From StairMasters to seven figures: Meet the ‘Media Mafia’ taking over NYC

March 11, 2026 | 5:21pm

Forget co-working spaces—these Gen Z hustlers are building seven-figure media empires… from a gym. William Zimmerman goes inside Chelsea Piers Fitness, where the city’s “media mafia” sweats, pitches, and hustles side by side. From viral TikTok brands to street interviews pulling six figures, these young founders are rewriting the rules of business in NYC. It’s part startup, part workout, and all chaos—and it’s paying off big.