Podcast

Alloy Personal Training Business

Business, Entrepreneurship, Fitness, Health & Fitness

Are you ready to take your fitness business to the next level? Be sure to visit us at: http://bit.ly/alloy_franchise

Listen in for secrets and tips on running a successful Personal Training business. From marketing, staff management, trends, programming, pricing, and many other subjects in between, speaker and award-winning fitness industry legend Rick Mayo, founder of the Alloy Personal Training Franchise, covers it all.

Episodes
335
Releases
Weekly
Typical length
31 min
On air since
2019
Latest episode
6 days ago

Episodes

335 episodes, newest first

  1. The 4 Sales Habits of High-Performing Studios with Mark Fisher

    Episode 336

    Show notes

    What separates high-performing studios from the rest when it comes to sales? Mark Fisher has worked with hundreds of gym owners around the world, and the answer he keeps coming back to is pretty simple. The best studios do a handful of things every day, and they make sure those things get done.

    In this episode, we sit down with Mark, founder of Business for Unicorns and an Alloy franchisee, to talk through the four sales habits that consistently drive results. He shares practical ways to build stronger relationships with prospects, improve follow-up, keep your team consistent and turn more conversations into memberships. He’s also open about an experiment he ran at his own studio that he wouldn’t recommend repeating.

    For a lot of studios, the next group of new members is already in the database. People buy when they’re ready, not when you’re ready, and a lead that went cold months ago might just have been busy. Sometimes the only thing missing is a phone call. One studio had about 1,500 leads in six months, and the share of them that never got a single call is hard to believe.

    If you want to increase memberships, improve your sales process or build a stronger sales culture, you and your team can start using a lot of this right away.

    Key Takeaways:

    00:00 Intro

    02:54 4 Sales Habits of Top Studios

    06:27 Habit 1: Gym Lead Generation

    06:58 Fishing Nets vs. Fishing Poles

    09:13 A Referral Offer That Works

    11:50 People Buy When They’re Ready

    16:30 Habit 2: Hot Lead Follow-Up

    17:19 Why Texting Isn’t Enough

    21:05 Schedule Your Sales Calls

    23:36 1,500 Leads, 91% Never Called

    27:24 Coaching Your Sales Team

    31:02 Habit 3: The Sales Conversation

    32:38 Run a Better Discovery Call

    40:44 Habit 4: Cold Lead Follow-Up

    43:50 11 New Members in 5 Days

    Additional Resources:

    - Alloy Personal Training

    - Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity

    -------

    You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

    If you haven't already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

    To learn more about the Alloy Personal Training Franchise Opportunity, visit 👉 http://bit.ly/alloy_franchise

    49 min
  2. The Secrets to Success with John Farkas

    Episode 335

    Show notes

    What does it really take to be successful? In this episode, John Farkas sits down with us to talk about the habits, mindset, and strategies that separate high performers from the rest.

    For John, consistency and discipline start with the product. He leads most of his weekly team meetings with an educational lesson, gives his coaches constant feedback, and expects them to keep learning on their own. That standard is a big reason half of his clients come from referrals.

    On leadership and taking action, John explains why, when his team isn’t executing, his first question is where he wasn’t clear. He explains why he keeps improving the same basic systems instead of chasing shiny objects. Building a business takes longer than most people think, so he also makes the case for realistic expectations, both for owners and for their teams.

    John shares valuable insights on what drives long-term success in business and franchising. New franchise owners and seasoned entrepreneurs alike will find practical takeaways here to help them reach the next level.

    Key Takeaways:

    00:00 Intro
    03:40 The Secret to Franchise Success
    04:40 Obsess Over Your Product
    09:08 Coaching Your Team Every Week
    10:48 Clear Communication with Your Team
    17:46 Assume Ignorance Before Malevolence
    19:37 Iteration of the Basics
    24:36 Innovation Means Doing It Better
    25:25 Set Realistic Business Expectations
    32:19 Presale Expectations for New Owners

    Additional Resources:

    - Alloy Personal Training

    - Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity

    --------

    You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

    If you haven't already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

    To learn more about the Alloy Personal Training Franchise Opportunity, visit 👉 http://bit.ly/alloy_franchise

    35 min
  3. Beyond Paid Ads: 3 Organic Marketing Tactics That Drive Results with Kaitlin Bitting

    Episode 334

    Show notes

    Paid media is getting more expensive and less predictable. So what do you do instead?

    Kaitlin Bitting just joined Alloy as Director of Marketing, and she comes with agency experience, time at Campbell's Soup, and a front-row seat inside another major fitness franchise. Rick Mayo brought her on the podcast six weeks into the job, and the conversation landed somewhere useful: three organic marketing tactics that franchisees can start executing this week without touching their ad budget.

    The first is community partnerships, done right. Not the kind where you slap a flyer in someone's window and call it a day. Rick's Fleet Feet playbook is the template: leverage each other's email lists, put physical presence in each other's locations for 30 days, run a joint educational event, and track everything with a unique QR code. One campaign generated 60 leads and 40 new members. The second is referrals, which convert at 90% and most owners still never ask for. The third is Google Business Profile, which 76% of customers check before they ever visit a location, and which now influences how LLMs surface your business in AI search results.

    Rick also shares what happened when someone left a scathing review for a location they had never visited, and why the response he wrote became one of his better PR moments.

    Playbooks for all three are on the way for Alloy franchisees. This episode is the preview.

    Key Takeaways:

    00:00 The Referral Conversion Rate Is 90%
    00:38 Welcome Kaitlin Bitting, Director of Marketing
    02:54 Kaitlin Bitting's Background: Agency, Campbell's, Fitness Franchise
    04:32 Why Alloy's Model Stood Out
    06:54 Why Organic Marketing Matters More Now
    08:12 Strategy 1: Community Partnerships
    09:46 Make It Mutually Beneficial or Do Not Bother
    10:00 The Fleet Feet Playbook: 3 Steps, 60 Leads, 40 New Members
    16:00 Build a Partnership Calendar for the Year
    19:00 Track Every Partnership with a Unique QR Code
    20:00 Playbooks Are Coming for Alloy Franchisees
    21:14 Strategy 2: Referrals
    23:46 Ask at the Moment They Sign Up
    25:38 John Herrera's Presale: One Third of 150 Members from Referrals
    26:54 Joe: The Best Referral Culture We've Ever Seen
    30:16 You Are 20% More Likely to Stick If a Friend Is in the Program
    33:34 Strategy 3: Google Reviews and Google Business Profile
    35:24 Respond to 75% of Reviews and Your Rating Jumps Half a Star
    38:46 The Fake Negative Review Rick Turned Into a PR Win
    40:40 Treat Google Business Profile Like a Social Media Account
    43:42 LLMs Are Pulling from Google. Keep Your Profile Current.
    44:28 5.8 Million Searches Per Minute. Half with Local Intent.
    47:06 Whisper Marketing and Building Long-Term Community Equity

    Additional Resources:

    - Alloy Personal Training

    - Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity

    ---------

    You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

    If you haven't already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

    To learn more about the Alloy Personal Training Franchise Opportunity, visit 👉 http://bit.ly/alloy_franchise

    50 min
  4. The Price of Discounting: Why Cheaper Isn't Better with Matt Helland

    Episode 333

    Show notes

    If you run a premium fitness business, discounting is not a sales tool. It is a confidence problem with a price tag on it.

    In this episode, Rick Mayo and Matt Helland break down the psychology behind why fitness business owners discount, and why it almost never has anything to do with what the customer actually needs. They cover the five reasons people drop their prices, from lack of conviction and fear of rejection to short-term revenue pressure and discounting as a substitute for actual sales skill, and explain why every single one of them costs you more than the discount ever saved.

    Rick also shares the math: a 20% presale discount held across 100 members for a year is $120,000 in straight profit you gave away for free. To people who would have paid full price anyway.

    If you are in a premium category, this one is worth your time.

    Listen in to find out why holding your price is one of the best things you can do for your business and your members.

    Key Takeaways:

    00:00 The Foot on the Gas Is Not Your Price

    00:38 Back in the Beats Lab

    01:28 Why Premium Pricing Belongs at the Top of Boutique Fitness

    02:38 Higher Prices Attract Better Members

    03:46 The Motorcycle Jacket That Proves the Psychology

    06:26 Suzanne Paid $700 a Month in 1994

    09:18 Why Discounting Is Never a Consumer Problem

    10:00 The Five Reasons Owners Discount

    10:12 Reason 1: Lack of Conviction

    15:44 Reason 2: Fear of Rejection

    20:04 Reason 3: Desire for Approval

    21:54 Reason 4: Short-Term Revenue Pressure

    27:22 Reason 5: Discounting as a Substitute for Sales Skill

    31:20 The $120,000 You Gave Away for Free

    34:48 Four Questions to Ask Before You Ever Drop Your Price

    Additional Resources:

    - Alloy Personal Training

    - Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity

    ---------

    You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

    If you haven't already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

    To learn more about the Alloy Personal Training Franchise Opportunity, visit 👉 http://bit.ly/alloy_franchise

    38 min
  5. Make Summer Count: Key Actions for Success with Matt Helland

    Episode 332

    Show notes

    July is the slowest month in fitness. Everyone knows it. The question is what you do about it.

    Rick Mayo and Matt Helland sit back down in the Beats Lab for one of their unscripted conversations about what it actually looks like to run a great personal training studio when the season is working against you. No guest, no slides, just two people who have been doing this for decades talking through what works.

    They get into three things you can start doing right now: getting ahead of your members before their schedules fall apart, running a student and teacher special that brings new people in the door at exactly the right time, and a social campaign called Where's Waldo that one of Alloy's top franchisees has turned into one of the best retention and culture tools in the system.

    Rick also tells the story of Kathy — a client who sat across from him every month for the better part of a year, never once followed his advice, and still became one of his clearest examples of why showing up for people is the whole job.

    Listen in. You can start using all of this the day you hear it.

    Key Takeaways:

    00:00 If It Becomes Transactional, You Have Already Lost
    00:46 Back in the Beats Lab
    02:38 Why July Is the Hardest Month in Fitness
    06:02 Strategy 1: Have the Summer Schedule Conversation Now
    08:22 Do Not Let Them Off the Hook
    10:54 The Kathy Story
    13:10 Why Alloy Members Do Not Count Sessions
    17:38 Strategy 2: Student and Teacher Summer Specials
    21:50 The Private School Play and the Scholarship Contest
    24:32 Strategy 3: Where's Waldo
    28:18 Why Jolson Does It Better Than Anyone
    29:14 Wrap Up: Three Things You Can Start Today

    Additional Resources:

    - Alloy Personal Training

    - Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity

    ---------

    You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

    If you haven't already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

    To learn more about the Alloy Personal Training Franchise Opportunity, visit 👉 http://bit.ly/alloy_franchise

    30 min
  6. He Built a 7-Figure Gym Marketing Company from His Mom's Basement with JP Middleton

    Episode 331

    Show notes

    JP Middleton started his company out of his mom's basement at 21. No clients, no experience, and no idea what he was getting into. Eight years later, Gym Members Now is a seven-figure operation working with hundreds of fitness businesses, and JP just joined the Alloy vendor network.

    In this episode, Alloy founder Rick Mayo sits down with JP to find out what GMN actually does differently. The answer is not the ads. It is everything that happens before and after the ads that most marketing vendors completely ignore: activating dead leads in your existing database, answering missed calls with AI, chasing reviews and turning them into referrals, and following up with new leads within five minutes instead of the industry average of 42 hours.

    JP also breaks down the three things that genuinely set GMN apart, why word of mouth is still the only real proof that your business is working, and what he learned about fitness marketing from working inside chiropractic offices, med spas, and roofing companies.

    If you are an Alloy franchisee or an independent gym owner wondering why your marketing spend is not converting, this episode has your answer.

    Listen in to find out what a real lead-to-member system looks like.

    Key Takeaways:

    00:00 Your Fault or Our Problem?

    02:44 Mom's Basement to Seven Figures

    04:42 Why Gym Owners Hire the Wrong Help

    07:22 What Makes GMN Different

    08:56 Testing on Real Gyms Before Touching Yours

    12:04 Cross-Industry Intel from Chiropractors to Roofers

    12:46 From Marketing Agency to AI Agency

    13:44 98% Check Reviews. Only 9% Ask for Them.

    15:22 Mining Dead Leads Before Spending on Ads

    16:22 62% of Calls Go Unanswered

    17:00 The Harvard Study: Follow Up in 5 Minutes or Lose the Lead

    18:46 Two Camps: Blame the Owner or Handle It

    23:40 The One Thing Every New Business Owner Needs to Hear

    26:28 Shoutout to Andy Gundlach and How It All Came Full Circle

    28:08 Last Meal: Dairy Queen, Death Row, and Two Blizzards

    Additional Resources:

    - Alloy Personal Training

    - Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity

    ---------

    You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

    If you haven't already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

    To learn more about the Alloy Personal Training Franchise Opportunity, visit 👉 http://bit.ly/alloy_franchise

    #AlloyPersonalTrainingPodcast #FranchiseOwnership #BusinessLeadership

    31 min
  7. The Fractional CMO Advantage: Scaling Smarter with Erin Levzow

    Episode 330

    Show notes

    What does it look like to have a world-class CMO in your corner without the full-time price tag?

    In this episode, Alloy founder Rick Mayo sits down with Erin Levzow, CMO at CapitalSpring, to talk about the real value of fractional marketing leadership. Erin has held CMO roles at Wingstop, Freebirds, Museum of Ice Cream, and Marcus Hotels, and now works across the full CapitalSpring portfolio to help franchise brands build stronger marketing systems and better internal teams.

    She and Rick dig into how she mentors marketers inside growing companies, why most franchisees make the mistake of betting everything on one marketing channel, and what the faucet-and-bucket analogy tells you about why your spend is or is not working. They also talk about the human connection at the core of the Alloy model and why that matters more than ever in an AI-driven world.

    If you are building a franchise brand or trying to get more out of your marketing team, this episode is worth your time.

    Listen in to learn what great franchise marketing leadership actually looks like.

    Key Takeaways:

    00:00 There Is No Silver Bullet

    02:48 From Vegas Dead-Body Apartment to CMO

    05:00 Wingstop, Museum of Ice Cream and the Road to CapitalSpring

    07:32 Why CapitalSpring Recruited Erin onto Their Own Team

    09:26 What a Fractional CMO Actually Does Day to Day

    13:04 The Cyclical Relationship Between Franchisees and Customers

    16:42 Why Alloy Stood Out as a Marketing Story

    17:36 Mentoring Marketers Who Want to Do Everything Themselves

    21:06 The Faucet and Bucket: Why Dripping Does Not Work

    23:36 Do Not Get Drunk on Digital

    25:16 The Karaoke Question

    Additional Resources:

    - Alloy Personal Training

    - Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity

    ---------

    You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

    If you haven't already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

    To learn more about the Alloy Personal Training Franchise Opportunity, visit 👉 http://bit.ly/alloy_franchise

    27 min
  8. National Meets Local: Why Digital Marketing Works Better Together with Aren Johnstone

    Episode 329

    Show notes

    What happens when a franchisor and its franchisees are both running ads at the same time, targeting the same people?

    In this episode, Alloy founder Rick Mayo sits down with Aren Johnstone, CEO of Franchise Ramp, to talk about one of the most misunderstood problems in franchise marketing: duplicate spend. Aren breaks down why national and local budgets so often work against each other, what a properly divided marketing funnel actually looks like, and how Franchise Ramp built a system that makes every dollar, national and local, work harder.

    Aren also shares how he got his start buying an e-commerce business his senior year of high school, why he eventually left that world for franchising, and what Franchise Ramp's no-contract model says about where their confidence comes from.

    If you are an Alloy franchisee, a prospective owner, or just trying to understand where your brand fund actually goes, this episode gives you a clear answer.

    🎧 Listen in to learn how smart franchise marketing is supposed to work.

    Key Takeaways:

    Audio:

    00:00 Your Ads Are Competing Against Themselves

    02:30 From Figure Skating Moms to Franchise Marketing

    06:02 What Franchise Ramp Does and Who It Is For

    07:50 Why He Left E-Commerce for Franchising

    08:22 No Contracts. Ever.

    12:56 The Funnel Most Brands Get Wrong

    13:56 The Sandwich Strategy

    17:16 Geo-Targeted Campaigns Around Every Location

    19:02 How Agencies Hide Behind Branded Keywords

    24:06 The Franchisees Asking Questions Are the Best Ones

    Additional Resources:

    - Alloy Personal Training

    - Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity

    ---------

    You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

    If you haven't already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

    To learn more about the Alloy Personal Training Franchise Opportunity, visit 👉 http://bit.ly/alloy_franchise

    27 min
  9. Your Website Is Your Salesperson: Jimmy Weeks on Getting It Right

    Episode 328

    Show notes

    What's the difference between a website that looks great and one that actually brings in business?

    In this episode, Alloy founder Rick Mayo sits down with Jimmy Weeks, CEO of Internet Strategy Labs, to dig into what separates high-performing websites from digital dead ends. Jimmy has built nearly 700 websites over 25 years and built one of the first franchise analytics dashboards in the industry. He knows what works and more importantly, why.

    They cover how to design for different buyer personas, why time-on-site has dropped from three minutes to under one, how the back end of your site can quietly kill your marketing results, and why building for function before beauty is almost always the right call.

    If you run a franchise location or are evaluating the performance of your brand's web presence, this one is worth your time.

    🎧 Listen in to learn what your website might be costing you and how to fix it.

    Key Takeways:

    00:00 In 2012 You Had 3 Minutes. Now You Have 60 Seconds.

    05:28 How He Measured Every Lead from Click to Grand Opening

    08:12 What a PE Firm Found Wrong with Alloy's Website

    11:02 Why Your Website Is Quietly Killing Your Leads

    12:00 Stop Talking to Everyone. Design for Personas

    15:38 Your Google Business Profile Is a Goldmine You're Ignoring

    17:46 How to Use Facebook Forms to Pre-Qualify the Right Members

    22:22 Pretty vs. Functional: What 690 Websites Taught Us

    24:26 Why You Only Have 60 Seconds to Make Your Website Work

    27:54 The Attention Span Crisis and What It Means for Your Marketing

    31:00 Build It to Work First. Make It Pretty Second.

    Additional Resources:

    - Alloy Personal Training

    - Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity

    ---------

    You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

    If you haven't already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

    To learn more about the Alloy Personal Training Franchise Opportunity, visit 👉 http://bit.ly/alloy_franchise

    35 min
  10. How CapitalSpring Evaluates and Scales Franchise Brands with Bryan Dickenson

    Episode 327

    Show notes

    What does it really take to scale a fitness brand — and find the right investment partner to help you get there?

    In this episode, we sit down with Bryan Dickinson from CapitalSpring to discuss his path into franchise-focused private equity, what it takes to thrive in the industry, and what made Alloy Personal Training a standout investment opportunity. Bryan breaks down how CapitalSpring evaluates brands, why the franchisee experience is central to any smart franchisor investment, and how their growth-first partnership model helps founders scale with confidence.

    If you're a founder, franchisee, or fitness professional curious about what smart capital and the right partnership can do for a brand, this episode is worth your time.

    #AlloyPTFranchise #TeamAlloy #StrongerTogether #CapitalSpring #FranchiseGrowth #FitnessIndustry #PrivateEquity

    Key Takeways:

    1:20 - Bryan's background

    2:10 - Discovering consumer & moving to sector specialist at Capital Spring (2019)

    3:10 - Joining right before COVID

    4:00 - What it takes to succeed in PE

    7:10 - Closing on Christmas Eve — staying positive through the hard moments

    8:10 - About Capital Spring

    9:55 - Origins in food & bev franchising and expanding to gyms, car wash, pet, auto

    11:30 - What Capital Spring provides beyond capital

    13:00 - Portfolio stats — 280+ investments, 90+ brands, 7,000 brick-and-mortar locations

    13:20 - Why investing on both franchisor & franchisee sides gives unique perspective

    16:00 - Investment diligence — beyond the financials, what Capital Spring evaluates

    17:00 - Why Alloy stood out

    17:50 - Why strength training has staying power

    18:55 - Longevity trends, GLP-1 tailwinds, and the case for muscle mass

    20:05 - Alloy's franchising playbook

    22:15 - The importance of great management teams and trust in any partnership

    23:20 - Dispelling bad PE narratives — most founder-friendly firm, growth focus only

    26:15 - Capital Spring's mission

    Additional Resources:

    - Alloy Personal Training

    - Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity

    ---------

    You can find the podcast onApple,Google,Spotify,Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

    If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast onApple Podcasts!

    To learn more about the Alloy Personal Training Franchise Opportunity, visit 👉 http://bit.ly/alloy_franchise

    29 min
  11. Onward & Upward: Why We Partnered with CapitalSpring

    Episode 326

    Show notes

    How do you grow fast without losing what makes your business great?

    In this episode, we sit down to talk about bringing on a private equity partner, CapitalSpring, and what that really means for our franchisees and our team. We get into why we waited for the right partner, how they’re helping us scale faster, and why this is not just about money. It is about resources, accountability, and opening doors we couldn't open on our own.

    We also share what it is like to run 130+ franchises, the highs and lows of rapid growth, and how having the right support can make all the difference. 🎧 Tune in to hear what it is really like to scale a franchise, partner with investors the right way, and keep your team and your culture thriving while doing it.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Intro (00:00)
    • Big announcement (01:14)
    • Why we did it (09:30)
    • Our long-term plan (13:56)
    • Our experiences from the start (17:20)
    • Outro (20:17)

    Additional Resources:

    - Alloy Personal Training

    - Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity

    ---------

    You can find the podcast onApple,Google,Spotify,Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

    If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

    21 min
  12. What the Best Franchisees Do Differently with Tammi Brown

    Episode 325

    Show notes

    What actually separates great franchise owners from those who struggle?

    In this episode, Alloy founder Rick Mayo sits down with Tammi, a seasoned franchise business coach with experience across multiple national brands, to break down the real traits that drive long-term franchise success.

    They dig into why employee turnover is usually a leadership problem, how owner involvement directly impacts retention, and why “semi-absentee ownership” is often misunderstood, and overestimated.

    If you’re considering franchise ownership (or already in it), this conversation is a reality check on what it really takes to win.

    🎧 Listen in to learn whether you’re truly built for franchise ownership, and how to level up if you are.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Intro (00:00)
    • Why employee turnover is a leadership issue (12:40)
    • The danger of blaming systems instead of ownership (13:34)
    • Why owner involvement is non-negotiable (15:54)
    • The myth of semi-absentee ownership (16:12)
    • How retention starts with how you treat your team (19:14)
    • Following the playbook — and why consistency matters (20:05)
    • Final thoughts on leadership and accountability (28:25)

    Additional Resources:

    - Alloy Personal Training

    - Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity

    ---------

    You can find the podcast onApple,Google,Spotify,Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

    If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

    30 min
  13. The 5 Must-Do’s for Multi-Unit Franchise Success with John Farkas

    Episode 324

    Show notes

    Running one gym is hard. Running multiple is a whole different game. In this episode, Rick is joined by John Vargas, multi-unit Alloy franchise owner and president of the Franchise Advisory Council, who shares the 5 keys that helped him scale from one successful Alloy location to several top-performing locations.

    They talk about why everything starts with your people, how to lead without micromanaging, and the importance of clear goals and consistent communication.

    John also shares how he and his team stay focused by cutting out distractions, and why being an available leader is one of the most underrated success factors.

    John's approach is packed with real-world advice you can use right now. 🎧 Give this episode a listen and learn what it really takes to grow without losing control.

    Key Takeaways

    • Intro (00:00)
    • People first (02:01)
    • Set Clear goals (07:37)
    • Communicate relentlessly (16:35)
    • Remove the noise (25:19)
    • Be available (29:29)

    Additional Resources:

    - Alloy Personal Training

    - Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity

    ---------

    You can find the podcast onApple,Google,Spotify,Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

    If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

    43 min
  14. Entrepreneurship or Franchising: What’s the Right Fit for You?

    Episode 323

    Show notes

    So, you’re ready to dive into the fitness industry? First off, congrats. It’s an exciting world to be in. But now you’re at the ultimate fork in the road: do you build your own brand from the ground up, or do you buy into a franchise?

    In this episode, Jared Nassiff interviews Rick Mayo, founder of Alloy Personal Training, to explore this topic through Rick’s journey from independent gym owner to franchise owner.

    Rick shares how he bootstrapped his first fitness business in 1992, scaled it through white-label licensing, and eventually launched Alloy as a franchise with 400 awarded locations and growing.

    He breaks down the real differences between starting a business from scratch and joining a franchise, from risk and scalability to royalties and emotional grit.

    💬 Curious which path is right for you? Listen now.

    Key Takeaways

    Intro (00:00)

    Mindset differences between entrepreneurs and franchisees (05:28)

    Advantages and disadvantages of independent businesses (09:36)

    Building a successful franchise (17:11)

    Final thoughts and advice (25:43)

    Additional Resources:

    - Alloy Personal Training

    - Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity

    ---------

    You can find the podcast onApple,Google,Spotify,Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

    If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast onApple Podcasts!

    32 min
  15. The Truth About Fitness Franchising No One Tells You

    Episode 322

    Show notes

    In this episode, Rick Mayo shares his journey from a college side hustle to building one of the most respected personal training franchise brands in the country.

    Starting in 1992 with a single location, Rick revolutionized small group personal training and scaled globally before launching Alloy as a full franchise in 2019.

    He opens up about the challenges of transitioning from licensing to franchising, how leadership and data drive success, and the critical role strength training plays in adult longevity and well-being.

    He also talks about franchise scalability, team-building, and the rising demand for strength-based fitness as a counterbalance to aging and modern stress. Tune in!

    Key Takeaways

    Intro (00:00)

    Transition to small group training (04:53)

    Scaling and licensing (11:28)

    Franchising and global expansion (13:22)

    Impact of Alloy Personal Training (29:11)

    How Rick stays grounded while scaling rapidly (39:46)

    Additional Resources:

    - Alloy Personal Training

    - Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity

    ---------

    You can find the podcast onApple,Google,Spotify,Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

    If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast onApple Podcasts!

    53 min
  16. Scaling Strong: Nick Garrity on Multi-Unit Mastery

    Episode 321

    Show notes

    In this episode, Rick sits down with the number one facility operator and multiunit Alloy franchisee, Nick Garrity, to discuss his secrets to successfully scaling to multiple facilities.

    With a deep entrepreneurial background in stretching studios, saunas, and golf performance, Nick explains why consistency, trust, and communication are the real currency of successful fitness operations.

    He dives into the systems he uses to keep staff engaged (including profit sharing), how he evaluates struggling locations for turnaround, and what franchisees need to know about absentee vs. active ownership.

    Nick shows how small, repeatable actions create massive compounding success.

    If you’re building or scaling a fitness business, this episode is your playbook.

    🎧 Tune in!

    Key Takeaways

    Intro (00:00)

    Nick's background and journey (02:05)

    Transition to Alloy and franchising (03:22)

    Alloy franchise and business strategy (05:41)

    Keys to success in multi-unit ownership (08:33)

    Challenges and opportunities in franchise management (22:54)

    Impact on clients and community (27:40)

    Future goals and vision (28:45)

    Additional Resources:

    - Alloy Personal Training

    - Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity

    ---------

    You can find the podcast onApple,Google,Spotify,Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

    If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast onApple Podcasts!

    31 min
  17. Elevating the Franchise Experience Through Communication w/ Rosheika Strachan

    Episode 320

    Show notes

    In this episode, Rick Mayo introduces Alloy's very own Rosheika Strachan, the team’s new internal communications lead.

    With a background in journalism, public relations, and sports management, Rosheika brings a wealth of expertise in shaping internal communications.

    Her mission is to make sure Alloy’s franchisees have all the resources they need, and they know how to use them, when to use them, and why they matter.

    Rick and Rosheika also discuss how data can inform communication strategy and the role of storytelling in building engagement.

    🎧 Hit play and get the inside scoop on how Rosheika is driving the Alloy internal communications strategy.

    Key Takeaways

    Intro (00:00)

    Rosheika's role and background (02:13)

    Challenges and strategies in internal communication (05:21)

    Importance of consistent and effective communication (10:24)

    Measuring success and future goals (14:26)

    Cultural exchange: traditional Jamaican dishes (17:54)

    Additional Resources:

    - Alloy Personal Training

    - Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity

    ---------

    You can find the podcast onApple,Google,Spotify,Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

    If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast onApple Podcasts!

    21 min
  18. Scripts Don’t Sell. Conversations Do

    Episode 319

    Show notes

    In this episode, Matt explains the "dos and don'ts" of phone sales. They discuss the uncomfortable world of phone sales and turn it into something approachable and even enjoyable for gym owners and fitness professionals.

    Matt brings tactics from the field, while Rick offers frameworks that turn conversations into conversions. They discuss how to handle price objections and why you should never sell the braces but always sell the smile.

    You’ll also hear about common phone pitfalls and why enthusiasm and conviction matter more than fancy scripts.

    Don’t miss this one if you want to turn more leads into clients and change more lives in the process. Tune in now!

    Key Takeaways

    Intro (00:00)

    Thanksgiving greetings and dad jokes (00:36)

    The importance of understanding customer needs (01:27)

    Common sales mistakes and solutions (04:34)

    Controlling the conversation and handling objections (11:28)

    Building rapport and staying on-topic (14:41)

    Uncovering customer problems and pain points (17:30)

    Presenting solutions and taking action (22:56)

    Maintaining enthusiasm and professionalism (27:54)

    Final thoughts and encouragement (29:19)

    Additional Resources:

    - Alloy Personal Training

    - Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity

    ---------

    You can find the podcast onApple,Google,Spotify,Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

    If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast onApple Podcasts!

    30 min
  19. Over 3 Decades Later: I Almost Missed It

    Episode 318

    Show notes

    In this milestone episode, Rick Mayo and Matt Helland reflect on 34 years in business, diving into the deep waters of growth, leadership, and transformation.

    Rick and Matt explain why franchising is an entirely different beast from running a gym and how most people don’t realize that jumping into franchising means starting a brand-new business.

    They discuss how leadership requires evolving your identity, killing the “old you,” and embracing the discomfort of growth. They also share their own struggles with letting go, the importance of staying teachable, and why consistency trumps motivation every time.

    This episode is a must-listen for anyone trying to scale their business with integrity.

    🎧 Tune in to hear why franchising isn’t what you think—and how to thrive when everything changes.

    Key Takeaways

    Intro (00:00)

    Every business is a brand-new business (02:48)

    Franchising is not the same as gym ownership (05:33)

    Be teachable and seek outside help (07:26)

    Audit your tech stack regularly (10:36)

    “What got you here won’t get you there” (12:14)

    Letting go of old identity is hard but necessary (17:28)

    Franchisees borrow Alloy’s business model and mindset (22:43)

    99% of your problems are your own doing (28:24)

    Consistency beats motivation (36:35)

    Don’t hire based on potential—hire for now (38:33)

    Additional Resources:

    - Alloy Personal Training

    - Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity

    ---------

    You can find the podcast onApple,Google,Spotify,Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

    If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast onApple Podcasts!

    44 min
  20. Powered by People: How FIBR Is Helping Alloy Recruit Top Fitness Talent

    Episode 317

    Show notes

    One of the biggest challenges in running a fitness business is finding and retaining top talent. It’s a persistent problem that many gym owners and fitness franchisees grapple with.

    In this episode, Rick speaks with William Coker, president of FIBR, a fitness talent recruiting firm. FIBR is a new addition to the Alloy vendor suite, and we are excited about the alignment.

    William brings years of industry experience, having worked in leadership roles at 24 Hour Fitness and Crunch, where he oversaw personal training, education, and recruitment.

    FIBR has revolutionized recruitment with its massive database of over 5 million fitness professionals who are sourced from industry certifications, colleges, and even military programs.

    By using this proprietary database, FIBR offers an innovative solution that bypasses traditional job boards, offering lower costs and a more effective hiring process for fitness operators.

    Rick and William also discuss strategies for attracting and retaining Gen Z talent, who prefer fast hiring and slow training. And also leadership and compensation tactics that can help retain your team long-term.

    Tune in now to learn how FIBR can transform your recruitment strategy.

    Key Takeaways

    Intro (00:00)

    William Coker's background in fitness leadership (02:34)

    Introduction to FIBR and its unique approach (06:12)

    The importance of proactive recruitment over passive job ads (09:58)

    How FIBR’s proprietary database helps employers find candidates (14:38)

    Strategies to attract and retain Gen Z talent (17:07)

    The shift from transactional to relational leadership for retention (23:46)

    Importance of updating compensation and incentive structures (26:53)

    The value of building relationships with employees for long-term success (30:02)

    How to contact William Coker and FIBR (33:27)

    Additional Resources:

    FIBR: https://fibr.fit/

    William Coker’s email: william@fibr.fit

    —

    - Alloy Personal Training

    - Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity

    ---------

    You can find the podcast onApple,Google,Spotify,Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

    If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast onApple Podcasts!

    34 min

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