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

This is This Week in Fitness by All Things Fitness and Wellness, hosted by Krissy Vann. This is where we crunch the latest fitness business headlines in under 5 minutes. Here is what's making news:

• Crunch Fitness Majority Acquisition: Leonard Green & Partners acquires controlling stake as Crunch expands past 500 locations.
• Pvolve and Jennifer Aniston Launch Sculpt Anywhere: New portable workout bundle and hybrid fitness campaign unveiled.
• Nourish Raises $70M to Expand Virtual Nutrition Care: AI-powered platform scales Registered Dietitian-led services nationwide.
• Studio Pilates Expansion Continues: Brand reaches 114 global studios with strong client growth and system-wide sales increases.
• Late-Night HIIT Impacts Sleep, Study Finds: Monash University research links evening workouts to disrupted recovery.
• 24 Hour Fitness Partners with Action for Healthy Kids: New initiative drives family wellness programs through gym and school outreach.
• HYROX Opens Bidding for World Championships: Cities worldwide invited to host 2026 and 2027 HYROX World Championship events.

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

Recorded live at FIBO 2025 — one of the world’s largest trade shows for fitness, wellness, and health — this episode of The ATFW Podcast captures insights from global industry leaders.

Host Krissy Vann sits down with executives from Canada, the UK, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, and Finland to explore what’s shaping the fitness landscape in 2025 and beyond. From economic pressures and consumer trends to retention strategies and digital innovation, this episode is a powerful snapshot of where the industry is headed.

Featured Guests:

• Chris Smith – Fitness World Canada, Chairman of the Health & Fitness Association
• Justin Musgrove – Fitness First UK
• Marcos – Gym-Fit, Spain
• Dr. Gregor Hackfort – EVO Fitness, Germany
• Kenshj Savary – TC Training Center, Switzerland
• Tomi Peltonen – Ole.Fit, Finland

Topics Covered:

• Takeaways from the European Health & Fitness Forum
• International growth opportunities
• VAT and pricing accessibility
• Retention strategies in a post-pandemic landscape
• Digital ecosystems and Gen Z expectations
• Mergers, acquisitions, and franchise models with purpose

📢 Don’t forget to subscribe to the All Things Fitness and Wellness YouTube channel and follow us on LinkedIn for behind-the-scenes content, extended interviews, and more industry insights.

This Week in Fitness by All Things Fitness and Wellness delivers the top fitness business headlines—all in under five minutes. Hosted by Krissy Vann.
Stay fit, stay informed, and keep your fitness business in shape.

In this episode:

NHS Report Pushes for Physical Activity in Healthcare
The NHS is calling for movement to be embedded in clinical care, backed by over $12 billion in potential economic impact.

Life Time Launches LTH Supplements on Amazon
With 71% of U.S. adults feeling overwhelmed by supplement choices, Life Time brings its research-backed formulations to Amazon to improve access and trust.

Garmin fēnix Smartwatches Head to Space
Garmin wearables are being used to track biometrics during the Fram2 mission—an all-civilian flight to polar orbit collecting 24/7 space health data.

Novo Nordisk Targets Compounders Over Wegovy Copies
With FDA exemptions ending, Novo Nordisk is pursuing legal action against pharmacies producing unauthorized versions of its GLP-1 drug.

Hydrow Partners with Soho House
Hydrow rowers are now available at 15 Soho House locations worldwide, part of the company’s push to connect elite wellness with immersive, on-water training.

GymNation’s In-Gym Hotel (Sort Of)
An April Fools’ Day concept imagines a hotel inside a gym—highlighting the real-world rise of fitness tourism and recovery-first thinking.

Also: In case you missed it, check out our Fitness Business Forecast panel with insights from Lise Kuecker, Mark Mastrov, Mo Iqbal, Matthew Januszek, and Brian Anderson. We break down what’s driving capital in 2025—and what to watch in the year ahead.

Subscribe for weekly fitness industry updates from All Things Fitness and Wellness.

Where is capital flowing in the fitness industry in 2025? In this special edition of The Fitness Business Forecast by All Things Fitness and Wellness—presented by ABC Fitness—host Krissy Vann leads a high-level conversation recorded on site at HFA 2025 in Las Vegas.

The roundtable covers the financial forces shaping the industry today and tomorrow, including:

• Where venture capital, private equity, and strategic investors are placing bets
• Whether AI is delivering measurable ROI—or just adding operational noise
• If Pilates and premium boutique fitness have reached saturation
• The impact of GLP-1 medications on member behavior and longevity-focused business models
• Global expansion: where brands like UFC Gym and Crunch are growing next—and why

You’ll also hear expert predictions on how operators can position themselves for long-term success amid economic uncertainty, regulatory shifts, and evolving consumer demand.

Featured Guests:

• Mo Iqbal, Chairman of SweatWorks & Chief Strategy Officer at ABC Fitness
• Mark Mastrov, Founder of New Evolution Ventures
• Lise Kuecker, CEO & Founder of Studio Grow
• Brian Anderson, CEO & Strategic Advisor for Fitness and Consumer Brands
• Matthew Janusek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness & Co-Host of Lifts podcast (joins midway)

This is your essential financial briefing for the fitness industry in 2025.

Presented by ABC Fitness
At ABC Fitness, they turn the vision you have for your fitness business into reality.
Explore solutions at ABCfitness.com

This Week In Fitness, hosted by Krissy Vann, is your five-minute download of the top headlines shaping the business of fitness. Produced by All Things Fitness and Wellness, we deliver fast, factual, and insightful updates designed for decision-makers and industry insiders.

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

This week’s episode covers:

• Wellhub to Acquire Urban Sports Club
  Wellhub has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Urban Sports Club, a move that would expand its global wellness network to 18 countries.
• Peloton x Lil Jon
  The rapper returns to the tread studio for a surprise DJ class, highlighting Peloton’s music-first engagement strategy.
• 23andMe Files Chapter 11
  With a shrinking market cap and leadership changes, the once high-flying genetics company faces a court-supervised sale process.
• U.S. Army’s ‘All You’ YouTube Series
  A new wellness-focused content campaign aimed at Gen Z, grounded in the Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness system.
• Ergatta Partners with iFIT
  Game-based fitness meets connected training as Ergatta’s interactive workouts roll out across iFIT treadmills.
• HYROX x GymNation Launch in Middle East
  New performance centres replicate official race conditions, tapping into the rising demand for sport-style training.

Subscribe for weekly updates and follow us on LinkedIn for more insights into the fitness and wellness industry.