We recently had the chance to connect with Leslie Lawson and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Leslie, 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 makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
When I’m fully immersed in guiding a private Pilates session or curating a custom movement experience for a client, time disappears. I love watching someone reconnect with their body. That’s when I feel most present and purposeful.
It’s not just about exercise — it’s about transformation. Whether I’m working one-on-one or designing a group experience, helping people feel stronger, more capable, and more at home in their own skin reminds me why I built Renegade Pilates in the first place.
That sense of flow also shows up when I’m developing new programs, refining our client journey, or dreaming up the next evolution of the brand. The creative side of running a studio — from designing new offerings to elevating the aesthetic of our space — allows me to constantly rediscover myself as both a teacher and entrepreneur.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Leslie Lawson, a certified Pilates instructor and the founder of Renegade Pilates, a boutique studio based in Miami that blends classical Pilates principles with a bold, modern approach. At Renegade Pilates, we’re known for delivering precise, personalized sessions in a beautifully curated space that feels elevated yet grounded — never cookie-cutter, never corporate.
What makes Renegade Pilates unique is the level of attention and intention behind every session. Whether it’s a one-on-one private or a carefully structured small group, I design each experience to meet the individual where they are — physically, emotionally, and energetically — and help them build real strength, alignment, and confidence.
Beyond the studio, I’m also laying the groundwork for Casa Renegade, a future design consulting division focused on helping others create environments that are both functional and aesthetically impactful — especially in wellness and boutique movement spaces.
Right now, my focus is on deepening the client experience at Renegade Pilates, expanding premium offerings, and continuing to evolve a business model that supports both physical transformation and long-term sustainability — for my clients and myself.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Disconnection breaks bonds — when people stop listening, stop seeing each other, or stop showing up with honesty and intention. In a world that’s increasingly fast, digital, and transactional, it’s easy to feel unseen or like you’re just going through the motions — even in spaces that are supposed to be about connection and wellness.
What restores those bonds is presence. Trust is built when people feel truly seen, heard, and valued. That’s something I focus on every single day at Renegade Pilates — creating an environment where clients are more than just a body in a class. They’re individuals with their own stories, needs, and goals.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Like so many others, I hit a breaking point during the pandemic. Everything I had built with Renegade Pilates felt suddenly fragile — classes were canceled, the studio was empty, and clients were navigating not just isolation, but deep personal loss. Some of their family members were seriously ill or dying from COVID, and the emotional weight in every conversation was palpable.
For a moment, I questioned whether I could — or even should — keep going.
But I wasn’t alone in that uncertainty. Small business owners, instructors, and creatives everywhere were facing the same questions. What pulled me through was reconnecting with my purpose. I didn’t want to abandon the people who counted on me — not just for Pilates, but for a sense of normalcy, strength, and care.
So I pivoted quickly. I brought sessions online, created more flexible options, and focused on deepening one-on-one support. That time shaped how I run Renegade Pilates now — with more empathy, more adaptability, and a renewed commitment to creating a space where people feel safe, seen, and strong again.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think a lot of smart people are still chasing more — more productivity, more bio-hacks, more external validation — without realizing that what they actually need is depth. There’s this idea that efficiency equals success, but in the process, people lose connection to their bodies, their values, and even their joy.
In the wellness space, I see it all the time: people skipping over the fundamentals in search of shortcuts. But real transformation isn’t a quick fix — it’s intentional, layered, and deeply personal. The smartest thing we can do isn’t to optimize ourselves into oblivion — it’s to slow down, listen in, and make space for what really matters.
At Renegade Pilates, that’s the heart of what I offer — not just smarter movement, but more meaningful movement. It’s not about doing more — it’s about doing the right things, with presence and purpose.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope Renegade Pilates continues as a space where people feel seen, strong, and inspired — where the standards are high, but the energy is deeply human. I’ve worked hard to build something that isn’t just about Pilates, but about connection. And I didn’t do it alone — I’ve been lucky to work alongside a talented, dedicated team who share that same vision.
My hope is that Renegade Pilates continues to evolve through the hands and hearts of others — whether that’s instructors I’ve mentored, clients whose lives have been changed by the work, or team members who step into leadership and carry the brand forward with integrity.
Eventually, I’d love to see the philosophy behind Renegade Pilates expand into new spaces — not through franchising or mass production, but through intentional growth and aligned partnerships. If what we’ve built here continues to raise the bar for what boutique movement and wellness experiences can be, then I’ll know the legacy is in good hands.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.renegadepilates.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renegadepilatesmiami
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renegade-pilates/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PilatesMiami419
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=renegade+pilates
Image Credits
All photos courtesy of Renegade Pilates
