The Journey to Becoming: Reflecting on Over 11 Years at Rising Goddess Fitness

April has arrived, and with it, our theme for the month: the journey to becoming. Last month, I shared how letting go—of control, of expectations, of fear—opened the door to creating Rising Goddess Fitness, a space born from my own journey of rediscovery after a challenging divorce. As we near the studio’s 12th birthday this Fall, reflecting on our past 11 years is not just about celebrating milestones but appreciating our growth—yours, mine, and ours together. This journey has intertwined my path as a founder with the incredible evolution of my business partner, Laurial, and every member of our community. Building RGF has been a labor of love, fueled by hard work, innovation, and a relentless drive to keep doing more for you—our incredible Goddesses. So, grab a cozy drink, and let’s dive into this journey together!

From a Seed to a Sanctuary

Rising Goddess Fitness Founder Michelle in the aerial room at RGF’s first space.

It began with a whisper in my heart and a leap into the unknown. In 2013, I took a leap of faith and opened RGF’s first space at 208 E. Chicago Ave., with just two classrooms: one for pole and one for aerial hammock. It was a modest beginning, but it was ours – a place for people to let go and awaken their authentic selves through movement.

Just a few months later, a student walked through our doors who would change the course of RGF forever—Laurial. Bringing her background in gymnastics and yoga, and a newfound passion for aerial that lit up the room, she quickly became an integral part of our community. Laurial transitioned from student to instructor, then to studio manager, and by 2016, she had become my co-owner. Her customer-facing sales expertise and heartfelt approach became the perfect complement to my analytical and operations background. Together, we nurtured that little seed into a thriving sanctuary of strength and empowerment.

Our Evolution

The lobby of RGF’s first space, before any expansions.

In RGF’s first expansion, a second studio was opened in the middle of the plaza (Studio B). It contained an additional pole and an additional aerial room, making 4 studio rooms total!

Expansion has always been part of our DNA—not just physically but in every aspect of our operations. Over the years, we’ve expanded twice—first in 2017 into 212 E. Chicago Ave., doubling our capacity. Then, in 2019, we began construction on our current dream space at 204 E. Chicago Ave., a single, unified location featuring four gorgeous classrooms, a student lounge, a team lounge, and a kitchen for community gatherings. And we can’t forget that we made it through the pandemic in 2020, which struck just as we were opening our brand new space! We quickly pivoted to virtual classes and spent the pandemic reimagining our entire suite of programming to better support our community.

Today, we’re the largest studio in the area, offering 60–70 recurring classes per week across diverse modalities like pole, aerial hammock, aerial hoop, and chair dance. We’ve developed our own teacher training programs, Movement Mastery and Goddess University, to cultivate instructors who embody our values. Most recently, we’ve introduced our Pillar Leaders program, recognizing and establishing our team members as leaders within our studio, who bring their unique strengths and passions to their roles.

Here’s the lobby of RGF’s current pole and aerial studio located at 204 E. Chicago Ave. in Westmont, IL.

A Journey of Growth – And a Lot of Hard Work

Let’s be real: This growth wasn’t without its challenges. Building a studio like RGF doesn’t happen by accident. Many people think running a thriving studio looks easy from the outside – smiles, laughter, and a beautiful space. But the sad truth is, most studios in our industry are barely getting by and running a successful studio demands more than most realize. It requires grit, endless passion, and yes, lots of hard work. There are no short cuts. Laurial and I start our days with 8 a.m. business meetings, often work weekends, and meet off-site with our leadership team to plan the quarter ahead. We’re continually learning, adapting, and innovating because standing still is not in our nature and  because this studio means the world to us.

What’s been the key to our success? A constant willingness to innovate. Laurial and I see every hiccup as an opportunity, not a hurdle—a chance to adjust, adapt, and make RGF the absolute best it can be for our community and our team. Whether it’s launching new programs, creating leadership roles, or reimagining the studio experience, we’re always asking, “How can we do more? How can we do better?”

Evolving as Leaders, Evolving as a Studio

One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned over the years is that the studio can only evolve as much as we evolve as leaders. Laurial and I continually push ourselves to grow because we know that our growth as leaders directly impacts the experience we create for you. That’s why we’ve surrounded ourselves with an amazing team who loves RGF as much as we do. From our instructors to our Pillar Leaders to our managers, every member of our team is a living example of our values—confidence, creativity, courage, and connection. They’re the reason we can offer such a transformative experience, and we’re so proud to see them step into roles that allow them to shine.

This journey of becoming isn’t just about the studio—it’s about us, too. Laurial and I have grown from two women with a shared vision into leaders who are now stepping into a new chapter. We’re evolving into a new arm of RGF called emPOWERed Studio Strategies, a consulting and resource platform for other studio owners—and for those who dream of opening their own RGF someday. We know how hard it can be to run a studio, and how isolating it can feel. We’ve been there—the late nights, the tough decisions, the moments of doubt. And we want to share what we’ve learned over the past 11 years to help others build thriving, values-driven spaces of their own.

Rising Goddess Fitness Owners Michelle and Laurial

Becoming, Together

As I look back on these 11+ years, I’m in awe of what RGF has become. It’s not just the state-of-the-art facility or the fact that we’ve got the most diverse programming around (though I’m pretty proud of that!). It’s you—our community. Some of you have been with us since those early days at 208 E. Chicago Ave., climbing poles and flipping upside down alongside us for over a decade. Others are just stepping through the door, nervous but curious, ready to take that first brave step. Every one of you is part of this journey—and you’re the next milestone in our story.

This studio has evolved because we’ve ALL evolved – together. We’ve celebrated first spins and shared hugs after tough days. We’ve watched you conquer fears (hello, inversions!) and find freedom in your bodies. And through it all, we’ve grown into a space that’s more than a dance studio—it’s a home where you can let go of the world’s weight, even if just for an hour.

Looking Ahead

As we look toward our 12th birthday in November, Laurial and I are excited to keep becoming—both as leaders and as part of this incredible community. We’re dreaming up new ways to inspire you, from fresh workshops to more Goddess Gatherings where we can laugh, connect, and grow together. And with emPOWERed Studio Strategies, we’re ready to share our journey with others, helping more spaces become sanctuaries of empowerment and joy.

So, this April, I invite you to reflect on your own journey. Last month, we talked about what letting go looks like for you. Now, let’s take it a step further:

• Where are you becoming?
• What’s stirring in your heart?
• What milestones have you celebrated with us, and what challenges have you overcome?

We’d love to hear your stories—hit reply and share with us! Whether you’re new to RGF or a familiar face, know this: you belong here. Your story matters. And we’re here to cheer you on, every climb, every spin, every moment.

Here’s to over 11 years—and to all the beautiful becoming still ahead.

With all my love (and Laurial’s, in spirit always!),

Michelle 💙