Chelsea Stewart didn't have investors, a playbook, or a guarantee it would work. What she had was 12 years of teaching experience, a method she believed in, and enough drive to open HAVN Hot Pilates in just three months, while working a full-time job.

Two and a half years later she has 21 employees, two waitlisted studios in the Denver metro area, and a community that keeps coming back not just for the workout but for how it makes them feel.

In this episode of Sweat Community, Chelsea gets real about what it actually takes to build a boutique fitness studio from scratch, the 80-hour weeks, the contractor battles, the self-doubt, and the moment she knew it was time to open a second location.

We also get into everything you've wanted to know about hot Pilates and why Chelsea believes the era of exclusive, aesthetic-obsessed fitness studios is over.

We cover:

• Launching HAVN Hot Pilates in three months with no outside investors
• Teaching 22 heated classes a week while running a business solo
• Mat Pilates versus reformer and why mat is harder than you think
• Whether Pilates actually builds muscle and how it compares to strength training
• The real benefits of working out in a heated room
• Opening a second waitlisted studio and the pressure that came with it
• Why exclusivity in fitness is over and what HAVN is doing differently
• Chelsea's personal wellness routine: nutrition, sleep and avoiding burnout

Chelsea's philosophy is simple: work hard, be nice, and go where it feels good.

Whether you're hot Pilates curious, an aspiring studio owner, or someone who has ever felt like the fitness industry wasn't built for you, this one is for you.

Find HAVN Hot Pilates: Instagram: @havnhotpilates Website: havenhotpilates.com Studios in Greenwood Village + Littleton, CO

First three classes: $45 | First drop-in: $22

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