Fitness Capacity Beats Weight
Sun Jan 18 2026
Being skinny does not mean being fit. And for business owners and leaders, mistaking weight for health can quietly undermine long-term performance, decision-making, and independence.
In this episode of the Business Builders Podcast, Brenton Gowland and Ron review and unpack a powerful live presentation from exercise physiologist Max Martin, recorded at an in-person Business Builders event. Presented in front of a live audience, the session challenges common assumptions about health, ageing, and performance, particularly for busy professionals who believe looking “healthy enough” is good enough.
The discussion explores why fitness capacity, not body weight, is one of the strongest predictors of how long and how well we live. From cardiovascular fitness and VO2 max to strength, balance, and cognitive capacity, the episode reveals why being “skinny but unfit” can carry serious long-term risks that are often overlooked.
A key theme is the relationship between physical fitness and brain health. Max explains how cardiovascular fitness and strength training play a role in reducing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, reframing exercise as a long-term investment in mental clarity, independence, and decision-making ability.
This is not about aesthetics or chasing a gym body. It is about building the physical and cognitive capacity required to sustain energy, clarity, and leadership over decades, not just quarters.
In this episode, you will learn:
Why weight is a poor proxy for real health and longevity
What fitness capacity actually means and why it matters for performance
How VO2 max links to mortality, cognition, and resilience
The connection between physical fitness, brain health, and dementia risk
Why “skinny but unfit” can be more dangerous than people realise
How strength, balance, and cardio protect independence as you age
What business owners should prioritise when time and energy are limited
If you care about long-term performance, better decisions, and remaining effective well into the future, this episode will challenge how you think about health.
Featured presentation: Max Martin, Exercise Physiologist
Hosts: Brenton Gowland and Ron
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Being skinny does not mean being fit. And for business owners and leaders, mistaking weight for health can quietly undermine long-term performance, decision-making, and independence. In this episode of the Business Builders Podcast, Brenton Gowland and Ron review and unpack a powerful live presentation from exercise physiologist Max Martin, recorded at an in-person Business Builders event. Presented in front of a live audience, the session challenges common assumptions about health, ageing, and performance, particularly for busy professionals who believe looking “healthy enough” is good enough. The discussion explores why fitness capacity, not body weight, is one of the strongest predictors of how long and how well we live. From cardiovascular fitness and VO2 max to strength, balance, and cognitive capacity, the episode reveals why being “skinny but unfit” can carry serious long-term risks that are often overlooked. A key theme is the relationship between physical fitness and brain health. Max explains how cardiovascular fitness and strength training play a role in reducing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, reframing exercise as a long-term investment in mental clarity, independence, and decision-making ability. This is not about aesthetics or chasing a gym body. It is about building the physical and cognitive capacity required to sustain energy, clarity, and leadership over decades, not just quarters. In this episode, you will learn: Why weight is a poor proxy for real health and longevity What fitness capacity actually means and why it matters for performance How VO2 max links to mortality, cognition, and resilience The connection between physical fitness, brain health, and dementia risk Why “skinny but unfit” can be more dangerous than people realise How strength, balance, and cardio protect independence as you age What business owners should prioritise when time and energy are limited If you care about long-term performance, better decisions, and remaining effective well into the future, this episode will challenge how you think about health. Featured presentation: Max Martin, Exercise Physiologist Hosts: Brenton Gowland and Ron