Coach360

Becoming a health and fitness professional is not easy. There really is no guide to success, as everyone’s path looks a bit different in terms of how they grow and develop their careers. I remember starting out my career from a place of pain. How do I channel this pain to make an impact? To find purpose in helping guide the fitness journeys of others who’s lives literally depended on that change? For me, my path was leadership on the media side of health and fitness and I could never have imagined being at the helm of Coach360 nearly 17 years later. ??Today, I am calling to action every coach, certifying body, personal trainer, health and fitness enthusiast, and owner/operator in Clubs and Studios. ?? We have officially launched our inaugural Coach360 “Coach of the Year” Campaign and we want to honor your best and most transformative coaches and trainers in three distinct categories: ???♂? Fitness Visionary ?? Holistic Hero ?? Rising Star Nominate your best and brightest (or apply yourself!), so that we can share their (your) journey with the industry through three distinct feature stories and honor them at the 2026 Industry Impact Awards next March. Let’s honor those changing lives, pushing the boundaries to innovate, and creating lasting impact for a healthier ?? We cannot do this without them. ?? Link to apply or nominate in the comments. No entry fees this is based on MERIT alone. Read the full story of this program here by our own Elisa Edelstein:

Last Thursday marked the realization of a vision for Coach360 that began just over a year ago. It was a powerful reminder of those who first inspired me to enter this industry: the overcomers, the dreamers, the transformers, and the rockstars who lead the charge in the fight against obesity and chronic disease. What began as a celebration of those committed to advancing health and fitness careers quickly transformed into something far greater — a powerful gathering of our industry, united by a bold mission to elevate our profession, ignite a movement, strengthen our community, and inspire lasting health for a brighter, healthier planet. Congratulations to all of our winners! Thank you to Health & Fitness Association (formerly IHRSA) for creating the opportunity for us to come together for us to learn, advocate for our industry, and grow. Check out our inaugural event recap captured by Elisa Edelstein: https://lnkd.in/gffPg3rj

Gen Z is reshaping travel trends with a strong focus on health and wellness. Recent surveys reveal that 56% prioritize fitness, 65% value travel experiences that promote mental well-being, and over 70% prefer spending on travel with loved ones over material gifts. This shift is driving a new wave of wellness-focused, meaningful travel experiences. Why should a health and fitness professional host a retreat? According to our friend Erik Aiple at Fit4Travel, there are so many opportunities for fitness professionals to thrive including: ?? Additional revenue stream without extra space or equipment ?? Leverage your expertise to attract new clients ?? Expand your reach and grow your business ??♀? Create meaningful experiences that build deeper client connections Get the full story on building a thriving retreat business from our very own Elisa Edelstein here: https://lnkd.in/g-xMmZka

Empowering Women in Fitness: A Game-Changer at the Health & Fitness Association (formerly IHRSA) Conference ?? The Health and Fitness Association event in Las Vegas was a groundbreaking moment, bringing together 10,000 health and wellness professionals from 90 countries. HFA stands out for its merit-based approach, ensuring speaker representation based on expertise, not “pay-for-play”, and amplifying women’s voices across the board. Coach360 was on-site and reporting on the event. A key takeaway? Women are reshaping the fitness industry, from executive leadership to innovative business models. ? Key Highlights: ????Women’s Leadership: Despite making up 70% of the workforce, women hold only 29% of leadership positions. The conference showed how women are changing that. ??Gender Disparity: Female personal trainers earn just 66% of their male counterparts, spotlighting a critical disparity. ???♀? Women-Centric Models: Brands like Burn Boot Camp focus on creating empowering environments that center women’s needs and growth. ?? Innovative Solutions: New products like the versatile Stakt fitness mat are elevating the workout experience, led by innovative women entrepreneurs. ?? Women’s Leadership Groups were Abundant: From the Fuel Summit Las Vegas Pickleball Tournament to incredible panel discussions and break off dinners with Alchemy Leadership Lab, women’s voices were front and center. ?? HFA’s Leadership: Health & Fitness Association (formerly IHRSA) “walks the talk” with multiple women in leadership including Liz Clark HFA's first woman president and CEO, emphasizing women’s leadership in the industry’s evolution. ?? Mentorship Matters: Allison Flatley and Kathleen Tullie provided practical advice for women aspiring to leadership roles-find mentors, join professional groups, and create supportive networks. This year’s event proves that true industry growth happens when women take their opportunity to lead and their seat at the table. Let’s continue championing diversity, inclusion, and innovation. See you in San Diego for next year's HFA Show! ?? Read our full story by Elisa Edelstein here: https://lnkd.in/g5ehyii8 #WomenInLeadership #FitnessIndustry #Inclusion #HFA2025 #EmpowerWomen

That’s a wrap on Health & Fitness Association (formerly IHRSA) 2025! For me, the theme was “community,” and my community showed up in a big way, continuing to grow throughout the event. From exciting keynotes to reconnecting with friends and colleagues, it was inspiring to see the industry come together and engage in meaningful discussions about the future of fitness. My highlights? ??Dynamic sessions including inspired conversations about empowering women to take up space personally and professionally from the women’s leadership panel including Allison Flatley Kathleen Tullie Anne Marie Chaker and Adam Zeitsiff, and a deep dive into how to elevate the client experience through community-centric leadership with National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)’s David Van Daff ?? Scheduled and impromptu meet-ups with some amazing humans including Amira Polack Krissy Vann Efonda L. Sproles Julian Barnes Sam OKeefe Ashley St. Jules Craig Lerner Todd Durkin and so many others making meaningful impact on the lives of others. ?? Coach360’s inaugural Networking Social and Industry Impact Awards event was truly a "pinch me" moment, marking the realization of a vision I began shaping in January 2024. It was an honor to celebrate and recognize the organizations and individuals who are driving growth and progress within our fitness professional community. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us to commemorate this milestone. Your support means the world, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have shared a few words about what this industry means to me and my vision for our future. Congrats to all of our winners! ?? Check out the full winners reel below to see who we have honored this year as our Industry Impact award recipients. Thanks to: The Sales Arms Stephanie Breaux Bradley Christopher Appiah Al Mendoza Elisa Edelstein Allison Porter FloWater Struct Club Phillip Arias Adam Blattner Squish-Energy American Council on Exercise (ACE Fitness) Sarah Vroman Beavins Lauren Provenzano Shroyer Johnny August InBody Everfit.io Matthew Perkins Davide Petramala SoundHound AI Bob Thomas Nexgen MD 360

And off we go ???????♀? Coach360 is on the way to Health & Fitness Association (formerly IHRSA) to celebrate our industry, learn about the latest trends in fitness and wellness, and build meaningful relationships with the leaders of our industry. What am I excited about? Tuesday: ??Breaking bread with friends throughout the week including Cheryl Ward Barnett from Chuze Fitness and my powerhouse women leader’s crew including Brynn Scarborough MBA Amber Burke Crystal Wheeler Laura Munkholm Emma F. and Stacey Seward Vandiver to name a few.?? Networking and games with my friends at Loyalsnap including Katie Kaufman Noah Kaplan and Michelle Steber ?? Wednesday: Pickleball with my Fuel Summit community led by Deborah Goldberg and Jessica Armstrong (I may or may not have a custom Coach360 ??outfit ??) Tomorrow’s incredible sessions kicking off with my friend Jack Thomas session on “Solving the Fitness Industry’s Hospitality Crisis” with Jennifer Vaughan Maanavi and Matthew Lavender, then the President’s address and Keynote, and my friends at Burn Boot Camp speaking on Operational Excellence. ??Women’s Leadership Summit! A dynamic discussion with trailblazer Anne Marie Chaker Mel Tempest Allison Flatley and Adam Zeitsiff. Health & Fitness Association (formerly IHRSA) opening party! ?? Thursday: ???Opening of the expo hall with hundreds of vendors showcasing the latest trends in products and services. Lynne Devaney and team have created an experience to remember!?? ??My session on Innovative Membership Models that are Breaking the Mold” with powerhouse crew Robert Louw Cheryl Ward Barnett Khaled Elmasri. ?? ??Coach360’s inaugural Networking Social and Industry Impact Awards. I know I’ll be seeing many of you there and I cannot wait to share the award recipients with our industry. ?? See you soon, my friends! ??????

In honor of our “Women Transforming the Industry” themed month, I’m inspired by the incredible women in my community who led me to Maria Gonzalez and her amazing career journey. Maria and I chatted kids, startups and our excitement for the industry. Thanks to Crystal Wheeler for connecting me to this fabulous woman! This week, Coach360 had the opportunity to sit down with the inspiring Maria Gonzalez, CEO of ClubFitness Greensboro and Health & Fitness Association (formerly IHRSA) Board member. As we head into the Health & Fitness Association (HFA) event, we are proud to feature her as a leader who is transforming the health and fitness industry. ??♀?From Poolside to Leadership Maria started as a lifeguard, but her strong work ethic and proactive nature quickly set her apart. Her journey to CEO shows that success comes from always pushing forward, even in moments of doubt. ??Turning Challenges Into Growth Despite language barriers and cultural differences, Maria leveraged her swimming background to communicate and grow. She continuously turned challenges into opportunities. ??Courage to Ask and Assert From lifeguard to CEO, Maria’s career was built on taking bold steps and asserting herself. Her proactive networking approach has opened doors for significant opportunities. Read the full story here by Elisa Edelstein: https://lnkd.in/guUD-rPH Maria exemplifies the power of courage, perseverance, and never backing down. We are excited to honor her and her work at the Coach360 Networking Social and Industry Impact Awards this Thursday night at the Foundation Room at the Mandalay Bay! #WomenInFitness #Leadership #HealthAndFitness #Coach360

?? Huge congratulations to Kathleen Ferguson, Founder & CEO of Coach360, on winning the Innovation Award at the Connected: Health & Fitness Summit 2025! ???? This prestigious recognition highlights Marketplace by Coach360 as a game-changing solution to one of the fitness industry’s biggest challenges—high turnover and workforce instability. Kathleen’s visionary leadership and dedication to empowering coaches and clubs through intelligent, immersive hiring solutions are truly inspiring. This award is not just a win for Coach360—it’s a win for every coach, club, and studio striving for better connections, retention, and career success. The impact of Marketplace by Coach360 is already being felt across 1,000+ locations, and this is just the beginning! Proud of all your accomplishments, Kathleen. The future of fitness staffing is brighter because of your relentless drive to innovate. ???? #InnovationAward #Coach360 #FitnessIndustry #Leadership #ConnectedHealthFitness #CareerSuccess https://lnkd.in/eca8CUJV

Always a pleasure for Coach360 to sit down with Jack Thomas to discuss the common pitfalls in the Trainer-to-Owner transition. ???♂? The Training Trap: New owners often get stuck on the training floor, limiting their growth. While it feels safe, spending too much time training prevents development of crucial business skills. ?? Financial Misunderstandings: New owners are often unprepared for the financial challenges of starting a business, facing stress and income loss while trying to grow their brand. ?? System Deficit: Passion-driven businesses often lack essential systems like sales processes and marketing plans, slowing growth. ?? The Ego Obstacle: Confidence is essential for starting a business, but unchecked ego can hinder progress by preventing self-awareness of knowledge gaps. ?? Mission Misalignment: Passion for fitness isn’t enough. A successful business requires a mission focused on sharing that passion and making it accessible to others (we agree!) Read part 2 of this series for actionable steps for successful ownership by our own, Elisa Edelstein: https://lnkd.in/gFYH89zR