Built To Grow

Too many gym owners are sitting on ideas that could change their business, but they never pull the trigger. They wait. They look around. They try to copy what someone else is doing instead of testing it for themselves.In this episode, Tim and Randy explain why testing needs to be part of how you run your gym – day to day, month to month, quarter to quarter. Pricing, schedules, offers, roles, marketing – it’s all on the table. If something’s not working, test a change. If something is working, test a way to make it better.They walk through real examples – good ones and bad ones. Testing new class times. Trying different billing frequencies. Split testing discovery calls versus straight-to-consult. Even staffing changes like running a front desk or not. The common thread is simple: stop guessing and start letting the data drive the decisions.Business doesn’t move by accident. It moves because you’re willing to test, tweak, and adjust as you go.Tune in to find out how to do that.Key Takeaways: Intro (00:00)Gym o

No gym owner wakes up in the morning thinking, “Today I’m going to hold my business back.” And yet – that’s exactly what’s happening.What’s wild is, most of the time, you don’t even realize you’re doing it. It’s not the big, obvious stuff – it’s the small, day-to-day habits that slowly chip away at growth. Things that feel productive, even responsible… but are actually keeping you stuck.In this episode, Tim and Randy dig into five of the biggest ways gym owners are sabotaging their own success – without even knowing it. These are patterns they see over and over again inside real gym businesses. And if you're feeling like you're working hard but still spinning your wheels, there’s a good chance one (or more) of these is happening to you. This episode is meant to challenge how you’re thinking about your business – and what might need to change.Give it a listen. You might be surprised by what’s really holding you back.Key Takeaways: Intro (00:00)Las Vegas Iron Circle Experience – speakers announcement (0

Most gym owners don’t fail because of bad training or broken systems. They fail because they hold on too long to what used to work.Old carpet. Outdated equipment. The same bootcamp model they’ve been running for 10 years. Meanwhile, competitors down the street are upgrading everything – equipment, tech, even how they greet clients at the door.You don’t need to burn your gym to the ground and start from scratch. But you do need to evolve. AI, automation, wearables – these aren’t threats. They’re the new tools of the trade.In this episode, Tim and Randy dig into what happens when gyms stop growing. They share why emotion-free decision making is the new business superpower, how to spot stagnation before it costs you members, and how to make changes that keep your gym ahead of the curve.It’s the same fork in the road Netflix and Blockbuster faced – one adapted, the other didn’t. You already know how that ended.If you want to become the Netflix of your market, this episode is a must-listen.

Most gym owners try to do too much too early. They stack offers, bend systems, and take on anyone who walks through the door. The intention is solid, but the result is a bloated, confusing business that’s hard to run and even harder to grow.The story of Boston Chicken makes the point. They built a billion-dollar brand on one product. Then they added more. Three years later, they were bankrupt.The same thing happens in gyms. More offerings don’t lead to more growth. They lead to complexity, broken systems, and distracted delivery.In this episode, Tim and Randy break down why locking in on one main thing – and going all-in – is the real path to scale.They lay out the framework to simplify, clean up operations, and build something that actually works. Listen in and get clear on the main thing.Key Takeaways: Intro (00:00)Over-diversifying gym services breaks systems (02:03)Semi-private training drives 90% of revenue (02:51)The Boston Chicken story and massive growth (04:22)Over-expansion and menu confusion kill t

It’s easy to get caught up in the next shiny thing in fitness.The industry is full of flashy new tools – TRX, EMF suits, battle ropes, vibration plates – you name it. And every few years, a new wave promises faster results, easier marketing, or a shortcut to success. And yeah, these things can be fun, and they might even work – for a while. But when gym owners build their entire identity around one of these trends, it can put the entire business on shaky ground.In this episode, Tim and Randy talk about why tying yourself to a single tool, brand, or fad is a dangerous move. They share real examples of gyms that went all-in and paid the price, and they explain how putting your trust in outside systems – like CrossFit or boutique tech – can backfire fast.More importantly, they share what to focus on instead – something solid, proven, and built to last.Tune in to hear how to keep your gym grounded, no matter what’s trending next.Key Takeaways: Intro (00:00)Trends like Jazzercise to CrossFit have come and gone (00

Success doesn’t start with money – it starts with what you believe you deserve.When Tim made the choice to stop flying coach and commit to first class, it wasn’t about legroom or perks. It was about drawing a line in the sand. A personal standard. A way of saying, this is where I belong – and I’ll work to stay here.In this episode, Tim and Randy unpack what it means to adopt a “first-class mindset,” and why it has less to do with money and everything to do with identity. They explore how raising your standards in one area of life ripples into others – business, relationships, confidence – and why some people will always try to pull you back down when you start leveling up.You’ll also hear how proximity creates opportunity (including a wild story involving a government official and a WWE superstar), and why the Iron Circle is built to celebrate success.If you're ready to stop shrinking to fit and start living at the level you were built for, this one’s for you.Tune in!Key Takeaways: Intro (00:00)Tim introd

“It’s just group training with fewer people…”That’s where the wheels fall off for a lot of gym owners.They hear “semi-private” and think it’s just a slightly smaller group doing the same workouts, maybe with a different coach-to-client ratio. But that mindset completely misses the mark – and it’s probably why they’re struggling to charge more.In fact, clients aren’t paying for fewer bodies in the room. They’re paying for individualization. For real coaching. For a premium experience that feels tailored, not templated. And when you treat semi-private like just another group class, you strip out all the value that makes it worth $500+ a month.Semi-private only works when the coaching, programming, and environment feel like a premium service. In this episode, Tim and Randy lay out exactly what semi-private training is (and isn’t), why most gyms get it wrong, and how to structure, price, and deliver it so it actually works – for the client and the bottom line.Tune in!Key Takeaways: Intro (00:00)Semi-private is no

There’s a difference between smart marketing and flat-out lying. And in the fitness industry, that line gets crossed way too often.In this episode, Tim and Randy call out the rise of shady sales tactics – fake contests, fake scarcity, and scripted urgency plays. Most of the time, these moves come from a place of desperation, not strategy. Business owners backed into a corner start crossing lines they normally wouldn’t, assuming their prospects won’t notice or care.And sure, some of this BS “works.” But at what cost?These shortcuts don’t just lack integrity – they undercut long-term success. When the sale starts with a lie, trust is already broken. And without trust, retention, referrals, and your reputation all take a hit.Tim and Randy offer a better approach: integrity-based selling that builds loyalty, delivers real results, and creates a brand people actually believe in.If you’re in this for the long game, it starts with telling the truth.Tune in and take a hard look at how you’re showing up.Key Takeaways:

A lot of gym owners reach a point where the business is running smoothly – team's in place, sessions are full, money’s good, systems are working – but the fire’s not there anymore.The energy that used to come from walking into the gym starts to fade. Years of handling cancellations, complaints, and the noise from a handful of clients who make everything harder than it needs to be… can wear anyone down. Over time, it’s easy to forget how great the majority of members really are. That’s when things start to feel heavy.This episode is a reminder to reconnect with the human side of the business. Tim and Zach talk about why owners get jaded, what it means to protect the culture inside the gym, how a few toxic clients can skew your entire perspective, and why firing those people might be the best move you ever make.They also talk about treating your role more like the “fun uncle” than the operations manager – getting out of the office, shaking hands, talking to members, and remembering just how cool your commun

Most gyms run hard on energy – high fives, loud music, fast transitions. The experience feels great, and clients walk out tired and happy. But when the workouts aren’t backed by a system, the cracks eventually start to show.Random programming might look exciting, but it isn’t scalable, coachable, or repeatable. Without a framework, coaches deliver inconsistently. Clients hit plateaus without knowing why. And when results stall, it’s easy for them to believe they can get the same workout anywhere (often for less).This episode lays out exactly why structured programming is essential for long-term growth. Tim and Zach break down how a branded, systematized training model not only raises the floor of service but creates a true product – something that clients value, coaches can be trained on, and other gyms can’t copy.They also explain how building and communicating that system increases client retention, simplifies coaching, and elevates the perception of the gym from a place that offers workouts to a place that

“But that’s how we’ve always done it…”If you’ve ever said those words, this episode is your wake-up call.In the fitness business, sticking with the same approach for too long isn’t just lazy – it’s a slow bleed. Whether it’s old-school bootcamps or prices you haven’t raised in years, refusing to change slowly chokes your growth.Simply put: what worked in 2010 won’t carry you through 2025.Everything is evolving – your clients, the market, even how people perceive value. And if you’re not making changes, you’re falling behind.In this episode, Tim and Randy break down why so many gym owners keep doing things the old way – using outdated offers, tired marketing, and systems that just don’t work anymore – and how that’s draining their time, energy, and income.This one’s all about raising your standards, questioning the way things are done, and letting go of anything that’s holding your gym back.Tune in to learn more.Key Takeaways: Intro (00:00)Trends like TRX and boot camps don’t last forever (01:00)You can’t rely

Most gym owners would never hand over the keys to their business… but they’ll hand over their programming without a second thought.It happens all the time – coaches making up workouts on the fly, tweaking things based on how they feel that day. Before long, they’re the ones controlling the delivery of the most important thing the gym offers. Meanwhile, a lot of gym owners don’t even realize it’s going on.In this episode, Tim and Randy break down why letting coaches take the reins on programming is one of the biggest mistakes a gym owner can make. They explain why it damages your brand’s credibility and how it puts client retention at serious risk.You’ll also hear how to fix it by creating a clear training philosophy and putting solid systems in place. That way, every client experience reflects your brand – not just your best coach’s personality.If a coach has ever taken clients with them, or you’re concerned it might happen, don’t miss this episode.Tune in now!Key Takeaways: Intro (00:00)Programming is the pr

A lot of gym owners are grinding day in and day out – but if you ask them why they’re doing it, most don’t have a clear answer.They’re running sessions, managing staff, staying late – doing all the things they think they’re supposed to do. But without a strong sense of purpose behind it, the work starts to feel heavy. Like you're spinning your wheels with no real direction.That exact question came up during the last Iron Circle event: What are you doing this all for?For some, it’s about changing lives in their community. For others, it’s about building something that gives them time with family or the freedom to step off the training floor. The truth is, there’s no wrong answer. But you’ve got to know what yours is – because if your business isn’t built to support that mission, it’ll eventually pull you off track.In this episode, Tim and Randy break down why your model has to match your goals, how making money and making an impact can absolutely go hand in hand, and why building a team isn’t just smart –

Burnout doesn’t always look like collapse. Sometimes it’s quiet – just another late night, another underpriced session, another missed dinner with the kids...That’s where Lane and Payden Montgomery found themselves, thirteen years into running a gym. On paper, things looked fine. But behind the scenes, they were burnt out and stretched thin trying to keep up with a business that was too big, too messy, and too dependent on them.In this episode, Tim and Randy sit down with the Montgomerys to unpack their decision to completely flip their model – from large-group chaos to a clean, streamlined semi-private operation.They break down the exact moment they shut down large group training, what led to that call, and how it gave them back their time, their clarity, and their sanity.What’s cool about their story is how fast they moved once the decision was made. They went from 150 clients at $170 to nearly 100 clients at an average of $370 – more money, fewer headaches, and no more working 30 hours a week on the floor.

Most gym owners work for years to open more locations, get out of the day-to-day, and finally have some freedom.But what if you get there, and it doesn’t feel the way you thought it would?In this episode, Tim sits down with Gerry Washack for a late-night, bourbon-in-hand conversation at the Iron Circle Experience. After 20 years in the fitness game, Gerry’s built something most gym owners would be proud of.He opens up about what it’s really like to go from coaching on the floor to running multiple locations – letting go of control, dealing with people issues, and trying to stay connected to the work that used to fire him up. He talks about how giving equity to employees seemed like a great idea until it wasn’t, how a random idea during COVID turned into a salon business, and how different things feel once you’re not in the day-to-day.Now he’s making more money than ever… and seriously thinking about walking away.Tune in to learn why.Key Takeaways: Intro (00:00)Gerry’s journey from trainer to multi-gym owner (

Most gyms don’t have a marketing problem – they have a follow-through problem. New leads pour in, but a few months later, half of them are gone. The team’s busy, the ads are running, but nothing seems to stick.In this episode, Tim and Randy sit down with Joey Coleman, bestselling author of ‘Never Lose a Customer Again’, to talk about the one thing that’s missing in most gyms: a real retention strategy. Joey explains why selling someone into your gym is only step one – and why the handoff to your team can make or break trust on day one. As a leading expert in customer experience and loyalty, Joey brings a tried-and-true perspective on what actually keeps clients coming back.Retention isn’t about t-shirts, holiday parties, or generic gestures – it’s about listening, remembering, and proving to your clients that they matter after the sale. Even your most loyal members can quietly disengage if you’re not paying attention. This episode breaks down why trust often collapses after sign-up, how misaligned teams disru

What if the offer that promises to save your gym… ends up quietly destroying it from the inside out?High-ticket programs can seem like a dream – sell a few big packages, bring in thousands of dollars fast, and feel like you’ve finally cracked the code. But in reality, they often come with way more work than expected.Delivering those offers often means taking on a bunch of extra work: detailed nutrition plans, one-on-one coaching calls, sometimes even going to clients’ homes or walking them through grocery store trips. That’s a full-time job on its own – and it usually ends up on the owner’s plate.Meanwhile, your day-to-day gym operations still need your attention. But with your focus pulled in a new direction, the systems that keep your business running start to fall behind. What looked like a big win at first starts to create more stress than success.If you’ve ever taken on a high-ticket offer – or are thinking about it – this episode will give you a clearer picture of what really happens behind the scenes.

If your gym’s offer menu looks like a Cheesecake Factory menu… you’ve got a problem. Too many options might feel helpful — but they often confuse your clients and stall your sales.In fact, the most profitable gyms don’t offer more — they offer less. And it’s not by accident. They’ve found that a simpler, more focused approach makes it easier for clients to say yes — and easier for the business to deliver consistently.In this episode, Tim and Randy break down the three essential offers every fitness business should have — and why most owners are drowning in complexity they don’t need.These three offers, when structured the right way, create a seamless sales journey, keep members longer, and eliminate the need for second consultations or desperate discounting.They also explain how simplifying your services leads to better conversions, smoother operations, and stronger client retention.You’ll learn:Why “the middle offer” closes more clients than any otherHow to structure a trial that converts without giving away

“Referrals don’t work for us…”If you’ve ever said that – or thought it – you might be running the wrong kind of referral campaign.In this episode, Tim and Randy share a simple but powerful grassroots strategy called the Golden Ticket – a referral system designed to generate new gym memberships without paid ads or cold traffic.Here’s the play: you give current clients shiny, high-value golden tickets to gift to friends. Each ticket grants 30 days of unlimited training. When someone redeems it and becomes a member, the original client is entered to win something big – like a free year-long membership.This isn’t about throwing out a “bring a friend” pass and hoping for the best. It’s about building a campaign into your systems and incentivizing the right behavior at the right time. And the best part? When done right, the cost per acquisition is lower than what you'd pay running Facebook ads.This is one of the best referral plays we’ve seen in years – and it might be the most profitable move you make all quar

What if the biggest threat to your gym isn’t the competition down the street… but the agency you hired to help you grow?In this episode, Randy and Zach uncover a harsh reality many gym owners are living without knowing it: by relying too heavily on marketing agencies to drive new leads, you may be slowly giving up control of your business.They reveal how agency-driven six-week challenges and front-end promos offer a quick dopamine hit – fast cash, big crowds – but often result in burnout, poor retention, and a business that no longer reflects your vision.But it doesn’t have to be that way.You’ll learn how to build a marketing and delivery system that supports long-term success, attracts the right kind of clients, and keeps you in the driver’s seat – even if you still choose to work with an agency.If you’re tired of short-term wins and want to grow a real gym, not just run the next promotion, this episode is for you. Let’s break the vicious cycle - tune in!Key Takeaways: Intro (00:00)Agencies chase leads, not