More Than One: The Studio Growth Story — with Elle Kealy, Founder of MO Pilates

In this episode, we’re joined by Elle Kealy, founder of MO Pilates, one of the fastest-growing names in boutique fitness. What started in 2022 as a HIIT concept born over a cocktail has quickly evolved into a thriving Reformer Pilates brand with two Bristol studios, a distinctive “fresh, cheeky vibe,” and a growing reputation for inclusivity and innovation.

Elle shares how her 25 years in movement shaped the ethos of MO, the strategic choices behind expanding to Clifton and Wapping Wharf, and the challenges of scaling while keeping the brand’s playful spirit intact. We explore how MO’s signature classes — CoreForm and FitForm — resonate with clients from beginners to athletes, why storytelling plays a pivotal role in her marketing, and what she’s learned from launching not just MO, but also Move Union, her training and consultancy venture for studios and instructors.

This conversation is packed with insights on growth, branding, and cultivating community without losing the personality that makes a studio unique. Whether you’re a first-time founder or already thinking about expansion, Elle’s story offers both inspiration and practical lessons.

And, as always, we wrap up by asking Elle what’s brought her unbridled joy this week.

Real studios. Real growth. Real stories.