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™.

Steve Babcock believes fitness should have a place for everyone—regardless of age, experience, background, or starting point.

In this episode of Local Fitness Leaders, Steve shares the journey that took him from competitive gymnastics and physical education into strength coaching and the community he and his wife have built at Ageless Strength.

He opens up about the former student whose fitness transformation changed his perspective as a coach, why he rejects cookie-cutter training, and why consistency, mindset, and mastering the basics matter more than constantly chasing the newest workout trend.

Steve also discusses the strong community at Ageless Strength, the growing presence of women in strength training, what he wants nervous beginners to experience when they first walk through the door, and why progress should be measured by far more than the number on a scale.

Near the end of the conversation, Steve shares his own remarkable comeback from a ruptured biceps tendon, returning from surgery to set a masters strict-curl world record.

His message is simple:

Fitness is for everyone, and everyone is welcome.

Hosted by Mark Ford for Fitness Living Magazine and the Local Fitness Leaders Podcast.