1. How did you get your start in the fitness industry?
I joined ACAC in 2004 after moving to Charlottesville, Virginia, from San Francisco to be closer to family. Coming from the hedge fund industry, I thought running clubs would be easy, but of course I was dead wrong.
2. What’s been a key to your organization’s success? What are you most proud of?
It all comes down to having great people. We’ve been fortunate to keep many long-term team members in key roles which has allowed us to maintain cultural continuity, even through difficult times. I’m most proud of having the opportunity to lead such an amazing group every day and am excited about our future potential.
3. What has been one of the biggest accomplishments of your career?
I’m honored to have been chosen to serve on the IHRSA Board of Directors. Steering our trade association through a pretty tumultuous period was a great team effort I was proud to be a part of these past several years. It’s vitally important in our industry to have a trade group fighting for its relevancy and position. As we move forward, the momentum is strong and IHRSA poised us to make greater impacts on a global scale.
4. What has been one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your career? How did you overcome it?
Honestly, there are challenges that arise every day in this industry, and it’s hard to pick one. The good news is in every case our enterprise has only grown stronger as a result. Of course, there have been a few times where we just got lucky, but to quote American baseball player and sports manager Branch Rickey, “Good luck is what is left over after intelligence and effort have combined at their best. Luck is the residue of design.” I am an optimist by nature, so when we do run into challenges, I’m always convinced we will come out better. Importantly, never have any of our most difficult obstacles been overcome by one individual, rather through a collective effort we’ve found success.
5. What is one lesson you have learned that other fitness professionals can learn from?
This industry is full of fads and trends, and it can be difficult at times to tell the difference. Sometimes taking a step back to evaluate a new idea or concept before implementation or investment can save money and operational headaches. However, this doesn’t mean sit on the sidelines and assume your business will look the same in five years. To help in this effort, cultivate relationships with others whose advice you trust and lean on these contacts when making key decisions.
6. Tell us a fact about yourself others may not know.
I should hit 100,000 pushups and 10,000 pullups for the second year in a row. It’s actually a good metaphor for business that consistency over time is essential for achievement.
Connect with Chris Craytor on LinkedIn.
