SOURCED - by The PFCA & Gym Owner Network

From a farm shed gym… to one of the most formidable young operators in the game. In this episode, Dean from Embassy shares what it really takes to build a high-performing gym in a small town, when you’re young, relentless, and figuring it out in real time. Behind the numbers and growth is a story of pressure, self-doubt, business breakups, and learning the hard way that hustle alone isn’t enough....

From burnout, self-doubt, and £97 memberships, to building a business, and a backbone. In this raw and emotional episode, Lamar Graham shares the reality of what it actually takes to transform not just a gym, but yourself.  After pouring everything into a gym that looked the part but felt completely broken, Lamar hit a crossroads; exhausted, underpaid, and questioning everything. What followed was...

In this weeks episode of Sourced, Josh Percival shares a completely different perspective on coaching, health, and what it really means to change someone’s life. From opening his gym in Dublin to scaling to 120+ members in just seven months, this isn’t just a success story, it’s a shift in thinking.  We dive deep into the uncomfortable truths the industry often ignores:  • Why most coaches misunde...

In this episode, Ant Richardson shares the raw truth behind building a gym through pure grit; long days, burnout cycles, self-doubt, and the constant pressure of doing everything yourself.  From opening his gym with just 18 members to growing a thriving SGPT facility, Ant’s journey is a masterclass in hard work, but also a warning. Because effort alone isn’t enough. You’ll hear:  • The fear that s...

In this raw and powerful episode of Sourced, Rich Roach of Fortified shares the truth behind building a gym that looks successful on paper - hitting the numbers, growing the team, ticking every box, but still feeling stuck, unfulfilled, and questioning everything.  From opening his gym with intention and ambition, to navigating burnout, partnerships, pressure, and eventually a complete reset - thi...

From £500k revenue… to almost losing everything. In this brutally honest episode, Ryan Thomas of Equilibrium shares the story most gym owners are too afraid to tell; what happens when your business looks successful on paper, but is completely broken underneath.  Ryan had built a thriving gym, hitting impressive revenue numbers and growing fast. But behind the scenes? No profit. Rising tax bills. A...

What happens when the gym you built… stops feeling like you? In this episode of Sourced , we sit down with Josh Telling, founder of Fortitude , to unpack the raw, honest journey from passionate coach to true gym owner, and the identity crisis that almost broke everything. Josh started like many coaches do: a love for training, a small-town gym in the Forest of Dean, and a mission to help people th...

In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on the real reason most gym owners stay stuck — and it’s not marketing, not pricing, and not the algorithm. It’s behaviour. After nine years running a profitable 220-member gym in one of the most deprived areas of Yorkshire — with 3% churn, 70%+ conversion, and real freedom baked into the model — this isn’t theory. It’s lived experience. From sleeple...

In this episode of Sourced, we sit down with Steve and Shay Liggett, a husband-and-wife gym owner duo based in Perth, Australia, who have built one of the most values-driven businesses in the Gym Owner Network. They share the story of launching their small group personal training gym while navigating pregnancy, becoming new parents, and signing a five-year lease even after the bank initially said...

In this episode of Sourced , we sit down with Justin Sabato, Gym Owner Network member of four years, joining us from Australia to share the full, unfiltered journey from commercial gym PT to building a thriving facility against the odds. Justin breaks down the reality behind the highlight reels: the uncertainty of COVID, maxing out on one-to-one hours, and the decision to finally back himself and...

Rachel McDougall’s story is a masterclass in backing yourself when everything around you says “don’t.” In this episode of Sourced, Rachel shares how COVID sparked her leap from events work into coaching, how she returned to Scotland after losing her dad, and how she built Tribe in tiny Kirkcudbright from scrappy community-hall classes, bootcamps, and hauling equipment in a trailer into a real faci...

In this episode, we sit down with David Steele, owner of Project Strength & Fitness in Edinburgh and a long-standing member of the Gym Owner Network.  David opens up about the realities of extreme weight loss, the mindset shifts required to change his life, and the early insecurities he faced entering the fitness industry without the “typical” trainer physique. He walks us through the highs an...

In this year-end reflection, Mass and Jenzo sit down to share some of the biggest lessons they've learned from 2025 — both personally and professionally. From leaning into fear, to holding the line on standards, to what truly makes a business meaningful… this episode is a mirror for any coach or gym owner doing the work. Honest, unscripted, and full of grounded insight.

If you're serious about a future as a Professional Coach, this episode isn't just interesting, it's essential. Mass unpacks the data behind where the industry is headed, what’s going to be removed or replaced, and what’s rising in its place. More than a forecast, this is a call to action; and a reason to feel deeply optimistic about what’s next for those willing to Coach, for real.

In this solo episode, Mass reflects on the recent Summit — not with a recap, but with a deeper lens. This is a meditation on connection, culture, and what happens when coaches do the slow, unsexy, meaningful work behind the scenes. If you’re building something that matters, this one’s for you.

After almost a decade of steady growth as a gym owner, Abi Durrant steps into a new role within The Gym Owners Network: Performance Coach and mentor to others on the same path. In this honest conversation, we explore the real behind-the-scenes journey — growth, doubt, leadership, and the quiet power of doing things well over time.

In this behind-the-scenes conversation, Mass and Jenz unpack what’s changing inside the Gym Owners Network, and why it matters. From the evolution of leadership, to the real-life struggles of gym owners, this episode blends insight with honesty and as usual, a good ol' dose of soul.

In this conversation, Mass sits down with Liam Carmichael — Head Coach at MARCHON Stratford — to explore the pace of life at the sharp end of the coaching profession, the role of reflection, and what it really means to stay present in a performance-driven world. Liam delivers a humble masterclass in coaching with care.

Jade Henderson doesn’t make noise — she creates impact. In this grounded conversation, we explore her quiet rise through coaching, the lessons learned on the gym floor, in leading MARCHON’s women’s program, and the power of growing without ego.

A reflective conversation between Mass and Jenzo on coaching, identity, and the space between performance and presence. From burnout to self-worth, they explore what can easily get lost in the doing — and how we might return to what really matters.

In this conversation with elite performance psychologist Chris Bodman , we explore why the mental game isn’t just an add-on; it’s the foundation. From self-awareness to confidence, identity, values, failure, and long-term development, Chris shares powerful insights drawn from decades in elite sport and human performance. Whether you're a coach, athlete, or anyone walking the path of self deve...

Mass & Paddy explore a lot in this one; from Paddy's current professional challenges, to his more personal ones; and from excellence in craft generally, to what makes The MARCHON Gym excellent. So much is packed into this hour – as always Paddy is open and honest with his thoughts and feelings, which made for a great conversation.

There's something for everyone in this episode; from the career change coach, to the coach pursuing coaching mastery, to those looking to understand and be inspired by what it takes to be a MARCHON Coach. Rach is not only a fantastic coaching mind, she's a great person first and foremost, which is why I'm sure you'll enjoy listening to her unpack her story.

In my conversation with Alex, we get to look at the world through his lens – where we dig into the difference in challenge between Coaching and Leading, how he upholds the MARCHON values of "The Team is Everything" and "White Belt Mentality" at MARCHON HQ, the pathway towards Mastery, and a whole lot more. This episode will be insightful for coaches and gym owners alike – as Th...

Today I had the pleasure of sitting down with Chad. Many of you know him as the head of MARCHON Training – a top coach, and the producer of some quality content. But what sits behind everything you see on the surface? That was the aim of our conversation today...