Winning Sales & Marketing Strategies With Alan Leach
Fitness + Technology
In this episode of the Fitness + Technology Podcast, Bryan O'Rourke welcomes Alan Leach, CEO and Director of Sales and Marketing at West Wood Club in Ireland. Alan has spent 35 years in the fitness industry, with deep expertise in sales management, sales training, digital marketing, direct marketing, and business growth. Alan is a former Chair and Director of the Health & Fitness Association (HFA). He was only the second non-U.S. chair in the organization's 50-year history, and he is a member of the Global Health and Fitness Alliance (GHFA). With a background in marketing, he has a proven...
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The Human Revolution: Fitness, Purpose, & The World We Choose To Build With Bryan O'Rourke LIVE From Fitness Brasil
Fitness + Technology
In this episode of the Fitness + Technology Podcast, Bryan O’Rourke shares his presentation, “The Human Revolution: Fitness, Purpose, & The World We Choose to Build” live from Fitness Brasil Expo 2026 in São Paulo. Technology is rewriting what it means to be human. Bryan makes the case for the fitness industry's role in that moment and why it matters more than we think. An overview of Bryan’s talk on The Human Revolution: Check out FIT-C's 2026 Digital Pulse Report: One Powerful Quote: 49:26: “We cannot sacrifice our future at the altar of unrestricted technology.” 4-10...
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Chaos To Connection: Rethinking Fitness For A World That Needs Us With Bryan O'Rourke LIVE From Fitness Brasil
Fitness + Technology
In this episode of the Fitness + Technology Podcast, Bryan O'Rourke shares his keynote, "Chaos To Connection: Rethinking Fitness For A World That Needs Us," recorded live at Fitness Brasil Expo 2026 in São Paulo. Bryan lays out a practical case for how operators and innovators can build businesses that meet people where they actually are. With technology rewriting what it means to be human, he argues that the fitness industry has a larger role to play in this moment than most of us realize — and explains why it matters. An overview of Bryan’s talk on Chaos To Connection: Check out...
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Trends, Technology, & The Long View With Frank van de Ven
Fitness + Technology
In this episode of the Fitness + Technology Podcast, Bryan O'Rourke welcomes Frank van de Ven to the show. Frank recently retired as Chief Commercial and Chief Marketing Officer of Life Fitness, closing out a nearly three-decade run with the company that took him from EMEA Marketing Director to General Manager of Life Fitness Benelux, Managing Director for Continental Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and ultimately Vice President International, with responsibility for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Born in the Netherlands and a veteran of Philips and GE Plastics before...
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The Truth About AI, Data, & Your Business With Dave Wright
Fitness + Technology
In this episode of the Fitness + Technology Podcast, Bryan O'Rourke welcomes back Dave Wright to the show. Dave is the Founder and Owner of MYZONE, a wearable technology and social platform that rewards effort in physical activity. MYZONE is ideal for boosting member retention in health clubs, building communities across networks, and aggregating data for an employer, sports team, school, or gym. Dave's background spans being a multi-club health club owner and the owner of Creative Fitness Marketing (CFM), a global company with offices in the UK, Australia, and North America that has served...
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Simplify The Work & Amplify The Impact With JJ Creegan
Fitness + Technology
In this episode of the Fitness + Technology Podcast, Bryan O'Rourke welcomes JJ Creegan to the show. JJ is the Principal at Creegan Co., a firm that helps founders, operators, and investors scale multi-unit consumer brands. Over the past two decades, JJ has partnered with founder-led and private equity-backed businesses to take concepts from launch through institutional scale — growing brands to 100+ locations and leading global networks of 1,500+ sites that generate more than $1 billion in annual revenue. His focus is on value creation through revenue growth, retention, and customer...
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Scaling Fitness Through People, Technology, & Leadership With Chris Smith
Fitness + Technology
In this episode of the Fitness + Technology Podcast, Bryan O'Rourke welcomes Chris Smith, President & CEO of Fitness World Canada. Over the past several years, Fitness World has experienced significant growth across British Columbia and is now entering its next phase with a $50 million national expansion strategy. The plan includes new corporate-owned locations and the launch of the company's first franchise program—an important milestone that reflects both the brand's momentum and the continued evolution of the fitness industry. Chris has spent more than 25 years in the fitness...
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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...
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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...
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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_outlineIn this episode of the Fitness + Technology Podcast, Bryan O'Rourke welcomes Alan Leach, CEO and Director of Sales and Marketing at West Wood Club in Ireland. Alan has spent 35 years in the fitness industry, with deep expertise in sales management, sales training, digital marketing, direct marketing, and business growth.
Alan is a former Chair and Director of the Health & Fitness Association (HFA). He was only the second non-U.S. chair in the organization's 50-year history, and he is a member of the Global Health and Fitness Alliance (GHFA). With a background in marketing, he has a proven record of delivering high-impact sales training and marketing strategies that consistently produce strong profits. As a sought-after international speaker and trainer, he has helped fitness clubs around the world improve their sales performance, marketing, and management. He has won multiple marketing awards competing against Ireland's top agencies, including an FIA award for fitness business marketing. His work in digital marketing, SEO, and copywriting has been featured in leading industry publications.
Today, Alan joins Bryan to discuss the technology and business trends shaping the global fitness industry.
Check out Beyond Activ Americas: https://beyondactiv.com/events/americas/
Check out FIT-C's 2026 Digital Pulse Report: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GTV2QT18
One Powerful Quote:
25:00: “The biggest threat to any fitness business is not your competition. The biggest threat to any fitness business is you."
4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:38: Bryan opens the interview by inviting Alan to share his background and career journey.
7:59: Alan shares his insights on current sales and marketing trends.
15:40: Bryan and Alan discuss how technology has shaped his business.
24:54: Alan offers his best advice to listeners.
Bullet List of Resources:
https://www.healthandfitness.org/
Guest Contact Information:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanleachmarketing/
https://www.bryankorourke.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/