Introduction: Why Martin Rooney is Still on Fire

Fitness business owners know that consistency matters.

But when consistency meets courage, legacy, and relentless personal growth, you get someone like Martin Rooney.

In this powerful episode of Profit Made Simple, Martin returns to unpack a whirlwind year that includes UFC fights, a groundbreaking fiction novel, and a chancellor position set to revolutionise fitness education.

Here is a breakdown of the key takeaways and timeless lessons from Martin and this remarkable interview:

Martin Rooney is not slowing down—he’s speeding up.

Whether he’s cornering UFC legend Jim Miller, penning his first fiction thriller, or redefining higher education in fitness, Rooney embodies relentless evolution.

His message: you’re never too experienced to stretch your limits.

Rooney’s novel, Raising Cain: Blood Feud, wasn’t born from ambition—it was born from compassion.

Written to support a friend and cancer survivor, the book’s protagonist was inspired by a chilling question: what if the cure to cancer was being hidden?

More than a thriller, it’s a legacy project with a purpose, and $1 from each pre-sale goes to the Hope Lodge in honour of Martin’s late mother and cancer warriors everywhere.

What stops most people from acting on big ideas? Fear.

Martin didn’t write Raising Cain to land a deal. In fact, he had no publisher, no agent, and no plan. But he took action anyway. His advice? “If anyone’s going to give you a no, don’t let it be you.”

When Martin received his manuscript back covered in red pen marks, he didn’t flinch. He leaned in. Feedback didn’t threaten his ego—it excited him. “The red pen made me a better writer,” he says.

The lesson is universal: feedback is the gateway to greatness if you’re willing to learn.

From hiring a student designer to rework the book’s cover to challenging the norm in fitness education, Martin refuses to settle. “Good enough” is never part of his vocabulary.

Fitness business owners should take note—excellence isn’t a goal, it’s a standard.

Rooney doesn’t just create for personal acclaim. Whether it’s a book, a team, or a new educational curriculum, he creates with intention. His mom’s legacy, his friend’s battle, his industry’s future—they all fuel his output. “I’m a creative,” he says, “and I create to make people better.”

Martin’s mother was a pioneer in cancer support, founding a women’s wellness centre long before pink ribbons became mainstream.

Her courage and compassion deeply influenced Raising Cain. With every book sold, Martin donates to the Hope Lodge in her name. It’s more than a novel—it’s a mission.

Rooney has cornered Jim Miller for nearly 20 UFC bouts, witnessing firsthand what it takes to achieve the most fights and wins in UFC history.

The key?

Consistency, recovery, intelligent programming, and saying “yes” to opportunity—even when unprepared.

• Focus on the process, not just the result.
• Say yes more often, then figure it out.
• Never give up—resilience compounds.
• Train smarter with age.

Rooney and Miller’s partnership shows that greatness isn’t luck—it’s a system executed over time.

Martin’s newest hat? Chancellor of Lionel University, a fully accredited, distance-learning institution specialising in exercise science.

With curriculum inspired by Fred Hatfield (Dr. Squat), Rooney aims to bridge the gap between outdated education and real-world fitness application.

Martin believes the future leaders of the fitness industry are already born. His question for all of us: what are you doing to mentor them?

His role as chancellor is about shaping the next generation, not just inspiring the current one.

Martin Rooney is a force because he aligns passion with action, legacy with leadership, and creativity with courage. Whether you’re a fitness coach, entrepreneur, or aspiring author, his lessons are universal: create with heart, act with courage, and always—always—leave things better than you found them.

Where to Learn More:

Instagram: @themartinrooney

Website: coachinggreatness.com

Book: Raising Cain: Blood Feud available on Amazon