In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we sit down with Brandi Freeman and Amy Warner, co-owners of Club Pilates, to discuss how Pilates fits into modern life, especially for busy professionals, parents, and aging bodies. We begin by acknowledging the real-life challenges of prioritizing fitness while juggling responsibilities. Brandi and Amy share that between the two of them, they manage seven kids — yet still find time to prioritize their own health. They emphasize that motivation ebbs and flows, but creating a consistent routine can transform exercise into a natural part of daily life.

We explore the roots of Pilates, originally developed by Joseph Pilates to rehabilitate war veterans. With control and alignment at its core, Pilates combines movement, breath, and mental focus for full-body wellness. Club Pilates offers a contemporary take on classical Pilates, with a strong emphasis on Reformer Pilates — a form that uses resistance machines to strengthen the body while improving flexibility, mobility, and posture. Amy and Brandi explain that this method isn’t just for one demographic. They’ve trained everyone from clients in their 90's to professional athletes, showcasing Pilates’ adaptability and universal benefit.

Throughout the episode, we hear how Pilates helps people recover from injuries, extend the effects of physical therapy, and prevent pain from creeping in with age. Many of their clients are at the point in life where their previous fitness routines no longer serve them. Pilates becomes a pain-free, effective alternative that still delivers strength and flexibility. Their instructors, each trained with over 500 hours of certification, customize classes to meet each member where they are — whether it's rehab, aging gracefully, or athletic performance.

We also dive into how Brandi and Amy turned their shared passion for fitness into a growing business. What began with a conversation in a gym parking lot led to nine Club Pilates studios across Michigan, with Royal Oak being the newest addition and Commerce Township soon to follow. They also speak warmly of their experience joining the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce and how supportive the community has been in helping them launch locally.

To wrap, they invite listeners to try a free introductory class — a gentle entry point into Pilates that includes a sample workout and a personalized membership consultation. For those curious but unsure, the message is clear: Pilates is for everybody, and every body.

Connect with Club Pilates Royal Oak at119 South Main Street, right downtown

Their phone number is (248) 955-4011.

Learn more about the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce: https://www.royaloakchamber.com/

Connect with our hosts:

Jon Gay from JAG in Detroit Podcasts - http://www.jagindetroit.com/

Lisa Bibbee from Century 21 Northland - http://soldbylisab.com/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we sit down with Susanne Scott, founder of Firefly Spa in Royal Oak, Michigan, to explore the powerful health benefits of contrast therapy and the story that led her from a 25-year career at Comerica Bank to launching a wellness business. We start by learning how a spontaneous trip to San Diego during the pandemic led Susanne to rediscover her long-lost uncle and experience a traditional Korean spa. The impact of that visit was transformative—both physically and emotionally—and it planted the seed for what would eventually become Firefly Spa.

As we dive deeper, Susanne walks us through the science and history of contrast therapy, which dates back to ancient Greece. She explains that contrast therapy is the practice of exposing the body to extreme hot and cold temperatures in succession. It’s shown to improve the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems, immunity, cognitive function, pain management, and even fat conversion—from harmful white fat to metabolically active brown fat. A key player in this process is the vagus nerve, which helps regulate the body’s stress response and supports emotional and neurological health.

We discuss why contrast therapy is gaining traction in the modern world: science is catching up to what many cultures have known for centuries. With validation from studies, testimonials from elite athletes and thought leaders like Andrew Huberman, and a cultural shift toward holistic wellness, more people are turning to these natural therapies to trigger healing and balance from within.

Susanne breaks down what makes Firefly Spa different: no reservations required, affordable pricing, cold plunge access without restrictions, and daily passes that allow flexibility. The spa also hosts private events for athletic teams, corporate retreats, and even bridal parties. She emphasizes the importance of accessibility and community, offering a welcoming space for anyone looking to boost their health.

In addition to Firefly Spa, Susanne has opened "Some Peace & Quiet" in the same building. This space offers massage, sound therapy, meditation, ionic foot soaks, grounding mats, and reiki—all aimed at deep relaxation and detoxification. The goal is to create a complete wellness experience where people can reset both physically and mentally.

Susanne's passion for wellness and education is clear throughout, and she invites listeners to come visit Firefly Spa in person or online to experience the benefits themselves.

More:

Firefly Spa Website: https://fireflyspa.net/

Phone: (248)-307-7753

00:00 - The Benefits of Contrast Therapy

00:24 - Meet the Hosts and Guest

00:55 - From Comerica to Cold Plunges: Susanne’s Backstory

02:45 - What Is Contrast Therapy?

03:27 - Why Contrast Therapy Is Growing in Popularity

04:30 - Health Benefits of Hot and Cold Exposure

05:20 - The Role of the Vagus Nerve

07:04 - How Cold Therapy Boosts Neurotransmitters

08:16 - What Sets Firefly Spa Apart

09:25 - Private Events and Team Experiences

10:53 - Sauna, Weight Loss, and Fat Conversion

11:44 - Some Peace & Quiet: New Services

13:04 - Susanne’s Experience with the Royal Oak Chamber

13:44 - Fishbowl Question: Favorite Cheese

14:42 - How to Connect with Firefly Spa

Learn more about the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce: https://www.royaloakchamber.com/

Connect with our hosts:

Jon Gay from JAG in Detroit Podcasts - http://www.jagindetroit.com/

Lisa Bibbee from Century 21 Northland - http://soldbylisab.com/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of The ROCC Pod, we sit down with Shawn Thornton, founder of Smart Biz IT and former tech leader at Amazon and Ford, to unpack the growing importance of cybersecurity and compliance for small and mid-sized businesses. We open with a real-world horror story—Shawn walks us through how one of his Michigan-based clients was completely taken out by ransomware. Two facilities, thousands of hacked printers, a wiped customer database, destroyed emails, inaccessible websites—no backups, no recovery, over a million dollars in losses. It’s a sobering introduction to the stakes of not being prepared.

After the wake-up call, we shift to get to know Shawn a bit more personally—his passion for barbecuing, cold smoking cheeses, and his undying loyalty to the Detroit Lions. The conversation is easygoing, but the subject matter stays serious as we transition back to the business of IT and compliance.

Shawn breaks compliance down in simple terms—it's about proving that you're protecting your customer and business data. Whether it's strong passwords, verified backups, multi-factor authentication, or employee training, these small habits can be the difference between continuity and catastrophe. He emphasizes that compliance isn't just about avoiding trouble; it can actually become a revenue driver. Companies looking to secure government contracts, enterprise partnerships, or venture funding all need to demonstrate cybersecurity maturity. Compliance is no longer optional—it's a credential.

We talk about what Smart Biz IT offers: full-service IT support with a lens focused on compliance. From help desk and cloud backups to risk assessments and documentation, Shawn’s firm is helping businesses not only stay safe but grow. He shares another example of a client with a seven-figure deal on the table—except they couldn’t move forward without a SOC 2 attestation. Now, with Shawn’s help, they’re on track to be ready in time.

The episode closes with Shawn reflecting on his move into entrepreneurship, the unique value Smart Biz iT brings to the market, and his great experience since joining the Royal Oak Chamber. We also get to learn that his favorite day of the year is NFL’s opening Sunday, and fall—complete with smoked meats and fantasy football—is his favorite season.

Contact Shawn: https://smartbizit.com/

Or call: (248) 206-9100

00:00 – Ransomware Nightmare: A $1M Recovery
00:53 – Introduction to the ROCC Pod
01:12 – Meet Shawn Thornton: Tech Pro & BBQ King
03:19 – What Is Compliance, Really?
04:33 – Why Compliance Matters to Small Businesses
06:04 – Common Cybersecurity Mistakes
07:49 – Ransomware Case Study: Lessons Learned
10:48 – Full-Service IT With a Compliance Focus
12:53 – Turning Compliance Into Revenue
13:46 – Shawn’s Background: From Amazon to Smart Biz iT
14:03 – Experience Joining the Chamber
15:00 – Favorite Day of the Year: NFL Kickoff Sunday
17:10 – Contact Info and Final Thoughts

Learn more about the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce: https://www.royaloakchamber.com/

Connect with our hosts:

Jon Gay from JAG in Detroit Podcasts - http://www.jagindetroit.com/

Lisa Bibbee from Century 21 Northland - http://soldbylisab.com/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.