The Business Case for Inclusive Fitness Programming - The Perfect Step [Podcast Series]
[:55] Dr. Bantham introduces her guest, Hal Hargrave
Hal Hargrave is the Founder, CEO and President of The Perfect Step.
He is also Founder of the Be Perfect Foundation.
[1:35] The Perfect Step methodology
“Our own methodology really speaks to this idea of holistic minded approach where we take the approach of working below the perceived level of injury or perceived site of diagnosis, to work really from the ground up as opposed from the top down.”
[4:46] The Perfect Step mission and vision
“By participation in a fitness and health minded program, in a neurologically based program, the worst thing that can happen to these individuals—through commitment and over time—is a healthier version of themselves. An opportunity to be hospitalized less, opportunity to come out of their shell because of a feeling of health and wellness, and competencies and independence and just that overall feeling of well-being and that they are a viable member of society and somebody that has purpose.”
[8:18] Athlete mindset
“As I looked at the mindset of what it means to be an athlete, it's not just somebody who plays sports, but it's somebody who's proficient in all types of exercise and physical activity. And it doesn't matter if you have an impairment or a setback. It's what you do to get up off the couch to be physically active that gives you that athlete mentality to not just compete with others, but namely, to compete with yourself, because that's really what you're competing against post injury and diagnosis.”
[12:40] Creating a community center
“We really wanted to create an arena and a facility that was a place where people call home in their community. That was very important to us to just be more than just a transactional endeavor of come and get your therapy services. But rather, a build something where it was much more than build it and they will come but build it and they will stay. And having a place to call home that's inclusive of mental health therapy services, chiropractic services, acupuncture services, and physical based services like we offer here, really just took this whole idea of a one stop shop to another level.”
[17:03] Business case for inclusive programming
“[T]he need is here. The diverse populations are here. The equitable access and the inclusive programming is not. So how do we create that bridge, and provide that and see where it goes….The club made money by accident, by just creating profit centers that were equitable for clients by way of their price point, inclusive by way of their programming, and they were cultural changing throughout the entire landscape of the commercial health club.”
[21:23] Removing barriers to inclusive programming
“And so we've really moved forward with this mentality to assert the DEI initiative through doing what we do best. And that's being people on mission that live actionably through our core values of leadership, dedication, unity, work ethic, integrity, positivity, and self growth. And we do this as a cultural understanding of who we are, as employees in our business, to really just be the reflection of what we want to see in the world rather than continue to harp on those that maybe haven't gotten there yet, that maybe haven't taken a step off the curb yet.”
[25:59] Getting started with inclusive programming
“[I]f you're a health club owner or operator, reevaluate your space, evaluate your center, look at your profit centers and see where maybe there's more room for upside—unused space. It doesn't have to be much, it can be integrated into the better part of your club or into your actual gym itself or carved out in a small area. It doesn't have to be much, all it has to do is start with one person and one client. And it can lead to so much more. Let it see where it starts. And you'll see where it ends.”
