Today I’m joined by McConnell Smith of VMG Partners — a private equity firm focused on growth-stage investments. In this episode, we explore emerging opportunities across fitness and wellness. We discuss VMG’s new $850M fund, including the firm’s approach to backing consumer- and health-focused brands. And McConnell talks about VMG’s investment in [solidcore] — a Pilates-based boutique fitness concept. More from McConnell McConnell is a partner at VMG Partners, a growth equity fund focused on pa...
Jun 01, 2021•37 min
Today I’m joined by Eric Wu. Eric is the Co-founder and COO of Gainful, makers of personalized nutritional supplements. In this episode, Eric shares his journey from Y Combinator to raising $10M in venture capital. We discuss the opportunities and consolidation in the personalized nutrition category. And Eric explains why he believes Gainful could be a billion-dollar company. More from Eric Eric Wu is the co-founder and COO of Gainful. He started the company as an undergrad at Georgetown Univers...
May 25, 2021•33 min
Today I’m joined by Anand Sharma. Anand is the founder and CEO of Gyroscope — an app that lets you track and improve everything about your health. In this episode, we talk about Gyroscope’s evolution from a personal health experiment to a sustainable business. The challenges and opportunities in creating a personalized health dashboard. And the company’s mission to build a new operating system for the human body. More from Anand Anand is the founder & CEO of Gyroscope. He built the first ver...
May 18, 2021•38 min
Today I’m joined by Anthony Geisler, Founder and CEO of Xponential Fitness — a holding company of nine boutique fitness brands, including Club Pilates, Pure Barre, CycleBar, and others. In this episode, Anthony tells us how they managed to open new studios during the pandemic. We talk about how the Rumble acquisition came together. And Anthony explains why he’s bullish on the return of in-person exercise. We also discuss what’s next for Xponential — including more acquisitions, whether or not th...
May 11, 2021•38 min
Today I’m joined by Eric Min, co-founder and CEO of Zwift — a fitness company born out of gaming where users ride and run in virtual worlds. In this episode, Eric shares the key insights that led him to start Zwift. We discuss the company’s plan to launch a smart bike and other connected equipment, including a rower. And Eric explains why Zwift hopes to make virtual cycling an Olympic sport. More from Eric Eric Min is the Zwift CEO and Co-Founder at Zwift, the online fitness company born from ga...
May 04, 2021•41 min
Today I’m joined by Saeju Jeong, the co-founder and CEO of Noom — a psychology-based digital health platform. In this episode, we discuss Noom’s 14-year history. Saeju shares his journey, from South Korea to founding and scaling a digital health startup. We explore the product’s many iterations, including fitness, healthcare, and weight management. And Saeju explains why he is so passionate about helping people live healthier lives. More from Saeju Born in South Korea to a family of doctors, Sae...
Apr 27, 2021•39 min
Today I’m joined by Jason Karp, Founder and CEO of HumanCo — a holding company of health and wellness brands. In this episode, we talk about Jason’s experience starting Hu, a healthy snack brand, and selling the company to Mondelez. Jason shares his vision for HumanCo, which includes investing in, incubating, and acquiring brands. And we discuss HumanCo Acquisition Corp, a $250M SPAC led by Jason and CAVU Venture Partners. More from Jason Jason H. Karp is Founder and CEO of HumanCo – a mission-d...
Apr 20, 2021•35 min
Today I’m joined Jacob Rothman, co-founder and CEO of Perch. Perch is a velocity-based training system that uses 3D cameras to quantify and improve performance. In this episode, we talk about using technology to improve strength training. The idea of trickle-down health — where a company initially targets elite athletes before broadening its customer base. And how Jacob thinks about the role of content, community, competition, and data in the future of strength training. More from Jacob Jacob is...
Apr 13, 2021•28 min
Today I’m joined by Greg Caplan. Greg is the co-founder and CEO of Spot Meetings — a platform for walking meetings. In this episode, Greg explains how his personal experience with remote work led him to start the company. We look at what goes into designing a meeting platform for walking. We discuss the health and productivity benefits of simply walking more. And Greg talks about launching Spot’s beta and amassing a waitlist of 5K people. A quick disclosure, we are excited to be investors in Spo...
Apr 06, 2021•31 min
Today I’m joined by Jeff Morin — CEO of Liteboxer, an interactive at-home boxing experience. In this episode, we talk about Jeff’s background in building hardware products, why Liteboxer was four years in the making, how the company’s gaming-inspired platform makes people want to work out, and the potential for mixed reality to disrupt the fitness industry. More from Jeff Jeff Morin is an MIT-educated engineer and certified personal trainer with an eye for both physical and technological perform...
Mar 30, 2021•31 min
Today I’m joined by Robin Thurston, CEO of Outside. Outside, or Pocket Outdoor Media, as it was formerly known, is a platform for active lifestyle content and experiences. In this episode, we talk about the acquisitions, rebrand, and $150M funding round that helped turn Pocket into Outside. Robin shares his vision for a recurring revenue bundle across all aspects of an active lifestyle. And we discuss the challenges and opportunities brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. More from Robin Robin ...
Mar 23, 2021•37 min
Today I’m joined by Alexa Meyer. Alexa is the co-founder and CEO of Coa — a mental health and emotional fitness company offering therapist-led classes. In this episode, we talk about Coa’s mission to become the Nike of mental health. Why we should treat mental fitness like going to the gym. How in-person, community-focused classes help to destigmatize the idea of going to therapy. And why professional basketball player Kevin Love invested in the company. More from Alexa Alexa is the Co-Founder &...
Mar 16, 2021•30 min
Today I’m joined by Jon Carder. Jon is the co-founder and CEO of Vessel — an at-home diagnostics company helping users optimize their health. In this episode, we talk about using blood and urine tests to measure biomarkers. How Vessel sold 100K test kits as part of its pre-order campaign. Jon shares his plan to launch a connected, health-tracking toilet. And we discuss the company’s mission to put a diagnostic lab in the palm of every hand. More from Jon Jon Carder is a serial Internet entrepren...
Mar 09, 2021•33 min
Today I’m joined by Jeff Byers. Jeff is the CEO of Amp Human — a human performance company helping athletes unlock their potential. In this episode, we talk about Amp’s evolution from a single product into a platform. Jeff’s plan to build a system around human performance. How the company gained traction in the Tour de France, NFL, and United States military. More from Jeff Jeff Byers is the co-founder and CEO of Amp Human-- a human performance company and venture-backed startup based in Park Ci...
Mar 02, 2021•36 min
Today I’m joined by Brian Reilly. Brian is the co-founder and managing partner of Will Ventures — an early-stage firm investing across health & wellness, media, and consumer products. In this episode, we discuss the firm’s $55M inaugural fund. We take a closer look at a few of their portfolio companies — including Elo, Liteboxer, and Breathwork. Then Brian talks through ideas and untapped opportunities he’s interested in backing. Let’s get into it. More from Brian Brian brings a diverse prof...
Feb 23, 2021•33 min
Today I’m joined by Harpreet Singh Rai, CEO of Oura — makers of a health-tracking smart ring. In this episode, we talk about the evolution of wearables from step counting to health monitoring. We discuss Oura’s focus on accurate, actionable data. And Harpreet explains why he thinks competition from Apple, Amazon, and Google is actually a good thing. More from Harpreet Harpreet Singh Rai is the Chief Executive Officer of Oura and a member of its board. His purpose is to be part of a team that is ...
Feb 16, 2021•35 min
Today I’m joined by Brett Thomas. Brett is the co-founder and managing partner of CAVU Venture Partners — a leading venture capital firm investing in better-for-you food and beverage brands, as well as companies across health and wellness. In this episode, we discuss the evolving definition of health and how it’s broadening the firm’s thesis. We explore the art, science, and luck behind investments in Beyond Meat, Vital Proteins, Hims, and Thrive Market. And Brett talks about CAVU’s role in a ne...
Feb 09, 2021•44 min
This week, we’re excited to bring you another edition of Startup Spotlight – a series where we speak with early-stage founders working on fitness and wellness startups. Today I’m joined by Wilfred Valenta, CEO of Silofit. Silofit is a network of private, on-demand fitness spaces. In this episode, we discuss innovative approaches to brick and mortar fitness. Wilfred shares his vision for a decentralized gym — spanning real estate, software, and services. And we talk about why the company is focus...
Feb 02, 2021•30 min
Today I’m joined by Brian Kirkbride. Brian is the co-founder and co-CEO of FitLab — an integrated holding company of Performance Lifestyle brands. In this episode, we talk about FitLab’s evolution from venture studio to holding company. How they’ve partnered with brands like XPT, McGregor Fast, and Freeletics. Then Brian and I discuss the future of the fitness space, including digital options, the in-person experience, and community. More from Brian Brian Kirkbride is the co-Founder and co-CEO o...
Jan 26, 2021•42 min
Today I’m joined by Jimmy DeCicco, CEO of Super Coffee. In this episode, we discuss the company’s journey from college room to Shark Tank and landing an investment from Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez. Jimmy also talks about the importance of being action-oriented, building a strong culture and team, and how he thinks about the evolution of the better-for-you food and beverage category. Let’s get into it. More from Jimmy Jimmy is the oldest of the three DeCicco brothers who founded Super Coffe...
Jan 19, 2021•32 min
This week, we’re excited to bring you another edition of Startup Spotlight – a recurring series where we speak with early-stage founders working on fitness and wellness startups. We usually focus on established companies, operators, and inventors — and we’ll continue bringing you those conversations most weeks. But, from time to time, we’re highlight companies at the beginning of their journey. Today I’m joined by Emily Hochman, the founder and CEO of Wellory. In this episode, we talk about buil...
Jan 11, 2021•34 min
Today I’m joined by Avrum Elmakis, founder and CEO of CLMBR — a connected vertical climbing machine. I this episode, we talk about launching a company during a pandemic, introducing a new piece of equipment to the connected fitness category, why CLMBR plans to target the commercial sector in addition to at-home, and how the company landed investors like Jay-Z, Pitbull, and Novak Djokovic. More from Avrum Avrum Elmakis is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at CLMBR. A serial entrepreneur,...
Jan 05, 2021•32 min
Today I’m joined by John Burns, CEO of TB12. TB12 is a health and wellness company founded by Tom Brady and his personal trainer Alex Guerrero. In this episode, we talk about the company’s mission to help people perform better and live pain-free. Building a business that encompasses physical locations, digital content, nutritional supplements, fitness equipment, and more. And John talks about the company’s plans to develop an education and certification program for TB12 coaches. More from John J...
Dec 29, 2020•34 min
Today I’m joined by Jason LaRose, CEO of Equinox Media. In this episode, we discuss the SoulCycle at-home bike and Variis by Equinox — the digital platform powering the content and connected fitness experience. We talk about the role of the instructor, music, community, and programming in producing fitness content. Then we look ahead to the return of exercising in person, and how Equinox will approach an omnichannel fitness environment. Let’s get into it More about Jason Jason LaRose is the CEO ...
Dec 22, 2020•31 min
This week, we’re excited to bring you another edition of Startup Spotlight – a recurring series where we speak with early-stage founders working on fitness and wellness startups. We usually focus on established companies, operators, and inventors — and we’ll continue bringing you those conversations most weeks. But, from time to time, we’re highlight companies at the beginning of their journey. Today I’m joined by Lola Priego. Lola is the founder of Base — where they’re using at-home blood testi...
Dec 15, 2020•31 min
Today I’m joined by Brynn Putnam. Brynn is the founder and CEO of Mirror — a connected fitness company that combines an interactive screen with on-demand workout content. In July, lululemon acquired Mirror for $500M. In this episode, we talk about Brynn’s motivation for starting Mirror and the genesis of the idea. What differentiates the company from the growing number of look-a-like products. How Brynn defines community in a digital world. And what factors led lululemon to ultimately acquire th...
Dec 08, 2020•31 min
Today I’m joined by Byron Ling of Canaan Partners. In this episode, we discuss Byron’s investments in companies like Mirror, Ro, Papa, and Uniform Teeth. His insights on building a consumer brand in the healthcare space. And what we should look out for as fitness, wellness, and healthcare converge. About Byron Byron is a Partner at Canaan focusing on consumer and digital health investing. His investments include Papa, Ro, Uniform Teeth, Kin Euphorics, and Bravo Sierra. He was previously an inves...
Dec 01, 2020•32 min
Today I’m joined by Nate Raabe, the Managing Partner at Rx3 Growth Partners. In this episode, Nate tells us about partnering with Aaron Rogers to start Rx3. How the firm uses influencer investors to add value. And we learn about their investments in companies like Hydrow, Hims, Super Coffee, and CorePower Yoga. About Nate Nate is currently the managing partner at Rx3 Growth Partners, a consumer-focused influencer fund based in Orange County. Rx3 invests in both growing and established brands acr...
Nov 24, 2020•31 min
This week, we’re excited to bring you another edition of Startup Spotlight – a recurring series where we speak with early-stage founders working on fitness and wellness startups. We usually focus on established companies, operators, and inventors — and we’ll continue bringing you those conversations most weeks. But, from time to time, we’re highlight companies at the beginning of their journey. Today I’m joined by Zaw Thet, CEO of Exer. Exer uses AI and computer vision to power its motion coachi...
Nov 17, 2020•31 min
Today, I’m joined by Deepen Parikh, a partner at Courtside Ventures. Courtside is an early-stage venture firm focused on fitness and wellness, sports and media, and gaming. In this episode, Deepen tells us about Courtside’s new $75M fund, the firm’s thesis as it related to fitness: including the reinvented gym, human performance, community, and personalized data. And we get into how he thinks about the team, business model, and market when evaluating an investment opportunity. A quick announceme...
Nov 10, 2020•35 min
