Reforming On Air: Fitness, Wellness and Branding Unfiltered with Genevieve Ross

Ever wonder what it takes to turn a small idea into a thriving business? Sunny Ilyas, CEO and founder of Vale Food Co., joins Reforming on Air with Genevieve Ross to uncover the real lessons behind building a successful, multi-unit restaurant brand. Sunny shares his journey from starting a humble meal prep delivery service at 21 to growing a fast-casual restaurant chain with 10+ locations across Florida. This episode isn’t just about restaurants—it’s about entrepreneurship, leadership, and scaling a business while staying true to your vision.In this conversation, you’ll discover:- How to find and serve your ideal audience- The role of grit, tenacity, and smart growth strategies- Why investing in the right team is your fastest path to success- Lessons learned from failures, rapid expansion, and navigating crises- The power of a unique, proprietary edge to stand out in any industryTIMESTAMPS:00:00 The Birth of Veil: A Healthy Vision03:05 From Meal Plans to Brick and Mortar05:52 Understanding the Target Market09:02 Rapid Expansion: The Journey to Six Locations11:57 Navigating Challenges and Lessons Learned15:05 The Importance of People in Business17:58 Future Aspirations and Growth Plans20:52 Adapting to Change: The Impact of COVID-1923:59 Innovations and New Offerings at Veil

What does it take to build a fitness brand that’s more than a gym—a community, a movement, and a business empire?
Manning Sumner, founder and CEO of LEGACY and NO DAYS OFF, joins Reforming On Air with Genevieve Ross for a peek into the business strategies, execution, and vision that have grown his brand into a multi-location powerhouse with a thriving product line. He emphasizes the significance of strategic location choices for expansion, the development of a premium water brand, and the future of fitness as an experiential luxury. 
What you’ll learn in this episode: 
-Building a fitness brand with a purpose: community, energy, and connection
-Strategic expansion: choosing locations, scaling, and maintaining quality
-Developing a product line that complements the service business
-Leadership and team management for sustainable growth
-Lessons on competition, brand recognition, and staying innovative
-Advice for entrepreneurs entering crowded markets and creating something unique

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Introduction to Manning Sumner and His Ventures
03:00 The Birth of Legacy and Community Building
06:01 Expansion Plans and Strategic Location Choices
09:03 Innovative Training Concepts and Product Development
12:02 The Future of Fitness and Business Trends
14:53 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs in a Competitive Market
17:57 Creating a Thriving Community in Fitness
20:52 Future Aspirations and Vision for Growth

Follow Genevieve & Reforming Pilates: 
Instagram: 
https://www.instagram.com/itsgenevieveross/
https://www.instagram.com/reformingpilates/
https://www.instagram.com/bodyhotpilates/
https://www.instagram.com/the.only.studio/

Subscribe: 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC42ODbrpHDduJBKQBJipNeA  
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reforming-on-air-fitness-wellness-and-branding-unfiltered-with-genevieve-ross/id1807869318
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5h5yWKiYu0WuFpYd0gtyHP

Genevieve is back—post-baby, sleep-deprived, but energized—spilling the tea about motherhood, work, and finding her reset.
She sits down with her best friend Emily Safran Wands, Miami-based hairstylist and founder of LAHH Salon, for a no-filter chat about juggling babies and business. They dive into the terrifying, hilarious, and sometimes messy realities of pregnancy, birth, and leaving your baby to chase your career. 
From finding a nanny who doesn’t give you nightmares to actually learning how to delegate, this episode is packed with laughs, real talk, and survival tips for any working mom trying to do it all (and still look human).”
What you’ll hear in this episode:
- The biggest fears women face before having kids
- How business owners can delegate without guilt
- Why being a working mom is all about balance (and boundaries)
- The truth about “mom guilt” and judgmental parenting
- Building a support system that actually works
If you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, or working woman thinking about starting a family (or already in the trenches of motherhood), this episode will remind you: you can do both.
TIMESTAMPS: 
00:00 Navigating the Fear of Motherhood
02:50 Balancing Work and Family Life
05:59 The Reality of Pregnancy and Birth
08:55 The Importance of Support Systems
11:51 Finding the Right Care for Your Child
15:03 Managing Guilt as a Working Mom
18:12 Future Plans: Family and Business Growth
20:58 Empowering Women in Motherhood
23:49 Trusting Your Instincts as a Parent

What’s driving the latest fitness fads—and how can studios keep up?
Reforming Pilates Founder Genevieve Ross and COO Elisa Zambrano dive into the evolving trends reshaping the fitness and wellness industry. From the surprising comeback of spin and barre classes to the rising popularity of weightlifting among men, they unpack how consumer behavior is shifting post-pandemic. They explore how studios can adapt by creating more inclusive, community-driven spaces—especially by rethinking how they engage and welcome a broader clientele. They also spotlight the growing demand for in-house memberships over third-party platforms and highlight the power of consumer feedback in predicting the future of fitness.

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Exploring Current Fitness Trends
05:07 The Resurgence of Spin and Cardio Classes
06:36 The Weightlifting Landscape
08:01 Consumer Trends in Fitness
11:40 Shifting Gender Dynamics in Fitness
14:13 Engaging with the Audience on Trends

Follow Genevieve & Reforming Pilates: 
Instagram: 
https://www.instagram.com/itsgenevieveross/
https://www.instagram.com/reformingpilates/
https://www.instagram.com/bodyhotpilates/
https://www.instagram.com/the.only.studio/

Subscribe: 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC42ODbrpHDduJBKQBJipNeA  
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reforming-on-air-fitness-wellness-and-branding-unfiltered-with-genevieve-ross/id1807869318
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5h5yWKiYu0WuFpYd0gtyHP

Can a juice bar do more than nourish your body—can it transform a community?
Brennan Branca and Tara Schreiber, the dynamic duo behind Barvida, unpack what it takes to turn a passion for health into a purpose-driven business. From meticulous cold-pressing processes to creating a customer experience that feels high-end yet totally un-intimidating, Brennan and Tara share how they built a wellness brand rooted in quality, hospitality, and heart.
They open up about the challenges of expanding too quickly, the financial lessons they learned the hard way, and why hiring the right people is just as important as the perfect green juice recipe. You’ll hear about their favorite Barvida locations, their dream to expand, advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, and lessons learned from financial mistakes in their journey. 

RESOURCES: Barvida: https://thebarvida.com/Social Media: @barvidajuicebar https://www.instagram.com/barvidajuicebar/Brennan Branca: @boyfromconnecticut https://www.instagram.com/boyfromconnecticut/Tara Schreiber: @girlfromnewyorkcity https://www.instagram.com/girlfromnewyorkcity/

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Introduction to Barvida and Its Unique Approach
02:55 Creating a Welcoming Experience in Health Food
05:52 Quality and Freshness of Products
09:07 Challenges of Maintaining Quality During Expansion
12:10 Growth Plans and Future Locations
14:56 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs in Food Industry
18:12 Learning from Financial Mistakes
19:58 Lessons from Expansion Challenges
22:01 Favorite Locations and Personal Connections
23:37 Dream Locations and Future Aspirations
25:24 Hiring and Firing: Building a Strong Team
29:15 Plans for New Locations and Community Engagement
30:18 Juice Delivery in the City: Expanding Reach
34:24 Call to Action: Where to Find Us

Follow Genevieve & Reforming Pilates: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsgenevieveross/https://www.instagram.com/reformingpilates/https://www.instagram.com/bodyhotpilates/https://www.instagram.com/the.only.studio/Subscribe: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC42ODbrpHDduJBKQBJipNeA Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reforming-on-air-fitness-wellness-and-branding-unfiltered-with-genevieve-ross/id1807869318Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5h5yWKiYu0WuFpYd0gtyHP