Building Community and Connection in Business with Will Bartholomew
79% of consumers prefer to engage with brands that foster a sense of community (HubSpot).
Yet many businesses still focus on transactions over relationships, missing the deeper loyalty and growth that come from connection.
In this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, we’re joined by Will Bartholomew, Founder and CEO of D1 Training.
From playing alongside Peyton Manning at the University of Tennessee to building one of the fastest-growing fitness franchises in the country, Will has spent his career proving that community and accountability drive performance both on and off the field.
🎙️ Hosted by Tullio Siragusa and Mike Liwski
🎧 Produced by Tullio Siragusa
🧭 In this episode, we explore:
• How lessons from Division 1 athletics shaped Will’s leadership philosophy
• Systems that allow D1 Training’s culture of accountability to scale across 150+ locations
• Stories of athletes and communities transformed through D1’s model
• Why community and compassion are essential to long-term business success
🎧 Whether you’re leading a startup, scaling a franchise, or growing your team, this conversation shows why community is the ultimate competitive advantage.
Will Bartholomew
Founder and CEO of D1 Training
Will Bartholomew is the Founder and CEO of D1 Training, one of the fastest-growing fitness franchises in the United States. With over 155 facilities open, 250 in development, and a presence in nearly every major U.S. market, D1 Training has redefined how athletes train—bringing Division 1-level performance training to people of all ages and fitness levels.
Born and raised in Nashville, Tenn., Will’s passion for training was evident early. He was a three-sport All-State athlete in football, wrestling, and track, eventually earning a scholarship to the University of Tennessee, where he played fullback alongside Peyton Manning. As a member of the 1998 National Championship team and captain of the 2001 squad, Will developed a deep commitment to structured, high-performance training—an experience that would become the foundation for D1.
After a brief stint with the Denver Broncos, a career-ending knee injury redirected Will’s competitive drive into entrepreneurship. In 2003, he opened the first D1 facility in Nashville with a mission to deliver Division 1-level training in a team-oriented, goal-driven environment.
Under his leadership, D1 Training has earned national recognition, including:
• #390 on Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2025 Franchise 500
• #1,024 on the 2023 Inc. 5000 list (Top 5 in fitness category)
• Top 30 Gym in America by Men’s Health
• Named one of the 50 Fastest Growing Companies in multiple business rankings
Will also hosts "The Turf, Powered By D1," a visual podcast featuring conversation… Read More
