Where 2026 Takes Shape: How Q1 Momentum Builds the United Way!
- Jan 30
- 8 min read
How Q1 Momentum Builds the United Way 2025 showed us what’s possible; 2026 is where we raise the bar together.
As we step into 2026, our focus is simple but powerful:
creating the right behaviours that drive consistency across our business.
The most successful people I’ve seen, whether employees, managers, or leaders, are those who do the basics exceptionally well and, more importantly, do them consistently.
This mindset reflects the power of atomic habits: small actions, repeated daily, that lead to extraordinary results.
Every role matters. Whatever your position, when you execute your responsibilities with care and consistency, you contribute directly to our collective success. We want everyone to feel proud of what we achieved in 2025 and inspired to give even more in 2026.
Being Competition-Ready starts with improving ourselves each day. Making Smart Moves ensures we grow sustainably. Team Power means moving as one, towards one million members, one thousand clubs, and one united vision.
Kobe Bryant famously shot 500 baskets a day, yet only a fraction showed up on game day. That discipline is the lesson. Aiming up, to be better every day, is heroic.
So as we begin this year, ask yourself:
What habit will you change this year to elevate yourself and our team?
🌱 Bringing Our UNITED DNAs to Life: How We Inspire to Grow
At Inspire Brands Asia, we know that success is never a solo act. It happens when we choose to show up for each other and celebrate every win. That’s why we’re proud to introduce our foundation, these aren’t just nice words on a page, they’re how we choose to work, lead, and grow together:
These DNAs are the heartbeat of IBA. They guide how we make decisions, how we create a culture where people feel inspired to do their best work and supported to thrive. 🌍✨
But the real beauty of these DNAs is that they already exist in the stories happening around us every day. You see real stories that show exactly what it looks like when we dare, lead, care, learn, and play together. Each one is a reminder that our culture is built not by words, but by the actions and choices we make every day.🌟
2026 DNA Awards
This is your chance to celebrate the people who truly live our DNAs.
Every quarter, we recognize Purple Warriors who inspire others through We Dare, We Care, We Lead, We Learn, and We Play.
Nominate a teammate who makes a real difference and deserves to be seen.
At the end of the year, one outstanding winner will be crowned as the DNA Grand Champion and walk away with our ultimate prize… a Holiday Trip to Bali. 🌴
Celebrate greatness. Nominate boldly. The next champion could be someone from your team.
🌟 Living Our DNAs Across Asia (Top Performers of 2025)
A celebration of the people, stories, and spirit behind our 1 United culture
Joy Rojas, Senior Club Manager | Simpang Bedok | Singapore
Joy’s story reflects the spirit of United DNA: #WePlay. Building a high-performing club culture that thrives on teamwork, positive energy, and shared wins. From presales to post-opening, Joy led the Simpang Bedok team with a strong sense of ownership and collaboration, creating an environment where people genuinely enjoy working together while delivering results.
Under her leadership, the club grew to over 800 members within months, delivered a highly engaging Grand Opening, and built a close-knit community with strong GX participation and PT engagement. The team’s energy and approachability are felt the moment members walk through the doors.
✨ Joy shows us that We Play isn’t just about fun, it’s about celebrating wins, lifting one another up, and creating a workplace where great results come from great team spirit. #WePlay #InspiretoGrow #UnitedDNA💜
Norish Idayu Fadhielah Binti Abdullah | Club Manager | Malaysia
2025 Top Club Manager Nominee
Norish’s journey is a strong reflection of leadership growth and development. Rising from a Brand Ambassador to Club Manager, and now leading a team of eight with confidence, consistency, and heart. Her story is one of learning from the ground up and turning experience into impact.
She has successfully driven strong presales performance, consistently hitting Personal Training targets month on month, while building a positive, performance-driven club culture that resonates with both her team and members.
Norish embodies a true “work hard, play hard” mindset. She maintains low staff attrition, stays deeply present for her people, and goes above and beyond to support both team members and club members. Through her leadership, she has created an environment where people feel motivated, supported, and proud to belong.
✨ Norish’s journey is inspiring because it shows what’s possible when commitment, growth, and people-first leadership come together. #WeLead #InspiretoGrow #UnitedDNA 💜
Zildjian Luys Sotto | CRM & Lifecycle Lead | Philippines
Zild’s story is a strong reflection of United DNA: #WeDare. Stepping into the unknown with courage, ownership, and a mindset to build solutions even without a clear roadmap. Over the past year, he played a pivotal role in establishing the CRM & Lifecycle function, building it from scratch with no existing playbooks, benchmarks, or internal references to rely on.
Despite the uncertainty, Zild consistently moved forward with openness and resolve, leading initiatives like AF Connect and AF Rewards through experimentation, adaptation, and continuous problem-solving. He did not wait for perfect answers before taking action. Zild embraced ambiguity, stayed solution-oriented, and remained committed to creating sustainable systems that support the business in the long term.
Zild also became a reliable pillar of support for club teams, helping staff navigate new systems, clarify uncertainties, and resolve operational challenges. Even when solutions were not immediately available, he took ownership by learning fast, testing options, and finding workable outcomes.
✨ Zild’s journey and his promotion is a testament to what it means to dare forward, even when the path is undefined. #WeDare #InspiretoGrow #UnitedDNA💜
Irish Jane Meralles | Senior Club Manager | Philippines
Irish’s story is a true reflection of United DNA: #WeCare. Her leadership is rooted in integrity, consistency, and genuine care for both people and members. She creates an environment where individuals feel valued, supported, and motivated to do their best.
Her commitment to customer excellence ensures that members don’t just visit a club; they experience a sense of belonging. Through warmth, attentiveness, and genuine connection, Irish builds trust that translates into long-term relationships and a strong sense of community.
Behind the scenes, Irish also cares deeply for her team, leading with empathy while maintaining high standards. Her steady presence, honesty, and heart make her a leader people trust and respect.
✨ Irish reminds us that #WeCare means putting people first, every interaction, every decision, every day. #WeCare #InspiretoGrow #UnitedDNA💜
Jackielyn Karla Gacutara | Senior Accounts Receivable Specialist | Philippines
Jackie’s story reflects the true essence of United DNA: #WeLearn. A consistent commitment to growth, curiosity, and self-improvement. She approaches her role with an open mindset, always eager to learn new skills, refine her processes, and better understand how her work contributes to the bigger picture. For Jackie, learning is not a one-time event, but a daily habit that guides how she shows up at work.
Her willingness to embrace new knowledge and experiences has strengthened both her individual performance and the way the team works together. By actively applying what she learns and openly sharing insights with her teammates, Jackie helps foster a culture of continuous improvement. This has encouraged collaboration, built confidence across the team, and supported more efficient and effective ways of working.
Beyond skills and processes, Jackie’s learning mindset creates positive ripple effects. Her curiosity and openness inspire others to ask questions, try new approaches, and grow alongside her. Through this, she reminds us that learning is a shared journey and when one person commits to growth, the entire team moves forward together.
✨ Jackie embodies #WeLearn by proving that progress starts with curiosity, consistency, and the courage to keep learning every day. #WeLearn #InspiretoGrow #UnitedDNA💜
These five stories shine a light on how our Purple Warriors live out our DNA values across Asia, each one reminding us of the power of daring, leading, caring, learning, and playing together. Yet the spirit of our community goes even further, as there are many more voices and contributions worth celebrating.
That’s why we’re also highlighting a few stories that also deserve to be recognized for the impact, passion, and heart they bring to our journey. 💜
🔑 Notable Highlights
💜 People Movements & Appointments with our United DNAs
Syed Umar
We’re pleased to share that Syed Umar has transferred from Senior Franchise Support Manager to Franchise Investor Development Manager, effective 1 February 2026. In this role, Syed will be part of the Franchise Development Team and will report to Nick Cowpar. His experience in franchise support positions him well to strengthen investor engagement and support our growth ambitions. 👥 #WeDare
Mark Edmalin
Congratulations to Mark Edmalin on his promotion to Design Manager, effective 1 February 2026. Mark moves from his role as Compliance Audit Coordinator and will be joining the Commercial Team, where he will continue to contribute through his strong attention to detail and cross-functional experience. #WeDare
These stories and achievements remind us that living our DNAs is not limited to one role, market, or moment. Together, they inspire us to keep building a culture where every step, big or small, moves us forward. Stronger, bolder, and always side by side. 💜
🥳 Welcome Aboard!
To all our new joiners across the region, we're thrilled to have you with us. You’re now part of something strong, united, and full of heart. Each of you brings something unique to our Purple community, your energy, your ideas, and your own story. That’s what makes us stronger as one. ✨ #WeDare #WeLead #WePlay
Together, let’s continue to dare, lead, care, learn, and play as true Purple Warriors, building a culture where we grow stronger side by side, every single day. 💜
We are excited to launch the IBA Signature Leadership Program, our flagship leadership development pathway designed to grow the next generation of IBA leaders. Built around a skills first approach, these programs focus on practical, real world leadership capabilities that can be applied immediately on the job. They reflect who we are as a company and strongly align with our #WeCare and #WeLead DNAs, developing leaders who care deeply about their people and lead with clarity, confidence, and accountability.
Registration details will be sent by your HR.
🚴♂️ Train for Your Life Campaign: A Movement with Purpose
Our “Train For Your Life” campaign has launched across our markets, and the early momentum is already inspiring. This isn’t just a marketing push, it’s a movement that reminds people that Anytime Fitness is for everyone, at every stage of their journey.
This campaign helps us connect with the wider community by tapping into the 95% of the population who aren’t gym-goers, encouraging them to take that first step toward a healthier lifestyle with Anytime Fitness as their partner along the way. #WePlay #WeLead
✨ Why this matters: It reinforces our purpose as a brand: making fitness accessible, welcoming, and achievable. No matter where someone is starting from.
🎁 AF Rewards: “Every Journey Counts” (Q1 Feature)
AF Rewards is Anytime Fitness’s new member rewards and engagement programme, designed to recognise and reward members for showing up, staying active, and engaging with the brand beyond workouts. #WeDare #WePlay
AF Rewards – Every Journey Counts
Every visit, every workout, every milestone matters. AF Rewards turns everyday habits into tangible rewards because consistency deserves recognition.
What this campaign is about:
This launch focuses on member engagement and retention, shifting the conversation from purely acquisition-driven marketing to long-term relationship building.
Key objectives include:
Encouraging higher gym visit frequency and sustained workout habits
Strengthening loyalty through gamification and rewards
Reinforcing the belief that fitness journeys look different for everyone and that all progress counts
Creating more meaningful touchpoints between members, clubs, and the brand
This initiative also supports frontline teams by giving them a simple, positive conversation starter with members, both in-club and digitally.
2025 has been a remarkable year of growth, leadership, and teamwork. Together, we strengthened our foundations, delivered meaningful impact across our markets, and moved closer to our shared mission of 1,000 gyms, 1,000,000 members, and one united vision 💜
Thank you for your dedication, resilience, and commitment throughout the year. As we step into 2026, let’s carry forward the momentum we’ve built with renewed energy, bold ambition, and a continued focus on people, performance, and purpose. ✨
Let’s make 2026 even stronger, together.✨
