HALO Talks

Sid Raman is a structural engineer with over three decades of experience in the construction and building sector. His expertise took an innovative turn roughly seven years ago, as he delved into the niche of construction automation and robotics. Sid discovered a new-found excitement in the application of motors and controllers, and the fascinating overlap between the principles governing both construction machinery and robotic systems. Host Pete Moore and Sid sit down to discuss the ground breaking, next-generation technology of treadmills and the futuristic vision behind it. Sid shares how his passion for trail running led him to create a treadmill that replicates outdoor experiences. They delve into the unique features of the treadmill, the business model behind it, and the potential impact on fitness and entertainment.  On new technology, Sid states, "All these treadmills have one problem, and that is they do not go up and down quickly and fluidly. So our secret sauce is that we took a belt and board, whic

Matthew Schober is the Co-Founder of Concierge Health (previously known as Gym Farm), a company that provides services to fitness facilities. Host Pete Moore and Matt discuss ancillary revenues, establishing new revenue streams for clubs, and the complex challenges and opportunities in the insurance and corporate markets. Matthew elaborates on how Concierge Health's platform--Connections--integrates AI coaching, nutrition, and employee well-being, offering an engaging experience for individuals and providing tools for partners. The conversation also delves into the practical aspects of managing employer programs and engaging senior individuals in fitness programs. As a strategist navigating both the insurance and corporate terrains, Matt is attuned to the complexities within the Medicare market . . . and well aware of its lucrative potential through usage-based programs entwined with demanding operational protocols that often deter participation by clubs. He acknowledges the challenges faced in reporting and

Will Coker emerged as an innovative thinker in the realm of club operations, a field where he's spent 24 years honing his expertise. His journey into entrepreneurship began when the seeds of an idea took root along with his Co-Founders, who held influential positions on advisory councils and boards across various other HALO-sector companies. Coker's role as an operations savant and an informal staffing consultant made him the go-to person for his business-savvy cofounders. These discussions, covering a wide range of issues, hinted at a market need that Coker realized needed to be addressed.  Leveraging his extensive experience and the strategic acumen of his Co-Founders, Coker helped start Fibr, a venture that would capitalize on the gap in club operations staffing and advisory services, setting the stage for what would likely become a dynamic and responsive business solution. Will and his team remain at the forefront of the issues surrounding recruiting in the HALO space, and is ready to steer Fibr to meet t

Jim Ludwig, an enthusiastic former tennis player, has been the linchpin for the pickleball community in Naples since 2010. His journey with the sport began at a small country club where he recognized the game's potential for growth, particularly among the senior demographic. Sensing the need for more space, Jim's vision led him to a nearby park, where he observed underutilized tennis courts. Taking the initiative, he proposed the idea to the county, which culminated in the transformation of a few tennis courts into dedicated pickleball courts. Jim shares his journey with the sport, from its humble beginnings to growing Naples, Florida into the epicenter of pickleball with 64 courts and hosting the world's largest pickleball tournament. He discusses the challenges and successes of bringing the sport to different venues and his vision for the future. He and Pete dive into into the evolution of the sport, sponsorship, and the profound impact of pickleball on health and wellness. On the rapid growth of the sport,

Rina Raphael is a highly regarded, well-established writer and journalist who has covered a wide range of topics in the HALO sector from fitness and nutrition to biohacking and even strology startups! She currently has a highly regarded newsletter on substack called Well to Do, and in 2016 she authored the Gospel of Wellness which deep-dives into the changes she witnessed in the industry, highlighting both hopeful and troubling developments. Currently, she writes for prestigious outlets such as Fast Company, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and the LA Times, with a focus on cultural and sociological aspects of wellness trends. Host Pete Moore and Raphael discuss topics such as the evolving trends in wellness, the challenges of reporting on wellness products, the intersection of wellness and religious communities, the impact of social and economic factors on health and wellness, and more. This episode offers an insightful look into the industry and the evolving landscape of health and wellness tren

In this episode, host Pete Moore sits down with long-time friend and former classmate Brian Paris to discuss a wide range of topics related to coaching, wellness, and personal development. Brian shares insights into his approach to coaching, emphasizing the importance of a holistic lifestyle, positive psychology, and the impact of habits and mindset. The conversation also delves a bit into the financial aspects of hiring a coach, the need for recovery and not glorifying burnout. Brian is known for his charismatic personality and his continued evangelizing of the HALO lifestyle. Since he was a teen, he's been all about a movement-first lifestyle and eventually became a "movement nerd." Paris continues to make a name for himself with his unique approach and ability to connect with others.  When discussing self-control and mindfulness, Paris states, "I've trained with therapists. I've trained with coaches. I've done specific work around breathwork, specific work with Native American traditions, and a whole bunch

Christine Howe has dedicated her entire career to staffing and recruiting in the HALO (Health, Active Lifestyle, Outdoors) industry for over 12 years. She recently ventured out on her own and started Fit Pro Finders, a staffing service catering specifically to the HALO space. She and her team work with a wide range of companies, from small to mid-sized independents, to franchise-owned and corporate facilities, to help them find the right personnel to drive their businesses forward. Pete and Christine discuss the in's and out's of human capital and delve into the challenges of finding and retaining top talent, the importance of a holistic approach to staffing, and the need to shift the industry's perspective to a people-first mindset. They also touch on the significance of understanding a client's immediate needs and the lack of HR departments in some scenarios. Regarding hiring from outside the industry, Christine is a fan. She states, "I've been having a lot of conversations with hiring managers about hiring

Dr. Kenneth Cooper (often referred to as the "Father of Aerobics") has been a one of the seminal pioneers in the field of preventive medicine for over five decades. Despite tremendous skepticism from the medical community at large initially, he founded the Cooper Clinic in Dallas in December, 1970 with the belief that taking care of healthy individuals was just as important as treating the sick. Over the years, he has worked to change the perception of preventive medicine and has become a leading advocate for fitness and wellness. His dedication to promoting healthy lifestyles has made arguably one of the biggest impacts in the field of medicine over the past few decades, and his work continues to not only teach physicians, but also to inspire others to prioritize their health and well-being. Dr. Cooper shares his personal daily exercise routine, and information about his upcoming documentary and book releases. Pete and Dr. Cooper delve into the importance of physical fitness in reducing healthcare costs and

Prime Hall served in the Marines from 2005 to 2017, with his initial deployment being in the infantry for the first four years. He later transitioned to becoming a water survival instructor, where he drew on principles of military water survival for the basis of his programming. Hall relays the story of an individual who survived for 20 hours in the Gulf of Mexico after falling off a Carnival cruise ship, which exemplifies the incredible efficacy of military water survival.  Prime also discusses his work with his company Deep End Fitness, a program that certifies instructors in this survival methodology and provides branded programming for health clubs, YMCA's, JCC's, and so on. Additionally, he dives (get it?) ;) into the Underwater Torpedo League (UTL), a unique sport he created while in the military to help his squad gain confidence which has garnered substantial attention and a growing community of players.  Hall states, "The biggest draw we see are individuals that have a fitness enthusiast, or water ent

Dave Cantor is a 20+ industry veteran in the natural food space. His journey began in the Midwest, where he developed a passion for food, sustainability, and gardening during his college years. After honing his cooking skills and pursuing his interests in farming, Dave eventually ended up running his own organic farm in New Mexico. He later furthered his education by obtaining a Master's degree in nutrition with a focus on food and agriculture policy. Dave discusses the inspiration behind his new brand, Folk Revival and offers up some solid takeaways from his many years in the trenches launching "better for you" brands with larger companies. He delves into topics like product development, marketing strategies, and the crowdfunding decision, and listeners will gain valuable, hard-earned insights into the world of nutrition startups. Regarding the name of the brand, Cantor is a self-described 'music nerd' and states, "The 'folk' really speaks to the the people part, the human nutrition, the functional nutrition

Lee is an entrepreneur originally from Michigan who, at 24, made a bold move to Costa Mesa, California in 2010 where he headed up the development of perhaps the first infrared studio in the country. He transformed the fledgling studio, implementing a membership model, and elevating the experience for customers. This marked the beginning of Perspire Sauna Studios, which has since expanded into a burgeoning franchise under Braun's leadership. Pete and Lee discuss starting an infrared sauna studio, transitioning into franchising, business growth, franchise development, the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, and more.  On the growing trend of healthier choices, Braun states, "There's a huge diaspora I see happening away from bars and alcohol, which I I'm all for. I think it's just a much healthier path. And it's cool to be there for that growing sector of people that are getting away from those kinds of pastimes into something more unique and healthy. . .which is what Perspire offers." Key themes discuss

Former currency trader Dom D'Alexander found himself unexpectedly drawn to a passion project that would substantially alter his career trajectory. Selling currencies to hedge funds was intellectually stimulating but something he lacked any real passion for. His hobbies were always focused on his own well-being, leading him to delve into something combining his love for personal development and self-care. This eventually became Somble, a platform focused on empowering independent coaches in the HALO sector. Pete and Dom chat about the challenges and vision behind the brand, the importance of collaboration, ecosystem, and delves into the potential for synergies between studios and coaches. Listeners will also hear about the unique approach of Somble's Co-Founders and uncover insights into the evolving landscape of fitness and coaching. Regarding the critical importance of execution, Alexander states, "I wish somebody had beaten me over the head early with the fact that ideas are really a dime a dozen, and that

In this episode, host Pete Moore is joined by Josh Bonhotal from TXV Partners. Josh shares his wealth of experience in player performance and training, from his time with the Chicago Bulls to his role at Purdue's men's basketball program. They dive into venture investing, discussing portfolio construction and risk management. As well as discuss the use of technology to optimize athlete performance and Josh's transition into the venture capital world. From mathematical models to practical insights, this episode runs the gamut. If you're an entrepreneur or a sports enthusiast, this is a must-listen! On some of the pitfalls in tech in sports performance, Josh notes, "There were a lot of companies out there, especially in the early 2010's . . . whether it be GPS, or heart rate, or monitoring sleep that were making all these bold claims. You saw some number of high level sports scientists and performance directors throughout elite sports, who, I think in good faith, wanted to believe that this data was accurate, a

Zvi Goffer is a former finance executive and father who was inspired to take action when planting the seeds of college education in the minds of his two kids. His idea for Campus VR took root when he brought his kids to his alma mater, a state school in New York . . . which unfortunately didn't do a good job representing themselves on their website. Wanting to do more than just show pictures, he decided to take action and figured there had to be a better way to engage kids in the modern era versus just "point and click."  Zvi dove into the VR world, learned it from the ground up and they actually ended up building their own robot! Campus VR has since evolved into a game-changing platform for top colleges and teams around the country. He discusses the power of VR in creating immersive experiences and how it can revolutionize the way businesses attract and engage potential clients. Pete and Zvi dive into the future of VR tech, its potential impact on various industries, and serves as a captivating exploration o

In this episode, Pete talks with Dixie Grace, a former planning engineer turned entrepreneur who has "brought back" the boiled peanut (a long time classic Southern snack) to the Northeast, an area where they're notoriously difficult to find . . . but not anymore! Raised by a single parent, she comes from a family of entrepreneurs, with her grandmother owning beauty salons and her mother being involved in various business ventures. Dixie shares her journey of creating artisanal boiled peanuts and the surprising customer reactions she encountered, leading to a remarkable 97% conversion rate. We explore her decision-making process in scaling her business and the innovative approach she's taking to bring her product to a wider market. Dixie's energy and enthusiasm are contagious! Pete offers up some advice to help her get her product into health clubs and commercializing it. Grace also talks about the myriad of health benefits, historical significance, and surprising international popularity of boiled peanuts. On

In this episode of HALO Talks, host Pete Moore is joined by Director of Education, Jeremy Strom, from Reaxing International. Jeremy shares insights into the Reaxing system, a game-changing, neuroscience-based program designed to train for unpredictability and enhance overall movement and response time. He discusses the company's innovative products, such as the Reax Run treadmill and Reax Board, and their impact on various industries, from health clubs to helping with Parkinson's treatments. Jeremy also highlights the company's commitment to research, education, and consumer-focused training, providing a glimpse into their future plans.  On using the products themselves, Strom states, "When you utilize and implement Reaxing products, it lights the brain to '5G communication,' and that communication now allows us to respond to what the 'machine' is doing, and implement the full system from the brain, to the big toe, out to the middle fingers-in such a way that more tissue is lit up, more reactive time, the rea

Host Pete Moore welcomes Josh Forkner, a prominent figure in the CBD space. Josh shares insights into his company's operations, including their innovative approach to product development, strategic partnerships, and the challenges they've faced in the market. Pete and Josh dive into the unique selling points of CBD products, the potential for growth in the industry, and the transformative impact of CBD on customers' lives. From athlete endorsements to navigating legal restrictions, this conversation delves into the rapid growth of a new brand in an already crowded market.  Regarding finding the right market for product sales, Forkner states, "We find that what works best for us are places like fitness studios, yoga studios, senior fitness centers, chiropractors, acupuncture, little small gyms, CrossFit . . . those places that only showcase our product or maybe 1 or 2 others we do very well in." Some key moments:  Founders are business partners in different industries. Stringent testing to prevent THC contami

In this episode, host Pete Moore sits down with serial entrepreneur Todd Abrams, the Co-Founder and CEO of ICON Meals. Todd shares his journey from starting his entrepreneurial ventures in the software industry to his passion project based in Texas, ICON Meals, which focuses on providing convenient and healthy food options.  Throughout the conversation, Todd discusses the challenges and successes of his business ventures, the importance of building a strong team, and his perspective on taking responsibility for one's life and actions. Abrams provides insights into the meal delivery and food industry, as well as valuable lessons in leadership, team building, and striving for continuous improvement. This is a must listen as Pete and Todd delve into the world of entrepreneurship, business strategies, and the drive to make impactful changes in people's lives through the power of food. One two of his keys to success, Abrams states, "I've always had to have two things in any of my businesses, one is residual recurr

In this episode, host Pete Moore dives deep into the VC (venture capital) world with Kiva Dickinson, Founder of Selva Ventures. Kiva began his career in investment banking before joining TPG. He received top-notch training there and developed a keen interest in the dynamics of the consumer world, particularly in ecommerce and health and wellness. His focus shifted to earlier stage opportunities, particularly in the better-for-you products sector. Kiva shares valuable insights from his TPG and CircleUp days before launching Selva. He sheds light on the process of raising capital, evaluating investment opportunities, and the key factors that drive successful investments in early-stage companies. The conversation also delves into the "5 M's"  approach for evaluating potential investments and the strategy behind exiting investments at the right time. Regarding raising capital he states, "Identifying the company is incredibly important, but building a tight investment process both pre and post investment, not only

Jack Thomas, originally from Australia, has been living and working in Thailand for the past few years. In this episode, host Pete Moore and Jack discuss everything from the burgeoning boutique fitness industry in Asia, to the evolving trends and growth opportunities in the U.S. fitness market. He is excited about the emerging markets in other Asian countries, such as Manila and Indonesia, and sees great potential for growth in the region. Jack also shares his new concept, The Fit Guide, a pioneering idea anchored in bringing high end, hospitality elements into the HALO sector. The Fit Guide evaluation process, which boasts 250 objective standards, has already launched in major cities and is set to make waves in new markets. With a strong emphasis on elevating the customer experience, the episode touches on the comprehensive evaluation process, revenue models, and potential future revenue streams, setting the stage for an engaging and informative conversation. Regarding the importance of brand consistency in