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Escape Your Limits & LIFTS

Escape Your Limits & LIFTS

Written by: Matthew Januszek
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 ESCAPE YOUR LIMITS: Inside the minds of fitness industry influencers. Find out what drives, fuels and motivates the leaders in health and fitness. Each episode of Escape Your Limits reveals the mental, physical and emotional ingredients involved in standing out above everybody else. Discover why successful people keep going when most people stop, and what keeps them going day after day. It's not about shortcuts for dreamers; these people prove that constant hard work fueled by the right frame of mind is what makes dreams a reality. Join Matthew Januszek, co-founder of Escape Fitness, as he delves into the mindset of leadership and success. LIFTS: Every week, our intrepid hosts Matthew Januszek of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal of SweatWorks will discuss the breaking fitness industry news, providing their own perspective on the headlines whilst provoking thoughts and conversations. All delivered in a quick-fix, approximately 30-minute podcast. Economics Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • LIFTS Episode 108 - Moving from Analysis to Intervention with Debra Strougo

    LIFTS Episode 108 - Moving from Analysis to Intervention with Debra Strougo
    Jan 25 2026

    Welcome to the latest episode of LIFTS, your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories.

    In this episode, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal are joined by industry strategist and returning guest Debra Strougo, Founder of Row House and CEO of Fitizens to explore how the wellness consumer is everywhere and what that means for the future of fitness.

    Drawing on insights from CES in Las Vegas, global industry conversations, and real-world operator experience, this episode discusses AI, Pilates, and large-scale operators like 24 Hour Fitness.

    As wellness becomes a primary driver of consumer behaviour, the discussion looks at how:

    • AI is evolving from analysis to intervention
    • Pilates continues to grow as a cornerstone of wellness and longevity
    • Mark Mastrov's return to 24 Hour Fitness reflects broader shifts around scale, access, and relevance in the market

    This conversation moves beyond hype and trends to focus on what fitness operators, brands, and leaders should actually be paying attention to as the industry continues to evolve.

    In this episode, we cover:

    • The rise of the wellness consumer across fitness, health, and lifestyle
    • How AI is shifting from tracking and data to real-world intervention
    • Why Pilates aligns so closely with longevity, wellness, and behaviour change
    • What 24 Hour Fitness' next chapter tells us about big-box fitness
    • Key takeaways from CES and recent industry events
    • Why fundamentals still matter more than ever in a changing market

    👉To learn more about Debra Strougo, click here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debrastrougo/

    👉 To learn more about our sponsor, EGYM, click here: https://bit.ly/3JzsosR

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    Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes.
    Contact us at wendy@liftspodcast.com for advertising opportunities.

    Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new video when it's published:
    https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness

    Shop gym equipment:
    https://escapefitness.com/shop

    View our full catalog:
    https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog (US)
    https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue (UK)

    ======================================================

    Join the conversation at LIFTS LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftspod

    00:00 Introduction
    02:15 The wellness consumer is everywhere
    08:30 AI moves from analysis to intervention
    19:40 Pilates, longevity, and wellness-driven demand
    31:10 CES insights and industry context
    43:00 24 Hour Fitness and the role of scale
    56:30 What matters most moving forward
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    47 mins
  • LIFTS Episode 107 - Los Angeles Pilates Journal Expo 2026 Part 1 of 2: Inclusivity, Innovation & What Comes Next

    LIFTS Episode 107 - Los Angeles Pilates Journal Expo 2026 Part 1 of 2: Inclusivity, Innovation & What Comes Next
    Jan 18 2026
    Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S, your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories. Recorded live at the Los Angeles Pilates Journal Expo 2026, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with four of the most influential voices shaping the future of Pilates and boutique fitness. In this special multi-guest, in-person episode, we explore how Pilates is evolving, from inclusivity and accessibility to safety, innovation, equipment, and long-term industry growth. With Pilates experiencing a global boom, these leaders unpack what's working, what's broken, and where the method is truly headed next. Featured Guests: Khetanya Henderson | Founder of KKRU Pilates Studio & Wellness, discussing inclusivity, accessibility, and trauma-informed teaching.Maria Leone | Owner of Bodyline Pilates, master instructor, and expert witness on Pilates safety and equipment use.Andrea Speir | Celebrity Pilates trainer and founder of Speir Pilates, on contemporary Pilates, strength training, and market saturation.Cie'Jai Zarb | Founder & Editor-in-Chief of The Pilates Journal, sharing insights on industry growth, community building, and the future of Pilates education. Together, they break down the real conversations happening inside the Pilates industry: far beyond Instagram trends and explain why Pilates remains one of the most powerful modalities for longevity, performance, and mindful movement. In this episode, we cover: What inclusivity in Pilates really means (beyond buzzwords)Classical vs contemporary Pilates: what's the difference?Why safety, education, and equipment knowledge matter more than everThe impact of influencers, algorithms, and social media on fitness programmingPilates, strength training, aging, and long-term performanceMarket saturation, studio retention, and what comes next for boutique fitnessHow Pilates continues to evolve while honoring its foundations 👉 To learn more about The Pilates Journal, click here: https://pilatesjournal.com/ 👉 To learn more about our sponsor, EGYM, click here: https://bit.ly/3JzsosR Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes. Contact us at wendy@escapefitness.com for advertising opportunities. Subscribe on YouTube and turn on notifications so you never miss a new video: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness 🛒 Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop 📘 View our full catalog: US – https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog UK – https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue Follow Escape Fitness on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Escapefitness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapefitness Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/escapefitness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/escapefitness/ 00:00 Opening & Pilates Journal Expo Introduction 01:00 Khetanya Henderson on Inclusivity in Pilates 06:30 Why Pilates Matters for Men & Longevity 15:00 Maria Leone's Journey & Pilates Evolution 21:00 Contrology, Safety & Industry Responsibility 33:30 Technology, Equipment & Digital Pilates 41:00 Andrea Speir on Contemporary Pilates 47:30 Market Saturation & Studio Survival 59:00 Cie'Jai Zarb on the Future of Pilates 1:10:00 Where Pilates Is Headed Next
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    1 hr and 17 mins
  • LIFTS Episode 106 - How YouTube Is Reshaping the Fitness Industry with David Sherman-Presser

    LIFTS Episode 106 - How YouTube Is Reshaping the Fitness Industry with David Sherman-Presser
    Jan 11 2026

    Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S, your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories.

    In this episode, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with David Sherman-Presser to unpack why the fitness industry is rapidly becoming a media business, and what that means for gym owners, operators, and brands trying to stay relevant in a creator-driven economy.

    They explore how attention, trust, and audience ownership are now just as important as equipment and square footage, why gyms are increasingly competing with creators rather than other gyms, and how platforms like YouTube are reshaping how fitness businesses are discovered, validated, and scaled.

    From validating gym concepts online before investing millions, to understanding how long-form content builds trust at scale, this conversation breaks down what it really takes to build a modern fitness brand in 2026 and beyond.

    In this episode, you'll learn:

    • Why gyms are becoming media companies.
    • How creators are changing the competitive landscape for fitness businesses.
    • Why YouTube is a critical platform for trust and discovery.
    • How gym owners can validate concepts digitally before scaling.
    • The role of long-form content in building audience and authority.

    👉 To learn more about Structure Creation, click here:

    https://structurecreation.com/

    Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes.
    Contact us at wendy@escapefitness.com for advertising opportunities.

    Subscribe on YouTube and turn on notifications so you never miss a new video:
    https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness

    🛒 Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop
    📘 View our full catalog:
    US – https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog
    UK – https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue

    Follow Escape Fitness on social media:
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Escapefitness
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapefitness
    Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/escapefitness
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/escapefitness/

    0:00 Welcome to LIFTS

    1:10 Why Fitness Is Becoming a Media Business

    3:09 Trust, Attention, and Audience Data

    5:17 Why YouTube Dominates Fitness Content

    10:16 YouTube vs TikTok Explained

    14:17 Gyms vs Creators

    19:20 Complementing Physical Gyms With Digital Media

    25:00 Validating Fitness Concepts Online

    31:09 YouTube Strategies by Gym Size

    37:18 Building Repeatable Content Formats

    44:34 Key YouTube Takeaways

    53:59 Final Thoughts
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    58 mins
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