Ep 7: Dean Grafos and Mabel Lau, Owners, Core40 Studios San Francisco and Amsterdam

In this episode of Do You Lagree?, Michael Chipman speaks with Dean Grafos and Mabel Lau of Core40 Studios in San Francisco and Amsterdam about the journey from personal turning points to building a globally recognized Lagree brand. Dean shares how a career in law and a major financial setback during the 2008 market crash led to an unexpected introduction to Lagree, ultimately shaping the foundation of their business. Mabel reflects on her evolution from client to coach, and how the method became a catalyst for both physical and personal transformation.

Together, they explore the principles behind Core40’s 40-minute class model, the role of experience design in shaping both client outcomes and studio operations, and the importance of building teams rooted in shared values. The conversation offers a clear perspective on what it takes to create consistency, maintain quality across locations, and build a studio experience that resonates far beyond the workout itself.

Recorded by ROC Vox Recording & Production Studios in Pittsford, NY. Learn more at rocvox.com.