The Lessons in Fitness Leadership series highlights IHRSA’s industry leaders and thanks them for their continued commitment to growing, promoting, and protecting the health club industry. By sharing their business expertise, we hope that you will get to know them, what they've learned along the way, and how they view leadership.
Luke Carlson
ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist, ACSM Cancer Exercise Trainer
Discover Strength
What is the most fulfilling part of being a business leader in the fitness industry?
The most fulfilling part is that I have the opportunity to combine two incredible passions or callings. First, I think exercise and fitness is the most powerful method we have for broadly improving one’s self; as Dr. Stephen Covey says, exercise “sharpens the saw.” Being a manager or a leader is, in my opinion, the most important calling or work that we can engage in. To have the opportunity to be a business leader in an industry that I love and in a technical area that I am passionate about is incredibly meaningful to me. Every day I get to deepen my understanding of everything related to business as well as everything related to exercise.
If you were able to go back in time, what is one piece of leadership advice you would have given your younger-self about working in the fitness industry?
Be very careful when choosing a business partner! Just as important, focus on growing the business profitably from day one. Top line growth is important, but bottom line growth gives us freedom to manage from a position of strength.