Podcast appearances and mentions of Jim Crowell

After speaking with Jim Crowell in a recent podcast about his Proof3 concept, I've got some thoughts on where the next iteration of group fitness could go.. —------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I solve problems in your business and make you more money.  Guaranteed.  For over a decade I've been working with gym owners (via one-on-one consulting) to help create tailored solutions to solve their business problems, engineer the game plan and empower them to execute the strategy. Stop wishing your business problems are going to magically go away.   Invest in your business and let me solve your problems and optimize your business fast and efficiently.  We'll work together daily/weekly, with a monthly call until the problem is solved and then I want you to fire me.  Because this is YOUR business, I'm just here to solve a specific problem and then get out of your way. Learn more about what it's like for us to work together. —------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Want to increase your business IQ by 100x for only $50?  Get enrolled in Microgym University - the only online business school that teaches you the best practices and business frameworks from some of the most successful brands in our industry and then lets you decide which ones to install in your business. New courses are added every month.  ⁠www.microgymuniversity.com⁠  —------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Need help leasing or buying a building? I created the Gym Real Estate Company so that gym owners had someone who could go beyond the duties of a typical real estate broker and actually advise them on business aspects as they relate to site selection, market location fit, operational capacity, facility layout, pre-sell marketing, and more. If you're looking for help with your next lease or if you want us to help you along the journey of buying a building - ⁠head over to www.gymrealestate.co and book a Discovery Call. —-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elevate Your Coaching and Program Design w/ TeamBuildr TeamBuildr is a strength & conditioning software for performance coaches who want to efficiently build workout programs for their athletes and clients. Their platform was designed to make the life of a strength coach easier when it comes to building workouts, monitoring athlete recovery, and tracking workout data. They are currently offering a 30-day free trial when signing up with code “WTF”.

Jim Crowell is one of the guys in our industry I trust the most. His experience in the finance industry combined with his tenure within fitness has made him a very popular choice for brands to turn to when they need advice. He's been on the podcast before as the CEO of OPEX Fitness, where he grew their license model to 80+ and again when he started The SageHouse with his co-founder (Jason Crowe), as they made strategic investments and advisement into various fitness companies. Now they have launched their own brick & mortar brand (Proof3) utilizing proprietary technology to bring the concept of longevity into the world of group fitness.

In this episode, Jim Crowell & Jason Crowe, debut their joint discussion on the 'Future of Fitness' podcast. They dive into the fitness and wellness industry's current market trends, investor interests, and impactful factors shaping the field. They emphasize the growing focus on longevity within the industry and introduce their innovative venture, Proof3 —an endeavor aiming to redefine longevity fitness by merging group and personal training with advanced technology. The conversation also explores the psychological motivations behind longevity, the challenge of genuine behavioral change, and the specific goals that individuals often seek when pursuing a longer, healthier life. As they prepare to launch their first facility in Scottsdale, they seek collaboration and feedback, especially from locals, to refine their upcoming venture's offerings.  LINKS: https://goteamup.com/  https://podcastcollective.io/

In this conversation, Carl Paoli and Jim Crowell discuss various topics related to the fitness industry and entrepreneurship. They cover the challenges faced by solo fitness professionals, the importance of finding a unique value proposition, and the metrics to consider for a business of one. They also explore the dynamics of the influencer space and the need to build promotional and owned channels for long-term success. The conversation explores the importance of building a marketing pipeline, the role of partnerships and competitive advantages in business growth, and the characteristics of a great owner-operator. It emphasizes the need for businesses to identify their unique value proposition and target market and the importance of reducing friction and understanding the business model. The conversation concludes by discussing making good investment decisions and the need to check biases. Takeaways Solo fitness professionals should optimize their business based on their current stage and focus on delivering value to their specific audience. Finding a unique value proposition is crucial for success. Narrowing down the target audience and delivering a specialized product or service can generate higher revenue. Metrics such as revenue per hour and product market fit are important for evaluating the performance of a business of one. Scaling a business of one requires careful consideration of the product or service offered and the target audience. Building both promotional and owned channels can lead to long-term success. Having a highly engaged and specific audience is more valuable than a large following in the influencer space. Building an owned channel and delivering a clear message can lead to monetization opportunities. Building a marketing pipeline is crucial for businesses to generate revenue and sell products. Partnerships can provide brand exposure and credibility, but aligning values and goals is important to ensure long-term success. Competitive advantages are unique qualities or assets that set a business apart from its competitors and are difficult to replicate. A great owner-operator can attract and inspire others, understand their business model, and know when to delegate tasks. Businesses should continuously evaluate their decisions, understand their target market, and check biases to make informed choices. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Experience with the Platform 03:26 Navigating the Fitness Industry During the Pandemic 08:21 Advice for Solo Fitness Professionals 19:27 Finding Your Value Proposition 22:43 Key Metrics for a Business of One 26:18 Scaling a Business of One 30:08 Premium vs. Lower Price Point Products 39:31 The Influencer Game and Owned Channels 46:53 Capturing Opportunities in the Influencer Space 50:08 Building a Marketing Pipeline 54:14 Partnerships and Competitive Advantages 58:43 Partnerships and CrossFit 01:04:51 Identifying Competitive Advantages 01:11:56 Characteristics of a Great Owner-Operator 01:16:07 Narrowing Focus and Making Good Decisions --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/carlpaoli/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/carlpaoli/support

In this podcast, Eric Malzone and Jim Crowell delve into the 2023 fitness landscape, discussing key trends, winners, and challenges. Jim shares valuable insights on franchising, technology integration, and the growing wellness sector, spotlighting intelligent products and infrastructure from companies like MOVR, Sensei, Rook, and Verb. Emphasizing user experience, Jim predicts industry leaders will align with consumer needs. They discuss concerns about franchising stability and explores the distinctions in wellness approaches. Tune in to this episode for a deep understanding of fitness industry dynamics, emphasizing the importance of consumer understanding, robust infrastructure, and differentiation in diverse business models. =========================== LINKS: https://www.podcastcollective.io/  

Welcome back to L.I.F.T.S, bringing you the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and stories hitting the headlines and stirring up some debate.   This week's episode is hot off the press as hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of Sweatworks, together with special guest, Jim Crowell, sought after fitness industry investor and advisor and Managing Member from Sage House, deep dive into the headlines rocking the fitness world. Every week, our hosts discuss the breaking news, providing their own perspective on the headlines whilst provoking thoughts and conversations, all delivered in a quick-fix, 30-minute podcast. Today's discussion is driven by the following news agenda: The launch of the new Apple watch. Apple disrupting healthcare. Spartan Arabia distancing itself from Founders comments. UFC President slamming Peloton. ====================================================== Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new video when it's published: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop View our full catalog:  https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue  ====================================================== Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Escapefitness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapefitness Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/escapefitness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/escapefitness/

Today, we dive deep into the strategies, financial models, and industry truths essential for scaling your gym business. Whether you're running a local gem or dreaming of a multi-gym enterprise, grab your notepad – this is golden!Learn the differences between running a 'mom and pop' gym and a corporate franchise. Discover why treating them distinctly matters and how to strategically plan for expansion. Can your gym generate enough income for growth, or is an alternative financial runway needed?We confront the tough questions. Is slow and steady growth the key, or is injecting capital the fast track to tripling your revenue? We discuss the balance between risk and reward when considering partners, debt, or self-funding your business's growth.Facing the hard truth about the saleability of small gyms, using as example niche markets like CrossFit. Understand why some gyms find buyers while others don't, and how to evaluate if your gym is an asset or a liability.Lastly, we dissect the delicate balance of compensating your coaches fairly while maintaining healthy business margins. Dive into pricing strategies that could make or break your fitness studio.Key Takeaways:Scale Smart: Expansion isn't just about physical space, but also smart financial planning.Risk vs. Reward: Growth can be exponential with investment, but understand your comfort with risk.True Value: Not all gyms are created equal in the market – know your business's worth.Price Right: Undercharging can stifle your business and staff – find the sweet spot for sustainability.

Jim was a Big Ten tennis player for Penn State where he double majored in Finance & Economics. He's been a coach in some capacity since he was 14 years old. Jim traded commodities for an energy trading hedge fund, owned/sold multiple gyms, and was the CEO of OPEX Fitness where he learned a lot about coaching education, facility licensing, remote coaching, etc. now, Jim is the managing member of The SageHouse where they invest in and consult with Fitness and Wellness Companies.thesagehouse.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-crowell/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesagehouse/

Jim Crowell is the Founder of JWC Advisory Group (now called SageHouse Advisors), former Founder and Investor at Boost Capital, and former CEO of Opex Fitness. Currently, he co-founded and Managing Member of The Sagehouse, they are the first company to work with fitness and wellness startups as both investors and consultants to build long-term foundations for sustainable success. Links: https://www.thesagehouse.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-crowell/  https://www.facebook.com/jameswcrowell/  https://www.instagram.com/crowelljim/  INSIDETRACKER - Gift cards and clothes are impersonal and expected… so why not get your loved ones a gift that is truly special and unique to them. This Black Friday, save $200 on InsideTracker's Ultimate Plan—the most comprehensive way to get personalized insight into their body's wellbeing. Claim this offer HERE. ​ THE FITTECH CLUB - Brought to you by my good friends at the FitTech Summit, Europe's leading conference devoted to fitness and health technology, The FitTech Club is a unique offering entering North America. For those in fitness & health technology, the FitTech Club brings thought leaders together to inspire them: by making the right contacts at the right time and giving insights to the industry's most relevant and current trends. Equal parts accelerator, mastermind, investor group, and consultancy, I urge you to learn more HERE

What’s it like to fit into the entrepreneur coaching niche? Jim Crowell has thoughts. Jim is a coach who had a business background to begin with, then moved to fitness and is now working as an investor. He’s the former CEO of OPEX fitness and currently advises and runs an investing arm of his company. Listen to today’s interview to hear what Jim has to say about leveraging relationships into new businesses, services marketing and blueprinting, and how influencers affect the coaching landscape. Topics Discussed in Today’s Episode: Jim’s background and how he got to where he is now Bringing coaches into OPEX from around the world What Jim recommends to people who are building relationships to leverage those into other businesses How Jim knew that his niche was in being an entrepreneur coach How Jim makes sure his lenses don’t get foggy How Jim grew success with his CrossFit gyms Services marketing and service blueprinting Building trust Coaches and influencers Creating a business model that offers a return on investment How Walmart became dominant What balance means to Jim, both personally and professionally Jim’s best investment for under $500 How Jim betters himself Resources: Business Beyond Performance on Instagram Email Business Beyond Performance at: tbbppodcast@gmail.com Strive Jim Crowell

This Friday, as a follow-up to my recent episode with Jim Crowell, I talk about my experiences as a coach, a gym owner, and the manager of a large fitness franchise. For the sake of the fitness professionals listening, I focus on the criteria I used to hire trainers and look into the reasons why some gyms succeed and others don’t. On a more general note, I make the case for a more heart-centered and holistic approach to health and caution against the tendency to confuse facts with truth.Sign up for my newsletter at coachjoedi.com/newsletter and receive 10% off all Thorne products!Support the show (https://www.coachjoedi.com/joe-recommends )

This show focuses on the way forward for the fitness industry and my guest, Jim Crowell, the former CEO of OPEX Fitness turned independent adviser and business strategist, explains what coaches and gym owners need to do to survive and thrive in the current climate. Prior to his career in the fitness sector, Jim worked as a commodities trader for an energy hedge fund and his business acumen (along with his coaching credentials and experience of running his own gyms) makes him uniquely placed to provide some timely and much-needed advice about adapting and growing your fitness business in these changing times. As you’ll hear, Jim favors a proactive and pragmatic approach. He points out that sitting on your hands and just hoping that things will get back to normal isn’t an option. As an eternal optimist, he reminds fitness professionals that there are still opportunities to be had in the fitness industry if they are willing to make the necessary changes. We talk about creating successful strategies to scale both online and bricks and mortar businesses and we explore some of the metrics you’ll need to keep a close eye on to make sure your business is growing each month. Jim also shares details of some of the digital fitness companies he’s currently working with and explains how technology can be used to scale your business and make online coaching easier.Support the show (https://www.coachjoedi.com/joe-recommends )

Jim Crowell is the Founder at JWC Advisory Group, Founder and Investor at Boost Capital, and former CEO of Opex Fitness. He is a board member of The Brand Q Method. Jim is a strategist who loves to learn and help others improve. How did Jim get to where he is now? (1:35) Jim went to Penn State where he played tennis for them.  Jim had been an athlete his whole life and loved the idea of training and fitness.  He enjoyed training tennis because it had been his college sport and he enjoyed going to tournaments and competing.  He loved the idea of getting better at things. Being a hedge fund trader had taught him how the world works and how money flows etc.  Towards the end of that career, Jim felt that he wanted to be a part of the health and wellness industry.  Leaving the hedge fund business, Jim opened a CrossFit gym with a friend of his in Pittsburgh. They did well and opened a second gym. After 4 years Jim sold the business to his business partner at the time.  Gym moved to Arizona to work with Opex Fitness. He worked himself up to the role of CEO and helped them build a global coaching education, a gym licensing business, remote coaching, and one on one sessions.  Jim left Opex in 2020 and has been advising and investing typically around the fitness and wellness area.  Jim loves the idea of being a part of the evolution of fitness because he believes fitness is a very immature market in many verticals.  What does Jim consider to be a mature market? (4:00) Setting COVID aside, consider going to a restaurant.  You have a good idea of what type of restaurant model will work.  Technology is being put into restaurants too. We are seeing this now especially because of COVID.  People are eating from home a lot more but in terms of successful restaurants, considering COVID lifts and the vaccine is out, people will want to go back out to restaurants.  Restaurants have a fair amount of competition and the restaurant owners either have competitive advantages or they have to run extremely efficiently to survive.  There’s an efficient market in fitness right now. You are seeing so many new things come out and you are seeing brand new markets that do not have competition yet.  A lot of legacy brands like Equinox have immediately shifted to an online ecosystem.  So where people thought there was no competition there is now becoming competition. We are seeing jockeying for who is going to take the lead in the big categories.  Jim believes in the big categories there are always a few that win and by win he means they get higher margins because they have competitive advantages.  It’s the companies who create sustainable competitive advantages that have the most likelihood of success. What should an investor be looking at in 2021? (40:50) Once you put investors on your LinkedIn profile, you will get a whole bunch of stuff coming through to your profile.  Some of them might be interesting but a lot of it won’t be worth looking at.  Jim’s friends like to invest in early but not launch products that have shown traction and can scale.  These are not highly competitive markets unless the product has shown that it has better traction in a significantly large market.  Looking at the technology side, it is where most investor’s minds are going. You have to differentiate and you have to be simpler and more valuable. If you are brick and mortar in terms of gyms, investors are only looking at you if the price is depressed and they think they can get a return based on that.  A lot of investors are looking to buy into franchise concepts, corporately owned concepts out of bankruptcy right now.  Technology obviously has scale. It is where people are going. There are opportunities for the investors to get into companies that just got obliterated by COVID but still have good assets on the book.  You have to know what you want and what your return profile will look like. If investors aren’t direct experts in the industry they need to have conversations about what real value and real barriers are.  JWC Advisory Group At JWC Consulting they offer you a complete service in Compliance which includes but isn't limited to Food Safety, Health and Safety, Human Resources, and Internal auditing to enable you to perform better and safer. From creating systems of excellence conforming to international standards ensuring product and process safety to training your people to work in a safe way, assessing how you’re doing, and helping you perform even better in the future, they are there to assist you at every step of your safety journey. Resources Connect with Jim: LinkedIn JWC Consulting: Website Connect with Eric: LinkedIn

My dude Jim Crowell is back on the podcast after his recent departure from OPEX, where he was the CEO for a significant period of time and helped grow their license model to ~70 locations worldwide. So I asked Jim to hop on the podcast so we can discuss the various in's & out's of creating a license model...because as I see it...plenty of brands will be going the OPM (other people's money) route, very very soon.

"I don't think the brick and mortar gym business is going away, but I do think the connection to the client is going to get much deeper outside the gym," states Jim Crowell. As a former athlete and coach with a background in finance, Jim has worked in all levels operationally of the HALO sector, as well as seen how deals are done from the outside. He chats with Pete Moore about how boutiques and big box gyms are positioned post-COVID, his approach to growth, working within the franchise model, thoughts on influencers and digital platforms, why hyperlocal marketing is more important than ever, and more. 

For this weeks Strength Chat, I had the pleasure of speaking with the former CEO of OPEX who has mentored coaches and gym owners to develop successful careers and businesses, Jim Crowell. This was a first for a Strength Chat episode as Jim and I covered some topics that haven’t been covered on the podcast before, but which I feel are very important for the development of coaches. In this episode we chatted about where coaches can sometimes go wrong when it comes to the business side of coaching, as well as some best practises and tips to help improve a coach’s business. You can follow Jim via the following links; Instagram: @crowelljim   You can follow myself, Coach Cuthbert, via the following links; Instagram: @coach_cuthbert Facebook: Coach Cuthbert Training Systems Website: http://www.coachcuthbert.co.uk/

Matt Wan of Live Momentous and Building A Premium Supplement Brand with Jim Crowell

Casey Jenks and the TrueCoach and Remote Coaching Story with Jim Crowell

Relentlessly Focus on Outcomes with John Swanson and Jim Crowell

The Future of the Fitness Business with Jason Khalipa and Jim Crowell

Building An Online Lifestyle Business with Eric Malzone and Jim Crowell

Building A Real Network for Success with Sam Pogue and Jim Crowell

Reproductive Health and Marketing During Covid-19 with Melissa Guitron and Jim Crowell

This week on The MiFit Podcast I interview Opex CEO, Jim Crowell. Before Jim started working at Opex, he spent five years as a hedge fund trader and also opened and built two micro gyms in Pittsburgh. Jim has a passion for fitness and helping coaches and gyms bring in more revenue, use principles and systems, and create an environment they can be most successful in. Jim has a very good heart beat on where the fitness industry is now and where it’s heading. In today’s conversation we chatted about a multiple of ways for gym owners and personal trainers to get ahead of the curve and come out of the COVID-19 crisis stronger than they were before the pandemic. Topics-Crossover lessons from hedge fund trading to growing a fitness business-How to better view marketing and use social media to attract the right client-Finding your identity as a gym-Applicable ways for gym owners and personal trainers to come out stronger after the pandemic -Sticking to principles to help grow your businessYou can follow Jim on social media IG @crowelljimEmail jim@opexfit.comIf you found value in this episode please consider leaving a rating and review on iTunes. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the show!

Learning to Unlearn with Jon Callahan and Jim Crowell

Optimize Your Performance By Asking with Mark Victor Hansen and Jim Crowell

Use Empathy to Meet Clients Where They Are with Andrew Tracey and Jim Crowell

How The Fitness and Wellness Industry is Changing with Anthony Vennare and Jim Crowell

A New Definition of Lifestyle Design with Carl Paoli and Jim Crowell

How I Stopped Hating Business with Mike Bledsoe, Jim Crowell and Carl Hardwick

Add Value Through Practice with Mike Arce and Jim Crowell

Jim Crowell and Jason Crowe from Precision Nutrition Discuss Giving Back To The Fitness Community

Jim Crowell loves doing two things over all else…. Building businesses and mentoring coaches and business owners to enjoy inspiring, fulfilling, and successful careers. This is precisely what we delve into during today's discussion.  Without clarity and direction in your business, how can you determine whether or not your strategy is effective? Prioritize your vision and set your course!Get your 6 figure coaching foundation. Scroll down and click “Get Free Access”https://www.thestrongcoach.com On social media we share how to grow your coaching business. Follow us: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Education/The-Strong-Coach-1836711473110013 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thestrongcoach Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mike_bledsoe Twitter - https://twitter.com/michaelbledsoe?lang=en Show sponsors - BioOptimizers - https://bioptimizers.com/a/bledsoe/?gl=5be464fe02e26b4601636b62 Most coaches grind for years and then feel burnt out. We have a course made specifically to help coaches create a business that will get them paid like they should be. Head to our site and click “Become a Strong Coach” for a free call that will answer your questions. https://www.thestrongcoach.com

Jim Crowell loves doing two things over all else…. Building businesses and mentoring coaches and business owners to enjoy inspiring, fulfilling, and successful careers. This is precisely what we delve into during today's discussion.  Without clarity and direction in your business, how can you determine whether or not your strategy is effective? Prioritize your vision and set your course!Get your 6 figure coaching foundation. Scroll down and click “Get Free Access”https://www.thestrongcoach.com On social media we share how to grow your coaching business. Follow us: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Education/The-Strong-Coach-1836711473110013 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thestrongcoach Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mike_bledsoe Twitter - https://twitter.com/michaelbledsoe?lang=en Show sponsors - BioOptimizers - https://bioptimizers.com/a/bledsoe/?gl=5be464fe02e26b4601636b62 Most coaches grind for years and then feel burnt out. We have a course made specifically to help coaches create a business that will get them paid like they should be. Head to our site and click “Become a Strong Coach” for a free call that will answer your questions. https://www.thestrongcoach.com

Hey all! In this episode we meet the CEO of OPEX Jim Crowell. He has a background as a finance broker of hedge funds, has started two gyms and then sold them, completed in the Crossfit Games 2015 and...the list goes on. Jim has gone though the most and gives us great lessons and tips when it comes to business, life and training. We hope you like this episode and make sure to subscribe to our channel. Cheers Escapist Corner Homepage: http://www.escapistcorner.com

Jim Crowell OPEX CEO shares his reflections of 2019 and his goals for OPEX in 2020.

Today I’m joined by Jim Crowell.    Jim is the CEO of OPEX.    On today’s episode, we talk about Jim’s experience as a gym owner, his journey to becoming the CEO of a fast-growing fitness company, and his thoughts on the future of the fitness industry.    I had a great time chatting with Jim and hope you enjoy listening.    More from Jim & OPEX >>    Jim is a CEO, a business investigator, and a communication strategist in the fitness industry. His work ethic, experience and vision allow him to help fitness businesses in multiple verticals grow and protect their businesses at scale.    Over his 15 year career, Jim has successfully traded energy commodities at $750M hedge fund, he's owned and sold 2 gyms with over 500 clients under his coaches' tutelage, and he's helped build and grow OPEX Fitness, Brand X, Big Dawgs Athlete and numerous other coaching companies within the chaos of the ever-changing fitness industry.    Along the way, he's never stopped learning. Jim graduated Harvard's Core Course with honors and then went on to earn his MBA from The University of North Carolina all while working full time with OPEX. He's got a ferocious interest in understanding how systems works, and he couples that with his love of simple communication to support his team, gyms, coaches, and clients.   Get in touch  opexfit.com jim@opexfit.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-crowell/ https://www.instagram.com/crowelljim/   More from Fitt Insider >>    Fitt Insider is a weekly newsletter and podcast about the business of fitness and wellness.    From product launches and funding news to game-changing innovation, Fitt Insider provides listeners with insights and analysis on this ever-evolving industry.  Join your peers and colleagues from companies like Equinox, lululemon, Peloton, Beyond Meat, Nike, and ClassPass by subscribing at http://insider.fitt.co.

Jim Crowell loves doing two things over all else….Building businesses and mentoring coaches and business owners to enjoy inspiring, fulfilling, and successful careers.This podcast served as an eye opener for myself in regards to the coaching profession, how to truly add value to other people's lives rather than just teaching them the biomechanics and exercise side of things. This was truly one of those conversations that I believe I truly needed to have.Jim Crowell works as the CEO of OPEX following from his successful background in the Finance industry.You can learn more about Jim Crowell at:OPEX.com@crowelljim

On this episode of FitBiz Talk we talk to the CEO of OPEX Fitness, Jim Crowell. Jim graduated from Penn State University with a double major in Finance and Economics. He went on to work for a Hedge Fund for a number of years while starting his fitness journey in Crossfit. Jim eventually got together with a partner and opened a couple of Crossfit gyms in the Pittsburgh area. Jim eventually sold those businesses to his partner and linked up with James Fitzgerald of OPT which has gone on to become OPEX Fitness. Jim started as a coach under James but immediately began tinkering with the business side of OPEX. One thing has led to another and Jim in now the CEO of the company. For those of you that don’t know about OPEX, they have focused on a niche known as personalized fitness. It is obvious that the market is favoring a more personalized approach. Coaching under or opening an OPEX location is not an easy task. There is a very robust coaching program that you must go through in order to be able to practice under the OPEX name. It doesn’t stop there though. There is also a very intense program that focuses on the business side for every individual. OPEX will provide these individuals with all the knowledge and tools necessary to create a sustainable and profitable business. That still doesn’t mean it’s easy because you have to put it all in practice from a coaching and business standpoint. If there is one thing that is obvious, it’s that when you come out of the training as a coach and a businessperson, you will have everything you will possibly need to succeed. OPEX has been structured to create an environment that will allow coaches to thrive. I hope you enjoyed the show. If you did, please leave us a review and subscribe to the show. On next week’s show, we will be speaking with Danny Lehr of Caffeine and Kilos to talk about the apparel and consumables side of the fitness industry

Brian St. Pierre is the Director of Performance Nutrition at Precision Nutrition. Brian was kind enough to come on and talk with OPEX CEO, Jim Crowell, about a myriad of fascinating topics.

BIO: OPEX COO Carl Hardwick has dedicated his life to health and fitness. Already as a teenager, Hardwick lived at the gym. A 3-time All-Conference football player at Saint Mary’s University, Hardwick became passionate about becoming the most effective coach. This led the former U.S. Army veteran to buddy up with world-renowned strength coach Charles Poliquin to complete the PICP and then to complete his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). While running the Army fitness program for his Battalion and a stint in Afghanistan, Hardwick was introduced to OPEX Founder James FitzGerald. Sold by the OPEX individual program design approach, Carl went on to open multiple OPEX-licensed gyms before accepting his position as COO. Today, Hardwick is an integral part of the growing OPEX engine that is using the Coach Certificate Program (CCP) to change the face of fitness by professionalizing the fitness coach. Show Notes: Websites and Social Media Links: Website – OPEXfit.com  Website – OPEXgyms.comWebsite – TheBigdawgs.comFacebook – OPEX FitnessTwitter - @OPEXFitnessInstagram - opexfitnessYouTube – OPEX Fitness Books Mentioned: Scientific Principles of Strength Training Rock, Iron, Steel: The Book of Strength  Podcasts Mentioned: OPEX Podcast #Ep 49 - Jim Crowell & Carl Hardwick    People and Resources mentioned: Charles Poliquin OPEX Principles of Program Design CourseOPEX Mixed Model Course OPEX Programming Strength Course OPEX CCP Level 1 James Fitzgerald  Mat Fraser Dan John  Steve JustaPaul Anderson  Kevin DonKeegan Martin Eric Helms Chad Wesley Smith Mike Israetel James Hoffman    TIMELINE: 0:00 – 5:43 - Robbie intro’s the show and asks Carl what biggest mistakes he regularly see’s with some program designs?5:44 – 10:21 - Robbie asks Carl about long-term programming for a client 10:22 – 18:57 - Robbie asks Carl to share with us his process of working with clients 18:58 – 27:10 - Robbie asks Carl about de-load weeks 27:11 – 31:31 - Robbie asks Carl about how he designs a weekly training cycle for his clients 31:32 – 35:16 - Robbie asks Carl about specificity, motor learning and variation  35:17 – 36:30 - Robbie asks Carl about total body and upper/lower body splits  36:31 – 49:23 - Robbie asks Carl about tempo and rest interval prescription in program design 49:24 – 52:40 - Robbie asks Carl about OPEX’s upcoming educational courses? 52:41 – 54:49 - Robbie asks Carl for his thoughts on the use of RPE 54:50 – 55:36 - Robbie wraps up the show!

Jim Crowell, CEO of OPEX, has been on the podcast before - but this time we deep dive into the branding evolution that you may have noticed from this company over the past year. Their product is widely unknown - Individual Design - so their storytelling has been difficult to nail down a message that would resonate with their avatar client. Jim shares their journey of finding the right language that started to make sense to the prospective customers of the 70+ OPEX gyms around the world. To learn more check out www.opexgyms.com and www.thebigdawgs.com

Ashley, Brendon, and OPEX CEO Jim Crowell discuss the third annual educational event for mirco gym owners. The Iron + Mortar Summit will feature six incredible speakers including both Jim Crowell and James FitzGerald from OPEX Fitness.

Jim Crowell is the CEO of OPEX. I first met Jim back in the OPT days at one the CCP certifications in Scottsdale - and now he’s friggin' running the place. We talk about how to think about competition in the fitness industry (you’re not just competing with other gyms offering similar services…), how to find the balance between creating systems and structure while still allowing for the creativity and craftsmanship of the coaching profession, and how to leverage tribalism in your target audience to create a marketing message that actually resonates. Check out more from Jim here: Instagram: @crowelljim//@opexfitness Website: www.opexfit.com//www.opexgyms.com LinkedIn: @jim-crowell If you're enjoying the show, the best way to support it is by sharing with your friends. If you don't have any friends, why not a leave a review? It makes a difference in terms of other people finding the show.You can also subscribe to receive my e-mail newsletter at www.toddnief.com. Most of my writing never makes it to the blog, so get on that list. Show Notes [3:21] How Jim's background as an MBA hedge fund guy with degrees in finance and economics set him up for entry into the CrossFit market as a true capitalist. “I need to build this thing because somebody else is going to build it if I don't.”[11:18] The winner-take-all dynamics of local fitness businesses - and why you must be the leader in your subcategory[20:48] How OPEX is seeking to create the "personalized fitness" category in the market - and how they are looking to position themselves compared to personal training or group training[26:38] The necessity of targeting a specific audience to reap the benefits of tribalism – versus risking speaking to no one at all. “You don't create your brand; the market tells you what your brand is…You can just try to influence what that market reaction is.” [32:53] The growing pains of restructuring and the importance of not confusing and alienating your target audience - and how OPEX decided to split out the remote coaching business of Big Dawgs from the work of certifications and licensing.[40:40] Tribalism and the desire “to be a part of something…[and feel] a deeper meaning behind why they're doing what they're doing" - and how this relates to marketing and retention in facilities[56:06] Allowing for creativity in coaching while still providing standardization and consistency in processes.[01:04:34] How the start-up cost and business structure of opening a CrossFit gym has changed since 2005 to now. [01:10:25] Differences in managing a gym with 150 members versus a gym with more than that, and attempting to get in front of problems before they happen. Links and Resources MentionedBox Tour: Integrated Fitness from the CrossFit JournalOPEX OPEX Coaching Certificate Program (CCP) CrossFit Games Penn State University of North Carolina Orange Theory Peloton YouTube CrossFit Central (TX) OPEC F45 Fit Body Boot Camp CrossFit Apple Samsung Huawei Facebook MySpace Ben Thompson's “Stratechery” Amazon LinkedIn Instagram South Loop Strength & Conditioning Tesla Colgate Palmolive Johnson & Johnson Big Dawgs CrossFit Invictus Misfit Athletics Tribalism Tristan Harris Everybody Lies by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz Tyler Cowen's The Age of the Inforvore Tyler Cowen's Marginal Revolution blog Biohacking Tim Ferriss James FitzGerald Tony Robbins SoulCycle Rogue OPEX Coach’s Toolkit

Jim Crowell, CEO of OPEX Fitness shares an update on the state of the business and the OPEX mission to deliver Personalized Fitness through OPEX Coaching Education and Gym Licensing Program. OPEX Gyms are the brick and mortar reality of our methodologies. These gyms create an environment for OPEX Coaches to deliver an individually designed fitness experience that will be the foundation of success for both the coach and client.

In the 137th episode of Keep Moving Forward, I interview CEO of OPEX Fitness, Jim Crowell.   “If we do our jobs as coaches, we should help you want to live a more inspired life.” As both a coach and an athlete, Jim Crowell imbues within all those he encounters to live a more inspired life, and to simply want better for themselves. Continuously growing through the ranks in every organization he has ever been a part of, Jim’s story is proof that if you follow the process, if you work hard enough, and if your will is strong enough, you will undoubtedly succeed. I could have spoken to Jim for three more hours, and it still would not have been enough to capture everything he has done. But I am so grateful for the time I did have to speak with him. I hope you all enjoy my interview with Jim Crowell.   To learn more about Jim and OPEX Fitness, you can follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.   To stay up to date on all things KMF, head on over to my website, http://keepmovingforward.us/, and subscribe to my newsletter. I’ll send you the latest updates and resources to help you continuously move forward.   Always remember, you can beat the odds and go the distance, if only you keep moving forward.

In this episode, I sit down with Jim Crowell from OPEX Fitness again and talk about: -Finding your ideal clients -Understanding who you can and can't work with -Why people are looking to build better versions of themselves -What the why behind what people want really is -Creating a consistent experience people both want and need and what you can do to make a great experience that scales across the board for customers and staff! You can find more info about OPEX here: https://opexfit.com/

Jim Crowell started as a Wall Street Trader, transitioned to CCP Coach and is now the CEO of OPEX. Jim shares his secrets to creating a profitable business and how fitness coaches can do the same — on this episode of the OPEX Podcast.

OPEX CEO Jim Crowell delves into what makes OPEX successful: radical transparency. Jim discusses how the principles behind radical transparency can be applied to both coaches and gym owners to create longer lasting relationships — on this episode of The OPEX Podcast: Fitness Explained.

Individual Design — OPEX CEO Jim Crowell explains how ID is not only a sustainable model for clients, but also for coaches. When taking a personalized approach, where the program is aligned to the client, the fitness program is able to transcend the gym and create long-term results.

Jim Crowell is the CEO of OPEX where his mission is to ensure OPEX grows as the leader in Personalized Fitness delivered by Professional Coaches around the globe.

Jim Crowell is the CEO of OPEX (founded by James Fitzgerald). This show is one of our all time favourites as we dive deep into the history of CrossFit competition and the business which has grown from it. Jim gives us an honest prediction of where he feels the sport will go next.

One of my favorite guys in the fitness space joins me to jam on the microgym scene as he sees it. Lots of good info. Listen and learn.

OPEX is home to arguably some of the US’ most consistently great coaches. This week, on Fitness Break Room we interview Jim Crowell and Michael Bann who are a few of the men who run that operation. They go into detail on how great coaches and trainers are born and how they themselves became leaders of this movement. Click here to enter to win our monthly Fitness Industry Night Giveaway. This month (Feb 2018), you have a chance to win a pair of 35# Captain America Barbell Plates from our friends at ONNIT. Enjoy the show, Sam and Jess

Join the 321Go Hub to begin changing your business TODAY. A huge thank you to our partner for today's episode, InBody USA. Check out their exclusive 321Go Podcast Deal Opex aims to provide is the education to upgrade the coach to client relationship at all levels within fitness facilities, and Individual Design accomplishes that. Join Jim and James for a frank discussion on why we implement this in all of our gyms, how it can benefit yours, and how you can grow your business in whatever model you are in. James is the founder of OPEX (Formerly OPT) and The International Center for Fitness. When not coaching, he’s a full time husband, father and fitness athlete. His 20+ years of experience and service as a strength coach/technician, tireless practice on refining energy system work, nutritional and lifestyle balancing techniques and training of other coaches has made OPEX a sought after method of bringing fitness to a Higher Order. Jim Crowell loves doing 2 things over all else….Building businesses and mentoring coaches and business owners to enjoy long, inspiring, fulfilling, and profitable careers. His love of fitness and his desire for his own growth goes all of the way back to his childhood. Either he was playing sports or he was trying to figure out his next business move (likely it was cutting the neighbor’s grass haha). As a 5 sport athlete in high school and then as a member of the Big Ten Men’s Tennis Team at Penn State time was a challenge. He not only had to learn how to compete and earn his victories, he had to learn how to prioritize his time and energy into those projects that yielded real growth. Please take a moment to Subscribe to the Show, share with a friend, and leave us a review! Take a moment to check out OPEX

Jim is CEO of OPEX in Scottsdale, AZ.  They are a global coaching education company offering remote coaching and gym licensing. Every endeavor that Jim Crowell has tackled throughout his life has led him to his coaching role with OPEX. In school, whether he was playing 5 sports in high school, competing as a member of the Big Ten Men's Tennis at Penn State, or mentoring numerous students and athletes Jim's reputation was built early around hard work and tremendous care for the people around him. Even though athletics were a huge part of his college life Jim's double major in Finance and Economics led to enter the hedge fund world where he would become an energy commodities trader in Austin. It was in that fast-paced environment where Jim learned how crucial continuous education is. He found a great love of researching his craft inside and out. Learning became one of Jim's highest values. That focus on learning helped teach him to strive for the best possible methods to benefit his clients. After 5 years in the financial arena, Jim couldn't ignore his heart anymore. For the next 4 years, he opened and successfully managed multiple fitness facilities in Pittsburgh. It was in Pittsburgh where Jim spent countless hours learning and testing principals with his athletes. But, he also tested those strategies as an athlete himself. His athletic drive solidified him a spot in the 2014 Individual Mid-Atlantic Regionals. He built his coaching reputation around two main points: progress and fulfillment. That reputation of positively impacting his client's lives provided him the opportunity to work with thousands of wonderful people ranging from professional athletes to adults hungry for better fitness and wellness, and to kids of all ages. After his tenure in Pittsburgh, he was honored to join OPEX. He has the privilege of working with inspired clients and learning from some of the finest coaches in the world. His unique experiences have helped him understand that everybody is unique. That understanding helps him ensure that his approach for each and every athlete meshes with their specific goals and values in a way that will help them reach their highest potential in a way that they truly enjoy.

Jim Crowell, CEO of OPEX Fitness, joins us today to talk business strategy. His background in Finance and Economics led him to play in the hedge fund world for years before successfully managing multiple fitness facilities in Pittsburgh. Today we discuss things like human behavior, storytelling, and implementing systems and strategy to make the individual design model work. There's a lot of great dialogue in this episode that makes me confident in saying you'd be SILLY to not listen to this one if you're a fitness professional. People don't always want leaner, faster, and stronger. They want to be happier. How can you give that feeling to more people in your gym? We discuss the three pieces to community, thoughts on how artificial intelligence will affect the fitness industry, social media strategy for coaches and gym owners, along with so much more. Show Notes: (4:40) - Coaches and gym owners want futures (8:57) - Thoughts on maximizing the group fitness model (10:13) - Human behavior (12:55) - How to make the individual design model work (16:20) - Gym owners — providing growth for coaches (24:15) - Storytelling and filling your business model (27:32) - Communicating the value of individualized design (31:26) - Assessment and data to communicate results (35:00) - Lead generation strategy (39:00) - Automation and knowing your customers (44:40) - Social media (48:36) - Your story (50:50) - Sales process (59:08) - Systems and strategy (1:10:35) - How will AI affect the fitness industry (1:14:45) - Long term patch for coaching (1:21:42) - 3 pieces to community building Resources we may have talked about: The Lean Startup It’s Your Ship How you can connect with Jim: Instagram: @crowelljim Facebook jim@opexfit.com If you wanna grab any book we’ve talked about in the past, head over to theairbornemind.com/readinglist. You’ll see all the books recommended from each guest. And if you want you can get a free audiobook and 30 day free trial there as well. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on iTunes and lemme know what you think. It would really help me out so I can continue creating awesome stuff for you. And remember the greatest compliment you can give is by sharing this with someone else who might enjoy it or somewhere on the web. Once again thank you for being a listener and supporting the show. Until next time.

Set down with James FitzGerald and Jim Crowell of OPEX to discuss their unique view of the fitness industry, where they see the market going and why the group class model is due for an evolution.

Jim Crowell of OPEX Fitness joins us to discuss the ins and outs of what processes, strategies, and tools are needed to build your own online personal training program. -- 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/

Episode 63 – OPEXToday we are joined by two very special guests from OPEX. James “OPT” Fitzgerald joins us as well has his business partner Jim Crowell. James Fitzgerald was one of my primary motivators when I first started CrossFit. James started OPEX soon after moving to Arizona which has become one of the most popular training programs in the world. Now on the eve of the rollout of the OPEX physical location gyms, James and Jim join me to discuss the OPEX model, how it works, program design, and flaws they see in the group model. Reminder the 2017 Two-Brain Summit is coming this June 3rd and 4th in Chicago. Be sure to register now!Contact:Contact: http://opexfit.com/Timeline:1:31 – James OPT Fitzgerald & Jim Crowell introduction5:10 – Optimum Performance Training to OPEX: The story7:47 – What do the day-to-day operations of the OPEX gym look like?8:30 – Jim’s story and how he fits into OPEX9:48 – What is the OPEX model and how is it different?10:41 – What does the intake process look like for a new client in the OPEX gym?12:24 – How does an absolute beginner learn when they are brand new?13:17 – Movements for a brand new client post first assessment15:15 – How to determine when a client is ready for more complex exercises?18:32 – Is there a point where you restrict your clients from pushing further?23:12 – How frequently is the ongoing prescription for a client?25:27 – Helping clients realize that the gym is individualized26:44 – Reassessing with clients and upping their training program28:44 – How OPEX incorporates nutrition and broader lifestyle choices for clients32:30 – An example of a burned-out client and how to give them a break34:18 – High-intensity fitness and its effect on coaches36:46 – Is there a place for individual and group training in the same gym.39:03 – Ensuring that each client is receiving equal attention in a group workout session 41:03 – The important relationship between a coach and a client42:01 – How to deal with a client that needs more attention than others44:09 – The business model for brick and mortar OPEX gyms46:28 – The long term vision for OPEX48:50 – How to get your brand name out there to the masses50:07 – Fine-tuning the structure of OPEX for continued scaling in the future52:48 – How is OPEX best positioned to meet emerging opportunities and join the tribe 54:45 – Certain things that OPEX used to recommend but no longer does57:35 – What is retention like for brick and mortar OPEX locations60:57 – Who determines the pricing model for each OPEX gym64:05 – What systems come with the OPEX license?67:24 – What is the coach’s compensation model in an OPEX facility?69:01 – Who are the mentors to James and Jim?73:56 – Best advice for entrepreneurs in the fitness industry

Jim Crowell of OPEX shares what he's learned over the years in running Boxes, coaching Coaches and Affiliates, and how even though building a business isn't easy, it's worth it. Music: "KYD" by Ryan Little. Link: freemusicarchive.org/music/Ryan_Lit…n_Little_-_KYD