16 May 541 Mastering Fitness Staff Recruitment: Marketing, AI, and Referral Strategies to Build Your Dream Team
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Are you a fitness leader, manager, or gym owner searching for actionable strategies to revolutionize your staff recruitment and retention? This episode of the Fitness Business Podcast, hosted by JT Tamsett, is a must-listen for anyone serious about building a high-performing fitness business in today’s competitive market. Discover how to wear your sales and marketing hat when hiring, ensuring your recruitment process is as dynamic and creative as your member acquisition campaigns. You’ll learn how applying marketing principles to staff acquisition can transform the quality and consistency of your hires. The episode dives deep into the power of crafting compelling job ads that resonate with potential candidates, making your gym stand out on job boards and attracting top-tier talent. The episode also unpacks the critical role of referrals, explaining why embedding a culture of referrals – where team members are rewarded for recommending candidates, not just successful hires – can create a self-sustaining pipeline of passionate, values-driven staff.
Also hear from Dr Patrick Porter about what should really be in all our morning routines, plus why that 2pm slump gets to all of us – and what you can do about it.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Fletcher Wimbush, the transformative CEO of Discovered Performance Hiring Software has dedicated a decade to tackling hiring’s hardest problems.
A thought-leader in his field, he’s published extensively on reference checking, aptitude assessments, and AI’s role in candidate selection.
His FACT Driven Hiring System drives million-dollar results, proving his role as a game-changer in the hiring field. Fletcher’s reach extends beyond organizations to individuals, facilitating thousands of successful careers.
Dr. Patrick K. Porter, PhD, is an award-winning author/speaker and the Founder of BrainTap®. He has dedicated his life to studying neuropsychology with the goal of bettering a billion brains. For years it was believed that we have a set number of brain cells, that our intelligence quotient is fixed, and our brains do not change. Dr. Porter’s clinical experience and research told a different story, revealing that the human brain is, in fact, plastic, making it capable of change, improvement and expansion.
This exploration led to the development of BrainTap, transforming the lives of thousands of people. BrainTap now offers over 1800 original audio sessions in 12 languages and serves a worldwide user base with its mobile app and headset. Dr. Porter has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, People, Entrepreneur, INC and on ABC, NBC, CBS as an expert in brain health & wellness, and has been the recipient of numerous awards for his research and achievements in the realm of brain-based wellness including the 2020 IAFNR Lifetime Achievement Award, the GWEN Luminary Award, the Health 2.0 Outstanding Organization Award, Shine Magazine 2023 Health and Wellbeing Award, the Health Magazine Award for his Sleep Rx Series and the International Researcher of the Year Award.
key takeaways
- Innovative Use of AI in Recruitment: Learn how artificial intelligence is streamlining everything from candidate screening to interview scheduling, making your hiring process faster, smarter, and more efficient.
- Building a Referral-Driven Culture: Discover proven tactics to make daily referral requests a habit, and how to incentivize your team to help you build a robust bench of future staff, ensuring you’re never caught off guard by sudden vacancies.
- Prioritizing Integrity and Attitude: Find out why focusing on these core traits – rather than just technical skills – leads to stronger teams and a more positive workplace culture, ultimately boosting member satisfaction and retention.
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Our favourite quotable moments:
“Your sleep cycle starts in the morning.” – Dr Patrick Porter
“Never drink coffee first thing in the morning. I know a lot of people do that. Get up in the morning and drink a glass of water.” – Dr Patrick Porter
“Don’t post a boring job description. You got to make this exciting.” – Fletcher Wimbush
“Reward the referral, not the outcome.” – Fletcher Wimbush
RESOURCES
- Be an FBP Insider on Patreon
- Fitness Business Podcast’s LinkedIn Community
- Mystery Shopping for Fitness Businesses – Website
- Fletcher Wimbush – LinkedIn, Website, Facebook
- FACT Driven Hire System – Use code: hirebetter
- Hiring Expert GPT – Watch how it works here
- Unlock your coaching potential with DISC
- Fletcher’s Book Recommendation – Who by Geoff Smart
- Indeed – Website
- ZipRecruiter – Website
- Lindsay Vastola Live Event: Own the Role, Achieve the Goal: How EQ Drives Performance & Accountability – Watch now on Patreon
Wise words
- Dr Patrick Porter – Website, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram
- Dr Patrick Porter’s Book – Thrive in Overdrive
- Buy Your Headset Using our Link!

IN THE TRENCHES WITH A REXER
- Mark Harrington – Website, LinkedIn, Instagram
- Mark’s Book Recommendation – The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni
- The Table Group – Website
- Website – REXRoundtables.com
- Email – [email protected]
- Leadership Academy – REXLeadershipAcademy.com
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MEET OUR HOST
Justin “JT” Tamsett is a seasoned fitness industry veteran and passionate advocate for promoting physical activity. His mission is to reduce the health care costs across the globe by having more people move and move more often. JT’s hope is that his daughter Zoe can grow up in a world full of opportunity rather than one where governments and communities don’t have the burden of an ageing and sickening population. With over 30 years of experience, JT has owned gyms, coached fitness classes, and now specialises in business coaching for fitness entrepreneurs.
Through his company, Active Management, JT provides guidance and support to gym owners worldwide, empowering them to build successful businesses and contribute to a healthier society. He also leads 8 REX Roundtables in the US and Australia, spoken at over 40 conferences in 23 countries, and consulted with gyms worldwide. JT’s commitment to improving health extends beyond his professional endeavours, as he has also dedicated himself to coaching various sports and actively participates in industry organisations.