I recently went one on one with Sebastien Lagree, founder and CEO of Lagree Fitness. A leading innovator in the worlds of fitness and pilates, Sebastien developed the Proformer and invented the Megaformer, the Supra, the EVO, and the EVO II.

Adam: Thanks again for taking the time to share your advice. First things first, though, I am sure readers would love to learn more about you. How did you get here?

Sebastien: Thank you for this opportunity, Adam. I got to where I am by pure luck, actually. I moved to Los Angeles for a career in acting, not a fitness career. However, I am a very intuitive person, and I felt like I was chasing the wrong dream as an aspiring actor. After my first 30 days in LA, I realized that fitness came naturally to me, so why fight it, and not go with it? And here I am, nearly 25 years later, still creating workout technology ahead of the rest of the industry. 

Adam: What experiences, failures, setbacks, or challenges have been most instrumental to your growth?

Sebastien: Like all entrepreneurs, I have had my fair share of challenges and setbacks. I’ve learned that growth and success are rarely a straight line. They are often a journey of peaks and valleys, ups and downs. Achieving success involves navigating these highs and lows on your way to the top. However, I'm proud to say that each has contributed something valuable to my development and success.

For starters, Covid-19 has certainly been one of the most unpredictable valleys of my business journey. As a result, I decided to diversify my company's offerings and services to be better equipped for future uncertainties. By broadening my business strategy and focusing on technology and innovation, I have taken advantage of emerging trends and created new growth opportunities, as demonstrated through many of our latest products. 

Adam: How did you come up with your business idea? What advice do you have for others on how to come up with great ideas?

Sebastien: It's been a long process; I did not dream up or build Lagree overnight. I've slowly built the Lagree brand and methodology for over 25 years, and the process is nowhere near complete! In fact, the process will never be complete because there’s always room for improvement. 

The workouts, machines, products, and methodology are still evolving. We are now at Lagree 2.0 and already working on Lagree 3.0! It's a fascinating process if you are the type of person who gets bored quickly. Lagree keeps me on my toes, and I love it. It's like riding this untamable bull.

My best advice is that one idea ain't enough; you have to keep it going, developing, testing, and innovating to stay ahead of the competition. You better have the next idea that will blow your competition out of the water and the idea next after that. Your success will be limited without the next idea and the idea after that. This is why it is essential to continually come up with fresh and innovative ideas to stay ahead of the game.

Adam: How did you know your business idea was worth pursuing? What advice do you have on how to test a business idea best?

Sebastien: I did not know whether it was worth pursuing at first. I never did any business studies, research, or planning. I think it’s all a big waste of time. And although I have an MBA, it was a complete waste of my time, effort, and studies. Everything I need to know will reveal itself at the appropriate time. Throughout the last 25 years, I learned that all the parts would come together somehow. 

As a business owner, you must trust the process and your path. If you are following your gut, everything will come to you. That's just how it works. You must take the first step and trust that you are making the right decisions. 

Adam: What key steps have you taken to grow your businesses? What advice do you have for others on how to take their businesses to the next level?

Sebastien: It’s really simple: you must have a vision for something needed in the market. You must create a purpose, meaning there needs to be a necessity for your business to exist.

Why should people care about your business? What products and/or services do you want to provide, and how do you deliver them? What are you offering that’s different from what already exists? Why should consumers buy from you instead of your competitors? 

As a business, it is important to be able to answer the questions of why customers should buy from you instead of your competitors. By offering something unique and valuable, businesses can stand out and gain the trust of their customers. It’s not rocket science. 

Adam: What are your best sales and marketing tips?

Sebastien: I have quite a few sales and marketing tips, but here are some of my best ones: 

1. Be original from your competition. Don’t copy others because consumers probably won’t buy from you. Always sell the truth. Never lie or exaggerate how your product or service provides specific results without a guarantee.

2. Be authentic. Be different. 

   Nowadays, businesses need to stand out from the competition to be successful. One of the best ways to do this is by being authentic and different. In this digital age, leveraging your unique qualities and creating a distinct brand identity is essential. By being true to yourself and your values, you can make a lasting impression on customers that will keep them returning for more purchases.

3. Make great products and offer superior services.

   Great products and superior services are the cornerstones of any successful business. They ensure customer satisfaction and create loyalty and trust among customers. Investing in quality products, efficient processes, and exceptional customer service will pay dividends in the long run, resulting in increased sales and happy customers.

   Focus on quality and keep improving your offerings.

4. The key to success is focusing on quality and improving your offerings. Quality should be the number one priority for any service or product. By continuously striving for excellence and making sure that you are always providing the best possible product or service, you will ensure customer satisfaction and loyalty. Additionally, improving your offerings will help you stay ahead of the competition and remain competitive.

Adam: What are your best health, nutrition, and fitness tips?

Sebastien: As the CEO of a fitness company, here are my top five tips: 

1. People live their lives to the extreme. Instead, strive for balance.

   Finding a healthy balance between hard work and leisure time, planning, being spontaneous, taking risks, and playing it safe are the keys to a fulfilling life. With a balanced lifestyle, you can achieve your goals while still carving out time to recharge and relax.

2. Make small adjustments and focus on progress because perfection doesn’t exist.

   Perfection is a myth; it does not exist. Instead of striving for an unattainable standard, you should focus on making small adjustments and progress over time. This approach helps you to stay motivated and continuously improve yourself and your work. 

3. The goal is to change your lifestyle permanently for the better.

   It takes time and effort to make lasting lifestyle changes that positively impact your life. However, with the right attitude, dedication, and perseverance, you can make these changes a permanent part of your life. Making small but consistent changes over time will help you achieve your goal of creating a healthier and happier lifestyle.

4. The only way to burn fat permanently is to eat way fewer calories. That's the secret.

   Eating fewer calories is the key to long-term weight loss. While there are various ways to burn fat, reducing caloric intake is the only way to ensure permanent results. With careful planning and dedication, it is possible to create an eating plan to help you reach your desired weight and maintain it for the long term.

5. Simply avoid binging and overeating.

   Taking simple steps to control your portions can make a huge difference. Eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding processed foods are just ways to avoid binging and overeating. With these simple strategies, you can give your body the support it needs to stay healthy and energized.

Adam: In your experience, what are the defining qualities of an effective leader? How can leaders and aspiring leaders take their leadership skills to the next level?

Sebastien: Well, I hate the 80s boss mentality type. Leaders today should be on the front lines with the rest of their team instead of hiding behind their desks. You can't get anything done when you’re hiding behind your desk. 

I teach every Sunday and teach at my micro-events with my team. I get on the floor with the rest of our trainers. We share the sweat. I want all our trainers to be better than me.

Adam: What are your three best tips applicable to entrepreneurs, executives, and civic

leaders?

Sebastien: Becoming a successful founder requires more than just hard work and determination. It also requires openness to new ideas, flexibility in facing challenges, and a willingness to take risks. Being open-minded and flexible can help founders navigate the ever-changing business landscape and stay ahead of their competition. The key is to remain open to different strategies and approaches to help you achieve your goals.

Being a successful founder is a challenging task. It requires a great deal of patience and perseverance to navigate the journey from idea to fruition. One of the most important things you can do is to be patient, as there will often be setbacks, delays, and other obstacles that need to be overcome. With a healthy dose of patience, you can stay focused on your long-term goals and make sure you progress toward them each day.

Listen to your customers and clients. Understanding their needs, wants, and challenges will help you create a product or service that meets their expectations. Listening to your customers actively can help you gain valuable insights that inform your decisions and ultimately make your business successful.

As a founder, it is essential to keep an idea going until it has been fully realized. If you have a vision, take the initiative, and make it a reality. With perseverance and hard work, you can turn almost any concept into a successful business venture. 

Adam: What is the best advice you have ever received?

Sebastien: The best advice I gave myself a long time ago: There are no limits except those we create for ourselves. This realization has enabled me to break through barriers that seemed impossible to penetrate.

Adam: Is there anything else you would like to share?

Sebastien: Yes, don't be afraid of doing things that are not popular or different. The Pilates industry has given me so much crap throughout the years for making my workout based on the reformer. And now, they all are trying to copy it.

Be original. Be the thinker that will challenge the status quo and never compromise in exchange for money.


Adam Mendler is an entrepreneur, writer, speaker, educator, and nationally-recognized authority on leadership. Adam is the creator and host of the business and leadership podcast Thirty Minute Mentors, where he goes one on one with America's most successful people - Fortune 500 CEOs, founders of household name companies, Hall of Fame and Olympic gold medal-winning athletes, political and military leaders - for intimate half-hour conversations each week. A top leadership speaker, Adam draws upon his insights building and leading businesses and interviewing hundreds of America's top leaders as a top keynote speaker to businesses, universities, and non-profit organizations. Adam has written extensively on leadership and related topics, having authored over 70 articles published in major media outlets including Forbes, Inc. and HuffPost, and has conducted more than 500 one on one interviews with America’s top leaders through his collective media projects. Adam teaches graduate-level courses on leadership at UCLA and is an advisor to numerous companies and leaders. A Los Angeles native, Adam is a lifelong Angels fan and an avid backgammon player.

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