Talks and Takes Archive

Talks & Takes Archive

Browse recordings of past episodes to catch up on valuable information you missed the first time around.

Wednesday, May 29th

with Sara Kooperman, Brent Darden, Blair McHaney & Bill McBride

Topics In This Episode:

• Surge of Foot Traffic Making Gains in Q1
• Costco & GLP-1
• FTC Bans Employer Non-Competes
• The Buck Institute Research on Aging
• Menopause – a HOT Business Oppurtunity
• Niche Offerings for Creative Wellness
• Membership: How to Keep Them Coming Back
• Strength In Numbers: Group Membership Rates
• Mental Wellness Awareness

Wednesday, March 20th

with Sara Kooperman, Brent Darden, Blair McHaney & Bill McBride

Topics In This Episode:

• Revisiting IHRSA 2024
• The Ozempic Impact
• Time Is Running Out…Tik Tok
• The Power of Podcasts
• The Social Side of Fitness: Social Media
• Retired / Rehired
• Automated Amenities
• Strength In Numbers: Group Membership Rates
• Fitness Forecast: Industry Trends in 2024
• Health Club Hospitality

Your Industry Expert Hosts

Brent Darden

REX Roundtables Chair / Consultant

Darden recently served as the Interim President and CEO of IHRSA and currently leads multiple industry REX Roundtables. He was formerly the owner-operator of Telos Fitness Center, an award winning multi=purpose luxury brand in Dallas, Texas. Previously, Brent was V.P. of the Cooper Aerobics Center, and managed numerous fortune 500 corporate wellness programs. He continues to share his experience and expertise around the globe through speaking, writing, and consulting.

Sara Kooperman

CEO, SCW Fitness Education, WATERinMOTION®, and S.E.A.T. Fitness

Sara serves on the Gold’s Gym Think Tank and canfitpro Advisory Panel. She’s a founding board member of Women In Fitness Association (WIFA) and has received nominations for the IDEA Fitness Leader of the Year Award. Sara won the 2022 Most Innovating Fitness Pro by FIT-C and is a best-selling author. She’s an inductee into the National Fitness Hall of Fame, an Illinois State Businesswoman of the Year, and contributes to the ACSM Communication & Public Information Committee.

Blair McHaney

CEO, MXM
Owner, WORX Health Clubs

Blair is CEO of MXMetrics, Medallia’s partner to the fitness industry. MXMetrics is the industry’s leading member experience platform. MXMetrics (MXM) is software that turns members’ thoughts and feelings into qualitative and quantitative information that enables companies to drive their member experience strategy in meaningful ways. Blair is an expert at consulting with companies on how to improve the member experience at an operational level. He is also founder and President of Confluence Fitness Partners, operating gyms in Central Washington since 1983.

Bill McBride

Co-Founder, President
& CEO Active Wellness

An industry veteran with over 25 years of experience leading and managing all aspects of commercial health clubs, medical fitness centers, and more. He co-founded Active Sports Clubs and Active Wellness, LLC and owns a health club consultancy: BMC3. McBride has served as Chairman of the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) Board of Directors, and President of the Mid-Atlantic Club Management Association (MACMA).