On this episode of HALO Talks-FastBreak, host Pete Moore welcomes University of Georgia student and public health major Ethan Bezner for a transparent conversation about tackling today's greatest health issues—loneliness, obesity, and diabetes. Bezner shares his motivations about why he dove into research around early onset type 2 diabetes, exploring risk factors like sedentary lifestyles, processed foods, and our evolving relationship with fitness.

The conversation steers into into the reality of the public health system as Ethan recounts stories from his time as a clinic phlebotomist, where systemic education gaps and real-life challenges come to light.

They also discuss the role of government and food manufacturers in transparent labeling, and debate the best ways to reach younger generations, whether through books, social media, or a combination of both. Listen now for a look at the factors shaping public health today and the future leaders working to solve them.

Some key takeaways:

1. The lifestyle-disease connection is real: Bezner's research spotlights how technology-driven sedentary habits, ultra-processed food consumption, and reduced physical activity contribute to the rise in early-onset diabetes.

2. Education (and transparency) matter: There's a huge gap in understanding food labels and health risks. Both policy makers and manufacturers must do more to provide honest, accessible information.

3. Hands-on perspective: Working with patients facing real barriers (like income and access to healthcare), Ethan sees first-hand how education, empathy, and community-driven solutions are critical to make things happen.

Kudos to him for waving the HALO flag high and representing the next generation of health leaders! 🟢 If you want to check out his final literary research review, check out the link below.

Resources:

• Ethan Bezner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethan-bezner-6bb405348
• Final Research Review: https://www.halotalks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Final-Literary-Review-Ethan-Bezner.pdf
• Prospect Wizard: https://www.theprospectwizard.com
• Promotion Vault: https://www.promotionvault.com
• HigherDose: https://www.higherdose.com

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/integrity-square/
Website: https://www.halotalks.com

Welcome to this episode of HALO Talks, where host Pete Moore sits down with Bryce Berry, a New York native whose career led him from Westchester County to the mountains of Salt Lake City, and eventually to building a powerhouse presence in the Gold's Gym franchise network. Bryce shares his entrepreneurial path, starting with the unexpected lessons learned from running Dairy Queen stores, before moving into the health club industry and launching some of the largest and most successful Gold's Gym locations in Colorado, Wyoming, and Washington.

From the intricacies of site selection and gym operations to adapting to changing market dynamics and member expectations, Bryce reveals how he's created "rainmaker" clubs by offering standout amenities like expansive weightlifting and cardio areas, basketball courts, racquetball, pickleball, and innovative tanning and recovery services. He digs into the evolving branding landscape of fitness franchises, the role of pricing strategy, and why the Gold's Gym name still carries significant weight in local communities.

Listen now to hear Bryce's insights on building thriving gyms, the impact of market trends on business decisions, and how his commitment to quality and member experience is shaping the future of fitness for the next generation of club-goers.

Key themes discussed

• Gold's Gym franchise growth and operations.
• Site selection strategies for gym locations.
• Importance of brand recognition in fitness industry.
• Pricing models and market positioning for gyms.
• Community amenities: Basketball, pickleball, saunas, recovery.
• Private equity partnerships and business structure.
• Adapting gym facilities to trends in strength and cardio equipment.

A Few Key Takeaways:

1.Strategic Growth and Site Selection: Bryce talks about his career path from Westchester County to building a network of Gold's Gyms, detailing how he strategically drew a 300-mile radius around his home and used his knowledge from previous business ventures (like a book bindery) to select prime gym locations. His hands-on, boots-on-the-ground approach to site selection set the foundation for successful club launches.

2. Gold's Gym Brand Equity: Bryce highlights the enduring power of the Gold's Gym brand. Despite new competitors and rebranded gyms popping up (such as VASA, EoS, and Fitness Connection), he argues that Gold's still has strong recognition and credibility with consumers. People know Gold's Gym, which translates into excitement, loyalty, and ongoing business success.

3. Mid-Range Pricing Wins: Berry defends the decision to position his clubs in the mid-price range, emphasizing that this "middle" is where the majority of the market is. Instead of chasing ultra-low-cost volume or high-end exclusivity, his strategy is to deliver great value for a reasonable price, which has continually proven successful in the communities he serves.

4. Amenity-Rich, Community-Focused Clubs: The Gold's Gym facilities in Colorado, Wyoming, and Washington are designed as urban or suburban "country clubs" with oversized footprints (some over 50,000 sq ft). Bryce invests heavily in amenities like basketball courts, racquetball, pickleball nights, dry saunas, and top-of-the-line equipment to create a vibrant community feel and cater to a broad clientele.

5. Innovation and Adaptation for Younger Members: Bryce discusses a current trend he's seeing with younger members (especially ages 18–40) favoring strength and cardio equipment, recovery spaces, and high-quality gear such as the Matrix treadmill. He's focused on adapting his clubs to these preferences, particularly with recovery rooms, oversized saunas, and best-in-class equipment—which has helped him attract and retain this growing demographic.

Resources:

• Gold's Gym: https://www.goldsgym.com
• Integrity Square: https://www.integritysq.com
• Prospect Wizard: https://www.theprospectwizard.com
• Promotion Vault: https://www.promotionvault.com
• HigherDose: https://www.higherdose.com