What does it take to turn a passion for fitness into a thriving business—and then franchise it successfully across the country? In this episode of the Second Act Success Career Podcast, host Shannon Russell sits down with Devan Gonzalez, fitness entrepreneur and co-founder of Strive 11 Fitness, to explore how he turned his love of coaching into a six-figure in-person training business and later launched a successful gym franchise.
Devan shares how mindset shaped every step of his journey—from being a 13-year-old martial arts instructor to opening his own gym during the pandemic and expanding into multiple locations through franchising. This conversation covers the real truth behind franchising a business, why mindset is everything, and how betting on yourself is often the safest risk you can take.
Whether you're dreaming of quitting your 9-5, opening a brick-and-mortar business, or scaling your current idea, this episode is packed with advice to help you take the leap with clarity and confidence.
Key Takeaways:
- Why time is your most valuable asset when launching a business
- The difference between franchising and licensing—and which one fits your goals
- How to adapt your business model as you grow
- Tips for negotiating lease terms and working with landlords
- The role of mindset in overcoming fear, failure, and building long-term success
- How to support franchisees with real estate, branding, and operations from the start
SHOW NOTES:
https://secondactsuccess.co/196
Connect with Devan Gonzalez:
https://www.strive11fitness.com/
https://www.facebook.com/devangonzalez.official
https://www.instagram.com/devan.gonzalez/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mindset-cafe/id1650827999
--------
You are listening to the Top 2% globally ranked podcast Second Act Success!
READ Shannon's Book - Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life at https://startyoursecondact.com.
Book a FREE Strategy Call with host and business coach Shannon Russell - https://www.calendly.com/second-act-success/coaching-strategy
FREE Resources
https://secondactsuccess.co/resources
LISTEN to the How To Quit Your Job and Start A Business Podcast!
https://secondactsuccess.co/listen
LET’S CONNECT!
Instagram - https://instagram.com/secondactsuccess
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/secondactsuccess.co
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@secondactsuccess
FREE Resources - https://secondactsuccess.co/resources
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.