Podcast appearances and mentions of Chris Cooper

About 65% of small businesses fail by Year 10, so very few gym owners get to see what works across two decades of ownership.But Bill and Staci Russell have endured to achieve something rare: Their gym, CrossFit Cleveland, has been their sole source of income for nearly 20 years.In this episode, Bill shares hard-earned lessons learned from surviving multiple economic cycles, overcoming staff challenges, adjusting to market shifts and making personal pivots in the fitness industry.Bill and Two-Brain founder Chris Cooper—another two-decade gym owner—review practical lessons younger gym owners often miss, including:- Demand must be present before you commit to a facility.- Your first target market is often wrong.- Staffing mistakes compound over time.- Culture problems can be prevented before they appear.- Surviving is not succeeding.- Smart, ethical exits and transitions are possible.Whether you're early in ownership or deep into it, insight from these two long-serving entrepreneurs can help you make better decisions that will set you up for years of profitability, success and happiness.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call5:55 - Proof of concept12:41 - Knowing your target market22:24 - Hire slow, fire fast37:55 - New gym owner mistakes43:25 - The secret to 20 years

We want your feedback and questions. Text us here.What do you think the world needs most right now? The good news is, whatever it is, you have the power to make an impact. In this episode of the Champion Forum Podcast, we sit down with Chris Cooper, a global voice in leadership, culture, and business elevation. With over three decades of experience working with international brands and leaders around the world, Chris shares powerful insights on authentic leadership, creating cultures where people thrive, and why impact matters more than titles or profit alone.

Most coaching gyms add just five clients a month—but the world's best fitness facilities are consistently adding more than 20 with stellar sales systems.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper analyzes the data behind top-performing marketing funnels, and he reveals which tactics landed these owners on our Top 10 leaderboards, from instant lead follow-up to simplified booking procedures, consistent organic marketing, airtight lead nurture and sales practice reps.You'll also learn how mentors help gym owners identify weak spots in their funnels and tighten their systems so they can add large numbers of ideal clients month after month.Tune in to discover exactly how elite gyms around the world are generating more leads, booking more appointments, increasing show rates and closing more high-value sales.Get Coop's “Generate 30 New Leads in 30 Days” guide in Gym Owners United, linked below. LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call1:49 - Marketing and sales leaders7:33 - Strong systems10:37 - Lead nurture11:49 - Events and niches13:00 - Consistency and tracking metrics

Send us a textOn this week's episode of the WTR Small-Cap Spotlight, Chris Cooper, the new CEO of XCF Global (NASDAQ: SAFX), joined Tim Gerdeman, Vice Chair & Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Water Tower Research, and Peter Gastreich, Energy and Sustainable Investing Analyst at Water Tower Research. Cooper shares his extensive aviation and energy industry journey from aspiring pilot to President of Neste US (and more!) and tells us what ultimately attracted him to join as CEO of XCF Global. The conversation covers XCF's innovative approach to transforming waste and residue feedstocks into SAF, its modular and scalable refinery model, major strategic partnerships like with Phillips 66, the aviation industry's path to decarbonization, and SAF's role as the only practical and immediate solution. Cooper discusses policy impacts, market challenges, and why XCF is well placed to capitalize on growth opportunities with expansion and new facilities in the US and Australia. 

10:05 – 10:22 (17mins) Weekly: Tim Jones @SpeakerTimJones “The Tim Jones and Chris Arps Show” weekdays 4p-6p on NewstalkSTL 10:41 – 10:56 (15mins) Chris Cooper, Serenity Wealth Management In-Studio!! SerenityWealthNow.com (a lot of Fun with Finance)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You won't build a successful gym by guessing what people want. You just can't read minds—but every entrepreneur tries to do that, and it's costly.Today on “Run a Profitable Gym,” Two-Brain founder Chris Cooper provides the simple fix: Start using the “just ask method"—a proven way to boost every single metric in your gym.Chris walks through exactly which questions you must ask to improve your gym's marketing, sales, retention, pricing, ROI on expenses, staff development and net owner benefit.The key insight: Don't guess; just ask.For example, you might assume clients want a kettlebell class because you love kettlebells. If you meet with clients and ask what they want, you might discover 10 of them are training for running events, and you have a prime opportunity to boost average revenue per member with a race prep program.Or perhaps you can't hold onto staff people. What if you ask what they want to earn and accomplish, then show them how to do it? They'll stay longer and allow you to focus on building the business as the CEO.Watch to discover the questions top gym owners ask to improve every key performance indicator and build incredibly profitable businesses.Get Coop's “Exactly What to Say” guide in Gym Owners United, linked below.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call0:01 - Stop guessing & just ask5:17 - Improve your marketing & sales13:25 - Boost client retention & value17:53 - Cut expenses & pay yourself more25:13 - Payoff of the “just ask” method

Canada's first cargo of LNG set sail from Kitimat, British Columbia, on June 30, 2025. This week on the podcast, Chris Cooper, President and CEO of LNG Canada, joins us to reflect on that milestone, walk through the project's progress, and share his view of Canada's long-term LNG opportunity. Jackie and Peter asked Chris a wide-ranging set of questions, including: What was going through your mind as the first carrier departed? What does the workforce on-site look like today, and are workers living locally or in camps? What are the practical logistics of bringing LNG tankers in and out of the facility and navigating the Douglas Channel? Is the plant operating at full capacity yet? How would you characterize the current level of support from the B.C. provincial government? How significant was Prime Minister Mark Carney's trip to Asia to sell Canada's potential for LNG growth, and what did it mean to see LNG Canada Phase 2 included among the projects that were referred to the Major Projects Office? Finally, how does Canadian LNG stack up against other global supply sources, and what do you see as the outlook for worldwide LNG demand? Content referenced in this podcast:Steven Guilbeault Speaks to CTV's Power Play with Vassy Kapelos (December 4, 2025) Clean Prosperity study that the Federal-Alberta MOU can unlock $90 billion in low-carbon investment if governments follow through (December 4, 2025) Photos of the LNG Canada work camp at Cedar Valley Lodge Shell LNG Outlook 2025Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/ Check us out on social media: X (Twitter): @arcenergyinstLinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research Institute Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas PodcastApple PodcastsAmazon MusicSpotify 

Just because a decision feels good now doesn't mean it's the right one for your gym's long-term success.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Two-Brain founder Chris Cooper breaks down 12 choices that seem smart in the moment but can sabotage a gym's profitability down the line.He explains how mistakes such as paid-in-full deals and monthly discounts erode value and bleed out revenue, and he shares how short-term conveniences, such as hiring friends or subleasing to trainers, create downstream operational headaches.You'll hear how ego-driven decisions to criticize competitors or train to be the best athlete in your gym steal focus from the systems that actually grow revenue.Coop also discusses retention and pricing errors, and he explains how three major growth traps—expanding too early, trying to serve everyone and buying failing gyms—create more problems than they solve.Tune in to learn the sustainable strategies top gyms use to avoid these mistakes and make smart decisions that pay dividends for decades.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call1:23 - Discount death spiral8:07 - Staff and space nightmares14:40 - Ego-driven mistakes21:33 - Retention and pricing errors24:50 - Growth without foundation

How do you turn 13 leads per month into sustainable gym growth?In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Two-Brain founder Chris Cooper and chief marketing officer John Franklin analyze new data from Two-Brain's 2025 “State of the Industry” guide and show you how to use it to grow your gym in 2026.John, who is also co-founder of Kilo, explains why most gyms still struggle to get enough leads, what high performers do differently and how to make the most of every lead.The pair dig into the numbers behind pricing, sales and average revenue per member, and they list simple changes gym owners can make to dramatically increase revenue.To help you close more sales at your gym, Chris and John role-play common scenarios, demonstrating how to handle objections—such as timing, price and spousal concerns—and help clients take action. They also provide tips to help you survive the slowest months of the year so you stop getting crushed by seasonality.Watch this episode, then take action to generate more leads and add more clients to your gym every month. If you want to dig deeper into the numbers, download the full “State of the Industry” report for free via the link below.LinksState of the IndustryGym Owners UnitedBook a Call1:08 - Lead generation and nurture12:38 - Seasonality and planning18:07 - Live sales role-play30:03 - Pricing strategies and psychology41:42 - Sustainable gym ownership

BOOK A CALL WITH US NOW: https://www.controlandcompound.com/contact-us   Most entrepreneurs think they need more clients. Chris Cooper says they actually need better math. In December's edition of our entrepreneurship series, Darren sits down with Chris Cooper as they break down The Simple Six – the six metrics every business owner MUST understand if they want to stop grinding and start growing:   Client head count (HEAD) Average revenue per member (ARM) Length of engagement (LEG) Effective hourly rate ROI on your expenses Net owner benefit Inside the episode, you'll discover:   Why being the best trainer, stylist, or technician does NOT make you a great business owner How underpricing quietly destroys your business (and what to fix first) Why increasing average revenue per client is more powerful than chasing more leads How Chris' mentorship program uses the Simple Six to find your biggest growth opportunity each month Why so many passionate entrepreneurs quit—not because they stop caring, but because the money math doesn't work Whether you're a gym owner, real estate investor, advisor, or any kind of entrepreneur, these six numbers apply to YOU.   Show notes:   00:00 - Introduction to Chris Cooper   01:22 - Chris hits rock bottom financially before a life-changing mentorship opportunity appears.   03:39 - The start of his blog DontBuyAds.com and turning blog posts into a bestselling book.   07:35 - Early growth of Two-Brain Business and choosing mentorship over courses for real results.   11:07 - Chris explains the Simple Six business metrics that drive profitability and success.   16:02 - Why entrepreneurs must fix pricing first before chasing more clients.   18:53 - The Golden Hour habit: one focused hour each day that 4x's business growth.   22:16 - Systems and documentation that turn chaos into a business that runs itself.   25:04 - The key traits of entrepreneurs who succeed long-term: self-leadership and consistency.   27:22 - The role of coaches in solving major problems in business and health in Canada.   33:33 - Redefining success: freedom of time, focus, energy, and money. FIND US ON:   INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/controlandcompound/   TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@controlandcompound?lang=en   LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/darren-mitchell-associates-inc/?viewAsMember=true Thank you for tuning in to this episode. The information contained in this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and is separate and apart from the wealth coach services provided by Darren Mitchell and Associates, Inc. To its qualified clients, Control and Compound Financial expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental or any other damages arising out of any individual's use of this podcast or the information in it. The views expressed here are those of each participant and guests, and not necessarily those of or endorsed by Control and Compound Financial, its affiliates, subsidiaries, and their respective directors, shareholders, officers, or employees. For full disclosure, visit controland compound.com/podcast-media.  

Chris Cooper interviews Professor Akira Murakami from Birmingham University. lostincitations@gmail.com

A year from now, your gym will be better or worse. That is a hard truth. And “better” doesn't happen by accident. It only happens if you, the CEO, choose a direction, set priorities and execute today.To help you thrive next year, Two-Brain founder Chris Cooper shares the exact annual plan he's using at his gym, Catalyst. It's 12 months of simple, battle-tested activities that will:✅ Improve retention.✅ Produce leads and new clients.✅ Generate revenue.✅ Boost average revenue per member.✅ Reduce stress.✅ Inspire and retain staff.✅ Put more cash in your personal bank account.Customize Coop's plan or use it verbatim. But get something in place right now so you control your destiny in 2026.To get Coop's "Essential 12-Month Gym-Building Plan for 2026"—including a customizable event calendar—use the link below to send him a DM through our Gym Owners United group.Links

Schedule a Meeting with Joshua TODAY!Are you an outdoor living pro, hardscaper, or landscaper who feels like your business demands more from you than it gives back?In this episode, Josh and Chris unpack what real freedom looks like in the green industry — the kind where your business finally serves your life instead of consuming it. If you're stuck in the grind, feeling guilty when you slow down, or unsure how to build a future that feels meaningful, this conversation speaks directly to the tension you're living in.You will discover:The moment Chris realized his business was finally serving his life — and what had to change to make that possibleWhy most outdoor living pros carry burdens that were never theirs to hold, and how to release themHow clarity, structure, and faith create lasting freedom in a hardscaping or landscaping businessPress play now to learn how real freedom is built and how your outdoor living business can finally start serving your life.For more information about Chris, check out his website: vineandcompass.comConnect with Joshua at:The WebsiteThe Facebook GroupSales Master ClassesHow to work with Joshua - https://yes.express/apply/Tune into this podcast where a seasoned craftsman shares expert communication skills, strategies for overcoming stress and overwhelm, and insights on building a profitable business in landscaping and hardscaping, with tips on how to sell, close more deals, and achieve financial freedom to retire early as a successful business owner in the design/build and outdoor living industry.

Why is youth training the fastest-growing segment in fitness?Today on "Run a Profitable Gym," Two-Brain founder Chris Cooper sits down with youth performance expert Bill Parisi to analyze the explosion in sports and fitness training for kids.Over the last 35 years, Bill has built a network of more than 100 Parisi Speed Schools, with most locations averaging $20,000 in revenue per month while operating only four to five hours per day.In this episode, Bill explains how NIL (name, image and likeness) deals have motivated parents to invest in training: Top college quarterbacks now earn seven figures!He also discusses the pros and cons of early specialization for young athletes and compares average metrics from youth-training gyms and the fitness industry as a whole.To help gym owners capitalize on demographic shifts, Bill and Chris share practical strategies: how to use events to generate referrals, how to balance seasonal variations in retention, and how to hire and keep quality coaches. Check out this episode to discover how youth training could boost your gym's revenue and help you create a greater impact in your community.To get more gym business data on demographics, rates and revenue, use the link below to download Two-Brain's 2025 “State of the Industry” report.Links"State of the Industry"Gym Owners UnitedBook a Call1:01 - Why youth training is exploding12:04 - The early specialization debate19:45 - Youth training metrics33:28 - Retention in a seasonal business37:41 - Hiring & retaining quality coaches

Schedule a Meeting with Joshua TODAY!Are you an outdoor living pro, hardscaper, or landscaper who feels like your business is moving fast—but without a clear sense of direction or purpose?In this episode, Joshua sits down with Chris Cooper to break down COMPASS—Chris's powerful business framework designed specifically for green-industry leaders who want clarity, structure, financial stability, and a purpose-driven approach to business. If you've ever struggled with budgeting, scheduling, leadership, or aligning your work with your deeper beliefs, COMPASS gives you a practical roadmap.You will:A clear understanding of how the Compass, Map, and Becoming components create clarity, structure, and alignment inside any outdoor living business.Insight into how financial clarity quiets the chaos and gives hardscapers and landscapers the confidence to lead instead of react.A powerful look at how faith acts as the anchor for purpose, peace, and long-term leadership inside the COMPASS framework.Press play now to learn how the COMPASS framework can help you lead with clarity, build with intention, and grow an outdoor living business that finally feels aligned with your purpose and your life.For more information about Chris, check out his website: vineandcompass.comConnect with Joshua at:The WebsiteThe Facebook GroupSales Master ClassesHow to work with Joshua - https://yes.express/apply/Tune into this podcast where a seasoned craftsman shares expert communication skills, strategies for overcoming stress and overwhelm, and insights on building a profitable business in landscaping and hardscaping, with tips on how to sell, close more deals, and achieve financial freedom to retire early as a successful business owner in the design/build and outdoor living industry.

Good news! Revenue is up in gyms worldwide from 2024 to 2025.And for the first time ever, the average monthly revenue across Two-Brain's Top 10 leaderboard has crossed US$83,500—over $1 million annually.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Two-Brain founder Chris Cooper reveals what the highest-grossing gyms are doing to generate between $70,000 and $119,000 per month in consistent, sustainable revenue.He shares insights from mentors working with these top-performing gym owners and highlights common strategies: tracking key metrics, implementing strong retention systems and using the Prescriptive Model to sell high-value services.You'll notice these gyms didn't boost revenue with fancy marketing tactics or Black Friday sales. Instead, they reached the Top 10 by building strong systems and using sustainable, proven revenue-generation tactics.Watch for the full breakdown of strategies used by top-grossing gyms and then start working toward your next revenue goal today.Get the latest “State of the Industry” guide via the link below and find out how your gym compares to thousands around the world.Links"State of the Industry"Gym Owners UnitedBook a Call0:01 - Intro1:18 - Top 10 revenue8:05 - Track metrics & do the work11:19 - Systems for scaling14:32 - Your next steps

Schedule a Meeting with Joshua TODAY!Are you an outdoor living pro, hardscaper, or landscaper who feels like burnout hits harder every season—especially as the year winds down?In this powerful conversation, Joshua and Chris dig into the real cause of burnout in the outdoor living and green industries. It's not long hours, busy seasons, or heavy workloads—it's misalignment, isolation, pride, and carrying responsibilities that were never meant to be carried alone. If you're exhausted, overwhelmed, or silently struggling, this episode brings clarity and relief.You will:A clear understanding of why outdoor living pros, hardscapers, and landscapers burn out more than other industries—and how to spot it early.Practical tools to realign your schedule, eliminate low-value tasks, and create structure that dramatically reduces stress.A mindset shift that empowers you to lead with purpose, delegate effectively, and stop carrying the full weight of your business alone.Press play now to learn how to break the burnout cycle, regain control, and build an outdoor living business that brings peace—not exhaustion.For more information about Chris, check out his website: vineandcompass.comConnect with Joshua at:The WebsiteThe Facebook GroupSales Master ClassesHow to work with Joshua - https://yes.express/apply/Tune into this podcast where a seasoned craftsman shares expert communication skills, strategies for overcoming stress and overwhelm, and insights on building a profitable business in landscaping and hardscaping, with tips on how to sell, close more deals, and achieve financial freedom to retire early as a successful business owner in the design/build and outdoor living industry.

Part 4 in the sermon series "Gratitude"

10:05 – 10:22 (17mins) Nate Lucas Communications Director for U.S. Rep. Eric Burlison (MO-07)for more information on Nate, go to NateLucas.com @nlucas0 10:25 – 10:37 (17mins) Weekly Feature: “PORCELLI’S DELI!!” 10:41 – 10:56 (15mins) Chris Cooper, Serenity Wealth Management In-Studio!! SerenityWealthNow.com (a lot of Fun with Finance)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode features important visuals. For the best experience, watch it on YouTube. Gym owners, if you need more clients, this training is for you.In this detailed video, Two-Brain Business founder Chris Cooper breaks down his bulletproof system for fixing your leads problem forever by creating a never-ending stream of people who are eager to join your gym.You'll learn the exact strategies top gyms use to keep their sales pipelines full—and even receive plug-and-play lead-nurture scripts that convert curiosity into commitment. With step-by-step directions, Coop shows you how to set up four marketing funnels that will consistently attract gym leads year round:

Schedule a Meeting with Joshua TODAY!Are you running your business with 12 mental tabs open and wondering why everything feels chaotic, exhausting, and impossible to control?In this episode, Joshua Gillow and Chris Cooper unpack the real reason green industry contractors feel overwhelmed—and why most owners mistakenly think structure will restrict them, when in reality it's the very thing that brings clarity, creativity, peace, and freedom.You will:Discover why structure creates freedom instead of killing creativity—and why chaos is the true prison.Learn the single small weekly habit that instantly reduces stress and brings clarity to your schedule, business, and home life.Understand how to protect your family time, your energy, and your faith while still growing a profitable, stable company.Press play now to learn how adding simple structure can finally give you the time, peace, and confidence you've been craving in your business and life.For more information about Chris, check out his website: vineandcompass.comConnect with Joshua at:The WebsiteThe Facebook GroupSales Master ClassesHow to work with Joshua - https://yes.express/apply/Tune into this podcast where a seasoned craftsman shares expert communication skills, strategies for overcoming stress and overwhelm, and insights on building a profitable business in landscaping and hardscaping, with tips on how to sell, close more deals, and achieve financial freedom to retire early as a successful business owner in the design/build and outdoor living industry.

Chris Cooper speaks with Susan Hunston from Birmingham University lostincitations@gmail.com

The skills you've learned through fitness training can help you grow your business—if you know how to apply them.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Two-Brain founder and CEO Chris Cooper explains why workout habits directly translate to gym ownership and entrepreneurialism.Every gym owner already has 11 critical fitness skills, such as resilience, adaptability, discipline and virtuosity, and Coop provides a plan to use those assets to grow your business. Coop also details his simple Golden Hour habit—doing one thing every day to grow your business before doing anything else. This daily period of focused effort can transform your gym the same way daily training transforms your body. Tune in to learn how to employ skills you already have and build a stronger, more profitable gym.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call2:06 - Habits, resilience & virtuosity 9:58 - Progressive overload & recovery12:57 - Measurement, coaching & feedback20:33 - Accountability & adaptability22:39 - Long-term vision & hope

The data every gym owner needs is finally here! Two-Brain's sixth annual “State of the Industry” guide was released on Nov. 10 on "The Sevan Podcast." Check out this rebroadcast as hosts Sevan Matossian and Matt Souza break down key gym business stats with Two-Brain founder Chris Cooper.The free 72-page guide delivers critical benchmarks and insights from thousands of gyms worldwide, giving you the clarity to make confident decisions about pricing, staffing, retention and growth in 2026.How long are gyms keeping clients, and what's driving retention?What's the difference between big group, small group and one-on-one training, and why does this matter for your bottom line? How many members should you have before hiring your first coach? Why hasn't coach pay increased despite rising gym revenues?How do you survive the November to December slump and capitalize on the January rush? Should you invest in paid ads, or are there smarter ways to grow? And, of course, how much are gym owners making?This episode is all about trends, surprises, best practices and actionable takeaways from the data. Get the guide and use it to build a profitable fitness business. Download the brand-new “State of the Industry” report via the link below! Links"State of the Industry" ReportGym Owners UnitedBook a Call0:00 - Intro and guide overview4:10 - Background on Chris and Two-Brain15:16 - Retention and churn19:48 - Gym growth by client count25:19 - Millionaire gym owners28:14 - CrossFit's impact and future41:58 - Big group, small group and one-on-one59:49 - Cost to open a CrossFit gym1:06:51 - Tips for paid ads1:17:27 - Seasonal gym trends1:33:07 - Two-Brain Summit1:34:13 - Coach pay and development

How many clients should your gym have? What should you charge? When's the best time to run classes?In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper shares highlights from Two-Brain's 2025 “State of the Industry” report—a comprehensive analysis of stats from gyms around the world, including thousands of Wodify clients.Chris is joined by Wodify's CEO, Brendan Rice, to discuss what the numbers reveal about gym performance as we move into 2026.They discuss trends in retention, attendance and profitability, and they share how top-performing gyms are increasing average revenue per member while cutting discounts.Chris and Brendan also talk about the shift toward small-group training, why fewer offerings often lead to higher profits, and how gyms can use this year's data to set smarter goals for 2026.Tune in, get the facts and use them to build a stronger, more profitable gym.  Want the real numbers behind gym success? Grab the brand-new “State of the Industry” guide via the link below.LinksState of the Industry 2025Gym Owners UnitedBook a Call3:49 - The retention magic number8:21 - Class times in high demand15:22 - Class sizes & small group option22:59 - Headcount & revenue per member36:20 - Demographic shift opportunity

Hey there! LTNS!Today we take a look at a pair of films that deal with the creation of a film, but the catch is that the source material is notoriously difficult to adapt. Consequently the crux of the story we see involves the difficulty the creators are having putting the thing together. We start with ADAPTATION (2002), directed by Spike Jonze. We've got a terrific ensemble cast including Nicolas Cage, Chris Cooper, Meryl Streep and more. Cage is a man who suffers from anxiety and depression, and he can't get his act together to write an adaptation of the book The Orchid Thief. His twin brother shows up and decides that he wants to write a movie script. Hijinks ensue. Now that we've seen the struggles with the script writing process, move on to Part 2, where we observe the struggles with the filmmaking side of things.

In this episode of the Finish Big Podcast, host Mark Dorman sits down with Chris Cooper, Director of the Ohio Employee Ownership Center (OEOC) at Kent State University. For over 25 years, Chris has helped business owners across Ohio explore the power of employee ownership — guiding them through successful transitions, building strong ownership cultures, and creating legacies that last. Mark and Chris discuss: The OEOC Mission – How the Ohio Employee Ownership Center helps business owners transition their companies to employee ownership. The Human Impact – Real stories of employees who built life-changing wealth through ownership. ESOP Advantages – Why employee ownership creates win-win outcomes for owners, workers, and communities. Succession & Legacy – How founders can exit while preserving culture and jobs. EOT vs ESOP – The differences between Employee Ownership Trusts and ESOPs, and when each fits best. Collaboration & Support – How the OEOC partners with advisors, foundations, and business owners to make transitions possible. Success Story – A Cleveland company that became 100% employee-owned, creating over 200 new owners. The Future – Why Ohio leads the way in employee ownership and what it means for the next generation of business owners. Connect with Mark Dorman: Succession Plus US LinkedIn: Mark Dorman LinkedIn: Succession Plus Facebook: Succession Plus (330)-416-9271 mdorman@succession.plus About the Guest: Chris Cooper is the Director of the Ohio Employee Ownership Center (OEOC) at Kent State University. With over two decades of experience, Chris has worked with hundreds of business owners to explore employee ownership as a succession solution. He leads programs focused on succession planning, ownership culture, and employee-owned startups, and coordinates Ohio's Employee-Owned Network, which includes more than 100 companies. Chris has spoken at national and international conferences across the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Bermuda, and is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) through the Exit Planning Institute. His work bridges research, education, and real-world impact—helping business owners finish strong while keeping their companies and communities thriving.  

The holidays are coming—and for most gyms, that means fewer check-ins, more cancellations and panic about cash flow. But it doesn't have to be that way.Today on “Run a Profitable Gym,” Two-Brain founder Chris Cooper shares five simple tactics gym owners can use to boost year-end revenue without falling into the discount trap.He explains how smart, seasonal offers—such as holiday retail presales, meaningful gift cards and “save your spot” promotions—can generate real income while keeping your clients engaged and excited.Chris also dives into using bring-a-friend events and January kickstart programs to attract new leads, re-engage old clients and strengthen relationships with current members.All five tactics are practical, repeatable and proven to work in real gyms just like yours.  Want to boost cash flow and retention? Get Coop's free “Year-End Revenue” guide in Gym Owners United, linked below. LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call2:01 - Retail presale5:32 - Gift certificates9:04 - Reserve spots for January12:44 - Bring-a-friend party17:45 - January kickstart group

Episode 610 - Marianne Leone - Actor in The Sopranos, Three Stooges, Author of Five Dog Epiphany, Ma Speaks Up And a First-Generation Daughter Talks Back and Jesse A Mother's StoryMarianne Leone grew up seven miles outside of Boston, in the village of Nonantum that everybody called “the Lake,” a small blue-collar enclave of a larger city, Newton. Lake dwellers were pretty evenly divided between Italian and Irish-Americans, with a soupcon of French-Canadians. There was no actual Lake in the Lake. The original had dried up and all that remained during my childhood was a green-slicked puddle on the site of a factory my mother and aunt worked in during World War II. All the Italians in the Lake had migrated from the same southern mountain village, San Donato Val di Comino. My mother and father were both Italian immigrants, but my mom was an outsider, from Sulmona, Abruzzo. My dad owned a small workingman's bar, Leone's Café. I went to Catholic school for twelve years. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a saint, a reporter and a cowboy. I didn't become a saint, but I married a cowboy and sometimes I write for the Boston Globe. I've written a bunch of screenplays, and sold some of them, but I'm unproduced, except for a scene in With/In, a compilation film about the covid lockdown I shot with my husband and write about in FIVE DOG EPIPHANY. I was also lucky enough to play Joanne Moltisanti, Christopher's mother, on HBO's The Sopranos for four seasons. I live in a small town on the south shore of Massachusetts with my husband, Chris Cooper, and two rescue dogs, Titi and Sugar. KNOWING JESSE is about my son, whose luminous presence expanded and transformed everything else in my universe. I wrote the book to celebrate his life, to deal with his death, and to share him with others. MA SPEAKS UP is about my mother, who came to America to escape fascism and an arranged marriage to an old man. FIVE DOG EPIPHANY is about grief/mutual healing/rescue dogs.https://marianneleonecooper.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

The average big-group gym has 129 members—but some Two-Brain gyms are thriving with 300-700 clients.Today on “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper breaks down what the Top 10 gyms for client headcount are doing differently. Coop explains how five critical systems allow these gyms to retain clients for over 24 months, deliver a consistently high-quality experience and attract new members month after month.He also shares real insights from the leaders on how they reactivated former clients and found the perfect balance of class size and pricing to maximize value.Key detail: These gyms don't need 300+ members to be profitable; every single one would be way into the black with just 150. That's your first target: 150 high-value members who stay for two years or more. After you hit that, you'll have a world-class business and can scale up if you want to.Tune in to hear how these elite gym owners grew their member counts with proven business fundamentals and mentorship—not gimmicks or discounts.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call0:01 - Industry average client count1:36 - Gyms with the most clients2:46 - 5 things the Top 10 share5:42 - Quotes from the leaders11:25 - What the leaders don't do

North Carolina no longer has any particularly competitive Congressional districts, thanks to the new map passed this week at President Donald Trump's request. To get a better sense for how the new districts will play out in the courts and in next year's midterm landscape, WUNC's Colin Campbell spoke with Western Carolina University political scientist Chris Cooper. Cooper says odds aren't favorable for Democrats to pull off an upset victory in any of the GOP-leaning districts.

North Carolina Republicans on Wednesday approved new congressional maps in an effort to boost their chances of holding onto Congress in next year's midterm elections. It's the latest redistricting battle since President Trump pushed Texas to redraw its maps. Political scientist Chris Cooper explains the implications.And, a new study by the independent health research organization KFF found that health insurance premiums are up 6% from last year. That's more than double the inflation rate. Matthew Rae explains the price hike.Then, parts of the East Wing of the White House are being demolished as construction starts on President Trump's ballroom. The East Wing has historically been the home of the First Lady's offices. Author Kate Andersen Brower talks about the history of the space.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Feeling pressured to run a Black Friday deal at your gym? Don't do it.Your gym is a premium service provider, and it should compete on results and relationships, not price.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Two-Brain founder and CEO Chris Cooper breaks down the dangers of discounting and explains why most gym owners who offer sales end up trapped in the “discount death spiral.”Black Friday deals attract the wrong clients and weaken your brand, and you have better ways to grow your gym during the holiday season.Coop shares simple, high-value alternatives, including running bring-a-friend events and adding bonus offers that don't undercut your pricing. Tune in to learn how to make this Black Friday your most profitable yet—without slashing your rates or cheapening your brand.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call1:20 - Why not offer discounts?2:43 - 5 dangers of discounts7:26 - Focus on value instead8:07 - Run alternative promotions13:36 - Use the Prescriptive Model

If you try to scale your gym the wrong way, you might kill it.In this episode, Two-Brain founder and gym owner Chris Cooper shares how his first attempt at scaling nearly bankrupted his family. But you don't have to guess like he did.Today, Coop walks you through safe, profitable scaling using small-group and semi-private training.He explains the difference between the two services and how to transition existing clients into them, whether they're coming from one-on-one or big-group training. You'll also learn how to price small-group training correctly and connect members to fill sessions quickly. If you're looking for a tested method to grow your gym without burning out or going broke, tune in to hear the exact steps.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call0:18 - Coop's big mistake3:10 - Going from PT to small groups8:13 - The data on small groups10:17 - Going from big to small groups13:22 - Advertising small group training

Hot off SINNERS last week, this week we're tackling a different kind of story about racial tensions in the south: independent filmmaker novelist John Sayles' neo-western mystery, LONE STAR from 1996!We're talking Sayles' career and how his fingerprints cover Hollywood from Roger Corman to ET the Extraterrestrial before diving into thoughts on the Alamo. And in our discussion of this film's themes and central mystery that deal with the grey areas of borders we all experience, we define once and for all what "politics in movies" means.The cast is all on fire, and we discuss how Chris Cooper plays subtext to the back walls, how we need to see more Elizabeth Peña & Joe Morton, how Kris Kristofferson is always scary, and how Matthew McConaughey has always been Daddy.Next time we're squeezing in something spooky just in time -- Tom Cruise goes southern gothic in INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE!

Phillip Slavin and Chase A Kiddy are joined by Chris Cooper (@wvlawgeek) to make picks for every Week 7 Big 12 college football game, including Colorado vs Iowa State, Texas Tech vs Kansas, Cincinnati vs UCF, and Arizona State at Utah. 00:00 - Intro 05:35 - Last Week's Results 09:09 - Oklahoma State vs Houston 15:31 - Cincinnati vs UCF 22:04 - Colorado vs Iowa State 28:58 - Kansas State vs TCU 34:33 - Texas Tech vs Kansas 38:48 - Arizona vs BYU 42:51 - Utah vs Arizona State 46:29 - Non Big 12 Find every show in the network at Ten12Network.com. Join the Ten12 Battle Bets League: https://www.battlebets.app/ten12 Leave us 5-stars and a review. Check out Chase's work at BetMGM https://sports.betmgm.com/en/blog/college-football/big-12-football-roundup-recap-bm06/ Support the Ten12 Network on Patreon. Join the Wide Right Natty Lite Discord: https://discord.gg/26qN3KrX Check out Sport Social. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

October Sky was the 63rd-highest grossing movie of the year, just behind The 13th Warrior. Opening on February 19th with just shy of $6 million, it went on to gross $34.7 million worldwide on a $25 million budget. October Sky was adapted from the memoir Rocket Boys (an anagram of "October Sky") by NASA engineer Homer Hickman and directed by Joe Johnston, beautifully shot by journeyman cinematographer Fred Murphy with a score by Mark Isham it starred newcomer Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, Lauren Dern, William Lee Scott, Chad Lindberg, Natalie Canderday, Chris Ellis, and in a really wonderful performance, American Pie's Sherminator himself, Chris Owen. A critical hit and modest commercial success, October Sky was largely forgotten by the time award season rolled around, and it is now a fondly if faintly remembered gem (as well as the breakout film for its young star!) This week, Julia and John welcome actor/writer Amanda Jane Stern from the podcast Don't Be Crazy to talk about her new film, Joe Johnston's aggressively earnest style, and boys and their rockets. Amanda is on Bluesky @amandajanestern.com

CrossFit changed the fitness industry forever—but with affiliate numbers declining, gym owners are asking, “What's next?”In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper digs into why affiliate numbers keep shrinking, where former CrossFit gyms are going and what gym owners can do right now to stay competitive.He explains how novelty-driven methods such as Hyrox are pulling attention and why the lack of clarity from CrossFit HQ has created uncertainty for affiliate owners.Coop lays out a solution for managing methods and giving clients what they want in confusing times: adopting the Prescriptive Model. Instead of just selling class packages, he shows you how to actually coach clients with tailored prescriptions that blend strength, aerobic and high-intensity training to get results. Done right, this approach improves retention, helps clients accomplish goals and ensures your gym thrives no matter what brand name is on the door.Tune in to learn how to implement the Prescriptive Model in your gym and build a business that wins—whether it is affiliated with CrossFit or not.  LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call3:03 - Why affiliates leave CrossFit6:36 - Hyrox taking over competition9:09 - Who has the best classes?11:46 - Why ClassPass doesn't work13:57 - Solution: The Prescriptive Model

The key to steady gym growth and stronger retention? Turning your best members into your best recruiters.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper explains how to use affinity marketing to strengthen your community, keep members longer and bring in more people just like your favorite clients.Passive referral programs rarely work, so Chris shows you how to actively connect your clients' families, coworkers and friends to your gym. He even provides an inside look at Two-Brain's Affinity Marketing Cheat Sheet, shows you exactly when to ask for referrals and explains how to start those conversations without making them feel awkward or transactional.Tune in to learn how to build a referral system that generates steady growth and improves retention at the same time.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call1:18 - When to ask for a referral5:53 - Duplicating your best clients13:35 - The goal review conversation20:52 - Hosting group events24:35 - Affinity marketing highlights

In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper presents hard numbers and explains why the gap between 3% and 5% churn can be the difference between stability and collapse.He shares lessons from two decades of studying the science of retention, showing how most gyms don't fail because they need more leads but because they can't keep the people they already have.Coop explains why contracts aren't the answer, why chasing Facebook leads and six-week challenges can actually erode your community, and how gyms with 300+ members can get into trouble fast if they're bleeding members. Chris also breaks down the two key metrics every gym owner should track to boost retention and revenue—length of engagement (LEG) and average revenue per member (ARM)—and explains why retention is really just “sales over time.”Tune in for Coop's full retention playbook, then apply his tips to keep members longer, change more lives and build a profitable business that lasts.Join Coop's free retention workshop on Sept. 30 at noon Eastern in Gym Owners United (linked below). LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call0:19 - When clients stay longer7:10 - 3% versus 5% churn11:29 - A better retention metric13:11 - Onboarding and goal reviews17:24 - Keeping people for 2 years

Ready to find out how the top gyms in the world earn between $500 and $850 per member each month?Today on “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper reveals the latest leaderboard for average revenue per member per month (ARM) and explains exactly how the Top 10 gym owners earned their spots. You'll hear about 10 proven tactics used by the leaders, including bundling services, offering semi-private training, selling with the Prescriptive Model and using simple billing changes to boost revenue.Coop also shares tips on referrals, pricing and niche specialization, and he explains why showing value is always more effective than cutting prices.Tune in for actionable strategies you can apply immediately to raise your ARM and build a more profitable, sustainable business.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call1:51 - Increase rates, value and referrals2:51 - Add PT and niche down4:21 - Bundle high-value services6:31 - Sell with the Prescriptive Model7:03 - Strategic billing and location

Gym growth is simple when you understand the only six metrics that really matter in fitness businesses.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper breaks them down so you can improve your gym:Average revenue per member (ARM)Length of engagement (LEG)Return on investment (ROI)Effective hourly rate (EHR)Net owner benefit (NOB)Client headcountUsing data from over 15,000 gym owners who contributed to Two-Brain's 2024 “State of the Industry” guide, Coop presents the industry averages for each metric so entrepreneurs know exactly where they stand in comparison.Then, he equips gym owners with specific tactics to improve each metric and explains why many gyms actually don't need more members to generate additional revenue. Plus, Coop dives deep into marketing with Two-Brain's four-funnel system: referrals, content, social media and paid ads. He even shares an exclusive preview of the clients-only worksheet Two-Brain gym owners use to audit marketing performance, and he provides actionable fixes for each funnel.Tune in to learn how to track and improve the critical numbers in your gym business.Want Coop's $100K checklist? Head to Gym Owners United using the link below and send him a DM.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call2:14 - Average revenue per member (ARM)8:23 - Length of engagement (LEG)14:33 - Return on investment (ROI)21:48 - Effective hourly rate (EHR)27:14 - Net owner benefit (NOB)32:47 - Client headcount37:13 - Four marketing funnels45:13 - Auditing and fixing your funnels59:34 - Getting more leads

What's stopping your gym from growing?In this episode of "Run a Profitable Gym," Chris Cooper explains how gym owners accidentally limit their business growth and presents a four-level framework for leadership mastery.The progression moves from self-leadership (controlling your focus and energy) to team leadership (getting staff aligned without micromanaging), peer leadership (influencing equals without authority) and community leadership (expanding impact beyond your gym).The key insight: Before you can lead others effectively, you must first master yourself.Fix the owner, fix the business.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call1:57 - Self-leadership6:45 - Team leadership10:30 - Peer leadership14:23 - Community leadership18:31 - How to grow as a leader

Overwhelmed by conflicting business advice? Cut through the noise with Chris Cooper's proven system for building wealth as a gym owner. In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris explains how to move beyond the passion-first mentality that keeps most fitness entrepreneurs stuck and broke.He breaks down his four-phase roadmap for gym-owner wealth: Founder, Farmer, Tinker and Chief. These phases show you what to focus on right now, what to ignore and how to move toward financial freedom.Coop also shares candid stories from his early years of gym ownership, including mopping floors personally and trapping his business in Founder Phase. Everything changed when he focused on fixing the foundation first, stopped trying to market a broken gym, and started doing the right things as a CEO and business owner.Now as the CEO of Two-Brain Business, Cooper has helped thousands of fellow gym owners fix their businesses, too. He's minted more than 60 millionaire gym owners, and hundreds more are earning over $100,000 per year.It's time to break free from day-to-day operations and start building wealth. Tune in to get the full blueprint.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call1:28 - Why gym owners get stuck7:44 - Founder Phase10:51 - Farmer Phase14:34 - Tinker Phase19:36 - Chief Phase

Nicolas Cage playing twin brothers in the same film should have been a disaster, but in Adaptation (2002), it became one of his greatest performances. Charlie Kaufman's meta-masterpiece about writer's block, Hollywood compromise, and the agony of the creative process pushes Cage to deliver both the funniest and most heartbreaking roles of his career.  Richard, Thorin, and Monte break down why Adaptation remains one of the smartest films ever made about art, obsession, and storytelling. From Kaufman's genius screenplay to Spike Jonze's direction and Chris Cooper's Oscar-winning supporting role, we unpack how this strange, self-referential film became a modern classic.  Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with Mando and get 20% off + free shipping with promo code FOURPLAY at shopmando.com!  Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/FOURPLAY and use code FOURPLAY and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup!

Many gym owners burn out because they reinvent everything daily. In this episode, Chris Cooper shows you how to systemize your gym without killing your creativity.He introduces the concept of “freedom within a framework”—the solution to decision fatigue, staff chaos and businesses that get stuck in the Founder Phase forever.Coop explains exactly where to systemize and where to be creative in each area of your business:MarketingSalesRetentionOperationsLeadershipYou'll also hear how Two-Brain Business mentors help fitness entrepreneurs build solid systems that support their gyms' growth without forcing a model or method. Stop starting from scratch every day and start building the stable, profitable gym you want to run.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call0:19 - The problem and its solution4:41 - Marketing and sales systems9:26 - Retention and referral systems11:53 - Ops and leadership systems17:26 - Mentorship gives you freedom

In this episode of "Run a Profitable Gym," Chris Cooper reveals the monthly leaderboard for net owner benefit—what gym owners actually pocket from their businesses.The top-earning fitness entrepreneur takes home over $45,000 a month!So what are our elite gym owners doing that others aren't?The Top 10 includes gyms from Belgium, Norway, Canada and Hong Kong, proving location doesn't limit earning potential.The leaders also proved small gyms can dominate: One top earner has only 90 members, and another operates in just 1,400 square feet of space.Chris breaks down the two key factors behind high net owner benefit for gym owners: consistency in delivery and total business excellence.You'll also find out which business models are driving these impressive income stats. Some gym owners focus strictly on one-on-one coaching, while others use semi-private training or a combination of high-value services to increase revenue.Listen to learn about the marketing, sales, retention and staff-development systems that separate top-earning gym owners from those who are barely breaking even.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call  1:58 - Top-earning gym owners revealed4:43 - Keys to high net owner benefit8:45 - Staff systems support growth10:53 - Models with the highest NOB15:56 - What all 10 have in common

Think you need 300+ members to run a profitable gym? The data says otherwise.In fact, the average gym can generate an extra $45,000 per year just by keeping the clients it already has for two extra months.In this episode of "Run a Profitable Gym," Chris Cooper cuts through the noise with hard numbers from the “State of the Industry” report—the most comprehensive data set in the fitness industry.He walks through the six metrics every gym owner needs to make smart business decisions:➡️ Average revenue per member (ARM)—earn more without adding clients.➡️ Length of engagement (LEG)—keep members longer.➡️ Net owner benefit (NOB)—your rewards as an entrepreneur.➡️ Return on investment (ROI)—which expenses allow you to increase revenue.➡️ Effective hourly rate (EHR)—are you a trainer or a CEO?➡️ Client headcount—the lives you are changing with fitness.Listen to hear all six metrics explained, then help build the next report by filling out the survey via the link below.Links"State of the Industry" SurveyGym Owners UnitedBook a Call  1:32 - Earn more per client3:10 - Keep clients longer6:17 - Take home more money7:57 - Increase return on investment11:11 - Earn more per hour