Today we're joined by Beth Potter and Peter Pastijn, industry veterans in the HALO sector and two top players at Studio Grow, one of Integrity Square's strategic partners who provide top notch, in-the-trenches coaching for boutique studio owners worldwide. Beth and Peter draw parallels between Studio Grow and the role of a regional director, highli…

Greta Wagner is a seasoned fitness industry veteran with over four decades of experience in the HALO (Health, Active Lifestyle, Outdoor) space. A current Board Member of the Health & Fitness Assocation (formerly IHRSA), and Executive Director of Chelsea Piers, her journey began at the age of 16, when she started teaching what used to be called "aer…

We're excited to bring back Lauren Foundos, founder of FORTE. Join her in a deep dive into the dynamic world of virtual fitness and digital engagement. Lauren transitioned her company through the intense periods of the pandemic by focusing on survival and being nimble. As the world shifted towards hybrid work post-pandemic (particularly with many N…

In today's episode host Pete Moore talks with Mauro Frota, the innovative mind behind BHOUT-a company that's revolutionizing the exer-gaming industry by merging gaming and boxing into an immersive, competitive experience. Mauro takes us through the unique premise of his company, which offers a trifecta of modes: learning, playing for clubs, and pur…

Joe Cannato, a dedicated coach and fitness veteran, started an ambitious journey in Fairfield, Connecticut, where he initiated a youth sports program. Despite his initial hustle, the program didn’t achieve the growth he was hoping for, compelling him to start again from scratch. Joe talks about this, his beginnings from studying nutrition and diete…

Nancy Trent, inspired by her father's early dedication to health, cultivated a lifelong passion for wellness. Recognizing a gap in the market 30 years ago, when wellness was an unfamiliar concept and healthy products were met with skepticism, she pioneered the first wellness public relations (PR) firm. Trent's innovative vision and relentless effor…

Ania Wysocka experienced her first panic attack during university which subsequently set off a spiral of fear and negative changes in her life. Initially not understanding what was happening made the situation extremely challenging. This frustration fueled her determination to find a solution. After learning about some tools to help heal and manage…

Brynn Scarborough, CEO of JK Products, has been instrumental in revolutionizing the recovery space through her innovative approach and forward-thinking vision. With over 40 years of experience in the tanning and sunshine sector, Scarborough's company expanded its focus about five to six years ago to include stackable amenities in recovery and welln…

In this episode, host Pete Moore sits down with Tessa Arnold, a former banker turned wellness entrepreneur, HALO evangelist, and Co-Founder of Snapback Energy. She shares her journey from a 12-year career in commercial banking into the entrepreneurial space. She dives deep into the challenges and triumphs of transitioning industries, the importance…

Larry Blundred found solace and a new passion through an unexpected yet heartwarming intervention by friends. In the wake of his wife's passing due to a brain tumor, Larry was navigating a tumultuous period, balancing the demands of his job and his role as a caretaker. Amidst all this, he was introduced to pickleball by two friends. Initially unfam…

Barbara Safani began her career in human resources with a specialization in recruiting candidates. Her career took a transformative turn when she found herself searching for new opportunities and ended up having to revamp her own professional narrative. This provided her with valuable insights into the many challenges job seekers face. Motivated by…

James McGinniss is the Co-Founder and CEO of David Energy, a technology-enabled electricity provider that caters primarily to multi-location businesses, quick-serve restaurants, and fitness brands, with a special emphasis on the latter. A mechanical engineering Master's graduate from the University of Texas, James was drawn to the renewable energy …

In today's special episode (big #500!) host Pete Moore hands the mic to industry veteran Al Noshirvani and dives into a wealth of topics currently affecting the HALO (Health, Active Lifestyle, Outdoor) sector. Listen for insightful stories about overcoming business challenges, from employee and landlord issues to the complexities of deal funding, a…

Ryan Valencic, an accomplished entrepreneur with a 12+ years in the trenches, has built and successfully exited multiple businesses. With a family background in franchising, Ryan continues to hone his skills as a serial entrepreneur, currently overseeing multiple companies. He is in the midst of launching an innovative health tech platform and abou…

We're excited to welcome back Kevin McHugh, a legend in the HALO sector and a key player in helping reinvent the Atlantic Club. (Check out his first episode here if you missed it.) Host Pete Moore sits down with Kevin and delves into how the Atlantic Club took the challenging COVID-19 shutdown as an opportunity to completely rethink and transform t…

Sara Al Hardan's journey into the fit tech industry began unexpectedly when she joined a small startup that unfortunately didn't succeed. This eventually led her to connect with Jeff Miller who shared with her an innovative lateral motion device called the Phantom Edge, which he and his brother Ken invented. With a strong background and passion for…

Neal Valera's passion for golf began in college, where he competed at the collegiate level. Aspiring to turn pro, he realized he wasn't quite at that level. Unwilling to settle for a "traditional desk job," he began personal training in 2007. His entreprenurial spirit led him to collaborate with his business partner, Dennis Dunphy, in 2015. Togethe…

Dan Schreiber is a dedicated fitness enthusiast and a former athlete who enjoys the simplicity and effectiveness of outdoor exercises. With a philosophy rooted in maximizing training efficiency, Dan appreciates workouts that integrate both strength and conditioning without the confines of traditional gym settings. Embracing the freedom of outdoor a…

Sandra Statz is a seasoned veteran in the beauty industry and the inspiration behind the innovative beauty brand, AP Chem. With a focus on the often overlooked Gen X market, Sandra brings a wealth of experience from her days at major beauty conglomerates. In this episode we'll dive into the origins of AP Chem, discussing the unique approach Sandra …

We're excited to have Blake Rose and Brian Price from OLA Beach Tennis on the episode. These childhood friends-turned-entrepreneurs share their journey of bringing the vibrant and accessible sport of beach tennis from Rio's shores to the sands of Southern California. Learn how they transformed a fun discovery abroad into a flourishing community-bui…

Nick Allen is the visionary Founder behind Sunnyside, a pioneering health and wellness app designed for individuals who consume alcohol regularly and are looking to moderate their habits without committing to complete sobriety. Motivated by the lack of middle-ground solutions in the alcohol health space, Nick identified a substantial demographic of…

Delaine Fowler is an innovative physical therapist with over 20 years experience. Early in her career, she noted a recurring pattern; numerous workers from the same company were suffering identical injuries. Driven by curiosity and a proactive mindset, she started reaching out to these companies, offering to tour their facilities to attempt to unde…

Alexa Newkirk has always seen wellness and fitness as her sanctuary—a vital outlet from the everyday challenges of adolescence and an effective tool in her battle against anxiety and depression during high school. Recognizing the profound impact that holistic health—encompassing physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being—had on her life, Al…

Henry Penix is an innovative entrepreneur in the holistic health industry who embarked on a transformative journey about eight years ago when he co-founded a unique clinic. This space was a melting pot of traditional and alternative medicines, featuring professionals ranging from MD's and DO's to chiropractors, offering a diverse array of healing m…

Radz Zalewski, an astute entrepreneur with a passion for fitness and branding, is all about transforming how gyms create and maintain their connections with members. Recognizing the pivotal role that supplements and apparel play in establishing a gym's identity, he holds a firm belief that every individual wearing a gym’s shirt not only promotes th…

Lauren Brenner is the innovative mind behind the groundbreaking fitness concept, Powerbox 360—a fusion of an immersive nightlife energy vibe with a killer workout. Brenner's concept transports participants into a 360 degree panorama of pulsating visuals and heart-pounding beats reminiscent of an electrifying club environment. Her vision extends bey…

Matt Slowinski, a college junior when the pandemic struck, found himself at a crossroads along with his friend Aaron Reznik. With their academic lives interrupted and traditional internships inaccessible, Matt turned to his long-standing passion for tennis as a way to fill his time. For years, he and Aaron had coached private tennis lessons during …

Maxine Carrington is the Chief People Officer at Northwell Health. She's a highly recognized, dedicated, and forward-thinking professional who works closely with a team led by CEO Michael Dowling. Reflecting her company's expansive vision of health, she takes her role far beyond the traditional confines of her industry. Maxine is not one to simply …

Chris Craytor's journey with IHRSA, now formally known as the Health and Fitness Association, is a story of transformation and strategic development. When Craytor first joined the board, he was immediately faced with the challenge of fundraising for advocacy—a task that was met with more rejections than approvals. Despite the difficulty in securing…

Monica Marder, a dynamic entrepreneur with a penchant for wellness innovation, embarked on a transformative journey in 2018 when she founded her first fitness studio. Struggling to find a workout regimen that was both low impact and incorporated functional strength training, but distinctly different from traditional Pilates, Monica envisioned an al…

Ethan Blauner's story begins in the tumultuous period of the pandemic when the doors of the (unfortunately now defunct) Switch Playground--like many big box and boutique gyms across the globe--shuttered and left trainers wandering in an uncertain fitness landscape. As routines crumbled, Ethan faced the challenge that rattled the entire industry . .…

Sid Raman is a structural engineer with over three decades of experience in the construction and building sector. His expertise took an innovative turn roughly seven years ago, as he delved into the niche of construction automation and robotics. Sid discovered a new-found excitement in the application of motors and controllers, and the fascinating …

Matthew Schober is the Co-Founder of Concierge Health (previously known as Gym Farm), a company that provides services to fitness facilities. Host Pete Moore and Matt discuss ancillary revenues, establishing new revenue streams for clubs, and the complex challenges and opportunities in the insurance and corporate markets. Matthew elaborates on how …

Will Coker emerged as an innovative thinker in the realm of club operations, a field where he's spent 24 years honing his expertise. His journey into entrepreneurship began when the seeds of an idea took root along with his Co-Founders, who held influential positions on advisory councils and boards across various other HALO-sector companies. Coker'…

Jim Ludwig, an enthusiastic former tennis player, has been the linchpin for the pickleball community in Naples since 2010. His journey with the sport began at a small country club where he recognized the game's potential for growth, particularly among the senior demographic. Sensing the need for more space, Jim's vision led him to a nearby park, wh…

Rina Raphael is a highly regarded, well-established writer and journalist who has covered a wide range of topics in the HALO sector from fitness and nutrition to biohacking and even strology startups! She currently has a highly regarded newsletter on substack called Well to Do, and in 2016 she authored the Gospel of Wellness which deep-dives into t…

In this episode, host Pete Moore sits down with long-time friend and former classmate Brian Paris to discuss a wide range of topics related to coaching, wellness, and personal development. Brian shares insights into his approach to coaching, emphasizing the importance of a holistic lifestyle, positive psychology, and the impact of habits and mindse…

Christine Howe has dedicated her entire career to staffing and recruiting in the HALO (Health, Active Lifestyle, Outdoors) industry for over 12 years. She recently ventured out on her own and started Fit Pro Finders, a staffing service catering specifically to the HALO space. She and her team work with a wide range of companies, from small to mid-s…

Dr. Kenneth Cooper (often referred to as the "Father of Aerobics") has been one of the seminal pioneers in the field of preventive medicine for over five decades. Despite tremendous skepticism from the medical community at large initially, he founded the Cooper Clinic in Dallas in December, 1970 with the belief that taking care of healthy individua…

Prime Hall served in the Marines from 2005 to 2017, with his initial deployment being in the infantry for the first four years. He later transitioned to becoming a water survival instructor, where he drew on principles of military water survival for the basis of his programming. Hall relays the story of an individual who survived for 20 hours in th…

Dave Cantor is a 20+ industry veteran in the natural food space. His journey began in the Midwest, where he developed a passion for food, sustainability, and gardening during his college years. After honing his cooking skills and pursuing his interests in farming, Dave eventually ended up running his own organic farm in New Mexico. He later further…

Lee is an entrepreneur originally from Michigan who, at 24, made a bold move to Costa Mesa, California in 2010 where he headed up the development of perhaps the first infrared studio in the country. He transformed the fledgling studio, implementing a membership model, and elevating the experience for customers. This marked the beginning of Perspire…

Former currency trader Dom D'Alexander found himself unexpectedly drawn to a passion project that would substantially alter his career trajectory. Selling currencies to hedge funds was intellectually stimulating but something he lacked any real passion for. His hobbies were always focused on his own well-being, leading him to delve into something c…

In this episode, host Pete Moore is joined by Josh Bonhotal from TXV Partners. Josh shares his wealth of experience in player performance and training, from his time with the Chicago Bulls to his role at Purdue's men's basketball program. They dive into venture investing, discussing portfolio construction and risk management. As well as discuss the…

Zvi Goffer is a former finance executive and father who was inspired to take action when planting the seeds of college education in the minds of his two kids. His idea for Campus VR took root when he brought his kids to his alma mater, a state school in New York . . . which unfortunately didn't do a good job representing themselves on their website…

In this episode, Pete talks with Dixie Grace, a former planning engineer turned entrepreneur who has "brought back" the boiled peanut (a long time classic Southern snack) to the Northeast, an area where they're notoriously difficult to find . . . but not anymore! Raised by a single parent, she comes from a family of entrepreneurs, with her grandmot…

In this episode of HALO Talks, host Pete Moore is joined by Director of Education, Jeremy Strom, from Reaxing International. Jeremy shares insights into the Reaxing system, a game-changing, neuroscience-based program designed to train for unpredictability and enhance overall movement and response time. He discusses the company's innovative products…

Host Pete Moore welcomes Josh Forkner, a prominent figure in the CBD space. Josh shares insights into his company's operations, including their innovative approach to product development, strategic partnerships, and the challenges they've faced in the market. Pete and Josh dive into the unique selling points of CBD products, the potential for growt…

In this episode, host Pete Moore sits down with serial entrepreneur Todd Abrams, the Co-Founder and CEO of ICON Meals. Todd shares his journey from starting his entrepreneurial ventures in the software industry to his passion project based in Texas, ICON Meals, which focuses on providing convenient and healthy food options. Throughout the conversat…

In this episode, host Pete Moore dives deep into the VC (venture capital) world with Kiva Dickinson, Founder of Selva Ventures. Kiva began his career in investment banking before joining TPG. He received top-notch training there and developed a keen interest in the dynamics of the consumer world, particularly in ecommerce and health and wellness. H…