We recently had the chance to connect with Ashlie Wagganer and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Ashlie , it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
As an owner of a fitness boutique in the health and wellness industry, Reformer Pilates has certainly gained popularity and attention over the last few years. Many people have seen videos on social media of athletic women excelling in their practice doing advanced exercises. Many people have told me that they are not fit enough to start Pilates and they will join when they lose weight or are more fit. This couldn’t be the furthest from the truth, as Pilates is for EVERY Body in any phase of their fitness journey. In fact, Joseph Pilates was the founder of Pilates and he originally created the reformer machine to help German soldiers rehabilitate during World War I. He used springs from beneath the bed frame and connected them overhead for the soldiers to have resistance training while they recovered, lying in bed. So, actually Pilates was invented by a man, for men!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
As a multi-location franchisee Co-Owner & Managing Partner for Club Pilates, Health and Wellness Expert, Student Empowerment Coach and servant leader passionate about building self-confidence in women and children, I pride myself in pouring love and light into my community.
With a network of more than 1,000 members throughout the studios, my sister Nichole & I, co-own and manage the locations together. Over the years, the business has turned into a family focused business. My sister & I have opened and grown 4 locations throughout DFW in the last 7 years. Most recently, our youngest sister recently gained her Pilates Instructor Certification from Club Pilates and is leading group classes with energy and excitement.
When we say it is a family focused business, this extends to the staff & members, as well. Striving to build a community of love, light and positive energy, Club Pilates highlights and celebrates special moments, milestones and days for staff and members alike. It truly is like a second family and encouraging community in more ways that just fitness.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
My entire life, I have been extremely driven and competitive to do more and achieve more. As soon as I reached a goal, I set new goals to be bigger and better. When we started the business, the goal was to achieve a sustaining studio and then grow the next business venture. One day after classes in the studio, I had a member approach me in tears and thanked me for opening the Pilates studio, for providing her a safe, welcoming space to improve her health and gain community on her journey. She shared her personal journey and how much Pilates had changed her life, in fact, it gave her LIFE back. She had a family trip to FIJI and she was able to hike the mountain to attend a beautiful sunrise breakfast with her family and grandkids, she was able to swim and participate in a snorkeling excursion, she was able to LIVE confidently and out loud. She was able to Do Pilates & DO LIFE (our slogan).
This moment stopped me in my tracks. My purpose didn’t just lie in growing business after business for financial gains, I realized my purpose was truly to give back to others by creating a space that allowed others to feel loved, encouraged and supported. The fact that we had been able to change just ONE person’s life was truly a blessing to be celebrated.
Today & every day, I look for opportunities to share a smile or laughter, and support others along their journey because this is truly the most beautiful thing we can give back to this earth – high-vibrational love & light.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I was in my late 30’s and had another failed romantic relationship. Except, this relationship was different. This relationship was narcisstic and abusive. This relationship broke me. I tried to hide it for months from my friends, family, clients but after days of trying my best, I broke.
Instead of trying to be strong, I shared my pain, I shared my struggles and I openly discussed my experiences. Diving straight into the struggles and pain made me feel stronger, supported and I realized I was not alone in my experiences.
From this awful end is where I started many new beautiful beginnings. I decided to take my pain and share it with those around me who were also hiding the same feelings. I encouraged women to speak up for themselves and to realize their strengths were not in hiding. I partnered with several other amazing women and we created a Women’s Empowerment Conference in DFW. In the first year, we had more than 150 women attend, a completely sold out conference. And the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Today, in 2025, the small group has grown into a non-profit organization that is celebrating 5 years with a community that has more than 14k members.
My advice to those struggling and hiding pain is to embrace what gives you pain. Feel it. Dive into it. Understand it and share it. You are not alone and you will be amazed at the community you can grow together overcoming pain, struggles and growing together.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
I can confidently say YES. But this hasn’t always been true. I used to try to keep work and personal life separate. I was one person at the office and another with my friends. This life is hard to maintain and I believe creates lack of trust within a team. When a team truly believes that you are the best version of yourself and you are invested in them, then you will see genuine success.. After many challenges in a corporate workspace, I quit to open my own business. I vowed to enjoy my life, whether I was at work or at home and to carry the same attitude with me wherever I went.
Today, I fully believe that you will find your people with this attitude. Your people will be attracted to the most genuine and pure version of yourself and those who don’t align will fade away. This is the best way to create a loving, pure space for yourself and those around you and on your team. What you see from me, is what you get. And this is one of the proudest feelings to share and live daily.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
For many years, I continued to develop a professional and personal path that I thought was most accepted and what others would respect. I worked hard at a Fortune 5 corporate company for almost 10 years. During this time, I had many promotions, many important projects and won many awards and accolades for my hard work.
But I was not satisfied. I was not happy.
When I decided to leave corporate and open my own business, almost no one agreed or supported this decision. It was too risky of a decision for many of my friends and family. But I knew it was my calling and whether I failed or not, it was the right choice for me.
7 years later, 4 successful sustaining franchise locations, more than 50 employees and a bigger network and community than I could have ever imagined, I have realized that I was born to lead others.
Today, I am leading others to run a successful team and business, how to be a successful and well-respected leader at work and in the community. I am leading others down a healthier lifestyle, fitness journey and building confidence one client at a time.
Servant leadership gives so much more peace and love than 6 figure careers that drain the life out of you. This may not be for everyone, but money only goes so far. I believe you can have both and when you love what you do, you will attract the beauty back to you in ways that you need to keep growing and loving. Trust in your instincts and always follow your heart.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/awaggs
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/awaggs
