The Bottom Line: Landon Burningham

Every month, Club Solutions sits down with an industry expert to share in their wealth of knowledge. In the August issue, the conversation features Landon Burningham, the founder, president and CEO of Physiq Fitness.

1. How did you get started in fitness? 

I started as a personal trainer right out of high school. I knew then I would one day start a business of my own, and I never looked back.

2. What’s been key to your organization’s success? What are you most proud of?

Our company was built and continues today to be founded on a passion for fitness first and business second. There are many clubs run by fitness enthusiasts who desperately need guidance in their business. The opposite is also true. I am most proud of a team that has used their passion for fitness and business to create a truly special brand.

3. What has been one of the biggest accomplishments of your career?

 I feel like the answer is my career itself. It was the recession of 2008 — I did not know how to start a business and the conditions were not promising. I was constantly told I would never be able to reach my goals, and to be more realistic and find a real job. I started as a single trainer with no equipment or space, and have been blessed to now have multiple beautiful clubs, employ many special people and have the chance to do what I love.

4. What has been one of the biggest challenges you have faced? How did you overcome it?

As a business owner, the biggest challenge is that the challenges never truly stop. They evolve as you grow. The solution is not so much in each challenge but in the process of overcoming it. For me, this foundation is excessive market and industry research; non-stop reading/listening to business, leadership and self-improvement books, and attending conferences, as well as networking with others within the scope of fitness and outside the industry. Finally, it comes down to tenacity. Solutions materialize from constant effort as well as trial and error.

5. What is one lesson you have learned that other fitness professionals can learn from?

Reaching fitness goals is hard work. Trainers ask their clients each day to push past their comfort zone and repeatedly face failure. I believe this is crucial to being successful in this business. We have to be willing to face failure, ignore the negative influences and categorically refuse to give up. 

6. Tell us one fact about yourself others may not know.

 I have never actually enjoyed sitting and reading books because it is a struggle to focus. This has always been difficult for me because I know how important reading and continuing education are to career and personal development. Using audio books has been a great way to overcome my focus problems while getting all the benefits of the book. My unknown superpower is that I can listen to most books at 2.5 times normal speed and retain more information than if listening to it at a normal pace.