In this special LIFTS recap episode, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal are joined by fitness futurist Emma Barry to reflect on their shared experience at the Athletech News Innovation Summit in New York. From immersive biohacks to political debates, the conversation gets real, raw, and reveals what’s next for the fitness industry.

This episode covers:

• Firsthand reviews of NAD+ infusions, ShiftWave, and the Immortal experience.
• Debates around GLP-1 drugs, longevity trends, and influencer-led wellness.
• Insights on turning fitness from a trend into front-line healthcare.
• What Japan teaches us about childhood obesity – and why the U.S. is lagging.
• Emma Barry’s call to arms: Prepare for disruption, or be left behind.
• Big Pharma, Big Food, and the uphill battle for consumer health.
• Why AI’s future in fitness lies in context and personalization.
• The struggle to have real conversations when investors are watching.
• Is wellness finally mainstream – or still misunderstood?
• What made this summit different – and why it matters.

👉 Learn more about Emma Barry:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmabarryistrouble/

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00:00 – Intro + Innovation Summit Debrief

02:30 – Biohacking at the Summit (NAD+, ShiftWave, Immortal)

10:30 – Keynote Highlights & Industry Disruption

14:30 – Political Tensions & Healthcare Reform

25:00 – Mo's Shocking Healthcare Statistics

28:00 – The Japan Model: Early Intervention and Respect

33:00 – Addiction, GLP-1s, and the Challenge of Change

36:00 – Influencers vs. Institutions: Who’s Leading Wellness?

45:00 – Big Themes & Final Takeaways

50:00 – Outro + Thank You to Athletech Team