JUAN A. GONZALEZ JR.
Fort Lauderdale,FL
Summary
Dynamic fitness executive, entrepreneur, combat veteran, and Medal of Honor winning public servant with over 14 years of experience leading high-performing fitness organizations and scaling multi-unit operations. Successfully founded, operated, and sold a profitable multi-location fitness company, bringing extensive executive leadership experience to South Florida. Results-driven professional equipped to deliver a unique blend of strategic vision and hands-on leadership within a dynamic organization. Proven track record in managing multiple regions, driving operational improvements, and spearheading initiatives that align with company goals while fostering team collaboration and achieving outstanding results.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Regional Manager
Amped Fitness
South Florida
01.2026 - Current
- Provide executive oversight across nine high-volume fitness clubs, partnering directly with district managers, general managers, and fitness leadership teams to improve operational performance.
- Created immediate month-over-month improvements in personal training production by implementing stronger accountability systems, leadership coaching, and sales execution.
- Lead regional strategy focused on personal training growth, new membership acquisition, collections, staffing, and leadership development.
- Coach and mentor dozens of leaders while creating standardized operating procedures and performance expectations across multiple districts.
- Utilize forecasting, KPI analytics, financial reporting, and business reviews to improve regional performance and support executive decision making.
- Collaborate with executive leadership on company initiatives, organizational growth strategies, and operational improvements.
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Ape-X Universe
01.2017 - 01.2025
- Founded and scaled a fitness company from concept into a successful three-location operation, overseeing every aspect of business development and operations.
- Directed strategic planning, financial management, budgeting, marketing, branding, hiring, payroll, vendor negotiations, equipment procurement, and facility operations.
- Built high-performing leadership teams while creating systems that increased operational consistency and member satisfaction.
- Successfully led the company through sustained profitability before completing a profitable business sale.
- Managed six-figure operating budgets while driving membership growth, personal training revenue, and long-term business expansion.
- Developed a leadership culture focused on accountability, innovation, and delivering industry-leading member experiences.
Firefighter / EMT
Chicago Fire Department
01.2016 - 01.2025
- Served with one of the busiest metropolitan fire departments in the United States responding to emergency medical incidents, rescues, and fire suppression operations.
- Awarded the Medal of Honor and multiple Medals of Valor for extraordinary courage, leadership, and service.
- Demonstrated calm, decisive leadership in high-pressure situations where lives depended on teamwork and execution.
- Built exceptional communication, crisis management, and leadership skills while serving the City of Chicago.
- Simultaneously owned and operated a successful multi-location fitness business while maintaining full-time service with the department.
Personal Trainer | Fitness Manager | Regional Fitness Director
XSport Fitness
Chicago, Illinois
01.2013 - 01.2016
- Progressed through multiple leadership promotions based on performance, sales growth, and leadership development.
- Directed fitness operations across 10 high-volume health clubs, overseeing more than 120 personal trainers, fitness managers, and department leaders.
- Responsible for $8M-$12M+ in annual personal training revenue, consistently improving sales performance through accountability systems and leadership development.
- Increased regional personal training revenue by more than 30% through standardized sales systems, trainer education, and performance coaching.
- Developed future leaders by mentoring fitness managers into regional leadership positions while creating a sustainable succession pipeline.
- Partnered directly with executive leadership to improve operational performance, member retention, forecasting, staffing strategies, budgeting, and profitability.
- Built standardized KPI dashboards allowing executive leadership to monitor sales performance, forecasting, trainer productivity, and operational trends.
- Conducted regional audits, leadership evaluations, and performance reviews ensuring consistency across every club.
Personal Trainer
Gold's Gym
Texas
01.2012 - 01.2013
- Began professional career in the fitness industry helping members improve health, confidence, and performance through customized training programs.
- Consistently exceeded personal training sales expectations through consultative selling and relationship-based coaching.
- Built long-term client retention through measurable results and exceptional member experiences.
- Developed expertise in assessments, program design, nutrition coaching, and sales presentations.
- Quickly became recognized for leadership potential within a high-volume commercial fitness environment.
Infantry Squad Leader
United States Army
01.2008 - 01.2013
- Honorably served in the United States Army Infantry, completing two combat deployments in support of overseas operations.
- Led, trained, mentored, and developed a squad of 10 soldiers, maintaining operational readiness, accountability, and mission success in high-pressure environments.
- Planned and executed combat operations while making critical decisions under extreme pressure and constantly changing conditions.
- Managed accountability for millions of dollars in military equipment while maintaining zero losses and ensuring mission readiness.
- Built the leadership foundation of discipline, accountability, resilience, and servant leadership that continues to drive executive success today.
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration -
Purdue University
Indianapolis, INAssociate Degree - undefined
University of Alaska
Skills
- Executive Leadership
- Multi-Club Operations
- Regional & National Fitness Leadership
- Personal Training Revenue Growth
- Sales Strategy & Execution
- Leadership Development
- Culture Building
- KPI & Performance Management
- Budget & P&L Accountability
- Forecasting & Business Analytics
- Talent Acquisition
- Member Experience
- Executive Reporting
- Cross Functional Leadership
Certification
- CPR / AED
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- First Aid
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- OSHA 10
- Secret Security Clearance
- ISSA CPA
Timeline
Regional Manager
Amped Fitness
01.2026 - Current
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Ape-X Universe
01.2017 - 01.2025
Firefighter / EMT
Chicago Fire Department
01.2016 - 01.2025
Personal Trainer | Fitness Manager | Regional Fitness Director
XSport Fitness
01.2013 - 01.2016
Personal Trainer
Gold's Gym
01.2012 - 01.2013
Infantry Squad Leader
United States Army
01.2008 - 01.2013
Associate Degree - undefined
University of Alaska
Bachelor of Business Administration -
Purdue University
LEADERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
- 14+ years in the fitness industry
- Multi-unit executive leadership experience
- Managed operations across 10+ clubs
- Led over 120 fitness professionals
- Responsible for more than $10M in annual personal training revenue
- Successfully founded, scaled, and sold a profitable fitness company
- Awarded Medal of Honor and multiple Medals of Valor as a Chicago Firefighter
- United States Army Combat Veteran
- Expert in sales leadership, culture development, and organizational growth