Mate, Spot Me

Sometimes people assume that franchising is a rich person's game: buy the rights, follow the manual, hope for the best. Aroha Leigh has spent her career proving that's not how it actually works. She's the Director of Global Product for Lift Brands, the group behind Snap Fitness,, Fitness On Demand and Fitstop, running fitness concepts in 18 countries. Her job is to study what makes a f...

By the time you finish this episode, you'll probably feel a bit guilty about skipping your last training session. That's the effect Bart Walsh tends to have. Eighteen months ago, Bart sat down with us for our very episode of the pod. This week he's back, and he's brought a different life with him. Since then he's walked away from his job as Head of Fitness at Jetts to bet every...

In this week's episode, we sit down with Nikki Van Hees, a multi-site gym owner from the Netherlands, to talk about how her family's gym, Piazza Sports, fought off a budget franchise that opened across the road - not by cutting price, but by going all out on technology. Nikki walks us through building a member journey around EGYM, why data changed how they train and retain people, and what...

In this week's episode, we sit down with Adam Lewit, founder of NovoFit, to hear how a $80,000 loan and a lot of nerve turned into one of Australia's leading commercial fitness distributors. Adam takes us back to the early days of Summit Fitness, the leap into commercial distribution through Sports Art, and the high-stakes bet on Precor that nearly broke the business before it made it. It&...

In this episode of Mate, Spot Me, we sit down with Kalen Coughlan, Head of Fitness Operations at Revo Fitness, to unpack what it takes to build and scale one of Australia's fastest-growing gym brands. We dive into how Revo has stayed ahead of changing member expectations, why getting the basics right still wins, and how constant evolution has helped them grow to more than 70 clubs nationwide....

In our 10th episode of the pod, we sit down with Anna Davies, Founder of Refined Wellness, to unpack how wellness is shifting from a premium add-on to an expected part of the fitness experience. We get into what it actually takes to commercialise wellness inside a gym environment, from understanding your member to building an offering that fits. We also explore how different markets are approachin...

In this episode, we sit down with Ed Morrison, Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand at CrossFit, to unpack what continues to make CrossFit relevant in an increasingly competitive fitness landscape. We explore the affiliate model, the balance between methodology and flexibility, and the realities of running a CrossFit business today. We also get into the evolution of CrossFit globally and...

In this episode, we're bringing the pod back in-house with a chat between our esteemed hosts Barry and Jerram. They’re in the hot seat for this one, answering the questions and reflecting on their years running gyms, coaching, and building fitness businesses, unpacking the lessons that shaped how they think about the industry today. We also get into the trends that are front of mind for 2026 -...

In our first episode of 2026, we’re joined by Fiona Kiaris from YMCA Victoria. Fiona is a trained mindfulness facilitator and a fitness industry leader who’s spent years helping teams and communities move from constant distraction to genuine connection. We talk about why mindfulness has become more relevant than ever, what it looks like in real life (not just meditation apps and buzzwords), and ho...

In this episode, we sit down with the great Geoff Lord, founder, chairman, and CEO of the Belgravia Group - and one of Australia’s most influential business leaders driving impact in fitness, leisure, and community. With his trademark no-nonsense approach, Geoff brings clarity, humour, and hard-earned lessons on leadership and growth. We'd also like to congratulate Geoff on being awarded the 2...

In this special Movember edition, Barry and Jerram sit down with Daniel Wood, an experienced fitness professional, educator, and passionate mental health advocate, to explore the powerful connection between mental health and physical fitness. This conversation dives into:- The difference between mental health and mental fitness- How to check in with yourself- The role of community and belonging in...

Local government leisure centres are more than just places to train, they’re community health hubs that connect fitness, allied health, and social wellbeing. In this episode, James Weston, Unit Leader of Fitness and Sport at Hume City Council, shares how his team is creating facilities that support every stage of the health journey - from rehabilitation to long-term movement and community connecti...

In this episode, we sit down with the remarkable Beaux Glenn, owner of Genesis Lilydale. Beaux’s journey is all about heart, putting people before everything else and showing how genuine care can transform a gym into a thriving community. She opens up about her passion for cultivating culture, empowering her team, and fostering connections that go beyond fitness, creating an environment where both...

In this episode, we sit down with Daniel Waide - Chief Operating Officer at NovoFit - for an in‑depth look at how digital transformation is redefining fitness spaces. Daniel shares his playbook for scaling personalised member experiences, activating tech outside the four walls, and striking the perfect balance between human touch and automation. We talk: Crafting scalable, personalised programs th...

In our first episode, we sit down with Bart Walsh - Head Coach at Jetts Fitness Australia - for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of wellness, recovery, and coaching culture in fitness. Bart shares insights on integrating nervous system recovery into gym spaces, the power of mobility, and how gyms can empower their people and programs without losing sight of what really matters: the member....