Building an Empire - On Grit, Leadership, and Positivity - with Sarah Hayes | #44

At 51 years old, Sarah Longshore Hayes is the definition of grit, leadership, and longevity in fitness. In this episode of the Bolder Athlete Podcast, Josh sits down with the owner of seven thriving gyms — Empire Fitness, CrossFit Madison, CrossFit Empire South, CrossFit Athens, CrossFit Hazel Green, CrossFit Shades, and Rocket City CrossFit — to unpack the story behind her “overnight” empire.Sarah opens up about her early days teaching group fitness, her rise through Gold’s Gym, and the life‑altering moment when her mother was diagnosed with stage‑four breast cancer — the moment that ultimately led her to Huntsville and sparked the creation of Empire Fitness.She shares how she built multiple gyms from the ground up, the leadership standards she refuses to lower, and the mindset that has carried her through decades of coaching, competing, and business ownership. You’ll hear how she balances high‑energy gym life with quiet farm life, why she still teaches classes every day, and how being a Bolder Athlete has reshaped her as both a coach and competitor.If you’re an athlete, coach, entrepreneur, or anyone who values discipline, faith, and purpose‑driven work, this conversation will hit home.Chapters: 🏃‍♀️ Sarah’s background & early fitness career💗 Her mother’s diagnosis & the birth of Empire Fitness🏢 Building and scaling seven gyms🎤 Why she still teaches group fitness🧭 Leadership, standards & culture✨ Faith, resilience & navigating hard seasons🔥 Becoming a Bolder Athlete🕊️ Longevity, competition & what drives her today