From cleaning exercise equipment to selling memberships to co-founding the world’s fastest-growing fitness club franchise, Dave Mortensen has done just about everything you can do in the fitness industry. That wide-ranging experience has helped him become one of the world’s leading experts on “Making Healthy Happen.” His heartfelt practice of emotional intelligence has earned Dave a reputation, amongst his co-workers and throughout the entire fitness industry, as a thoughtful and generous leader. And it’s just part of the reason he was recently named an “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Ernst & Young.
As the President and Co-founder of Self Esteem Brands, Dave leads a global collection of franchises intent upon improving the health and wellness of millions of people worldwide.
In the early days of Anytime Fitness, Mortensen helped spur the company’s growth by overseeing the development and implementation of its integrated security, surveillance, usage-tracking and reciprocity systems. These days, he’s heavily involved in Anytime Fitness’ evolution from a gym that emphasizes simple convenience to one that offers round-the-clock coaching services, utilizing the latest technology to provide members with support, nutritional information, and a wide array of new fitness training programs. Mortensen also continues to play an important role in leading the expansion of Anytime Fitness worldwide, frequently travelling to consult with master franchisees all over the globe.
The first Anytime Fitness gym opened its doors in Cambridge, MN in May of 2002. In the years since, Anytime Fitness has quickly become an international powerhouse -- with nearly 5,000 gyms located in all 50 states and nearly 40 countries on all seven continents, serving nearly 4 million members.
Under Mortensen’s leadership, Anytime Fitness has earned numerous industry accolades, including “One of America’s Most Promising Companies,” “Top Global Franchise,” “Fastest-Growing Fitness Club,” a “Top Franchise for Minorities,” and “The Best Place to Work in Minnesota” -- four years in a row.
In addition to Anytime Fitness, Self Esteem Brands serves as the parent company to three other rapidly-growing franchises: Waxing the City – with nearly 200 studios dedicated to providing the finest waxing experience imaginable; The Bar Method – a popular, low-impact fitness franchise with more than 100 studios across 30 states and Canada; and Basecamp Fitness – a high-intensity, class-based fitness concept.