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When you're adding community events, nutrition add-ons and the next shiny thing to keep clients… but your sessions still start late and the playlist sucks… And what happens when the thing that actually keeps people in your gym is so simple you've been skipping right over it? On this episode of the Rogue Business Podcast, I'm joined for the second time by Max, owner of Performance Hub, a semi-private gym in Melbourne for everyday legends who don't like gyms. He came from exercise physiology and pro sport, took how elite athletes are trained, and built a gym around it. He's six years in, he's made plenty of mistakes, and he doesn't give you b******t. We get into: - how his 6:1 semi-private model runs, with every client on their own program, and why six is the max - the iterations that didn't work, from fixed squat days to 12-week blocks that didn't fit new starters - why clear expectations make your team happier, and why being too casual backfires - the "mum and dad" rule: one house, one set of answers, no coach-client allocation - raising the floor, not the ceiling, and why consistency beats "best self" - why he'd hire from hospitality before fitness - the customer service pyramid: nail the basics, make it personal, then blow their mind - why community events and add-ons don't drive retention, but really good sessions do - the one filter for every new idea: how does this help us deliver a better service? - going from an $11k month after lockdown to $30k months within six months, and why the money came when he stopped staring at it - "win anyway," and why gym owners are Sam, not Frodo If you're thinking about moving out of 1:1 into semi-private, or your boutique gym keeps chasing the next fix, listen to this first. Find Max: Gym: Performance Hub Instagram: @max.strength And me, Ro: @rochenehigginson

When you're doing more work than ever, you know more than ever… and you're still stuck, second-guessing every move and overhauling your whole business because of a few quiet weeks… And what happens when the problem isn't a lack of information, but that nobody taught you what to *ignore*? On this episode of the Rogue Business Podcast, I'm back behind the mic after a long pause. It's been two years of selling my gym, getting divorced, becoming a single mum, and rebuilding my business from my home office with no staff and no contractors. Just me. It's a new lens on the same fundamentals, and a very honest look at what I'm seeing across the fitness industry right now: more noise, more confusion, and more owners making big changes when nothing is actually broken. We get into: - why the last two years forced me to let go of my identity as a gym owner, a wife, and someone always surrounded by people, and what that clarity gave me - the "noise" problem: AI, social media, industry drama, and why it's leaving informed, hard-working owners overwhelmed and directionless - why owners collapse their marketing and create new offers after a few quiet weeks, when all they need is to pull one lever - my four lenses for a sustainable, profitable fitness business: acquiring clients, retaining clients, managing money, and managing yourself - why tracking your numbers isn't enough if you don't know what they mean or what to do with them - why the gap isn't information, it's your filter, and why that's your real edge right now - how I rebuilt my offers and resources to merge clean tactics with the human stuff: the shame, the second-guessing, the avoidance - building a business that holds up on your *worst* weeks, not just your best ones - growing softer and more ruthless at the same time, and building around your real capacity If you've got hundreds of saved posts, a head full of strategy, and still no idea what to do next, listen to this first. Find me, Ro: @rochenehigginson

When you realise the way you've been "building your team" is basically: panic post at 2am, hire a friend of a friend, cross your fingers, repeat… And what happens when the person you bring in can't read your mind, doesn't fit, and suddenly you've got more problems than when you started? On this episode of the Rogue Business Podcast, I'm joined by Ash, founder of Emerald HQ, an HR and hiring strategist who helps women-led businesses hire smarter, lead stronger, and stop building teams on vibes and desperation. She is direct, deeply practical, and absolutely will call out your "amazing culture" if you can't define what it actually means. We get into: - the most common hiring mistakes small business owners make (and why panic hiring is basically sabotage) - what "defining the role" actually means — and why skipping it is the root of almost every bad hire - reference checks: why people skip them, why that's a disaster, and the story that will make you never skip one again - what culture *actually* is (spoiler: it's not "everyone gets along" — it's how your team behaves when no one's watching) - values alignment vs skill set — which matters more, and why hiring for experience over fit is costing you good people - the cloning trap: why "culture fit" doesn't mean hiring a version of yourself - leadership starting the day you register your business name — not when you have a team of ten - the candidate experience most small businesses completely ignore — and why it's wrecking your reputation If you're the kind of business owner who keeps saying "I just need the right person"... but hasn't done the work to know what that actually looks like, listen to this first. Find Ash: Website: emeraldhq.com.au Instagram: @emeraldhq.au LinkedIn: Ash @ Emerald HQ And me, Ro: @rochenehigginson

“You’re Not Lazy, you’re Over Capacity”: enter Aunty Meatballs & the truth about accidental leadership
 What happens when you realise the way you’ve been “doing leadership” is basically: mask harder, push longer, run on adrenaline… and call it discipline? And what happens when your brain is actually built for sprints, lateral thinking, and big vision creation , but nobody taught you how to resource that without frying your nervous system? On this episode of the Rogue Business Podcast, I’m joined by my good friend Meghann Birks (aka “Aunty Meatballs”); a neuroaffirming leadership coach who tells the truth with love… and absolutely will call you out when you’re full of it.
 We get into: * what “neuroaffirming” actually means (not tolerating neurodivergence; actively designing for it) * the small workplace shifts that change everything (sensory stuff, meeting overload, “why do we even do it like this?”, cameras off, actual autonomy) * resourcing yourself when you’re self employed and alone in your office all day (yes: water, food, light, movement… plus community) * the game changer distinction between capability vs capacity (and why that gap breeds the “I’m stupid” / “I just need to work harder” spiral) * accidental leadership, imposter syndrome, and the embodied leadership ladder * the simplest but most confronting question: do you even want the role you’re in? 
If you’re the kind of leader who can do big things… but keeps crashing in private, listen to this before you blame your personality.

 This was such a needed chat for all our friends out there! 

Enjoy x Find Meghann:
Website: meghannbirks.com
 IB: @meghannbirks.com
 LinkedIn: Meghann Birks (newsletter link via bio/website) Follow me: @rochenehigginson

“Women Need to Manage Their Time Better”: So She Opened Her Own Gym What happens when you realise the space you work in can’t keep women safe, or supported, and you decide to build your own?⁣ ⁣ I’m joined by Christine Lane-Bishop (“Sparkle”), founder of Fearless Females, the first women’s-only studio in Ipswich. We talk about the moments that forced the leap (crèche closures, blatant dismissals of mums, and the gross realities women deal with in gyms), and the practical build behind it: numbers, pricing, outgoings, systems, staffing, and the jump from 16 sessions/week to 70+ interactions/week in just a couple of months, while opening in profit.⁣ ⁣ If you’re considering a studio (or scaling one), listen to this before you romanticise it. So much juice to squeeze!⁣ ⁣ Find Christine: @fearless.females.ipswich (IG + Facebook)⁣ Waitlist only: forms disabled *she's that good!*⁣ ⁣ Follow me on my new IG @rochenehigginson ⁣

This episode was sparked right off the back of a live event I ran, and it’s a necessary callout. I unpack 10 brutally honest truths I wish every service based business owner knew. From overcomplicating your offer suite to building your business around your best self (don’t), this is the episode you’ll want to sit with and then do something about.⁣ ⁣ "If your business is waiting for you to heal, you're always going to be limited."⁣ ⁣ [00:01] Intro + why this episode needed to happen after the live event⁣ [04:26] #1 Complexity as a comfort trap⁣ 06:48] #2 Build your business around your worst self, not your best⁣ [11:29] #3 Business is hard, but not for the reasons you think⁣ [15:52] #4: Simplicity is where scale lives⁣ [17:54] #5 Repetition isn’t bad, it’s how a real brand is built⁣ [20:17] #6 You were never meant to do this alone⁣ [22:37] #7 You’ve got to jump on problems faster⁣ [24:57] #8 Personal development will show up, but you don’t have to be perfect to succeed⁣ [26:17] #9 Strategy isn’t optional, it’s your foundation⁣ [28:41] #10 Most stagnation is operational, not a “marketing” issue⁣ [31:07] Wrap up: Time audits, cleaning up leaks, and your next steps⁣ ⁣ If this episode hit home and made you realise you’ve been spinning in the wrong direction, do something about it. Follow me on Instagram @rocheneh for more grounded strategy and real founder talk, and if you’re vibing with the podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It genuinely helps get this work into the ears of more business owners who need it.⁣

This episode is a deeply personal one. I share the raw truth about becoming financially solo for the first time in my adult life and how it's radically shifted my view of money, business, and independence. From selling my home, to rethinking retirement, to redefining what growth looks like, this is about more than profit. It’s about creating a business and life that holds me through change.⁣ ⁣ ⁣ "The value of a dollar for me is independence. Freedom of choice. The ability to keep creating, choosing, living on my terms."⁣ ⁣ It’s not about hitting a number. It’s about having financial breathing room, options, and stability, on your terms.⁣ ⁣ A money conversation worth having⁣ ⁣ [02:30] Financially solo for the first time: the shift⁣ [06:00] What money means now: freedom, not stuff⁣ [09:30] Selling the house and redefining safety⁣ [12:15] Retirement as opportunity, not an endpoint⁣ [16:10] Letting past business goals expire⁣ [19:50] What a profitable, team less business looks like⁣ [22:40] Getting honest about business structure⁣ [26:20] Outgrowing your own goals and making peace with it⁣ [29:40] Ending note: wealth, freedom, and being present⁣ ⁣ Let’s keep building businesses that hold us, not break us. And if you loved this convo, a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify goes a long way. Thanks friends.⁣ ⁣ Ro x⁣

Most founders either aren’t tracking at all, or they are, but without *thinking*.⁣ ⁣ They see slow growth, rising costs, or inconsistent sales and blame strategy.⁣ But the real issue? They’re flying blind and calling it business.⁣ ⁣ This episode isn’t about being good at spreadsheets.It’s about building conviction, regulating your reactions, and actually *leading* using data.⁣ ⁣ You don’t need to love data.⁣ You need to stop running from it.⁣ Because those weekly and monthly numbers?⁣ They’re your goldmine *if* you’re willing to look.⁣ ⁣ “You don’t have a data problem. You have an avoidance problem. And your profit margin is already showing me where the cracks are.”⁣ ⁣ ⁣ [00:00] Why most business owners avoid data, and how that’s killing their growth⁣ [03:25] Two common scenarios: no tracking vs. tracking without insight⁣ [06:45] Why monthly reflections feel empty, and how to fix them⁣ [10:20] Profit margin red flags and what they *actually* reveal⁣ [13:40] Staff wages, people pleasing, and bloated expenses⁣ [17:05] Marketing costs vs. results, where you're wasting money⁣ [19:20] Retention, holds, and where your leaky bucket starts⁣ [22:10] Founders who delegate too soon and don’t know what they’re handing over⁣ [24:50] Using data to shift from reactive to robust business leadership⁣ ⁣ Come hang with me @rocheneh.⁣ ⁣ Thanks for being here,⁣ Ro x⁣ ⁣ ⁣

I’m not gonna lie, this one might sting.⁣ ⁣ Because if you’ve got staff (or you’re planning to), and you’re sitting in a sea of frustration, tasks not getting done, performance slipping, communication clunky, it’s easy to assume your staff are the problem.⁣ ⁣ But what if they’re not?⁣ ⁣ What if your ceiling is actually *you*, your leadership, your shadows, your avoidance, and your refusal to actually look at what’s underneath the resentment?⁣ ⁣ This episode is not soft. It’s not fluffy. It’s a real conversation about what’s *actually* going on when things feel “off” with your staff, and how that unresolved energy bleeds into culture, client results, retention, and ultimately your growth.⁣ ⁣ This is the work that too many founders avoid until the cracks start costing them.⁣ ⁣ If your business has felt heavy… this might be why.⁣ ⁣ "You don’t have a staff problem. You have an embodiment, leadership, and avoidance problem. And the red flags couldn’t be brighter."⁣ ⁣ [00:00] The episode that might sting⁣ [03:40] Why your team isn’t performing (hint: it’s not them)⁣ [08:55] Venting vs. leading: the line you need to walk⁣ [13:20] How you’re building resentment by avoiding your own development⁣ [18:45] External systems aren’t enough, if you don’t embody it, it won’t land⁣ [23:10] The invisible tax of poor leadership⁣ [27:15] What great staff leadership *actually* looks like⁣ [34:00] Why this matters more than you think⁣ ⁣ If this episode cracked something open, come hang with me @rocheneh⁣ ⁣ Thanks for being here, Ro x

There are far too many purpose-driven business owners walking around with subtle, sneaky beliefs about money that are keeping their businesses stuck. You say you’re not in it for the money? Cool. But let’s not use that as an excuse to stay financially illiterate, dodge your tax responsibilities, or never look at a P&L. This episode is a ruthless (but necessary) reminder that if you want your business to last, you need to take your money seriously. We cover the mindset traps, the operational gaps, and the real-world consequences of avoiding financial literacy in small business.....and what to do instead. "Not being driven by money doesn’t mean you get to be incompetent with it." 00:00 Why I needed to record this episode now 01:35 Sneaky statements that reveal avoidance 05:02 My own wake-up call (car loan & tax chaos) 11:45 Growing a business means growing financial responsibility 13:55 Why stable money matters more than high cash months 17:32 Rate of return, expenses, and bleeding profits 21:20 Understanding your tax and how your body reacts to bills 25:05 Tracking isn’t just for show, it’s strategic 28:45 The difference between managing and maximising 32:01 Money stress kills creativity, opportunity, and expansion If this episode cracked something open, come hang with me @rocheneh

This one’s for the business owner who’s already successful, but knows something’s off. In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of where I go and what I look at when I start working with a high-performing client who’s doing all the “right things” on paper… but still feels stuck inside their business.⁣ ⁣ We’re breaking down:⁣ → Why your financial breathing room might be tighter than it should be⁣ → What your P&L and tracking sheets really reveal (or don’t)⁣ → The disconnect between your reality and your perception, and how that messes with growth⁣ → And why true business harmony only happens when your systems and self are working together⁣ ⁣ If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing all the things but still feel stuck in the churn—this is the episode that will change how you look at your own business.⁣ ⁣ "You can’t just have good numbers and a shit life. Or feel flowy and be broke. Business harmony means both need to be true."⁣ ⁣ [00:00] Why this episode matters⁣ [02:20] First move: profit & loss, tracking sheets, red flags⁣ [07:15] Cash flow, stability, and the hidden emotional toll⁣ [10:50] Matching hard numbers with lived experience⁣ [13:00] Why successful owners still feel broke⁣ [16:00] Rebuilding structure that creates safety and satisfaction⁣ [18:45] What people get wrong about service based business stability⁣ [21:20] Perception audits: how clients actually feel vs. what’s real⁣ [25:10] Systems vs. self: pulling both worlds into alignment⁣ [29:40] Real life harmony: a message that hit Ro hard⁣ [32:10] Business is meant to feel stable, strong, and fulfilling, at once⁣ ⁣ If this one cracked something open, come hang with me over on Instagram @rocheneh and tell me what landed. Better yet, go look at your own numbers after this. Let’s build the kind of business that actually holds.

This one’s been a long time coming. I had employed staff for nine years, and now, on the other side of gym ownership, I see the whole picture clearly. In this episode, I’m unpacking one of the most common (and messy) questions I get from clients: Can I actually be friends with my staff? We’re talking leadership duality, blurred boundaries, emotional capacity, favouritism, and what it actually takes to hold a powerful, productive relationship while still being able to lead a team. If you’re managing people, or plan to, you need to hear this. "You don’t need brick wall boundaries, but if you can’t hold duality, you’re not ready to lead." [00:00] Why this conversation matters more than ever [02:24] Small teams, proximity, and natural closeness [04:45] What actually makes staff friendships messy [06:58] Avoidance, emotional capacity & when things blur [09:03] Duality is everything, can both people hold it? [11:29] Friendship vs favouritism, what your team sees [13:51] Boundaries, flexibility, and avoiding the “cold wall” trap [16:08] What to do when performance slips but friendship stays [18:32] Final thoughts: pro relationship with structure

I’m diving BTS, again. This time with a whole new lens. It’s been over a year since I sold the gym and walked away from a business I spent 10 years building. I was great at gym ownership. But now that I’m out? I see everything differently. This episode is the real unpacking, what I got right, what I never saw while I was in it, and what I’d do completely differently if I ever opened another facility. From identity grief and open tabs to automation, systems, and why most gym owners are burning out, this one’s for the past version of me, and for every gym owner trying to build something that doesn’t break them. "I was vibrant when I walked away—but I didn’t realize how much energy I was still leaking just by holding tabs open that didn’t belong to me anymore." [00:00] The view from 12 months out [05:40] Following my nose; brand, messaging, and reading humans [11:30] Logical brain & strength block thinking in business [17:45] Why I thrived in gym ownership; and why I left [24:10] The weight of being visible vs the beauty of anonymity [30:32] Tabs, energy leaks & the real reason I sold [36:50] If I opened a gym again: automations & non-negotiables [42:28] Identity grief and dismantling “gym owner” [48:12] What I got right: team, systems, and scaling without me [54:40] In person spaces matter [59:25] Why gym ownership needs rock solid marketing [01:04:00] Final thoughts, depth, truth, and what I’ll always stand for

I’m breaking the silence. It’s been six months since I recorded solo. I dismantled everything I built over a 10 year career. Sold the gym. Let go of a professional identity and made the bravest (and hardest decision) of my life professionally. This episode is raw. It’s the behind the scenes of what really goes down when you outgrow your old success and step into something that actually fits. It’s about business, identity, grief, space, and finally claiming what’s next. "Fitness was only one chapter. The rest of the story? It’s still being written, and it’s gonna be bigger, bolder, and more grounded than ever." [00:00] Breaking the silence [04:35] Selling the gym & identity grief [09:40] Outgrowing fitness and stepping into Founders [16:15] Why surface level biz advice doesn’t cut it [21:32] Personal shifts & choosing anonymity [35:45] Visibility vs validation [42:10] A new mission, new clients, same conviction [48:00] Wrapping up, this next season is different If this episode cracked something open, come hang with me @rocheneh

In this episode of Rogue Business, I’m chatting with Bec Potalej, owner of Lioness Performance, a female-only gym and online coaching platform. Bec’s journey from dreaming about gym ownership as a teen to leading a thriving business is packed with grit, lessons, and real talk. We dive into scaling, managing yourself as a leader, and keeping it human when things get messy. This one’s for anyone wondering what it really takes to build something meaningful in the fitness industry—no fluff, just the real behind-the-scenes. Key Takeaways:⁣ Scaling with Intent: Growth isn’t just about numbers—it’s about staying aligned with what you want and creating a business that truly serves your people while lighting you up. Detachment Without Disconnection: Learn how to balance caring deeply about your business without letting feedback or bad days crush you. Know Your Why: Building a business, especially a gym, comes with challenges, but staying anchored to your vision keeps you moving forward. Evolving Leadership: You can’t scale your business without evolving as a person. What worked before might not work now—be ready to shed old habits and embrace growth. "You can learn any skill in business, but the real challenge is managing yourself through the mess and the magic." [00:00] Intro: Meet Bec Potalej, the brain behind Lioness Performance [03:05] The dream of owning a gym: From treadmills to reality [06:36] Facing doubt and navigating limiting beliefs [09:27] Why you need discernment when listening to advice [12:24] The best and hardest parts of running a business [19:13] Managing people: The joys and challenges of a service-based business [24:50] Scaling lessons: Learning to let go and adapt [31:16] Business is simple on paper, but humans make it complex [37:57] Advice for coaches dreaming of gym ownership [42:33] Redefine sneak peek: What Bec’s bringing to the table If this episode hit home for you, get ready to see Bec live at Redefine on November 23rd—where she’ll be diving deeper into scaling, staying true to your vision, and challenging the norms of the fitness industry. Follow Bec on Instagram @lionessperformance and keep an eye on their exciting rebrand for 2025. And if you’re vibing with this episode, drop a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Let’s keep these conversations flowing.