Empire Hour

From Penn State swimmer to running Empire's day-to-day — Sammy sits down with GM and coach Austin for the story behind the scenes. Austin shares why he walked away from a traditional 9-to-5, how a random Wednesday drop-in class turned him into a member, then a coach, then GM, and what actually makes Empire's group programing work — from avoiding trend-chasing workouts to training every skill level...

Sammy interviews elite HYROX athlete Dylan Scott, who grew up in Ninety Six, South Carolina, fell in love with running after a rough first practice, overcame a long back injury, and discovered HYROX during 2020 virtual competitions before racing worlds in Germany. He shares how he balances three-a-day training, stays grounded amid expectations, and once did a “push-up marathon” by running a trail...

Sammy sits down with Coach Stephen Pelkofer to talk HYROX, the Empire Training Academy community, and what great coaching looks like in a group fitness setting. They dig into how competition can bring people together, the keys to running high-energy classes that still feel personal, and why community is the real secret to long-term progress. #EmpireHour #StephenPelkofer #HYROX #EmpireTrainingAcade...

This episode flips the lens on the team behind the visuals. Sammy sits down with Daniel Pan, founder of Anomaly Creative, to talk about the creative process behind the Empire brand—from the iconic logo to the tone, colors, and storytelling that built the gym’s identity. They dive into what it’s like running a creative agency in your 20s, the mindset behind branding a business you believe in, and t...

In this episode, Sammy sits down with Coach Jensen to talk about what it really takes to build strength—not just in the gym, but in life. From leading by example to showing up when it’s hard, Jensen shares insights from years of coaching and how discipline shapes everything from training programs to personal growth. This one’s for the athlete, the coach, and anyone who wants to raise their standar...

Before the coaching. Before the gym. Before the name. It started with a vision and a set of non-negotiables. In this solo episode, Sam Siegel tells the story of how Empire Training Academy began. He speaks directly and honestly about the early days, the mindset that shaped our foundation, and the standard we hold to this day. If you're part of this community, or thinking about stepping into it, th...

Hosted by Sam Siegel, owner of Empire Training Academy in Raleigh, North Carolina, this podcast offers long-form, unscripted conversations with coaches, athletes, and industry professionals who live and breathe performance training. Each episode explores topics in strength and conditioning, group fitness methodology, gym culture, and the evolving landscape of personal training. Listeners can expec...