08/25/2026
In this episode of the Fitness + Technology Podcast, Bryan K. ORourke welcomes Frank van de Ven to the show. Frank recently retired as Chief Commercial and Chief Marketing Officer of Life Fitness, closing out a nearly three-decade run with the company that took him from EMEA Marketing Director to General Manager of Life Fitness Benelux, Managing Director for Continental Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and ultimately Vice President International, with responsibility for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.
Born in the Netherlands and a veteran of Philips and GE Plastics before entering the fitness industry, Frank spent the early 1990s as Commercial Director of High Five Health Promotion, where he built the franchise model that carried the brand into the commercial club market. He has served multiple terms on the board of EHFA (now EuropeActive), written columns for two trade publications, and presented at conventions across Europe. Today he advises a portfolio of companies —including HUR, One Beyond Success, Recharge Yourself, and Fold Reformer — and mentors emerging leaders across the sector.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Bryan and Frank trade questions on trends, technology, and where the industry is heading.
Listen in anywhere or go to: https://www.fittechcouncil.org/podcast
Here’s a clip from Frank sharing a story about leadership mindset treating business like a game you play to win, not just for yourself, but for your entire team.
