After building a fitness empire valued at over a billion dollars, Anthony Geisler channeled his entrepreneurial energy in a different direction.
The founder and former CEO of Xponential Fitness, who stepped down earlier this year from the world’s largest fitness franchisor, received the 2024 Miracle Maker Award this month for his work supporting families of critically ill children. The recognition, presented at Miracles for Kids’ 20th-anniversary gala, comes amid Geisler’s expanding philanthropic portfolio, which recently included funding a multimillion-dollar educational facility in Southern California.
“It’s a privilege to be named this year’s Miracle Maker, and I look forward to continuing to support Miracles for Kids’ essential mission to empower families with critically ill children to focus on what matters most—their kids’ health,” Geisler said at the October 12 ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach.
The award highlights a pronounced shift for the business leader, who spent nearly two decades acquiring and scaling fitness brands, including Club Pilates, StretchLab, and Pure Barre, before his departure from Xponential. While Geisler maintains interests in fitness technology ventures, his recent focus has centered on charitable initiatives across the healthcare and education sectors.
In August, The Pegasus School in Huntington Beach unveiled the Geisler Family Wings building, a newly constructed library and educational complex funded primarily through a donation from Geisler and his family. The facility’s digital teaching walls and specialized learning spaces represent the latest phase of the private school’s campus modernization efforts.
The project stemmed from a personal connection to the institution. “We sought a school that could nurture her talents and provide a supportive, enriching education,” Geisler said, describing his family’s decision to enroll their eldest daughter at Pegasus. “Our family is proud to contribute to a space where children can grow, learn, and explore their potential. This is more than just a building—it’s a commitment to the future of our children and the community.”
The educational complex nearly doubles the school’s library capacity. It includes features increasingly common in modern learning environments: small group study rooms, offices for learning specialists, and a specialized performance space dubbed the Launch Pad, complete with a 120-inch digital display wall.
“We envision the Geisler Family Wings building as a hub of inspiration and growth, reflecting our commitment to nurturing individual talents and fostering a lifelong love of learning,” Anthony Geisler said of the facility, which serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.
The Miracle Maker Award recognition specifically acknowledges Geisler’s support for programs helping families navigate financial hardships while caring for children with critical illnesses. The organization’s annual gala, featuring a performance by GRAMMY Award-winner Babyface, raises funds to prevent bankruptcy, homelessness, and hunger among affected families.
