Your Head Coach
Hi, I'm Christa Gurka.
When I opened my first Pilates studio in 2008, I didn’t plan on becoming a business coach for other Pilates studio owners, PTs, and wellness professionals. Heck- I didn’t even think I could break $300,000 in revenue. I just loved helping people move better, and I knew I didn’t want to work for someone else forever.
But a few years in, I found myself in the same place many health + wellness business owners end up — exhausted, overworked, and wondering why I thought this would give me money, freedom, and impact. I was worn OUT.
At the time, I was a mom of two young boys. My husband traveled for work, and I was managing a growing team while opening a second Pilates studio. From the outside, it looked like success, but behind the scenes, I was crashing out.
My team could feel it, our profit margins were showing it — and I was about to snap from the stress of it all. This period was probably the worst of my life, but it forced me to face the truth: I couldn’t keep operating the business like this.
"I think this coaching has been the most personal I’ve had. The advice you give is specific to each person's goals. It gives me trust that I know exactly what I need to be working on."
– EC
I made a decision in 2018: I would build my business so it could run without me.
That decision changed everything. I literally called it: Operation Christa gets hit by a bus
I systemized, delegated, and restructured everything from hiring to scheduling to finances. As a result, Pilates in the Grove grew into a multi-location, seven-figure business that generated well over $1 million a year…
…and in 2025, I sold my business and walked away with seven figures in my personal bank account.
EXPLORE SERVICES →
"Through Christa and her team, I have learned how to systemize my business, hire and delegate employees, set realistic financial goals, and understand how to market through social media. For the first time in six years, my business is making money beyond just me treating clients!"
– Alyssa
I’m a physical therapist, Pilates teacher, and business owner turned CEO and educator.
Over the past 18+ years, I’ve learned that building a successful business isn’t about working harder. (If that was the secret, you wouldn’t be here, right?) It’s about building smarter systems, creating real support and becoming a version of yourself that responds instead of reacts.
Since stepping out of the Pilates classroom and into full-time mentorship, I’ve:
- Built and sold a seven-figure Pilates and Physical therapy company
- Hosted the Female emPOWERED Podcast, with thousands of listeners tuning in weekly
- Created the Fit Biz Foundations community, a starting point for boutique fitness and wellness owners ready to grow sustainably
- Created a variety of mentorship programs for women at all stages of business ownership
But the most important thing I’ve done? Helped amazing women like you stabilize their businesses and change their lives.
FEATURED IN:
meet
Felicia Alexander
Over the past 18+ years, I’ve learned that building a successful business isn’t about working harder. (If that was the secret, you wouldn’t be here, right?) It’s about building smarter systems, creating real support and becoming a version of yourself that responds instead of reacts.
Since stepping out of the Pilates classroom and into full-time mentorship, I’ve:
- Built and sold a seven-figure Pilates and Physical therapy company
- Hosted the Female emPOWERED Podcast, with thousands of listeners tuning in weekly
- Created the Fit Biz Foundations community, a starting point for boutique fitness and wellness owners ready to grow sustainably
- Created a variety of mentorship programs for women at all stages of business ownership
But the most important thing I’ve done? Helped amazing women like you stabilize their businesses and change their lives.
meet
Darcy Smith
Hi, I’m Darcy. I’m the Operations Manager at Fit Biz Strategies, CEO and Founder of Behind the Brand LLC, and I’m passionate about creating the systems that help businesses run smoothly behind the scenes.
While Christa is helping studio owners build thriving businesses, I’m making sure everything that supports that mission is organized, efficient, and running like it should. From project management and operations to marketing, client experience, and team coordination, I love taking big ideas and turning them into clear, repeatable processes.
Through my work with Fit Biz Strategies, Behind the Brand LLC, and my husband’s local service business, I’ve gained hands-on experience building systems, streamlining operations, managing teams, and creating processes that support long-term growth. Along the way, I’ve also homeschooled our 11 children, which has taught me that flexibility, organization, and problem-solving are some of the most valuable skills you can have.
My goal is simple: help create an incredible experience for every Fit Biz member while making sure our team has the tools and support they need to serve studio owners at the highest level.
Behind every great business is a strong foundation, and I love helping build it.
Want to work with us?
Fit Biz Community
Your best first step. Get coaching, business foundations, and a supportive community—month to month, no big commitment.
Fit Biz Accelerator
For established owners ready to stop DIY-ing and scale smarter. Weekly teaching, mentorship, and accountability built in.
Elevate to Exit
1:1 support to streamline systems, strengthen your leadership, and step away from daily ops in 12–18 months.
