Send us a text

Disability isn't a limitation—it's a superpower. That's the transformative message Kevin McCann brings to our latest conversation on the Fit to Grit podcast. Born with cerebral palsy that affects his ability to walk independently, Kevin has turned his lived experience into a powerful platform for advocacy and business transformation.

After being rejected by ten consecutive news directors who saw his disability as a liability rather than recognizing his qualifications, Kevin reinvented himself as a speaker who helps businesses understand the competitive advantage of inclusive hiring. The irony? Organizations now pay him to tell the story others once rejected.

"Hiring someone with a disability isn't charity," Kevin emphasizes during our conversation. "It allows you to create a competitive advantage over your competition." He backs this claim with compelling statistics: 63% of people with disabilities don't require accommodations at all, and 80% of accommodations cost less than $500. Meanwhile, 92% of consumers support businesses that employ people with disabilities.

Kevin's framework—the Three C's of Culture, Commitment, and Connection—provides a roadmap for organizations looking to build more inclusive environments. For fitness facilities specifically, Kevin offers practical insights on how inclusive hiring can expand clientele and improve systems. People with disabilities excel in roles requiring routine and structure, making them ideal candidates for positions like membership engagement representatives or front-desk staff.

Perhaps most powerfully, Kevin shares examples of how simple accommodations can lead to extraordinary outcomes, like the McDonald's employee with a disability who, with some basic systems in place, went on to win Employee of the Year. "It's all about making systems and processes more efficient and effective," Kevin notes. "The most effective way you can do that is to have a diverse workforce."

Ready to transform your understanding of disability and business? Listen to this episode, then connect with Kevin at kevinmccanspeaks.com or through his podcast "Let's Have This Conversation." Your next competitive advantage might be hiding in plain sight.

Support the show

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://creatitive.com/fit-to-grit-cast/

Send us a text

Pricing isn't just about what you charge—it's a sophisticated form of communication that shapes how potential clients perceive your studio's value. Studios that strategically optimize their pricing see an 11% profit boost year over year, compared to just 3.5% from focusing solely on lead generation. Yet most studio owners miss this powerful opportunity.

Your studio's visual identity plays a crucial role in pricing perception. As I share in this episode, one premium studio struggled with $1,000 memberships because their branding resembled McDonald's—bright reds and yellows that communicated "fast food fitness" rather than premium experience. This fundamental disconnect between visual messaging and pricing creates cognitive dissonance that drives away potential clients before they even discuss money.

Most boutique studios exist in what I call the "value place"—neither competing with big-box gyms on volume nor positioned as ultra-premium exclusive studios. This middle ground requires careful pricing strategy that aligns with your brand positioning. Should you display pricing on your website? How much should you show? How do interior design choices affect perceived value? We dive deep into these questions, examining both the psychology and practical application of strategic pricing that attracts your ideal members while naturally filtering out poor fits.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to evolve your established studio, this episode provides actionable frameworks for communicating value effectively through your pricing structure. Subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and go out there and get gritty with your pricing strategy!

Support the show

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://creatitive.com/fit-to-grit-cast/

Send us a text

The boundary between technology and wellness is blurring, creating revolutionary opportunities for fitness professionals and businesses ready to evolve. Mike Hansen, a 25-year veteran of the fitness industry turned business incubator, shares his journey from gym operations to Wall Street and back to fitness entrepreneurship, revealing how passion and strategic thinking combine to create successful ventures in the wellness space.

Hansen provides a compelling roadmap for navigating the technological transformation sweeping through fitness. "There's two businesses in the future: the ones that use AI and the ones that are out of business," he states, while offering practical advice on creating an AI-driven culture that enhances rather than replaces human connection. His approach—"automate the grind, amplify the voice"—demonstrates how technology can free fitness professionals to focus on high-value activities while maintaining the personal touch that clients crave.

The conversation delves into why athletes make exceptional entrepreneurs, with Hansen observing that "100% will lose, 90% will fail, and 10% won't quit." This athletic DNA—characterized by perseverance through setbacks and delayed gratification—translates directly to business success. Similarly, the shift from "look good" to "feel good" as a primary consumer motivation reflects a more sustainable approach to wellness that prioritizes holistic wellbeing over pure aesthetics.

Perhaps most exciting is Hansen's work bridging the traditional gap between healthcare and fitness through ventures like Bridge Health, which enables fitness businesses to participate in insurance-supported care plans. This innovation creates win-win scenarios for consumers seeking preventative wellness, healthcare providers, and fitness businesses ready to expand their impact. Connect with Mike at MikeGHansen.com or find him on LinkedIn to learn more about these emerging opportunities.

Support the show

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://creatitive.com/fit-to-grit-cast/