Episode 5: Squad Goals: Finding Belonging in a Disconnected Age

The world is rapidly changing, and as we move further into the digital age, we're facing a paradox: more connected than ever online, yet increasingly isolated in real life. In this energizing episode of The Hopeful Pioneers, Ali Motroni sits down with Dane McCarthy, founder of The Athletic Clubs, who's pioneering a refreshingly analog solution to our digital disconnection.

As online searches for "where to make friends" continue to rise and our personal connections dwindle, Dane offers something super simple: community built through consistency. Athletic Club’s "squad" approach brings the same people together twice weekly to train, creating the perfect environment for organic friendships to flourish outside our screens.

Beyond fitness, this episode touches on deeper questions about the fabric of our social lives. How do we create spaces where people from different backgrounds naturally connect? What role can structured community play in addressing polarization? And what might we learn from watching diverse people form unexpected friendships when given the right environment?

Dane's journey from Australia to NYC- already opening six gyms across multiple states- offers practical insights for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, community-building, or simply looking for light in a polarized world. His optimism about human nature – formed through watching countless strangers become friends – offers a compelling counternarrative to the division we often see in headlines. And he and The Athletic Clubs are just getting started.

The Hopeful Pioneers is produced by Align Impact, a firm dedicated to helping families and executives align their resources with their values to create meaningful change.

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