A Track Record Of Impact In The Global Fitness Industry
I’ve spent more than two decades building, scaling, and transforming businesses across the global fitness industry. From certifying tens of thousands of fitness professionals to leading a turnaround at one of the world’s largest commercial equipment manufacturers, my work has touched nearly every corner of this sector. Here’s what that journey looks like.
Global Turnaround at Core Health & Fitness
In 2023, I was appointed CEO of Core Health & Fitness, a global manufacturer and distributor of commercial fitness equipment with a brand portfolio that includes StairMaster, Nautilus, Star Trac, Schwinn, Throwdown, Jacob’s Ladder, and Wexer. The company had over 1,700 employees, approximately $250 million in annual revenue, and complex assembly manufacturing operations based in China.
During my tenure, we delivered double-digit growth in both revenues and EBITDA, launched innovative connected fitness products including the APEX console line, restructured the company’s global supply chain and China-based manufacturing operations, and closed a financing transaction with Franklin Square Capital Partners to support the next phase of strategic growth. The Health & Fitness Association described my departure in September 2025 as the conclusion of a successful turnaround.
Building the Largest Les Mills Distributor in the United States
I entered the fitness industry in 1997 when I co-founded Fitmarc (Fitness Marketing Systems) with my business partner Robert J. Dyer. Over nearly two decades, we grew the company into the largest United States distributor for Les Mills International, managing group fitness program distribution across 12 states to more than 600 fitness facilities. During its operation, Fitmarc certified over 30,000 fitness professionals and licensed hundreds of facilities in Les Mills programming. We sold the business to Les Mills International in 2016 as they consolidated their U.S. operations.
Driving Strategic Transactions Across the Fitness Sector
Through Vedere Ventures, I’ve served as financial advisor on more than twenty mid-market transactions within the fitness, wellness, and technology space. Notable engagements include representing Wexer Holdings, a global fitness content and technology provider, in its strategic sale to Core Health & Fitness; advising Visual Fitness Planner (VFPnext), a leading health club CRM provider, in its sale to Daxko; and representing long-time Gold’s Gym franchisee Gordon Johnson in the strategic sale of three award-winning Georgia-based Gold’s Gym locations. Across my career, I’ve directly overseen more than 35 strategic financial transactions valued collectively at over $1 billion.
Founding the Fitness Industry Technology Council
I founded the Fitness Industry Technology Council (FIT-C) because I saw a gap in our industry: the need for a dedicated organization driving innovation and collaboration around technology in health and fitness. FIT-C is a nonprofit representing leading companies and organizations in the sector, and it works to accelerate the responsible adoption of technology across the fitness landscape. Under my leadership, we launched the Fitness + Technology Podcast in late 2016, which has since produced over 190 episodes featuring interviews with the industry’s leading voices at the intersection of fitness and technology.
Industry Leadership and Board Service
I served on the board of directors of the Health & Fitness Association (formerly IHRSA) for a four-year term from 2017 to 2021, contributing to governance of the industry’s most influential trade organization. I’ve also served as chairman of the Medical Fitness Association’s Education Committee and as a member of the American Council on Exercise’s Industry Advisory Panel. I co-founded the Women in Fitness Association (WIFA) in 2017, a nonprofit supporting professional women in the fitness industry.
Global Speaking and Recognition
I’ve delivered over 100 keynote presentations at fitness industry conferences on four continents, including IHRSA annual conventions, FILEX in Sydney, ChinaFit/IHRSA China Management Forum, Sportec in Tokyo, Virtuagym FitNation in Amsterdam, SC Fitness in Porto, and Beyond Activ in Singapore. My commentary on fitness and technology trends has been published in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Forbes, Inc. Magazine, the Journal on Active Aging, and the National Fitness Trade Journal.
In 2025, I was named Best Digital Transformation Leader in the Fitness Industry by the Evergreen Awards. IHRSA previously named me one of “13 to Watch” in the industry, and I’ve been recognized as a designated IHRSA Industry Expert and a Gold’s Gym Franchise Association Think Tank Expert.
Published Author
I’ve contributed as an author to eight published books within the fitness and business sectors. My book 9 Partnership Principles: A Story of Life Lessons and Working Together, co-authored with Robert J. Dyer, outlines principles for successful business partnerships, with all proceeds donated to Leap Missions, a charity providing free specialized medical and surgical services to children. I’ve also co-authored publications with EuropeActive, the European health and fitness industry association, including contributions to Customer Engagement and Experience in the Fitness Sector and Essentials of Motivation & Behavioural Change.
Active Investor Across the Global Fitness Landscape
I maintain active investments in fourteen operating companies across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Portfolio companies have included VertiMax, a performance training equipment company where I served as an operating partner before a successful exit in 2024; ECOFIT Networks; fitNdata, a UK-based global fitness data company; Motosumo; and Fitness24Seven Thailand. This international investment strategy reflects my belief that the future of fitness is global, connected, and technology-driven.
Ready to work together? Whether you need a strategic advisor, a keynote speaker, or an experienced operator who understands the fitness industry from every angle, I’d welcome the conversation. Contact me to get started.
