Every month, Club Solutions sits down with an industry expert to share in their wealth of knowledge. In the November issue, the conversation features Edward Navan, the co-founder and CSO of Regymen Fitness.
1. What led you to founding Regymen Fitness?
On a business level, I was seeing a lot of duplication of the same concepts in the studio space, and I knew the market was prime for a more engaging member experience — one that offered better programming and more variety to keep members coming back. On a personal level, I came up in the industry as a trainer, and I wanted to build a company that offered career tracks, and the ability to create for the trainers and coaches in our industry.
2. What are you most proud of concerning Regymen Fitness?
That I stayed true to my vision. The path I took wasn’t the easiest, and it was full of a lot of twists and turns, but I knew if I stayed focused on my goals, and continued to speak about what I was going to create with Regymen, in time it would happen.
3. What’s your favorite part of being in the fitness industry?
The endless opportunities. Fitness is still a relatively young industry, and the ability to grow and expand into new concepts are constantly emerging, so it is a really exciting industry that allows for some visionary ideas to not only work, but flourish.
4. What’s your favorite leadership book and why?
Simon Sinek’s “Start with Why.” It’s about passion, and about the importance of patience in having the ability to make your dream a reality. I love the fact the basis of the book can apply to any aspect of your life. The concept transcends through any culture and any situation. It teaches that what you speak about and how you act will create your ultimate path.
5. What is the best piece of leadership advice you’ve ever been given?
It’s not as much advice as it has been real-world practice. I once heard the saying, “No man is an island,” and it took me years to figure out what it meant. Now I know that to accomplish what you dream of, you have to build a team around you that supports your vision, and more importantly, you have to listen to them and allow them the freedom to build on your vision.
6. If you weren’t in the position you’re in now, what job do you think you’d be doing?
Maybe I’m lucky, maybe I’m unusual for this, but I am doing exactly what I have always wanted to do. I’ve always wanted to build a company and surround myself with people who challenge me and make me better in how I communicate. I don’t do well being told what I have to do, or what I am allowed to do — it’s never been in my DNA.
7. What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome?
Failure. I’ve failed more times than I have succeeded. The challenge has always been figuring out how to get back up and do it better the next time around. There is always another opportunity, you just have to block out the past, learn from it, and move forward.
8. And how did you overcome that challenge?
I have amnesia. What I mean by that is you will fail, and if you aren’t failing from time to time, then you aren’t trying anything new — you aren’t evolving. And that is the biggest failure of all.
9. If you could give your younger self a piece of advice, what would it be?
Read more. And never pass up an opportunity to network. It’s simple, but overlooked by many because we are so busy. When I got back to reading again, I noticed an immediate increase in productivity. As I learned to network, I realized this is the lifeline of success.
10. What’s a fitness trend you’re keeping an eye on right now?
Recovery is an interesting buzzword right now, so I am keeping my eye on new concepts and ideas in this space.
