Ferrao has a Lifelong Passion for Fitness
FIT Franchise Brands, the parent company of THE MAX Challenge and Farrell’s eXtreme Bodyshaping, has tapped Tony Ferrao as director of franchisee support. In this role, Ferrao is responsible for the strategic oversight and support of franchise operations for FIT Franchise’s two fitness concepts.
“I am thrilled to take on this new role at FIT Franchise Brands and continue working with our dedicated and passionate franchisees to support their growth and success as they focus on improving the health of the communities and members they serve. I look forward to leveraging my experience and passion for the fitness industry to drive positive outcomes for our entire network,” Ferrao said. He added that he looks forward to working with the leadership team at FIT Franchise Brands and shares CEO Bryan Klein’s vision for the company.
“We are delighted to have Tony Ferrao step into the role of director of franchisee support. Tony’s extensive experience and deep understanding of the franchise business make him the perfect fit for this position. We are confident that under his leadership, our franchisees will receive unparalleled support and guidance, fostering continued success for our brands,” Klein said.
Lifelong Love of Fitness
Ferrao, a self-proclaimed “baseball nut,” attributed his passion for fitness to his childhood desire to be the physical therapist for the Boston Red Sox. While attending high school in Lawrence, Mass., he took a class called “Care of Athletic Injuries” and immediately fell in love with the human body’s intricacies.
“The human body is such a complex and wonderful machine,” he said. “What further sparked my passion for fitness was losing my mother to type 2 diabetes when she was only 54. I knew I needed to be part of helping others with the same condition and any condition that can be positively impacted by lifestyle changes, exercise and good nutrition.”
While pursuing a bachelor of science degree in exercise physiology from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Ferrao started his professional career as a wellness director for a local YMCA in Massachusetts prior to moving into franchising in 2007.
Although he never realized that childhood dream of working for the Boston Red Sox, Ferrao’s career has been fruitful. Over the past 16 years, he has worked primarily in the boutique fitness space, recently serving as director of franchise support with StretchMed, a one-on-one assisted stretching franchise. He previously worked with Get In Shape for Women, where he started as a head trainer, and worked his way up to manager and then area representative in New England.
Ferrao said franchisee support is about developing relationships with entrepreneurs, connecting with them to make the biggest impact and deliver on FIT Franchise Brands’ mission: “To help people live longer, happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives.”
Ferrao is married with a blended family of four children and four grandkids, with two on the way. He has a dog named Remy, named after former baseball player and radio broadcaster Jerry Remy, and a cat named Briar. Ferrao also enjoys live music, fishing and camping.
