Some CEOs chase growth by focusing only on customers and revenue. The best CEOs know their employees are just as critical. My guest on The Scaling CEO, Lindsay Johnson, proves that building a company means investing in people.
Lindsay is the founder and CEO of FitPros, a workplace wellness company she bootstrapped into a global provider. Her journey is one of resilience: overcoming financial struggles, personal tragedy, and the challenge of being both a founder and a mother. Her story is a reminder that culture, empathy, and authenticity drive growth just as much as strategy.
Hiring Lessons From a Bootstrapped Founder
Lindsay built FitPros without venture backing. That forced her to make every hire count. She learned the hard way that “hire fast, fire fast” doesn’t always work when you don’t have investor money to burn.
“I jumped on a little too fast with very expensive people and didn’t quite do the right due diligence to ensure that they’re the right people.”
Her lesson for CEOs: don’t assume your new hire is a winner on day one. Give them a 30–60–90 day plan and keep other candidates warm until you know you’ve made the right call.
The Blind Spot CEOs Overlook
CEOs often believe their primary job is to spend time with customers. Lindsay pointed out the other side of the equation.
“CEOs get so busy and so consumed in the next thing to do that they forget about their people and their needs.”
Ignoring employees leads to missed insights and stalled growth. At FitPros, Lindsay built feedback loops with over a thousand instructors who are “boots on the ground” with customers. Employees aren’t just workers; they’re your sensors in the market.
From Perks to Proactive Wellness
Corporate wellness used to mean ping-pong tables and free snacks. Lindsay sees it differently.
“It used to be reactive. Companies would throw a perk at a problem. Now, the best ones are being proactive.”
She urged CEOs to study health claim data, then align wellness programs to address issues like diabetes, stress, or mental health. The ROI is direct: healthier employees, lower insurance costs, and stronger retention.
Authenticity as a Leadership Strategy
Lindsay’s personal journey, from sobriety to the tragic loss of her brother, reshaped her leadership style. She chooses openness over pretense.
“These tragedies and situations in my life have only broke me open to be more raw and real. If I’m able to be open and communicative, then other people can too.”
Her authenticity built trust inside FitPros and with clients. For CEOs, this is a reminder: vulnerability doesn’t weaken your leadership, it strengthens it.
Reframing Empathy as a Strength
Some CEOs avoid empathy, fearing it will cloud judgment. I disagree. Empathy is a strength when balanced with discipline. Lindsay embodies that balance.
“If we are holding space for something that doesn’t serve us, then we can’t let something else in.”
She approaches layoffs not as failures, but as opportunities to help people move on to better fits.
Empathy doesn’t prevent tough calls; it reframes them.
Scaling the CEO, Not Just the Company
Lindsay scaled FitPros while scaling herself. Sobriety gave her clarity. Travel helped her reset. Motherhood forced her to prioritize. She protects time for fitness, learning, and family so she can stay sharp as a CEO.
Her advice is a lesson I share often: CEOs who care for themselves are more productive. You will get more done in fewer hours when you invest in your own well-being.
AI in Wellness
FitPros isn’t just about people, it’s about innovation. Lindsay integrated AI into both operations and product. Their AI bot, “Jax,” engages employees inside wellness challenges. FitPros also uses AI tools like ChatGPT and HubSpot to match programming with client data.
That’s where I see the future: anonymized wellness data powering personalized recommendations at scale. Lindsay is ahead of the curve.
Final Takeaway
Lindsay Johnson’s story is a reminder that scaling isn’t only about market share or revenue. It’s about building a company where employees feel heard, cared for, and connected.
As a CEO, you must balance growth with humanity. Ignore your employees, and you risk losing both.
I’m Glenn Gow. I work with CEOs who aim for unlimited growth. On my podcast, I reveal how today’s best CEOs expand their companies while staying sane.
Listen to the full episode of The Scaling CEO with Lindsay Johnson for a candid conversation on resilience, wellness, and scaling with empathy.
