Most studio owners decide to open their fitness and wellness businesses because they want to help people and add more meaning into their lives.
Their heart is in the right place, but scaling a profitable business that feels incredible to own and run is trickier than ever before. So where they get stuck is no one has ever shown them how to run a wildly successful business, without the overwhelm and chaos.
Plus, they’re doing it all alone.
Until now.
Welcome to The Geronimo Unfiltered Podcast for ambitious boutique studio owners who are allergic to average and know they’re capable of more. They’re just missing the HOW.
I’m your host Doza, CEO and Founder of The Geronimo Academy... And together with my crew and my community of owners and managers who are the doers and the implementers, we are on a mission to pioneer a better way to own and operate a health and fitness business, while building a life you love, not hate.
So, if you’re ready to push your boundaries, level up your money, meaning and impact & stop doing it all alone… then you’re in the right place ...
This is going to be raw and unfiltered, zero bullshit.
So take a deep breath, strap yourself in, and let’s get started.
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The 3 Systems You Need To Go from Reactive to $115k Months
mardi 28 juillet 2026 • Durée 42:12
Everyone tells you you're killing it. But your week is back-to-back fires, the business only works because you're holding it up, and deep down you know this pace has a price.
Book your free discovery call and let's map out what your studio actually needs next: https://bit.ly/p-your-studio-check-up
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Connor built five businesses by 28 and it nearly killed him. This is the story of one cardiac ward, two business sales, and the three systems that turned Athletic Culture into a $115k a month gym.
He was doing 16-hour days and hadn't taken a real holiday in ten years when his heart gave out last August. A hole in his heart nobody picked up at birth, two weeks on a cardiac ward surrounded by 70-year-olds, then open heart surgery. Most owners would have used that story as the reason to quit. Connor used it as the reason to redesign everything.
He sold the pasta bar from his hospital bed, let go of a cafe, and went all in on the gym he calls his baby. Three months after surgery his partner sent him a video of my heart attack, he inquired that day, and signed the same afternoon. Eight months later Athletic Culture has gone from stuck and reactive to $115k months, and he hit a goal we set for the end of this cycle before we were even halfway through it.
Me, Connor and Sophie get into exactly what changed, and then his manager Taylor takes the chair to tell the owner's side of the story back to us.
In this episode you'll hear:
How Connor built a $100k a month gym with no sales system, no leads and no paid ads, and why that run was always going to hit a ceiling
The retention play that turned the slowest weeks of the year into his biggest Fitness Passport month ever
The playbooks and structure Taylor now runs, so problems get sorted before they become fires
How to prove your culture instead of just claiming it, plus the hiring rule that protects it: character over qualifications, no dickheads
What Taylor says owners get wrong the moment they finally hire a manager
Loved this one? Binge this next: The Hidden Reasons Your Culture Sucks and How to Build One Built to Win. Connor says culture is his secret sauce. That episode is how you build yours on purpose.
Connor went from a cardiac ward to $115k months in under a year, working fewer hours than he ever has. If you're ready to find out what that looks like for your studio, book your free discovery call here: https://bit.ly/p-your-studio-check-up
Chapters
00:00:00 Five businesses, 16-hour days, then a cardiac ward at 28
00:07:25 Why he didn't quit, he redesigned everything instead
00:11:21 Selling the pasta bar and the second cafe
00:15:00 System 1: sales
00:16:12 Culture is king, and how to actually prove it
00:19:33 How a 21-year-old ends up with five businesses
00:26:05 System 2: retention and the Survivor Series
00:27:57 System 3: playbooks, structure, no more firefighting
00:28:44 The heart attack video that brought him to Geronimo
00:34:40 Taylor takes the chair: the manager's view
00:41:06 The letting-go conversation every owner needs to hear
00:47:05 The 3-2-1 goal game: naming the November number
00:49:58 Final advice for owners and managers
The Studio Growth Playbooks that Took a Dog Training Business from $50k-$100k/mo
mardi 21 juillet 2026 • Durée 41:07
Everyone tells you your business is different too. Your market, your model, your members, your suburb. If that story is the reason you haven't fixed your intro offer or built your rollover process, grab the free Vision Book Template that Nath used to rebuild his business: https://bit.ly/p-vision-book-template
And if you want to see exactly how this playbook maps onto your studio, book a discovery call here: https://bit.ly/p-your-studio-check-up
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A dog training business joined a gym growth academy and doubled to 100k months in six months. This is the episode that kills the "my business is different" excuse for good.
Every week someone tells me their market is unique, their clients are special, and the model wouldn't work for them. Then Nath called my sales team, said "I'm not your avatar, but I want in," and joined a coaching program built for gym owners with a dog training business. My first reaction was to ring my sales team and ask what the hell they were doing.
Six months later he's doubled the business on the exact playbook we teach studio owners, with nothing watered down or adapted for dogs. What almost stopped him had nothing to do with the industry, and everything to do with what he was refusing to let go of. That part of the story is the reason to listen to the whole thing.
In this episode you'll hear:
The exact model: a four week Calm Dog Kickstart, a 70% rollover rate, and a $148 a week membership (yes, for dogs)
The moment he rang his coach to quit at 75k months, and the answer that turned it into 56% growth in two months
The identity shift from doing the work to owning the business, and what was actually underneath the refusal to let go
The 70% rule in action: he launched his vision book, lost four of his twelve staff in a week, and kept going anyway
Why "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" is a lie, in dogs and in business owners (including a live fix for Doza's whinging Labradoodle)
If this one hit, binge this next: STOP Playing Small. It's the other half of this story, because Nath's real unlock wasn't the kickstart or the rollover process, it was refusing to stay at the level everyone said was already good.
Nath came in at 50k months running a dog training business, and the same frameworks took him past 100k with a mission to save 10,000 dogs. If he can do that in an industry we'd never coached before, imagine what the playbook does inside an actual studio. Book your discovery call here: https://bit.ly/p-your-studio-check-up
CHAPTERS
00:00:00 The dog training business that broke our avatar
00:02:03 "I'm not your avatar, but I want in"
00:04:50 The business model: entry points and the Calm Dog Kickstart
00:07:47 Inside the $148 a week membership
00:11:31 Recap: 50k to 75k, then the bottleneck
00:12:28 The call with Rob that nearly ended it
00:14:47 Why he couldn't let go: the identity underneath
00:16:46 PSA: "my business is different"
00:20:58 The mission: 10,000 dogs
00:22:20 The 70% rule: losing a third of the team
00:24:57 What's next: the 10k Dogs podcast
00:26:33 Live demo: fixing Duke's whinging
00:28:44 Burnout, Separation Sunday and family
00:33:55 Moving the goal: 300k months
00:37:08 Business principles, not business models
The Conversation Every Business Partnership Needs
mardi 19 mai 2026 • Durée 29:48
👉 Want to audit your own studio structure? Book a free 15 minute studio check-up here.
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Ange and Tanya from Feel Good Pilates have built four studios on track for $4M with one business partner and zero drama. This is the framework, plus Doza's own war story of nearly losing the business before Geronimo Academy even started.
Around 40% of studio owners are in business with a partner. Most are one tough week away from the argument that never quite gets resolved. Money stress shows up, resentment shows up, and suddenly you're parked in a suburban street on the phone to your lawyer working out who gets the house.
Doza has been there with Ben in the first year of Geronimo. Ange and Tanya have run a cleaner version of the partnership model from day one.
In this episode, Doza pulls out a big piece of paper, draws a line down the middle, and walks them through the two-column rule live. Then he maps it to the eight KPIs every studio business runs on.
If you've ever felt foggy about who owns what in your partnership, this is the episode to send your business partner.
In this episode you'll hear:
The two-column rule that ends partnership confusion forever
Why one throat to choke per KPI is the most underrated rule in business
Doza's full story of nearly losing his business and his oldest mate
The eight KPIs every studio business actually runs on
Why Feel Good Pilates have only ever had to fire two people
The single ego trap that kills most business partnerships
The exact starting move Monday morning if your partnership needs this conversation
Chapters:
00:00:00 Cold open
00:01:59 Why partnerships go murky
00:03:14 Doza and Ben, the lawyered-up war story
00:06:49 The mastermind room that saved Geronimo
00:08:01 The two-column rule, drawn live on paper
00:08:28 Who's actually the CEO at Feel Good Pilates?
00:09:00 How they secretly run a RACI model
00:10:18 Ange's column: culture, retention, team, ops
00:13:17 Numbers: why this one is always shared
00:15:20 Tam's column: lead flow, sales, content, brand
00:17:03 Mapping the 8 KPIs to one throat to choke
00:18:26 Why this clarity is why they'll hit $4M
00:19:00 Buy back your time: what each partner would delegate first
00:22:53 Did the split happen naturally?
00:25:20 The biggest mistake Doza sees in failing partnerships
00:28:18 Where to start Monday morning
00:29:48 Where the pilates industry is going
00:30:30 Vision reveal: 10 studios in 10 years
Where to go next:
If this hit, listen to The Real Reason Your Team Isn’t All In (It’s Not the Money).
Ready to audit your own studio structure? Book a free 15 minute studio check-up here.
A Warning From Leading Equipment Supplier…“This is the Fit Out of the FUTURE”
Saison 1 · Épisode 70
mardi 3 septembre 2024 • Durée 36:03
Sultan Kirby is a gym and fitness studio equipment specialist. He speaks to HUNDREDS of gyms a day and is right in the middle of what’s happening in the world, having just returned from a huge fitness equipment expo in LA.
So what did he learn?
We asked Sultan the following questions:
Where is the industry headed? Are we moving away from fitness studios in their traditional form?
What kind of equipment are people looking for and how do we cater for it?
What were the biggest fitness trends coming out of LA?
If Sultan had a budget of $100k to open a studio today, how would he spend the money?
What Sultan WOULDN’T do and a warning to all owners…
… and a whole lot more
Find out more about Sultan and his work over at www.compoundfitness.com.au and over on IG @compoundfitnessau
Prefer watching to listening? Check out the video version of the podcast here.
WANT MORE:
To say thank you for listening to the pod we’d like to gift you a FREE session to brainstorm a 3 Step Action Plan for your gym or fitness studio so you know EXACTLY what step you need to take to grow. Book in yours here
Find out more about working with Geronimo at thegeronimoacademy.com
Want to follow along behind the scenes? Check out @thegeronimoacademy and @hey.doza
What I Would Do If I Opened a Gym/ Fitness Studio Today
Saison 1 · Épisode 69
mardi 27 août 2024 • Durée 29:34
Starting a business is tough—50% of them don’t survive, and 75% of business owners earn less than minimum wage.
During a particularly tough time with my business, I asked my accountant this question.
“Do I push harder or do I start driving Uber to supplement my income?”
His response?
“If you have enough time to drive an Uber, you have time to focus on your business.”
Our studio then went on to become the largest and fastest growing studio in Sydney, in addition to winning multiple Division Champion awards we were also voted Sydney’s #3 best place to workout, and #1 Gym by The Urban List.
So in today’s episode, I’m talking about the FIVE most important steps that I would take if I were to open a studio again today.
These are actional tips, even for network studios. I’ll also be diving into a unique concept that we’ve been exploring - one that is the complete OPPOSITE of a traditional gym…
You’ll hear:
The ONE thing that will GUARANTEE your profits—and without it, you could fail
The phenomenon happening on Google that is changing the GAME for all marketing strategies
Why a fancy fit-out could mean a slow death for your business
The team I’d be hiring from day one
How to become a WORLDWIDE fitness brand, not just a local gym
The steps I would take to ensure I was profitable on OPENING day
… and a whole lot more
Prefer watching to listening? Check out the video version of the podcast here.
WANT MORE:
To say thank you for listening to the pod we’d like to gift you a FREE session to brainstorm a 3 Step Action Plan for your gym or fitness studio so you know EXACTLY what step you need to take to grow. Book in yours here
Find out more about working with Geronimo at thegeronimoacademy.com
Want to follow along behind the scenes? Check out @thegeronimoacademy and @hey.doza
Struggling to Find Trainers? Fix Your Hiring Funnel By Doing THIS. Ft Chris Lawrence
Saison 1 · Épisode 68
mardi 20 août 2024 • Durée 41:26
Can’t find any experienced trainers out there? You’re not alone.
Joining me on today’s show is Chris Lawrence, a former NRL player who made it against all odds when he dislocated his hip, had 13 bones in his face shattered during practice AND still went on to play 250 games for the West Tigers.
Since then, Chris has gone on to design an education program for professional athletes to provide freedom for athletes after their sporting careers.
As a result, Chris speaks to thousands of gyms, and what he has found might not surprise you…when it comes to hiring trainers - there is a ‘Missing Middle’.
So if there aren’t any trainers out there, who are you meant to hire?
Let’s find out.
You’ll hear:
The unique strategy that could help you secure your next best hire
Why Doza got into a fight with Seek about his controversial job ad
Why Doza hired an Operations Manager from Mcdonald's instead of a fully qualified personal trainer
The injury that nearly ended Chris’s footy career and changed his mindset
… and a whole lot more
Check out Chris over on IG @chrislawrence04
If you want to learn more about One Training, head over to @onetraining and claim a free gift pack from Vitadrop over at http://www.vitadrop.com.au/onetraining.
Prefer watching to listening? Check out the video version of the podcast here.
WANT MORE:
To say thank you for listening to the pod we’d like to gift you a FREE session to brainstorm a 3 Step Action Plan for your gym or fitness studio so you know EXACTLY what step you need to take to grow. Book in yours here
Want to follow along behind the scenes? Check out @thegeronimoacademy and @hey.doza
EVERYTHING You Need to Know About Your Gym or Fitness Studio’s Finances in 35 Minutes
Saison 1 · Épisode 67
mardi 13 août 2024 • Durée 41:28
Most studio owners are more familiar with their love language than their financial metrics.
But did you know that everything you want in business and in life is on the other side of a couple of reports?
Today I brought our CFO, Danny Chiha on the show to break down everything you need to know about reporting - it’s entry-level but do this and the game WILL change for you.
You’ll hear:
2:11 - The biggest misconception ALL new business owners have about their money
05:26 - The three things you need to focus on to make more money and get the lifestyle you’re dreaming of
10:54 - What is a healthy profit percentage?
12:52 - Why cancelling your subscription isn’t going to do ANYTHING to your savings account
16:31 - The stats you should be looking at to become a RICH studio
17:31 - Which reports should you be checking in Xero?
19:35 - Should I include my wages as part of labour?
20:32 - The mistakes in your books that will make it VERY hard to sell when the time comes
21:59 - Is it better to pay yourself a wage or take profits?
22:26 - Should I be putting up my membership fees in keeping with inflation?
26:10 - is there a way to calculate your BAS ahead of time?
31:10 - What we’ve done at Geronimo to get our numbers financially healthy
… and a whole lot more!
WANT MORE:
To say thank you for listening to the pod we’d like to gift you a FREE session to brainstorm a 3 Step Action Plan for your gym or fitness studio so you know EXACTLY what step you need to take to grow. Book in yours here
Want to follow along behind the scenes? Check out @thegeronimoacademy and @hey.doza
How to Reach the NEXT LEVEL of Your Business if Money is No Longer a Problem
Saison 1 · Épisode 66
mardi 6 août 2024 • Durée 31:30
The fitness and wellness industries are seeing a rise in a different type of studio owner - those who are already great but want to be the BEST.
These are the studios that when you look at their numbers, they seem to be at the top of their game. BUT behind the scenes, they’re stressed, they’re working overtime, and they’re taking on responsibilities they shouldn’t be doing, to get their numbers in the green.
So how do you push through to the NEXT LEVEL and gain LEVERAGE?
There are three things that will get you there: a Team Identity, Team Design, and Accountability Chart.
Listen to this episode to find out:
Why you won’t get yourself out of the business with the team structure you have right now
The exact formula to get a team of A Players
The ONE change you can make to your organisation chart that will ensure your KPI’s are met without fail
The mental shift in our team that took us from a team of casuals running out the door after their shift to a COHESIVE and aligned group (even with 19-year-olds)
… and a whole lot more
Prefer watching over listening? Watch the video version here.
The diagram of the Golden Pyramid is here.
Check out Soph’s job description here.
WANT MORE:
To say thank you for listening to the pod we’d like to gift you a FREE session to brainstorm a 3 Step Action Plan for your gym or fitness studio so you know EXACTLY what step you need to take to grow. Book in yours here
Want to follow along behind the scenes? Check out @thegeronimoacademy and @hey.doza
The Future of CrossFit: Southend CrossFit’s Strategies for a 3% Churn Rate & How to ADAPT to the Changing Market
Saison 1 · Épisode 65
mardi 30 juillet 2024 • Durée 43:36
The CrossFit industry is changing.
People are no longer interested in flogging themselves anymore - they’re focusing on their mental health and wellbeing. And with recent events over the last few years, who can blame them?
So what happens to an industry that was built on a steel will and peak physical strength?
Joining us on the show today is Jack & Jacob from Southend Crossfit in Maroubra who have not only achieved a churn rate of 3% but they’re up $10k a month in LESS than 6 months with net 50 members. Jack and Jacob run an incredible CrossFit studio that CONTINUES to evolve and adapt to meet the market's needs.
So what are their secrets?
Let’s find out.
You’ll hear:
Insights into how Jack & Jacob keep their studio relevant AND profitable
The audience that Jack & Jacob are now tapping into and REAPING the rewards because of it
Should CrossFit follow the Hyrox path?
How to gain a TRUE competitive advantage
The BIGGEST mistakes they’ve made in the 8 years of owning a studio
Their most important advice for studios that are struggling
… and a whole lot more
Want to hear more from the CrossFit boys? Have a listen to their poddy Southend Podcast here.
Give them some love over on IG @southendcrossfit or head over to their website www.southendcrossfit.com.au
WANT MORE:
To say thank you for listening to the pod we’d like to gift you a FREE session to brainstorm a 3 Step Action Plan for your gym or fitness studio so you know EXACTLY what step you need to take to grow. Book in yours here
Want to follow along behind the scenes? Check out @thegeronimoacademy and @hey.doza
The Secret Tactics We Use to Grow Million Dollar Studios in 2024
Saison 1 · Épisode 64
mardi 23 juillet 2024 • Durée 28:05
I am giving away everything for free in this episode. Including something Sophie is going to be VERY upset about when she finds out
You NEED to listen to this episode because today I’m talking about some of the tips and strategies that we give our clients in the MILLION DOLLAR STUDIO program (it doesn’t get much better than this).
Make sure you stay tuned til the end to hear my secret bit of advice (usually we charge for this…) and the steps you can take if you’re a studio that needs to get unstuck ASAP OR if you’re a studio that is ready to put your foot on the accelerator.
You’ll hear:
How to capitalise on a downturned market (BIG tip revealed here🤫)
Why your ads STILL aren’t working…
How to be like Mike and Paul and hit 70% conversion rates on PAID leads for a PAID trial
… and a whole lot more
Prefer watching to listening? Check out the video version of the podcast here.
Queue up these episodes next:
➡️THIS is What’s Stopping You From Being a High Performer with NLP Coach Kylie Ryan
➡️The REAL Reason You Can’t Bring Yourself to Call The Leads with Mindset Coach Kylie Ryan
➡️Triple Your Growth by Hiring THIS Staff Member
➡️How to Set Your Team Up to Win with NRL Coach Josh Hannay
➡️850 Members &2.3% Churn Rate: Tribe’s Owner Reveals His Game-Changing Strategies
➡️The Team Handbook: What It Is and WHY Your Studio Needs It
WANT MORE:
To say thank you for listening to the pod we’d like to gift you a FREE session to brainstorm a 3 Step Action Plan for your gym or fitness studio so you know EXACTLY what step you need to take to grow. Book in yours here
Want to follow along behind the scenes? Check out @thegeronimoacademy and @hey.doza
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