In this conversation, I had the immense pleasure of being joined by Paul Bedford from Retention Guru to discuss all things health & fitness, sales and retention. Paul shares his extensive background in leisure and fitness, emphasizing the need for support for new exercisers and the common mistakes made by health clubs.

We explore the balance between sales and retention, the significance of member engagement, and the challenges posed by budget gyms. Paul also provides insights on measuring retention effectively and the unique value that university facilities can offer to students. I also quiz Paul on his thoughts on the emerging trends in the fitness industry, emphasizing the importance of strength training and the concept of 'active healthcare' as a proactive approach to wellness.

We discuss the need for fitness professionals to engage with healthcare providers and the significance of managing anxiety for higher-education students. Paul also shares valuable advice for aspiring sports and leisure professionals, focusing on the importance of mentorship, layered learning, and time management.

Paul recommends the following podcasts for his own inspiration:

Future of Fitness - Eric Malzone

Lifts - Matthew Januszeck

You can find more information about Paul and his work on retention by checking out - https://www.retentionguru.com/