4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:33: Yves shares his journey from Europe to building fitness and wellness businesses across the Middle East and Africa, including founding AFROFIT.
6:55: Yves outlines the core principles he believes every fitness and wellness operator should be prioritizing in today's market.
9:30: Yves explains why human connection is the most critical driver of user experience and retention.
11:11: Bryan and Yves discuss what operational excellence truly requires in practice and why long-term viability demands the discipline to focus, not just build.
15:43: Yves shares where technology genuinely adds value in fitness and wellness operations and where operators risk mistaking complexity for progress.
22:37: Yves delivers his final advice on what will separate enduring businesses from those that don't last.
Bullet List of Resources:
Guest Contact Information:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvespreissler/
https://substack.com/@yvespreissler?utm_source=global-search
https://www.bryankorourke.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/