34: From building a fitness studio to launching a product line: how Shine Society built community, resilience, and created their own yeses


What if your workout felt like a party and your equipment made you smile every time you moved? In this episode, I sit down with Hillary and Yaya, co-founders of Shine Society Fitness, who have spent nine years building a body positive, community driven studio in the South Bay of Los Angeles. We talk about how they created a welcoming alternative to intimidating boutique fitness spaces, why music and togetherness matter, and how movement can be about mental health as much as physical results.

They also share the behind-the-scenes story of product dreams, pivots, and persistence, including a patent that did not go through, a full restart, and the birth of their new aesthetic equipment line featuring heart shaped sliders, heart dumbbells, hip bands, and the cutest grip socks. If you care about building something authentic, collaborating over competing, and creating your own yes when the world says no, this one is for you.

You will leave feeling seen, energized, and ready to take one small, unstoppable step toward what lights you up.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

✨ How they designed a fitness experience that centers community, inclusivity, and mental health

✨ Practical ways to create collaboration opportunities with local, women led businesses

✨ What it really looks like to navigate setbacks in product development and business and keep momentum

✨ Why aestheticically beautiful tools and props can increase motivation and consistency in your workouts

WEEKLY CHALLENGE

Pick one ten minute micro win and do it today. Choose a simple, music driven movement session at home or in a class, then write one sentence about how you felt before and how you feel after. If it lifted your mood, schedule the same ten minutes two more times this week so your future self has an easy yes waiting.

REFLECTION PROMPTS:

What community values matter most in my business and life, where am I overcomplicating, what one decision would help me create my own yes this week

RESOURCES

✨ Book: Everything Is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo

✨ Apply to The Rocketship Mastermind →

Our 2x sold out mastermind is where ambitious women scale with clarity, confidence, and a crew that matches their energy. Virtual and in person options available.

✨ Listen to the Limited Series: “What Is Rocketship Energy?”

My CEO Bestie, Emily, and I created a private 10 episode podcast series for women who want the right blend of mindset, strategy, and community without sacrificing the life you actually want to live. It is bingeable, honest, and packed with what most people are not teaching. 🎧

GUEST INFO

✨ Instagram Shine Society Fit Shop → https://www.instagram.com/shinesocietyfitshop

✨ Instagram Shine Society Fitness → https://www.instagram.com/shinesocietyfitness/

✨ Website → ShineSocietyFitShop.com and https://shinesocietyfitness.com

✨ YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@shinesocietyfitshop

CONNECT WITH ME

✨Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/nataliebernacchi/ + https://www.instagram.com/lightheruppodcast/

✨ Website → https://nataliebernacchi.com/

✨ Get on The Lit List → https://nataliebernacchi.com/newsletter