LIFTS Episode 108 - Moving from Analysis to Intervention with Debra Strougo

Welcome to the latest episode of LIFTS, your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories.

In this episode, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal are joined by industry strategist and returning guest Debra Strougo, Founder of Row House and CEO of Fitizens to explore how the wellness consumer is everywhere and what that means for the future of fitness.

Drawing on insights from CES in Las Vegas, global industry conversations, and real-world operator experience, this episode discusses AI, Pilates, and large-scale operators like 24 Hour Fitness.

As wellness becomes a primary driver of consumer behaviour, the discussion looks at how:

• AI is evolving from analysis to intervention
• Pilates continues to grow as a cornerstone of wellness and longevity
• Mark Mastrov's return to 24 Hour Fitness reflects broader shifts around scale, access, and relevance in the market

This conversation moves beyond hype and trends to focus on what fitness operators, brands, and leaders should actually be paying attention to as the industry continues to evolve.

In this episode, we cover:

• The rise of the wellness consumer across fitness, health, and lifestyle
• How AI is shifting from tracking and data to real-world intervention
• Why Pilates aligns so closely with longevity, wellness, and behaviour change
• What 24 Hour Fitness' next chapter tells us about big-box fitness
• Key takeaways from CES and recent industry events
• Why fundamentals still matter more than ever in a changing market

👉To learn more about Debra Strougo, click here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debrastrougo/

👉 To learn more about our sponsor, EGYM, click here: https://bit.ly/3JzsosR

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00:00 Introduction 02:15 The wellness consumer is everywhere 08:30 AI moves from analysis to intervention 19:40 Pilates, longevity, and wellness-driven demand 31:10 CES insights and industry context 43:00 24 Hour Fitness and the role of scale 56:30 What matters most moving forward