#83 - Mike Sousa: BrickHouse

In the 83rd episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Strong First Senior Instructor and founder of BrickHouse, Mike Sousa, will talk about the origin of BrickHouse, the evolution of Mike’s training style, intuitive training, and more.

Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! 

In this chapter you will discover: 

(0:50) Introducing our special guest, Strong First Senior Instructor and founder of BrickHouse, Mike Sousa @sousastrong

(1:20) The Breakthrough Secrets Podcast: EP #86 - Mike Sousa: Sweat Equity

(1:44) Mike’s origin story

(2:25) Going for the Certification

(2:40) Building career

(2:55) Shout out to Dave Whitley @irontamer

(3:00) Shout out to Jeff O’Connor, former Master RKC

(3:05) Shout out to Pavel Tsatsouline @strongfirst

(3:05) Shout out to Doug Nepodal LinkedIn Doug Nepodal

(3:30) Team leader promotion

(3:35) Why is the team leader position great?

(3:50) Shout out to Brett Jones @brettjonessfg

(4:25) The 66-year-old quilt master

(6:05) The best way to do the ladder

(9:10) Why is the fitness industry interesting?

(10:00) Long-term goal gym vision

(10:05) Building and keeping a client list for years

(10:50) Being a group-on guy

(11:25) Intuition-based training

(11:40) Losing 7 clients in one month

(11:55) Benefits of building a system

(14:00) Using constructive feedback and analogies

(14:50) Being an intuitive trainer

(16:10) A template that Mike uses

(18:45) Game of operation analogy

(19:45) Male vs. female clientele

(20:20) About Martha

(20:50) About Brittney

(21:20) “Really legit system is years and years and years into it.”  - Mike Sousa @sousastrong

(21:50) Stay within 60-80%

(22:05) How to stay within 60-80%?

(23:25) Shout out to Mike Perry @coachmikeperry

(23:50) Evolution of Mike’s system @coachmikeperry

(24:05) The problem Mike saw with his system

(24:20) Switching to a semi-private system

(25:25) Moving to Brickhouse

(25:40) The issue with semi-private system

(26:20) The issue with most trainer’s model

(26:45) The secret behind commercial gym’s success

(27:20) Brainstorming to make his gym better

(28:00) The success of new model

(28:45) No need to grind 24/7 anymore

(31:00) Stop babysitting style of training!

(31:10) Shout out to Danny Sawaya Linkedin: Danny Sawaya 

(31:35) Shout out to Tiago Proença @tiago_proenca

(32:25) Rates-related issue

(32:40) Creating flat rates

(34:00) Payment-related issue

(35:40) The origin story of the Brickhouse

(38:25) “Not get into the serious debt” model

(39:35) Treat your business like a video game

(40:00) The boss level!

(41:20) Principle-based system

(41:50) Mike’s tips for building a solid business

(43:30) Change is constant in Brickhouse

(44:00) Zoover gym

(47:00) Shout out to Jamie Lewis @plagueofstrength

(50:25) Make your gym unique!

(51:15) Product placement

(52:10) The cycle studio

(53:10) Always add to it!

(59:35) Shout out to Analisa Naldi @italiannna

(1:00:00) The Ying and Yang

(1:00:15) Shout out to Dr. Michael Hartle@drmichaelhartle

(1:00:45) Getting disappointed to grow kale

(1:03:10) Shout out to Geoff Neupert @geoff.neupert

(1:06:20) Mike’s weight before and after doing kettlebell muscles

(1:06:45) Which program helped Mike the most?

(1:10:50) Learning from the OGs

(1:11:05) Shout out to Paul McIlroy @paulmcilroyamazing12

(1:11:55) Shout out to Jerzy Gregorek 

(1:13:05) “A legitimate system will keep you strong without breaking you down.” - Mike Sousa @sousastrong

(1:15:15) Where to find Mike Sousa? @sousastrong