Product First, People Always: Lessons From Our 2026 Brand Vision Meetup
Mon Jan 26 2026
In this episode, I sit down to unpack our 2026 Brand Vision Meetup with the Virtuous team.
This wasn’t just a planning meeting…it was a moment of honest reflection, alignment, and recommitment to who we are, what we stand for, and the standard we’re willing to hold as we move forward.
I walk through:
The real lessons from 2025…what went right, what broke down, and where leadership needed to level up
Why clarity of vision directly impacts product quality
How losing identity, even briefly affects culture, standards, and results
What it actually means to say “Product First” and “Hold the Line” as a leader
The values that define Virtuous: Growth, Trust the Team, Excellence, and Accountability
Why people don’t want more motivation they want to be led
The challenge (and necessity) of changing culture by pulling out old roots
What being a great team member at Virtuous in 2026 truly requires
We also define what Virtuous will look and feel like in 2026:
A tight, premium, client centric model
Exceptionally clean, intentional, branded environments
World-class coaching and transformation-focused programming
A culture with soul, standards, and zero ego
A team that owns the jersey on and off the floor
This episode is for:
Gym owners and leaders building culture
Coaches who want clarity, not chaos
Anyone trying to lead people without losing themselves
Anyone who believes excellence is built by standards, not slogans
If you’re building something meaningful or trying to protect it as it grows this conversation will hit home.
If you haven’t yet be sure to Subscribe!!!
Personal Instagram: @coachcodysmith
YouTube: The Channel
Gym Instagram: @virtuousfitnesswa
Gym Instagram: @virtuousgrappling
Gym Instagram: @virtuousfitnessboise
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In this episode, I sit down to unpack our 2026 Brand Vision Meetup with the Virtuous team. This wasn’t just a planning meeting…it was a moment of honest reflection, alignment, and recommitment to who we are, what we stand for, and the standard we’re willing to hold as we move forward. I walk through: The real lessons from 2025…what went right, what broke down, and where leadership needed to level up Why clarity of vision directly impacts product quality How losing identity, even briefly affects culture, standards, and results What it actually means to say “Product First” and “Hold the Line” as a leader The values that define Virtuous: Growth, Trust the Team, Excellence, and Accountability Why people don’t want more motivation they want to be led The challenge (and necessity) of changing culture by pulling out old roots What being a great team member at Virtuous in 2026 truly requires We also define what Virtuous will look and feel like in 2026: A tight, premium, client centric model Exceptionally clean, intentional, branded environments World-class coaching and transformation-focused programming A culture with soul, standards, and zero ego A team that owns the jersey on and off the floor This episode is for: Gym owners and leaders building culture Coaches who want clarity, not chaos Anyone trying to lead people without losing themselves Anyone who believes excellence is built by standards, not slogans If you’re building something meaningful or trying to protect it as it grows this conversation will hit home. If you haven’t yet be sure to Subscribe!!! Personal Instagram: @coachcodysmith YouTube: The Channel Gym Instagram: @virtuousfitnesswa Gym Instagram: @virtuousgrappling Gym Instagram: @virtuousfitnessboise