Well, Well, Well

014 Wellness & Healthcare with Dr. Gloria Winters

“We want to go upstream to look for a solution, before you get to downstream sick care.” The health of our nation is at a crisis point, yet 80% of what determines our health is ignored by the $4.9 trillion "sick care" system.
In this powerful episode, we sit down with Dr. Gloria Winters, Chief Health Officer of the YMCA of the USA, to dissect the critical gap between preventative wellness and clinical medicine. With over 25 years as a physician and orthopedic physical therapist, Dr. Winters brings rare insight from the front lines of patient care to the decision-making tables in Washington, D.C. (including a recent conversation with the administrator of CMS).
Dr. Winters shares her incredible journey from treating patients full-time to championing whole-person health across 2,600 communities nationwide. She uses a powerful parable—the "Third Friend"—to redefine the role of the wellness industry as the essential force that goes upstream to prevent problems before they start.

013 Wellness & Brand with Barry Kostabi

"If we’re just taking them to the other side of a workout, that's easy to leave, that's easy to replace."
Tired of chasing fitness trends? Host Laura Munkholm and experienced brand strategist Barry Kostabi reveal the single most powerful strategy for building a resilient wellness business: shifting from selling a workout to selling an identity. Drawing on his global experience, Barry explains why Identity-First Brands succeed where others fail, how to speak to the 80% of people who aren't moving, and why deep-seated loyalty isn't about the type of class you offer, but the feeling you deliver. If you're ready to build a business that people feel they can't live without, learn how to deliver the emotional journey clients are truly buying.
Learn more from (and with) Barry and his company, Fitcarma:
Why You're Not Selling Out Your Classes (& What To Do About It!) Free 45-Minute Mini-Course: fitcarma.com/soldoutclasses
Book A North Star Session: fitcarma.com/northstar

012 Wellness & Studio Ownership with Humble Warrior Yoga

“Start with your why. Share it often. People want to be a part of something bigger.” 
In this episode of the Well, Well, Well podcast, join host Laura Munkholm as she sits down with Talitha and Genevieve, the dynamic co-owners of Humble Warrior Yoga. This unstoppable duo is on a mission to build a multi-location brand by staying unapologetically authentic in a crowded market. They share their wild journey from a side hustle to a thriving business, revealing how they've navigated the challenges of a business partnership, built an incredible team, and stayed true to their core values. Consider this conversation an honest and inspiring look at why trusting your gut and being remarkable—not just forgettable—is the key to long-term success.

011 Wellness & Business Evolution with Jill Dailey

“Do what you love. Trust your instincts. Create your boundaries. It’s all hard work, so you want to love it.” – Jill Dailey
In this episode of Well, Well, Well, Laura sits down with Jill Dailey, founder of The Dailey Method and one of the pioneers who brought boutique fitness to the West Coast. From starting the first barre studio in San Francisco 25 years ago to scaling to nearly 70 franchises—and then intentionally shifting back to just two community-focused studios—Jill shares the evolution of her business and her perspective on growth, creativity, and balance.
You’ll hear the behind-the-scenes story of building a movement, what it really takes to sustain a studio over decades, and why Jill believes barre is for everyone. She opens up about the freedom she’s found in downsizing, the joy of leading retreats around the world, and the lessons she wants every entrepreneur to carry with them.

010 Wellness & Design with Barbara Chancey

"You're only as good as your worst instructor's worst playlist."
What does it take to build a timeless fitness studio? More than just aesthetics, according to Barbara Chancey, the visionary designer behind hundreds of award-winning studios.
In this episode, she joins Laura to reveal her unconventional approach to design, which focuses on creating a space that empowers instructors, fosters community, and stands the test of time. Barbara shares her journey from a single cycling studio to a global design firm, explaining why she believes the things you can’t see (like acoustics and air quality) are more important than the things you can. She also offers invaluable advice on avoiding common pitfalls, such as a cheap brand and too many bells and whistles, and gives us a new way to think about what "luxury" truly means in the wellness space.

009 Wellness & AI with Cat Zbar

"Let the bots do what the bots do best, and then let the humans do what the humans do best."
The majority of boutique studios aren't profitable long-term, but the smartest ones are changing the game with a secret weapon: AI.
In this powerful and honest conversation, Laura interviews Cat Zbar of Telomere Consulting, an expert on applying AI in the fitness and wellness industry. Cat shares practical, real-world examples of how studios can use AI to create marketing content, automate their front desk, and gain crucial business insights—all without sacrificing the human connection that makes their brand special. Get ready to stop guessing and start growing.

008 Wellness & The Consultant Landscape with Josh Biro

"If you don’t know your numbers, you can’t grow. It’s that simple."
What does it really take to succeed in the boutique fitness industry today? In this episode, Laura sits down with Josh Biro—founder of the Yogapreneur Collective and longtime coach to studios across North America—for an honest, unfiltered conversation on the state of consulting, the evolving wellness consumer, and how to stop mistaking symptoms for problems in your business.
From van life to building and selling his studio, Josh shares the raw truths (and hard-won lessons) behind helping thousands of studio owners reclaim profitability, passion, and purpose. This is a *must-listen* for every studio owner.

007 Wellness & Community Leadership with Danielle Barbeau

"Everything starts with mission, vision, and values.”
What does it truly mean to lead with heart, cultivate deep community, and build a business that transcends the ordinary? In this special in-person episode of Well, Well, Well, Laura travels to Denver to sit down with Danielle Barbeau, founder of The River Yoga. Discover how Danielle navigated the wild journey of growing a studio (including a hilarious Red Rocks origin story!) and intentionally shaped The River into a powerful "third place" of belonging—a community so strong, some members get it tattooed.
Danielle shares profound insights on evolving as a leader, embracing adaptive challenges, and her non-negotiables for fostering a "people-first" culture that sets studios apart. This is a must-listen for anyone building community in wellness, creating a thriving team, or simply trying to show up with more purpose.

006 Wellness & The Coach Evolution with Amy Boone Thompson

"We fill their bucket so they can go back and fill their clients' buckets." 
In this insightful episode of Well, Well, Well, host Laura Munkholm welcomes Amy Boone Thompson, CEO and owner of IDEA Health and Fitness Association. With over three decades of experience, Amy offers her unique perspective on the dramatic evolution of fitness coaches, instructors, and trainers.
They discuss the rise of hybrid professionals, the adoption of a holistic approach to client well-being, and the exciting trend of fitness professionals becoming entrepreneurs—a shift greatly accelerated by the pandemic. Amy shares invaluable advice for studio and gym owners on retaining talented teams, emphasizing the importance of culture, professional growth, and benefits. Tune in for a forward-looking discussion on the emerging intersection of medicine and fitness, and how professionals can navigate this new frontier.

005 Wellness & Exit Strategies with Mitch McGinley

"A good exit strategy is just good business strategy."Thinking about selling your studio one day? Even if it's years down the road, this episode of Well, Well, Well is a must-listen. Laura Munkholm chats with Mitch McGinley, a former yoga studio owner who has now brokered over 60 sales and $10 million in transactions. Mitch pulls back the curtain on the emotional and logistical rollercoaster of selling a wellness business. He shares candid, actionable advice on why good business is good exit planning, how to start strategizing now, and what it actually takes to secure that future payday. 
From landlord hurdles to financial prep, get the clear-headed perspective and tools you need, no matter your current stage. Don't miss this crucial conversation!
🔗 Learn more or connect with Mitch at boutiquefitnessbroker.com