How Josh York Built a Global Fitness Franchise With No Backup Plan
February 24, 2026
What if the secret to building a global business wasn't a perfect plan—but the iron-clad refusal to have a backup one?
In this episode of Big Hitters with Larry Weidel, host Larry sits down with Josh York, founder and CEO of GYMGUYZ, the mobile personal training franchise now operating in 31 states and multiple countries. Josh breaks down how a simple client complaint sparked a revolutionary business idea, why eliminating Plan B is the only way to guarantee you chase Plan A with everything you've got, and how the right culture will always outlast the best strategy. Whether you're launching your first venture or scaling an existing operation, Josh's raw, no-fluff philosophy on leadership, focus, and relentless action will cut through the noise and remind you what winning actually looks like.
What if the secret to building a global business wasn't a perfect plan—but the iron-clad refusal to have a backup one?
In this episode of Big Hitters with Larry Weidel, host Larry sits down with Josh York, founder and CEO of GYMGUYZ, the mobile personal training franchise now operating in 31 states and multiple countries. Josh breaks down how a simple client complaint sparked a revolutionary business idea, why eliminating Plan B is the only way to guarantee you chase Plan A with everything you've got, and how the right culture will always outlast the best strategy. Whether you're launching your first venture or scaling an existing operation, Josh's raw, no-fluff philosophy on leadership, focus, and relentless action will cut through the noise and remind you what winning actually looks like.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why Having a Backup Plan Guarantees You'll Fail
- The "Scalability Problem" That Transformed a Personal Trainer Into a Franchise Founder
- How to Build a Culture Where Everyone Wins—and No One Parks in the Back
- The Difference Between Being Busy and Being Effective
- Why Focus Is Your Greatest Competitive Weapon Against Shiny Object Syndrome
- Be Patient With Results, Impatient With Action: The Framework Behind Long-Term Success
About the Guest:
Josh York is the founder and CEO of GYMGUYZ, the world's largest mobile personal training company, operating across 31 states and multiple countries, serving thousands of cities with a franchise model he built from the ground up starting in 2014. A second-degree black belt and lifelong athlete, Josh turned a throwaway client comment—"I wish you could just come to my house"—into a franchise powerhouse. His 2018 book Fuel became a New York Times bestseller, and his podcast Fuel Your Drive continues to motivate entrepreneurs and franchise owners alike. Known for his unrelenting intensity, his strict no-Plan-B philosophy, and a leadership style rooted in equal treatment and radical ownership, Josh is proof that when you burn the boats, you find a way to win. In this conversation, he shares the mindset shifts, leadership principles, and business frameworks that took him from a $30,000-a-year marketing job to leading a global brand—without ever looking back.
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