In this episode of Beyond The Studio, I sit down with Kevin Beeman, the mastermind behind Mecka Fitness, a dynamic and thriving fitness community that blends CrossFit, bootcamps, rowing, cycling, and more—all under one roof. Kevin shares his journey from discovering CrossFit in Miami to building a 20,000-square-foot fitness powerhouse in Pittsburgh. We dive into how he successfully expanded from a small gym to a multi-modality fitness brand while maintaining a high retention rate and keeping clients engaged for over a decade.

Kevin and I also talk about how Mecka strategically combines multiple fitness offerings with flexible membership models, making it easier for clients to explore different modalities. Plus, we touch on the importance of treating your fitness business like a real business and not just a social club. Whether you're a fitness entrepreneur or just curious about scaling a fitness brand, this episode is packed with insights on marketing, retention, and growth strategies that have kept Mecka thriving for over 13 years.

[2:12] – Kevin’s journey: From discovering CrossFit in Miami to launching Mecka Fitness in Pittsburgh.

[7:45] – Building multiple fitness brands under one roof—CrossFit meets bootcamp, cycling, and more.

[13:20] – How Mecka uses low-barrier entry points and class variety to attract and retain members.

[18:05] – The power of social media and strategic partnerships in driving growth.

[23:40] – Navigating challenges: Surviving COVID and scaling to multiple locations.

[30:10] – Why treating your gym like a business (not a social club) is key to long-term success.

[36:50] – Choosing the right CRM: Why Mecka moved to WellnessLiving after trying multiple platforms.