He dragged a 420lb sled 500 miles alone in Antarctic... In this mind-blowing episode, Akshay Nanavati, author of Fearvana (with a foreword by the Dalai Lama), shares the hard-earned lessons he learned from solo expeditions across one of the most unforgiving places on Earth.

His journey from rock bottom to redefining fear itself will change the way you look at discomfort, anxiety, and even imposter syndrome.Whether you're a gym owner resisting expansion, an entrepreneur paralyzed by “what if,” or someone struggling with self-doubt, Akshay reveals a practical mental training framework to help you lean into fear and grow through it.

You’ll learn how to rewire your brain’s survival responses, use fear as fuel for courage and progress and build “mental muscle” through intentional discomfort. If you're ready to stop avoiding fear and start mastering it, this is the episode that flips the switch.

Chapters
(00:00) Introduction
(02:13) The Origins of Fearvana
(06:03) Rider vs. Elephant: Training Your Brain for Leadership
(10:56) Mastering Yourself Through Exposure to Fear
(16:53) Acceptance of Is-ness and Taking Control of Reality
(20:49) Solo Trip Through Antarctica
(28:55) Imposter Syndrome: Why It’s a Sign of Progress
(32:04) Cold Pitching The Dalai Lama
(38:05) What Fearvana Actually Means & How To Use It

Ready to GROW your GYM? Schedule a free call to learn how we can help: https://loudrumor.com/discover

Get Mike's Book... The Standard Is You: The Gym Employee's Guide to Winning in Work, Life, and Leadership: https://a.co/d/atZ70dA

Connect with Akshay Nanavanti
Get His Book: https://www.amazon.com/FEARVANA-Revolutionary-Science-Health-Happiness/dp/1630476056
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fearvana
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Fearvana
Website: https://fearvana.com

More From Loud Rumor
Website: https://www.loudrumor.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loudrumor
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/loud-rumor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boom.loudrumor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LoudRumor

Most gym owners start with a fitness passion, instead Sheetal started with a tech background and a structured business plan, and it worked. He built three Club Pilates studios that together do over $100K/month with 50% profit margins and scaled without him onsite. In this episode, you’ll hear how he built the system, sold the portfolio, and walked away with a multi-seven-figure exit.

We break down the real numbers behind his sale, how “add-backs” boosted his valuation, why clean P&Ls attract better buyers, and how NPS helped him grow without ads. Whether you're building for freedom, scale, or a future exit, Sheetal’s approach proves you don’t need to be a fitness expert to run a wildly successful studio, you just need to think like a business owner and implement the right systems.

Chapters
(00:00) Introduction
(07:05) Scaling to A $100K/Month Portfolio
(11:10) Why Great Product Is the Best Marketing
(15:55) Using NPS and Online Reviews to Drive Growth
(23:12) Health Scare & When He Started Thinking About Selling
(27:24) Preparing for Exit: Financials, Add-Backs, Clean P&Ls
(36:01) Valuation Multiples: Portfolio Size & Profit Matter
(42:50) The Value Of Using A Broker vs. DIY Sale
(48:17) Why Future Gyms Must Adapt

Ready to GROW your GYM? Schedule a free call to learn how we can help: https://loudrumor.com/discover

Get Mike's Book... The Standard Is You: The Gym Employee's Guide to Winning in Work, Life, and Leadership: https://a.co/d/atZ70dA

More From Loud Rumor
Website: https://www.loudrumor.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loudrumor
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/loud-rumor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boom.loudrumor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LoudRumor

Ready to GROW your GYM? Schedule a free call to learn how we can help: https://loudrumor.com/discover

In this powerful episode of Behind Gym Doors, Loud Rumor CEO Mike Arce joins Michael Benso on the Sweat Success podcast to share what truly separates thriving gyms from those that struggle to survive.

Mike goes deep on why marketing, sales, and retention strategies alone aren’t enough, and how building a high-performing team with clear standards can transform your fitness business. You’ll discover:

• Why 81% of gyms fail in their first year (and how to avoid it)
• How to get the right people in the right seats in your business
• How to tie compensation to outcomes
• How to raise your team’s standards so they self-correct, execute consistently, and win
• Why NLP and effective communication can unlock buy-in from your staff and members

If you’ve ever struggled with marketing campaigns that flop, team members who aren’t fully bought in, or retention issues that drain your profits, this episode is a must-watch. Subscribe to Behind Gym Doors for more real conversations with top fitness industry leaders who’ve built million-dollar gyms and businesses.

Check out Michael Benso’s Sweat Success Podcast: / @sweatsuccesspodcast 👉

Download Mike’s new book, The Standard, here: https://a.co/d/atZ70dA 👉 Join the next GSDCON fitness business conference: https://gsdcon.com/