In this episode, Angelica sits down with Maria Stege, founder of BARE Studios, to talk about the choice not to go to college, running multiple studios at 22, and why she believes ambition never owes anyone an apology.
Maria is the founder of BARE Studios in Tampa Bay. Before BARE, she led multi-location operations in boutique fitness, developed instructor education systems, and built the sales and retention strategies behind those businesses. She stepped into entrepreneurship with a clear vision for what BARE should be: a studio where strength is developed through structure, not trends, and where standards are treated as the work itself.
What you will hear in this episode:
- Why Maria decided not to go to college, and how her family reacted
- What it actually looks like to earn respect when you are the youngest person in the room
- The line between confidence and cockiness, and why women should stop apologizing for either
- Why she believes the fitness industry has lowered the bar on who gets to teach
- The mindset that has driven every decision in her career
Subscribe to the newsletter: thisisntnormalpod.com
Follow on Instagram: @thisisntnormalpod
Connect with Angelica: @angelicaconnor_
Connect with Maria: @mariaastege @barepilatesstudios
For press, partnerships, and guest inquiries: thisisntnormalpod@gmail.com
