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Episode 182 - Resilience, Redemption, and the True Legacy of Fitness With the Great John Rowley
6th September 2025 • The Over 40 Alpha Podcast • Funk Roberts
00:00:00 01:04:07

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The real story behind fitness success isn’t just muscle or money; it’s resilience. John Rowley’s journey proves that no setback, no loss, and no crisis can stop a man who chooses to rise again.

In this legacy series, I sit down with John, a fitness pioneer, entrepreneur, bestselling author, and one of the most influential figures in the heyday of online fitness, to uncover his powerful story of near-death survival, massive business wins and losses, and his unshakable return to serving with integrity, faith, and purpose.

This is more than an interview. It’s an inspiring look at how true legacy is built on resilience, service, and never giving up.

Enjoy the episode.


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Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

02:59 - John Rowley’s legacy in online fitness

09:35 - How John got started in the fitness industry

22:01 - Heart surgery, septic shock, and battling cardiac depression

29:18 - Faith, resilience, and rebuilding life with purpose

37:22 - Surviving the 2008 crash

43:34 - The “heyday” of online fitness and why it needs to return

47:56 - How the industry has changed today

53:33 - New tea company venture and Thailand connection



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Connect with John Rowley:

- Website: https://johnrowley.net/ 

- Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/JohnRowleyOfficial/ 



Connect with Funk Roberts:

- Website: https://www.over40alpha.com/ 

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/funkrobertsfitness 

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/funkrobertsfitness 

- Funk’s Book: www.over40meals.com

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