Product First, People Always: Lessons From Our 2026 Brand Vision Meetup



In this episode, I sit down to unpack our 2026 Brand Vision Meetup with the Virtuous team.

This wasn’t just a planning meeting…it was a moment of honest reflection, alignment, and recommitment to who we are, what we stand for, and the standard we’re willing to hold as we move forward.

I walk through:

  • The real lessons from 2025…what went right, what broke down, and where leadership needed to level up

  • Why clarity of vision directly impacts product quality

  • How losing identity, even briefly affects culture, standards, and results

  • What it actually means to say “Product First” and “Hold the Line” as a leader

  • The values that define Virtuous: Growth, Trust the Team, Excellence, and Accountability

  • Why people don’t want more motivation they want to be led

  • The challenge (and necessity) of changing culture by pulling out old roots

  • What being a great team member at Virtuous in 2026 truly requires

 

We also define what Virtuous will look and feel like in 2026:

  • A tight, premium, client centric model

  • Exceptionally clean, intentional, branded environments

  • World-class coaching and transformation-focused programming

  • A culture with soul, standards, and zero ego

  • A team that owns the jersey on and off the floor

 

This episode is for:

  • Gym owners and leaders building culture

  • Coaches who want clarity, not chaos

  • Anyone trying to lead people without losing themselves

  • Anyone who believes excellence is built by standards, not slogans

 

If you’re building something meaningful or trying to protect it as it grows this conversation will hit home.

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