Paul Francis invented SpiraFlex resistance technology for a NASA Mission Critical program to provide a countermeasure against astronaut bone and muscle loss caused by zero gravity during long space missions. A NASA study proved SpiraFlex provided the same benefits as free-weights. Over 50 crewmembers have now worked out with the SpiraFlex iRED hardware on the International Space Station for almost 10 years. Francis licensed SpiraFlex technology to Nautilus Inc. and helped developed their Bowflex Revolution home gym, which has achieved sales of over $250 million.
OYO (On Your Own) was subsequently founded to pioneer the next fitness revolution by providing the benefits of exercise at the convenience of the user, without need to visit the gym or fill up a room with equipment. The company’s first product was the second most funded fitness product in Kickstarter history.
The company’s pipeline of connected (IoT) fitness equipment will change the way people get and stay fit by delivering on demand and live-streaming programs from top trainers directly to the user. Group exercise classes are using the OYO Gym in one hour high intensity programs for getting lean and fit, and to add strength to yoga and indoor cycling. In corporate wellness programs employees can be tracked and rewarded.
OYO is one of the fastest growing brands in the fitness industry, now expanding international distribution to Asia and Europe.
SONYA ANDREWS
Brand & Web Director
“I help OYO Fitness convey a brand that reflects its sleek, sophisticated, yet easy to use technology. I come from a background in ecommerce, identity branding and literary publishing, but fitness has always been very important to me. I love the outdoors and enjoy hiking, canoeing, trail running and scuba diving.”
NICK BOLTON
Fitness Director
“I am a personal trainer in Overland Park, body builder and former firefighter. I developed the workout and nutrition programs for the OYO Personal Gym and work with OYO Fitness as a virtual personal trainer for our workout videos. I also developed and ran the 10 Week Challenge program where participants lost an average of 17lbs and 19 inches.”
LEROY CHIAO, Ph.D.
OYO Fitness Advisor,
Former NASA Astronaut
Leroy Chiao has vast experience in both the public and private sector. In addition to his human spaceflight experience at NASA, he has also worked extensively in academia, government laboratories and in commercial ventures and technology startups. Leroy exercised with SpiraFlex technology for 6 months on the International Space Station and returned stronger than when he left.
LARRY GUERRA, P.E.
Product Development Director
“I perform product development and engineering on the OYO products. Working with our team members on the function and aesthetics, I develop the components and systems, testing with analysis software to verify the function and safety of our products before releasing for production. I keep fit with the DoubleFlex in the office, hiking and biking, hobbies include working in my machine shop.”
RICK PETRY
Direct Marketing Consultant
Rick Petry is a direct marketing veteran of over 25 years who has been involved with campaigns that have generated over $1 billion in sales. He provides creative services, guidance, and thought leadership to both B2C and B2B marketing campaigns. The author of over 200 articles on direct marketing best practices, Petry has a Bachelor of Arts in Cinema/Television from the University of Southern California and an MBA with a Concentration in Marketing and Sales from Marylhurst University. Rick is this year’s recipient of the Direct Response Marketing Alliance (DRMA) Member of the Year award, as voted by his peers.
GRAHAM RIPPLE
COO
“I work alongside Paul and the OYO team to take the vision of On Your Own fitness and create a deployable strategy. I then help manage the team and resources so the strategy comes to life. I am an engineer turned entrepreneur having successfully launched two companies serving in the nutraceutical and healthy, prepared meals spaces.”
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” Teddy Roosevelt