2025 Geared Up, Issue 3 | Page 14

Recognitions

Excel Fitness Staff Act Quickly to Save a Life

Planet Fitness ® works hard to cultivate a Judgement Free Zone ® in its locations, creating a place where members feel safe, supported and cared for. Staff members at an Excel Fitness club in Durham, North Carolina, showed their commitment to care when they acted heroically to save a member’ s life.

What started out as a normal Saturday in the summer turned into a nightmarish situation when a PF ® member went into cardiac arrest in the gym. The member was lying on his left side, unable to breathe. Member Services Representative John Wayne sprung into action and immediately called 911. Following the instructions of the 911 operators, Wayne calmly and clearly directed Shift Lead Olivia Williamson to retrieve the automated external defibrillator( AED) and instructed some members in the club to help the member lay on his back. Then, Williamson managed to attach the AED to the member in need, despite never having done so before. With the help of Williamson, Wayne, several PF

calendar

2025 Issue 3 | GearedUp
Marketing Town Hall Nov. 4
HR Town Hall Nov. 5
Enterprise Value Town Hall Nov. 6
Store Development Town Hall Nov. 10
Club Operations Town Hall Dec. 4
2026 PFIFC Franchisee Convention May 5-8 Dallas, Texas
Planet Fitness Club Support Center Huddle Oct. 27-29 Miami, Florida
John Wayne and Olivia Williamson, team members at Excel Fitness’ s club in Durham, North Carolina, demonstrated extreme heroism by jumping in to save a member’ s life.
members, the fast response of a nearby deputy and the immediate response from EMT personnel, the member survived and is well on the path to recovery.
“ To say it was scary is an understatement. To know he’ s alive today because of everyone’ s efforts is incredible,” said Williamson.“ This experience has motivated me to know more about emergency situations so I can feel more confident if a situation like this occurs again.”
Wayne agreed that it is always important for gym employees to be ready to step up and help a member when needed.“ When a situation arises that becomes intense for all those around, it pays to always be ready. Everyone needs a 5- to 10-minute plan for when something like this happens.” G
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