Born into an entrepreneurial family in Ontario, Canada, Brandon Cullen was raised with a front-row seat to hard work and high expectations. Pushed by his father to excel both in life and on the ice, Brandon’s grit landed him a spot in the New York Rangers’ minor league system. But when a career-ending concussion shattered his hockey dreams, everything he’d worked for disappeared overnight.
Instead of calling it quits, Brandon turned that adversity into fuel. Determined to create something new, he poured his competitive drive into the fitness world, building the type of gym he wished existed: one focused on aging athletically without the distractions of gimmicks or trends.
Teaming up with fellow pro hockey player Kirk Dewaele, Brandon’s first venture was a CrossFit gym, but they quickly saw a gap in the market for a structured, strength-based system. This insight led to MADabolic: a strength-driven gym built on precision, consistency, and science-backed programming, delivering real results for those who crave more.
And in this episode we’re going to take the lessons Brandon has learned from building his fitness franchise to help YOU build a better business or personal brand.
I got into this industry because I have bit of an ego and want to be known as the best fitness product in the franchising game. The byproduct is we help a lot of people with that. So you have to really isolate what drives you.
– Brandon Cullen
This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast:
How a perceived gap in the fitness industry lead to the inception of MADabolic.
Some of the biggest struggles and hurdles Brandon’s had to face in the franchise game.
The power of niching down, and what happens if you don’t.
Why marketing strategies have to evolve with changing consumer trends.
Finding the right blend between grassroots and paid marketing.
The power of ego, and how you can use it in a positive way.
Why you can’t market to millenials and Gen Z prospects the same way.
The role that grit and resilience play in entrepreneurship.
Grow Your Fitness Business or Gym with Push Press!
Gym owners and coaches, have you heard about PushPress?
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So check this out: PushPress is built BY gym owners. They understand the ins and outs of running a fitness business because they’re “in the trenches” in their own gyms every single day.
Key products like Core, Grow, and Train are designed to help you with everything from billing and scheduling to lead generation and progress tracking.
Built on the “help first” ethos, PushPress places an exceptional focus on prioritizing client needs, listening to feedback from their community, and using it as the impetus for its ever-evolving, innovative features.
And here’s the strongest plug I can give them – I’ve actually switched to PushPress for all of my clients and athletes.
Getting things set-up and running smoothly is not only easier, but also far more intuitive than many other solutions.
So if you’re interested in learning more, just head over topushpress.com/ppp.
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Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast!
Mike Robertson hosts the Physical Preparation Podcast, a space dedicated to the intricate craft of building better athletes and more effective coaches. Instead of quick fixes or fads, conversations here focus on the principles and practical details that form the foundation of sustainable performance. Each episode features in-depth discussions with leading experts from the health and fitness world, breaking down complex concepts into actionable strategies. You’ll hear honest explorations of training methodologies, injury prevention, and the nuanced decisions that separate good programs from great ones. This podcast serves as a continual education for anyone serious about understanding the ‘why’ behind physical preparation, whether you’re designing regimens for others or refining your own athletic journey. The dialogue is grounded in real-world application, aiming to sharpen your critical thinking and provide tools that can be implemented immediately. Tune in for a consistently insightful look at how intelligent training philosophy translates into tangible results, fostering a deeper appreciation for the art and science of human performance.
Author: Mike Robertson
Language: en-us
Episodes: 100
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