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"When you take that step back and realize it's okay to not always feel like you have to be in competition, but rather just stay true to yourself."  From a mother of triplets discovering a local workout studio 16 years ago to becoming a Senior Master Trainer and leading global community relations, Heather Perren’s journey within the Lagree Fitness ecosystem is a masterclass in organic career evolution.  In this episode of Well, Well, Well, Heather sits down with host Laura to dissect the rapid expansion of Lagree: scaling from 550 to over 1,500 global studios in just two years. They dive deep into the business side of boutique fitness, explore how Lagree’s accessible licensing model empowers new studio owners, and discuss the misnomers surrounding the "Pilates vs. Lagree" industry debate. Plus, Heather shares an inside look at the forthcoming technology revolutionizing the workout—including tempo lights and automated spring systems—and offers key takeaways on how studio owners can thrive by prioritizing community and instructor quality over competition.

"If you stay in that hustle for too long, it leads to burnout."  What does true freedom look like for a boutique fitness founder? For Andrea Isabelle Lucas, author of Own It All and founder of Barre & Soul, it meant transforming a side hustle born from rock bottom into a multi-location fitness empire—and then stepping away from the daily operations entirely. Today, Andrea manages her East Coast studios from a beach house on the West Coast, working shorter days, trusting her team completely, and seeing her highest profit margins yet.  But her path wasn't typical. Andrea joins Laura to share her incredible journey navigating life as a teen mom and domestic violence survivor before building a six-location brand. In this transparent and deeply inspiring conversation, Andrea and Laura pull back the curtain on the exact operational, financial, and mindset shifts required to break free from the daily grind and scale a sustainable, highly profitable business.  Together, they dive into why open-book management completely changes employee buy-in, how physical distance can actually force you to become the visionary leader your business needs, and the realities of investing in high-level fractional support. Andrea also shares a beautiful, humorous look at what it feels like to finally reclaim her personal freedom and rewrite her life on her own terms. Whether you are currently sweeping the floors of your own studio or dreaming of expanding your footprint, this episode is your ultimate permission slip to start before you are ready and build a business that runs without you. Follow Andrea: https://www.instagram.com/andreaisabellelucas Learn More About Barre & Soul: Barresoul.com & Barresoulacademy.com Brand Strategy: Signal House SEO & Ads - Jeremy Scott Foster: https://jsf.xyz Bookkeeping: Worttth https://worttth.com

"Teachers have the gift of witnessing our students. Leaders have the gift of witnessing our teams and our people." What happens when you combine real street smarts, deep mindful practice, and a refusal to treat your employees like numbers on a spreadsheet? In this episode, Laura connects with Danni Pomplun, the founder of the iconic San Francisco-based HAUM Studios, who gives an inside look at how consumer expectations have changed over the last few years. Danni shares his deeply raw and moving backstory, detailing how the practice of yoga served as a lifeline during a turbulent, substance-heavy period of his youth. He shares his journey from cleaning studio toilets to earning a scholarship for teacher training, moving to San Francisco to teach at the legendary Yoga Tree, and ultimately becoming an entrepreneur. Danni explains why today's clients are starving for wisdom over data, how he implements "no phone zones" to encourage community, and why treating people well through 401k matching and comprehensive mental health benefits is the ultimate bare minimum for business longevity.

“People think the workout is going to fix their lives… The workout is the vehicle to something greater." Why is it so difficult to build a reliable, predictable team of fitness instructors? In this episode, Laura sits down with industry veteran Shay Kostabi, co-founder of Fitcarma, to dismantle the myth that boutique fitness has an unfixable "people problem." Shay shares her fascinating, non-linear path into fitness, rooted in a family of master artists and musicians. She opens up about the profound personal loss, her early days navigating the hyper-competitive New York City boutique boom at Flywheel and SoulCycle, and the lessons she learned from fitness icons. Listeners will discover why workplace friction and unpredictable classes are almost always leadership and systems issues rather than employee issues. Shay explains why certifications are only designed to keep clients safe—not to teach your brand voice—and makes a compelling case for why every studio must implement rigorous, in-house training. She breaks down how to align your team under a singular vision, prevent high client churn, and remember that the workout is simply the vehicle for a much deeper human transformation. ​

"If we can’t be in a room together and move, the battle is lost."  How do you build a community so strong that students step in to care for one another? In this episode, Laura Munkholm welcomes Justin and Greg, the owners of Sol Seek Yoga, to discuss their unique path from corporate New York to West Coast wellness entrepreneurship. Justin and Greg reveal how they navigated the transition to taking over a studio just one year before the global pandemic, and why they believe focusing on a shared experience is more important than chasing a specific target demographic. The conversation explores how they are intentionally combating the loneliness epidemic through radical kindness and unconventional programming. By hosting everything from community improv nights to strength training for an older population, they have created a culture where everyone from 20-somethings to 80-year-old hikers feels seen. Tune in to hear about the transition from McKinsey to the mat, the power of organic referrals, and how to walk the line as a business owner in polarizing times.

"It’s actually easier in a lot of ways to sell ten $3,000 tickets than it is to sell 200 memberships every month." Whether you’re a veteran studio owner or a wellness leader dreaming of your first international getaway, this episode serves as your ultimate roadmap to the $400 billion retreat industry. Join Laura Munkholm as she sits down with Jen Russell, owner of Seattle’s Flight Room and a mastermind in the wellness space, to pull back the curtain on the “messy middle" of retreat planning.  Jen shares her unconventional journey from impulse-buying an aerial yoga studio to scaling a global retreat business, offering candid advice on how to avoid $5,000 mistakes and build high-profit experiences without burnout. From navigating the shifting travel habits of Gen Z to mastering the build the plane while flying it mentality, this conversation is packed with the logistical and mindset shifts needed to turn a passion for travel into a sustainable revenue stream.

"Take up space. That’s one of my favorite phrases to say: get bigger and take up space." In a world dominated by digital filters and survival-mode social media, what does it actually take to create a lasting human experience? In this episode, Laura Munkholm sits down with industry "shining light" and brand consultant Zack to discuss his 60+ city tour of boutique fitness studios. Zack pulls back the curtain on the "tremendous disconnect" between studio owners and their teams, the pitfalls of hiring your best friends, and why your gut feeling in the first 15 seconds of entering a space is usually right. Whether you're a studio owner struggling to pay rent or an instructor feeling unheard, Zack’s "tough love" approach offers a roadmap for reconnecting with your why and learning to truly take up space.

How do you compete with the big guys when you’re running a local boutique studio? According to Zach Mills, founder of ONBRND, it’s not about outspending the giants; it’s about out-thinking them. In this episode, Zach joins Laura Munkholm to share his journey from collegiate athlete to marketing lead at Xponential Fitness—where he oversaw brands like YogaSix and AKT—to eventually launching his own successful agency. Zach reveals why the digital landscape is more crowded than ever and why Meta has become an ever-evolving door that requires constant optimization. He dives deep into the necessity of a solid foundation, explaining why you shouldn’t spend a dime on ads until your CRM and lead-nurturing infrastructure are leak-proof. He also discusses the power of consistency, the shift from complex targeting to high-performing creative hooks, and how AI tools like ChatGPT act as amplifiers rather than replacements for human strategy. Finally, he shares the inspiring success story of Natural Pilates and how they scaled from 4 to 12 locations by prioritizing the backbone of their business.

“We don't just need hot Pilates; we need a community-based brand... that human interaction piece is the backbone." What happens when you say yes to an opportunity you feel totally unqualified for? For Kenzie Wesp, it meant becoming a business owner before she even graduated college. In this episode, Laura Munkholm sits down with the powerhouse behind Nashville’s Trueform and Format studios to discuss how she scaled her business through a people-first lens.  Kenzie shares her unique journey, from a career-ending dance injury to owning multiple boutique fitness brands, and reveals her secret sauce for leadership: calling people higher while staying humble enough to sub a 6:00 AM class yourself. Whether you’re a studio owner or an aspiring entrepreneur, Kenzie’s "peanut butter and jelly" philosophy on risk will change the way you look at your next big leap.

"When the leader of the business is clear about exactly who they are delivering to... they’re able to forge their own path instead of trying to blend in." The Pilates boom is here. Is your studio protected? The boutique fitness landscape has shifted. With Pilates-based concepts now accounting for a staggering 40% of all new studio openings, the "business as usual" approach is no longer enough to survive. In this episode, Laura Munkholm talks with Wall Street-trader-turned-business-coach Seran Glanfield about the 2026 Pilates gold rush. Seran reveals the high-level strategies top-tier studios use to fend off $30-a-month "big box" competitors and why radical brand clarity is your only real defense. If you’re ready to stop selling features and start building a high-retention empire, this is your strategic blueprint.

Is boutique fitness becoming too transactional? In this episode, we sit down with Erin, founder of La Forme, who walked away from a 21-year corporate career to redefine what it means to show up for a workout. We dive into how she transitioned her high-level operations background into a human-centric studio model that prioritizes community over calculations—and how offering a solid sweat session is no longer enough. Discover why "putting your adult life in a cubby" is the ultimate luxury, how to empower your staff with a surprise and delight budget, and why the future of fitness lies in becoming a true "third space" for your members.

“Your confidence and your aspiration has always gotta be bigger than the impact that you’re having on others, because that’s how your impact grows." In this high-impact session, "C-Suite Whisperer" Mike Lipkin reveals why your inner game is the ultimate driver of outer success, arguing that a leader’s aspiration must always exceed their current impact to fuel growth. He introduces the concept of the Potentiator—a leader who systematically increases the strength of those around them—and challenges fitness professionals to transition from being simple service providers to "Talismans" for their clients. By leveraging the "magic" of AI for hyper-personalization and adopting a mindset of radical self-awareness, Mike explains how to win the "Everyday Lottery" of networking, move beyond the crowded "Red Ocean" of competition, and enter a "Blue Ocean" of indispensable influence. Beyond strategy, Mike explores the psychological weight of the phrase "You Belong Here," positioning it as a vital antidote to a world where loneliness is as lethal as a pack-a-day smoking habit. He outlines the Five Levels of Belonging, providing a roadmap to move members from being merely "tolerated" to a peak state of security where they can stumble without fear of exile. By "re-membering" members every day and consistently articulating the life-changing value of health, leaders can transform their businesses into sanctuaries of community that are impossible to detether from.

“If you can consistently enroll just two new members each month, you can add $50,000 a year in annual revenue by the end of the first year.” Many studio owners feel like they’re working nonstop…yet their bank account doesn’t reflect the effort. In this episode of Well, Well, Well, Laura sits down with Julian Barnes, co-founder and CEO of the BFS Network, to decode the latest State of the Industry report—and what it really tells us about profitable, sustainable studios. Julian breaks down who’s actually represented in the data (spoiler: it’s overwhelmingly independently owned studios), why profitability is the metric that keeps your doors open, and how the percentage of studios hitting 20%+ margins has almost doubled since the last report. They dig into the surprising correlation between having a dedicated manager and landing in the most profitable tier, the unsexy basics the best studios execute every single day, and Julian’s simple formula for adding $50K in annual revenue by focusing on just two to three net new members a month. You’ll also hear a candid conversation about why “community” alone can’t be your moat, how to stand out when three studios open on the same block, and what it really looks like to shift from passion project to business owner—without losing your heart for impact. If you’ve ever thought, “I love what I do, but this has to make more money,” this is your playbook episode.

"You can lead your team from a calm energy." This is the conversation every studio owner needs to hear. Many boutique fitness owners struggle with finances, feeling lost or frozen by overwhelming metrics. In this episode of Well, Well, Well, finance expert, Lauren Schoenfeld, Founder, CEO + CFO of Active Core Consulting, peels back the shame and simplifies the path to financial clarity. Lauren, who scaled her career from a major consulting firm to eight years at Equinox, brings the tactical knowledge of big business to the small-business owner. She dives deep into the emotional tax of being a business owner versus a CEO, the core seven metrics that actually matter, and how harnessing your "flow state" is the key to making strategic, bold decisions for profitability. Learn the difference between reacting to numbers and actively steering your studio toward success.

“When it comes to movement, it’s about the pleasure principle. What brings you joy? That’s the key.” We all enter the fitness industry because it fired us up, but somewhere along the line, the constant competition, the selling, and the feeling of burnout can take over. In this must-listen episode of Well, Well, Well, host Laura Munkholm welcomes Jessica Maurer, Director of Education for the Mental Wellbeing Association. They dive deep into the emotional realities of studio ownership and teaching—and how to reclaim the spark. Jessica shares groundbreaking, evidence-based strategies to shift the narrative from fitness as punishment, guilt, and competition to fitness as joy, pleasure, and genuine connection. Learn the critical difference between burnout and boredom, the dangers of the false consensus effect in boutique fitness, and the simple structure that will make social media an engine for connection, not comparison. This is the conversation you need to hear to stop focusing on management and start leading with wellness and finding true fulfillment.