HALO Talks

Jason Crowe has had a varied career in healthcare, spending the first 15 years in what he calls "reactive healthcare" in various roles. Feeling a desire to make a difference in the healthcare system, he transitioned to the HALO sector (Health, Active Lifestyle, Outdoor), joining Precision Nutrition as part of the business development and partnership program for four successful years. Crowe's experience in both reactive and preventive healthcare has made him a seasoned professional with unique insights into the healthcare industry. Jason is currently Co-Founder and Partner at the SageHouse, a consulting agency to fitness and wellness founders and leadership teams, which also could potentially provide investment capital to help the industry continue to positively impact people's lives around the world.  "We're really big fans of what we call infrastructure companies. The idea of building a brand is great . . . and something that we're super excited about is organizations that can come in and power the back end

Aaron De Jong has always been passionate about fitness. He pursued a degree in Physical Education and Exercise Physiology and worked at his school's athletic training center and therapy clinic. It was during this time that he noticed athletes struggling with basic core exercises and experiencing injuries as a result of improper training. Aaron has since made it his mission to educate athletes (and the general public!) on proper exercise techniques and the importance of incorporating foundational exercises into their routine. Host Pete Moore and Aaron discuss his new venture Movr, an evidence-based movement health solution for health and wellness platforms that adds value to your technology and improves the lives of your people. De Jong suggests that club operators or insurance companies consider offering small monetary rewards for individuals taking quick tests to gather rudimentary information that can guide individuals towards proper healthcare and potentially life-changing results. He emphasizes the impor

Felipe Azenha is a former Peace Corps volunteer who discovered the benefits of using cinder blocks as fitness equipment during the pandemic lockdown. He and his friend started doing these (very unique!) workouts around their area and, with more people joining, they formed a crew and called their workouts "CinderFit." Word quickly got around and news spread. Today, Felipe continues to lead the CinderFit movement, helping people stay fit using unconventional means. What initially started as a hobby turned into an early stage business after engaging industrial designers to create a cinderblock design that looks like furniture. "The cinder block will be in every home gym in the United States within the next 10 years and beyond," states Azenha confidently. He believes the tool can replace dumbbells and kettlebells. They've certainly gained some market validation by solving personal frustrations during the pandemic when fitness equipment was incredibly difficult to come by. They've been successful in driving sales

Just as Kenny Rosenzweig thought he had found the perfect formula for success with CLMBR's very aggressive launch and subsequent expansion, an unexpected twist forced him to shift gears in a way he never could have predicted. What happened next will leave you wondering what's next for this innovative entrepreneur . . . and for CLMBR, the fantastic company he's now overseeing as COO. Kenny brings a wealth of experience from both the boutique fitness and equipment industries to the table. As a Co-Founder of Rowgatta, a (now closed due to COVID,) rowing-based fitness studio in New York City, Kenny saw firsthand the power of community and results-driven workouts. As part of the CLMBR team in Denver, he is helping to shape the future of connected fitness and bringing the benefits of vertical climbing to a wider audience. With its focus on providing a full-body, low-impact workout, Kenny is dedicated to making fitness accessible and enjoyable for everyone, from professional athletes to those just starting their f

From struggling to justify the expense of two gym memberships, to attempting to revolutionize the fitness industry, Borislava Baeva's unexpected twist on a traditional model is changing the game. But what surprises lie ahead for this innovator and her growing platform? Changing the way "things have always been done" is--putting it mildly--a challenge for any entrepreneur. Baeva is a finance expert turned fitness entrepreneur and the creator of MyStrongCircle. As a former Director of Financial Planning at Life Fitness, Borislava knows the in's and out's of the HALO (Health, Active Lifestyle, Outdoor) sector. Her love for yoga and cycling, along with her frustration over juggling multiple memberships, inspired her to create MyStrongCircle – a platform that allows users to bundle their favorite fitness studio memberships for a more personalized experience. Borislava is passionate about making fitness and wellness accessible to everyone, and she's driven to expand MyStrongCircle into major markets across the U

If you own a boutique or big box fitness club in a mall, you're good to go, right? Everything will be perfect moving forward, right? Maybe not so much, according to Francine Miley, Founder of WELLthmanager, head of Partnerships & Business Developments for Honeycomb, and real estate veteran specific to the HALO sector.  In our latest episode, we'll explore the direction of retail, the advantages of incorporating wellness, the hurdles faced by landlords and tenants, the incredibly important power of partnerships, and more. Don't miss out on key insights from this industry leader that could transform your business! "It is truly about curation. And I know that word is overutilized, but it really is! If you're curating a community and bringing different services, classes, modalities, you need to be weighing that out and ensuring that you're giving that whole holistic approach," states Miley. Drawing from her experience in marketing, brand development, and strategy, Francine has worked closely with real esta

Our guest for this episode is Brendan Sullivan, co-founder of ZAMA Health, a sports psychology SaaS platform for the athletic community which provides access to digital tools and clinical support to help improve physical and mental health outcomes. Sullivan shares his passion for mental wellness and how ZAMA can help improve exercise adherence and member engagement outcomes. He also discusses the importance of addressing emotional and mental health issues to improve engagement and retention in the fitness industry. He states, "Over 80% of the reason people actually work out now is their mental health . . . ranking above weight loss and physique. It's really becoming more about community and mental health than it is about just fitness. For most companies, it's very difficult to build a medical practice, and it's not their core business. It's highly regulated. And so rather than them trying to develop themselves, we see ourselves as this add-on to any of these organizations."  Pete and Brendan also bring up the

What if everything you thought you knew about happiness was wrong? Follow the journey of a former private equity professional who discovered the shocking truth behind proactive health and how to truly find meaning in life. But, as he navigates this new path, he's faced with difficult questions and challenges that leave him with no easy answers. In this episode, Pete and Ted discuss:  Recognizing the significance of proactive health measures and the benefits of acting preventatively. The difficulties in establishing incentives that encourage healthier ways of living. Grassroots initiatives focused on nurturing wholesome habits within communities. The connection between mental health, sleep, and relationship-building in cultivating proactive well-being. Cultural and policy hurdles that impede lifestyle changes for better health. Teddy Daiell helps CEOs and investors with buy-side deal sourcing, growth strategy, and strategic finance. After honing his strategy and private equity expertise at Bain, Charlesba

From former NFL quarterback to business leader, Christian Ponder's journey took an unexpected turn when he realized the lack of community for athletes in their post-sport lives. With his new venture The Post, he's created a space where athletes can thrive once again. And--perhaps not coincidentally--he finds that the same soft skills that made them successful on the field are now driving their success in the business world. What led Christian to this idea (that's quickly picking up steam across all sectors of the business / recruiting world?) Listen to learn more.  Ponder joins host, Pete Moore, to share his insights on the correlation between athletic mentality and success in business. After playing in the NFL for the Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers, Christian transitioned to the world of finance and now runs The Post, a leadership network exclusive to athletes with many cues learned from the highly respected YPO organization. He's passionate about helping fellow athletes leverage their unique q

Perhaps you've heard that The Little Gym is "only about sports and games," and that it does not foster social development, or that it does not promote cognitive development? Nancy Bigley will be here to bust these myths and share the truth about the franchisors comprehensive, holistic approach to development! Nancy is a highly experienced, dedicated franchising expert who brings her passion for health and wellness to her current role as the CEO of The Little Gym. She has over 30 years of "in the trenches" experience in various franchise industries. Her love for fitness and wellness led her to join Unleashed Brands, the parent company of The Little Gym, where she now focuses on helping children develop physically, cognitively, and socially. Nancy aims to create a lasting impact on the lives of children from as young as four months old. The Value of The Little Gym The Little Gym offers an affordable option for parents seeking a comprehensive growth experience for their children, with programs typically priced

At the height of her career in Manhattan advertising, Francesca Sipma began to feel burnt out and unfulfilled. She had no idea this restlessness would eventually end up being the catalyst for an unexpected journey: Her discovery of an immensely powerful practice, one that would lead her to leave her career and start her own business, Mastry. Through this groundbreaking modality, she now works with top companies like Deloitte and Google to help empower employees to reach their highest potential. What transformative effect does this practice have? And why is it so revolutionary? Through her extensive study over the years, Sipma became a breathwork expert, which can be thought of as an experiential therapy that helps break psychological patterns and release subconscious blocks. Francesca has since trained over 80 breathwork coaches worldwide and founded Mastry, a company that focuses on self-mastery and mental clarity.  "Mastry allows you to tap into altered states of consciousness, expand different areas of

Rachel Begun, a respected nutritionist and dietitian, has a wealth of experience in the food and nutrition industry. With her Master's in Nutrition Education and background in PR, Rachel has developed a unique skill set that blends science-based nutrition knowledge with powerful communication strategies. Her expertise has led her to work with global food service manufacturers, food and wine retailers, and natural food brand startups. In recent years, she has transitioned into executive coaching, focusing on helping founders and executives build strong company cultures and effective leadership. Begun found herself at a crossroads when two female entrepreneurs she was working with asked her to be their coach. Although initially hesitant due to lack of coaching experience, she became very intrigued by the impact her powerful questions had on the way founders viewed their own businesses. This set her on a path of self-discovery, led to many coaching certifications thereafter and now her current focus is on helpi

After being diagnosed with Crohn's disease, Celina Semente, a stubborn yet determined (former!) fashion major, decided to take matters into her own hands, changed her field of study, and embarked on a journey of self-discovery to heal her gut and help others as a holistic health coach. With a hat tip to Mike Pesca, host of the Gist podcast for the initial intros--and a happy client himself--Celina is now a highly skilled health coach whose experience with Crohn's continues to fuel her passion for helping others. With a degree in Nutrition and Food Sciences from Montclair State University and a holistic health graduate degree from Georgian Court University, Celina brings a wealth of knowledge to the world of holistic wellness. Her dedication to understanding the root cause of symptoms and promoting a healthy lifestyle has led to countless success stories among her clients. As an advocate for self-care and personalized health solutions, Celina is the perfect guide for individuals seeking to improve their overa

After her husband and son became ill, Michelle Zipper (practicing out of the Well Center in Westchester, NY) fiercely pursued a career in Functional Diagnostic Nutrition, determined to find answers and help others, unlocking a powerful inner strength and courage as she faced the challenges of balancing her business ambitions with her family's needs. Michelle has spent over a decade exploring the world of holistic health and functional medicine. With a background in graphic design, her passion for wellness began when her husband was initially diagnosed with Lyme disease, and she took the reins in healing him with nutrition and lifestyle changes. Her expertise grew as she also dealt with her son's autoimmune struggles, leading her to pursue further education in health coaching, functional diagnostic nutrition, and obtaining a Master's degree. Through her diverse experiences, Michelle has become a champion for listening to the body and creating personalized protocols for her clients. At the Well Center, she com

Mark Moyer is (clearly!) our long lost, Brother from Another Mother! He is the Founder and CEO of the Win Again Academy and the author of Win Again: Turn Athletic Success Into Business Success. He shares our desire to help provide athletes with the resources and connections they need to transition to a life outside of sports when that time comes. His ecosystem will help current and former athletes discover their identity beyond sports, develop the structure needed to succeed again, and receive the tips, strategies and actionable advice that allows them to WIN AGAIN and be elite in their next great career.  Mark's expertise lies in connecting them to business leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors. By leveraging their unique skills and abilities, he helps pave the way for countless athletes to excel in various entrepreneurial endeavors. His dedication to bridging the gap between sports and business makes Mark an invaluable resource for athletes seeking meaningful and fulfilling careers after retirement. Tran

In this engaging podcast, our guest Brian Socolow from Loeb & Loeb, LLP shares his insights on the psychological and legal components to consider before jumping into a private equity deal in the "post-COVID new normal." With a focus on protecting and monetizing technology ideas in the sports and health and wellness industries, Brian reveals the checklist of factors to consider when seeking investment or selling a company. He also offers valuable advice on legal protection, insights for entrepreneurs seeking capital investments in sports, navigating due diligence, and much more. This is a must-listen for anyone in sports law, private equity, or the HALO sector. Socolow states, "Businesses that protect their intellectual property and form a clear, compelling corporate story are more appealing to investors . . . Fostering honest communication and setting expectations is essential when transitioning from entrepreneur to employee or board reporting – an invaluable mindset shift that can make all the difference

Mike Geenen is the Senior Director of Investments at EPR Properties. EPR is a 25+ year old, publicly traded REIT with $6.5B in investments, 350+ assets across 44 states and Canada, with more than 200 partners and tenants. A REIT is a real estate investment trust which owns (and sometimes) operates income-producing real estate or related assets. These typically include things like office buildings, malls, apartments, hotels, resorts, self-storage facilities, and so forth.   Geenen states, "We bill ourselves as the diversified experiential REIT. And what that really means is that we focus on investing in real estate venues that facilitate out of home, leisure, recreation and social experiences . . . The majority of our investments outside of the theater business are with independents that are not necessarily private equity backed. We're in a bit of a niche market for the most part." EPR is also the largest owner of movie theater real estate in the country since the theater space is their legacy business. They a

With her unique perspective as a historian and deep roots in the fitness industry, Natalia Petrzela, Ph.D embarks on a mission to uncover how fitness has gone from a "suspect" activity in the early days, to an essential part of modern life, leading to the crucial question of how we as an industry can make it more accessible to all. "I think we've got to find a way to talk about obesity, health, and morality that isn't just about like, well, 'you look that way, make better choices,' because I don't think that's fair. We have to make it easier to work out and to eat healthy food," she states.  Natalia is a historian and professor at the New School in New York City. She is the author of the newly released book Fit Nation, The Gain's and Pains Of America's Exercise Obsession. Natalia has always been curious about how the fitness industry has changed and evolved. She "found" the gym as a teenager, leading her to become certified and take a deep dive into the industry. Through her extremely thorough research, she

When Matan Gavish, a former Special Forces commander in charge of combat training, discovers the "silent pandemic" of rising sexual assault against women in urban areas, he repackaged his Krav Maga skill set to empower a reluctant and fearful audience to learn to take back their safety. He is the Founder of FITHIT in NYC and is passionate about solving this problem. Gavish states, "Somewhere along the line, it became crystal clear to me that there is a problem, a real big one that is not being addressed by anyone, and I have the skillset to solve it. And that is the problem of sexual assault against women in big cities. It is it is being referred to as a 'silent pandemic.' It does not get the attention that it deserves."  Gavish found himself in a unique position to potentially help address this. He worked hard to "repackage" Krav Maga into something that would be attractive to those least likely to enjoy or want to partake in the activity. He came to realize that most of his target audience's fears were ment

Jarlo Ilano is a martial artist, physical therapist, and entrepreneur. He is the Managing Director of GMB Fitness, and has been at the forefront of the 'alternative fitness' movement for over two decades. At the age of twelve, Jarlo found himself in karate classes at the local community center. As he grew, he explored more martial arts and fitness-related activities. After his parents encouraged him to pursue physical therapy, Jarlo began to see the potential of combining his own passions into a PT career. With the help of mentors, he eventually started GMB Fitness with partners Andy Fossett and Ryan Hurst. These guys are the "OG's" in this space, and have been at it longer than most. No hype. No nonsense claims. Just good, solid, progressive, well-balanced programs for all levels. Through the ups and downs of the business, Jarlo has stayed the course and found success in the industry, inspiring others to make meaningful changes in their lives to help them reach their goals. He states, "In terms of success, w