This month, the team at MADabolic Austin celebrates five years in business. Owner Jon Guida was initially drawn to MADabolic because of the training program’s progressive and balanced approach to aging athletically. When his family relocated to Texas, he knew he wanted to bring this kind of training experience to the Austin market, and he opened the doors to MADabolic Austin in May 2017.
Jon is 6’6” and affectionately known around the MADhouse as “Big Jon.” He found MADabolic after a few years of playing professional basketball in Europe and professional beach volleyball domestically. MADabolic offered a uniquely safe approach to powerful and functional movement patterns, and he was hooked. Having trained with MADabolic for the better part of a decade, Jon is in better shape now than he was as a professional athlete. “I have better mobility, less joint pain, and stronger agility skills than I ever did in my younger days,” he shared.
Last fall, Jon signed an agreement to bring three additional MADabolic locations to the Austin, TX market, and while he has much to look forward to, he took a few moments to share five takeaways as he celebrates five years in business:
1. Trust the Process: “In the early days after opening MADabolic Austin, I micromanaged every minute of every day. There’s certainly a lot of work that goes into opening and building a business but being in a franchise system means you have great tools and resources in place and available. I was a late adopter of our client engagement software because I thought my own system would work better for me, but once I implemented the platform, it made my life way easier. I’ve learned that within a franchise model, the systems have been tried and tested, and MADabolic’s corporate team brings these resources and tools to us to make life easier. As an owner, you have to trust the process, and it turns out that usually means not working so hard because someone else has already found the answer.”
2. Business is Cyclical: “In the early days, I was concerned with turning the dials in response to even the smallest of changes if our efforts weren’t resulting in immediate growth. After five years, we’ve now identified trends and cyclical patterns over time. Some of those trends are consistent across markets, and others are unique to Austin, but getting comfortable with the fact that there are cyclical fluctuations in this process leaves me less stressed about ebbs and flows and more focused on broader trends. Being in a franchise system means you have access to the support systems of the franchisor in addition to a network of other franchise owners around you who can help share their experience and offer guidance. You don’t have to feel like you’re on your own. There’s a built-in network of support that’s made up of people who are passionate about the same thing as you.”
3. A Franchise Model Offers Strength: “MADabolic offers a proven and scalable concept. I have watched friends open their own fitness concepts and struggle under the stress and time demands of trying to build cutting-edge programming while building all of their business operations from scratch. I’m grateful for the more balanced approach I can have in my life. I have been able to run a growing business, including adding three locations in the Austin market over the next few years, and spend time raising my son.”
4. Invest in Building the Right Team: “Since day one, Ryan and Kasey have been coaching here with me, and it’s gratifying to be part of a brand where our team is fully bought into the system. It’s been great to see the two of them grow in their roles, and their passion and enthusiasm drive client retention, which is ultimately what has enabled us to grow our presence in Austin. As we expand, they will each take on additional leadership roles, and it feels good to give these opportunities to our original team members who have stuck with us through the highs and the lows of the last five years.”
5. Culture Matters: “MADabolic has a special way of developing a culture that keeps the right people coming around. We share a set of values with our members, and they believe in the training program just as much as my team and I do. It’s been an awesome journey, and our membership base is the strongest we’ve ever had. It’s a lot of fun, and it’s rewarding to have been part of building this.”
Congratulations to Jon and the MADabolic Austin team as they celebrate five years in business with more exciting milestones ahead!
Rooted in strength, structure, and accountability, MADabolic has 70+ studios operating or in development across the country. MADabolic offers a sustainable approach to strength-driven training, helping everyday people age athletically. Our approach to franchising blends a team of experts and proven systems, robust training, and extensive resources to optimize our franchise owners’ success. When it comes to strength, structure, and accountability, MADabolic delivers.
For more information about the MADabolic franchise opportunity, please visit www.madabolic.com/own-a-madabolic.
