How The Stretch on beehiiv Reached 100,000 Subscribers in Just 8 Months

Situation:

Movement by David had already built what most creators spend a lifetime chasing:

• 5M+ YouTube subscribers
• Nearly 3M Instagram followers

Despite massive reach, founder David Thurin wanted something social platforms couldn’t provide: depth, ownership, and direct connection.

That vision became The Stretch — a weekly flexibility and mobility newsletter designed to provide structured routines, long-form education, and real two-way conversations with his most invested audience.

And within just eight months, The Stretch surpassed 100,000 subscribers, becoming a core pillar of his brand.

Challenge:

Even with millions of followers, David faced three major limitations that every creator eventually hits:

1. Short-form content caps depth.
   You can’t teach full protocols, techniques, or philosophy in 30-second videos.
2. Platform algorithms are unstable.
   Any shift in distribution could slash reach overnight.
3. Engagement on social lacks substance.
   Comments are reactive, not reflective — making real dialogue nearly impossible.

To build a long-term education business, The Stretch needed a channel where David could own the audience, shape the narrative, and communicate without platform risk.

Solution:

David chose beehiiv because it offered the same growth infrastructure used to scale Morning Brew — but built specifically for modern creators.

He leaned into three core strategies:

1. Lead magnets that solve real problems

The Stretch launched a series of highly specific, free eBooks — hips, hamstrings, spine, shoulders — each containing structured routines readers could apply immediately.

These became the single biggest subscriber driver.

2. Consistent, frictionless funneling from social → email

Every YouTube video, Instagram caption, and Story pointed viewers to:
“Join The Stretch & get your free flexibility protocol.”

beehiiv’s streamlined signup made conversion seamless.

3. A newsletter format built for education

Once inside the inbox, subscribers received a hybrid content structure each week:

• A deep narrative topic
• Movement of the Day
• Follow-along videos
• Polls & Q&A
• Challenges
• Myth-busting takeaways

This created a dependable rhythm while keeping every issue valuable and actionable.

4. Monetization through owned products first

Instead of rushing for sponsorships, David focused on:

• Premium mobility programs
• Advanced protocols
• Structured guides

Because subscribers joined with clear intent (fix tight hips, improve mobility), conversions were naturally high.

Over time, revenue from the newsletter even surpassed YouTube AdSense.

5. Analytics that improve content & revenue

Using beehiiv’s advanced segmentation, The Stretch began tailoring:

• Beginner flows
• Advanced sequences
• Product recommendations
• CTA testing

Polls and replies created direct feedback loops that shaped future issues and offerings.

Results:

• Surpassed 100,000 subscribers in 8 months
• Built a repeatable funnel from YouTube and Instagram
• Drove significant revenue through owned flexibility programs
• Used behavioral segmentation to increase conversions and retention
• Established email as the most reliable channel in the Movement By David ecosystem

The Stretch is now expanding into:

• A podcast
• New premium programs
• Select sponsorships
• A long-term goal of 500,000 subscribers by end of 2026