In this powerful Mental Health Month episode on The ATFW Podcast, host Krissy Vann sits down with Anne Marie Chaker—former Wall Street Journal reporter, competitive bodybuilder, and author of the upcoming book LIFT: How Women Can Reclaim Their Physical Power and Transform Their Lives.

Many in the fitness industry may recognize Anne Marie from her impactful keynote at the Women’s Leadership Summit during the March Health & Fitness Association Show, where she urged attendees to empower women and girls to take up space—in life, in their bodies, and in their ambitions. In this episode, she expands on those themes, sharing her deeply personal story of addiction recovery, rediscovery through strength training, and how building muscle became a catalyst for reclaiming agency over her own life.

Anne Marie opens up about the stigma around addiction, the complexities of grief, and the internalized expectations many women carry that prevent them from prioritizing their health. Her journey is a testament to the transformative potential of fitness—not just for aesthetic change, but for healing, confidence, and purpose.

For those working in the fitness business, this conversation is a reminder of the industry’s true potential: to be a vehicle for empowerment, resilience, and holistic well-being.

📘 LIFT publishes June 17, 2025. Preorder now: Amazon

#fitnessbusiness #fitnessindustry #mentalhealthmonth

This Week in Fitness is where host Krissy Vann crunches the latest fitness business headlines—in under 5 minutes.

From GLP-1 breakthroughs and recovery investments to strategic board moves and lifestyle-driven brand plays, we break down what’s actually moving the needle in fitness this week:

-NASM announces the formation of a new Strategic Advisory Board led by Mark Mastrov and Neal Spruce
-24 Hour Fitness rolls out Recovery24 and Premium Fit24 to elevate the in-club experience
-Novo Nordisk partners with Hims & Hers, LifeMD, and Ro to expand Wegovy® access via telehealth
-Aon releases GLP-1 impact study showing a 44% reduction in cardiovascular hospitalizations and improved cost trends
-Life Time names FitVine Wine the official sponsor of Life Time Pickleball
-Strava and Wellness Pet Company launch the Minutes That Matter Challenge to promote movement with pets during Mental Health Awareness Month

Stay fit, stay informed, and keep your fitness business in shape.

00:00- Intro
00:14- NASM announces the formation of a new Strategic Advisory Board
00:40- 24 Hour Fitness rolls out Recovery24 and Premium Fit24
01:05- Novo Nordisk expands Telehealth access to Wegovy
01:37- Aon releases GLP-1 impact study
02:19- Life Time partners with FitVine Wine
02:44- Strava Partners with Wellness Pet Company l

#fitnessbusiness #fitnessindustry #fitnessnews

In this raw and inspiring episode of All Things Fitness and Wellness, we dive into mental health with Derek Gallup, an industry veteran with over 20 years of experience in the fitness world. Derek opens up about how fitness became his anchor through some of the toughest personal challenges, including the struggles of supporting a partner through mental health crises.

Derek’s career includes leadership roles at UFC Gym, 24 Hour Fitness, and New Evolution Ventures, but in this episode, he shares his personal journey—moving beyond the boardroom to address the real mental health battles we face in our personal and professional lives. As we recognize Mental Health Month, Derek highlights how we, as an industry, often focus on physical strength but too often overlook mental health.

Key Topics:

Derek’s career evolution and leadership roles at top fitness companies
Navigating personal grief and mental health struggles
The power of fitness in healing and supporting loved ones
Creating a meaningful, purpose-driven life through fitness
How Derek’s experiences led him to support SPARKLE Foundation, dedicated to mental health advocacy
The influence of Spartan’s DEKA on building community and resilience
The importance of mental health conversations in fitness culture
We also explore Derek’s thoughts on the intersection of fitness and mental health, why the industry must do more to create space for these important discussions, and how he’s using his platform to support others going through similar struggles.

In addition to hearing Derek’s powerful insights, Krissy also shares parts of her own journey and how fitness played a key role in her emotional healing.

Tune in for an episode that’s much more than just fitness talk—it's about the emotional strength that helps us face life’s toughest battles.

00:00- Intro
03:15- The SPARKLE and Spartan Connection
08:13- Krissy Vann shares her story of supporting a partner with end of life ideation
20:50- Derek Gallup shares his story of supporting partner with depression
33:50- Supporting someone dealing with mental illness
37:10- The future of SPARKLE Carla Gallup Foundation

Connect with SPARKLE: https://www.sparklecgf.org
#fitnessbusiness #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters