Community & News
Larry North Joins Advisory Board
By the Hidden Gym Team
Published February 14, 2025

A Little Good Advice Goes a Long Way
A strong advisory board is a team of business superheroes, minus the capes… usually. These experts bring wisdom, fresh perspectives, and connections that open doors you didn’t even know existed. To effectively navigate growth, tackle challenges, and vet the next big idea, a well-rounded advisory board is a must. Honest, strategic guidance – it’s a game-changer for any business looking to level up.
And here at Hidden Gym, we’re always looking to learn and improve. Levelling up is a daily goal.
Our Board
The [Hidden Gym] Advisory Board exists to inspire and guide the growth and impact of the gym, by leveraging the diverse expertise and perspectives of accomplished leaders across industries… and we now have a great new addition.
Along with Chase Evans (litigator extraordinaire), Jim Thomas (fitness business strongman), and Giovani Sanguily (marketing and software Dark Knight), we now welcome Larry North to the team.
Larry is no novice to the industry – let’s just say he had his cape on well before he joined us!

The Voice of Fitness
Larry has been a force in the fitness industry since his teenage years, jumping headfirst into the gym business with a passion that is still going strong. By the age of twenty-four, he had already broken into talk radio with his “Better You” show on CBS KRLD 1080 AM.
In 1989, he opened his first health club, Larry North Fitness, at the prestigious Highland Park Village, setting the stage for a thriving fitness empire with locations all across North Texas and other destination locations in the U.S.
The Author
Not one to rest on his laurels, he took on the publishing world in 1992 with his first book, Get Fit, which became an instant sensation, spending an astonishing 157 weeks on the bestseller list – a true testament to his ability to connect with readers and inspire lasting change. The book, a practical and motivational guide to fitness and healthy living, helped cement his reputation as one of the most influential voices in the wellness industry.
Building on this momentum, Larry followed up with Living Lean, which provided readers with no-nonsense strategies for sustainable weight loss and fitness, reinforcing his philosophy that lasting health is about balanced living, not extreme measures.
His next book, Slimdown for Life, continued to resonate with readers, offering science-backed methods for fat loss, simple yet effective nutrition tips, and powerful mindset shifts to help people break free from the cycle of fad dieting.
Even years after their release, the books remain widely read and referenced by fitness enthusiasts, industry professionals, and those looking to make a meaningful shift in their health. His work not only shaped the conversation around fitness and nutrition but also paved the way for countless individuals to take control of their well-being in a practical and sustainable way.
The Broadcaster, Presenter, and Broker
In 1994, he took his passion for health and fitness to an even broader audience with the launch of The Great North American Slimdown infomercial. The program quickly became a global phenomenon, tapping into the growing demand for sustainable weight loss solutions and practical fitness guidance.
With Larry’s signature mix of expertise, motivation, and down-to-earth coaching, the infomercial resonated with millions, ultimately reaching over 1.2 million customers and generating a staggering $150 million in revenue over the next decade.
Unlike many quick-fix diet fads of the time, The Great North American Slimdown was built around real, sustainable lifestyle changes, making it one of the most successful fitness infomercials in history. It didn’t just sell a product – it inspired a movement, helping countless individuals transform their approach to food, exercise, and long-term wellness.
Capitalizing on this momentum, he brought his expertise to television with Get Fit, a show that ran for years on regional sports networks, producing an impressive 70 episodes. The series featured practical fitness advice, expert interviews, and real-world success stories, all delivered with Larry’s trademark energy and enthusiasm. His ability to break down complex fitness concepts into simple, actionable steps made Get Fit a go-to resource for viewers looking to take control of their health.
Through both his infomercial and television presence, he solidified his status as one of the most influential figures in the fitness industry, proving that his mission to help others live healthier lives extended far beyond the walls of a gym.
Larry has also delivered his Optimal Living Seminar in dozens of countries and across the U.S., helping countless individuals to take control of their health and well-being.
To add icing to the cake of all of this accomplishment, Larry has now moved into private equity as a licensed broker. He focuses on sourcing businesses for investment, raising capital, and forging strategic partnerships.
Sound like someone worth getting some advice from?
We thought so too.
Why Larry Joined Us

The best part of all is that this is not a one-way relationship; Larry is a huge fan of Hidden Gym, too.
After leaving the gym business at age sixty, Larry was thrilled to reconnect with the feeling he had when starting out, with the fulfilling drive and results of a great gym community. His excitement is contagious – so he fits right in.
One of the things he loves most is the depth of knowledge available to those who train with us. After all, when he started, there was no such thing as certification for trainers; you rolled the dice and took your chances, which could be great… or not! He loves the wealth of knowledge, experience, and research that now backs the certified trainers. As he advises us in business, and adds his great energy to the team, he drinks in the knowledge that three decades of technology advancement and experience have brought to the process of getting (and keeping) fit. He loved it so much, he asked to be part of what we do.
He asked us if he could help out?!
Larry, we’re thrilled to have you.
As you go about your workout as part of the Hidden Gym community, keep an eye out for Larry, and say hi if you see him. He’s a great guy, and a very welcome addition to the advisory team – and to our community.
Ready to take your fitness game to the next level? If you live in Allen, Dallas, Plano, or Richardson, make sure to get your free day pass to join Hidden Gym! Become a part of the most motivating place in the DFW area that will help you live a healthier life!
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