Tonal - Troy Taylor

02/11/25 • 30 min

Today on Startup to Storefront, we’re sitting down with Troy Taylor, a globally recognized leader in human performance and innovation. With a career spanning seven Olympic Games, Troy has worked with over 500 Olympians and 50 Olympic medalists, helping athletes reach peak performance on the world’s biggest stage. As the former High Performance Director at U.S. Ski & Snowboard, he played a pivotal role in securing 15 Olympic medals—including seven gold—at the 2018 PyeongChang Games.

Now, as the Senior Director of Performance & Innovation at Tonal, Troy is bringing his expertise to the world of connected fitness. Tonal, the pioneer behind the world’s smartest strength training system, is redefining how people train by combining revolutionary digital weight technology with AI-powered coaching. From strength training and HIIT to mobility and recovery, Tonal adapts to each user’s needs, helping them break through plateaus and reach their full potential.

On this week's episode, you’ll learn: Why most fitness apps fail—and the science behind keeping people engaged in long-term fitness The shocking reason 90% of people quit the gym—and how technology is changing the way we approach strength training Everything you need to know about Tonal—from its game-changing features to cost, installation, and whether it’s worth the investment

Get ready for an episode packed with expert insights, industry secrets, and a deep dive into the future of fitness.

Get ready for an episode packed with expert insights, industry secrets, and a deep dive into the future of fitness.

Previous Episode

REVERIE - Garrett Markenson

This week on Startup to Storefront: Garrett Markenson, Founder of REVERIE

Over a decade ago, industry-leading hairstylist Garrett Markenson set out to change the way we think about hair. Frustrated by the industry's approach, he created REVERIE—a brand rooted in integrity, innovation, and clean, effective formulas designed to truly nurture hair.

Beyond being a visionary in haircare, Garrett shares how becoming a hairstylist was a liberating, life-changing decision—one that shaped his perspective on creativity, business, and sustainability.

This week, we dive into: Haircare secrets you need to know Garrett’s journey to building a brand that disrupts the industry The art of hairdressing & why it’s more than just a profession

Tune in to hear how he’s redefining beauty, one thoughtful formula at a time.

Next Episode

Eight Sleep - Matteo Franceschetti

Today, we’re sitting down with Matteo Franceschetti, the founder and CEO of Eight Sleep—a company revolutionizing the way we think about rest, recovery, and human potential.

Matteo has always been obsessed with performance—whether it was on the slopes as a competitive ski racer in his native Italy, on the tennis court, or behind the wheel of a race car. That same drive propelled him into the legal world and led him to launch not one, but two clean-tech companies across two continents—all before the age of 30. But with success came sleepless nights. Frustrated by the lack of innovation in sleep technology, Matteo set out to change that. He founded Eight Sleep, a company turning the bed into a seamless health platform designed to optimize sleep, improve performance, and even extend longevity.

On this week’s episode, you’ll learn:

✅ How elite athletes, including Formula 1 drivers and professional sports teams, are using Eight Sleep to gain a competitive edge.

✅ Why sleep is the next frontier in a multi-billion-dollar wellness revolution—and how technology is transforming the way we rest.

✅ The science behind sleep temperature, and why getting it right can be the key to deeper, more restorative sleep.

From athlete to entrepreneur, from restless nights to unlocking the science of better sleep, Matteo’s path to building Eight Sleep has been anything but ordinary. Join us as we explore the intersection of technology and wellness, the future of sleep optimization, and how Matteo is redefining what it means to rest well and perform at your peak.