Latest / Sweat Community / Ep. 11 How Chelsea Stewart Built HAVN Hot Pilates Into Two Waitlisted Studios
Transcript
- Sheena: Do you see that? I think we're on. Welcome back to Sweat Community Podcast, where we ugh, okay. Welcome back to Sweat Community, the podcast all about fitness. Nope, sorry, last one. Let me do it again. Welcome back to Sweat Community, the podcast all about health, wellness, and community right here in the Denver metro area. Today I'm joined by Chelsea Stewart, founder and owner of Haven Hot Pilates. What started as one instructor with a vision has grown into a thriving community, multiple studios, and a workout that is helping people build strength, confidence, and connection in one of the most competitive fitness markets in the country. Chelsea, welcome to Sweat Community. Chelsea Stewart: ⁓ my gosh, what an introduction. Okay. If you could just introduce me every time I walk in somewhere, I would be on Cloud9. Sheena: Ha ha! Let's do it. I'm on it. Chelsea Stewart: I love that. Hi, thank you so much for having me. And again, thanks for that intro. Yes. Sheena: ⁓ my gosh, of course. Thank you so much for being here. I am thrilled to have you on. Chelsea Stewart: Truly, truly an honor. Sheena: ⁓ you're so sweet. All right. So before we get started and get into the whole business side of things, I want to go back to the beginning. ⁓ let's intro you a little bit more. I wanna get back to the beginning because every great studio starts with the story. So before you were a founder, you were a mover. What role has Pilates played in your own physical and mental health? Chelsea Stewart: ⁓ my gosh. All right. Let's ⁓ I'll just give you a long-winded answer. How about that? so I've been an athlete my whole life. I grew up playing a ton of sports and then really honed in on two and played tennis and volleyball and was really competitive in the volleyball landscape. And I tore my ACL and meniscus, and then I had to get surgery. And when that happened, it kind of threw me for a loop, to be totally honest, and put a wrench in things. And that's where I turned to my own fitness journey. And I was Sheena: Yeah, let's do it. Chelsea Stewart: Working out all the time, lifting, cycling, doing everything. And then throughout college, I was trying to find what I wanted to do. And I went through a bunch of different certifications. I got my 200-hour yoga certification. I did yoga sculpt. I did several different variations of it. and then as I was evolving in yoga, I was like, you know what, this just isn't serving my body anymore. I really need something a little more intense. And that's when I went really heavy into the cycling realm. And I actually taught indoor cycling for a while. And then after kind of being burnt out on being a bike that literally goes nowhere, I took it outside and started doing endurance cycling. So meaning I would do a hundred-mile rides and a hundred mile races and was like, this is amazing and I love how it feels, but I also still need the strength component. And that's where I found Pilates. And I actually started Pilates. In the reformer side of things. And reformer is great. And I think that reformer is awesome, but I just really wanted more. I'm like a super if if you know me, you know that I do everything to 200%. Like 110% to me still feels like not enough. So I'm like, let's just push this and go as hard as I can. So I was cycling and then lifting, and I was like, I need something that really combines everything. So I was looking at Matt Pilates. And when I was doing Matt Pilates, it was really something that I not only just got certified in, but I was building a body that I wanted that not only I felt good in, that I thought looked good, but was functional. So yes, it was Pilates, but I also was adding weights and going heavier weights and not just two-pound weights, but really amping it up. And then after teaching and being in the fitness space for so long. I was like, you know what? I can do something on my own. I know the business side. I know the marketing. I have that as a background. And I've been teaching for so long. Before I opened Haven, I had been teaching for 12 years and built a modality that is Haven. Yes, we're Pilates in its foundation, but we're so much more than that because it's a combination of two things, really. It's a combination of matte Pilates mixed with strength training. And then we add the element of heat. So It's this big combination of everything. And that's to to make a long story longer, it's it's like it was a dream inside of a dream. I've always been that athlete. I've always been someone who wanted to do everything to the extreme. And then being that person who's hyper independent, I was like, all right, we're gonna take this extreme thing that I've created. Sheena: Yeah. Chelsea Stewart: And then I'm gonna take that entrepreneurial leap and hope and pray that it'll work out. And I went, I started just it was me and I had ⁓ three other coaches when I opened my doors. And two and a half years later, I have 21 employees and two studios. Sheena: Wow, that is truly incredible. That's amazing. It's Chelsea Stewart: Yeah. It's insane. I feel like I'm in a the twilight zone every single day. Sheena: It's incredible how fast you grew. Like that growth that just it shows that the need for this was truly there. Wow. So I'm Chelsea Stewart: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yeah. And I feel so grateful and so blessed. And like every day, everyone that comes in the studio, and I I'm not just saying this, I truly, truly mean it. Every single person that walks into the studio, be it a member, be it a drop-in, be it whatever, I'm just in awe and so grateful that they're taking time out of their day to come try something that I've created. And it it feels like the ultimate honor and blessing, to be honest. Sheena: ⁓ that's amazing. Well, and it shows because I've been to your studio and I was so impressed by having you there in the front and you knowing my name and you knowing everyone's name when they come in, when they leave, you're just so welcoming and it truly shows how important the community is to you behind all this. Chelsea Stewart: It it is. Community is everything to me. I say it to my coaches. I say it to the people that walk into the doors. I wouldn't be here without any of them. This would not be h possible without every single one. Like, yeah, I'm the creator. I'm the visionary. I'm the one that like is truly invested every single ounce of my being into this, but it wouldn't be anything without anyone else. Like that just wouldn't happen. So it's community first for sure. Sheena: Absolutely. Absolutely. So, let's see. So Denver already has an incredibly saturated fitness market. What made you look at the landscape and think, yes, hot Pilates and strength, that is what is missing, that is what I'm gonna bring. Chelsea Stewart: Mm-hmm. ⁓ maybe like delusion. I don't know. I I don't know. I'm like, the part of me was like, you know what? F it. Let's just do it. No, I don't know. ⁓ gosh, I true I'm like truly trying to think. I feel like maybe it is slight delusion where I was like, This is this is just gonna work. And I will do whatever I need to do to make sure that it's successful and to make sure that people love it. But I also felt like Sheena: Hmm. Ha ha Ha ha ha. Chelsea Stewart: It wasn't just that I thought Denver needed hot Pilates. Like that's totally not just it. Yes, I was like, this I truly not am not just saying this, believe that there is nothing like Haven. It is totally different than what a lot of people are doing or claiming or saying. But I also felt like Denver needed a place that was community first. We ha I believe wholeheartedly in the method. I believe that it can do wonders for your body and that anyone can do it. But I believe more so in the power of community. Because if people are surrounded by other people who want everyone to succeed, you're just gonna feel so much better. And that's what I felt like Denver was lacking. I felt like Denver was lacking a place where someone could go and be like, I just wanna be a part of a community that is. not about this like Instagram aesthetic and trying to be something that it's not and is just built on authenticity and realness and feels good. That's what I felt like Denver was missing. Sheena: Mm-hmm. Yes, definitely. And I think you ⁓ for sure created that space for for community in Denver. yeah. ⁓ no, it's you did. Like I I the hype is there. It's amazing. And it goes beyond the hype for sure. so why did you choose to build around Matt Pilates rather than the reformer route that many studios take on? Chelsea Stewart: Thank you. I'm trying. I'm trying. Mm-hmm. Yep. I I mean, maybe I'll get crucified for this. ⁓ but I felt like, because I had been doing reformer Pilates for six years, and I felt like I plateaued. I couldn't get, I couldn't add more springs, I couldn't get better. It was like the plateau happened faster than I would have liked to admit. And at the end of the day. Sheena: Ha ha. Chelsea Stewart: If you've done Matt Pilates versus Reformer Pilates, again, I'm gonna get crucified. It's harder because you don't have the help of the machine, of the springs, of the resistance. It's kind of a little bit of an aid. Whereas in Matt Pilates, it's you versus you. You've got to use your own body strength. You've got to use your ability, not the strength or the helpslash assistance of a machine. So I was like, I like the mat better. And that's right. I just leaned in fully to that. Sheena: Yeah, I am with you. I way prefer Matt Pilates over Reformer. I think it's harder. I think it you can do it anywhere. You don't I I love Matt Pilates. Do you think that Matt Pilates is underestimated, especially with this popularity of reformer Pilates and compre ⁓ not comprehensive. Yeah, comprehensive Pilates. Chelsea Stewart: Yeah, you know what? I do think Matt Pilates is definitely underrated and undervalued. What I think is hyped is Reformer Pilates. And I'm I love it still. Like I will go and take a Reformer Pilates class still to this day. But I don't I don't know. I don't know why there is such a hype. And it's funny because I've actually been hearing so much about Pilates is dead and like the era of Pilates is over. And I actually totally disagree with that because Pilates has been around for forever. What I do think is over is the hype around hyper aesthetic studios, around studios that are not rooted in a modality, around studios where they just have instructors kind of doing whatever they want. Like that is what I think is over. I don't think the Pilates era is over. I think it's, I think it's about. Finding a space that's gonna listen and also be very intentional with the method and not just kind of like checking a box. In fact, I say that to my instructors all the time, all the time, and we call the team coaches. I'm like, if you're here to check a box, like this isn't your space, we don't show up. And just be like, okay, I said this, this, this, and this, check, check, check, and done. No. You are fully present. You are welcoming. You are in the moment. And if you're having an off day, I get it, but also like that's gotta stay outside because people are spending not just their money, money aside. I say this all the time: money aside, people are spending their time. So when people are spending their time with you. That is the most valuable asset. And you're not just going to check a box. You're not just going to be like, ⁓ I showed up in my Pilates era and I taught this class. No, you're there to be the coach, to be the guide, to deliver a kick-ass workout that's effective. So I will always, always lean on the Matt Pilates, at least right now. This is just where I'm at. The Matt Pilates side, I don't believe that the Pilates era is over. I still think Reformer Pilates very much so serves a space and is there. It's just not for me every day anymore. Does that answer your question or did I kind of like go around it? Sheena: Mm-hmm. That's fair. You know what? It's okay. I think we got it. ⁓ we did we have you got a lot more in there too, which is great. I'll circle back with the coaches and all that too. But but yeah, it was good. We'll we'll go. I like it. That was awesome. ⁓ so yeah, because we were going on the whole explosion of Pilates. Chelsea Stewart: Like let me just make this longer than it needs to be. Sheena: So we'll say, ⁓ yeah, I I've hear I'm hearing a lot that people are thinking that Pilates in general is just kind of peaking right now and that it is on a downtrend. But I love that your answer to it, that it's it's been around for so long and that it's not it's not going anywhere. ⁓ what are some of the biggest miscon misconceptions that people might have about it, about Pilates? Chelsea Stewart: ⁓ that it's stretching, that you're you're going there to stretch. And I'm like, well, okay, no. Definitely not at at Haven. That's definitely not what we do. I also think that people think you can't build muscle through Pilates. Now I will say when I created Haven, I built a modality. So it's a combination of Pilates and strength training. So at Haven, you're definitely gonna build muscle because we use weights. We do Sheena: Yeah. Chelsea Stewart: Strength training techniques, we do progression. But still, when you're talking about Pilates in general, anytime that you are doing any sort of resistance training, you are building strength. You are building muscle. So I don't understand why people are saying you can't get strong doing Pilates. Like, I think those are the people, no offense, but are uneducated. They don't understand how to build strength. All you need to do to build strength is. Push your body past what it's typically comfortable at. And that's called a progressive overload. If you don't do anything and you're now just incorporating strength via body weight, you're gonna get stronger. Like that's just the science of it at the end of the day. So yeah. Sheena: Yeah. How yeah, no, it's I agree with that because I hear that so many times that people are like, no, Pilates, there's absolutely no strength building, even if you're using weights, because the lights are the weights are light, ⁓ you're not gonna build muscle. But I disagree as well. How heavy do you get with the weights in your classes? Chelsea Stewart: Yeah, so we have two pounds all the way up to 15 pound weights. And then we also incorporate different props like resistance bands, sliders, blocks, balls, stuff like that. Sheena: And what benefits would you say that you offer with this Pilates class that is that traditional strength training doesn't incorporate? Chelsea Stewart: ⁓ If you look at a traditional strength training program, you're gonna have splits, meaning you would target one day you would just do lower body, one day maybe you're gonna do upper body and you break it up into like back and biceps or chest and triceps. And while that works for a lot of people, it's also super unrealistic because most people don't have time to work out like that. So at Haven, what we do is we hit the full body every single class. And not just that, we when we hit the full body, when you're working a muscle group, we work it to failure. So you work that muscle group to fatigue and then we move on. So you're not going and back back and forth and bouncing around and doing a lower body and then going core and going back. No, we we fatigue a muscle group and then we move on. Sheena: Yeah, because that when you go to failure in that muscle, that is where you are literally growing that muscle, which then in turn to helping grow your bone density and there's just so many benefits to that. I love it. ⁓ have you seen clients come in and actually tell you like, hey, look, I'm actually my muscle, I have noticed a change in my muscle growth or in scans of bone density or just what changes do you see in your clients who consistently practice? Chelsea Stewart: Heard anyone say they've gotten a bone density scan. That would be unique. I would love to hear that. ⁓ but I have heard several people say, I've gotten so much stronger. There's one gal who she's like an avid biker and she hikes all the time. And she told me, and this is a true story, I want to say like two or three weeks ago, she went on a hike with all of these people that she knows and a lot of guys, and she was kicking their ass. And she goes, literally, the only thing that I've changed is I've added. Haven into it. And she's like, I'm so much stronger. I can beat people who are like half of my age going up a mountain. And then I had another gal just recently, she's like, I've been coming to Haven for a year and a half. And all I've started was Haven and she lost 30 pounds. And it's like stuff like that, where I didn't create this modality because I'm like some sort of I don't know, ego monster. No, I created it because I know that this is what works. And Yes, we are prominent, predominantly women, but it's also great for for everyone because it's something that you can add or just do. You can add Haven to your routine or you can just do Haven and it's going to be effective, especially when you're following what the coach is saying and when you're leveling up, you're grabbing the heavier weights. Like this is something that works. Sheena: that is so cool. I love that you created this. It actually works that people are telling you these stories about how their strength and just it helping with everything, their longevity, their life, their movement. It's amazing. That's so cool that you're doing this. So I've yeah, I love this. ⁓ so for people that might be intimidated, hearing, ⁓ my gosh, this is like also strength training. There's heat, it's Pilates. How do you make it accessible for everybody? Chelsea Stewart: Totally. My gosh, thank you. So it's kind of a two-pronged approach. One, I think what t intimidates people the most is it is two things. One, it's the heat. And I get that. The heat can be overwhelming for sure. But then two, people who aren't group fitness people, regardless of the studio you go, it feels very overwhelming and intimidating. So I tell this to every single person that I bring on my team. I'm like, you are the person that is there to make their day. And Everyone is welcome. And when they come into the doors, you're gonna smile, you're gonna say their name, you're gonna ask their name. If you don't know them, you're gonna sh if it's their first time, you show them around the studio. So it's all about really making sure everyone feels comfortable in the space. We make it a very strong point that no one is to have their phone in the studio. Yes, obviously there are exceptions. We'll have like doctors who are on call or something like that, but I also feel like Phones in the studio can not only be distracting, but people can get uncomfortable. They're like, I don't want to be in your video and I don't want to be seen and all of this. So our goal first is to make everyone feel super comfortable. And then with the heat, we do offer during the middle of the day unheated classes. So if people are like, ⁓ well, the heat is intimidating, we always say, come try an unheated class, get the feel for what it's like, and then take a heated class. And it feels way less intimidating that way. Sheena: Hm, very true. Do the non heated classes fill up? Like do people are there some people that just prefer nonheated? Chelsea Stewart: There are and a lot of pregnant women take them. Sheena: ⁓ great. That's yeah, I love that. ⁓ okay, so before let me go right here. so yeah, so people see ⁓ Haven today and they assume that success happened quickly, but ultimately people keep coming back because of the experience, and the experience is different. Like you they feel welcome, they feel invited, what you do to create that community. So Chelsea Stewart: Yeah. Sheena: That we've already answered that. We've already answered that. ⁓ Okay. Yeah. Yeah. No, it's great. It's great. I'm like, we're gonna get through this a lot quicker. I love it. I'm gonna go back kind of more into the business stuff. Okay. ⁓ okay. Yeah, I know. We're like jumping all over. Like, I'm doing like some we're questioning in like each little different little section. It's great, it's great. Chelsea Stewart: I know, I probably answered us several like in one question. That's okay. Sheena: ⁓ All right. So you had the vision. Now let's actually talk about what brought the vision to life. Okay, we insert that. About okay, Denver has a fitness scene. How did you create the cre studio that stood out? Okay. ⁓ I think we answered this, but I'm gonna just say it and then you can just kind of I can delete stuff if you've already answered or don't wanna anyway. Okay. So when did you go from This is a cool idea. To I'm signing a commercial lease and this is really happening. When did you cross a point of no return? Chelsea Stewart: ⁓ when I sign the lease. ⁓ if people don't know what a commercial lease is, it's basically signing your life away for a minimum of five years. And you are personally guaranteed for the loan, so or for the lease. So yeah, so you you sign on the dotted line and you're like, all right, here we go. I hope this works. but what led me there was I, so like I said, I have a background in marketing and I was doing marketing and I was teaching fitness and Sheena: Yeah. ⁓ wow. Chelsea Stewart: Was talking to my dad and ⁓ he was like, What do you want to do? Like, what's like the the goal? And I was like, Well, I've been just doing fitness forever and like this is my thing. Like, I love it. I so I'm 35 right now. I opened the studio when I was 33, and I've literally just loved fitness. I could talk about it all day, every day. And I was like, this is what I want to do. And this is I wanna create something that is not just your standard studio where it's like. ⁓ anyone can open this because it's a plug and play thing. I'm like, no, I want to create something that's totally mine and see what happens. And my dad was like, Are you sure? And I was like, yes. And he was like, asking me 12 times. And I was like, you know what? I'm not sure, but I'm gonna try it out. And I found a space and signed on the dotted line. And it from the signing, now again. Sheena: Mm-hmm. Ha ha Chelsea Stewart: Like I said, I'm an extremist and I pushed my contractors and they hate me, but whatever, we got it done. From the time I signed the lease to opening the doors, it was about just over three months. We freaking hustled day and night. Yeah, from permitting to build out to everything. and then I opened my doors and it was it's been a whirlwind since day one, let me tell you. Still two and a half years later, still is crazy. Sheena: Wow. ⁓ my gosh. Yeah, I can't believe it through like three months. That's insanity. So would you say compared to a reformer studio, a Matt Pilates studio has a lower barrier to entry? How did you allocate your initial budget, that being just all on you? Chelsea Stewart: ⁓ well, I had a gi I am very OCD and very type A. And I budgeted everything out to the cent. And let me tell you what, it was far more expensive than what you will budget. And you just have to I was just scrappy as hell. Like I didn't have 12 million dollars or this huge investor. Like it was me. So what happened was I was like, okay, I had this amount of money. This is all I have. I don't have any more. And Sheena: Hm. Chelsea Stewart: How can I utilize this? What do I do? And you get very creative and you get very scrappy and you do stuff. Like I was there every day. I had a full-time job while I was doing the build out and was there every day, like looking at plans, approving things, not approving things. I had all of these things that I wanted to do. And then it was just adding up. And I was like, well, not doing any of that. Like, let's just open bare bones and No, I don't think it's a low barrier to entry. I don't think opening a studio is easy. So I don't know why people are doing it all the time. And this is something that I get so passionate about because can I cuss? Sheena: Yeah ⁓ sure Chelsea Stewart: This, I'll I will not. I won't. This is the hardest thing I've ever done. Owning a business and opening a studio is not easy. So the fact that people think they can just be like, ⁓ all you gotta do is put up some walls and have some bathrooms and open a studio. I can promise you this, Sheena, if it were that easy, ⁓ my gosh, it would be a free-for-all. And it is not. The barrier to entry is. It may seem low, but let me tell you, it's a it is not for the faint of heart. Sheena: ⁓ my gosh, there's no way I could do it. I I don't think it's for the faint of heart as at all. Like that is so intimidating. What was the most unexpected expense or challenge during your build out? Chelsea Stewart: I mean, I don't know about expense, but the biggest challenge, I think this is I think every single person will like cheer and agree with me, regardless if you've done a commercial build-out or had any work done. Contractors are very difficult. And timelines are basically just fake. And you have to just push and push and push. And being a woman in an industry that is just men, meaning construction, they don't really take you super, super seriously. So you have to really, really fight for yourself and you have to be on them and be like, listen, this is this is a business at the end of the day. And every day costs me money. Sheena: Yeah, it's so crazy that at this t even what, two years ago, so twenty twenty four, that men still look at you as a woman that you don't know what you're doing, which blows my mind. That's ins Chelsea Stewart: Gosh, 100%. When I opened my second studio, I had different contractors who are amazing, by the way. My the who built my second studio, they really are amazing. But I remember they were saying something, and I guess they like didn't realize that this was my second studio. And I was like, I've done this before, like I have another studio, and they're like, What? And I was like, Yeah, and I can show you exactly what I paid and where I got it. And here's all this, this, this, and this. And then they like kind of swallow their words and they're like, ⁓ okay. So it was just it c it was a bummer to be honest that I had to really, really prove myself. Yeah. Sheena: Mm. Prove yourself. Yeah. Yeah. That's so it it blows my mind that you have to prove yourself first before people are like take you seriously. Chelsea Stewart: Yeah. And like, I mean, I don't know if I'm gonna give them grace, but I guess I will in this moment. We only know what we know. And maybe they were jaded from some experience in the past. But but yeah, it was definitely I think that was the thing that was the hardest was just constantly feeling like I'm just having to prove myself. Sheena: Hm, yeah, I can't even imagine. Ugh Was there ever a moment where you thought, I'm not sure this is gonna work out? Chelsea Stewart: ⁓ my gosh, I still feel like that. Are you kidding? Like, totally. It's it's tough, man. Like you're out here and you're giving your blood, sweat, and tears. And then when it's something, especially like with Haven, because this is something that I've built and it wasn't like a a franchise where it was a plug and play. So there'll be days where I'm like, ⁓ my gosh, does everyone hate me? Is this gonna fail? Like, and you just the biggest advice or the the best thing that I could ever say is just. Just don't give up. Just sh keep showing up. Like you cannot be beaten if you s if you just keep showing up. You will not be beaten. Sheena: Mm. Yeah, no, I love that. Is that like if you could look back and give yourself one piece of advice back from like opening day, is that what it would be? Just keep showing up? Chelsea Stewart: I think it would be a combination of that mixed with enjoy it. Because I didn't, at least for the first, I mean, definitely with studio one, I was so overwhelmed for the first four months that every single day I was like, ⁓ my gosh. So I would just say enjoy it. Like this is this is your dream, and and you're building it and you're doing it. And not a lot of people can say that. So Sheena: Mm. Chelsea Stewart: Enjoy it. Sheena: Yeah. ⁓ that gave me chills. I don't know if it's because my AC just turned on, what you said, but I just got like chills all over with that. I love it. ⁓ my gosh. So you said that when you started, it was just you and three other employees. How like what did a typical day look like back then? Like how many hours a week were you teaching in those early days? Chelsea Stewart: Yeah. That's hilarious. ⁓ my gosh, you're going jaws gonna hit the ground, especially if anyone's has taught a heated class. I was teaching between 20 and 22 classes a week. Heated. When I say that I was like a shell of a human, I was a shell of a human. Anytime that I was home and didn't feel like I had to be marketing and doing sales and doing whatever, I was sleeping. I was sleeping or eating. I couldn't eat enough. I couldn't sleep enough. ⁓ and then I finally got more coaches and like my schedule was dwindling as far as teaching, but I was still like doing everything. I didn't have anyone on staff who was helping me operationally for the first 14 months I was open. So I was doing everything. Yeah. Also, again, psychopath. Shouldn't have done it. Don't recommend doing that, but there we are. I did it. and then I brought someone on, and now I have two full-time help. So I have Sheena: Wow. Ha ha ⁓ Chelsea Stewart: Wow, that sounded terrible. I have two gals on my team. They're not just help, they're really like a the best extension of me and the brand. One gal does ⁓ everything back end. So she does any sort of client relations. Everything funnels through her. And she's honestly hand to God a lifesaver. ⁓ and then I have another gal. She does all of the scheduling and she'll help with like front desk ⁓ and she manages everything front desk related. Again, total lifesaver. ⁓ so when I first opened, I was teaching twenty to twenty-two classes a week and then doing everything else. So I was probably working 80 hours a week. Do I work that much now? No, but do I work way more than 40 hours a week? Hell yes. It's seven days a week. You're working I own this, like you've got to, you know. Sheena: Mm-hmm. Yeah, wow. When you say eat, breathe, sleep, live, haven't that's literally what you were doing to a T. Chelsea Stewart: Yeah, it's not yeah, it's not a facade, like it's fact. Yep. Sheena: Dang, I that's I I can't even imagine. That's insane. So ⁓ Chelsea Stewart: But you know what? I am not complaining. I truly like again, this is my dream. And either there's this whole, there's a saying that's going around, especially on Instagram right now. And it's like, what an honor to be tired from doing the thing that you love. Sheena: Absolutely, yes, yes. Chills again. ⁓ so how how you were teaching twenty-two classes ⁓ heated classes a week when you started. How many classes are you teaching personally now? Chelsea Stewart: Yeah. I still teach a lot. I still teach 10 a week. ⁓ which I know I'm getting like some flack. People are like, well, you're the owner, you shouldn't teach that much. And I'm like, I disagree. Like I this is my brand. Like I should be teaching a lot. And one, I like it. Like that's to be honest, the easiest part of the job. The easiest. Sheena: I love that you still love teaching. And and again, 'cause you're with everybody there and it's it's your baby. So that's fantastic. ⁓ when did you know when did you start hiring more instructors? Chelsea Stewart: ⁓ yeah. Mm. I I had to immediately. I didn't think, Sheena, when I tell you like I had this vision, but I also didn't know that anyone would believe in the vision. So that's why I was such a lean team. I was like, well, this will grow slow and steady, and I'll just h hope and pray that it does well. The exact opposite happened. Literally from day one, it was an explosion. Like people were flooding into the doors. And I don't mean to sound like arrogant in that way, because that's actually kind of the opposite. It was overwhelming. To the point where I was like, ⁓ my gosh, I need more instructors like yesterday. So literally I started hiring. And because this is a modality that I've created, I go through a training with them. And then it's not just a okay, you did the training, you're done. No, because I want really great coaches who understand the vision. So it takes a while. So I brought my next two hires on. I want to say. Like sixty to ninety days after I opened, and then steadily just kept adding more coaches from there. Sheena: Wow. Wow, that's great. Yes. You add it on quickly because to be at twenty-two now. Yeah, that's incredible. So like you said, you created this Haven method and you train coaches to teach it. What makes it work so well? And what qualities do you look for in instructors? Chelsea Stewart: ⁓ I had to. Mm-hmm. Two things, and I say this to every single person that I interview. I can, I have full confidence that I can teach you to teach the Haven method and that you can teach it well. What I cannot teach is your ability to be a kind person and to have a good personality. So those are the two things that I look for. If you are kind and you have a good personality, everything else I can teach you to do. And what makes it work is there the Haven method is very, very specific. And you can ask any of my coaches. There are so many things that we do that a lot of places don't do. And you wouldn't know unless you went through the training because it's so particular, and the way that it's executed is very particular because I am such a stickler on form, on alignment, on engagement, but also on the efficacy of the method, because you don't just want to work. out and sweat, you want it to work. So if it's coached well, it will work. Sheena: Mm-hmm. Yeah, and then I love how you're also mentioning about the alignment and the safety of it because that's so important too. If somebody's not in the proper form and they're lifting these weights or doing these ⁓ repetitive movements to fatigue, they you don't want them to leave injured. So a good instructor, coach is so huge. Chelsea Stewart: Right. ⁓ my gosh, it's huge because I hear it to this day of someone's like, ⁓ I went to this box and I left hurt and I'm like, God, that's such a bummer, you know? Sheena: Yeah, yeah, that shouldn't happen. So no, not at all. So instructor turnover is one of the biggest hidden costs in boutique fitnesses. What have you done to build loyalty with your teachers so they grow with Haven rather than move on? Chelsea Stewart: No. Let me think if I want to answer this question. ⁓ just because it's, let's take it out. Sheena: Okay, totally. Totally. We can totally take it out. Okay, you got it. You got it. ⁓ let's see. I is there I feel like that's pretty good on do you is there any other parts you want to go on with about like the building and leading is there before we move on from that? Chelsea Stewart: ⁓ maybe what it's like to be a good leader. Sheena: Yeah, let's I love that. Okay. I probably even have a question about that in here somewhere. I have like five pages. So okay. I don't know, which I'm not really even reading off of these. We're just kind of going, but okay. So you have an incredible team of coaches. What ⁓ what makes you stand out as a really good leader? I could ask that differently too. Chelsea Stewart: Mm-hmm. Maybe say like what would you say your coaches ⁓ say you're a good leader or something like that? Sheena: Okay. ⁓ yeah, I like that. Okay. What would your coaches say makes what about you would your coaches say that makes you a really good leader? Chelsea Stewart: It's funny because I actually ask my team all the time for feedback. I ask, what do you need from me? How can I show up better? How do you feel supported? What would be the best way for me to do X, Y, and Z? And I think what they would say as far as me being a leader is I am someone that leads from the front, meaning I will, I will never ask someone on my team to do something if one, I haven't already done it once before, or two, wouldn't be willing to do it myself. I will 100% always be the one that does something first. And I have their back full, full stop because my team is an extension of me. Haven is me. Haven a brand that I've built, and my team is an extension of that. And I trust them so much. And I think what they would say as far as what makes me a good leader is I am not afraid to have the hard conversations. I'm also very clear in my expectations. And I'm not gonna come at anyone with like this malintent. And I do not tolerate any sort of gossip or any sort of negativity within the team. And they all know that. And if I ever get wind of it, immediately it's squashed. Because I care so deeply about the culture and about my team that what I think not only makes a good leader, but makes me a good leader is the ability to foster a really good team, but then also be the person that truly is. The one standing in the front ready to take the punch before everyone else. Sheena: ⁓ that is so incredible that you have created a space where your coaches and the members feel safe. And then you also are you have your expectations set. So people know where they stand. And I think that is vital, truly. Chelsea Stewart: Yeah, totally. I mean, you you will never know or never doubt rather where you stand with me. I will always tell you. Because to be hon to me, I would rather know. Now granted I don't hate anyone, at least that's not on my team. I would rather know someone hates me than be like, ooh, does she or does she not? Like I would rather know. Sheena: Mm-hmm. ⁓ yeah, that's the worst to be wondering, like how, ⁓ does this person how do they feel about me? You're like, no, you'll know how I feel about you. There's there's no questioning. Yes, yes. ⁓ Well, one thing that I admire about Haven is that it feels like more than a workout studio. It feels like it is. It's a community. So sweat community is all about connection through movement. What does community mean to you and how do you intentionally build community inside of Haven? Chelsea Stewart: You will know. Mm-hmm. I think it's a a like a multi-pronged approach. ⁓ again, it's about always showing up and being present and not just checking a box. It's knowing people's names, it's being very active. I ask my coaches to take classes, to be involved in the community, to be someone who's not like on a pedestal. It we're all there building something together. But then also I a lot. ⁓ Sheena: Like Chelsea Stewart: of outside events. I partner with a lot of people. We pop up everywhere. I think it's about really getting involved in the community, literally going places, promoting, collaborating, doing events. It's it's truly a a a team effort. Sheena: Mm-hmm. And I think the events are my favorite. I love events and finding events and promoting events and attending events. Do you notice that these events attract mostly your current members or do they bring in a lot of new people as well? Chelsea Stewart: It's hard to say. I think it's almost like a 50 50 split. a lot of the members go, but I also get a lot of people who aren't members at Haven and they just like to go to events. So it's totally it varies. Sheena: Yeah. Have these events helped grow the studio? Chelsea Stewart: Totally. Totally. Mm-hmm. Sheena: Amazing. How do you maintain that personal touch as the business grows? Chelsea Stewart: It's hard, right? ⁓ especially because I can't be in two studios at once and I can't be in every class. So this is where I lean on my team, where I'm like, you guys are an extension of me, and you are an extension of Haven and you are the brand. So it's leaning on them and trusting that everyone, not just coaches, but front desk, they are just as important. It's trusting that they're going to Sheena: Yeah. Right. Chelsea Stewart: Understand my vision and know how to execute it. Sheena: Yeah, and it is hard. It is hard when you have such a specific vision in mind and it's your baby. It is hard to give that trust to other people for sure. Chelsea Stewart: Mm-hmm. I mean, look, I didn't hire anyone to help me for 14 months. This control freak over here was like, I got this. And then I'm like, I don't got this. Sheena: Yeah. No, I get it. It's it's hard. It's hard to let go of something when, especially when it's yours and your face, your name is the one behind it. So yeah, so speaking of growth, Haven isn't just one studio anymore. You mentioned that you have two studios. At what point did you know that Haven was ready for that second location? Chelsea Stewart: Yes, yes, totally. And I again I mean this in no arrogant way. Every single class on the wait list on this ⁓ schedule was waitlisted. Every single one. Yeah. Sheena: Wow. And how many classes a day or a week did you o do you offer or did you with the one studio? Chelsea Stewart: ⁓ it depends on the day. So we would have like upwards of ten classes in a day. Sheena: Wow, and they were all waitlisted. Wow. So now with the second studio, how has that helped? Or are they still are they both both b both businesses waitlisted? Chelsea Stewart: Every single one. It it has helped a little bit. ⁓ our s our first studio, the wait lists have eased a little, but they're still waitlisted. ⁓ and then studio two, we're starting to get just as waitlisted, which is awesome. Like it's great. And to see that people are loving it and showing up is awesome. It's there's always gonna be ⁓ I don't like to use the word challenge. My dad's like, stop saying it as a challenge. It's an opportunity. It's an opportunity to figure out another little something, whether I'm adding a class or changing something up. It's yeah, it's crazy. Sheena: Yeah, yeah, I like that. It's an opportunity, not a challenge. So your first studio is in Greenwood Village. The second studio is in Littleton. What surprised you about opening the second studio? Chelsea Stewart: what surprised me? I everyone said it was going to be hard. And I'm always up for hard. I I like to work. I didn't expect it to be hard in the way that it's hard. It is Sheena: If anything. Chelsea Stewart: The I think the expectation that I have one studio that was a crazy success and now it's like, can she do it again? So I think it's that internal pressure expectation where it was like, I don't know if I can do it again, you know? So it it was hard in a way that I that's like self inflicted. Sheena: Mm-hmm. Hmm. Okay. Yeah, I see that. Interesting. All right. so something I'm curious about, I know that a lot of fitness studios during the summer months it's harder to get people in because people just want to be outside or, you know, they're on vacation and whatnot. So do you see business slowing down during the summers or are there other times of the year that might be ⁓ particularly challenging? Chelsea Stewart: Yeah. Every business has an ebb and a flow. I think every industry has an ebb and a flow. I think what it kind of feels like is that's an excuse of people are like, well, we're just slow this month. No, I think it's a a chance instead of a challenge. I think it's an opportunity to see something different, to be like, okay, so in the summer, people do, especially in Colorado, we're super outdoorsy. It's like, how do we do that? We're, I am constantly looking at ways to incorporate. Sheena: Mm-hmm. Chelsea Stewart: the s the literal season into what we do. So if that means we're doing more events, if that means we're taking things outside, if that means that we are getting creative in the the way that we market, it's it's a I don't think it's necessarily a slowdown. I think it's just a a a change in tactic. Sheena: Mm-hmm. Yeah, and I think that Haven it actually complements all those different activities that people do throughout the year. Like in the summertime, the hiking and the running and cycling and doing it in the winter, it helps complement activities like skiing and being on the mountain. So I think keeping up with it year round is so important to do. Chelsea Stewart: Hundred percent. Yeah. And it's funny that you say that because we'll have people that go on a vacation for like a week and they'll come back and they'll come to class and they're like, ⁓ my gosh, even just one week off. And I'm like, Yeah. Sheena: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Ab yeah, you gotta keep up with it. It's it's so crazy. I mean, we can build muscle pretty quickly by being consistent, but we can also lose it. So you just have to keep at it. Chelsea Stewart: Mm-hmm. Yes, yes, yes, yes, you totally can lose it. Sheena: Do you see Haven continuing to expand? Chelsea Stewart: Yes. ⁓ and the reason I sound hesitant is because I do not want the Haven brand to ever dilute. And I see so often studios that get just like, I don't know if it's greedy or what, and they just open, open, open in their original. idea in their original studio, in their original format is no longer what it was because it's too big and it's too diluted. And I'm like, I just I refuse to let that be a thing. Sheena: Ugh, I love that you want to keep the core of Haven as is. That's that's perfect. Very cool. Do you ⁓ ten years from now, what hope what do you hope Haven has given the community? Chelsea Stewart: Yeah. Mm-hmm. A sense of belonging. Sheena: Yeah, I love that. So before we wrap up, I want to talk about you, Chelsea, the person behind the business. So I love seeing on your Instagram you post about your meal prepping and foods and walks and hikes that you do. So you share that inspiration online. How important is nutrition in your overall wellness routine? Chelsea Stewart: The most. The most. Nutrition and sleep. The most. I mean, I just told you I was teaching twenty-two classes a week. I can't do that and not eat. ⁓ it's actually funny, someone asked me the other day and I am very open about how much I eat and what I eat. And she was like, So how much do you eat a day? And I was like, Well, like, what do you mean? Like, what do you want to know? And she was like, like, how many calories? And I told her and she was like, No, you're lying. And I was like, Absolutely not. But you also don't understand that I'm running two businesses, I'm teaching 10 classes a week. I walk every day and I work out every day. I need a lot of food and I need to fuel. But I also am very, very, very particular in what I eat. I don't eat crap. I don't eat the cookies, the cakes, the creams, the stuff like that, because I need to be sharp. I need to be focused. And also everyone on my team is gonna be like, why aren't you telling them the truth? I am telling the truth in that, but what I am not saying is I am a grandma. I am asleep at 8 p.m. 8 p.m. I'm asleep. And I have no shame in that because I need, I need the sleep. I get up early because I coach early. I am like so regimented on my sleep because it literally, if I get a bad night at sleep the next day, I'll be fine. But the following day, I can't even function. Sheena: Mm-hmm. Chelsea Stewart: So nutrition and sleep to me, full stop, Sheena, are like hands down the most important things, especially right now in my life. Sheena: Yes. ⁓ my gosh. So I find getting good sleep is so hard. Especially how do you go to bed at eight? I lay down at around ten and I'm up for like two hours. Do you take any supplements or anything for sleep or is it just you are able to lay down at eight and just go right to sleep? Chelsea Stewart: No, no, no. I do have a ⁓ trouble falling asleep, but once I'm asleep, I'm asleep. I really I don't I take magnesium, but other than that, I don't take supplements ⁓ to fall asleep because I just I end up actually finding that in the morning I'm more tired. So I don't do that. but I think it's one, I've conditioned my body because I have been waking up so early that I just get tired sooner. Sheena: Tired. Chelsea Stewart: But I also eat early, so I don't eat at least three hours before I go to bed. So that helps. And then I also really, really, really try to take any sort of stimulant out, meaning I try not to be on my emails like an hour before I go to bed. I try to limit the screen time, all of those dumb things that they tell you to do. I really try to do it. ⁓ but I do, I mean, I'm it does work. Sheena: Well and it works. Chelsea Stewart: And I'm not gonna lie to you, I I have, and like I said, I do have a hard time falling asleep. So I'll be in bed, but not necessarily asleep. Sheena: ⁓ but great good for you to be in bed by eight. That's so good. Chelsea Stewart: Yeah. But you also have to realize like I don't have kids, so I have that working in my favor. Sheena: Yeah, yeah. yes. So has your definition of health of health changed over the years? Chelsea Stewart: Yeah, for sure. I mean, I'm thirty-five, so I grew up in that era of crash dieting, of cardio as queen, of all of that. And now I'm very much in the food as medicine, as sleep is your best way to recover. And a sound mind is probably the most important health hack anyone could do. Sheena: Hmm. Do you have any tips for like what do you do when you're feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or heading toward burnout? How do you get back to that sound mind? Chelsea Stewart: Two things. I get outside and I surround myself with people that are my closest inner circle. Sheena: Awesome. So outside and people. I love it. Amazing. So for tr someone trying to improve their health, where would you suggest they start? Chelsea Stewart: Simple and do not try everything all at once or you'll fail. Take one thing, one thing at a time. If it's that you drink more water, focus on that for like 30 days, then add on. Because if you try to do everything, I promise you, I will die on this hill. You will fail. It's one thing at a time. Sheena: ⁓ yeah. I I love that advice and I couldn't agree more because w the second people get overwhelmed, they're like, Nope, I can't do it and go right back to where they were. So fully agree on that. Do you have any non negotiables in your daily wellness routine aside from sleep and diet? Chelsea Stewart: Mm-hmm. movement every single day. And some people are like, you need a day off and yeah, some people do, but I can't do that. I my body is like programmed. I have to move. Sheena: Which ways, what are your favorite ways to move your body aside from Pilates and walking? Chelsea Stewart: Yeah, so Haven obviously ⁓ and walking and I I really do three things. So if I'm not taking a class at Haven, I will just do some sort of strength lifting at home. And then I I truly just freaking love walking. I'm like I was born to be outside. I just want to be outside. I do not walk on a treadmill. I do not do that. It will be 25 degrees outside and I will be outside. It'll be 100 degrees outside. I'll be outside. Sheena: ⁓ so good. There I love. I I'm the same. I will go for a walk. I try to go every day just listening to a podcast or just being outside and just trying to be in my own head, you know. I think it's so healthy for us. It's so good. ⁓ Ugh I had a question in mind. Okay, we did that one. And let's move on here. Chelsea Stewart: Totally. Sheena: Let's see. Yeah, I think that is just so amazing that you are prioritizing your own health while running a growing business. Because a lot of times I think people just get into the business side of it and lose track of themselves. So for you to prioritize your health and wellness, I think that is why you are so successful or a big part of why you're so successful. Chelsea Stewart: I mean, do not get me wrong, I would say when I first started, because I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. It was so overwhelming, that I that was not a thing. Like it took me a good six months before I was like, you gotta figure this out because this is not sustainable. Sheena: Yeah. It's ⁓ it's it's so much. So you are so busy seven days a week. Do you rest? Like do you have a day off or how do you recharge? ⁓ Chelsea Stewart: Mm-hmm. Hmm. Do I rest? ⁓ I like try to rest. I don't know. I was talking to someone the other day and it's like, I just genuinely love to work. I really love my studio. I love being there. I try to take at least one day where I fully am not in the studio. But that doesn't mean I'm not working. I I'll be like, I'm always available to my team. They know that. I'm like rain storms, I don't, I don't care. I can be wherever like you can get a hold of me. ⁓ but I do try to take at least one full day. This is like a recent thing. So people that are just starting out, don't take this as like I, yeah. ⁓ where I'm not in the studio, it's one day a week. And then I, that's like my really like my day to get the like where I fill my own cup. Sheena: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Chelsea Stewart: I'm with my friends, I'm with my family, and that's the r the rejuvenating day for me. Sheena: ⁓ so good. It's kind of like your day to manage the whole mental weight of owning the business without letting it consume you. Chelsea Stewart: Yeah, yeah, well it does consume me, but it is it's a way to like maybe feel less crazy, I guess. Yeah. Sheena: Hm. Yeah. Yeah, I think we all need we all need days like that. So to kinda not have every that right in the forefront. It's still there, but it's not just all consuming or as much. ⁓ So Chelsea Stewart: Totally. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm, mm-hmm. Sheena: See, before we go into rapid fire, I have, let's see, I I kind of like this question. The wellness industry can sometimes feel exclusive, expensive, intimidating, body image focused. How does Haven try to be something different? And who are you most trying to invite in? Chelsea Stewart: Thank you for asking this question. it's one of the things that really, I actually haven't used this term in a while. It gets my goat. I hate, I loathe the fact that fitness is so exclusive because, in my opinion, fitness is the one thing that truly is for everyone. And the fact that studios are opening and they're charging $200, $300 a month to go to their studio, I'm sorry. That is completely ludicrous and like. It just feels so defeating as a person, not just a business owner, but as someone who's like trying to manage life. Everything is so expensive. Everything feels out of touch. And like everyone's wellness programs feel out of touch, which is why I did want to make a point of like, listen, I don't have kids. I have the time to do this. And I want people to realize that about me in in particular, but I want people to also realize that fitness is. It's not exclusive, at least it shouldn't be in my mind. Yes, I do think that you have to pay a certain amount solely because you're paying for a service for someone's time, that being your coach or that being the creator of a method. But also in that same vein, it's fitness is supposed to be something that makes people feel better. And the fact that it's making people feel worse makes me feel. even more passionate and even more driven to do what I'm doing, which is create a space where I don't give a hoot what you look like as long as you do two things when you show up in the studio. You work hard and you're nice. I don't care about anything else, truly. And I tell every single person that's on my team that I'm like, I don't care where you're from, what you look like, what you believe in, but if you're a nice person and you work hard, that is That's all we ask for. And I just don't get it it's still to me, to this very second, wild that other places don't do the same thing. Sheena: Yeah, it is. And I think some people just hearing that, that's what they need. Just to know, like, hey, listen, you can be whoever, you know, whatever size you are, whatever level of fitness you're in right now, just come in. It doesn't, you know, you are welcoming. You can be here, be nice. You don't have to bring anything else. And I think again, you are. not necessarily giving that permission, but you are. It's you're giving permission for people to come. And I love that you are doing that. That thank you for saying all that. Cause yeah, that I think sometimes someone just needs to hear that to feel like they're welcome to come. Chelsea Stewart: Yeah. Yeah. And it's a bummer that like they have to feel like they have to have permission. But if I'm the person that's gonna give them permission, then I will be that voice and I will be that advocate. And I 100% am like, yes, you come, doesn't matter the anything. I it does not matter. It just I I wish that my brain could compute why it would, but it it doesn't. It doesn't matter about anyone's background, current space, whatever. It's Sheena: Mm-hmm. Chelsea Stewart: Yeah, I think and like I said, going back to an earlier point of I don't think that Pilates is over. I think exclusivity is over. Like I really, really do believe that. Sheena: I hope so. I hope so. That's kind of what inspired me to start this podcast was just hearing how people don't feel they do feel the exclusiveness and they are intimidated to find a place that feels like home. And it's trying to just shed light, like, hey, listen, there are so many wonderful places and you can find the right fit for you. Just, you know, just go and and just try it out. And it's not you will welcome them with open arms. So I yes, I love that. Beautiful. All right. Is there anything else you would like to cover before we go into rapid fire and closing? Chelsea Stewart: Hundred percent. Think so. I think we covered a lot. Mm-hmm. Sheena: I think we did. I think we did. We did that. We got some good stuff. Okay. ⁓ all right. We're gonna go into I have a couple questions for close. I think closing, I'm just gonna leave it as where I have like what are you most proud of when you look at Haven? And then kind of I also have if you could leave listeners with one message about health, wellness, and community, what would it be? But I think we covered that already, as well as what's next for Haven. So I'm just gonna, I'm thinking if I say what you're most proud of. We'll do that at closing. I'll do rapid fire. We'll do that and then how they find you. Okay. All right. So we are gonna move into rapid fire where there are quick questions. First thing that comes to mind. Are you ready? Let's go. All right. Favorite post-workout meal. Chelsea Stewart: Okay. Let's go. I love how this is like, okay, favorite post-workout meal is ⁓ I mean I'm such a creature of habit. It's probably like chicken and some sort of vegetable and sweet potatoes. Sheena: Ha ha ⁓ that's perfect. Actually this leads me to wondering, which I could have asked this earlier, but do you do protein shakes and protein bars or is everything pretty much like ⁓ like Chelsea Stewart: I don't do any protein bars. I used to, but I've cut that out cold turkey, no protein bars. I will do a protein shake here and there, but no protein bars. Sheena: Okay, see, that's so good. After talking with people like other in my other podcasts, I'm like, I need to cut this stuff out. So yeah. it's so bad. It's so bad. ⁓ one wellness trend you wish would go away. Chelsea Stewart: Yeah. ⁓ totally. It's so bad for your gut. ⁓ huh. The thing that I want to say, I feel like I'm gonna get crucified for, so I'm not gonna say it. ⁓ but the one wellness thing that I wish would go away is ⁓ that you have to have like a 10-step routine to anything, be it morning or night. It's like keep it simple. Sheena: Okay. Yeah, keep like the what the KISS acronym. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Favorite recovery tool. Chelsea Stewart: A hundred percent, yes. ⁓ it's not a tool, it's just I think the best sleep. Sheena: Hm. Do you believe in coal plunge? Chelsea Stewart: No, I don't okay, so it's so funny because I am a sauna girl. I I have hot studios. I don't think it's bad, but I'm just not gonna do it. Sheena: The cold plunge, okay. It's a not no contrast therapy. Okay, okay. One question I forgot to ask, which I'll put up there, but what is the benefit or so you have the hot Pilates and you say it's a sauna that you're working out in? Is it infrared or is it heat? Like what kind of heat are you using? Chelsea Stewart: Yeah. No. Okay, this question I actually don't want to answer because it's proprietary and it's something that like I've have worked so freaking hard to perfect. Sheena: Okay. Got it. Totally. Okay. Okay. You got it. ⁓ so working out in the heat, what are the benefits of having that workout in a heated room? Chelsea Stewart: So many benefits. ⁓ I actually just read a book. Well, I almost finished it. It's called Hot Wired, and it's and it talks about how we as humans are actually meant to do things that make us sweat. And then when you do them more often, your risk for disease like cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's significantly decreases up to like 30%. So you have that benefit. You're also detoxing not only physically but mentally, it's like a literal anti-inflammatory. And then when you're in the heat, you can work harder and go harder because your muscles aren't as tense and tight if it were in a cold environment. Sheena: ⁓ yeah, I love that. One thing that I've heard someone say is that it's the heat. I'm trying to remember how she worded this, but she was saying that even though the muscles are warmer and that you have it, it ⁓ gosh, well I might just skip it. But it was it was very interesting, kind of like more against the heat that it's not that's what was it? 'Cause I'd love your take. Chelsea Stewart: That she was saying it's not good to work out in heat. Okay. Sheena: Kind of. It was more that, well, if you're working out, it's kind of like a false, so she was kind of saying that with the heat, you might feel that you're more stretched. So you might work out a little bit harder than you would have without the heat and you could injure yourself or tear a muscle more because the muscle is warm and you feel like you could push it more than you probably should. What are your thoughts on that? Chelsea Stewart: Love to know I'd love to know if she has any science behind that because I don't believe it. Yeah. Sheena: Okay, okay, great. ⁓ I love that. Okay, perfect. Okay, ⁓ what is, let's see, do you have a favorite Colorado hike? Chelsea Stewart: Favorite Colorado hike. anything that crowded. Sheena: Yeah. Where where is that? All right, we probably shouldn't tell it because then it will get crowded. Yeah. Yeah, love it. ⁓ best Denver restaurant you take a first timer to. Chelsea Stewart: I know, right? Then everyone's gonna go there. We'll just keep it mun's the word. Mm-hmm. Ooh, ⁓ my gosh. Okay, so I really love sushi. So my favorite sushi restaurant is Tamaki Den in Rhino. But I also really, really love Mexican and Perdita is a staple. It's so good. I probably could just eat Mexican food at any restaurant and find it amazing. yeah, that's where I'd go. Sheena: Love it. Yeah, perfect. ⁓ guilty pleasure. Chelsea Stewart: Chips and guac. Sheena: So good. I know. That's like that's a staple of a Mexican restaurant. If they have good chips and guac and good margaritas, you're like, this'll be a good place. Chelsea Stewart: To ⁓ my gosh. Mm-hmm. That is death row meal. Just I will eat chips and guac until I can't move. Like that to me. Mm-hmm. Sheena: ⁓ Yeah, yeah. ⁓ so good. ⁓ what's currently bringing you joy? Chelsea Stewart: ⁓ a good tan. Like I just wanna be tan for the summer and Sheena: Do you get your tan naturally or yeah? Chelsea Stewart: Else is bringing me to joy. ⁓ yeah. This girl's like trying to just I mean, you know, I walk every day. I'm like in a sports bra just trying to get as tan as I can. and the people that are really closest to me, like my couple close, really best friends and and my parents, like they bring me a lot of joy. Sheena: There you go. ⁓ I love it. And a question that I ask everybody, what made you sweat this week? It could be the heated Pilates room or it could be something else. Chelsea Stewart: I just took I took class last night and ⁓ my gosh, I was seriously like drenched. I couldn't even like I was like you could ring out my clothes right now and it was great. Sheena: Mm. ⁓ it's so good. That's a good feeling when you're like, okay, I got a lot of stuff out. I love it. All right. Well, thank you so much, Chelsea. ⁓ couple closing questions. Looking back, when you look at Haven today and what it's come from, what are you most proud of? Chelsea Stewart: Mm-hmm. Yeah. That I went for it. Sheena: That seriously, that is something I think what only I can't even put a percentage of how many people actually go for it, but I think that is something that is so impressive that you did it. And especially in three months. Yeah. ⁓ my yeah. Yeah. Yeah. ⁓ if listeners, if you could leave listeners with one message about health, wellness, and community, what would it be? Chelsea Stewart: Thank you. My God. Yeah, right. I'm like, come on, let's go. It would be two. Leave them with one message. It would be To not, ⁓ my gosh. This is no no no, I wanna answer this, but I'm gonna I want it to be like very well thought out. If I could leave them with one thing, it would be. Sheena: ⁓ it's okay. We could totally skip it too if you don't. Yeah, okay, I love it. Take your time. Yeah. Yeah. No, totally take your time. Chelsea Stewart: See. If I could leave people with one thing when it comes to health and wellness, it would be to Go where it feels good in anything, be it a workout, a nutrition program, if it feels good, not easy, I'm not saying easy because there is a difference, because it needs to be challenging, but does it make you feel good? Did you leave feeling better about yourself? Did the thing that you did make you feel better? Sheena: Mm. ⁓ ⁓ I love that. Yeah, like again, it brings you something that makes you feel good that you will be consistent with. Because if it doesn't feel good, you're not gonna keep doing it. So and then that brings you joy, which also helps with the mental ⁓ I love that. Such a good answer. So good. So yeah, great job. Chelsea, thank you so much for joining me and sharing your story. Where can people Chelsea Stewart: Mm-hmm. Yay. Sheena: Find you and find Haven and take a class with you or one of your amazing coaches. Chelsea Stewart: Yes, ⁓ so you can find us online. We're just Haven Hot Pilates on Instagram and ⁓ havenhotpilates.com. And then we have a studio in Littleton and then as well in Greenwood Village. So we'd love to see you in class. Then we also do a ton of events, like I said, so just be on the lookout for that. And yeah, that's really where to find us. You can also find me on Instagram. It's Chelsea.and.stewart. Definitely go to our Haven page and give us some love. Sheena: I love it. And then if someone wants to try you out, first three classes are $45 or a special first-time drop-in rate for $22. Correct? Perfect. Making it nice and accessible for someone to try. Amazing. Yes. Well, thank you so much for being on the pod, Chelsea. It was so great talking to you. And ⁓ try out Haven Hot Pilates. They're it is a workout unlike any other. Chelsea Stewart: Yes, ma'am. Totally. Thank you so much, Sheena. This was amazing. Sheena: ⁓ you're so great. Thank you. Okay, I'm gonna stop the recording, but I have something to tell you. let's see. Okay, are we ⁓ and then there was no code, right? Because I know David is making a page with all codes. Okay, okay. ⁓ then let me stop. Chelsea Stewart: Yeah. Correct. Sheena: Yeah.