Calling all small business warriors who feel chained to their business! Do you run your business or does your business run you? You’ve poured your blood, sweat and tears into it and it is time to set yourself free. I’m Bobby Mascia – owner of a wealth management firm, family office, manufacturing business, 18 store Dunkin Franchise, and de facto business coach. My goal? To liberate your business— whether it be operationally, prep for a sale, a legacy handover, or self-management. The roadmap to this freedom is something we will uncover together in Business Unchained.” Join me as I learn about fellow entrepreneurs, dissecting their past, present, and future.
About Dr. Jenny Woo
Dr. Jenny Woo is an educator, entrepreneur, and founder/CEO of Mind Brain Emotion, a company incubated at Harvard Innovation Labs that helps children and adults build emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and communication skills. With a Ph.D. in cognitive science and a master’s from Harvard, she has worked in human capital consulting at Deloitte, talent strategy at Cisco, and career coaching at UC Berkeley.
She is the creator of award-winning card games, including 52 Essential Conversations and 52 Essential Coping Skills, used in 50+ countries. Her work has been featured in CNBC, Forbes, FORTUNE, Fast Company, and more.
As a mother of three, Dr. Woo is passionate about helping families and professionals navigate modern challenges, build resilience, and create meaningful connections.
Reference Links:
Mind Brain Emotion Social Media
Dr. Jenny Woo Social Media
Episode Highlights:
What if the key to raising successful, resilient children isn’t about perfect grades or packed schedules—but something far more profound? In a world dominated by social media, academic pressure, and emotional recessions, how do we ensure our kids grow up with the emotional intelligence to thrive?
In this episode of Business Unchained, host Bobby Mascia sits down with Dr. Jenny Woo to discuss her journey from corporate consulting to creating tools that help families and workplaces develop essential human skills.
[07:54] ”When I say village, it doesn’t have to be a lot of people, but you really need that relationship. It could be a partner, a friend, a mentor to just help you stay on track and keep going.” — Dr. Jenny Woo
[09:46] ”We are experiencing an emotional recession. We don’t quite know how to talk to each other anymore.” — Dr. Jenny Woo
Dr. Woo explains how her company creates tools like conversation cards to help families and workplaces build emotional intelligence.
At its core, Dr. Woo’s story is about the power of emotional intelligence, resilience, and the belief that success isn’t just about academic or professional achievements—it’s about building meaningful connections and leading a balanced, fulfilling life.
In this episode:
About Sam Tooley
Sam Tooley is a dedicated fitness entrepreneur and coach from Westfield, New Jersey. In 2017, he returned to his hometown to pursue his passion for coaching, starting with local cross country and track teams. This quickly evolved into an online coaching service where he trained endurance athletes globally. In 2018, Sam launched his first brick-and-mortar gym, The Garage Gym, which grew from a semi-private model into a 24/7 members-only fitness hub. In 2019, he founded Alpha Fit Club, a boutique group fitness concept offering circuit-style strength and conditioning classes designed to foster community and empowerment. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Alpha Fit Club has expanded to over a dozen locations across New Jersey, with plans to build a national brand and the world’s most robust fitness community.
Reference Links:
Sam Tooley’s Social Media
Alpha Fit Club
The Garage Gym
Episode Highlights:
Ever wondered how people turn their darkest moments into their greatest triumphs? In today’s episode of Business Unchained, we sit down with Sam Tooley, co-founder and CEO of Alpha Fit Club, to explore his remarkable journey—from launching his first fitness studio to selling 20 franchises before opening the doors of the first one! Sam’s story isn’t just about business triumph; it’s also about overcoming personal struggles and finding one’s true path.
[06:55] “College was the catalyst of me recognizing that I probably wasn’t meant to sit in a room and follow a script or a playbook, but rather go make my own.” – Sam Tooley
[09:05] “‘I used the track as my punching bag. My coach, with his military background, pulled me aside once and said, ‘You’re the angriest runner I’ve ever seen.’ I get emotional replaying that because it was a reflection of all the frustration I carried.” – Sam Tooley
Sam opens up about his battle with addiction, grief, and the challenges he faced within his family, sharing how fitness became both his outlet and his salvation. Through his passion for coaching and his resilience, Sam found purpose and healing, which ultimately led him to create the Alpha Fit Club.
[06:32] “Even when I was like a junior in college, I would go sweep the floors at a dump at four in the morning just to make $30 so that I had money to go out at night.” – Sam Tooley
[15:47] “I was great at leading others, but I struggled to lead myself. It wasn’t authentic. When you finally start walking the walk, everything shifts.” – Sam Tooley
Sam pushed forward despite the hurdles, including launching Alpha Fit Club right before the pandemic. He innovated by organizing outdoor workouts, keeping the community engaged when it mattered most, and showcasing his commitment to connection during isolation.
[23:31] “My dad took too much of the medication they prescribed, which caused brain swelling and ultimately shut down his ability to breathe. It completely turned my world upside down.” – Sam Tooley
Sam also reflects on the importance of therapy in his personal growth. Initially, he threw himself into work and training, avoiding deeper emotional issues. But as he began to confront his pain head-on, he found the strength to heal truly.
[36:32] “At that moment, I finally gave myself permission to live my life. When you’re operating out of anger and frustration, you’re not truly living—you’re just going through the motions.” – Sam Tooley
[48:08] “Right before opening one franchise, we sold 20. So we sold out the state of New Jersey for the most part in all of the markets that we wanted to, to members, coaches, you name it.” – Sam Tooley
Sam’s story is a powerful testament to the strength of resilience, the importance of community, and the transformative nature of personal growth. His journey from addiction and loss to building a thriving fitness franchise offers invaluable lessons for both entrepreneurs and individuals. By facing challenges, seeking help, and fostering connection, we can navigate adversity and find success on the other side.
