The Empower Group

06/05/2026

💪 🎤

🚀 From Power Ranger Stuntman to Leadership Strategist!

Today's episode on The Aquatics Life, Wesley King welcomes Chris Stevenson for an inspiring conversation about what it really takes to build high-performing teams.

Chris has spent more than two decades helping organizations in the fitness, recreation, and hospitality industries develop stronger leaders, healthier cultures, and more effective teams. Today, he's a sought-after keynote speaker, consultant, and author known for helping organizations unlock their full potential.

🎙 Episode:
From Stuntman to Strategist: Building High-Performing Teams 🌊

We'll discuss:
✅ Leadership that inspires action
✅ Creating a winning team culture
✅ Communication strategies that build trust
✅ Accountability and performance systems
✅ Personal growth and professional success

📅 Friday
🕐 1:30 PM EST

Don't miss this powerful conversation filled with practical leadership lessons you can apply right away.

Tag a leader who needs to hear this! 👇🏻

06/02/2026

We're thrilled to share a preview of Chris Stevenson's keynote at the AB Show 2026 in Orlando this November. 🎤 👏

This is going to be a different kind of conversation on the main stage. Get a quick look at what he's bringing to one of the fitness industry's biggest conferences. 💪

November 17-19 in Orlando. If you're in the fitness and recreation space, this is one you don't want to miss. 😎

Link below to learn more and register.

05/31/2026

Empowered Moments of Magic: A Customer Service Lesson from Delta ✈️

I was recently upgraded on a cross-country flight, but what Delta did next surprised me. 😲

Instead of assuming the upgrade would make me happy, they asked first. And my answer might not be what you expect.

Here's the thing: great customer service isn't about giving more. It's about understanding what people actually need. 💙

Watch the full story to see what I chose and why it matters for your organization. Link in the comments!

05/25/2026

Today we remember and honor those who gave everything for our freedom. ❤️

To the fallen and their families: thank you. Your courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten. 🙏

05/20/2026

Introducing Empowered Insights: our weekly newsletter packed with practical strategies for leadership, communication, employee engagement, and workplace culture. 💼✨

No fluff. No theories that don't work in the real world. Just actionable insights you can implement immediately.

Every week, we break down the topics that matter most to your organization: dealing with difficult conversations, running effective meetings, building better teams, and creating cultures where people actually want to work. 💪

Ready to level up your leadership? Subscribe today! 🎯

Get practical, no-fluff insights on leadership, communication, employee engagement, workplace culture, and more delivered to your inbox every week.

05/12/2026

Our team had an incredible day in Worcester, Massachusetts, facilitating a full-day workshop for administrative professionals with the APWA! 🎉

Morning session: dealing with difficult people and situations. Afternoon session: time management. Two topics that are so relevant for the behind-the-scenes professionals who keep organizations running smoothly every single day. 💪

Huge thank you to David for bringing us in and trusting us to work with your team. We don't take that trust lightly! 🙏

The engagement from participants was outstanding. Administrative professionals are the backbone of every organization, and investing in their development creates a ripple effect that benefits everyone.

We're currently booking fall and winter workshops! If your team could benefit from training in leadership, communication, time management, handling difficult situations, and more, let's talk. 📩

Marisa Hoff Chris Stevenson

03/05/2026

One of our favorite events of the year is almost here! 🎉

We're headed to San Diego for the HFA Show on March 16th, and this year we're bringing something special: a real-world case study on building a service culture that keeps members coming back. 💪✨

Our team (Marisa Hoff and Chris Stevenson) will be joining Dianna Witherup Risley, owner of Snap Fitness Hood River, to break down exactly how she built a culture that members rave about. This isn't theory, it's practical strategies you can implement immediately. 🔥

If you're attending the HFA Show, come find us! We'd love to connect and talk about what's working in the fitness industry right now.

See you in San Diego! 🌴☀️ Health & Fitness Association

03/03/2026

You are negotiating every single day, whether you realize it or not.

With members. With staff. With vendors. With your board. And yes, even in sales conversations, which we know makes some of you cringe.

This week, we reviewed Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss in our newsletter, and the takeaways are too good not to share here.

Voss was an FBI hostage negotiator. Most of us are not negotiating for someone's life, but the principles translate directly to the work we do in fitness, recreation, and leadership.

Here are 5 concepts from the book worth knowing:

1. You are already negotiating. Every refund request, membership pitch, and vendor conversation is a negotiation.
2. Stop trying to win. The goal is to understand what the other person actually wants so both sides feel heard.
3. Use tactical empathy. It is not about agreeing. It is about making someone feel understood. That alone changes the dynamic.
4. Try mirroring and labeling. Repeat the last few words someone says to keep them talking. Name the emotion you are sensing. Simple and surprisingly effective.
5. Ask calibrated questions. Instead of saying no directly, ask "How am I supposed to do that?" It shifts the conversation completely.

No margin, no mission. You need revenue to serve people well, and negotiation is a skill worth developing.

If you work in an industry that serves people, this book is gold. Go grab it.

Have you read it? What was your biggest takeaway? Drop it in the comments. 👇

01/28/2026

Are you filling or draining? 🪣

I just re-read How Full Is Your Bucket? and remembered something every leader forgets...

Your team is walking around with invisible buckets. And whether you realize it or not, you’re impacting them with every single interaction.
The question is: what are you doing with that power?

Watch to learn how focusing on filling buckets changes everything. 👆

👇 Tag a leader who needs this reminder, or share how you’re showing up for your team today.

01/21/2026

Why are we hanging upside down on a Tuesday night in LA? 🤸‍♀️😄

Because this is what it looks like when you truly get to know a client and their vision. Last night we met up, did some aerial yoga, and spent time connecting beyond spreadsheets and strategy decks.

We’ve been working with this client for a while now, starting with financial planning and business modeling. Now we’re moving into the next phase. Layout design. Branding. SOPs. Org charts. Software selection. All the details that turn a great idea into a great business.

This is also a good reminder that, beyond keynotes, breakout sessions, and workshops, we love rolling up our sleeves and doing strategic advising work like this. Being in the weeds. Thinking holistically. Building something meaningful alongside our clients.

We’re excited to be on this journey and cannot wait to help bring this incredible studio to life. Sometimes the best progress happens when you’re willing to look at things from a different angle 🙌✨