Bryan K. O'Rourke
CEO, Adviser, Entrepreneur & Keynote Speaker
I’ve spent more than 25 years building, scaling, and transforming businesses across the fitness, technology, franchising, food and beverage, and financial advisory sectors. From growing franchise brands from a handful of locations to hundreds nationwide, to leading a global fitness equipment manufacturer with over 1,700 employees and over $250 million in revenue, my career has been defined by one thing: turning complexity into growth.
Today, I lead Vedere Ventures, a strategic investment and advisory firm, the Fitness Industry Technology Council, a not for profit consortium of global operators and technology firms advocating for the thoughtful adoption of health and fitness technology, and Moon Mission Media, a digital marketing agency—and I’m available to help your organization navigate its most important decisions.
What I Do
Mergers, Acquisitions & Financial Advisory: Through Vedere Ventures, I provide investment banking, M&A, divestiture, and corporate financial advisory services for mid-market businesses. Over the course of my career, I’ve directly overseen more than 35 strategic financial transactions valued collectively at over $1 billion. Whether you’re preparing for an exit, acquiring a competitor, or restructuring for growth, I bring hands-on deal experience and deep industry relationships to the table.
Industry Leadership & Technology Innovation: I’ve been at the forefront of the fitness industry’s evolution for over two decades. As CEO of Core Health & Fitness, I led a global turnaround that delivered double-digit growth in both revenues and EBITDA, launched innovative connected fitness products, and restructured complex manufacturing operations in China. I co-founded Fitmarc, which grew to become the largest U.S. distributor for Les Mills International—certifying over 30,000 fitness professionals and licensing hundreds of facilities before its sale to Les Mills in 2016. As founder and president of the Fitness Industry Technology Council (FIT-C), I lead a nonprofit that drives innovation and collaboration across the global fitness sector, and I co-host the Fitness + Technology Podcast with over 190 episodes featuring the industry’s leading voices.
Franchise Development & Multi-Unit Operations: I cut my teeth scaling franchise brands. I grew Smoothie King from 20 locations to over 300 nationally, served simultaneously as CEO of both PJ’s Coffee & Tea Co. and Planet Smoothie, and merged those brands into a holding company that eventually became Raving Brands. I’ve secured venture capital financing, won exclusive concession contracts, and built the operational systems that turn single-unit concepts into national platforms.
Digital Marketing & Growth Strategy: Through Moon Mission Media, I help businesses build and execute digital marketing strategies that drive measurable growth. From brand positioning and content strategy to lead generation and conversion optimization, Moon Mission Media brings the same strategic rigor I apply to boardroom-level decisions to your digital presence.
Keynote Speaking & Thought Leadership: I’ve delivered over 100 keynote presentations on four continents—in the U.S., UK, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal, Japan, China, Singapore, Thailand, and Australia. My commentary on business and technology trends has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Inc. Magazine, and Forbes. I bring real operational experience to the stage, not just theory.
Why Work With Me
I’m not a consultant who studies industries from the outside. I’ve been a CEO, a board member, a franchise operator, an investor, and a dealmaker—often simultaneously. I served on the board of the Health & Fitness Association (formerly IHRSA) for four years and was named Best Digital Transformation Leader in the Fitness Industry for 2025 by the Evergreen Awards. I’ve contributed to eight published books, maintain active investments in fourteen operating companies across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, and I bring a network that spans the globe.
What sets me apart is range. I understand the technology stack, the balance sheet, the franchise agreement, and the shop floor. That’s a rare combination—and it’s exactly what companies need when the stakes are high.
Let’s Talk
Whether you’re exploring a strategic transaction, looking for a keynote speaker who’s actually run the businesses he talks about, or need a partner to help you scale—I’d welcome the conversation. Contact me to discuss how I can help your organization reach its next level.