My name is Jarrod Saracco and I am a twenty-seven year veteran of the health and fitness industry.  I started my training career as a personal trainer and by the age of eighteen became the youngest medical exercise specialist in the United States, specializing in pre and post Rehab -"Bridging the gap between health care and fitness"- and expanded my practice to include training clients with major injuries and physical challenges as well as working closely with healthcare professionals.  

 

I rapidly became one of the top personal trainers in the Philadelphia area, and by age twenty-three I was promoted to the position of General Manager of a high end, 35,000 square foot health club on the Philadelphia Main Line.  During this time, I had the opportunity and privilege to have clients such as world famous singer Patti Labelle, longtime Channel 3 News anchor and author Larry Kane and former Philadelphia Phillies player and Manager Larry Bowa.  These were not only clients, they were friends.  I treasure those sessions and friendships fondly.

 

A short time later, I was recruited to take over the Fitness Manager position at a newly acquired club in Jenkintown, PA.   In approximately two years time, (and with the help of a great team) I was able to grow the business over 500% and was voted as the Manager of the Year in a 4 club, 40-manager organization.

 

I segued from Fitness Manager to owning several facilities of my own as well as start a consulting business.  I learned a great deal about owning and operating a successful health club venture.  I knew that I wanted to grow the consulting side of my career and help others grow and learn like I did.  I founded Health Club Doctor (HCD) and made that the focus of my work.

 

Through HCD, I have launched a brand new 65,000 square foot super club in Southern New Jersey and grew the organization to over 5,000 members and ran a very successful marketing campaign.  I assisted STRIVE, a high-end strength equipment manufacturer, to assist in the building and development of their world headquarters showroom and community fitness center. In addition, I was asked to head up the training and education department of the company. Not long after this project got underway, I was offered a full-time position as the VP of Customer Development where I stayed for three and half years.

 

My career has taken me around the world and I have had the pleasure of working with thousands of people and hundreds of clients. I have been a top rated speaker and presenter at trade shows and conferences such as IHRSA, Club Industry, NEHRSA, Can Fit Pro, the National Fitness Tradeshow, CMS Conventions, YMCA Meetings and now on an international level as a keynote speaker in Finland 2011 and Sweden in 2013.

 

Wherever I go one thing is for certain: I bring a passion and enthusiasm for the business and the industry and I've been told it's contagious!

 

My main focus now is working with organizations to build their business and to bring health and fitness to every community I possibly can, be it through education, training or consulting.