Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie.
Hi Stephanie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey into wellness began as a professional ballerina, where I first discovered Pilates during my dance career. What started as a way to strengthen and support my body quickly became a lifelong passion for movement, healing, and understanding the incredible potential of the human body. I began teaching Pilates in Southern California in 1998 and, after witnessing its transformative effects, opened my first studio in La Jolla.
As my family grew, so did my curiosity. Alongside Pilates, I immersed myself in the study of yoga, Ayurveda, nutrition, Reiki, NLP, and other mind-body healing practices. Over the years, our family lived in different parts of the country, where I had the opportunity to build and support wellness businesses, develop online programs, lead retreats and workshops around the world, and even co-create a plant-based food business rooted in healthy living.
After the pandemic, our path brought us to Monterey, where I founded M8 Wellness. Today, M8 has grown into a holistic wellness community that blends Pilates, yoga, somatic movement, breathwork, restorative bodywork, women’s circles, and seasonal workshops. More than a studio, my vision is to create a place where people can reconnect with themselves, calm their nervous systems, build meaningful community, and discover that true wellness is about far more than exercise – it’s about learning how to live in greater harmony with your body, your mind, and the rhythms of life.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It certainly hasn’t been a smooth road, but I think every challenge has helped shape the work we do today. Early in my career, one of the biggest obstacles was simply educating people about Pilates. At the time, it wasn’t nearly as well known as it is today, so much of my work involved helping people understand that movement could be restorative, therapeutic, and life-changing.
As the years went on, each chapter brought new challenges. The economic downturn in 2008 affected many small businesses. Later, while building a plant-based food company, we faced the complexities of producing fresh, nutrient-rich products while maintaining the quality and integrity we believed in. Then, like so many wellness businesses, COVID required us to rethink how we connected with people and rebuild our community afterward.
Today, the challenge is different. Pilates has become incredibly popular, but much of the industry has shifted toward high-volume fitness. While I celebrate that more people are discovering movement, my passion has always been preserving the original intention of the work: helping people move with awareness, heal their bodies, regulate their nervous systems, and build a lifelong relationship with their health. Staying true to that philosophy, even as trends change, has been one of the most meaningful and worthwhile challenges of my career.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about M8 Wellness?
M8 Wellness was created from the belief that true wellness isn’t found in a single workout or treatment, it’s built through consistent, intentional practices that support the whole person. Our mission is to help people move well, regulate their nervous systems, restore their bodies, and cultivate a deeper connection with themselves through movement, education, and community.
While Pilates is the foundation of what we do, M8 has evolved into a holistic wellness studio offering therapeutic and classical Pilates, yoga, breathwork, somatic movement, restorative bodywork, women’s circles, teacher training and seasonal workshops. Rather than following trends or focusing on fitness alone, we meet people where they are – whether they’re recovering from an injury, navigating stress, seeking strength as they age, or simply looking for a place to feel supported.
What sets M8 apart is our personalized, relationship-centered approach. We intentionally keep our class sizes small so every client receives individual attention and feels truly seen. We believe wellness is not one-size-fits-all, and our goal is to create an environment where people can explore different healing modalities and discover what helps them feel their best.
More than anything, I’m proud of the community we’ve built. M8 has become a place where people don’t just come to move, they come to reconnect with themselves, build meaningful relationships, and find a sense of belonging. In a world that often feels rushed and disconnected, creating that kind of space has been one of my greatest accomplishments
What makes you happy?
For me, happiness has always been rooted in freedom. In fact, the “M” in M8 comes from the Sanskrit word moksha, which means liberation or freedom. That idea has guided so much of my life and the work I do.
Freedom isn’t just about having an open schedule, it’s about feeling at home in your own body and mind. It’s having the clarity to think creatively, the energy to explore, and the confidence to say yes to life’s adventures. My happiest moments are often the simplest: hiking with my children, swimming in the ocean, watching the stars, or spending time in nature. Those moments remind me how important it is to care for ourselves so we can fully experience the world around us.
That philosophy is at the heart of M8 Wellness. My hope is that everyone who walks through our doors discovers a little more freedom: freedom from pain, from stress, from self-doubt, or from the limitations they once believed they had. When we move well, breathe deeply, and reconnect with ourselves, we create the space to live more fully. To me, that’s what wellness is really about, and that’s what brings me the greatest happiness: helping others discover that same sense of freedom in their own lives.
Pricing:
- Community Membership $69
- Drop In Classes $45
- Private Sessions and Bodywork start at $120
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.m8wellness.com
- Instagram: m8wellness
- Facebook: m8wellness
