We were lucky to catch up with Donnie Mcdaniel recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Donnie, thanks for joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

Moving from concept to execution on my nutrition program for my gyms and for the the non-profit that I work at Called Warrior WOD was a labor of love. I have found that most clients need a 12 session plan to truly master their basic nutrition habits. Before developing the now complete 12 session/six month plan, I just did things haphazardly.

I wanted more for my clients, so after working some for a few years, I sat down and created the first draft of my program that takes people from knowing very little about nutrition to having the habits they need in place to be successful. Over six months, I made several editions before settling in on one model that I felt really moved people at a pace that they could follow and that has been in use ever since in two different gyms and at Warrior WOD.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I came into fitness and nutrition coaching as a late in life career change. I have four earned degrees including a terminal degree, but now I am only using transferable skills from my previous career. I was working as a fitness coach part time with my wife and co-owner Shannon and noticed that people genuinely struggle with their nutrition more than any other part of their wellness.

For me this was a problem as nutrition is really simple, it’s just not easy. Compliance and lack of knowledge work together to keep people from actually achieving their goals. Thankfully, it usually only takes some minor changes for most people to really start to see a major difference in about three to six months worth of effort.

I sit and listen to people to find out their true goals and then help them nail down their true “why” for those goals. Only when knowing where a client wants to go, can I help craft a plan for them to achieve them. Every plan is a little different, so I just have to work with the client to build a successful strategy.

While I love the progress that any client makes, I am the proudest of my clients at Warrior WOD beach they are in the program as part of their treatment for PTSD. We often see a 29-31% reduction in PTSD symptoms and its a great way to give back to our veterans.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Sure, fitness is a very fickle business and the wants and desires of clients change with the times. We own two CrossFit gyms that fit and serve two very different communities. Our Charleston gym is a warehouse and served a more competitive community for some time . However our community is shifting to more of a health focus and that is making us rethink so much about our building, our coaching staff and what we offer. Our other gym is in a very nice climate controlled facility in Myrtle Beach and CrossFit is just part of an overarching package that we offer that ranges from Reformer Pilates to Personal Training. Having these two locations has helped us better understand how to serve a wide variety of people and is currently helping us pivot in both locations for what is next.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

We use an excellent CRM system from our Partners at Push Press. This system has automated workflows that help ups stay connected with our clients at important milestones in their client journey. This system really helps us create brand loyalty and keeps us on point with client involvement.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ironbridgecrossfitcom www. gotcore.com
• Instagram: @iron_bridge @gotcore
• Facebook: Iron Bridge CrossFit Core Fitness Club

Image Credits

Tabatha Skelton Photography