Boston, MA—November 25, 2024— The Health & Fitness Association (HFA) today released the inaugural episode of its anticipated podcast, Shorts With Liz Clark.

Hosted by Liz Clark, HFA president and CEO, this bi-weekly series brings together leaders from inside and outside the fitness industry for candid, 30-minute discussions on advocacy, research, business development, and the evolving global fitness landscape.

"We're creating a space for collaboration, where executive leaders, subject matter experts and innovators can dive deep into key issues shaping the industry and exchange ideas on advancing it," Clark said. "This project is an extension of HFA's commitment to education and advocacy, giving our members—and others in the industry—new ways to engage beyond webinars, live events, and other traditional channels."

The first episode, An Intro To Shorts With Liz Clark: Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going, features a conversation with Chris Smith, HFA Board chair, and Chris Craytor, former HFA Board chair and CEO of acac Fitness & Wellness Centers.

Together, they explore topics such as:

  • The current and future state of the association's advocacy work;
  • Global initiatives, such as achieving 230 million fitness participants worldwide and 30% U.S. fitness facility penetration by 2030;
  • Industry vision, including the "mega decade of sports" and increasing predominance in the healthcare space; and
  • Encouraging fitness facility owners/operators to engage with the association.

The podcast aims to inform, inspire and connect HFA's membership and broader audience through conversations that highlight the challenges and opportunities facing the fitness industry. It also showcases the association's ability to connect leaders across borders and leverage global perspectives to shape impactful advocacy, research and industry growth.

Future episodes will showcase prominent figures such as Brian Smith (Piper Sandler), Hugh Paisley (Republic Bank of Canada), and Jon Canarick (North Castle Partners) sharing insights about financing and private equity.

Clark will also explore the merger and acquisition landscape with Tom Everton, the new CEO of Purpose Brands, LLC—a world-class portfolio of brands with over 7,000 locations across 50 countries—along with Dave Long, co-founder of Orangetheory Fitness, and Chuck Runyon, co-founder of SE Brands.

Shorts With Liz Clark is sponsored by Matrix and available on YouTube, Spotify, and soon to come on Apple.

About the Association

The Health & Fitness Association, a global community of industry leaders, is the only worldwide trade association providing a unified voice for the community of leaders who operate health and fitness facilities, offer professional guidance on physical activity, and provide the tools and equipment to do so to the millions of fitness facility members who understand that exercise improves their physical and mental health.

Through advocacy, education, and research, the association speaks to opportunities, challenges, and changes that are moving the industry into a new era.

Founded in 1981, the association publishes a monthly magazine, Club Business International, and operates The HFA Show. Follow the Health & Fitness Association on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.