Gaelan Behie is the CEO and one of the co-founders of Venum Combat Fitness.
Born and raised on the west coast of Canada, he has been involved in fitness and combat sports for over 15 years. He has owned and operated gyms, created online training systems, designed apparel, and even managed fighters and co-promoted events.
Having now been working with an all star team consisting of Frank Mir, Robert Drysdale, and Venum founder Franck Dupuis for over 18 months, Gaelan could not be more excited to launch Venum Combat Fitness.
Tell us about the Venum Combat Fitness concept.
The Venum Combat Fitness concept is a combination of world class level martial arts and fitness training that is available and men, women, and children of all ages and skill levels. We are taking the premium quality of the Venum brand and turning it into a gym experience.
How and when did you become involved with Venum Combat Fitness?
I began working with Venum on this project about 18 months ago with my partners, Robert Drysdale and Justin Shaw. It first began with a different vision but quickly refocused to growing the Venum name through gyms worldwide.
What was your background prior to joining Venum Combat Fitness?
I have always been a bit of a serial entrepreneur since my mid twenties. I co-founded a successful fitness company with a studio in Vancouver, Canada as well as online video component. I also started a national distribution company, a clothing brand, and also worked in professional boxing as a manager and promoter. Boxing is still to this day one of my greatest passions. After selling my shares in these ventures I decided to use my experience to start a business development company that specialized in startups and brand expansion which led me to this amazing opportunity to work with Venum.
What are some of the advantages in being a Venum Combat Fitness franchisee?
We provide name brand recognition, a retail program that encompasses everything from apparel and equipment to a full nutritional line, proven systems in memberships, as well as access to some of the most accomplished fighters, coaches, and fitness professionals in the world. The Venum brand is in a state of growth and expansion which this will directly affect our franchisees.
Who is your ideal franchisee?
Our ideal franchisee is passionate about martial arts and fitness and sees the value in aligning with a trusted brand name like Venum. They want to apart of an elite team that stands out from the competition.
Tell us a little about the martial arts market?
Combat sports and fitness are a fast growing market worldwide both individually as well as in combination. As sports like boxing, Muay Thai, Jiu-Jitsu and MMA rapidly expand becoming mainstream the sports, new demographics such as women and children are introduced with the goal and focus being more about empowerment, self defense, skill developing, and personal fitness as opposed to strictly competitive combat.
What are some of the greatest lessons you’ve learned in growing this franchise?
The franchising aspect of this project has really just began but having been so immersed in the set up of it I have really learned the value that a franchisor can provide to franchisee when they provide a good product with proven systems.
Do you have a mentor or someone you use for inspiration?
Every member of our founding team has managed to turn their biggest passion into a career. Whether it is Frank Mir and Robert Drysdale pursuing championships in sports that were anything but mainstream when they started out or Franck Dupuis who stepped away from a comfortable living to start the Venum brand. Everyone one of us took risks in many different ways to get to where we are in life and every one of us had to overcome a lot of obstacles and ignore a lot of naysayers along the way. I find a lot of inspiration in that.
What advice do you have for someone looking to acquire a Franchise?
To be a successful business owner you don’t have to be an expert in every aspect of your business. Know what you are good at and areas where you need assistance.
In your opinion, why do you think that Venum Combat Fitness would be a great opportunity for someone?
I know the value and reach that our brand has as well as the expertise and support of our team. Although we are a new company our team’s experience in the martial arts industry as well as our experience in other related industries such as retail and nutrition is second to none. I believe that there is nobody in the market that can provide what we can.
