Meet the Inductees to the 2027 HFA Hall of Fame

David Patchell-Evans, Founder of Goodlife Fitness

Patchell-Evans opened his first fitness club in London, Ontario, in 1979, and grew it into the GoodLife Group, Canada’s largest fitness brand, with 13,000 employees, 1.5 million members, and over 400 locations.

Mark Mastrov, Founder of 24 Hour Fitness, Co-founder of New Evolution Ventures

One of the most successful entrepreneurs in industry history, Mastrov helped shape the modern health and fitness industry, building 24 Hour Fitness into one of the world’s most recognized fitness brands. Having returned to 24 Hour Fitness earlier this year, Mastrov is credited with developing new concepts in the global industry over the last 40 years, while mentoring generations of industry leaders.

Judi Sheppard Missett, Founder of Jazzercise

Missett transformed dance classes into a global fitness movement after launching Jazzercize in 1969. Missett, who remained CEO of Jazzercise until 2022, created entrepreneurial opportunities for thousands of women, as Jazzercise and its franchise model earned more than $2 billion in gross cumulative sales since its founding.

Alan Schwartz, Co-founder, Midtown Athletic Clubs

Alan and his father, Kevie Schwartz, founded Midtown Tennis Club in 1970, eventually transforming the facility into Midtown Athletic Clubs, one of the most successful fitness brands in the Midwest. Alan eventually recruited his son, Steven, to grow Midtown into a chain of eight clubs that employs more than 2,000 full-time workers. (Steven will be inducted with his father.) Alan, a former tennis champion, passed away in 2022 at the age of 91.

Steven Schwartz, CEO, Midtown Athletic Clubs

Steven joined Midtown Athletic Clubs in 1987, and as CEO, led the brand’s growth to eight upscale properties in four states and Canada. He previously worked as director of development of Hyatt Hotels in Chicago, and brought new ideas to the tennis-centered facility. Steven served on the HFA board from 1994-1997, including a term as treasurer, where he helped establish the industry’s first uniform system of accounts for fitness facilities. He will be inducted in the Hall of Fame with his father, Alan.

Ray Wilson, Founder of Family Fitness Centers and Other Brands

One of the true original architects of the modern health and fitness industry, Wilson founded Family Fitness Centers in 1977, developing an ownership model that allowed managers and regional leaders to earn equity in the clubs they operated. An innovator who worked with Augie Nieto to commercialize the Lifecycle, Wilson helped launch the cardio revolution that established fitness facilities as part of the fabric of everyday healthy living. Wilson, who died in 2022, will be represented by his son, Packy, at the induction event.