Episode 02

Raised a City Kid, Inventor & CEO Paul Francis Shares His Love of Ranching

​Paul Francis is best known as the inventor of a technology that allows orbiting astronauts on the International Space Station to stay fit in the weightless environment. His resistive exercise device has been used by more than 50 space travelers.

​Here on Mother Earth, Paul's inventions are at the core of the Bowflex Revolution home gym ($200 million in sales), and the DoubleFlex Portable Gym, which has been featured on QVC, HSN, and is now sold nationwide in Brookstone retail stores.

Ever chance Paul gets, however, the founder and CEO of OYO Fitness, jumps in his SUV and heads to his BlackHat Ranch, located in Northeastern Kansas, about an hour outside of Kansas City.

Anyone who thinks today's ranchers fit a particular stereotype, will enjoy my interview with Paul, who has made ranching part of his DNA, even though he came to the lifestyle late in life.

​Paul has invented many things. But his greatest invention - and the one that gives him the most pleasure in life -- is actually a reinvention: taking a city kid and transforming him into a full-blooded, All-American Rancher.