» Career Profile From the Ground Up
A long ago humbling interview eventually led Matt Cassells to his fulfilling GM role with the Cambridge Group of Clubs
Matt Cassells
It was very different than any inter- view process I had been a part of, and it showed that the club took great care in hiring. It was a humbling experi- ence, but one that I am forever thank- ful for. Fortunately, I was hired as a floor coach at the Adelaide Club soon after, and that began my career at the Cambridge Group of Clubs.
BY PAULA COMFORT
What initially attracted you to the fitness industry?
G
rowing up in an active family, playing sports and being a mem- ber of a fitness club as I grew up
gave me an appreciation for health and wellness. As a result, I pursued a de- gree in kinesiology. Today, I’m fascinat- ed by how much the industry continues to grow and how educated and well- versed personal trainers and fitness in- structors have become.
How did you find your first job in the industry? My family belonged to Club Meadowvale (in Mississauga, Ontario), and when a floor coach position be- came available I applied and got the job. I loved it. It was an opportunity to meet people, showcase the club and help members work towards their goals.
When did you realize you could have a career in the industry? This may seem a bit odd, but it was when I applied for a membership sales position at the Adelaide Club in Toronto and didn’t get the job. There were sev- eral interviews, and senior leadership members were involved in the process.
16 Fitness Business Canada Winter 2019
What opportunity accelerated your development the most? Moving into the role of operations manager at the Toronto Athletic Club. I had been the membership director there for three years, and during that time our team brought the club to membership capacity. The operations manager position let me continue to work with the membership but also be involved in capital expenditure proj- ects, and work closer with our team of 12 managers on continued business development.
What leadership development tool or course has had the most impact for you? • I am a huge fan of Harvey
Schacther, who is a columnist for the Globe and Mail. He writes a weekly article called the “Monday Morning Manager.” I’ve always found it to be in- sightful, and I have shared it with our team on many of occasions.
• IHRSA conferences. The tradeshow
is impressive, and a number of the key- note speakers and breakout sessions have allowed me to meet interesting people and bring their information and ideas back to the club. The event also showcases just how massive the fitness industry has become.
What has been the most challenging part of your role? I have been back at the Adelaide Club as the general manager for just over three years. When I first came back, we had some work to do, and some lofty (yet attainable) goals to hit.
Establishing a plan and prioritizing objectives through year one, two and three was challenging. We determined our end goal and worked backwards to create a plan. By not making ma- jor adjustments or changes all at once we have had some very successful years while maintaining the culture of the club. The Adelaide is an incred- ible community with the best mem- bers and a terrific team of engaged staff that I consider myself lucky to be part of.
What makes you unique as a general manager? I’m not sure if I’m unique in any par- ticular way, but I truly enjoy hospital- ity and seeing people succeed. I view myself as a facilitator and a resource person who is working with our teams to continue to improve the member experience. It’s incredibly rewarding.
What leadership books do you recommend for future managers? I’m not a huge book person, but two speakers who stand out are Marcus Buckingham and Tom Peters. The mes- sage from Marcus that resonated with me was, “Focus on your strengths.” My favourite quote from Tom is, “Leaders don’t create followers, they create more leaders.”
What career advice do you have for new graduates? Ask, ask, ask. Learn as much as you can, and don’t be afraid to ask ques- tions and provide feedback. Be prepared to put in the time and
effort. Embrace collaboration. FBC
Paula Comfort has 20+ years of experience in the fitness industry. Most recently she was man- aging director of Fitness for Spa Chakra Inc., a luxury spa and health club company where she started the division. Previous roles include area vice-president of The Sports Clubs of Canada/ Bally Total Fitness. She is currently a partner in her own consulting company, 360 Impact Group. Contact her at paula@360impactgroup. com or 416-565-6025.
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