WELL RUN: The Business of Fitness + Wellness

You love your fitness business. So why does running it sometimes feel so exhausting? For many gym owners, boutique fitness studio founders and wellness operators, burnout becomes part of the job. You're covering instructor callouts, managing payroll, responding to member issues after hours and making decisions that nobody else seems able to make. At some point, it's worth asking whether the problem is your workload or the way your business operates. In this episode of WELL RUN: The Business of Fitness + Wellness, co-hosts Annie Adragna and Erin Schirack get personal about their own experiences with burnout and what they've learned working with fitness and wellness business owners who are stretched too thin. We explore how passionate founders become bottlenecks in their own businesses, why delegating can feel harder than doing the work yourself and what happens when your team becomes dependent on you for everything. In this episode, we're talking about: Why fitness studio owners and club leaders experience recurring burnoutHow doing everything yourself can limit business growthThe hidden costs of poor delegation and unclear leadership responsibilitiesHow hiring, onboarding and compassionate accountability can reduce owner dependencyWhy understanding the value of your time matters when growing a fitness businessWhen fractional leadership or an outside business perspective may helpHow to stay connected to the work you love without carrying every responsibilityWe also challenge the idea that profitability automatically means a business is operating well. Sometimes burnout follows a demanding season. Other times, it's the check engine light telling you that something within the business needs attention. If you own a boutique fitness studio, operate a health club, lead a wellness business or manage a growing fitness team, this conversation might change how you look at your workload and your leadership. Send us Fan Mail WELL RUN: The Business of Fitness + Wellness Hosted by Annie Adragna and Erin Schirack. Connect: @wellrun.podcast For more information or to work with us, visit WELL RUN on Instagram and send us a DM. Email us: [email protected] Annie Adragna | Oasis Consulting Firm 25 years in fitness leadership. Advises owners and investors on profitable operations, talent strategy and product development. Website | Instagram Erin Schirack | HIGH SOCIETY Luxury wellness consultant and Pilates educator turning distinctive programming and brand experiences into revenue. Website | Instagram Enjoying WELL RUN? Follow the show, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify. Share an episode with a fellow owner or operator.

Sebastien Lagree on Method, Machines, Innovation and What Comes Next Sebastien Lagree has spent decades building a fitness method, an equipment platform and a global licensing business around one central idea: the machine is only a tool. The method is what matters. In this episode of WELL RUN, Erin Schirack and Annie Adragna sit down with the founder of Lagree Fitness and creator of the Megaformer for a conversation that goes well beyond Pilates comparisons. Sebastien takes us back to the early days of Lagree and explains how circuit training, biomechanics and client outcomes shaped the method long before the Megaformer became recognizable around the world. We also get into something operators should pay attention to: what happens when a category gets popular enough that everyone wants a version of it. Sebastien shares his perspective on imitation, why not every reformer-style workout is Lagree and why he believes programming and execution matter more than the equipment sitting in the room. The conversation moves into where Lagree is headed next, including digitally enhanced machines designed to coach tempo and range of motion in real time. Interestingly, Sebastien sees some of that technology as a way to create greater focus and mindfulness during training, not more distraction. We also talk about the business behind the brand. Why licensing instead of franchising? How do you continue innovating without making every studio owner replace equipment every time something changes? What does product development look like when your roadmap extends years into the future? Sebastien also gets personal about the realities of being a founder, hitting periods of burnout and finding his way back to the work with a different relationship to fitness, wellness and life outside the business. Key Takeaways Why Sebastien separates the Lagree method from the machine it is performed onWhat operators should understand about programming, biomechanics and client outcomes before chasing equipment trendsHis perspective on the growing number of reformer and Megaformer-adjacent concepts entering the marketHow digital guidance, tempo and range-of-motion technology may change the Lagree experienceWhy Lagree chose a licensing model and how that supports continued product innovationWhat is coming next across Lagree equipment and programmingThe founder side of building a global fitness brand and what Sebastien has learned about burnout, recovery and longevityThis is a conversation about fitness, but it is also about intellectual property, product strategy, category ownership and what it takes to keep evolving after your original idea becomes an industry. Connect with Sebastien Lagree Want to learn more about Sebastien, the Lagree Method or the business behind the brand? Sebastien Lagree Website Instagram Lagree Fitness Website Instagram TikTok YouTube Facebook Interested in the business side of Lagree? Explore Lagree Licensing Explore Lagree Certification Contact Lagree Fitness For licensing, certification, press and general inquiries: [email protected] Send us Fan Mail WELL RUN: The Business of Fitness + Wellness Hosted by Annie Adragna and Erin Schirack. Connect: @wellrun.podcast For more information or to work with us, visit WELL RUN on Instagram and send us a DM. Email us: [email protected] Annie Adragna | Oasis Consulting Firm 25 years in fitness leadership. Advises owners and investors on profitable operations, talent strategy and product development. Website | Instagram Erin Schirack | HIGH SOCIETY Luxury wellness consultant and Pilates educator turning distinctive programming and brand experiences into revenue. Website | Instagram Enjoying WELL RUN? Follow the show, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify. Share an episode with a fellow owner or operator.

WELL RUN is back. In the first episode of the newly relaunched podcast, Annie Adragna and Erin Schirack take on one of the more interesting shifts happening inside fitness right now: Pilates-adjacent programming being built into the membership experience. The conversation starts with Life Time’s CTR, Core, Tone and Reform, a reformer-based class included in its Signature Membership, then gets into the bigger business question. What happens when an experience consumers associate with premium Pilates becomes part of the membership? Erin and Annie look at it from both sides. There is a strong case for programming that increases participation, gives members another reason to use the club and strengthens retention. There are also legitimate questions around positioning, instructor standards, safety, revenue and what happens to an established Pilates business when the lines between methods start getting blurry. The bigger issue is not whether every club should build its own version. It is whether operators understand what problem they are solving before they copy what someone else is doing. Key takeaways: • Why Pilates, Megaformer and reformer-style fitness should not automatically be treated as the same product • How included programming can increase perceived membership value and become a meaningful retention tool • The revenue tension between making a format more accessible and protecting a premium Pilates department • Why instructor qualifications, coaching standards and class design become more important as these programs scale • What operators should evaluate before adding a Pilates-adjacent format to their own programming mix • Why strengthening the Pilates business you already have may create more value than chasing the newest format • Where Annie and Erin disagree on whether this model is worth pursuing This episode is less about CTR itself and more about a decision operators face constantly: when do you follow a market shift and when do you protect what already makes your business valuable? Welcome back to WELL RUN. Send us Fan Mail WELL RUN: The Business of Fitness + Wellness Hosted by Annie Adragna and Erin Schirack. Connect: @wellrun.podcast For more information or to work with us, visit WELL RUN on Instagram and send us a DM. Email us: [email protected] Annie Adragna | Oasis Consulting Firm 25 years in fitness leadership. Advises owners and investors on profitable operations, talent strategy and product development. Website | Instagram Erin Schirack | HIGH SOCIETY Luxury wellness consultant and Pilates educator turning distinctive programming and brand experiences into revenue. Website | Instagram Enjoying WELL RUN? Follow the show, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify. Share an episode with a fellow owner or operator.

HYROX, Group Fitness and Gym Revenue: When Programming Becomes a Business StrategyHYROX is everywhere right now. But for gym owners and operators, the more interesting question is not whether HYROX is having a moment. It’s what the rise of HYROX tells us about where fitness programming is going and what members increasingly want from their clubs. Annie Adragna and co-host Erin Schirack sit down with Heli Wiener, Commercial Sales Manager at Centr, to talk about HYROX, group fitness programming, community and the business opportunity behind training for something bigger than another workout. Before joining Centr, Heli spent years leading programming for large health clubs, developing group fitness and training programs, coaching teams and creating member experiences. Today, she works with clubs, studios and fitness operators to create strength and functional training environments with a particular focus on HYROX. The conversation goes beyond the race itself. They talk about what happens when programming stops being treated as another amenity on the schedule and starts being viewed as part of the club’s retention, engagement and revenue strategy. They also get into one of the harder programming questions for operators: how much structure is enough? Strong brands need standards and consistency, but great instructors also need enough room to create energy, connection and community. And then there’s HYROX. The rapid growth of HYROX has brought competitive functional fitness to a much broader audience and created something clubs are constantly trying to build: members with a reason to train, a goal to work toward and a community they want to stay connected to. Heli shares how Centr and HYROX are working together to create authentic race-training environments and why clubs don’t necessarily need to transform their entire facility to participate. For operators, the opportunity is bigger than adding another program. It’s understanding whether a programming concept can increase utilization, strengthen retention, create incremental revenue and give members another reason to choose your facility. A few things we get into: Why group fitness programming should be evaluated as a business driver, not just a member amenityThe balance between brand standards and instructor creativityWhy training toward a goal or event can change member behaviorWhat HYROX is doing differently from traditional functional fitnessWhere CrossFit, group fitness and HYROX overlapWhy the actual training environment matters when members are preparing to raceHow operators can approach HYROX without immediately making a massive investmentThe role of simulations, events and community in creating revenue opportunitiesWhat operators should think about before deciding how far to take HYROX inside their facilityAbout Heli Wiener Heli Wiener is passionate about helping gyms and fitness facilities create spaces where people love to train. Before joining Centr, she spent years as a programming manager for large health clubs, developing group fitness and training programs, leading teams and creating exceptional member experiences. Today, as part of the Centr commercial team, Heli partners with clubs, studios and fitness operators to deliver strength and functional training solutions with a special focus on HYROX. Her operational background gives her a unique perspective on how facilities can create high-performance training environments that support member engagement, retention and long-term business growth. Connect with Heli + Learn More Heli Wiener: Connect with Heli on LinkedIn Centr x HYROX Affiliate Equipment: https://shop.centr.com/pages/hyrox-equipment-affiliate Centr Commercial: Commercial equipment and facility solutions for gyms, clubs, studios and HYROX training environments. Topics HYROX, HYROX training, HYROX gyms, HYROX race training, HYROX affiliate, Centr HYROX, HYROX equipment, functional fitness, hybrid fitness, group fitness programming, gym programming, fitness programming, gym revenue, health club revenue, member retention, member engagement, fitness community, gym community, fitness events, CrossFit, gym owners, fitness operators, health club operators and commercial fitness. Send us Fan Mail WELL RUN: The Business of Fitness + Wellness Hosted by Annie Adragna and Erin Schirack. Connect: @wellrun.podcast For more information or to work with us, visit WELL RUN on Instagram and send us a DM. Email us: [email protected] Annie Adragna | Oasis Consulting Firm 25 years in fitness leadership. Advises owners and investors on profitable operations, talent strategy and product development. Website | Instagram Erin Schirack | HIGH SOCIETY Luxury wellness consultant and Pilates educator turning distinctive programming and brand experiences into revenue. Website | Instagram Enjoying WELL RUN? Follow the show, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify. Share an episode with a fellow owner or operator.

Infusing Wellness into Hospitality with Erin Schirack In this episode of Well Run, Annie Adragna sits down again with Erin Schirack, founder of HIGH SOCIETY, for a conversation about what hospitality brands are getting right and wrong when it comes to wellness. The two discuss why consumers are no longer looking at wellness as a bonus amenity and instead are expecting it to be woven into the overall experience. From sleep support and calmer environments to fitness programming, recovery offerings and thoughtful food and beverage options, Erin shares why the future of hospitality is about helping people genuinely feel better, not just offering trendy activations. They also talk about where operators miss the mark by adding wellness language without fixing operational issues underneath it. Staffing, leadership, team training, execution and ownership all play a major role in whether wellness experiences feel elevated or disconnected. Throughout the episode, Erin shares practical ideas hospitality brands can implement now, including on-demand trainers, guided walks, meditation, recovery experiences, Pilates, sauna, contrast therapy and ways hotels can create experiences that attract both travelers and local communities. This conversation is especially valuable for hospitality brands, hotels and wellness-focused businesses looking to integrate fitness and wellness in a way that feels intentional, operationally sound and commercially smart. Send us Fan Mail WELL RUN: The Business of Fitness + Wellness Hosted by Annie Adragna and Erin Schirack. Connect: @wellrun.podcast For more information or to work with us, visit WELL RUN on Instagram and send us a DM. Email us: [email protected] Annie Adragna | Oasis Consulting Firm 25 years in fitness leadership. Advises owners and investors on profitable operations, talent strategy and product development. Website | Instagram Erin Schirack | HIGH SOCIETY Luxury wellness consultant and Pilates educator turning distinctive programming and brand experiences into revenue. Website | Instagram Enjoying WELL RUN? Follow the show, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify. Share an episode with a fellow owner or operator.

Many health clubs say they personalize training. Few actually systemize it. In this episode of the Well Run Podcast, Annie sits down with Nile Bratcher, certified performance and health coach, Certified Surgical Technologist with University of Colorado Health, creator of REFORM and host of Reform – Health, Performance, Recovery with Nile. Nile shares what nearly two decades of coaching, combined with clinical surgical experience and 25 years as a B-boy and martial artist, have taught him about programming integrity. He explains why most trainers are operating as exercise pickers rather than strategic programmers, and how that gap shows up in member results, recovery outcomes and brand consistency. They also address the explosion of recovery services in health clubs. Cold plunge. Compression. Infrared. Breathwork. Nile outlines why recovery must be integrated into programming through physiological understanding rather than trend adoption. When recovery tools are used without education, risk increases and results plateau. This episode challenges club owners, general managers and training directors to rethink education as a core operational strategy.  If you lead a club, studio or wellness space and want scalable personalization, stronger retention and consistent coaching standards, this conversation will sharpen your lens. Key Topics Covered Why cookie-cutter programming creates operational riskThe difference between exercise selection and true programming strategyHow copycat coaching erodes team standardsBuilding scalable personalization inside a commercial fitness modelIntegrating recovery into programming with physiological precisionAuditing knowledge gaps across your coaching teamDefining non-negotiables for high-integrity training departmentsEducation as a retention and brand protection strategyPreparing your club for the continued rise of recovery servicesWho This Episode Is For Health club ownersInvestor-backed fitness operatorsGeneral managersDirectors of personal trainingStudio foundersPerformance and recovery leadersIf you influence hiring, compensation structure or programming standards, this one is for you. Connect with Nile Bratcher Podcast: Reform – Health, Performance, Recovery with Nile Nile on Instagram   Send us Fan Mail WELL RUN: The Business of Fitness + Wellness Hosted by Annie Adragna and Erin Schirack. Connect: @wellrun.podcast For more information or to work with us, visit WELL RUN on Instagram and send us a DM. Email us: [email protected] Annie Adragna | Oasis Consulting Firm 25 years in fitness leadership. Advises owners and investors on profitable operations, talent strategy and product development. Website | Instagram Erin Schirack | HIGH SOCIETY Luxury wellness consultant and Pilates educator turning distinctive programming and brand experiences into revenue. Website | Instagram Enjoying WELL RUN? Follow the show, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify. Share an episode with a fellow owner or operator.

It’s Personal and It’s Business: Why Great Fitness Leaders Stop Pretending Otherwise There’s a common belief in the fitness industry that being professional means being emotionally detached. If you care too much, lead with heart or allow your work to feel personal, you’re crossing some invisible line. This episode pushes back on that idea. No one ends up owning a club, running a studio or leading a team in this industry by accident. There’s always a reason... a moment, passion, personal experience that pulled you in and kept you here. Pretending otherwise doesn’t make you more professional; It usually just makes leadership feel colder than it needs to be. In this solo episode of Well Run, Annie explores why allowing your “why” to be personal is not only normal, but often the difference between leaders who build strong, loyal teams and those who struggle with disengagement and turnover. She shares how, earlier in her career, she believed she had to show up a certain way to be taken seriously. More guarded. More neutral. Less human. That approach may have looked polished on the surface, but it created distance and misunderstanding she never intended. This conversation is about the middle ground many leaders miss. The space where you can lead with who you really are while still holding high standards, clear expectations, and professional boundaries. You’ll hear reflections on: Why “it’s just business” often disconnects leaders from the very reason they startedHow overcorrecting toward professionalism can flatten culture and trustWhat personal leadership actually looks like when it’s done with maturity and disciplineHow to integrate care, accountability, and boundaries without blurring linesWhy the most successful fitness leaders allow their work to matter to themThis episode is an invitation to stop forcing yourself into leadership molds that don’t fit and start leading in a way that feels aligned, grounded, and sustainable. In this industry, it’s personal and business   Send us Fan Mail WELL RUN: The Business of Fitness + Wellness Hosted by Annie Adragna and Erin Schirack. Connect: @wellrun.podcast For more information or to work with us, visit WELL RUN on Instagram and send us a DM. Email us: [email protected] Annie Adragna | Oasis Consulting Firm 25 years in fitness leadership. Advises owners and investors on profitable operations, talent strategy and product development. Website | Instagram Erin Schirack | HIGH SOCIETY Luxury wellness consultant and Pilates educator turning distinctive programming and brand experiences into revenue. Website | Instagram Enjoying WELL RUN? Follow the show, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify. Share an episode with a fellow owner or operator.

Well Run Podcast In this episode of the Well Run Podcast, Annie Adragna sits down with Victor "V-Man" Verhage, a leading strategist in the recovery, wellness, and longevity space, to explore where member experience is truly headed and why personalization is no longer optional for gyms, studios, and boutique fitness brands. This conversation looks beyond trends and technology to address a growing reality in the industry: members are overwhelmed, operators are guessing, and retention suffers when experiences are not intentional. Victor shares how integrating DNA data, recovery, wellness, and training into a cohesive ecosystem helps clubs move from reactive programming to personalized journeys members can trust. Rather than adding more services or chasing the latest modality, this episode focuses on how personalization improves confidence, consistency, and results for members while helping operators create solutions they may not even realize their business needs yet. Together, Annie and Victor unpack how recovery, sleep, emotional connection, and data-informed decisions are shaping the next era of fitness and wellness, and why brands that fail to address this shift will struggle to keep members long-term. This episode is a must-listen for owners and operators who care about retention, differentiation, and building environments members never want to leave. Key Takeaways Why personalization has become a retention necessity in fitness and boutique studiosHow DNA and data can guide safer, more effective training and recovery decisionsThe difference between adding recovery services and building a true wellness ecosystemWhy emotional connection and trust are central to modern member experienceHow personalization helps solve problems members struggle to articulateAbout the Guest Victor “V-Man” Verhage is a leading strategist in the next evolution of member experience, helping fitness clubs and boutique studios integrate DNA, data, and high-ROI recovery, wellness, and longevity solutions. He champions a future where personalization drives deeper results, stronger retention, and true differentiation in a crowded market. His work empowers operators to transform their spaces into performance-driven wellness ecosystems members never want to leave. 🔗 Learn more: https://www.roiinwellness.com 🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victor-verhage-77175014/ Send us Fan Mail WELL RUN: The Business of Fitness + Wellness Hosted by Annie Adragna and Erin Schirack. Connect: @wellrun.podcast For more information or to work with us, visit WELL RUN on Instagram and send us a DM. Email us: [email protected] Annie Adragna | Oasis Consulting Firm 25 years in fitness leadership. Advises owners and investors on profitable operations, talent strategy and product development. Website | Instagram Erin Schirack | HIGH SOCIETY Luxury wellness consultant and Pilates educator turning distinctive programming and brand experiences into revenue. Website | Instagram Enjoying WELL RUN? Follow the show, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify. Share an episode with a fellow owner or operator.

If your staff feels like members can walk all over them and leadership never steps in, this is not a staffing issue. It’s a culture issue. In this solo episode, Annie breaks down how entitlement gets baked into gym and wellness cultures, why leadership avoidance quietly erodes trust, and what actually needs to happen before staff will feel empowered to hold boundaries with confidence. This conversation is for owners and operators who want strong member experiences and teams who feel supported, respected, and safe doing their jobs. Covered in This Episode Why “the customer is always right” has damaged team culture in service-based businessesThe critical difference between a member’s perception being real and their behavior being acceptableHow leadership avoidance turns into a cultural norm, not just a leadership flawWhy staff stop enforcing standards when they don’t feel protectedHow long-standing entitlement impacts trust, confidence, and retentionWhy leadership has to go first before expecting staff to handle tough situationsReal-world examples from the front desk and the fitness floorWhat effective education and training around tough conversations actually looks likeHow to reset expectations without alienating membersCreating a true win-win-win for members, staff, and leadershipKey Takeaways Entitlement is not a personality trait. It’s a learned behavior.Staff will not care about new expectations until they know leadership cares about them.Culture is shaped by what leadership tolerates and what leadership models.Training only sticks when it’s reinforced by visible leadership behavior.Boundaries can be firm, respectful, and human at the same time.Referenced in This Episode The New Gold Standard by Joseph A. Michelli A look at how the Ritz-Carlton empowers staff to uphold standards while treating everyone with dignity and respect.Want Support With This? Tough conversations do not have to feel combative or awkward. Annie offers training for leadership teams and staff, both in-person and virtual, designed to build confidence, consistency, and trust across the entire organization. Send us Fan Mail WELL RUN: The Business of Fitness + Wellness Hosted by Annie Adragna and Erin Schirack. Connect: @wellrun.podcast For more information or to work with us, visit WELL RUN on Instagram and send us a DM. Email us: [email protected] Annie Adragna | Oasis Consulting Firm 25 years in fitness leadership. Advises owners and investors on profitable operations, talent strategy and product development. Website | Instagram Erin Schirack | HIGH SOCIETY Luxury wellness consultant and Pilates educator turning distinctive programming and brand experiences into revenue. Website | Instagram Enjoying WELL RUN? Follow the show, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify. Share an episode with a fellow owner or operator.

In this episode of Well Run Podcast, Annie sits down with Erin Schirack, founder of HIGH SOCIETY, for a grounded and honest conversation about leadership, talent, and the future of luxury fitness and wellness. Together, Annie and Erin explore what happens when leaders stop forcing talent into rigid boxes and start designing teams and experiences around real strengths. They talk about the operational and cultural cost of misaligned roles, why leaders hesitate to make changes even when they know something is off, and what shifts when organizations finally allow people to contribute at their highest level. The conversation also touches on the evolution of wellness within hospitality and corporate environments, the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership, and why community and connection are no longer optional in high-touch fitness spaces. This episode is a must-listen for owners, operators, and leaders who care about people-first leadership, strong culture, and building businesses that perform without burning everyone out in the process. Key takeaways from this episode: • Why strengths-based talent placement is a strategic advantage, not a risk • The early signs that roles and teams are misaligned • How emotional intelligence shows up in real leadership decisions • What elevated wellness experiences require beyond programming • Where the fitness and wellness industry is headed next Listen in, then take a moment to reflect on this question: Are you designing your team around job titles, or around what your people actually do best? If this episode resonated, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, share it with a colleague, or follow along for more conversations that help leaders build businesses that are both human and profitable. Send us Fan Mail WELL RUN: The Business of Fitness + Wellness Hosted by Annie Adragna and Erin Schirack. Connect: @wellrun.podcast For more information or to work with us, visit WELL RUN on Instagram and send us a DM. Email us: [email protected] Annie Adragna | Oasis Consulting Firm 25 years in fitness leadership. Advises owners and investors on profitable operations, talent strategy and product development. Website | Instagram Erin Schirack | HIGH SOCIETY Luxury wellness consultant and Pilates educator turning distinctive programming and brand experiences into revenue. Website | Instagram Enjoying WELL RUN? Follow the show, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify. Share an episode with a fellow owner or operator.

The holidays have a way of revealing everything your team already feels. When leaders get intentional about appreciation during this season performance rises stress levels stabilize and the member experience gets stronger. In this short episode I break down five ways to appreciate your team that go beyond the usual card and cookie tray. These approaches work because they speak to different appreciation styles on your team and they take less time than you think. You will hear  • How to give recognition that actually lands  • Why removing a burden can be more impactful than giving a gift  • The difference between thoughtful gifting and performative gifting  • How presence changes the emotional climate of your club  • The role of future focused appreciation in retention If gifting stresses you out or you end up buying the same thing every year I created a gift guide to make this simple. It is curated for leaders in fitness wellness and hospitality who want to give something elevated without wasting hours searching. Get the Gift Guide: THE HIGH EQ LEADERSHIP GIFT LIST Listen connect and share If this episode helped you lead with more confidence pass it on to another owner or operator who could use it. You can also follow along and send me your questions or episode requests anytime. Send us Fan Mail WELL RUN: The Business of Fitness + Wellness Hosted by Annie Adragna and Erin Schirack. Connect: @wellrun.podcast For more information or to work with us, visit WELL RUN on Instagram and send us a DM. Email us: [email protected] Annie Adragna | Oasis Consulting Firm 25 years in fitness leadership. Advises owners and investors on profitable operations, talent strategy and product development. Website | Instagram Erin Schirack | HIGH SOCIETY Luxury wellness consultant and Pilates educator turning distinctive programming and brand experiences into revenue. Website | Instagram Enjoying WELL RUN? Follow the show, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify. Share an episode with a fellow owner or operator.

Building a strong team is not a guessing game. It is one of the most important responsibilities of any owner or operator who wants a people-first and financially healthy business. In this solo episode, Annie pulls from two decades of leadership inside luxury fitness and wellness spaces to break down what it really takes to hire well. You’ll hear why most hiring problems start long before the interview even happens, and why speed and convenience are the enemies of a strong culture. Annie shares how to get clear on the values that actually matter for your business, what a precise job description should look like today, and how to design interview conversations that reveal who someone really is instead of who they think you want them to be. She also speaks candidly about the shifting talent pool, the rise of AI-written job descriptions, and why clarity, communication, and a high EQ approach are now non negotiable if you want to attract great people and avoid constant performance management issues. Key Takeaways Clarity is a leadership responsibilityValues should drive hiring decisions, not convenienceJob descriptions must act as filtersInterviews should be thoughtful, human, and revealingStrong candidates want to interview you tooWhen you take care in the hiring process, you take care of your cultureCall to Action If you’re building or rebuilding a team in your club, studio, or wellness space and want support with job descriptions, interview design, or hiring strategy, Annie can help. Connect on LinkedIn or visit the website to start the conversation. Send us Fan Mail WELL RUN: The Business of Fitness + Wellness Hosted by Annie Adragna and Erin Schirack. Connect: @wellrun.podcast For more information or to work with us, visit WELL RUN on Instagram and send us a DM. Email us: [email protected] Annie Adragna | Oasis Consulting Firm 25 years in fitness leadership. Advises owners and investors on profitable operations, talent strategy and product development. Website | Instagram Erin Schirack | HIGH SOCIETY Luxury wellness consultant and Pilates educator turning distinctive programming and brand experiences into revenue. Website | Instagram Enjoying WELL RUN? Follow the show, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify. Share an episode with a fellow owner or operator.

In this episode on Well Run, I break down what really happens inside fitness and wellness clubs during the holiday rush and why leaders cannot treat this season like business as usual. The volume changes. The energy changes. The expectations change. Your team feels every bit of that. I talk about how to lead with clarity and emotional intelligence when things get busy. We get into scheduling that actually supports your people, preparing your team for an influx of guests who may not understand your space, and why your presence on the floor matters more than any polished plan. I share a story from a Christmas Eve emergency that reminded me how important safety refreshers are this time of year. We look at how to prepare your members, how to celebrate your team without adding pressure, and how to guide your operation with steadiness, not strain. This episode is about leading through humanity, staying grounded and giving your people what they need to serve at a high level without burning out. Key Takeaways Your team needs clarity more than intensity The holidays bring unpredictable traffic and stressed guests. Leadership is about stabilizing the energy, not pushing harder. Scheduling is a leadership skill If the schedule is off, your people feel it immediately. Build it with intention, not hope. Your presence sets the tone When leaders are visible and steady, teams stay calm and confident. Safety training matters more than you think Emergencies do not wait for convenient moments. A prepared team can change the outcome of someone’s life. Members follow your cues Reminding your community that your team is carrying more than usual supports a healthier culture for everyone. Celebration should never add stress Ask your team what feels good instead of assuming they want more events on their already full calendar. Humanity is the heart of leadership When you take care of the humans who run your club, everything else improves. Send us Fan Mail WELL RUN: The Business of Fitness + Wellness Hosted by Annie Adragna and Erin Schirack. Connect: @wellrun.podcast For more information or to work with us, visit WELL RUN on Instagram and send us a DM. Email us: [email protected] Annie Adragna | Oasis Consulting Firm 25 years in fitness leadership. Advises owners and investors on profitable operations, talent strategy and product development. Website | Instagram Erin Schirack | HIGH SOCIETY Luxury wellness consultant and Pilates educator turning distinctive programming and brand experiences into revenue. Website | Instagram Enjoying WELL RUN? Follow the show, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify. Share an episode with a fellow owner or operator.

Maximizing Wellness: Integrating Recovery and Longevity Strategies in Fitness Clubs In this episode of WELL RUN. Podcast, Annie Adragna sits down with Jason Stella, a longtime leader in the health, fitness, and recovery space with nearly three decades of experience guiding people and organizations toward better performance and longevity. Now serving as Chief Innovation and Growth Officer for Forward-Thinking Advisory Group, Jason shares what true recovery looks like and why it’s becoming the cornerstone of modern fitness and wellness. Together, they unpack the three dimensions of recovery—physical, psychological, and physiological—and how clubs can move beyond buzzwords to create systems that actually improve outcomes. The conversation covers practical ways to integrate cold plunges, red light therapy, and other advanced wellness technologies into health clubs, while avoiding the industry’s biggest trap: buying gear without strategy or education. Jason and Annie explore what separates successful integration from wasted investment, and why healthspan—not just lifespan—is the new goal for members and operators alike. Key Topics Covered: Defining recovery and what it isn’tPhysical, psychological, and physiological dimensions of recoveryHow to design a recovery culture, not just a recovery roomCommon mistakes clubs make when investing in wellness techReal-world results from tools like ArcLED and cold plunge systemsWhy focusing on healthspan is the future of fitnessConnect with Jason: Instagram LinkedIn Email: [email protected] Send us Fan Mail WELL RUN: The Business of Fitness + Wellness Hosted by Annie Adragna and Erin Schirack. Connect: @wellrun.podcast For more information or to work with us, visit WELL RUN on Instagram and send us a DM. Email us: [email protected] Annie Adragna | Oasis Consulting Firm 25 years in fitness leadership. Advises owners and investors on profitable operations, talent strategy and product development. Website | Instagram Erin Schirack | HIGH SOCIETY Luxury wellness consultant and Pilates educator turning distinctive programming and brand experiences into revenue. Website | Instagram Enjoying WELL RUN? Follow the show, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify. Share an episode with a fellow owner or operator.

In this episode of Well Run, host Annie Adragna returns after a short break to share her reflections from the Beyond Activ Americas fitness conference in Dallas. Annie unpacks what truly resonated — from the industry’s rapid innovation and renewed focus on longevity and wellness, to the simple truth that still drives success: people. She shares key insights and personal connections with industry leaders like Jeff Zwiefel and Mark Mastrov, whose reminder that “it’s about people — find great people and you can do anything” became the heart of this episode. Through thoughtful reflection, Annie explores the evolving landscape of luxury fitness spaces, the shift from lifespan to healthspan, and why emotionally intelligent leadership remains the most undervalued business strategy in the industry. She emphasizes the power of high-touch experiences in an increasingly high-tech world, and the need for more real, human conversations about what it takes to lead well. If you attended Beyond Activ or want to continue the conversation on EQ leadership and people-first profit, Annie invites you to reach out and share your biggest take-aways! Or, if you’re a fitness or wellness leader ready to navigate the people side of business with more clarity and confidence, book a free 30-minute coffee chat with Annie to talk through your next step Send us Fan Mail WELL RUN: The Business of Fitness + Wellness Hosted by Annie Adragna and Erin Schirack. Connect: @wellrun.podcast For more information or to work with us, visit WELL RUN on Instagram and send us a DM. Email us: [email protected] Annie Adragna | Oasis Consulting Firm 25 years in fitness leadership. Advises owners and investors on profitable operations, talent strategy and product development. Website | Instagram Erin Schirack | HIGH SOCIETY Luxury wellness consultant and Pilates educator turning distinctive programming and brand experiences into revenue. Website | Instagram Enjoying WELL RUN? Follow the show, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify. Share an episode with a fellow owner or operator.

Staffing isn’t just an HR headache — it’s one of the most overlooked revenue strategies in the fitness, wellness, and spa industries. In this episode of Well Run, Annie Adragna breaks down why the battle for talent is the real bottom-line issue every owner and operator should be paying attention to. With more candidates seeking positive culture, growth opportunities, and respect over just a paycheck, the old approach to hiring and retention simply doesn’t cut it anymore. Annie explains the staggering costs of turnover — from 50% to 200% of an employee’s salary and how trainer churn rates as high as 80% can quietly (or not so quietly) drain profit. This episode highlights: Why staffing should be treated as a revenue strategy, not just a back-office functionThe true cost of losing good talent — from direct hiring expenses to lost members and revenueThe cultural red flags that drive candidates and employees awayPractical ways to assess whether you would want to work in your own businessIf you’re ready to stop money from slipping through the cracks, listen in and then take the Revenue Leaks Quiz to find out where staffing and retention may already be costing you. Send us Fan Mail WELL RUN: The Business of Fitness + Wellness Hosted by Annie Adragna and Erin Schirack. Connect: @wellrun.podcast For more information or to work with us, visit WELL RUN on Instagram and send us a DM. Email us: [email protected] Annie Adragna | Oasis Consulting Firm 25 years in fitness leadership. Advises owners and investors on profitable operations, talent strategy and product development. Website | Instagram Erin Schirack | HIGH SOCIETY Luxury wellness consultant and Pilates educator turning distinctive programming and brand experiences into revenue. Website | Instagram Enjoying WELL RUN? Follow the show, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify. Share an episode with a fellow owner or operator.

In this episode of Well Run, Annie Adragna tackles the problem of toxic leadership in gyms, health clubs and wellness businesses. From fear-based managers who rely on intimidation to leaders who hide behind “false harmony,” these patterns hurt staff morale, increase turnover, and create hidden revenue leaks. Drawing on 23 years of experience in luxury fitness and wellness management, Annie explains why EQ leadership in the fitness industry is no longer optional — it’s the foundation of profitable, people-first growth. She shares practical leadership strategies that improve retention, boost employee engagement and directly impact your club’s bottom line. You’ll learn how to: Recognize fear-based leadership behaviors that cost you moneySpot “false harmony” and how it undermines trust and performanceShift toward high EQ leadership that creates a thriving workplace cultureAsk the right questions, acknowledge meaningful contributions, and build systems that support both people and profitIf you’re ready to elevate your leadership approach and fix the cultural issues that silently drain revenue, this episode is your playbook. Annie also introduces a free tool — the Revenue Leaks Quiz — to help fitness and wellness operators uncover profit drains and strengthen long-term business sustainability. Send us Fan Mail WELL RUN: The Business of Fitness + Wellness Hosted by Annie Adragna and Erin Schirack. Connect: @wellrun.podcast For more information or to work with us, visit WELL RUN on Instagram and send us a DM. Email us: [email protected] Annie Adragna | Oasis Consulting Firm 25 years in fitness leadership. Advises owners and investors on profitable operations, talent strategy and product development. Website | Instagram Erin Schirack | HIGH SOCIETY Luxury wellness consultant and Pilates educator turning distinctive programming and brand experiences into revenue. Website | Instagram Enjoying WELL RUN? Follow the show, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify. Share an episode with a fellow owner or operator.

In this episode of Well Run, Annie Adragna breaks down why discount-driven membership strategies are one of the fastest ways to undermine long-term success in the luxury fitness industry. Instead of chasing short-term spikes from flash sales and promos, Annie explains why the most successful operators focus on Lifetime Value (LTV) — the total revenue a member contributes over their entire relationship with your club. She shows how compounding membership value through retention, engagement, and upsells leads to sustainable growth. Backed by real data and a cautionary CrossFit case study, this episode is packed with actionable strategies: from tiered memberships to intentional upsells to creating a culture where retention is everyone’s responsibility. If you’re ready to stop racing to the bottom and start building $12,000 clients, this one’s for you. how do gyms make money without discounts what is lifetime value in the fitness industry how to increase average revenue per member in a gym best revenue strategies for fitness clubs how to keep gym members longer how to sell high-value memberships sustainable growth for fitness businesses Send us Fan Mail WELL RUN: The Business of Fitness + Wellness Hosted by Annie Adragna and Erin Schirack. Connect: @wellrun.podcast For more information or to work with us, visit WELL RUN on Instagram and send us a DM. Email us: [email protected] Annie Adragna | Oasis Consulting Firm 25 years in fitness leadership. Advises owners and investors on profitable operations, talent strategy and product development. Website | Instagram Erin Schirack | HIGH SOCIETY Luxury wellness consultant and Pilates educator turning distinctive programming and brand experiences into revenue. Website | Instagram Enjoying WELL RUN? Follow the show, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify. Share an episode with a fellow owner or operator.

How do gyms make money without relying on constant discounts? It starts with retention — and retention starts in the first 90 days. In this episode of Well Run, Annie Adragna explains why the first 30–90 days of a new member’s journey determine their long-term loyalty and lifetime value. She shares the exact usage thresholds that matter most — like why 4–6 visits in the first month predicts retention and why a 14-day no-show is your biggest red flag. Annie also spotlights what the best fitness clubs are doing differently in onboarding: from structured fitness assessments and connection experiences to celebrating early wins and tracking usage with simple dashboards. These proven strategies not only keep gym members longer, but also increase the average revenue per member and create sustainable growth without discounts. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why nearly 50% of cancellations happen in the first 90 days.How to keep gym members longer by tracking early usage.What lifetime value really means in the fitness industry — and how to grow it.The best revenue strategies for fitness clubs that don’t rely on discounts.How to sell and deliver high-value memberships through smart onboarding.A simple framework to increase average revenue per member in your gym.If you’re serious about building sustainable growth for your fitness business, this is where it starts: helping members succeed in their very first 90 days. Send us Fan Mail WELL RUN: The Business of Fitness + Wellness Hosted by Annie Adragna and Erin Schirack. Connect: @wellrun.podcast For more information or to work with us, visit WELL RUN on Instagram and send us a DM. Email us: [email protected] Annie Adragna | Oasis Consulting Firm 25 years in fitness leadership. Advises owners and investors on profitable operations, talent strategy and product development. Website | Instagram Erin Schirack | HIGH SOCIETY Luxury wellness consultant and Pilates educator turning distinctive programming and brand experiences into revenue. Website | Instagram Enjoying WELL RUN? Follow the show, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify. Share an episode with a fellow owner or operator.

In this episode of Well Run, Annie Adragna, a seasoned consultant and mentor in the fitness and wellness industry, explores one of the most overlooked truths in club management: member love doesn’t equal member loyalty. Annie breaks down why retention is built on behavior, not just sentiment and why usage frequency is the single greatest predictor of long-term loyalty. From onboarding to group class participation, she shares practical strategies for building a retention dashboard that highlights early warning signs and opportunities to re-engage members before they walk out the door. You’ll also hear a powerful story from The Ritz-Carlton that illustrates how small but meaningful gestures transform satisfied customers into lifelong loyal advocates...something every club operator can apply today. Key Takeaways: Love is an emotion. Loyalty is a behavior.Why tracking member usage in the first 90 days is critical.The surprising retention power of group exercise.How proactive outreach and personalized touchpoints drive loyalty.What the fitness industry can learn from Ritz-Carlton’s legendary service culture.If you want to build an unshakeable membership base, this episode is packed with strategies you can start using right away. Send us Fan Mail WELL RUN: The Business of Fitness + Wellness Hosted by Annie Adragna and Erin Schirack. Connect: @wellrun.podcast For more information or to work with us, visit WELL RUN on Instagram and send us a DM. Email us: [email protected] Annie Adragna | Oasis Consulting Firm 25 years in fitness leadership. Advises owners and investors on profitable operations, talent strategy and product development. Website | Instagram Erin Schirack | HIGH SOCIETY Luxury wellness consultant and Pilates educator turning distinctive programming and brand experiences into revenue. Website | Instagram Enjoying WELL RUN? Follow the show, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify. Share an episode with a fellow owner or operator.

Welcome to the very first episode of Well Run—a weekly podcast for owners and operators of luxury fitness clubs, wellness centers, and recovery spaces. Hosted by Annie Adragna, a seasoned leader with 20+ years in the industry, this show explores how to build sustainable businesses, strong cultures, and high-performing teams. In this kickoff episode, Annie dig into why emotional intelligence (EQ) in leadership is the most critical factor for long-term success. She explains how low EQ leadership can drive turnover, weaken member retention, and stall revenue growth—and why high EQ leaders consistently create respected clubs and motivated teams. Key Takeaways What emotional quotient (EQ) really means in the context of fitness and wellness leadership.The cost of low EQ leadership in gyms, health clubs, and wellness businesses.How high EQ leadership drives member retention, employee engagement, and profitability.Practical strategies to improve culture and strengthen your leadership skills.A preview of upcoming episodes tackling real industry challenges and growth opportunities.This is just the beginning of weekly conversations designed for leaders who want to transform their fitness or wellness business into a thriving, people-first operation. Send us Fan Mail WELL RUN: The Business of Fitness + Wellness Hosted by Annie Adragna and Erin Schirack. Connect: @wellrun.podcast For more information or to work with us, visit WELL RUN on Instagram and send us a DM. Email us: [email protected] Annie Adragna | Oasis Consulting Firm 25 years in fitness leadership. Advises owners and investors on profitable operations, talent strategy and product development. Website | Instagram Erin Schirack | HIGH SOCIETY Luxury wellness consultant and Pilates educator turning distinctive programming and brand experiences into revenue. Website | Instagram Enjoying WELL RUN? Follow the show, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify. Share an episode with a fellow owner or operator.

Welcome to "Well Run", the podcast dedicated to owners and operators of luxury fitness, wellness and recovery spaces. Hosted by industry veteran Annie Adragna, this podcast covers the essentials of creating a successful, people-first and performance-driven business.  Each episode offers practical strategies and real-world insights into high EQ leadership and developing profitable and respected clubs in 10-15 minute episodes. Let's get to it! Launch: 9/1/25 Send us Fan Mail WELL RUN: The Business of Fitness + Wellness Hosted by Annie Adragna and Erin Schirack. Connect: @wellrun.podcast For more information or to work with us, visit WELL RUN on Instagram and send us a DM. Email us: [email protected] Annie Adragna | Oasis Consulting Firm 25 years in fitness leadership. Advises owners and investors on profitable operations, talent strategy and product development. Website | Instagram Erin Schirack | HIGH SOCIETY Luxury wellness consultant and Pilates educator turning distinctive programming and brand experiences into revenue. Website | Instagram Enjoying WELL RUN? Follow the show, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify. Share an episode with a fellow owner or operator.