The Business Of Fitness: Building What Lasts With Yves Preissler

In this episode of the Fitness + Technology Podcast, Bryan O'Rourke welcomes Yves Preissler to the show. Yves is the Founder and CEO of YP Business Consulting, a globally active, privately owned advisory firm specializing in final-decision advisory and concept architecture for the fitness, wellness, recovery, sport, and hospitality industries. With over 20 years of international experience and more than 150 projects delivered across four continents, including the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, YP works with boards, investors, developers, and operators at the earliest and most critical stages of decision-making, from concept validation through to full execution and performance. A member of the International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC), a contributing author to Beyond Reps, and founder of AFROFIT, Yves brings a rare combination of strategic rigor, regional expertise, and operational clarity to every engagement. Today, he joins Bryan to share his perspective, and some genuinely candid views, on user experience, operational excellence, and what it takes to build fitness and wellness businesses that truly last.

Check out FITC's 2026 Digital Pulse Report: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GTV2QT18

One Powerful Quote:

8:11: "All are attractive ideas, but not every idea is a strong business."

4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:

3:33: Yves shares his journey from Europe to building fitness and wellness businesses across the Middle East and Africa, including founding AFROFIT.

6:55: Yves outlines the core principles he believes every fitness and wellness operator should be prioritizing in today's market.

9:30: Yves explains why human connection is the most critical driver of user experience and retention.

11:11: Bryan and Yves discuss what operational excellence truly requires in practice and why long-term viability demands the discipline to focus, not just build.

15:43: Yves shares where technology genuinely adds value in fitness and wellness operations and where operators risk mistaking complexity for progress.

22:37: Yves delivers his final advice on what will separate enduring businesses from those that don't last.

Bullet List of Resources:

https://yvespreissler.com/

https://afrofit.life/

Guest Contact Information:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvespreissler/

https://x.com/ypreissler

https://substack.com/@yvespreissler?utm_source=global-search

yves@yvespreissler.com

https://www.bryankorourke.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/

http://www.fittechcouncil.org/

https://www.youtube.com/user/bko61163