Lessons in Leadership

This episode focuses on why your life lacks balance! And more importantly, why it matters! In this episode, I’m giving you Top Ten Tips to help you find more balance in your life! Tip # 1. Identify your top 5 values in life! Tip # 2. Be intentional with your time! Tip # 3. Get Organized! Tip # 4. Plan ahead! Tip # 5. Minimize the Junk in your life! Tip # 6. Set boundaries and Respect boundaries! Tip # 7. Lead by example! Tip # 8. Recharge your battery! Tip # 9. Find hobbies or outlets outside of work! Tip # 10 Know when to hit the gas…and when to let off! // Mr. Jeff Bezos said his primary job each day as a senior executive is to make a small number of high-quality decisions. That means getting eight hours of sleep, too. “I think better, I have more energy, my mood’s better,” he said. If he slept less, he could make more decisions. But it wouldn’t be worth it. “If I have three good decisions a day, that’s enough,” They should just be as high quality as a I can make them. “ Now, while the majority of us are making more than 3 decisions a day, the concept remains the same, its critical to recharge your battery in order to be a high level performer.

In this episode of Lessons in Leadership, we break down tips on how to raise your quitting point! What is a quitting point? It's a choice you make to give up during any given situation, specifically challenging ones. Everyone has a different quitting point and some people have a higher point than others, but why is that? Maybe you're the latter and someone who tends to give up when the going gets tough, maybe you tend to feel overwhelmed by large tasks, or you lose sight of the bigger picture. Today, we unpack reasons why you may be prone to quitting and we share simple tips, tools, and strategies you can begin implementing to learn how to stop giving up! For this episode and much more, Find Lessons in Leadership on Apple, Spotify, Youtube, or wherever you consume podcasts! https://youtu.be/UtflAvR-FLs

I had an amazing time sitting down with one of my favorite employees ever, AROKMO/DFW Training & Leadership Coordinator, Julia Garcia. In this episode of Lessons in Leadership, we discuss the biggest lessons she’s learned in her time at Excel, the downsides to her role, public speaking, imposter syndrome, negative mindsets, what it is really like to work for me and much more! I also put her in the hot seat and fired off some ridiculous questions that she was not expecting! LOL! Find Lessons in Leadership on Apple, Spotify, Soundcloud, and all of your favorite platforms! PEACE!

In this episode of Lessons in Leadership, Julia Garcia sits down with Callum Allison to discuss Planet Fitness, Jocko, Chick-fil-A, and Robert the Bruce! See how Callum took his training and experience at Chick-fil-A and used it to become a People First Leader here at PF.

Retired Marine Corp Officer, CEO, and Author of What Leaders Are, Nathan Neblett sat down with Lessons in Leadership to discuss the leadership spectrum, setting yourself apart, followership, and much more! With a BS in Aerospace Engineering from the US Naval Academy and having served as an officer for 24 years, Nathan attributes his failures, just as much as his successes to have compelled him to share his experiences. It's through these experiences that he hopes to help others succeed as leaders in their own careers and lives.

Pain, loss, and grief are emotions that we all experience at one point or another in our lifetimes. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a job, a relationship, or one of our goals, it can come in several different forms and affects us all differently. It’s how we manage, adapt, and overcome these changes that ultimately shapes who we become and what meaning we learn to assign to these experiences. I had the honor to sit down with Excel Fitness HR Senior Generalist, Lea Bernstein to discuss how she navigated an extremely difficult personal experience and the day that forever changed her life.

Lessons in Leadership Presents: 10 Tips on how to better manage your time! "Either run the day or the day runs you." No matter who you are or what you do, time management affects every aspect of your life. We are all constantly faced with decisions, whether we like it or not, on how we are managing every second of our day! Time Management impacts our productivity, efficiency, stress-levels, opportunities, and overall quality of life. Join me this week, as I discuss 10 Tips you can implement TODAY that will help you effectively manage your time! In this 10-minute segment, I break down my Top 10 Tips for effective Time Management!

Do you struggle with confidence? Self-doubt? Insecurities? Are there times where you feel unsure or uncertain? Great, that means you are human! Everyone struggles with confidence from time to time. However, understanding what confidence is, why it’s important, why you struggle with it, and how to overcome your insecurities are key factors in finding your most confident self! I was honored to sit down one of the most confident Excel Fitness Team Players, South Denton GM, Reggie Stephenson. He shares powerful tips on being self-assured, not letting anyone else define your self-worth, and being your own greatest resource! Click PLAY to listen in on our discussion! Find us on Apple, Spotify, & Iheartradio!

Lessons in Leadership- RM Will Mensing by Selena Easter

This episode covers a topic I'm personally passionate about and more importantly, I had the honor to discuss it with the subject matter expert, himself, AROKMO Regional Director, Brandon Sebald! He and I had a great time getting into the weeds on everything Health & Fitness! Diet Structure & Fitness Routine Motivation & Mentality Hitting Plateaus & Common fitness mistakes What we listen to during our workouts & Much More! Music/Podcasts we love: Ed Mylett Tony Robbins Andy Frisella Impact Theory Book we referenced: The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy Learning is no good unless you put it into action, so here is your Monthly Challenge: MOVE MORE! This month, make it a point to move more. We'd love to hear what you're doing to be the best version of yourself! You may find the audio version on your favorite platforms below! Apple Spotify Soundcloud

This episode is focused on Women in Leadership! Take a listen in, as Excel Fitness VP of HR, Bobbi Brant, Texas Research Institute CFO, Laura Collins (aka Lea Bernstein’s mom), and myself talk through challenges women tend to face such as struggles with confidence, emotions, perfectionism, business acumen, and much more! More importantly, we discuss how to overcome these challenges and the important role our male-counterparts have played in our success today!

Lucas Irwin of RebelMindfulness shares tips on ways to navigate the on-going global health crisis, how to find the good in the challenges we face, and what we can do to find peace among chaos.

On this episode of Lessons in Leadership, Brandon Sebald (Regional Director of AROKMO) and Julia Garcia (Training & Leadership Coordinator of AROKMO) sit down and discuss goal setting. Tony Robbins Link: https://www.tonyrobbins.com/ask-tony/can-create-compelling-future/

Excel Fitness Regional Manager, Anthony Flores sits down for Lessons in Leadership to discuss what compelled him to want to share his very personal story, what his new book is all about, and what we can all learn from it. It's extremely personal and allows a side of him that we have never seen before. Take a listen in as Anthony opens up about his short-comings and how he is now using them as an opportunity to help others!

Altamont Capital Partners is a private equity firm with over $2.5 billion of capital under management, focused primarily on making long term, control investments in middle market businesses. Operating Partner, KC Moylan sat down with us to talk through his Top 10 Leadership Skills. 1. Integrity / Trust 2. People Development - People Selection 3. Team Building 4. Build a Culture 5. Business Competence - Technical, Sales, Profit 6. Sense of Urgency 7. Communication Skills 8. Problem Solving - urgent vs important 9. Overall Leadership - be the role model 10. Self-Reflection - Self Development

On behalf of Excel Fitness, LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP is beyond excited to announce a very special podcast episode featuring Planet Fitness CEO, Chris Rondeau! In celebration of this huge milestone, we are giving away $500! Below are details on the contest and how you can enter for a chance to win! Who is eligible to enter the contest? Anyone who works for Excel Fitness- that means overnights, cleaners, trainers, front desk employees, managers, back-office, upper management- anyone! Everyone is encouraged to enter! How do you enter for a chance to win? 1. Follow Lessons in Leadership on Soundcloud Soundcloud.com/LessonsInLeadership 2. “Like” the episode featuring Chris Rondeau! 3. In 5 sentences or more, send an email on what you learned from Chris’ episode and how you plan to apply it to your own life to Selena.Easter@Excelfitness.com *You must correctly complete all 3 steps to qualify for a chance to win!* When is the deadline to enter? The contest begins on Monday 7am CT, 12/16/19 and ends at midnight CT on Thursday, 12/19/19! The winner will be selected on Friday, 12/20/19 10am CT. Mark your calendars to check your email! How will the winner be chosen? All eligible entries will be entered into a raffle. One winner will be selected at random to win $500! When will the winner be notified? The winner will be contacted on Friday,12/20/19 by email and phone call. When will the winner be formally announced? On Monday, December 23, 2019 via email and in our upcoming newsletter! How/when will the winner receive the prize? Funds will be allocated to the winner’s direct deposit info on file and released to the winner on 1/3/20. Additional Info: • When following the podcast on Soundcloud, be sure to enter your First and Last name on your Soundcloud profile so your identity can be confirmed. • When submitting your summary, be sure to provide your First and Last name, your Home Club location, and a good contact Phone number to reach you. For any additional questions, please contact Selena.Easter@excelfitness.com WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? GO NOW! Soundcloud.com/LessonsInLeadership

We are back One.Last.Time before we release our biggest and very last episode for 2019, featuring Planet Fitness CEO, and the game-changer himself, Chris Rondeau on Lessons in Leadership! Not only will Monday, 12/16/19 be the absolute final episode of the year before we go dark until 2020, but it will include a HUGE CONTEST where anyone is eligible to win $500! Stay tuned for next week’s email with 3 easy steps on how you can enter for a chance to win! Today’s episode covers a fundamental component of our success and the bread and butter of our business on a daily basis. Austin, TX Regional Director and Regional Managers, Antonio Leon, Stephen Olivo, and Anthony Flores stopped by to talk all things Customer Service! Take a listen in as we talk on why the little things matter, A.I and being replaced by robots, generating energy, and our discussion gets surprisingly scientific. “Customer Service costs us nothing but costs us everything if we don’t provide it.” Be sure to follow Lessons in Leadership on Soundcloud to get a head start on the contest!

This person is no ordinary individual. Hailing from small-town, New York, no one could’ve guessed that what started for him as a love for online poker would eventually evolve into a behemoth of a business. He was named #1 on the Dallas 100, his company was listed as one of the fastest growing in America by Inc. Magazine, he’s been listed on countless business power rankings, and most recently announced as a 2019 finalist for EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year award. However, his accomplishments have not come easy. He’s had to navigate some of life’s toughest hardships to maintain his success and despite these challenges, has never given up. But that’s not even the most impressive part about him. He’s been able to achieve all of this before even reaching the ripe age of 30 and he’s only just getting started! I’m so happy to welcome JM Bullion founder, CEO, and my dear friend, Mike Wittmeyer.

It’s almost Thanksgiving and we are thankful to have gotten to see you all together as a team at the Leadership Summit. We are also thankful for this brand-new episode of Lessons in Leadership! Today’s guest has been all around the PF world in 4 different regions, 3 states, 3 franchises, and has even worked in the FBI. Join me on this podcast as we get to know the man behind the uniform, Excel Fitness’ Tulsa Regional Manager, Rylie Akins! Rylie talks on his backstory, his PF journey, his man crush, and even answers questions from you all!

Lessons in Leadership- Katin Kierstead by Selena Easter

It’s November and we’re coming at you with a brand-new episode of Lessons in Leadership! Today’s guest has been long-awaited and rightly so, as he is known for pushing the limits, challenging the status quo, and taking unconventional approaches to developing his team- and just about everything in life. His strong-will convictions and confidence continue to set him apart from his peers. Joining us today on Lessons in Leadership is Excel Fitness NWA/MO Regional Manager, Caleb Ortega. Caleb talks coming from a line of competitors, making life-changing decisions, and finding balance through it all.

With a background in finance and computer science, this guest is a rare find and absolute asset to our team. He can run circles around you in Excel and does so without ever touching his mouse. His ability to forecast numbers, highlight trends, analyze the meaning, and present his findings is unprecedented and he has undoubtedly helped to change the landscape of how we make decisions as a company today. You can typically find him tucked away in his office, banging out reports for our company which is why I’m so very excited to have him here with me today. I am very happy to welcome Excel Fitness Director of Financial Planning and Analysis, Joseph Cancelliere, better known as Joe C. to Lessons in Leadership!

Take a listen as the Austin, TX leadership team concludes their convo on HUMILITY, an essential core value to Excel Fitness! Don't miss out!

On this episode of the Lessons in Leadership Mini-Series, I team up with the AROKMO group, AKA Brandon Sebald, Caleb Ortega, and Rylie Akins for a jam packed 18 minutes full of Metallica, tips and tricks for visualization and goal setting, and… dinosaurs? Stay tuned until the end to hear the surprise twist that we are all excited about!

Excel Fitness Director of Marketing, Chris Epper sat down for Lessons in Leadership to talk family, film, and finding yourself. Epper is a fun-loving, charismatic, and focused director, who filters his incredible amount of creativity through business landscapes and a strategic lens. His experience with film and production continues to influence his work today, while his wealth of industry knowledge keeps him competitive. Listen in, as he takes us back to his childhood, passion for learning, and why he declined working on the cult-hit MTV production, Pimp My Ride!!

Excel Fitness Austin, TX Regional Team, Antonio Leon, Anthony Flores, Stephen Olivo and Selena Easter talk all things Humility and why it's the hardest core value to demonstrate! Don't miss out!

Check out Lessons in Leadership's first mini series episode, where the Department of Training and Leadership Development discuss accountability! To find the full article on Accountability, click below: https://www.inc.com/gordon-tredgold/7-truths-about-accountability-that-you-need-to-kno.html To listen in on the full episode of the featured clip from Black Belt Selling, click below: https://www.annascheller.com/podcast/accountability

In the past 3 years, this guest has undoubtedly helped take our company to the next level. Having played a pivotal role in the growth expansions of American Staples such as RadioShack, Pier 1, and Starbucks at the height of their success, he comes to the table with an impressive resume and notable experience! He is what I describe as a heavy-hitter! He works hard to get the job done, makes deals happen, and continues to bust down the red tape of the real estate world. He is a husband, a father, and a major component to our company’s success. I’m honored to welcome Vice President of Development and easily the funniest guy at the office, Excel Fitness’ very own, Travis Alvarado!!

KC Moylan of Altamont Capital partners sat down to share more on his insights and incredible experience in the business world. He is a gifted and an extremely well-versed professional and comes to the table with over 30 years of experience building successful businesses through management and effective leadership strategies. He’s equipped with a strong background in the Hospitality Industry and maintains extensive functional expertise in the fields of Operations, Marketing, Human Resources, Finance, and Real Estate Development. He specializes in portfolio investments and had a large hand in helping the restauranteur, Pei Wei grow from 2 locations to 220 locations with $400 million in sales and over 7,000 employees. As former CEO and President of Champps Americana, he led growth from five regional stores and $20 million of sales to 36 national stores and almost $200 million in sales. He has an uncanny ability to strike a delicate balance between a likable charm and a no-nonsense command. His strategic vision, recognition of talent, and knack for shaping professionals, allow him to continually exceed expectations. He holds a B.S. in Business from Northeastern University, a Certification of Executive Education from the Harvard Business School and currently sits on the board of directors of Tacala Brands, Cotton Patch, and Excel Fitness. I am honored to Welcome Altamont Capital Partners and Excel Fitness Operating Partner, KC Moylan to Lessons in Leadership!

Excel's very own managers in training talk all things leadership & learning! Listen in as they share their stories, discuss meaningful mentors, the advice they've received, and what's next for everyone!

Excel Fitness Regional Director, Brandon Sebald sat down for Lessons in Leadership! We talked what it was like growing up in a household full of boys, gaining a competitive edge, and pushing his personal limits. We also discuss how he navigated losing his brother to suicide during his adolescence, not making the NFL, training professional athletes and what he learned from it all! From his discipline to his personal development and daily routine, these are tools and tactics that you don't want to miss out on! Check.it.out!!!

Excel Fitness CEO, Mike Turner, decided to flip the script on the podcast and sit me down for an interview. Typically, I give the guests a heads up on possible questions but of course, Mike being spontaneous, wanted to go off-the-cuff so I had zero idea of what he was going to ask me and neither did he (LOL), which made me more nervous! Anyone that knows me, knows I’m notoriously private and fiercely protective of my personal life so opening up about myself is inherently difficult for me. I didn’t know if I would ever let this interview see the light of day but one trait that I’ve learned from Mike is the power of vulnerability, which is why I’ve decided to share my story. It’s raw, real, unedited, and full of heart. Take a listen as we talk how I started my life over at 27, why I moved to Austin without a car, mental health, resilience, shaping the industry, and much, much more!

I am so excited to announce this next speaker, who 100% surprised me in the best way. I genuinely love all the podcasts I’ve done, but this is easily one of my favorites. I am honored to have had the chance to interview my good friend and Excel’s very own, Chief Financial Officer, Pat Mackey! Pat’s had one heck of a life and you’d be making a mistake not to listen in. We talk his childhood, growing up an athlete, being the first college grad in his family, navigating a $850 million financial workout, the art of accounting, financial literacy, the importance of letting go, why he loves Excel and much more!

This next speaker is one I’ve been patiently waiting for. She is as busy as they come, so it was a big deal that she made time to sit down with me for the podcast. This self-described rule-follower and seriously-responsible Director has a lot on her plate, as she oversees one of the most important departments in the company. But don’t be mistaken, this El Paso native may just surprise you. She’s also funny, smart, charming, witty, and laughs at all of my jokes :) I'm very excited to add Excel Fitness Director of Human Resources, Bobbi Brant to Lessons in Leadership lineup! Check out her interview, where she discusses her childhood, why she’s no Bill Gates, and how she found her way into Human Resources. She also discusses what drives her passion for her work, her on-boarding experience at Excel, and how she helped build out the HR infrastructure we have today! Happy Listening!

Selena Easter had the opportunity to sit down with Excel Fitness DFW Regional Director, Jeremy Warren. Not only is Jeremy one of the most tenured employees within our entire organization, but he is chock-full of charisma and has a heart of gold. But don’t be mistaken, that type of tenure doesn’t come for free and his heart has been shaped through some of life's toughest lessons. Jeremy has endured numerous challenges throughout his time with Excel that have been a true test of his character and will to succeed.

Excel Fitness Operations Excellence Head Coach, Selena Aguirre had the opportunity to sit down with Excel Fitness Director of Strategy, Jeff Helfgott. Jeff is a multi-skilled, intellectually-diverse character that helps shape the tactics behind the company’s success. Selena has grown to know him well over the past three years and yet, he continues to be an enigma, of sorts. Check out Part I where he discusses effective leadership strategies, almost losing his hand in a combat mission, developing mental fortitude, and manifest thinking. Check out Part II where he discusses the importance of providing context when sharing information, almost getting fired, developing self-awareness, and effective teaching techniques. Check out the conclusion and my favorite part of our discussion where he discusses helpful leadership tools, developing a love for learning, and why he decided to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro for fun.

Check out Lessons in Leadership episode 2, featuring Excel Fitness COO, CJ Bouchard. Excel Fitness, Operations Excellence Head Coach, Selena Aguirre had the opportunity to sit down with CJ, whom is the walking embodiment of high-octane energy and confidence. CJ has successfully managed to weather numerous ups and downs, turn his failures into fuel, and shows no signs of stopping. Check out Part I where he discusses the keys to success, how fitness transformed his life, and what led him to stitching his own hand with a home sewing kit. Check out Part II where he discusses what he teaches his son Mason about the business, why a severe car accident at the precipice of his competitive fitness was the best thing that ever happened to him, and what continues to drive him. Check out Part III where he discusses where he draws his inspiration, what bow hunting teaches him about leadership, how he navigates learning curves, and what’s in store for Excel!

Check out Lessons in Leadership episode 1, featuring Excel Fitness CEO, Mike Turner. Excel Fitness Operations Excellence Head Coach, Selena Easter had the opportunity to sit down with Mike Turner. Part 1 discusses his upbringing, struggles, beliefs, drive, and how he got to where he is today! Part II of Mike’s segment, he discusses growing up an accomplished athlete, overcoming a life-changing injury, and starting his first business at 25 years old. Part III Mike discusses hitting rock bottom, dealing with life-long consequences, finding redemption, and what’s next for him.