SANAMethod Australia

15/12/2025

Programs Beat Services

Most people think they’re building a service business… but what they’re actually trying to run is a membership program – and that’s where things quietly fall apart.

Selling services sounds simple: offer your time, deliver the work, collect the money. But when you turn that into a membership – when you ask people to pay you month after month – you’re no longer selling time. You’re selling a transformation. And that requires far more than most new entrepreneurs realise.

I’ve seen this play out over and over again, especially in fitness:
people launch a membership because it “feels scalable”, but they’re unknowingly stepping into a model that demands structure, outcomes, accountability, and a clearly defined path.

A membership isn’t just recurring revenue. It’s a promise. A promise without a program behind it is the fastest way to lose clients, burn out and sink a business.

Programs outperform services because they give customers what they actually want:
• Clarity, progress, and predictable results.
• They create momentum, not dependency.
• They scale systems, not stress.

But building a real program, one that delivers outcomes consistently, is a craft. It’s strategic. It’s engineered. And there’s far more to it than meets the eye.

So, if you’re thinking about launching a membership… just know this:
You’re not selling access. You’re selling a journey.

The people who win in this space aren’t the ones doing “more work”. They’re the ones who understand the model.

10/12/2025

Setting the Record Straight on GLP-1s and Mental Health

There’s been a wave of headlines across Australian media recently suggesting that GLP-1 medications are causing suicidal ideation. This is a significant exaggeration.

Here’s what actually happened:
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) issued an alert to clinicians to align the advisory warnings across all GLP-1 medicines – including Ozempic, Wegovy, Saxenda, Trulicity and Zepbound.

Yes, there have been reports of individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts while taking these medications, but context matters. These medicines are prescribed at massive scale.

The TGA’s Advisory Committee on Medicines reviewed the data and stated clearly:
“The evidence available was not sufficient to support an association between GLP-1 medicines and suicidal or self-harming behaviours.”

In other words: there is no established causal link between GLP-1 medications and suicidal ideation.

The updated warning is simply a reminder that obesity is a metabolic condition often intertwined with mental health challenges. As with any treatment, patients should be monitored appropriately.

If someone taking these medications experiences depression or thoughts of self-harm, it’s crucial they speak with their health professional, and seek support from family, friends, and their care network.

Let’s keep the conversation accurate, balanced, and focused on patient wellbeing.

08/12/2025

Lipoprotein(a): The cholesterol marker we’re not routinely testing – but should we be?

Another thought-provoking piece from Professor Jason Kovacic in The Australian highlights the growing conversation around Lipoprotein(a) – a lesser-known form of cholesterol that can significantly increase the risk of early cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke.

So how do you get tested?
Although the test isn’t currently covered under the Medicare Benefits Schedule in Australia, you can request it through your GP and pay privately.

What about treatment?
Right now, Lipoprotein(a) isn’t directly treatable however, promising therapies are on the horizon. In the meantime, the focus remains on managing all other cardiovascular risk factors to reduce overall risk.

As awareness grows, so does the opportunity for earlier detection and prevention.

05/12/2025

Business is dangerous – especially when you don’t know what you don’t know.

I’ve seen it over and over again: talented, ambitious people dive head-first into a business they don’t fully understand. And while courage is admirable, entering an unfamiliar industry can be expensive – financially, mentally, and emotionally.

One area where this is especially true? Membership businesses.
From my years in the fitness space, I’ve watched countless entrepreneurs come and go. Most had the drive. Many had the passion. But what they didn’t have were the insights required to make a membership model truly viable.

Because memberships aren’t just about signing people up.

They’re about understanding retention, value cycles, churn behaviour, pricing psychology, operational rhythm, community dynamics – the real intricacies that separate a thriving recurring-revenue engine from a stressful, cash-draining experiment.

The truth is:
A business you don’t understand isn’t just a challenge. It’s a risk. But with the right knowledge and a deep understanding of the model, that risk becomes an opportunity.

If there’s one thing my time in the membership world has taught me, it’s this:
Expertise isn’t optional – it’s the difference between short-term survival and long-term success.

03/12/2025

Cholesterol Myths vs Facts: What Really Protects Your Heart?

A recent article in The Australian by cardiologist Jason Koic raises an important conversation about cholesterol and cardiovascular health.

There’s a growing belief online that “cholesterol doesn’t matter” and that you can eat as much meat as you like. But the reality is far more nuanced.

Cholesterol isn’t just one number – HDL, LDL, triglycerides and lipoprotein(a) all play different roles in shaping long-term cardiovascular risk.

Understanding your cholesterol levels and your personal cardiovascular risk is essential. Lifestyle changes such as a Mediterranean diet, regular exercise and weight loss remain the first-line approach. After sustained lifestyle efforts, reassessing your cholesterol gives a clearer picture of your progress.

Primary prevention (before a cardiovascular event) and secondary prevention (after a heart attack or stroke) are fundamentally different. For those with a history of cardiovascular disease, evidence strongly supports the role of statins in reducing the risk of future events.

An important reminder: information on social media should never replace proper medical assessment. Rely on medical evidence, not trends.

03/12/2025

Introducing A/Prof Kevin Lee – Head of Faculty, SANAMethod

We are delighted to welcome Associate Professor Kevin Lee (MBBS Hon, BSc Hon, MMH, FRACP, PhD) as Head of Faculty at SANAMethod.

A/Prof Lee is an accomplished Endocrinologist and Specialist Physician based in Melbourne, with extensive experience in weight management and metabolic health. Alongside his private practice, he serves as a researcher at Monash University and RMIT, with influential publications exploring the impact of stress on metabolism.

His award-winning PhD work has been recognised by the Endocrine Society of Australia and supported through grants from Diabetes Australia and leading industry partners. His ongoing research and clinical focus centre on integrating pharmacotherapy, long-term lifestyle change, and psychological wellbeing to support sustainable metabolic health.

As Head of Faculty, A/Prof Lee will oversee the development and delivery of SANAMethod’s education curriculum, ensuring our doctors remain at the forefront of evidence-based care.

Please join us in welcoming A/Prof Kevin Lee to this pivotal role. We are excited for the expertise and leadership he brings to the SANAMethod community.

12/11/2025

At SANAMethod, we’ve built something genuinely rare.

By uniting fitness and medicine, we don’t just give clients what they want — we deliver what they need.

From the outside, it might look simple: a fitness service with a touch of medical oversight.

But the truth? It’s far more sophisticated.

The medical model is a complex machine — one wrong gear and it bleeds cash.

The fitness industry isn’t much kinder — it’s littered with failed concepts and short-lived ventures.

By integrating both, we’ve created a system that’s clinically effective, commercially proven, and operationally scalable — while others struggle to make even one side work.

It’s a puzzle of marketing, sales, fulfillment, and operations that we’ve spent years perfecting — battle-tested through scars, lessons, and grey hairs.

And that is the real value of our franchise model.

What you invest in fees, you save in costly missteps you’ll never have to make.

You’re set up to:

Earn more

De-risk faster

Last longer

Deliver better results to more people

The wheel already exists — and we’ve engineered the blueprint.

Don’t reinvent it. Join us and roll further, faster, and smarter.

25/09/2025

𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝, 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐞 — 𝐖𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐨𝐧!
𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐝 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

Big news for longevity enthusiasts and future business partners:

SANAMethod is officially expanding to Brisbane, with our second franchised clinic opening in the heart of Cleveland.

This milestone proves what we already know — the SANAMethod system works. Our model combines:
• World-class medical weight loss solutions
• Specialist strength coaching
• Nutrition & lifestyle coaching
• Data-driven disease prevention
• Real and lasting results

All delivered through a powerful, science-backed framework designed to help people live stronger, healthier, longer lives.

For those with an eye on the future: our expansion is just beginning. If you’re passionate about medical, health and wellness, and building a business with purpose, franchise opportunities with SANAMethod are now open.

Stay tuned for launch updates, exclusive offers and more details on how you can be part of this growing movement.

Cleveland — the countdown is on. We’ll see you in January.

15/09/2025

We are all products of the mentors we’ve had.

When I look back at my career, I can clearly see how my “work self” has been shaped by the people I’ve learned from. Mentorship leaves fingerprints on the way we lead, communicate, and solve problems, and if we’ve been fortunate enough to have great mentors, I believe we owe it to those around us, to carry it forward.

Three mentors in particular stand out for me:

Clay Baker, my supervisor when I was an Army Physical Training Instructor. Clay led with authority, presence, and confidence. He knew his stuff (I used to joke that he probably knew the breaking strain of an ASICS shoelace). You couldn’t help but stop and listen when he spoke. From Clay, I learned the power of deep expertise and conviction.

Michael Cunico, a leader with a very different style. Michael didn’t demand respect; he earned it. He asked smart questions, listened deeply and gave people space to contribute. From him, I learned that leadership isn’t about fear or authority, it’s about trust and thoughtful dialogue.

Mark Buckley, Founder of the FMA Strength Institute. Mark taught me the value of simplicity: the ability to distill complex ideas into something others can easily grasp and apply. That lesson has stuck with me, whether mentoring young fitness professionals or helping clients make meaningful changes in their lives.

Each of these mentors shaped me in different but equally powerful ways. And now, when I mentor others, I try to carry forward the best of what they gave me.

Who are the mentors that shaped you? And what lessons are you now passing on?

25/07/2025

🌞 SUNSHINE COAST, WE’RE COMING FOR YOU! 🌿
SANAMethod Maroochydore – Launching Late 2025 🚀
Big news, longevity lovers: we’re pumped to officially announce that the SANAMethod movement is expanding to the Sunshine Coast!
This isn’t just another location—it’s a major milestone as we open our first ever franchised clinic right in the heart of Maroochydore.
That means:
🧬 World-class medical weight loss
🏋️‍♀️ Specialist strength coaching
🧠 Data-driven disease prevention
🔥 Real results that last
All wrapped into one powerfully effective, science-backed system to help you stay strong, live long, and feel incredible—for decades to come.
This is your ticket to better health, longer life, and total lifestyle transformation.
🌟 More exciting announcements coming soon—including how you can be first in line for exclusive offers, and founding member perks 👀
📍 Maroochydore — We’ll see you soon.

A SANAMethod franchise puts you on a proven, low-competition path to wealth, independence and a career you’re proud of – without the burnout.

04/07/2025

Dr Richard Ralph, Co-Founder and GP extraordinaire. Richard’s vision has created a fantastic, new and rewarding career path for GP’s with a passion for preventative medicine.

A SANAMethod franchise puts you on a proven, low-competition path to wealth, independence and a career you’re proud of – without the burnout.

04/07/2025

Love what you do!
20 years each in the health & wellness space