The Studio CEO: Business Coaching For Yoga & Pilates Teachers & Studio Owners

Jackie Murphy
  • 4.9 (60)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to The Studio CEO, the only podcast that empowers yoga and Pilates teachers and studio owners to step confidently into their roles as CEOs. If you're ready to take your business seriously, show up with passion, and scale your studio to new heights without burning out, you're in the right place. I’m your host, Jackie Murphy, an award-winning, certified business coach with 12+ years in the yoga industry I’ve seen firsthand what it takes to turn your passion into a powerful, scalable business. Join me as we dive into strategies, insights, and real-world advice to help you grow your revenue, build a thriving team, and create a business that serves you as much as you serve your clients. It's time to embrace your CEO mindset and make more money without working more.

  1. 17H AGO

    My 2026 Predictions for the Yoga & Pilates Industry (And What Studio Owners Need to Do Now)

    Send Jackie A Message! What’s actually changing in the yoga and Pilates industry in 2026 — and what do studio owners need to do to keep growing without burning out? In this episode, Jackie Murphy shares her 2026 predictions for the yoga and Pilates industry through the lens of data, consumer behavior, marketing trends, and business sustainability. You’ll learn why industry growth means more competition (and why that’s not a bad thing), how consumers are becoming smarter and more values-driven, and why generic marketing is officially dead. Jackie also explains why organic marketing alone won’t be enough in 2026, how AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) is changing visibility on Google and AI tools, and why coaching and business education are becoming non-negotiable for studio owners who want predictable cash flow and long-term sustainability. If you want to scale your studio with clarity, stronger messaging, better marketing, and a business model that lasts, this episode will give you a roadmap. Timestamped Outline [00:00] Welcome + why this episode matters[02:30] Industry growth data + what it means[05:00] More competition = need clearer messaging[07:00] Smarter, more values-driven consumers[09:00] People scrolling less + why content must improve[11:00] Why organic alone won’t cut it (paid ads + amplification)[13:00] AEO / Answer Engine Optimization + visibility shifts[15:00] Coaching becomes non-negotiable in the industry[20:00] Sustainability + predictable cash flow becomes the priority[22:30] Using data deeper: longer nurture journeys + conversion[26:00] Team structure evolves: specialized roles, not “one studio manager”[30:00] Teacher pipeline + onboarding systems / trainings[32:00] CTA: Studio CEO Program + what’s includedKey Takeaways  ✅ The industry is growing fast — which means more options for consumers✅ Generic “yoga has benefits” marketing won’t stand out anymore✅ Consumers are smarter and more values-driven✅ People are scrolling less → your content must earn attention fast✅ Organic marketing alone won’t be enough; amplify what works with paid ads✅ AEO matters as AI answers replace traditional searches✅ Coaching/business education is becoming a baseline requirement✅ Sustainability and predictable cash flow beat “big jumps” in 2026✅ Team roles will specialize (marketing, teacher development, ops)✅ Studios must strengthen teacher pipelines and onboarding systemsPull Quotes “You are so far past generic marketing.”“Your consumer is smarter.”“Coaching is going to become non-negotiable.”“If you want to be part of the growth… you have to be around in 2035.”“Get off the roller coaster.”Resources Mentioned Studio CEO Program (12 months)Weekly coaching calls + written coachingWeekly trending reels (hook + caption + training)Bonus workshops (including AEO/AIO workshop)Related Episodes Episode on AI + studiosEpisode on coachingWork with Jackie Murphy Say Hi on Instagram @studioceoofficial 3 Marketing Mistakes Yoga & Pilates Business Owners Make: https://www.jackiegmurphy.com/3-marketing-mistakes Join The Studio CEO Program: https://www.jackiegmurphy.com/studioceo

    36 min

  2. JAN 6

    The 3 Financial Goals Every Studio Owner Needs to Set in 2026

    Send Jackie A Message! In this episode of the Studio CEO Podcast, Jackie Murphy explains the three financial goals every yoga and Pilates studio owner needs to set for 2026: profit, salary, and revenue. Learn how to work backwards from the life you want, track your numbers monthly, and build a studio business that is profitable, sustainable, and supportive — not draining. Key Takeaways ✔ Profit creates sustainability  ✔ Salary is non-negotiable  ✔ Revenue funds growth  ✔ Monthly tracking matters  ✔ Goals should stretch your identity FAQs What financial goals should a studio owner set? Profit, salary, and revenue — in that order. How much profit should a yoga or Pilates studio make? 10–30% depending on the stage of business. Should studio owners pay themselves a salary? Yes. Consistently and intentionally. Work with Jackie Murphy Say Hi on Instagram @studioceoofficial 3 Marketing Mistakes Yoga & Pilates Business Owners Make: https://www.jackiegmurphy.com/3-marketing-mistakes Join The Studio CEO Program: https://www.jackiegmurphy.com/studioceo

    20 min

  3. 12/30/2025

    How to Use AI in Your Yoga or Pilates Studio (Without Losing Your Brand or Your Revenue)

    Send Jackie A Message! AI is changing the fitness, wellness, yoga, and Pilates industries fast — but most studio owners are unsure how to actually use it without hurting their business. In this episode of the Studio CEO Podcast, Jackie Murphy breaks down how to use AI in your yoga or Pilates studio the right way — and where automation can quietly cost you revenue, retention, and trust. Jackie explains why AI should be treated like a team member with a specific role, not a replacement for leadership, coaching, or human connection. You’ll learn where AI saves time, where it becomes risky, and why misusing AI in cancellations, sales conversations, and brand voice can damage long-term growth. This episode also covers how AI fits into studio software, marketing, admin systems, and AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) — and why human judgment still matters more than ever. If you’re a studio owner wondering how to stay relevant, profitable, and human in 2026 and beyond, this episode will give you clarity and confidence. Timestamped Outline [00:00] Why this episode exists + industry fear around AI[03:00] Will AI replace coaches and studio owners?[06:00] Thinking about AI as a team member[08:00] Where AI goes wrong in marketing and brand voice[11:30] Why AI should edit, not write your content[15:30] Speed-to-lead and automated responses (done right)[18:30] Why AI should NOT handle cancellations or refunds[21:30] Objections, retention, and human conversations[24:00] Using AI for SOPs, systems, and organization[27:30] The rule studio owners must remember about AI[28:45] Final thoughts on humanity, leadership, and growth Work with Jackie Murphy Say Hi on Instagram @studioceoofficial 3 Marketing Mistakes Yoga & Pilates Business Owners Make: https://www.jackiegmurphy.com/3-marketing-mistakes Join The Studio CEO Program: https://www.jackiegmurphy.com/studioceo

    30 min

  4. 12/23/2025

    You Can't Scale Past Your Own Thinking—Here's How Coaching Fixes That (with Katie Pulsifer)

    Send Jackie A Message! In this episode of the Studio CEO Podcast, Jackie Murphy sits down with Master Certified Life Coach Katie Pulsifer to explore why mindset is the real ceiling on business growth. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything “right” but still can’t scale without stress, this conversation will show you why coaching is the missing skill. You’ll learn how coaching improves leadership, decision-making, nervous system regulation, and team management — and why you can’t outwork beliefs that quietly work against you. This episode is essential listening for yoga and Pilates studio owners who want sustainable success without burnout. Key Takeaways ✔ You can’t scale past your own thinking  ✔ Coaching expands what you can see and choose  ✔ Leadership improves when curiosity replaces control  ✔ Belief follows action, not the other way around  ✔ Sustainable growth starts internally FAQs  Why is coaching important for business owners?  Because it improves decision-making, leadership, and sustainability by addressing mindset. How does coaching help with burnout?  By regulating the nervous system and reducing urgency-based decisions. Is coaching useful for studio owners?  Yes — especially for team leadership, clarity, and growth. Connect with Katie: https://www.katiepulsifercoaching.com/ Work with Jackie Murphy Say Hi on Instagram @studioceoofficial 3 Marketing Mistakes Yoga & Pilates Business Owners Make: https://www.jackiegmurphy.com/3-marketing-mistakes Join The Studio CEO Program: https://www.jackiegmurphy.com/studioceo

    39 min

  5. 12/16/2025

    Why Most Yoga Studios Stay Stuck at 1–9% Profit (And What the Data Says to Do Instead) with Julian Barnes

    Send Jackie A Message! In this episode of the Studio CEO Podcast, Jackie Murphy sits down with Julian Barnes, CEO of BFS Network, to unpack real data on studio profitability. Drawing from the most comprehensive State of the Industry report to date, this conversation reveals why most yoga studios remain stuck at 1–9% profit — while Pilates studios are far more likely to exceed 20%. You’ll learn the structural differences that drive profitability, why pricing isn’t the real issue, how two new members per month can dramatically increase profit, and what systems actually matter for sustainable growth. This episode is essential listening for yoga and Pilates studio owners who want clarity, benchmarks, and a realistic path forward without burnout. Timestamps [00:00] Welcome + guest introduction [07:00] Industry data overview [13:00] Profitability benchmarks explained [18:30] Yoga vs Pilates profitability [24:00] Pricing myths [30:50] Two-member profit math [38:00] Business model differences [47:00] Intro offers + FER framework [55:00] How to assess your studio Key Takeaways ✔ Most studios aren’t profitable — and that’s not personal  ✔ Pilates studios benefit from built-in scarcity  ✔ Profit comes from systems, not hustle  ✔ Pricing reflects positioning  ✔ Two new members per month can change everything Quotes “This isn’t a hobby. It’s a business.” “Your town isn’t the problem.” “The offer isn’t broken — the process is.” Resources Mentioned BFS Assessment BFS Pilates Report Studio CEO Program Grow Mastermind FAQ  Why are Pilates studios more profitable than yoga studios?  Because of lower rent, smaller teams, and built-in scarcity. What is a healthy profit margin for a studio?  10–20% after paying the owner is considered strong. Do intro offers matter?  The process behind them matters more than the offer itself. yoga business, Pilates studio, studio profitability, boutique fitness, studio CEO, pricing strategy, fitness business data Links: BFS Pilates Report: https://report.bfsnetwork.com/2024-pilates-report Work with Jackie Murphy Say Hi on Instagram @studioceoofficial 3 Marketing Mistakes Yoga & Pilates Business Owners Make: https://www.jackiegmurphy.com/3-marketing-mistakes Join The Studio CEO Program: https://www.jackiegmurphy.com/studioceo

    55 min

  6. 12/09/2025

    How to Stop Being Your Team's Problem Solver (And Start Building Leaders)

    Send Jackie A Message! Is your team constantly bringing you problems instead of solutions? Do you find yourself answering "What should I do?" multiple times a day? If so, you've accidentally trained your team to stay dependent on you—and now you're the bottleneck to your own growth. In this episode, we'll break down the "Incomplete Tasks / Bring-Me-Problems" employee pattern and show you exactly how to fix it through better leadership, not harder work. You'll learn: The 3 studio-specific examples that show you have this problem (unfilled sub requests, upset members, incomplete strategies)Why your team doesn't even know they're doing this (and how to illuminate the pattern without shame)The exact script to re-establish expectations around 100% ownership vs. 60% completionThe 3-part ownership framework to teach your team how to own tasks from start to finishHow to coach instead of correct (and why solving problems for your team keeps them dependent)The difference between assignment mode and ownership mode—and how to help your team make the shiftWhen and how to close the loop with accountability (without micromanaging)This episode is for yoga and Pilates studio owners, boutique fitness business owners, and any entrepreneur managing a team who wants to scale without being the constant problem solver. Listen now to learn how to build a team of leaders who bring you outcomes, not problems. Work with Jackie Murphy Say Hi on Instagram @studioceoofficial 3 Marketing Mistakes Yoga & Pilates Business Owners Make: https://www.jackiegmurphy.com/3-marketing-mistakes Join The Studio CEO Program: https://www.jackiegmurphy.com/studioceo

    25 min

  7. 12/02/2025

    From The Yoga Boss Vault: Notice Discomfort, Act Anyway

    Send Jackie A Message! You have the desire to build a yoga business, but desire isn't enough—you have to take action. And that's where most yoga teachers get stuck. When discomfort, fear, doubt, or overwhelm shows up, they stop. In this episode, Jackie Murphy teaches you how to notice that discomfort and act anyway—the single most important skill for building your business. You'll learn: Why your primitive brain is keeping you stuck (and how to override it)The 3 ways most people handle discomfort (resist, react, avoid) and why none of them build a businessHow to process uncomfortable emotions the same way you process Chair PoseThe difference between massive action (that grows your business) and passive action (that feels productive but doesn't)The one question to ask yourself every day to move the needle forwardWhy yoga teachers already have the skill they need—they just have to apply it to businessThis episode is for yoga teachers, Pilates instructors, and wellness entrepreneurs who want to build a business but find themselves avoiding action when fear shows up. Listen now to learn how to notice discomfort and act anyway. Work with Jackie Murphy Say Hi on Instagram @studioceoofficial 3 Marketing Mistakes Yoga & Pilates Business Owners Make: https://www.jackiegmurphy.com/3-marketing-mistakes Join The Studio CEO Program: https://www.jackiegmurphy.com/studioceo

    21 min

  8. 11/25/2025

    From The Yoga Boss Vault: Evaluate, Breathe, Keep Going

    Send Jackie A Message! Building a yoga business is exactly like practicing yoga: you show up, you try something, you evaluate what worked and what didn't, you breathe, and you keep going. But most yoga and Pilates teachers stop evaluating their business actions—or they try something once, it doesn't work, and they quit. In this episode, we walk through the exact process I teach my clients for turning their idea of a beautiful, successful yoga or Pilates business into reality. You'll learn: How to get clear on what kind of yoga or Pilates business you want to buildWhy the "how" doesn't matter before you start (and what to focus on instead)The 3 evaluation questions to ask after every action you takeHow to evaluate your results objectively without making them mean anything about youWhy building a business is the same practice as getting into a challenging yoga poseThis episode is for yoga teachers, Pilates instructors, and studio owners who are ready to stop waiting until they're "ready" and start building the business they've been dreaming about. Listen now to learn how to practice building your business the same way you practice on your mat. Work with Jackie Murphy Say Hi on Instagram @studioceoofficial 3 Marketing Mistakes Yoga & Pilates Business Owners Make: https://www.jackiegmurphy.com/3-marketing-mistakes Join The Studio CEO Program: https://www.jackiegmurphy.com/studioceo

    21 min
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4.9
out of 5
60 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Studio CEO, the only podcast that empowers yoga and Pilates teachers and studio owners to step confidently into their roles as CEOs. If you're ready to take your business seriously, show up with passion, and scale your studio to new heights without burning out, you're in the right place. I’m your host, Jackie Murphy, an award-winning, certified business coach with 12+ years in the yoga industry I’ve seen firsthand what it takes to turn your passion into a powerful, scalable business. Join me as we dive into strategies, insights, and real-world advice to help you grow your revenue, build a thriving team, and create a business that serves you as much as you serve your clients. It's time to embrace your CEO mindset and make more money without working more.

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