#296

Most gym owners spend endless hours refining their programs, pricing, and marketing but overlook one of the biggest profit drivers in their business: the space itself.

In this episode, Billy sits down with Cuoco Black, a former faculty member at the New York School of Interior Design and one of the most sought-after gym designers in the world. Cuoco reveals why most fitness facilities unintentionally look the same, from graffiti walls to green turf and industrial lights, and how to design a space that actually sells.

In this conversation, you'll learn:

• Why most gyms fall into the "generic box trap."
• How having a concept (not just a layout) creates emotional connection and brand differentiation.
• Why Cuoco says to invest 80% of your design budget in the reception area and how it can dramatically impact sales and member experience.
• How to make simple, strategic changes that elevate your brand without breaking the bank.

Connect with Cuoco Black: Instagram @gymdesigner

P.S. Speaking of building the business and life you actually love, have you registered for our 1-Day event in Orlando yet? Sign up now while spots are available.

#295

In this week's episode, Billy sits down with EOS Implementer Meryl Simmons to talk about what happens when your business starts to "grow up" and how to lead it with more clarity, accountability, and peace of mind.

Meryl explains how the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) helps business owners move from chaos to control using a few simple, powerful tools.
She shares her analogy of a business growing from a child to a teenager and what it looks like to mature as a leader in each phase.

They also dive into:

• When you know it's time to implement EOS
• What Traction really means in practice
• How to use Level 10 meetings and 90-day priorities to build momentum
• Why the best systems aren't complex but simple and consistent

Whether you're leading a gym, coaching business, or small team, this episode will help you think differently about how your business runs day-to-day and what freedom looks like as it grows.

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you tune in.

👉 Learn more about Meryl and her EOS work:
Meryl Simmons helps burned-out business owners transform business chaos into calm, focused revenue growth.

• Claritycoach.io
• Meryl@Claritycoach.io
• 2025 Planning Package
• Traction Book
• Clarity Kit

Also, if our 1-Day workshop/mastermind event in Orlando would make sense for you, please register now while spots are available.

#294

I first saw Jillian Johnsrud speak at FinCon, and I knew right away I wanted to bring her on the show. What she shared was incredibly valuable not just for the personal finance community, but especially for fitness professionals and gym owners who work so hard and often think they have to wait until "someday" to enjoy life.

In this episode, Jillian explains what a mini retirement is, why it can be one of the best decisions you'll ever make, and how to plan for it intentionally. We talk about the time and money components, how to include your family, and how taking a step back can actually move you forward financially and personally.

Even if you're not ready to take one right now, the process of preparing for a mini retirement will help you put the right systems in place and gain clarity about what really matters.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What a mini retirement actually is (and what it isn't)
• Why it can provide unexpected financial and personal benefits
• How to think through the time and money pieces so it fits your season of life
• Tips for making the most of your time away, especially with family
• Why planning for a mini retirement can strengthen your business systems even if you don't take one yet

About the Guest

Jillian Johnsrud never expected to be able to retire early, so she hatched a plan to retire often. Inspired by the idea of sabbatical years, she set out to sprinkle retirements throughout her life. At 40, she has taken over a dozen mini-retirements. These allowed her to pursue dreams like

living abroad, traveling to 27 countries, adopting four kids (plus two biological kids), investing in real estate, and touring the U.S. in a camper.

Jillian has taught, coached, and wrote about mini-retirements for almost a decade. She hosts the Retire Often podcast and is a popular speaker and consultant for mini retirements. She lives in Montana, where she spends time in the garden drinking tea.

Jillian Johnsrud is the founder of Retire Often and a leading voice in the financial independence and lifestyle design space. She's helped thousands of people pursue meaningful work, intentional living, and financial freedom on their own terms.

#293

In this powerhouse conversation, Billy sits down with leadership and sales expert Antonio Garrido — author of My Daily Leadership and Asking Questions the Sandler Way to explore what it really takes to lead with courage, clarity, and conviction.

Antonio and Billy dive deep into topics like burning the boats, work ethic vs. commitment, and the necessity of getting comfortable being uncomfortable. They discuss how leaders who don't stretch themselves can't authentically ask their clients or teams to do the same and why mastering discomfort is the secret weapon of great leadership.

Along the way, Antonio shares his "4 Rules" that can transform how you sell, lead, and live, plus powerful lessons from Roger Bannister's four-minute mile and a wild metaphor about keeping a shark in your tank.

This episode is packed with wisdom, humor, and actionable insights to help you grow as a leader, inspire your team, and build a business that truly lasts.

Key Takeaways

• Why "burning the boats" is the mindset shift every leader needs
• The real difference between work ethic and commitment
• How to build the habit of discomfort and why your credibility depends on it
• The 4 Rules that will transform your sales and leadership conversations
• Why every leader needs a "shark in the tank" to keep growing
• How to identify your blind spots and develop lasting leadership habits

Quote Highlight

"If we don't develop the habit of getting uncomfortable in business, we're a fraud because we're asking our clients to do that." — Antonio Garrido

Resources & Mentions

• My Daily Leadership by Antonio Garrido
• Asking Questions the Sandler Way by Antonio Garrido
• Follow Antonio on LinkedIn or visit his site for leadership resources
• Learn more about Billy's work at YourFitnessMoneyCoach.com

About the Guest

Antonio Garrido is a leadership and executive coach, author, and founder of My Daily Leadership. Drawing from decades of experience in sales, leadership, and talent optimization, Antonio helps leaders grow from good to great by mastering the habits that create consistent success.

Billy first met Antonio over a decade ago through EntreLeadership and even had him pop into a book club he led making this conversation a special full-circle moment.

#292

Today's episode is a little different and a little extra special. Melissa and I just celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary, so before the kids woke up, we hit record and reflected on what we've learned about marriage, money, and gratitude.

We kept it short, sweet and simple. Just two people talking about what's helped us stay grounded and grow together over the years.

Here's what we touched on:

• Being on the Same Page: Why communication and shared vision matter more than perfection. Melissa shared some tactics we use to stay aligned.
• Focus: How staying focused on the main thing or goal (even when it's counter-cultural) has shaped our life and finances.
• Have Fun & Be Grateful: Why money is simply a tool, and how we've learned to enjoy it without taking any of it for granted.

We wrap things up by sharing what we're most grateful for about each other. (Fair warning, it gets a little sappy.)

Whether you're married, single, or somewhere in between, we hope this short episode encourages you to align your money with what matters most.

#291

This episode begins with a brief tribute to our friends at Perform Better, following the heartbreaking loss of team member Rob Milani. Rob embodied warmth, generosity, and family-first values — a reminder of what truly matters.

From there, Billy shares three eye-opening statistics every gym owner should know. These numbers aren't meant to discourage. They're meant to wake us up to the power of better financial habits and a stronger plan.

In this episode:

• The shocking percentage of gym owners who can't handle a $1,000 emergency
• Why income doesn't always equal wealth and what to do about it
• The real reason 80% of gyms don't make it through the first year
• Three simple actions to break free from these statistics and start winning financially

Key takeaway:

Money isn't the goal. I's the tool that helps you build a business and life that serve what matters most.

🎧 Listen now and take your next step toward lasting financial freedom.

#291

This episode is all about helping you move the needle in your business and finances in Q4.

Most studio owners treat Q4 as a time to coast but there's no reason you can't grow 20% and go into 2026 on fire.

Using the same three strategies my most successful clients follow, you'll create momentum like you've never had before.

Specifically, we'll cover:

✅ How to set a clear top-line goal — what it is, why it matters, and how to take action on it.

✅ Identifying your Big Rocks — the key priorities that actually move your business and finances ahead.

✅ What you need to be doing daily so you have something to celebrate when January 31st rolls around.

Whether you've had a strong year or a challenging one, there's still time to make this your most profitable, purpose-driven quarter yet.

P.S. If you're ready to take control of your numbers and grow profitably, here are a few ways I can help:

• Money Map Session – Get clear on your cash flow and next right steps.
• Profit Growth Mastermind – Build profit and accountability with other gym owners.
• Private CFO Coaching – Personalized strategy to scale with confidence.

👉 Learn more at YourFitnessMoneyCoach.com

#290

Ever wondered what it's like inside a high-level studio owner intensive? In this episode you'll get a behind-the-scenes listen to my live training at Studio Grow.

I did a full half a day training on:

• How to spot the signs it's time to raise your prices.
• A step by step guide to raising prices depending on the scenario.
• Why simplifying your pricing options boosts conversions and cash flow.
• The #1 mistake studio owners make with their numbers (and how to avoid it).

Whether you run a gym, Pilates studio, or other service-based business, these tips will help you eliminate money stress, pay yourself more, and grow profitably.

If you're ready to take control of your numbers and build a more profitable, sustainable studio, visit the calendar to set up a free call or learn more about working with me.

Links and Resources:
Schedule a chat
Studio Grow Website