What Owning a Fitness Studio Taught Me About People
Lessons from the Studio That No HR Handbook Ever Covered
If you had told me years ago that some of my most powerful lessons about human behavior wouldn’t come from an HR conference room but from a dance floor filled with sweaty, laughing, slightly nervous people, I wouldn't have believed you.
But here we are.
After decades in Human Resources, I thought I knew people. I had managed policies, handled difficult conversations, led teams, and navigated more than my share of performance reviews. Then I opened a fitness studio, and with the help of my business partner J’r, I found myself learning a whole new side of what it means to show up, connect, and grow.
Here’s what Studio C has taught me about people, and why I wouldn’t trade these lessons for anything.
1. People just want to feel seen
In HR, I understood the importance of recognition and engagement. But at the studio, I witness it daily. J’r and I make it a priority to know names, notice effort, and celebrate progress. A simple smile when someone walks in or a quick "you crushed it today" goes a long way.
It's not about big moments. It's about making people feel like they matter. Most of us need that more than we realize.
2. Showing up is an act of bravery
Trying something new, especially in fitness, can be scary. We’ve seen people walk in with hesitation, anxiety, and doubt. Some nearly turn around before they even check in. And we’ve seen those same people grow into confident regulars who move with pride.
Courage doesn’t always look loud. Sometimes it’s just putting on your shoes and walking through the door. We try to meet that moment with encouragement every single time.
3. Growth happens in community
In the workplace, performance is often measured on an individual level. But at the studio, we see how much growth comes from being part of something bigger. The high-fives after class. The laughter when choreography gets messy. The shared struggle that turns into support.
J’r has this way of bringing energy that pulls people together. Whether it’s a playlist, a joke, or just that spark he brings to the room, it reminds us that showing up for each other makes everything easier.
4. Everyone carries something invisible
In HR, I knew people brought their personal lives with them, no matter how hard they tried to leave it at the door. At Studio C, we feel it more deeply. The stress, the grief, the “I almost didn’t come today” energy is real.
Movement has a way of bringing things to the surface. Sometimes what someone needs isn’t a perfect workout but a safe space to just be. J’r and I try to create that space—one where people are allowed to feel whatever they need to feel.
5. Celebration matters
We love celebrating birthdays, new members, and challenge wins. But the small stuff? That’s just as powerful. Making it through a class after a hard week. Learning a new move. Coming back after being gone for a while.
J’r is usually the first one to crank up the music and shout someone out. Those tiny moments of joy build confidence. They keep people coming back. And they remind us that showing up is always worth celebrating.
Final Thought
I spent years building policies and managing people with the goal of creating better workplaces. Now I get to build something different but just as meaningful, right alongside J’r.
When he joined the team, he brought a new level of energy and connection. His creativity, passion, and ability to inspire others helped bring our vision to life. Together, we’ve created a space where people feel strong, accepted, and part of a community that lifts them up.
Studio C continues to teach me that when you remove the pressure and the titles, most people just want to feel good in their bodies, feel supported, and feel seen.
That is the kind of work we get to do every day. And I am so grateful I get to do it with him.