DISRUPT by Athletech News is a front-row seat to the conversations shaping the future of fitness, wellness, and performance. Each episode brings together top industry leaders, including founders, executives, investors and innovators for candid, in-depth discussions that go beyond headlines and press releases. This isn’t polished PR talk; it’s an unfiltered look at what’s really happening behind the scenes.
DISRUPT by Athletech News: Adam Shane of Yoga Joint
In this latest episode of Disrupt by Athletech News, Yoga Joint owner and managing director Adam Shane joins ATN founder and CEO Edward Hertzman to explain the boutique fitness sector — looking at specific markets, pitfalls and its current points of inflection.
Hertzman and Shane also discuss how peer pressure can skew a business owner's definition of success, why operators need to build around talent and the variability of the industry's supply and demand ratio. The pair also speak on the consumer appeal of fitness competitions, where Shane's confidence in Yoga Joint lies and what his expansion plans for the franchise look like.
Listen to this episode of Disrupt for more on:
Predictions for the fitness market in 2027
Identifying fitness as the newest status symbol
Hospitality being about consistency
25 Aug 2026
DISRUPT by Athletech News: Phillip Mills of Les Mills
In this latest episode of Disrupt by Athletech News, Les Mills (https://try.lesmillsondemand.com/) founder and executive director Phillip Mills joins ATN founder and CEO Edward Hertzman to look a how fitness has become something people center their entire lives around rather than weave in, and why specialization is the "key to evolution of human civilization."
Additionally, Mills and Hertzman touch on why group fitness has become so durable as a concept, as well as the value of a talented instructor. The pair also discuss the thing AI will never replace, whether or not there should be a line be drawn between fitness and its adjacent concepts, and why human capital is the most important asset for a business owner.
Listen to this episode of Disrupt for more on:
How big box gyms are putting more pressure on boutiques
Why the gym has value in being a refuge
The balance the comes with being in the exercise and motivation business
28 Jul 2026
DISRUPT by Athletech News: Erik Jivmark of Sleep Cycle
In this latest episode of Disrupt by Athletech News, Sleep Cycle CEO Erik Jivmark joins ATN founder and CEO Edward Hertzman alongside Eric Malzone to discuss the business potential behind sleep and his brand's unique approach to it. The trio covers Sleep Cycle's integration with Ultrahuman, personal sleep insights and much more as well.
Jivmark, Hertzman and Malzone also spotlight Sleep Cycle's new sleep apnea screen while addressing the consumer benefits of sleep tech that doesn't require any hardware. They also explain why Sleep Cycle isn't focused on competing with wearables, but simply removing barriers for consumers.
Listen to this episode of Disrupt for more on:
Sleep Cycle's origin and evolution
Sleep merging with medicine
Why you're "flying blind" if you don't have sleep data
20 Jul 2026
DISRUPT by Athletech News: Andy Dunn of JK America
In this latest episode of Disrupt by Athletech News, JK America Executive Director of Sales Andy Dunn joins ATN founder and CEO Edward Hertzman to look at how wellness has evolved and what its future might look like. The two take a deep dive into the "why" and "how" in the sector, while also highlighting service and operation efficiency as key differentiators.
Dunn and Hertzman also include a few takeaways from the latest wearable reports, explain why education is king and share what they think wellness and recovery will look like specifically in the next 3-5 years.
Listen to this episode of Disrupt for more on:
Shifts in the consumer's and operator's perception of wellness
The monetization conversation in recovery
What still stands out amid the saturation
13 Jul 2026
DISRUPT by Athletech News: Andy Peat of Fitness On Demand
In this latest episode of Disrupt by Athletech News, Fitness On Demand CEO and Snap Fitness Chief Brand & Product Officer Andy Peat joins ATN founder and CEO Edward Hertzman to discuss how fitness content in gyms and boutique studios have evolved over the years, looking at post-pandemic effects, the impact of advancements in tech and medicine.
Peat and Hertzman also touch on the ROI challenge in content, explain what "omnichannel" really means and point toward the modalities and concepts where digital content is actively booming.
Listen to this episode of Disrupt for more on:
Why producing and delivering content are two different things
The content fitness consumers are actually interested in
Impacts of subscription or membership fatigue
6 Jul 2026
DISRUPT by Athletech News: Mark Mastrov of 24 Hour Fitness
In this latest episode of Disrupt by Athletech News, 24 Hour Fitness (https://www.24hourfitness.com/) founder and owner Mark Mastrov joins ATN founder and CEO Edward Hertzman to discuss why he bought back the same gym chain he grew into one of industry's largest and most successful operations before selling it in 2008.
Mastrov and Hertzman go on to gauge the industry's competitive growth and explore whether or not boutique and big box gyms can share truly share in the influx of new consumers. The pair also speak on competing with price versus competing against the couch, why expectations are getting unreasonable and 24 Hour Fitness' future growth plans.
Listen to this episode of Disrupt for more on:
New gym attendance drivers
Why service is a differentiator
Why reoccurring revenue wins
2 Jun 2026
DISRUPT by Athletech News: HYROX's Christian Toetzke & Centr's Andrew Sugerman
In this latest episode of DISRUPT by Athletech News, HYROX founder and CEO Christian Toetzke and Centr CEO Andrew Sugerman join ATN founder and CEO Edward Hertzman and Eric Malzone to break down their brands' partnership, now at the crux of the fitness competition sector.
The group goes on to unveil HYROX's latest growth metrics and explain why it's a "when," not "if" question when it comes to HYROX's integration into the Olympic games. They also discuss how HYROX will aim to continue to expand without losing its "Mickey Mouse at Disney World" feeling.
Listen to this episode of DISRUPT for more on:
Centr's new involvement in HYROX
The ceiling for fitness competitions
What it means to be a HYROX gym
19 May 2026
DISRUPT by Athletech News: Body By Jake
In this first episode of DISRUPT By Athletech News, legendary trainer Jake Steinfeld joins Athletech News founder and CEO Edward Heartzman to speak through his journey as the pioneer behind personal fitness and his drive to deliver widespread hope.
Steinfeld and Herztman touch on his work with stars like Hugh Heffner, Harrison Ford, Priscilla Presley and Steven Spielberg. Steinfeld shares why his audience is everybody and what led to his latest business venture, Body by Jake Radio.
Listen to this episode of DISRUPT for more on:
What inspired Stienfeld's latest business venture
What everyone needs to be selling in the industry
Launching the next stage of fitness and wellness stars
Reach and audience
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