Joe Drake, co-founder of Axiom Fitness Academy, recognized in the Business Leadership and Innovation Spotlight™ for exemplary voice-driven business leadership

The fitness industry has plenty of options for certifications and career opportunities, but to stand out you need a leader who can cut through the noise and deliver a message that moves people forward. Right now, when the industry needs direction more than ever, Joe Drake’s voice stands out as a model for what leadership should look like. As co-founder of Axiom Fitness Academy, Joe has been recognized in the Business Leadership and Innovation Spotlight™ for his unwavering clarity of mission and commitment to raising the bar for fitness education.

“We built Axiom to help new trainers avoid the unnecessary delays and pitfalls that I experienced early in my career, and I saw so many others experiencing as they were getting started,” says Joe Drake, sharing the hard-earned lessons that drive his passion for developing future fitness professionals.

Axiom Fitness Academy’s Story: Impact and Achievements in Fitness Education

Founded in Boca Raton by Joe Drake and business partner David Crump, Axiom Fitness Academy was built to answer a gap in the market: too many new trainers were entering the field unprepared for real-world challenges. Joe and David’s response was to build a hands-on, mentorship-driven education platform where students learn directly from working professionals.

Under Joe’s leadership, Axiom has:

  • Trained thousands of fitness professionals who now work in gyms, clinics, and sports programs across the country.
  • Partnered with industry brands like Technogym and the NSCA to provide up-to-date, credible education.
  • Achieved an outstanding graduate job placement rate and built a reputation as the go-to academy for those who want more than a quick certification.

Why Joe Drake Stands Out: Leadership and Voice in Fitness Education

“Joe is a true builder. He’s someone who doesn’t wait for things to fall into place, he brings them into place,” says Nick Berry, entrepreneur and business advisor behind the Spotlight series. “The commitment Joe has made to innovating in order to create a better path for others who will come after him doesn’t get the recognition it warrants. What stands out most about Joe is that he’s not doing this just to elevate his own career – he’s lifting an entire industry.”

What Business Leaders Can Learn: Voice-Driven Leadership in Action

Leadership driven by conviction does more than guide a company, it shapes the entire ecosystem. Joe Drake’s approach to business leadership shows that a strong, principled voice can drive positive change across an industry. In fitness education the voice that wins is the one that delivers real value, clarity, and opportunity for the next generation.

Recognizing Leadership Character Over Credentials

The Business Leadership and Innovation Spotlight™ aims to recognize individuals because of leadership character, not just achievements.  Leaders like Joe Drake are recognized for embodying the kind of clarity, consistency, and forward motion that create transformation from the inside out. These are the traits that build culture and community. They are qualities you don’t always find on the awards circuit, but matter most in the long run.

About the Business Leadership and Innovation Spotlight™

This article is part of The Business Leadership and Innovation Spotlight™ recognition series presented by Redesigned.Business and Nick Berry. The series recognizes business owners demonstrating leadership, alignment, and impact in their companies, communities, and industries.

About Joe Drake

Co-Founder and Master Instructor, Axiom Fitness Academy
Joe Drake has worked in nearly every setting in the fitness industry in his 15+ years as a fitness professional. His experience includes roles in multiple environments including the university setting, high end trainings, gym ownership and management, and international fitness education. In addition to being the CEO of Axiom Fitness Academy, he still works hands-on with clients and consults for industry brands like Technogym and the NSCA.

As a personal trainer in the industry since 2006, Joe has been fortunate enough to train with clientele ranging from collegiate athletes, CEO’s, mothers, and beyond. Along with a long list of certifications including NASM, ACSM, NSCA & ACE, Joe also has his Masters in Exercise Physiology and is a well respected resource and mentor for fitness pros in the South Florida community.

About Axiom Fitness Academy

The Axiom Fitness Academy helps new and aspiring fitness professionals achieve long-lasting and lucrative careers through hands-on training and expert guidance.

Our mission is to create more confident and successful personal trainers that are capable of changing lives in a society where health is rapidly declining. By working with instructors that have decades of in-the-trenches experience, our graduates are able to accelerate their careers.

About Nick Berry

Nick Berry is an American entrepreneur, business advisor, and the founder of Redesigned.Business. With over two decades of experience starting, leading, and advising award-winning small businesses, Nick has become known for helping B2B service company owners achieve sustainable growth and operational freedom. He is a four-time Inc 5000 honoree, co-author of five best-selling business books, and creator of the Business Alignment System™, a proven methodology for aligning leadership, strategy, and execution. Nick also hosts The Business Owner’s Journey podcast, where he interviews founders and industry experts about the realities of building and scaling a business. Based in Florida, Nick works with clients nationwide to equip them with the tools, strategies, and support needed to build resilient, high-performing companies.

2025 Business Leadership and Innovation Spotlight™ Honorees

 Learn more about all the honorees and how they’re moving business leadership forward.