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. 

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:&nbsp;<a href="https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/mentormarkbouris/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Join the Facebook Group.</a> Follow Mark Bouris on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mark_bouris/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://au.linkedin.com/in/markbouris" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPX01K1JgNS5pyzUtwtCtsQ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">YouTube.</a>&nbsp;<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

#475 The Yard Gym Story: Dan Bova on building a Fitness Franchise powerhouse

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/d65cce88-b894-4aa2-b7d0-b30500506928/transcript

AI agents are changing how businesses operate.

Daniel Vassilev has raised $42 million to scale his company, Relevance AI, which is already helping some of the world’s largest private companies automate entire teams.

I sat down with Daniel to unpack what this shift actually means for businesses and for the workforce, and the practical advice on how people can use AI agents to grow their business.

In this conversation we discuss:

• How AI agents could eliminate up to 50% of go-to-market tasks by 2026

• Why businesses will soon recruit AI agents the same way they recruit employees

• The four levels of AI autonomy every business will experience

• Real examples of companies automating BDR and customer success teams

• Why software engineering is the first proof that AI will transform knowledge work

• How to identify which business processes to automate first

• The change management strategy that actually works

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.

AI agents are changing how businesses operate.
Daniel Vassilev has raised $42 million to scale his company, Relevance AI, which is already helping some of the world&rsquo;s largest private companies automate entire teams.
I sat down with Daniel to unpack what this shift actually means for businesses and for the workforce, and the practical advice on how people can use AI agents to grow their business.
In this conversation we discuss:
&bull; How AI agents could eliminate up to 50% of go-to-market tasks by 2026
&bull; Why businesses will soon recruit AI agents the same way they recruit employees
&bull; The four levels of AI autonomy every business will experience
&bull; Real examples of companies automating BDR and customer success teams
&bull; Why software engineering is the first proof that AI will transform knowledge work
&bull; How to identify which business processes to automate first
&bull; The change management strategy that actually works
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.

 How to Use AI Agents to Grow Your Business & Why AI Will Eliminate 50% of These Tasks by 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/4537135a-7db0-4345-90e2-b408006ee3a0/transcript

In this episode, I speak with Kate Cooper, OKX Australia CEO and systems change leader with more than 25 years’ experience driving technology-led transformation across government, global enterprise, banking and digital assets.

We unpack what it takes to lead in a fast-moving digital world, from balancing inner clarity with external impact, to communicating effectively through change, understanding the productivity potential of digital finance, navigating regulatory uncertainty, and managing large-scale transformation when systems and culture are shifting at the same time.

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.

In this episode, I speak with Kate Cooper, OKX Australia CEO and systems change leader with more than 25 years&rsquo; experience driving technology-led transformation across government, global enterprise, banking and digital assets.
We unpack what it takes to lead in a fast-moving digital world, from balancing inner clarity with external impact, to communicating effectively through change, understanding the productivity potential of digital finance, navigating regulatory uncertainty, and managing large-scale transformation when systems and culture are shifting at the same time.
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.

#514:  How to lead at the edge of technological change with OKX Australia CEO Kate Cooper 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/513f3ebe-c829-4a93-89e7-b3fa005dc303/transcript

Noah Hunter Dorsey is the founder of Future Fulfilment and a 29 year old entrepreneur selected in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2025, working with major brands including Vegemite, the AFL, and many more.

This is a playbook for building multi-million dollar companies before 30.

We cover the move from university to entrepreneurship, backing yourself through fear, and why communication and sales are non negotiable skills. Noah breaks down how he learned by doing, identified high income skills, and prioritised execution over theory.

We also talk leadership, culture, and scale. How to build strong teams, stay connected as the business grows, and deal with setbacks without losing momentum.

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.

Noah Hunter Dorsey is the founder of Future Fulfilment and a 29 year old entrepreneur selected in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2025, working with major brands including Vegemite, the AFL, and many more.
This is a playbook for building multi-million dollar companies before 30.
We cover the move from university to entrepreneurship, backing yourself through fear, and why communication and sales are non negotiable skills. Noah breaks down how he learned by doing, identified high income skills, and prioritised execution over theory.
We also talk leadership, culture, and scale. How to build strong teams, stay connected as the business grows, and deal with setbacks without losing momentum.
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.

#513 The Gen-Z Founder Playbook to Multi-Million Dollar Companies by 30 with Noah Hunter Dorsey

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/45144be9-9f3a-49c1-8bde-b3ec005b0186/transcript

#475 The Yard Gym Story: Dan Bova on building a Fitness Franchise powerhouse

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