Hosted by Jason Markowicz & Mike Orwig
Step inside the heartbeat of Fitness Premier with Beyond The Club, the podcast that goes far past the gym floor. Join co-hosts Jason Markowicz and Mike Orwig as they pull back the curtain on what it really takes to build thriving fitness communities that transform lives—one rep, one relationship, one club at a time.
Every episode features raw, unfiltered conversations with the people who make Fitness Premier pulse:
Elite trainers sharing cutting-edge programming, client breakthroughs, and the science of sustainable results
Club operators breaking down the nuts-and-bolts of running a 24/7 fitness powerhouse—from retention hacks to culture-building
Franchisees revealing their journeys from dream to grand opening, the wins, the grind, and the moment a member says “This changed everything”
Whether you’re a fitness professional hungry for growth, a club owner scaling your vision, or someone inspired to make health a forever habit—this is your backstage pass to the strategies, stories, and soul of Fitness Premier.
New episodes drop monthly. Subscribe now and let’s change lives—together.
From NFL to Gym Owner: Building a Community in Sarasota, Florida
In this episode, we explore the journey of Dan & Dani Stiegelmeyer, fitness entrepreneurs from Sarasota, Florida, who transitioned from NFL careers to successful gym ownership. They share insights on building community, differentiating their gym, and plans for expansion. https://www.instagram.com/fitnesspremier/ https://www.facebook.com/fitnesspremier
7 Aug 2026
48 Years in Fitness: Lessons from Joe Ranieri
In this episode, Joe Ranieri shares his 48 years of experience in the fitness industry, discussing the evolution of fitness, key success principles, and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. https://www.instagram.com/fitnesspremier/ https://www.facebook.com/fitnesspremier
1 Jul 2026
Building a Fitness Empire in Montana: Insights from Chase Isle & Eddie Davila
In this episode, Chase and Eddie share their inspiring journey from fitness entrepreneurs in Montana to successful franchisees. They discuss their partnership, the challenges of opening during COVID, and their vision for growth with Fitness Premier. https://www.instagram.com/fitnesspremier/ https://www.facebook.com/fitnesspremier
1 May 2026
Inside the Mind of Fitness Leaders: Innovation and Community Focus w/ Eb Gideon & Keegan Mraz
This episode features industry leaders Eb Gideon and Keegan Mraz discussing innovative strategies in fitness, member retention, recovery modalities, and future growth plans. Gain insights into how they are transforming the fitness experience and building a community-focused brand. https://www.instagram.com/fitnesspremier/ https://www.facebook.com/fitnesspremier
1 Apr 2026
Building Community and Leadership in Fitness w/ Joey Kazda
Join us as Joey Kazda shares his inspiring journey from gym member to general manager at Fitness Premier Minooka. Discover insights on leadership, community building, and the evolution of a fitness facility, along with tips on personal growth and industry success. https://www.instagram.com/fitnesspremier/ https://www.facebook.com/fitnesspremier
1 Mar 2026
Episode 7: From Member to Multi-Unit Franchisee | Brent Bergeson
Most entrepreneurs believe success comes from working harder — but Brent Bergenson's journey proves relentless effort isn't enough without strategic growth. In this episode, Brent shares how he transformed from a single trainer to a multi-club owner, revealing the behind-the-scenes decisions that fueled his rapid expansion and the secret sauce of building a team that scales with him.You'll discover the importance of mastering both hard and soft skills — like mastering P&L analysis and hir...
1 Feb 2026
The Journey of a Fitness Mom | Amanda Ducharme
In this episode, Jason, Amanda, and Mike discuss the challenges and triumphs of balancing fitness, motherhood, and work life. Amanda shares her journey into the fitness industry, the importance of prioritizing health for moms, and her involvement in the Adaptive PE program that supports children with special needs. The conversation emphasizes the significance of community, personal growth, and the need for grace in the hectic lives of mothers. https://www.instagram.com/fitnesspremier/ https:/...
1 Jan 2026
Episode 5: The Powerhouse of Plainfield | Chrissy Graf
In this episode of the Fitness Mirror Beyond the Club podcast, host Jason Markowicz interviews Chrissy Graf, the operating partner of the Fitness Premier Plainfield location. Chrissy shares her inspiring fitness journey, the importance of community in the fitness industry, and the recent innovations at her gym, including the Relax and Restore suite. They discuss overcoming fears in business, balancing work and personal life, and the significance of relationships in creating a successful fitne...
1 Dec 2025
Episode 4: Ricky Panfil
Join host Jason Markowicz (CEO of Fitness Premier) and co-host Mike Orwig (Multi-Unit Franchisee) as they sit down with one of the youngest rockstars in the Fitness Premier system – Ricky Panfil. Ricky is already a full-time personal trainer, group training leader, and rising leader inside his club. In this high-energy episode, Ricky opens up about: How he went from being a skinny high school kid to obsessing over fitness.How he got into Fitness Premier and tips on getting started.The moment ...
25 Nov 2025
Keegan: Member & Team Shout-Outs
Keegan, Mike, and Jason's shout-outs to members and staff for the month of November! https://www.instagram.com/fitnesspremier/ https://www.facebook.com/fitnesspremier
25 Nov 2025
Episode 3: Keegan Mraz
In this inspiring episode of Beyond The Club, host Jason Markowicz (CEO of Fitness Premier) and co-host Mike Orwig (Multi-Unit Franchisee) sit down with Keegan Mraz, one of Fitness Premier’s standout franchise owners, club managers, and longtime fitness professional. Keegan takes us back to where it all began: walking into a Fitness Premier club as a member years ago, falling in love with the community, the coaching, and the results-driven atmosphere. He shares the pivotal moments that turned...
17 Nov 2025
Episode 2: The Fitness Industry
Join Mike and Jason, fitness industry veterans, as they break down the secrets to thriving as a personal trainer and franchisee. From navigating gym culture to building a successful fitness business, this podcast delivers actionable insights, expert tips, and real-world strategies to dominate the fitness world. Tune in for motivation, growth, and insider knowledge! https://www.instagram.com/fitnesspremier/ https://www.facebook.com/fitnesspremier
10 Nov 2025
Episode 1: From Classroom to Multi-Unit Franchisee
Kick off Beyond The Club with the episode that started it all. Hosts Jason Markowicz and Mike Orwig sit down—no guests, no filter—to unpack the raw blueprint of running a Fitness Premier location, the high-stakes leap into franchising, and the unlikely path that turned a school principal into a multi-unit fitness empire builder. In this premiere episode, you’ll hear: The daily grind of a 24/7 club: Jason breaks down the systems that keep members coming back at 5 a.m. and 10 p.m.—from staff sc...
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