This week I'm joined by one of Australia's most recognisable faces of the health and fitness industry - Michelle Bridges. From early days as a teenager running her own fitness classes at school, through to close to a decade as a trainer on The Biggest Loser, Michelle is a business machine. She has her own clothing range in Big W, her own food range Delicious Nutritious at Woolworths, and her very successful online training business, 12WBT - what can't she do?! We dig deep into Michelle's motivation behind her fitness businesses, and why she cares so much about all the people whose lives she has changed. Don't miss this one. 

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Want to grow your business and stay ahead of the pack? Access Mark Bouris' Masterclasses.

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week I'm joined by one of Australia's most recognisable faces of the health and fitness industry - Michelle Bridges. From early days as a teenager running her own fitness classes at school, through to close to a decade as a trainer on The Biggest Loser, Michelle is a business machine. She has her own clothing range in Big W, her own food range Delicious Nutritious at Woolworths, and her very successful online training business, 12WBT - what can't she do?! We dig deep into Michelle's motivation behind her fitness businesses, and why she cares so much about all the people whose lives she has changed. Don't miss this one.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/mentormarkbouris/">Join the Facebook Group.</a>Follow Mark Bouris on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mark_bouris/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://au.linkedin.com/in/markbouris">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;&amp; <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPX01K1JgNS5pyzUtwtCtsQ">YouTube.</a>Want to grow your business and stay ahead of the pack? <a href="https://mentored.com.au/homepage/learn/masterclasses/">Access Mark Bouris' Masterclasses</a>.Got a question or comment for Mark? <a href="mailto:support@mentored.com.au">Send an email</a>.&nbsp;See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.<hr>

Mark Bouris speaks to business owners and entrepreneurs, finding out what makes them tick and their plans for growth. Some business owners are on the way up and enjoying new success, others are at a turning point. Mark digs into their stories and finds out why they set out to create their own path, their challenges and where they go from here. Based on his own personal experiences and learnings, he also passes on his own guidance on how to take their business to the next level.

Mark Bouris speaks to business owners and entrepreneurs, finding out what makes them tick and their plans for growth. Some business owners are on the way up and enjoying new success, others are at a turning point. Mark digs into their stories and finds out why they set out to create their own path, their challenges and where they go from here. Based on his own personal experiences and learnings, he also passes on his own guidance on how to take their business to the next level.

Mark Bouris speaks to business owners and entrepreneurs, finding out what makes them tick and their plans for growth.  Some business owners are on the way up and enjoying new success, others are at a turning point.  Mark digs into...

The Mentor with Mark Bouris

#134 – Michelle Bridges: From Biggest Loser to 12WBT & Beyond

We’re currently revamping The Mentor podcast with a new studio and a new structure to bring you even better conversations. In the meantime, check out my podcast with one of the top podcast voices of 2025, Dan Bova.

Dan Bova, co-founder of The Yard Gym, leads a franchise network of over 50 locations in Australia, with ambitious plans to expand to 200 sites worldwide by 2025.

In our conversation, we explored Dan’s journey and early life, his move into gym franchising, the founding of The Yard, and what sets it apart. We also delved into its innovative business model and curriculum, the intricacies of franchising, his strategies for growth, and his bold vision for the future of The Yard.

You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up

Join the Facebook Group.

Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube

Claim $500 Bitcoin with OKX SMSF. SMSF trustees: Successfully sign-up your SMSF and get
verified for an OKX SMSF trading account. Deposit $5 and receive $500 worth of Bitcoin. Eligibility
requirements and T&amp;Cs apply. Book a 1-1 call with the OKX SMSF team today for guidance. Offer ends 31 March 2026.

<blockquote></blockquote>
We&rsquo;re currently revamping The Mentor podcast with a new studio and a new structure to bring you even better conversations. In the meantime, check out my podcast with one of the top podcast voices of 2025, Dan Bova.
Dan Bova, co-founder of The Yard Gym, leads a franchise network of over 50 locations in Australia, with ambitious plans to expand to 200 sites worldwide by 2025.
In our conversation, we explored Dan&rsquo;s journey and early life, his move into gym franchising, the founding of The Yard, and what sets it apart. We also delved into its innovative business model and curriculum, the intricacies of franchising, his strategies for growth, and his bold vision for the future of The Yard.
You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here:&nbsp;<a href="https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up">https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/mentormarkbouris/">Join the Facebook Group.</a>
Follow Mark Bouris on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mark_bouris/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://au.linkedin.com/in/markbouris">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPX01K1JgNS5pyzUtwtCtsQ">YouTube</a>
Claim $500 Bitcoin with OKX SMSF. SMSF trustees: Successfully sign-up your SMSF and get verified for an OKX SMSF trading account. Deposit $5 and receive $500 worth of Bitcoin. Eligibility requirements and T&amp;amp;Cs apply. Book a 1-1 call with the OKX SMSF team today for guidance. Offer&nbsp;ends 31 March 2026.

(REVISIT) The Yard Gym Story: Dan Bova on building a Fitness Franchise powerhouse

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/b19adbb3-84d1-4c68-b42a-b3d7015fb712/transcript

An alarming 6,200 NSW businesses went insolvent in 2025.

My latest guest on The Mentor was one of the business owners who had to shut down his business in 2025.

In this episode, Dean reflects on the journey of building Living Timber Co from $26 and a garage into a business delivering national projects, before the difficult decision to place the company into liquidation.

We explore what happens when passion meets rapid growth, rising interest rates and the quiet pressure many founders carry to do everything themselves. Dean speaks candidly about burnout, the warning signs he overlooked, and why he now views the experience as a failure without regrets, not something to be ashamed of, but something to learn from and move on from.

You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up

Join the Facebook Group.

Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube

Claim $500 Bitcoin with OKX SMSF. SMSF trustees: Successfully sign-up your SMSF and get
verified for an OKX SMSF trading account. Deposit $5 and receive $500 worth of Bitcoin. Eligibility
requirements and T&amp;Cs apply. Book a 1-1 call with the OKX SMSF team today for guidance. Offer ends 31 March 2026.

An alarming 6,200 NSW businesses went insolvent in 2025. My latest guest on The Mentor was one of the business owners who had to shut down his business in 2025.
In this episode, Dean reflects on the journey of building Living Timber Co from $26 and a garage into a business delivering national projects, before the difficult decision to place the company into liquidation.
We explore what happens when passion meets rapid growth, rising interest rates and the quiet pressure many founders carry to do everything themselves. Dean speaks candidly about burnout, the warning signs he overlooked, and why he now views the experience as a failure without regrets, not something to be ashamed of, but something to learn from and move on from.
You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: <a href="https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up">https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/mentormarkbouris/">Join the Facebook Group.</a>
Follow Mark Bouris on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mark_bouris/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://au.linkedin.com/in/markbouris">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPX01K1JgNS5pyzUtwtCtsQ">YouTube</a>
Claim $500 Bitcoin with OKX SMSF. SMSF trustees: Successfully sign-up your SMSF and get verified for an OKX SMSF trading account. Deposit $5 and receive $500 worth of Bitcoin. Eligibility requirements and T&amp;amp;Cs apply. Book a 1-1 call with the OKX SMSF team today for guidance. Offer&nbsp;ends 31 March 2026.

6,200 NSW Businesses Went Insolvent in 2025: Lessons From When It Doesn’t Work Out with Dean Boyd (Episode #512)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/71213f2b-99f0-4282-82d9-b3d0005d5dee/transcript

Disclaimer: This episode was first released on 25th August 2025. 

This week I sit down with Paul Grosmann, CEO of R.M.Williams, to talk about one of Australia’s most iconic and enduring brands. We go back to 1932 and the story of founder Reginald Murray Williams, and how a bloke with no formal training built a business that became a global name. Paul shares what makes the boots and jackets so special, why Aussies are so loyal to the brand, and how it has stayed true to its roots despite decades of changing ownership. He also opens up about his own journey from Nike and McKinsey to Harris Farm Markets, and the leadership lessons he is bringing to R.M.Williams as he drives the brand into its next chapter while keeping its heritage front and centre. 

Check out R.M.Williams website here: https://www.rmwilliams.com.au/

You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up

Join the Facebook Group.

Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.

Disclaimer: This episode was first released on 25th August 2025.&nbsp;
This week I sit down with Paul Grosmann, CEO of R.M.Williams, to talk about one of Australia&rsquo;s most iconic and enduring brands. We go back to 1932 and the story of founder Reginald Murray Williams, and how a bloke with no formal training built a business that became a global name. Paul shares what makes the boots and jackets so special, why Aussies are so loyal to the brand, and how it has stayed true to its roots despite decades of changing ownership. He also opens up about his own journey from Nike and McKinsey to Harris Farm Markets, and the leadership lessons he is bringing to R.M.Williams as he drives the brand into its next chapter while keeping its heritage front and centre.&nbsp;
Check out R.M.Williams website here: <a href="https://www.rmwilliams.com.au/">https://www.rmwilliams.com.au/</a>
You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here:&nbsp;<a href="https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up">https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/mentormarkbouris/">Join the Facebook Group.</a>
Follow Mark Bouris on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mark_bouris/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://au.linkedin.com/in/markbouris">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPX01K1JgNS5pyzUtwtCtsQ">YouTube.</a>

REVISIT: R.M.Williams CEO Paul Grosmann on leading Australia’s Iconic Brand

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/8355ba43-d4b6-466e-a1b5-b3c9006a7abc/transcript

#134 – Michelle Bridges: From Biggest Loser to 12WBT & Beyond

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