The GSD Show | A Fitness Business Podcast - podcast cover

The GSD Show | A Fitness Business Podcast

Mike Arce | Loud Rumor | Fitness Business Growthwww.thegsdshow.com
We cover the most common challenges in the fitness industry to help you overcome them and GSD! This podcast is also available in high-def video and audio only formats. -- Read the show: https://www.loudrumor.com/the-gsd-show/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GSDshow/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/GSD_Show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gsd_show/
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Episodes

403: How $20M CEO, Allison Moreno Runs Her Company

🔗 Ready to GROW your studio? Schedule a free call to learn how we can help: https://loudrumor.com/discover If you think more ads are the key to scaling your studio, think again. In this episode, Loud Rumor CEO, Mike Arce, sits down with Allison Moreno, founder of a massage studio brand on track to hit $20 million in revenue, to reveal what actually fuels sustainable growth: leadership, systems, and real operational strategy. From building a 10-person support team to scaling without ad spend, Al...

Jun 24, 20251 hr 9 minEp. 403

#402: The Hardest Leadership Lesson: Letting Them Go

If there’s someone on your team you know isn’t a fit, but you’re still holding on, this episode is the wake-up call you’ve been avoiding. In this episode, Loud Rumor CEO Mike Arce delivers an honest message every leader needs to hear about what it really means to let someone go… and why NOT doing it might be the most selfish move of all. You’ll walk away with a new framework that: Ends the emotional guilt trip Unlocks space for your next A-player Protects your best team members from burnout This...

Jun 23, 202513 minEp. 402

#401: Increase Retention with Unreasonable Hospitality

If your studio is struggling with retention, reviews, referrals, or upgrades, this episode flips the script. Inspired by an unforgettable act of hospitality, Loud Rumor CEO, Mike Arce, dives into how studios can create standout member experiences that drive lasting loyalty. You’ll hear how one F45 owner built a 700+ five-star review reputation and how Loud Rumor members are using similar strategies to reduce attrition to 2–3%. From real-world examples to practical ways to reintroduce meaningful ...

Jun 22, 202515 minEp. 401

#400: This Gym’s Proven Strategies to Drastically Reduce Attrition

🔗 Ready to GROW your GYM? Schedule a free call to learn how we can help: https://loudrumor.com/discover If you’ve ever thought more leads were the answer to your gym’s growth, think again. In this episode of The GSD Show, Mike Arce is joined by Rich and Jade from Crowned Boxing to unpack how they slashed their gym’s attrition rate from 20% to just 4% and why retention was the real growth lever. From strategic onboarding and in-body progress checks to class revamps, gamified rewards, and ambassa...

Jun 17, 202542 minEp. 400

#399: How to Get Better Results From Your Marketing Agency with Adam Kifer

If you've ever blamed your marketing agency for poor results, this episode will challenge everything you think you know about paid ads, lead generation, and agency relationships. Adam Kifer joins Mike Arce to reveal why most gym and martial arts studio owners fail with ads—and what separates the top performers from the frustrated ones. From community-driven lead strategies like “business baskets” to retargeting hacks and onboarding that actually works, this is your new playbook for scaling smart...

Jun 10, 202550 minEp. 399

#398: Building a Top 5 Pure Barre Studio and 60% Close Rate with Lindsay Greenlee

Mike Arce sits down with Lindsay Greenlee, a former PhD professor who walked away from academia to launch one of the top 5 Pure Barre franchises in the country. She didn’t just build a studio—she built a movement that’s helped over 1,000 women reclaim their health and confidence. Lindsay shares exactly how she turned her lack of fitness industry experience into a superpower—leveraging storytelling, clarity, and community to create a brand that closes 60% of leads without high-pressure sales. Fro...

Jun 03, 202543 minEp. 398

397: Why “Work ON Your Business, Not IN It” Isn’t the Whole Truth

“You shouldn’t work in your business—only on it.” It’s a phrase we’ve all heard. Maybe even lived by. But in this episode of the GSD Show, Loud Rumor CEO Mike Arce challenges that long-standing business mantra and unpacks a powerful asterisk we’ve all been missing. After a candid fireside chat with high-performing entrepreneurs (including one with a $500M valuation), Mike shares why sometimes getting in the weeds is not only necessary—it’s the smartest move a leader can make. From shadowing empl...

Jun 02, 20256 minEp. 397

396: "I’m Just Burnt Out": Why Burnout Isn’t What You Think

In this new episode of The GSD Show Podcast, Mike opens up about a personal battle with burnout that stretched across nearly half a year—and the surprising realization that pulled him out of it. What if burnout isn’t really about being overworked? What if it’s about lack of progress ? Mike shares the internal dialogue, tough questions, and game-changing mindset shift that helped him rediscover motivation, re-energize his team, and dramatically reduce member attrition—all without switching compan...

May 30, 20258 minEp. 396

395: The Referral Strategy That Took Her Gym from $15K to $75K/Month with Laurel Roach

What if you could grow your gym to full capacity—without spending a dollar on ads? Laurel Roach reveals the strategy that helped her do exactly that. In this episode of The GSD Show with Mike Arce, fitness entrepreneur and Alloy franchise partner Laurel Roach breaks down the referral and relationship marketing system that’s fueling explosive growth at her North Scottsdale location and how you can do the same. A former corporate executive turned purpose-driven business owner, Laurel shares the mi...

May 27, 202556 minEp. 395

394: Email: Your Gym’s Gold Mine

You’re Sitting on a Goldmine: Unlocking the Power of Email in Your CRM In this episode, Mike Arce, CEO of Loud Rumor, reveals why most fitness studios are sitting on a goldmine—and wasting it. With over 4,000 gyms served across 11 countries, Mike breaks down the real difference between sending emails and doing email marketing . Learn why your CRM is your most underutilized asset, how to think about paid vs. earned vs. owned traffic, and what a proper customer acquisition cost (CAC) should look l...

May 22, 202520 minEp. 394

393: How She Doubled Her Gym in Just 6 Months with Felicia Romero

What if social media could consistently bring new members to your gym without spending a fortune on ads? Felicia Romero shares her game-changing strategies that every gym owner needs to know! In this episode of The GSD Show with Mike Arce, powerhouse entrepreneur, fitness expert, and media personality Felicia Romero reveals the strategies behind her rapid gym growth. As a franchise partner with Ohm Fitness and host of the Hi Felicia Podcast, Felicia shares how she turned her gym into a thriving ...

May 19, 202555 minEp. 393

392: Gym’s Face $50,120 Fines! FTC: Negative Option Rule Explained

There’s a new rule that could flip your entire business model upside down—especially if you rely on memberships, subscriptions, or recurring payments. Most business owners have never heard of it. Even fewer are ready for what’s coming. And the price of not knowing? Let’s just say... it’s not cheap.In this episode, Mike breaks down the rule, the risk, and the smarter way to move forward. If you charge monthly, you can’t afford to skip this one.

May 19, 202510 minEp. 392

391: Gym Grows From $50K to $166K PER MONTH in 1 Year! - The GSD Show with Mike Arce & Caitlin Bovee

How This Studio Owner 3X’d Revenue and Built a Team That Scales Hosted by Mike Arce, CEO of Loud Rumor In this episode, Mike Arce sits down with Caitlin Bovée, a studio owner in Ontario who scaled her business from $40K/month to over $160K/month—and opened a new location along the way. They break down the mindset shifts, operational systems, and leadership habits that transformed her business, without relying on gimmicks or shortcuts. You’ll learn: – What Caitlin changed in her sales process to ...

Apr 21, 202543 min

390: Gym Employees: Manage Up

Description: How To Lead from Any Seat on the Team — Managing Up for a Stronger Studio Culture Hosted by Mike Arce, CEO of Loud Rumor Whether you’re the owner of a gym, a front desk manager, or part of the coaching team, this episode is for you—and it’s one your entire team should hear. Mike Arce breaks down one of the most overlooked leadership skills in business today: managing up . You’ll learn: – Why great teams don’t just manage down… they lead in all directions – How to strengthen your stu...

Apr 17, 202510 min

389: How to Maximize Value When Learning

🎧 How to Maximize the ROI from Your Coaching or Mastermind Program Hosted by Mike Arce, CEO of Loud Rumor If you're a gym owner investing in a mastermind or coaching program—or thinking about it—this episode is a must-listen. With over 15 years of experience in high-level coaching circles, Mike Arce breaks down the real keys to getting the most out of these programs. You'll learn: Why the best in the world always have multiple coaches How surrounding yourself with winners shapes your habits and...

Apr 09, 202511 min

387: Managers Vs Leaders in Fitness Businesses

In this episode, Mike Arce, CEO of Loud Rumor, breaks down the key differences between managers and leaders and why understanding this distinction is crucial for business success. He shares an insightful exercise from a recent event, demonstrating how managers keep operations on track while leaders focus on judgment and growth. Mike also introduces the "131" problem-solving method and emphasizes how leadership isn’t about title but mindset. Whether you're an owner, manager, or employee, this epi...

Mar 14, 202517 min

386: A Message for Gym Employees

In this episode of The GSD Show, the leading fitness business podcast, we break down what it takes to be a successful employee in the gym space. If you’re working in a boutique fitness studio—whether it’s HIIT, Pilates, yoga, kickboxing, spin, or any specialized training facility—this episode is packed with game-changing insights to help you thrive in your role. Mike Arce, CEO of Loud Rumor, shares powerful lessons from working with over 3,700 fitness studios across 11 countries, revealing what ...

Mar 07, 202525 minEp. 386

385: How to Keep Gym Members for 50+ Months!

In this episode of The GSD Show, the leading fitness business podcast, we break down why most gym owners are stuck in a cycle of low profits and high attrition, but not Jeff Binek. Jeff has turned his gym into a $2.3M real estate empire, built a 7-figure fitness business, and maintains industry-best retention rates—all while working toward removing himself from daily operations. If you're tired of the constant grind and want to learn how to build real, sustainable wealth as a gym owner, listen n...

Mar 06, 202552 minEp. 385

384: Ways to Improving Retention Now!

In this episode of The GSD Show, the leading fitness business podcast, we break down one of the biggest challenges gym owners face—retention. He explains why most fitness studios struggle to keep members long-term and how shifting from a tactical to a strategic mindset can make all the difference. Listeners will discover: ✅ The most common mistake fitness business owners make when trying to improve retention ✅ The Job to Be Done framework that top-performing studios use to retain 97-99% of their...

Feb 21, 202530 minEp. 384

383: Why Most Gyms Lose Members Fast (Here’s the Fix!)

In this episode of The GSD Show, the leading fitness business podcast, we break down why most fitness business owners are focused on the wrong things regarding retention—and how simple adjustments in tracking, engagement, and results can dramatically reduce attrition. While most gyms struggle to achieve sub-12 % attrition, Dave and Kimberley from Blended Athletics have cracked the code; keeping their members on average for over 2 years! If you’re tired of the endless cycle of new member sign-ups...

Feb 13, 202556 minEp. 383

381: Why CEOs MUST Be Great Storytellers

In this episode of The GSD Show, the leading fitness business podcast, we break down how storytelling impacts sales, leadership, and business growth. The greatest CEOs and visionaries share one key skill: the ability to tell powerful stories. Mike Arce, CEO of Loud Rumor shares a real-life coaching session with a fitness business owner struggling to maintain top sales and retention. The missing piece? Authentic storytelling. Learn how conviction and details in your messaging can inspire your tea...

Jan 31, 202513 minEp. 381

380: CEO of Alloy Personal Training, Rick Mayo and Mike Arce Discuss Winning in the Fitness Industry

In this episode of The GSD Show, the leading fitness business podcast, we break down what it takes to run a thriving fitness business. Mike Arce sits down with Rick Mayo, CEO and Founder of Alloy Personal Training Franchise. Together, they explore: The key traits of successful fitness business owners . Actionable strategies to attract more members, boost revenue, and optimize your operations. Real-world insights from coaching fitness studios across the globe. As a franchisee of Alloy with studio...

Jan 22, 202539 minEp. 380

379: Stress vs Pressure for Fitness Business Owners

In this episode of The GSD Show, the leading fitness business podcast, we break down the pervasive issue of stress among business owners, highlighting statistics that reveal the high levels of stress they experience compared to the general population. Mike Arce emphasizes the importance of reframing stress as a challenge rather than a threat and shares practical strategies for managing stress, including time management techniques and delegation. The conversation aims to equip business owners wit...

Dec 31, 202428 minEp. 379

378: More Leads Won’t Change Your Fitness Business

In this episode of The GSD Show, the leading fitness business podcast, we break down why chasing more leads might be the wrong focus for your fitness studio and how plugging the holes in your business can lead to massive growth. Think more leads will fix your business? Think again. Drawing on insights from working with over 3,700 gyms worldwide, Mike explains why member retention—not lead generation—is the key to long-term success. What if your business could only grow by keeping the members you...

Dec 13, 20247 minEp. 378

377: Why Most Fitness Businesses Struggle With Attrition (And How to Fix It!)

In this episode of The GSD Show, the leading fitness business podcast, we break down the secret to cutting attrition and boosting revenue in your fitness business. Jeremy and Luis share how consistent sales training, ancillary sales strategies, and team alignment helped them achieve an impressive 5% attrition rate—well below industry standards. Learn their actionable methods for increasing retention, driving revenue, and creating a strong, engaged team. This is a must-watch for gym owners lookin...

Dec 10, 202418 minEp. 377

376: Why 2024 Sucked

In this episode of The GSD Show, the leading fitness business podcast, we break down why tough times in business are more common than you think and what the stats reveal about the current landscape. If 2024 has felt like a challenging year, you’re not alone—and it’s not a reflection of failure. Whether you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just looking for some perspective, this episode will help you reframe your challenges and remind you that you’re not as far off-track as you might think. Stic...

Dec 06, 202413 minEp. 376

375: One Major Move: How Danny Farrar added $500K in Revenue with Hybrid Programming

In this episode of The GSD Show, the leading fitness business podcast, we break down how value stacking and personalized consultations can lead to higher retention, better member outcomes, and a 90% close rate. Mike sits down with Danny Farrar, CEO & Founder of Soldierfit, to explore Danny’s “One Major Move”. Danny shares insights into combining brick-and-mortar gyms with online programs to create a seamless member experience, boost trainer satisfaction, and increase revenue. Whether you're ...

Dec 03, 202420 minEp. 375

374: Your Marketing Is Losing You Clients—Here’s How to Fix It

In this episode of The GSD Show, the leading fitness business podcast, we break down the powerful distinction between features and benefits in the fitness industry and how this shift in communication can significantly enhance client retention with Mike and Hye Jin Kalgoankar. Hye Jin shares real-world insights on crafting brand messaging that resonates with prospective clients, emphasizing why what you say matters more than what you do. They explore practical ways to communicate the benefits of ...

Nov 26, 202417 minEp. 374

373: Shoulds vs Musts (Audio Only)

In this episode of The GSD Show, the leading fitness business podcast, we break down the difference between shoulds and musts—the mindset shift that separates successful fitness businesses from the ones that stay stuck. Are you stuck in the cycle of saying, “We should be doing this,” but never actually getting it done? We share actionable strategies to transform your approach to client retention, lead generation, and revenue growth. Join us as we dive into prioritizing your “musts” to create a l...

Nov 20, 202414 minEp. 373

372: Do NOT Hire For Common Sense

In this episode of The GSD Show, the leading fitness business podcast, we tackle a question that’s top of mind for every business owner: What should you really look for when bringing someone onto your team? While qualities like hard work, intelligence, and accountability are essential, there’s one quality that many people prioritize—common sense—that might not be as valuable as you think. Join us as we break down why focusing on ‘common sense’ could be misleading and what traits to prioritize in...

Nov 10, 20244 minEp. 372
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