Fitness Phillip Mills of Les Mills Talks the Power of Community Collin Helwig August 26, 2026 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share via Email Phillip Mills Phillip Mills joins ATN Disrupt to discuss where the fitness industry is headed from the perspective of one of its most enduring brands In the latest episode of Disrupt by Athletech News, Les Mills founder and executive director Phillip Mills joins ATN founder and CEO Edward Hertzman to look a how fitness has become something people center their entire lives around rather than weave in, and why specialization is the “key to evolution of human civilization.” Additionally, Mills and Hertzman touch on why group fitness has become so durable as a concept, as well as the value of a talented instructor. The pair also discuss the thing AI will never replace, whether or not there should be a line be drawn between fitness and its adjacent concepts, and why human capital is the most important asset for a business owner. Listen to this episode of Disrupt for more on: How big box gyms are putting more pressure on boutiques Why the gym has value in being a refuge The balance the comes with being in the exercise and motivation business Key Talking Points (0:00 – 1:53) Introductions (1:53 – 7:52) Les Mills’ current view of the industry (7:52 – 19:41) Creating a winning formula (19:41 – 22:08) Les Mills’ take on AI implementation (22:08 – 28:43) What’s being underestimaed and overestimated in fitness (28:43 – 35:48) Why specialization matters (35:48 – 40:46) How much should fitness invest in wellness and medicine? (40:46 – 46:49) Goals, hurdles and thoughts on the future (46:49 – 51:16) Rapid fire questions (51:16 – 52:21) Wrap up Tags: Group Fitness Les Mills Phillip Mills Videos