#17-HALO Talks Fast Break: From Boutique to Big Box-Jay Shoates Shares Operational and Community Insights
HALO Talks: Elevating Wellness
Release Date: 02/05/2026
Episode #597: Alexander Tsiaras Explains StoryMD and the Power of Owning Your Medical Data
HALO Talks: Elevating Wellness
Welcome back to HALO Talks. In this episode, host Pete Moore sits down with Alexander Tsiaras, founder of StoryMD and a pioneering force at the intersection of digital health and patient empowerment. From his roots as a DARPA programmer developing virtual surgery for astronauts and soldiers (!!) to raising over $55 million in grants and private capital, Alexander has dedicated his career to transforming healthcare data into a powerful, patient-centered narrative. Together, they discuss the fractured landscape of medical records, the journey of building an AI agent that acts as your...
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Episode #596: Lessons Learned Scaling W.O.L.F Fitness-Tony Saxby on Franchise Growth
HALO Talks: Elevating Wellness
In this episode of HALO Talks, Pete Moore sits down with Tony Saxby, founder of W.O.L.F Fitness ("Workout Live Fierce") to explore his lifelong path in the HALO space. (Health, Active Lifestyle, Outdoors.) From humble beginnings as a teenage personal trainer at a local YMCA, through years of law enforcement, to building and scaling a unique community-centered gym franchise (that has attracted the attention of Dave Bautista), Saxby shares his philosophy for creating spaces that go far beyond four walls and equipment. Discover how W.O.L.F differentiates itself from big-box competitors like...
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Episode #595: Legal Advice for HALO Entrepreneurs-Pitfalls, Intellectual Property, and Franchise Exits with Matt Fornaro
HALO Talks: Elevating Wellness
In this episode of HALO Talks, host Pete Moore welcomes Matt Fornaro, a seasoned attorney with over 20 years of experience, now dedicated to supporting small businesses, entrepreneurs, and startups. Having left the world of "big law," Matt brings invaluable insights into the legal challenges that new and growing companies face, everything from intellectual property and commercial leases, to the need for proper contracts and the pitfalls of relying solely on digital tools like AI for legal advice. Listen now as Pete and Matt talk about building a solid legal foundation for your business, why...
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Episode #594: Transforming Rehabilitation-Ashok Gupta on Building Theranow’s Tech-Driven Platform
HALO Talks: Elevating Wellness
Welcome to HALO Talks NYC! In this episode, host Pete Moore sits down with Ashok Gupta, Co-Founder and CEO of TheraNow, and talks about the future of telehealth and its impact on physical therapy. From humble beginnings and unique inspirations to the challenges of building a specialized tech-enabled service, Gupta discusses launching and scaling TheraNow alongside his wife and Co-Founder. Together, they discuss bridging gaps in healthcare access with the power of virtual care, how technology is transforming patient assessment, and the innovative solutions they've brought to large hospital...
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Episode #593: Sam Circh on Adaptive Youth Fitness, Watch Me Move NYC, and Building Inclusive Communities
HALO Talks: Elevating Wellness
On this episode, host Pete Moore sits down with Sam Circh, founder of Watch Me Move NYC, a unique non-profit program dedicated to bringing movement and fitness experiences to thousands of children across Manhattan. Sam shares his path from volunteering at Genesee Valley Rotary Camp in Rochester, New York to pioneering adaptive and early childhood fitness in the city. Pete and Sam discuss the challenges and successes of creating inclusive programs for kids who don’t always fit into traditional sports, building community-based activities, and the importance of fostering confidence and core...
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Episode #592: Jody Merrill’s Journey from Speech Therapy to Building btone Pilates Franchise
HALO Talks: Elevating Wellness
On this episode of HALO Talks, host Pete Moore sits down with Jody Merrill, founder of btone fitness, to explore her path from speech therapy to building a thriving Pilates-based studio business in Boston. Merrill shares some candid stories of personal reinvention, the inspiration that led her to launch btone, and the challenges of navigating the fitness industry . . . including how she leverages her unique background to cultivate strong teams and authentic connections. From opening her first location using funds she inherited and a bathroom read of "Franchising for Dummies," to expanding...
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Episode #591: How Garrett Salpeter and NeuFit Are Transforming Injury Recovery with Neuro-Bioelectric Technology
HALO Talks: Elevating Wellness
On this episode of HALO Talks, host Pete Moore welcomes Garrett Salpeter, founder of NeuFit, for a conversation about breakthrough technologies in injury recovery and nervous system stimulation. Salpeter shares his personal journey from college hockey player facing disappointing traditional rehabilitation, to discovering the power of functional neurology and direct current devices that changed his trajectory, and helped heal his own injuries without surgery. Diving deep into the science, Garrett explains how NeuFit’s Neubie device leverages neuro-bioelectric stimulation to restore function,...
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Episode #590: Inside NOVOS-How Chris Mirabile and Top Scientists Approach the Longevity Movement
HALO Talks: Elevating Wellness
On this episode of HALO Talks, host Pete Moore sits down with Chris Mirabile, founder of NOVOS, for an inspiring conversation about the science of longevity, the importance of preventative health, and the journey from personal health crises to building an impactful company in the supplement space. Chris shares his compelling story of surviving a brain tumor at age 16 which launched his lifelong passion for optimizing long-term health, and reveals how that experience shaped his unique view on wellness and aging. The conversation goes into the challenges of building credibility in a noisy...
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Episode #589: From Backpacking to Beer Baths-The Journey Behind Oakwell Beer Spa
HALO Talks: Elevating Wellness
Welcome to HALO Talks! In this episode, host Pete Moore sits down with Jessica and Damien Zouaoui, the husband-and-wife team behind Oakwell Beer Spa in Denver, Colorado. They started in New York City, where feeling professionally unfulfilled, they decided to quit their corporate jobs, sell everything, and head off on a 14-month adventure across 25 countries looking for a unique business idea! Along the way, they experienced beer spas in the Polish Alps, social wellness spots in South Korea and Japan, and quickly realized Americans were missing out on these accessible, communal wellness...
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Episode #588: Building Strive-Combining Science, Self-Improvement, and Authenticity in Men’s Skincare
HALO Talks: Elevating Wellness
Welcome to this episode of HALO Talks, where Pete Moore sits down with Angel Olavarria, founder of Strive mens skincare, and cosmetic chemist from Forest Hills, Queens. Angel reflects on his journey from a career in sales to becoming an entrepreneur in men’s skincare. He reflects on the idea that people tend to attribute positive attributes to others who are very attractive, inspired him to dig deeper into self-presentation, which eventually led him down the path of skincare science. Angel discusses the often confusing (and slightly sometimes sketchy) world of men’s skincare, his hands-on...
info_outlineIn this Fast Break, HALO sector veteran Jay Shoates put forward some powerful ideas on building fitness businesses that serve both professionals and the local community, as well as the importance of always learning and adapting.
Some key takeaways:
- Agility in Business: The HALO sector isn’t one-size-fits-all. Jay emphasized the importance of being agile, exploring different roles from facility operations to consulting to ensure full utilization and holistic contribution to the industry.
- Community Connection: Success isn’t defined by facility size, but by the value you provide and your connection to the community. As Jay puts it, “You have to be in some form a servant of your community in order for your community to come service you.”
- Consistency and Lifelong Learning: Whether managing a boutique gym or expanding to a 30,000 square foot facility, consistent service and a commitment to ongoing learning (Jay is still eager for more with the HALO Academy!) remain the foundation for sustainable growth.
If you’re in the HALO space, these are words to live by . . . and build by!
Resources:
- Jay Shoates: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-shoates-227348108/
- Prospect Wizard: https://www.theprospectwizard.com
- Promotion Vault: https://www.promotionvault.com
- HigherDose: https://www.higherdose.com
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/integrity-square/
Website: https://www.halotalks.com