CONSULTING
Randall Hun – Athletic Apex, President/ CEO
Brent not only provided valuable business insight, but he was also engaged on a firsthand basis in a very supportive and personal way. Brent Darden isn’t only the best when it comes to fitness /health consulting he defines it.
Kirk Wilder – Utopia Food& Fitness, Sales Consultant
Brent has an extensive, international, successful track record that is second to none. With that said, he has never changed his passion towards EACH and EVERY person he touches. He strives to empower them to lead a more healthy lifestyle.
I find Brent to be modest, humble and very caring for others and at the same time he can incororate his world-class experience and credentials to assist companies in reaching their goals.
Danielle Terranova – Healthworks, Corporate Spa Director
Today, almost two years after our initial consultation, Healthworks feels like a totally different company. Member attrition is greatly improved, employee satisfaction has increased exponentially and the company vision, mission and core values drafted in our short time with you have become the governing principles upon which most crucial decisions are based. We all have this sense of who we are as a group and what we are trying to accomplish in our community. As employees of Healthworks, we have a special place in the lives of our members and each other and that is truly a noble thing that had been lost before we had the pleasure of working with you.
Laurie Gatlin – bodybar Studios, Owner
In my thirty year career in fitness, I have had privilege of working with some of the best talent in the Industry. During that time, I cannot think of anyone that I have more respect for than Brent Darden. I have known Brent for some 20 years and have watched as he has ascended to the highest levels of Service Excellence & Management. Without question, Mr. Darden designed and implemented some the “Best Practices” in our realm today. His achievements speak for themselves as he has earned multiple awards through IHRSA, and has been recognized locally, nationally and internationally, as one of the most astute businessmen in this generation of fitness. It is my experience that any counsel that Brent would provide, “if followed” will prove to heighten the professional experience of any fitness organization.
Daron Allen – Visual Fitness Planner, CEO
Brent has been an amazing asset over the last 4-5 years as Visual Fitness Planner has transitioned from a very small start-up venture to a more mature small business. Brent has facilitated our entire company through the many various “stages of business”. From initially helping us with team building and culture identity, to documenting and cementing our core values, mission, and vision statements, to facilitating “fierce conversations” – Brent has been there to lead us, guide us, push us and prod us! I value my relationship with Brent at the highest level. His willingness, expertise, and dedication to roll up his sleeves, learn your business, and creatively facilitate so many aspects of your business is absolutely second to none.
Chris Bell – Woodside Health & Tennis Club, General Manager
In the ever-more competitive health club industry, setting yourself apart from everyone else is getting more and more difficult. Brent’s Consulting team and their scientific, practical and proven approach to personal training has proven to be the perfect fit for the quality and brand Woodside has been striving to achieve, and elevates us above the competition. They listened, instructed, and adapted to our market and demographic and helped us implement a true overall PT program that fits our club and our members.
Katie Mclean – Assistant General Manager, Woodside Health & Tennis Club
When our club decided to make our personal training department a priority, Brent and TELOS Consulting carefully observed our current processes and systems and quickly delivered a clearly defined action plan to get us moving in a positive direction. The hands-on, open approach from their team mixed with a genuine willingness to help and lead proves that they want success for us just as much as we do. TELOS Consulting has not only improved our personal training department but indirectly made our staff and our club better overall.
Josie Wagner – Aerofit Health & Fitness Centers, Corporate Fitness Director
For the past ten months I have been working with Brent and the consulting team at Telos. We hired them with the purpose in mind of increasing our department’s revenue, and increasing the professionalism and education of our personal training staff. In the process of this department makeover, we have learned so much, and seen wonderful results. The Telos team of consultants has firmly and reassuringly coached us toward greater professionalism, accountability, and skills. They listen intently to our needs and concerns, and then advise us according to what they’ve seen work with themselves and other successful companies. They’ve empowered me as a manager to be a better leader and developer of my staff. I strongly recommend any company or department to take advantage of their experience, knowledge, and talent for the betterment of your team.
Karen Kirby, Owner, health style services and Management Consultant
If the health and fitness industry was run by a board of directors, Brent Darden should be the chairperson! I’ve had the honor of knowing and working with Brent for over 20 years. He is not only a world-class professional, he is a world-class person. One of those rare finds that truly cares about the people around him.
Brian O’Rourke – CEO at Integerus, CSO at Fitmarc, President at Fit-C
Brent is one of the most knowledgeable experts in the health club industry today. His speaking and presentation skills are excellent and his positive impact on organizations like IHRSA has been instrumental in moving the industry forward. Brent is an outstanding consultant and a wonderful person whom I highly recommend working with.
SPEAKING
Margaret Suarez-Wilson, COO, bodybar studios
Brent Darden’s presentations will captivate a crowd of any size. He uses a very direct yet interactive approach that speaks to all ages and backgrounds. His professional experience and ability to connect with his audience truly sets him apart from the rest. His topics are relevant to professionals of all industries.
Bill McBride, President & COO of Club One
Brent is one of the most amazing individuals I have come to know in our industry. I have known him from several different perspectives: 1) We participate on Faust Roundtable 1, an industry roundtable of owners and executives, 2) We serve together on the IHRSA Board of Directors, 3) We have traveled together in various industry speaking roles, 4) He has consulted with me and my team on Telos’s Fitness success. Brent is not only a man of integrity, genuine passion for the industry and an extremely competent owner/operator, he compassionately cares about people and does all he can to help others. I value my relationship with Brent and believe in his abilities in a very significant manner. If you are looking for organizational consulting, he is a stellar choice to help your team grow and achieve things they may have thought were impossible.
Marc Gagnon, Senior Manager, Meetings & Education, IHRSA
I have had the pleasure of working with Brent Darden as a speaker since 2007. He is very well respected throughout the fitness industry and his knowledge and experience are clearly evident during his presentations. Brent has consistently been one of IHRSA’s most highly rated speakers, and I know that I can always trust that he will do a great job representing the association.
ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Yvette Quantz, RDN, CSSD, LDN, Food Therapy Online
Brent Darden is an amazing business coach and mentor. His honest and practical approach keeps you focused and on target to reach the goals set for your business. His ability to listen to what you are trying to achieve is a unique trait that helps you stay clear on the vision you are building. He is also a numbers guy. As a registered dietitian, the numbers and financial part of my business is not my strong point, but Brent reminds me how important it is to keep this in check, he regularly ask “is this a hobby or a business?” And if you say “business” he will keep you accountable and focused to make it a profitable one.”
Janice Smith, Smith Protective Services, Inc.
I asked Brent to share his knowledge and advice to our legacy leaders, who eventually will run our company. I felt Brent’s own management policies were outstanding given the way I see Telos Fitness Center perform on a daily basis. Among the many jewels we all took away from his presentation was the importance of foundational principles and that you must know your company’s Mission, Vision, and Values to achieve organizational alignment. Otherwise, your company is meaningless and has no purpose. His hiring and training practices should be models for all businesses.
John Atwood, Atwood Consulting Group LLC
Brent delivers a broad and unbiased perspective on these issues, has a gifted eye for design, is tuned into the range of strengths and weaknesses of all the equipment manufacturers, and knows the current trends in the industry. Regarding the critical issue of equipment mix; every facility requires different ratios of equipment types and Brent has a keen instinct for how many treadmills versus ellipticals, bikes etc. should be offered by each unique fitness facility. Brent’s knowledge and feel for each fitness model go far beyond the raw industry data that is available for these decisions.
In addition Brent is an extraordinary public speaker, a true expert in customer service and staff motivation, and is one of the best in the country regarding growing profit centers such as personal training. His track record speaks for itself.
Alex Smith, Smith Protective Services, Inc.
I have known Brent for 10 years. He is a dynamic and exceptional business consultant with an amazing background! He did a great job helping me with my business plan by applying the most effective strategies I have ever heard of. I look to Brent not only as a business consultant, but as a mentor as well.