Nicole Schmitz, owner of Newport Peach in Costa Mesa, California, joins Fitness Leaders to share the story behind a 90s-inspired fitness studio built around community, body positivity, and making movement enjoyable again.

Nicole discusses her journey from longtime Newport Peach client to owner, why she chose to keep the studio alive, and how Newport Peach creates a welcoming environment where clients of different ages, body types, and fitness levels can feel comfortable and supported.

In this conversation, Nicole shares the philosophy behind the signature Peach Step method, the value of small-group classes and personal attention, and why she believes the most effective workout is often the one people genuinely enjoy enough to keep doing.

Newport Peach offers Peach Step, barre, strength training, Pilates-inspired mat work, Mom + Baby classes, private training, nutrition coaching, private parties, and special events.

Learn more about Newport Peach:
https://www.newportpeach.com/

Read Nicole’s Fitness Living Magazine™ Spotlight:
https://fitnesslivingmagazine.com/newport-peach-costa-mesa-review/

Discover Newport Peach on Local Fitness Leaders:
https://www.localfitnessleaders.com/gyms-fitness-studios/newport-peach

What if a fitness studio felt less like a gym—and more like a place where you could show up exactly as you are?

In this episode of the Local Fitness Leaders Podcast, Nicole Schmitz, owner of Newport Peach in Costa Mesa, California, shares how a retro-inspired fitness studio became a welcoming community built around movement, connection, confidence, and body positivity.

Nicole discusses her journey from Newport Peach client to owner, why she believes fitness does not need to be intimidating or overly complicated, how her instructors create a personal experience for clients, and why the way someone feels when they leave the studio matters just as much as the workout itself.

In this conversation, we explore:
• Why Nicole describes Newport Peach as the “anti-gym”
• Her journey from fitness enthusiast to studio owner
• Creating an inclusive, body-positive fitness environment
• Why community and personal connection matter
• Making exercise enjoyable instead of extreme
• Strength, confidence, and results beyond weight loss
• The future of Newport Peach

Learn more about Newport Peach: newportpeach.com

Read Nicole’s Fitness Living Magazine™ feature:
fitnesslivingmagazine.com/newport-peach-costa-mesa-review/

Guest: Nicole Schmitz
Business: Newport Peach
Location: Costa Mesa, California

How does a locally owned fitness studio endure for nearly 20 years—and emerge stronger after one of the industry’s most difficult periods?

In this episode of Local Fitness Leaders, Chanda Fetter shares how injuries during her professional ballet career led her to Pilates, why she built her Santa Barbara studio around individualized movement, and how her clients developed into a community that supports one another far beyond exercise.

Chanda also explains why consistency matters more than perfection, how Pilates can welcome people who feel intimidated by fitness, why maintaining strength becomes increasingly important with age, and what she means when she says, “Movement is medicine.”

This is a conversation about resilience, belonging, personal attention, and helping people feel capable of participating more fully in their lives.

Presented by Fitness Living Magazine™.