From The Brink of Closure to Record Growth: Lessons Every Fitness Owner Can Learn

In this episode of Profit Made Simple, I sat down with Anthony Kassis from Platinum Training Academy.

Today, Anthony is running a thriving, multi-layer fitness business with record numbers, exceptional retention, and a strong team behind him. But not long ago, he was on the brink of closing his doors entirely.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that success in the fitness industry is rarely linear. It is shaped through ownership, humility, leadership, and the willingness to evolve.

If you are a gym or studio owner who has ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, or close to breaking point, this episode and these lessons will resonate deeply.

Anthony’s lowest point came after moving into a new facility where things simply did not go to plan.

The building did not function as expected. Costs mounted. Cash flow tightened. Debt started piling up.

For months, the blame sat externally. The building. The circumstances. The timing.

But as Anthony shared, blame does not create solutions. It creates stagnation.

The turning point came when he took full ownership of where the business was at, regardless of how unfair the situation felt. That moment of responsibility was uncomfortable, but it was also liberating.

For gym owners, this is a critical lesson. External challenges will always exist. What determines your outcome is how quickly you stop blaming and start owning the next move.

After refinancing and stabilising the business, Anthony essentially started again from scratch.

But this time, the approach was different.

Instead of reacting, everything became strategic. Decisions were intentional. Growth was planned, not hoped for.

One of the biggest mindset shifts was Anthony’s relationship with money.

Previously, money was something to hold onto tightly. Spending felt risky. Hiring felt dangerous.

Now, money became a tool.

A tool to buy time.
A tool to invest in people.
A tool to create leverage.

This shift allowed Anthony to stop doing everything himself and start building a business that could grow without burning him out.

One of the clearest themes throughout this conversation was delegation.

Anthony spoke openly about trying to do everything himself in the past. Coaching every session. Managing every detail. Avoiding hiring to save money.

That approach nearly destroyed the business.

The version of Anthony today invests heavily in his coaches. He develops them. Upskills them. Trusts them.

This has allowed him to step back from the floor, focus on strategy, sales, innovation, and leadership, and ultimately grow the business faster than ever.

For fitness owners, delegation is not about doing less. It is about doing the right things.

Anthony is known for being highly innovative, but his process is refreshingly simple.

He asks one question repeatedly.

What does my client need?

Every major addition to Platinum Training Academy came from listening to client problems and solving them.

Semi-private training replaced one on one because it delivered more value at a sustainable price.

Recovery services were added because clients needed better down regulation and support.

Allied health partnerships came from clients needing solutions under one roof.

Innovation is not about chasing trends. It is about solving real problems better than anyone else.

Despite having multiple services, Anthony is very clear on his foundation.

Semi-private training is the hero product.

Everything else supports the result.

Gym access, recovery, nutrition support, education, and accountability all exist to enhance the transformation, not distract from it.

This is a critical distinction for gyms and studios. Complexity kills clarity. Clarity drives growth.

Clients do not buy sessions. They buy outcomes.

One of the strongest differentiators at Platinum Training Academy is what happens outside the session.

Regular check ins.
Body composition tracking.
Nutrition support.
Education and accountability.
Structured catch-up calls.

Anthony does not believe equipment creates results. Support does.

Clients feel heard. They feel guided. They feel invested in.

This level of care explains the strong retention and long-term client relationships within the business.

For fitness owners, this is where true leverage exists. The experience between sessions often matters more than the session itself.

Platinum Meals was created from frustration.

Anthony was using meal prep services himself and felt the quality, ingredients, and impact were lacking. His clients felt the same.

So, he solved the problem.

Using whole foods, family recipes, and simple processes, Platinum Meals became a solution that improved client results and added a new revenue stream to the business.

It is a perfect example of vertical integration done right. Better results for clients and stronger margins for the business.

Platinum Training Academy operates in a highly competitive area yet continues to grow month on month.

The strategy is simple but disciplined.

Get crystal clear on who you serve.
Double down on the problems you solve.
Stop worrying about competitors.
Focus relentlessly on what happens inside your four walls.

Much of Anthony’s growth has come from referrals, driven by results, service, and consistently asking.

Clarity plus consistency beats noise every time.

Anthony’s leadership is deeply values driven.

He leads with respect, honesty, and inclusion. His team feels safe, valued, and empowered.

They are involved in decisions. They understand the vision. They feel ownership in the outcome.

The best advice Anthony ever received came from his father.

Integrity is defined by what you do when no one is watching.

That principle shows up in how he runs his business, treats his team, and serves his clients.

This episode is not just a success story. It is a blueprint.

Ownership over excuses.
Support over ego.
Strategy over chaos.
People over equipment.
Integrity over image.

If you are willing to do the inner work, build the right team, and stay focused on solving real problems, sustainable growth is possible, even in the most competitive markets.

Anthony’s journey is proof of that.