Episode 285: How Being "Booked Out" Leads to Being "Burnt Out"
In this episode of the Female Empowered Podcast, Christa Gurka explores a common but often misunderstood challenge in the wellness and fitness business world: what happens when being “fully booked” starts working against you. If your calendar is packed, your energy is drained, and your business feels stuck, this episode is for you.Christa breaks down the signs that indicate you’ve hit a business growth ceiling - including a maxed-out schedule, declining quality of service, and the inability to grow without your constant involvement. She shares actionable strategies for reclaiming your time and building a more sustainable business, including delegating, raising prices strategically, and creating a self-sufficient team that keeps your operations running smoothly. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your own success, tune in for a practical roadmap to scale without burning out.Some of the key takeaways from this episode include...Recognize the warning signs of hitting a growth ceiling: full calendar, declining service, burnout, and profit plateausDelegate administrative and low-value tasks to free up your timeCalculate the return on investment (ROI) of outsourcing versus doing everything yourselfConsider pricing adjustments or creating premium service tiers to manage demandFocus on building and training a team that can operate effectively without your constant oversight Ready to break through your growth ceiling and build a business that doesn’t rely solely on you? Join the FitBiz Foundations Monthly Membership for $99/month to access tools, trainings, and templates to help you delegate, hire, and grow with more ease.Learn more and sign up at: https://www.christagurka.com/fitbizfoundations Connect with Christa on Instagram: @christagurka
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Episode 284: Your Best Instructor Just Quit - Now What
In this episode of the Female emPOWERED Podcast, host Christa Gurka tackles one of the more stressful realities of being a business owner — when a rockstar team member gives notice. Whether it’s an instructor, therapist, or front desk leader, losing someone who plays a vital role can feel like a major blow. But Christa reminds listeners that “everything is figureoutable” — and with the right mindset and strategy, staff turnover can actually be a growth opportunity, not just a setback.Christa walks through how to handle resignations calmly and professionally, why communication is key for both your team and clients, and how to assess whether your internal systems are prepared for the change. She also shares her insights from years of running Pilates in the Grove, including the importance of building a strong brand, investing in training, and always having a recruitment pipeline in place. If you’re navigating staff turnover — or want to prepare in advance — this episode is a must-listen.Key Takeaways:Approach staff resignations with professionalism, not panicUse the situation to evaluate systems, roles, and responsibilitiesStrong company culture reduces dependency on individual personalitiesInvest in team training and growth to improve retentionAlways be recruiting — even when you’re fully staffedReady to dive deeper? Learn more and access hiring tools in the FitBiz Foundations Membership at www.christagurka.com/fitbiz-foundations DM Christa on Instagram @ChristaGurka to share how you’ve handled a team member leaving Want support creating a team culture that keeps people invested? Join the membership for just $99/month and gain access to hiring trainings, leadership support, and more!
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Episode 283: How to Get New Leads in the Door — Without Hosting Another Workshop
Welcome back to another episode of the Female Empowered Podcast! If you’re a fitness or wellness business owner who feels drained by workshops or events that don’t generate enough ROI, this episode is for you. I’m sharing strategic, workshop-free ways to attract high-quality leads and grow your client base — without burning yourself out in the process.In this episode, we explore smart, sustainable alternatives to traditional workshops - like forming partnerships with complementary businesses, offering free assessments, leveraging client referrals, and reaching out to local healthcare providers. I also dive into how micro-content marketing and challenges can help you attract, engage, and convert your ideal clients with less time and energy.Ever feel like workshops aren’t worth the effort? In this episode, you’ll learn…Why workshops might not be the best marketing tool for your businessHow to build referral pipelines through medical professionals and strategic partnershipsWhat makes micro-content so powerful for lead generationHow challenges and free assessments can convert warm leadsTips for creating a simple, repeatable client referral systemResources + Links: Download the free strategy guide: www.christagurka.com/noworkshops Follow me on Instagram: @ChristaGurkaYour Next Steps: → Pick ONE strategy and commit to it for the next 90 days → DM me on Instagram to let me know which one you’re testing → Love the show? Leave a review so we can keep reaching more women in fitness and wellness
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Episode 282: How to Create Marketing Automations With Your CRM - Combining Sequences and Strategy with Peter Pastijn of Momence
In this episode of the Female Empowered Podcast, Christa Gurka sits down with Peter Pastijn, the former studio owner and current Director of Partnerships at Momence, an all-in-one scheduling and management software built specifically for fitness and wellness businesses. Peter shares how his experience as a studio owner shaped the development of Momence and how the platform empowers owners to optimize their operations, improve the client experience, and make smarter business decisions. From automated features like Spot Filler to AI-driven tools and a robust CRM, Momence offers an end-to-end solution to help studio owners grow sustainably without being bogged down by admin.Key Takeaways:Momence is an all-in-one software solution for fitness and wellness studios.Spot Filler is an AI-powered tool that helps fill empty class spots automatically.The platform offers robust CRM and client communication capabilities.Understanding key business metrics is essential for long-term growth.AI and automation can dramatically reduce your admin workload.The Pro Partners Program offers additional business support and strategy.Book a demo with Momence: https://hubs.la/Q039wXx20
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Episode 281: Brick & Mortar vs. Online Services for Fit Biz Brands w/ Movement Maestro Team
In this week’s episode of Female Empowered, I’m joined by two amazing guests and fellow physical therapists turned business mentors - Dr. C. Shanté Cofield, aka The Movement Maestro, and Lex Lancaster. These two have successfully built their own thriving online brands after years in the clinic, and they’re sharing exactly what it takes to go from in-person to digital.We dive into what the online business journey actually looks like for health and wellness professionals. Spoiler alert: it’s not a “post and pray” situation - it takes intentional messaging, tech resilience, and a strong grasp of who you’re serving. We also talk about the mindset shifts that are required and why starting small isn’t just okay - it’s smart.Whether you’re just starting to think about going online or you’ve already dipped your toe in the digital space, this episode is full of practical tips and real talk.Ever wonder if your brick-and-mortar business could translate online? In this episode, you’ll learn...Why you need to focus on effort over outcomeHow niching down helps you connect with the right peopleWhy starting small and steady sets you up for long-term successWhat it really means to have "tech tenacity"How B2B offers often monetize faster onlineWhy your in-person and online audiences aren’t the same—and how to speak to bothAbout Lecture Mine Shanté and Lex also share details about their signature program, Lecture Mine, a 9-month mentorship for brick-and-mortar professionals ready to go digital. If you're tired of Googling your way through every step of this journey, this program offers support, clarity, and strategy—all tailored to wellness professionals just like you.Connect with Our Guests Lex Lancaster Instagram: @lexlancaster Website: lexlancaster.comShanté Cofield (The Movement Maestro) Instagram: @movementmaestroLoved this episode? Here’s what to do next: Share this with a fellow health pro who’s ready to go online. DM me on Instagram @christagurka to let me know your biggest takeaway. Subscribe and leave a review so more women in fitness and wellness can find this podcast.Thanks for tuning in - and remember, the first step is just showing up. Talk to you next week!
About Female emPOWERED: Winning in Business & Life
A podcast for female boutique fitness, wellness and physical therapy small business owners who want expert insights and honest conversations about what it means to show up, thrive, and of course GET PAID.
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