HALO Talks

On today's HALO Talks-Fast Break Pete Moore brings on Scott Lutwak from Fit Athletic Club in San Diego, CA. Watch their short Instagram reel first to get a sense of what Scott has built. (Link to YouTube video below.) Interview starts right after. Way back in episode #150 we also did a full HALO Talks with him: https://www.halotalks.com/scott-lutwak-founder-co-ceo-fit-athletic-club Scott’s vision has transformed a once-dilapidated pool into a next-level, all-in-one space for fitness, social connection, and a great time! Key Takeaways: All-in-One Experience: They offer a rooftop gym, outdoor cold plunges, jacuzzi, saunas, and a wellness-focused social club—elevating the "standard" fitness membership. Innovative Social Programming: Weekly “Social Sundays” with multiple DJs spinning everything from EDM to reggae. Long-Term Vision Pays Off: The transformation took 8 years(!), including surviving a pandemic, but the result is a sustainable, holistic community hub redefining what a fitness facility could be. Res

Every Wednesday we release our all new “HALO Academy: 2 Minute Financial Drill" by Integrity Square Founder & HALO Talks host, Pete Moore on everything you need to know for financial literacy, unit economics, legal documents used for M&A and capital raises, capital sources you can access, understanding how financings are structured, valuation metrics and parameters, and what you need to know about your own business before engaging in cap raises and/or a potential sale. If you missed our email about this, you can re-read it here: https://mailchi.mp/9567da51c0ce/2025programschedule  ====================================================== RESOURCES  https://www.integritysq.com https://www.halotalks.com https://www.thehaloacademy.com  =================================================== ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR  Pete is the Founder, Managing Partner and Chief Dream Architect at Integrity Square ("ISQ"), a leading boutique financial advisory firm focused on the $4.7T Health, Active Lifestyle, Outdoor ("

On this episode host Pete Moore sits down with Spoonful founder Bradley Gifford, an entrepreneur whose discusses his fairly non-traditional path from digital marketing to healthy food innovator. He opens up about how a childhood wake-up call around his health spurred a lifelong passion for wellness, ultimately leading him to shed over 70 pounds and dive headfirst into the world of nutritious food. Pete and Brad explore the realities of launching a consumer brand, the structural challenges of modern food marketing, and the importance of genuine relationships—both with retail partners and the local community. He opens up about the discipline required to bootstrap a product-based business, the surprising gaps in the industry, and a recent investment from Pharrell Williams and the Brooklyn Nets ownership group. When it comes to marketing, Gifford mentions, "The trick is to tow the line from a positioning and a branding sense . . . where you're able to appeal to a wide variety of consumers, without compromising on

Every Wednesday we release our all new “HALO Academy: 2 Minute Financial Drill" by Integrity Square Founder & HALO Talks host, Pete Moore on everything you need to know for financial literacy, unit economics, legal documents used for M&A and capital raises, capital sources you can access, understanding how financings are structured, valuation metrics and parameters, and what you need to know about your own business before engaging in cap raises and/or a potential sale. If you missed our email about this, you can re-read it here: https://mailchi.mp/9567da51c0ce/2025programschedule  ====================================================== RESOURCES  https://www.integritysq.com https://www.halotalks.com https://www.thehaloacademy.com  =================================================== ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR  Pete is the Founder, Managing Partner and Chief Dream Architect at Integrity Square ("ISQ"), a leading boutique financial advisory firm focused on the $4.7T Health, Active Lifestyle, Outdoor ("H

EōS Fitness is one of the bellwether brands in the HALO space, and for good reason! Listen now to today's HALO Talks Fast Break as Integrity Square Managing Partner & Founder, Pete Moore talks about the history of the brand, where it came from, what the name means, and how this all led up to a pending sale from BRS Capital Partners to TSG Consumer.

Today, host Pete Moore sits down with Michael Pesta, a veteran in the HALO space whose career has bridged the fitness, entertainment, and tech industries. Michael shares his journey from his beginnings at AFAA—where he played a key role in pioneering fitness education and telemarketing globally—to an unexpected pivot into film and music production. Mike's story started in the mid-1980s, when, as a struggling actor, he agreed to help move boxes at an organization he hadn't heard of—never suspecting it would literally change his life. Michael quickly found himself drawn into the organization’s mission and over time, rose from a casual volunteer to become the director of membership.  Michael is now back in the HALO sector with an innovative focus on telefitness, aiming to bridge the longstanding gap between the fitness and healthcare industries. Pete and Michael discuss the evolution of fitness education, the changing landscape of personal training, the integration of technology, and Pesta's vision for a new era

For a number of years, Ed Hertzman found knee-deep in the middle of the supply chain/logistics world. At 26, he became frustrated by the confusion and lack of timely industry information available—where even a day’s delay in placing an order could mean higher costs—Ed recognized a gap: There was no "Wall Street Journal" for supply chain professionals! Driven by this, he started the Sourcing Journal to provide real-time news and insights for the supply chain and apparel industries. What started as a solution to his own frustrations quickly transformed into a substantial business, making waves in media and challenging more traditional trade publications.  Ed, now founder of Athletech News (ATN) realized the same need in the HALO space (Health, Active Lifestyle, Outdoors.) Host Pete Moore and Hertzman sat down and explored the dynamic intersection of fitness, technology, finance, and wellness. He opens up about the realities of entrepreneurship, the evolution from newsletter to nationwide events, and the importa

Welcome to HALO Talks! In this episode, host Pete Moore sits down with Tom Morrissey, founder of Solo Health Collective and a seasoned veteran in the health insurance world, to unpack the complex—and often misunderstood—landscape of healthcare for self-employed professionals. With a career spanning decades at Cigna and deep experience serving everyone from major corporations to solo entrepreneurs, Tom shares how he’s dedicated his life to helping small business owners and solopreneurs access quality, affordable health coverage. Despite his success in the large-account space, Tom noticed an unmet need: Small and mid-sized businesses were often overlooked by health insurers and weren’t given access to innovative cost-saving or health improvement solutions that benefited the bigger corporations.  If you’re a personal trainer, group ex instructor, wellness coach, massage therapist, or any professional running your own business, this conversation is a game changer. Tom explains the differences between HMO and PPO

A LOT has happened since Crunch's early days!  Humble Beginnings & Early Growth: Crunch started in 1989 with Doug Levine, Roger Harvey (Crunch's first COO), and a powerhouse team, quickly making waves in the highly competitive NYC fitness scene. Big Deals & Bumpy Roads: Bally Total Fitness bought Crunch in 2001 for $90 million, but soon faced challenges. A few years later, Angelo Gordon (with Pete Moore himself on the deal side) acquired the company for half that price—$45 million. Growing Pains: Membership dropped from 92,000 to 72,000, forcing Crunch into bankruptcy in 2009. This time was all about resetting, restructuring, and prepping for the future. A Decade of Determination: Crunch worked hard to dial in their business model, launching a successful franchise program and slowly but steadily building momentum. Skyrocketing Success: By 2019, TPG Growth snagged Crunch to accelerate its franchising efforts, which paid off. Fast-forward to today: Leonard Green has acquired Crunch for a stunning $

Every Wednesday we release our all new “HALO Academy: 2 Minute Financial Drill" by Integrity Square Founder & HALO Talks host, Pete Moore on everything you need to know for financial literacy, unit economics, legal documents used for M&A and capital raises, capital sources you can access, understanding how financings are structured, valuation metrics and parameters, and what you need to know about your own business before engaging in cap raises and/or a potential sale. If you missed our email about this, you can re-read it here: https://mailchi.mp/9567da51c0ce/2025programschedule  ====================================================== RESOURCES  https://www.integritysq.com https://www.halotalks.com https://www.thehaloacademy.com  =================================================== ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR  Pete is the Founder, Managing Partner and Chief Dream Architect at Integrity Square ("ISQ"), a leading boutique financial advisory firm focused on the $4.7T Health, Active Lifestyle, Outdoor ("H

On this episode of HALO Talks, host Pete Moore sits down with Gabriel Cian, a serial entrepreneur from France with a passion for longevity and health innovation. Gabriel shares his journey from building and successfully exiting two tech startups to founding the 2060 Foundation, an organization dedicated to advancing longevity through investment and policy change. The conversation dives further into the intricacies of selling a company, the booming field of longevity science, and the crucial roles of healthspan, lifespan, and mental health in extending quality of life. Gabriel and Pete also discuss the challenges and opportunities facing entrepreneurs in this space, the global landscape of longevity policy, and how his foundation is helping drive change through investment and advocacy. Whether you’re a startup founder, investor, or simply curious about the future of human health and well-being, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration from one of the leading voices in the field. When it comes to th

Every Wednesday we release our all new “HALO Academy: 2 Minute Financial Drill" by Integrity Square Founder & HALO Talks host, Pete Moore on everything you need to know for financial literacy, unit economics, legal documents used for M&A and capital raises, capital sources you can access, understanding how financings are structured, valuation metrics and parameters, and what you need to know about your own business before engaging in cap raises and/or a potential sale. If you missed our email about this, you can re-read it here: https://mailchi.mp/9567da51c0ce/2025programschedule  ====================================================== RESOURCES  https://www.integritysq.com https://www.halotalks.com https://www.thehaloacademy.com  =================================================== ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR  Pete is the Founder, Managing Partner and Chief Dream Architect at Integrity Square ("ISQ"), a leading boutique financial advisory firm focused on the $4.7T Health, Active Lifestyle, Outdoor ("H

On this episode, host Pete Moore dives into the cutting-edge world of regenerative medicine and longevity with guests Howard Leonhardt, founder of Leonhardt Ventures and Lionheart Health, and Scott Hoots, an expert in health and wellness franchising. Leonhardt is an innovative medical entrepreneur whose journey started in 1982 with the founding of Leonhardt Ventures, the parent of Lionheart Health and Lionheart Longevity and Wellness. Over the decades, Leonhardt has pioneered groundbreaking medical inventions—most notably in combining stem cells with bioelectronic stimulation to assist in regenerating parts of the heart muscle. Since launching this research in 1988, Leonhardt has raised and invested more than $150 million, driving clinical trials in collaboration with over 50 leading research centers worldwide, including the Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic. To date, over 600,000 patients have been treated using technologies developed by Leonhardt, whose inventions have generated more than $1.7 billion in ann

1. Slamming Is a Serious Threat for Facilities Slamming is a deceptive practice where unauthorized third parties trick business staff into signing up for expensive electricity supply contracts, often by posing as utility representatives. This can result in facilities unknowingly paying much higher rates. 2. Financial Impact Can Be Huge Justin shares real-world examples where facilities ended up paying outrageous rates—like 30¢ per kWh (kilowatt hour) instead of the standard 10¢—sometimes adding up to thousands of dollars each month. One client’s bill was reduced from $15,000 to $5,000 per month after the issue was detected and resolved. 3. Most People Don’t Check Utility Bills Thoroughly Business owners and their staff rarely scrutinize line items on utility bills, making it easy for slamming and mistakes like being placed in the wrong “rate class” to go undetected for years. One example saved a company $120,000 in refunds. 4. David Energy Offers Ongoing Bill Monitoring as a Free Value-Add David Energy provid

Every Wednesday we release our all new “HALO Academy: 2 Minute Drill" by Integrity Square Founder & HALO Talks host, Pete Moore on everything you need to know for financial literacy, unit economics, legal documents used for M&A and capital raises, capital sources you can access, understanding how financings are structured, valuation metrics and parameters, and what you need to know about your own business before engaging in cap raises and/or a potential sale. If you missed our email about this, you can re-read it here: https://mailchi.mp/9567da51c0ce/2025programschedule  ====================================================== RESOURCES  https://www.integritysq.com https://www.halotalks.com https://www.thehaloacademy.com  =================================================== ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR  Pete is the Founder, Managing Partner and Chief Dream Architect at Integrity Square ("ISQ"), a leading boutique financial advisory firm focused on the $4.7T Health, Active Lifestyle, Outdoor ("HALO") sec

In this episode, we explore the world of health coaching with Kathleen Ferguson, a seasoned HALO industry veteran dedicated to transforming lives through fitness and wellness. Pete and Kathleen chat about her new venture, Coach 360, which aims to revolutionize the career landscape for health and wellness coaches. She shares her career path from trainer to business owner, and how she's addressing the industry's pressing issue of high turnover rates by supporting coaches in building sustainable and impactful careers. Also mentioned is the rise of hybrid fitness professionals, the importance of aligning personal goals with organizational culture, and creating a vibrant ecosystem for coaches to thrive. Whether you're a coach, studio owner, or merely curious about the future of health and wellness, this episode is a must-listen!  "A type of 'hybrid' fitness professional is on the rise," Ferguson states. "What I'm seeing more of is the brick and mortar studio locations are actually encouraging this and saying, list

Today's Thursday . . . and that means another HALO Talks-Fast Break! Integrity Square Founder and HALO Talks host Pete Moore, dives into the complexities of inventory debt financing in the e-commerce sector, especially as tariffs continue to shake up the financial landscape. Pete also explores the intricacies of high-interest loans for inventory, as financial institutions begin scrutinizing financial compliance more than ever. Buckle up for potentially challenging months ahead as we navigate this evolving terrain. A few key takeaways:  1. Impact of Tariffs on Inventory: The episode discusses how tariffs are potentially impacting the financing of inventory, especially for companies involved in ecommerce that rely on overseas shipments. The tariffs (and on-again/off-again nature of the current administration) pose risks that need to be managed by both companies and their lenders. 2. Risk Management by Banks: Financial institutions are increasingly cautious, with banks scrutinizing loans more closely. Some are

Every Wednesday we release our all new “HALO Academy: 2 Minute Drill" by Integrity Square Founder & HALO Talks host, Pete Moore on everything you need to know for financial literacy, unit economics, legal documents used for M&A and capital raises, capital sources you can access, understanding how financings are structured, valuation metrics and parameters, and what you need to know about your own business before engaging in cap raises and/or a potential sale. If you missed our email about this, you can re-read it here: https://mailchi.mp/9567da51c0ce/2025programschedule  ====================================================== RESOURCES  https://www.integritysq.com https://www.halotalks.com https://www.thehaloacademy.com  =================================================== ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR  Pete is the Founder, Managing Partner and Chief Dream Architect at Integrity Square ("ISQ"), a leading boutique financial advisory firm focused on the $4.7T Health, Active Lifestyle, Outdoor ("HALO") sect

Mark Fisher's journey began as a self-proclaimed "skinny guy" in high school. Determined to improve his physique, he began working out, a passion that followed him into adulthood. Throughout his twenties, Mark carved out a career as a professional actor in New York City. Although he found moderate success on stage, it was the "fitness bug" that truly captured his heart, leading him to explore opportunities beyond acting and nurturing a deeper passion for the HALO sector.  Mark also shares how his eclectic approach and the mantra of "ridiculous human, serious fitness" have not only inspired a diverse clientele, but also sparked an entirely new niche in the space. Whether you're a fitness enthusiast, entrepreneur, or seasoned veteran . . . this episode promises insightful revelations and actionable takeaways. Mark created something absolutely unique in the space that continues to thrive. On building an inclusive community he states, "If you ate lunch alone in a bathroom stall in middle school, you'll likely und