In this episode of The Visionary CEO Podcast, host Stephen Petrucci sits down with Derek Stark, Founder of Evexiya — a revolutionary health-tech company redefining disease prevention across the UAE and beyond.   Derek shares the personal story that led to the birth of Evexiya, his shift from strength coaching to data-driven health optimization, and why traditional clinics are becoming obsolete.   You’ll learn: How wearables like Whoop and Apple Watch are being used for deep lifestyle diagnostics Why most health data is fragmented — and how Evexiya solves that The concierge delivery model that eliminates clinics entirely The future of gyms as proactive healthcare hubs How AI and biological data combine to create truly personalized health plans His vision for dynamic health insurance pricing based on actual behaviour   Whether you’re a gym owner, health practitioner, or wellness entrepreneur — this episode is packed with insight on where the future of health, AI, and preventive care is heading in the Middle East.   Mentioned in This Episode: Derek Stark LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/derekstark Subscribe for more episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Follow host Stephen Petrucci for future AI-driven business insights.

In this episode of the Visionary CEO Podcast, Stephen Petrucci interviews Jamie and Smouty, co-founders of Catalyst Fitness, about their journey in the fitness industry. They discuss their rapid growth to over 100 members in just 18 months, the challenges they faced before implementing systemization, and how AI transformed their lead management process. The conversation highlights their impressive results, including a high close rate and improved client quality, as well as their future goals for scaling the business and enhancing client experiences. takeaways Catalyst Fitness offers affordable group coaching with a personal touch. The founders faced challenges in managing leads before systemization. AI has streamlined their lead management process significantly. They achieved a high close rate of 70-80% on leads. The gym has undergone significant upgrades, improving client experience. Quality of clients has improved with higher pricing. Future goals include doubling membership and possibly opening a new facility. Systemization has freed up time for the founders to focus on growth. Trusting the process has led to remarkable results. Investing in systems is crucial for scaling a business.

In this episode of The Visionary CEO, I sit down with fitness industry veteran Rob Krizanovic — founder of RK Fitness Consulting and co-founder of Fit Connector. Rob brings over 20 years of real-world experience building, turning around, and scaling fitness businesses across the Middle East and beyond.   We dive deep into why most gyms fail, how to truly define your ideal client, the critical mistakes new gym owners make, and how automation and AI are shaping the future of fitness businesses. Rob also shares the story behind Fit Connector — a groundbreaking platform helping independent coaches thrive without getting lost in the chaos of running a business.   If you’re a gym owner, online coach, or personal trainer who wants to grow profitably, retain more clients, and future-proof your business in 2025 and beyond, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.   Timestamps: (00:00) Rob’s journey from athlete to entrepreneur (04:00) Big box gyms vs boutique studios: Key differences (06:50) The #1 mistake gym owners make (09:40) Building Fit Connector and empowering coaches (22:00) Why marketing and sales are where most gyms fail (27:00) The biggest automation opportunities in gyms (31:00) How AI will transform fitness businesses (35:00) Client retention strategies gyms must focus on (38:40) Rob’s #1 piece of advice for profitable growth

Tired of chasing leads and struggling with gym growth? In this episode of the Visionary CEO Podcast, I sit down with Umar Sherbaz, General Manager at Vision Fusion Fitness in Dubai, to break down what it really takes to scale a high-ticket fitness business. Umar shares the hard-hitting truth about: •Why organic content is still king (and how they dominate social media to fill the gym) •The secret behind their “personal training for the rich and famous” billboard  •How they qualify and convert premium clients fast (and filter out the time-wasters) •Building a high-performance team that delivers five-star client experiences — every single session •The role of AI in the future of fitness businesses (and how automation could save you 20+ hours a week) If you run a gym, coach online, or sell high-ticket fitness offers, this is a must-listen. ▶️ Tune in now to learn how to: •Increase lead flow with smarter content •Turn attention into actual paying clients •Keep clients longer with unforgettable service •Systemize your sales process for scale (without burning out your team) Don’t forget to hit “Follow” so you never miss an episode. Connect with Umar and his team at Vision Fusion Fitness on Instagram: @AmirSiddiquiFissionFusion And if you’re serious about scaling your fitness business with AI-powered systems, visit systemizeai.io/ai-acquisition to learn how we help gym owners and coaches convert more leads, save hours every week, and scale profitably.

Running a gym is tough. Scaling it while raising a family? That’s next-level.   In this episode, Natalie and Stephen Cassells, founders of Cassells Fitness, break down exactly how they went from personal trainers to running a thriving gym—all while juggling family life, fast growth, and the realities of business ownership.   Here’s what we’re covering:   ✔ How they scaled their gym without spending a dime on ads ✔ The biggest hiring mistakes gym owners make (and how to fix them) ✔ Why niching down was the key to standing out ✔ Balancing business growth while raising three kids ✔ How AI and automation can streamline gym operations   If you own a gym, coach clients, or run a service-based business, this episode is packed with real-world insights, no-BS strategies, and hard-earned lessons you can apply today.   Hit play and find out what it really takes to build a gym that succeeds.

Scaling a gym isn’t just about getting more members—it’s about hiring the right team, retaining clients, and leveraging AI to work smarter, not harder. In this episode, Leanne Rose, co-founder of StrongHer Women, reveals the real challenges of running a gym, from burnout and bad hires to building a thriving community without relying on paid ads.   We dive deep into what separates successful gyms from those that struggle, how to balance growth with quality service, and why most gym owners focus on leads when they should be fixing retention. Leanne also shares her firsthand experience with AI, how it’s transforming operations, and the future of gym automation.   What You’ll Learn in This Episode:   The biggest hiring mistakes gym owners make (and how to avoid them) Retention vs. lead generation – why keeping clients is the real game-changer How AI is reshaping the fitness industry (and how to use it to your advantage) Scaling smart – when to grow, when to hold back, and how to do it profitably Why most gym owners burn out (and the mindset shift that fixes it)   If you’re a gym owner, fitness entrepreneur, or coach looking to scale without sacrificing quality, this episode is packed with real-world lessons and actionable insights you won’t want to miss!

Episode Description:   In this episode, Sylvester Sweeney shares his journey from gym ownership to building a thriving online coaching business. He dives deep into the realities of audience growth, the differences between high-ticket and low-ticket coaching, and how COVID-19 reshaped the coaching industry.   We explore the importance of authenticity in business, the risk of burnout, and why many coaches struggle to convert social media followers into paying clients. Sylvester also unpacks the power of long-form content, how email marketing and automation can help scale a coaching business, and what the future of coaching looks like with AI.   Whether you’re an aspiring online coach or looking to scale your business without sacrificing customer experience, this episode is packed with hard truths, actionable insights, and powerful strategies to help you grow.   Key Topics:   ✅ The truth about audience growth and social media strategies ✅ How to choose between high-ticket vs. low-ticket coaching models ✅ Why burnout happens and how to avoid it ✅ The role of email marketing & automation in client conversion ✅ How AI will impact the coaching industry   Tune in to hear the real, unfiltered truth about growing a sustainable, profitable coaching business!

In this episode of the Visionary CEO Podcast, host Stephen Petrucci interviews Mark Strathern, founder of Built For Life and Built Coach. Mark shares his journey from personal trainer to online coach, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection, listening skills, and establishing boundaries in coaching. He discusses the significance of gym floor experience in developing coaching skills and the common mistakes coaches make in their businesses. Mark highlights the need for critical thinking, avoiding burnout, and adapting to the changing landscape of coaching. He also addresses the importance of client retention, the systems necessary for business growth, and the impact of AI on coaching. The conversation concludes with a discussion on redefining success beyond financial goals.  

In the first episode of The VisionarAI CEO Podcast, I share my story of growing up in a council estate in Glasgow to becoming the CEO of Systemize AI. This episode is about more than just my journey—it’s about the highs, the lows, and the lessons learned along the way. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or someone looking for inspiration, this is proof that anyone can achieve greatness if they’re willing to take risks and put in the work.