To Dean Pohlman, long-term enterprise success stems from a function. His is to assist males enhance their well being and achievement by way of health and private connections. That’s the mission of Man Stream Yoga, the corporate he based in 2012, which affords memberships to exercise applications and a paid group.
Pohlman, a former school lacrosse participant, is an authority on yoga instruction for males and a printed writer on the subject.
He first appeared on the podcast in 2021. On this our second dialog, he shares shopper success tales, YouTube techniques, and the “why” behind his enterprise.
The complete audio of our dialogue is embedded under. The transcript is edited for size and readability.
Eric Bandholz: Give us a fast rundown on who you might be.
Dean Pohlman: I personal an organization known as Man Stream Yoga. We promote memberships to Yoga exercise applications for males.
I’m a former collegiate lacrosse participant. I found yoga by chance however seen its advantages after constant follow. Nonetheless, I noticed that males weren’t partaking with it a lot, particularly as a result of it wasn’t offered in a manner that resonated with them. So, I created a model specializing in fitness-oriented yoga tailor-made for males. I initially launched a YouTube channel and a Fb web page.
Over time, I developed paid membership exercises for males — primarily these of their 40s, 50s, and 60s. They discovered they couldn’t do their common exercises as a result of growing older and wanted to concentrate on flexibility and foundational power. Our applications assist with flexibility and alleviate ache in, sometimes, the decrease again, shoulders, and knees. The last word objective is to allow males to remain lively and unbiased so long as doable, whether or not taking part in with their children or staying cell as they age.
I’ve been interviewing members for our podcast, “The Higher Man.” One memorable story is from a man who weighed 300 kilos on the onset of Covid. He began a yoga program alongside each day canine walks and misplaced 75 kilos inside a yr. What stands out from these tales is the consistency folks discover in train. They get pleasure from it and really feel good afterward, which inspires them to proceed. This creates a ripple impact, the place they begin bettering different areas of their lives like weight loss program or including in additional bodily actions.
Bandholz: What do your exercise applications appear to be?
Pohlman: They are often as few as two to 3 occasions per week or as many as 5 or 6. Our periods aren’t lengthy — sometimes 30 to 40 minutes. Now we have newbie applications that begin at 15 to twenty minutes. Folks begin noticing modifications after just some weeks, particularly in how they really feel.
For instance, again ache disappears. These bodily enhancements encourage folks to remain constant. Once you really feel higher and have extra vitality, it’s simpler to proceed as a substitute of focusing solely on aesthetics, which takes for much longer to note.
Bandholz: You’ve executed an ideal job of constructing a group.
Pohlman: I’m happy with the Fb Group we’ve constructed, although it took loads of time. It’s a supportive group of about 7,000 males who aren’t afraid to be weak and share private struggles. When somebody posts about not being per exercises, they’re met with understanding, not judgment. Folks relate to the identical struggles, which fosters a way of camaraderie.
I launched the group in 2013, and new members are at all times welcome. Nonetheless, to take care of its high quality, we preserve the group unique to paying members — whether or not they be a part of a problem, join a full membership, or buy a e-book.
We persistently remind members in regards to the group by way of emails, video mentions, and our 90-day onboarding collection. The continued engagement retains folks related and accountable.
Bandholz: How’s your YouTube channel performing?
Pohlman: Regardless of having over 500,000 subscribers, engagement is comparatively low, though new movies sometimes get 3,000 to 10,000 views within the first week. Some go viral. Our morning yoga movies have lately gained traction. Brief-form content material can also be serving to with the algorithm. We went from gaining about 3,000 subscribers month-to-month to 10,000 final month. Sure matters, like sexual wellness, carry out exceptionally properly.
Bandholz: Do you collaborate with different manufacturers?
Pohlman: Collaborations have to really feel natural. I want working with folks I genuinely join with and would hang around with outdoors of enterprise. One instance is Anthony Balduzzi from Match Father Mission. We’ve been collaborating for about two years; our merchandise complement one another. Past enterprise, he’s a pal. Some of these genuine relationships work properly for long-term success, and that’s the method I take.
Bandholz: What’s your long-term imaginative and prescient for Man Stream Yoga?
Pohlman: I need the enterprise to increase past yoga right into a broader males’s wellness model. I’ve began introducing psychological and emotional wellness matters on the podcast, however I need to incorporate extra of that. We at present provide structured applications through an app and web site, however every thing is self-paced. I need to introduce extra guided assist — one thing extra hands-on. Whereas we’ve got buyer assist and a Fb Group, a extra direct help mannequin may benefit our members.
Bandholz: What’s the “why” behind what you are promoting?
Pohlman: Many males haven’t executed the introspective work to grasp their needs and what drives them. It’s about recognizing that the issues I really need — household, freedom, pleasure — are already inside attain. I don’t want to attend for a enterprise milestone to attain them.
Most males imagine they need to accomplish one thing earlier than feeling fulfilled, however that’s a lure. When you understand you’ll be able to have what you need, life turns into simpler. Authenticity is essential. Folks can sense inauthenticity, and I imagine companies constructed on real connections and function are extra profitable in the long term.
Bandholz: The place can folks observe you?
Pohlman: Go to ManFlowYoga.com to get began. Yow will discover me on all the key platforms — YouTube, Instagram, Fb, and TikTok.
