If your body and mind are the engine of your leadership, what fuel are you putting into it? In this episode of The Fitness Business Podcast, Justin Tamsett sits down with Heather Wise Soubra, founder and CEO of Wiser Way Coaching and Director of the George Washington Leadership Institute at Mount Vernon. Heather shares powerful, practical insights on self-leadership—exploring how clarity, presence, values, habits, and alignment shape not just how we lead others, but how we lead ourselves first.
This conversation is especially relevant for fitness business owners and leaders navigating pressure, chaos, and constant decision-making. Heather offers grounded strategies for responding instead of reacting, setting boundaries with integrity, and building daily practices that support sustainable leadership performance.
Key highlights from the episode:
✔ Why self-leadership is the foundation of effective leadership
✔ How to build the “well” so you’re resourced before pressure hits
✔ The importance of identifying and living by your personal leadership values
✔ How morning routines shape decision-making, communication, and energy
✔ Practical tools for boundary setting without guilt or conflict
✔ Why alignment—not hustle—is the key to long-term leadership impact
Curious about the future host of Fitness Business Podcast? That's Zoe, the host JT's daughter!
Got value from today’s episode?
✔ Leave us a review on your favorite podcast app
✔ Send us a voicemail at fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/leaveusavoicemail
✔ Share this episode with a colleague who wants to build a stronger team
Ready for more:
✔ Become an FBP Insider and get 7 days FREE to start! Learn more on Patreon: https://patreon.com/FitnessBusinessPodcast
✔ Our FREE LIVE online events created specifically for fitness business owners, managers, and coaches who want to sharpen their skills and grow their business - Learn More: https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/onlineevents
✔ Call in and let JT know if you think this has been the best season: https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/leave-us-a-voicemail/
✔ Leave a rating on Spotify or Apple Podcasts: https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/review/
Resources:
✔ Become an FBP Insider on Patreon: https://patreon.com/FitnessBusinessPodcast
✔ Fitness Business Podcast’s LinkedIn Community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9878228/
✔ Mystery Shopping for Fitness Businesses: https://mysteryshoppingforfitnessbusinesses.com.au/
Recommended Books:
✔ Walk the Talk by Carolyn Taylor
✔ The 4‑Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss
✔ The Way of Integrity by Martha Beck
✔ PDF of Brene Brown’s value exercises - https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/prod/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/22_0120-Values-Document-BBbrandedUU.pdf
Our Guest:
Heather Wiser Soubra, Founder, Wiser Way Coaching and Director, George Washington Leadership Institute, Leadership Coach and Executive Facilitator
✔ Website: https://wiserwaycoaching.com/
✔ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherwisersoubra/
✔ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathersoubra/
Merch Sponsor:
Mystery Shopping for Fitness Businesses (Australia exclusive)
Be a Merch Sponsor - https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/merch/
REX Roundtables:
Website: www.REXRoundtables.com
Email: Eddie@REXRoundtables.com
A heartfelt thank you to the partners who support The Fitness Business Podcast:
✔ BeBalanced Centers: Provides natural hormone balancing for weight loss and symptom relief. https://www.bebalancedcenters.com/
✔ Instinctive Insights: Provides profit-driven marketing and data science services to increase customer acquisition. https://www.instinctiveinsights.com/
✔ Eleiko: Manufactures and sells premium strength and weightlifting equipment. https://eleiko.com/en-us
✔ NetGym: Provides automated staff operations and sub-request management for fitness studios. https://www.netgym.com
✔ EGYM: Provides smart, connected fitness technology and equipment for gyms. https://egym.com/us
About Our Guest: Heather Wiser Soubra is Founder and CEO of Wiser Way Coaching and Director of The George Washington Leadership Institute at Mount Vernon. An ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC), she empowers leaders and teams to reach their fullest potential by tapping into inner wisdom and building on strengths. Previously Senior Vice President at the International Dairy Foods Association, Heather holds degrees from George Mason University in intercultural communication and coaching, plus an Executive Certificate in Facilitation from Georgetown University.
About Your Host: Justin "JT" Tamsett is a fitness industry veteran with over 30 years of experience who aims to reduce global healthcare costs by promoting physical activity. Through his company Active Management, he provides business coaching to fitness entrepreneurs, leads 8 REX Roundtables in the US and Australia, and has spoken at over 40 conferences across 23 countries. His ultimate goal is to create a world of opportunity for his daughter Zoe by helping more people move and stay healthy, while empowering gym owners to build successful businesses that contribute to a healthier society
Please note: We only recommend products we care about (affiliate links support our free content). Thank you for your support!
Hiring the right people can make or break your fitness business. One great hire can elevate culture, performance, and profitability — while one poor hire can drain time, money, and momentum. In this episode, Justin “JT” Tamsett sits down with Christine Howe, founder of Fit Pro Finders and one of the most experienced recruiters in the global fitness industry, to unpack what it really takes to find, interview, and retain top talent today.
From AI in recruitment to interviewing techniques, compensation strategy, onboarding, and resume red flags, Christine shares practical, experience-driven insights that every owner, manager, and leader can apply immediately. If recruitment feels overwhelming, inconsistent, or time-consuming, this episode will change how you approach hiring — forever.
Key highlights from the episode:
✔ How to spot the right candidates faster: Christine explains the three interview questions she always asks to assess passion, preparedness, and long-term fit — and why video interviews are now non-negotiable.
✔ Why recruitment is only 50% of a successful hire: Learn how onboarding, leadership, and coaching determine whether great candidates thrive or fail after they’re hired.
✔ What owners get wrong about resumes, compensation, and culture: From salary benchmarking to resume metrics and social media red flags, Christine breaks down what truly matters when choosing between top candidates.
Curious about the future host of Fitness Business Podcast? That's Zoe, the host JT's daughter!
Got value from today’s episode?
✔ Leave us a review on your favorite podcast app
✔ Send us a voicemail at fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/leaveusavoicemail
✔ Share this episode with a colleague who wants to build a stronger team
Ready for more:
- Become an FBP Insider and get 7 days FREE to start! Learn more on Patreon: https://patreon.com/FitnessBusinessPodcast
- Our FREE LIVE online events created specifically for fitness business owners, managers, and coaches who want to sharpen their skills and grow their business - Learn More: https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/onlineevents
- Call in and let JT know if you think this has been the best season: https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/leave-us-a-voicemail/
- Leave a rating on Spotify or Apple Podcasts: https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/review/
Quotes:
“Recruiting is only 50% of what makes a successful hire; the other 50% is leadership, onboarding, and training.” - Christine Howe
“You can’t perform well at something you don’t like doing. Passion and purpose always matter.” - Christine Howe
“One poor hiring decision can change your P&L for the entire year.” - Justin ‘JT’ Tamsett
Resources:
- Become an FBP Insider on Patreon: https://patreon.com/FitnessBusinessPodcast
- Fitness Business Podcast’s LinkedIn Community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9878228/
- Mystery Shopping for Fitness Businesses: https://mysteryshoppingforfitnessbusinesses.com.au/
Our Guest:
Christine Howe, Owner and Principle Recruiter of Fit Pro Finders
Website: https://www.fitprofinders.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fitprofinders/
Merch Sponsor:
Be a Merch Sponsor - https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/merch/
REX Roundtables:
Website: www.REXRoundtables.com
Email: Eddie@REXRoundtables.com
The companies you’re about to hear about are REX Roundtable Trusted Suppliers. They’re also experts who help fitness businesses thrive. You can learn more about each one at FitnessBusinessPodcast.com. Support them as they support us.
Groe Solutions: Provides AI and computer vision software for gym member retention. https://www.groe.solutions
Budderfly: Provides comprehensive, no-cost energy efficiency as a service for businesses. https://www.budderfly.com/
Gym TV (Club Com): Provides custom digital entertainment, music, and signage for fitness clubs.https://www.clubcom.com/
Simple Again (Performance Food Centers): Helps businesses open smoothie and juice bars with clean ingredients. https://www.performancefoodcenters.com
Power Plate: Sells whole-body and targeted vibration plate machines for fitness and wellness.https://www.powerplate.com/
Skip to the good part:
(03:53) Why hiring the right people matters more than ever
(05:10) AI in recruitment: what it can — and can’t — replace
(07:45) Hiring inside vs. outside the fitness industry
(12:10) Christine’s three go-to interview questions
(18:40) Common hiring challenges and payroll realities
(23:30) Why onboarding determines hiring success
(30:05) Best practices for interviews and candidate experience
(36:40) Resume mistakes and what actually stands out
(42:20) Social media, reference checks, and red flags
(47:30) The future of recruitment in the fitness industry
About Our Guest: Christine is the owner and lead recruiter for Fit Pro Finders, a full-service staffing firm that specializes in entry to executive levels roles in the fitness, wellness, and sports industries. Her services include creative sourcing, detailed screening, candidate interviews, career and business coaching. Prior to launching Fit Pro Finders she recruited for major fitness brands, including Xponential Fitness, Crunch, Equinox, Planet Fitness, and LifeTime. Christine loves sharing her passion and expertise in how to make the right match between job seeker and employer.
About Your Host: Justin "JT" Tamsett is a fitness industry veteran with over 30 years of experience who aims to reduce global healthcare costs by promoting physical activity. Through his company Active Management, he provides business coaching to fitness entrepreneurs, leads 8 REX Roundtables in the US and Australia, and has spoken at over 40 conferences across 23 countries. His ultimate goal is to create a world of opportunity for his daughter Zoe by helping more people move and stay healthy, while empowering gym owners to build successful businesses that contribute to a healthier society
Please note: We only recommend products we care about (affiliate links support our free content). Thank you for your support!
Retail inside fitness clubs often feels like a high-effort afterthought - but according to retail strategist Meredith Rosson, it’s one of the most untapped revenue streams in the industry. In this episode, Meredith breaks down how clubs can turn merchandise, apparel, accessories, and grab-and-go essentials into a meaningful secondary income source. With real numbers, practical frameworks, and a powerful client case study, she shows exactly how clubs of any size can create retail programs that elevate experience, drive fandom, and generate serious profit. If you’ve ever wondered what to stock, how much space you need, how to price, or whether retail is even worth it, this conversation is your new playbook.
Key highlights from the episode:
✔ How to turn retail into a high-margin revenue stream: Meredith breaks down which categories actually make money, why apparel offers a 40–50% margin, and the inventory strategies that keep your shelves fresh and profitable.
✔ How to design a retail experience that members love: From visual merchandising to subtle logo placement to buying “wide and shallow,” learn how to create offerings members actually want — not clearance-bin leftovers.
✔ How to align your retail strategy with your club’s bigger goals: Meredith shares the homework every operator should do first, plus how retail can enhance programs, community, and overall perceived value.
Curious about the future host of Fitness Business Podcast? That's Zoe, the host JT's daughter!
Got value from today’s episode?
✔ Leave us a review on your favorite podcast app
✔ Send us a voicemail at fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/leaveusavoicemail
✔ Share this episode with a colleague who wants to create new revenue inside their club
Ready for more:
- Become an FBP Insider and get 7 days FREE to start! Learn more on Patreon: https://patreon.com/FitnessBusinessPodcast
- Our FREE LIVE online events created specifically for fitness business owners, managers, and coaches who want to sharpen their skills and grow their business - Learn More: https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/onlineevents
- Call in and let JT know if you think this has been the best season: https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/leave-us-a-voicemail/
- Leave a rating on Spotify or Apple Podcasts: https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/review/
Quotes:
“If they sweat in it, they're going to want their own — so sell it.” - Meredith Rosson
“You have something retailers dream of: a captured, regular audience walking past your inventory every day.” - Meredith Rosson
“The trend right now is subtle, modern logo placement. Members want pieces they’ll actually wear outside the club.” - Meredith Rosson
Resources:
- Become an FBP Insider on Patreon: https://patreon.com/FitnessBusinessPodcast
- Fitness Business Podcast’s LinkedIn Community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9878228/
- Mystery Shopping for Fitness Businesses: https://mysteryshoppingforfitnessbusinesses.com.au/
Our Guest:
Meredith Rosson, Founder of Elevated Version Enterprises (EVE) & Paper Dolls by EVE
Website: https://elevatedversions.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paperdollsbyeve/
Merch Sponsor:
Be a Merch Sponsor - https://fitnessbusinesspodcast.com/merch/
REX Roundtables:
Website: www.REXRoundtables.com
Email: Eddie@REXRoundtables.com
Make sure to check out other REX Roundtables Trusted Suppliers:
World Insurance Associates: Provides insurance, risk management, benefits, and wealth management services. https://www.worldinsurance.com/
MXM: Provides software for fitness clubs to manage member experience. https://www.mxmetrics.com
Centr Hyrox: Fitness and wellness app offering workouts, nutrition, and meditation. https://centr.com/
Matrix Fitness: Manufactures and sells commercial and home gym fitness equipment. https://www.matrixfitness.com/us/eng
Yanga Sports Water: Provides subscription-based, flavored, vitamin-enriched, and calorie-free water for gyms. https://yangasportswater.com/
Skip to the good part:
(03:53) What Counts as Retail in a Gym?
(05:26) The Most Profitable Retail Categories
(08:43) Margin vs. Profit: Understanding the Numbers
(09:24) Do You Need a Dedicated Retail Space?
(12:47) In-Person vs. Online Retail for Fitness Clubs
(14:39) Keeping Inventory Fresh and Avoiding Member Blindness
(16:50) Logo Gear vs. Big Brands: What Actually Sells
(22:06) Case Study: How One Club Generated $50K in Three Days
(28:06) Your First Steps: Retail Homework and Strategy Alignment
(31:20) Member Buying Behavior and Final Takeaways
About Our Guest: Meredith Rosson is the founder of Elevated Versions, a retail consulting company helping fitness clubs design profitable, modern, member-focused retail programs. With years of experience overseeing retail at Cooper Fitness Center and consulting with clubs across the country, she specializes in apparel, accessories, private label development, sourcing vendors, and inventory strategy. Meredith also runs her own online boutique, Paper Dolls by Eve, focused on contemporary women’s apparel.
About Your Host: Justin "JT" Tamsett is a fitness industry veteran with over 30 years of experience who aims to reduce global healthcare costs by promoting physical activity. Through his company Active Management, he provides business coaching to fitness entrepreneurs, leads 8 REX Roundtables in the US and Australia, and has spoken at over 40 conferences across 23 countries. His ultimate goal is to create a world of opportunity for his daughter Zoe by helping more people move and stay healthy, while empowering gym owners to build successful businesses that contribute to a healthier society
Please note: We only recommend products we care about (affiliate links support our free content). Thank you for your support!