Meet Pippa, owner of Hotpod Yoga Cambridge.
After her career as a lawyer, Pippa opened Hotpod Yoga Cambridge in December 2016, making her one of our most long-standing franchisees.
What was the moment you realised that a legal career wasn’t where you wanted to spend the rest of your professional life?
Although I’d done yoga for a number of years on and off, mostly to keep a grumbling bad back at bay, it was whilst I was caring for my father during his terminal cancer diagnosis that I found myself drawn to the practice on a more daily basis. I’d stumbled across a hot yoga studio and the dynamic classes with the heat were the secret to giving me the perfect space to sweat it all out and process my feelings, so I could show up for dad as the best version of me. I was able do something that was ‘just for me’ but the knock on effect was evident in all areas of my life, as a mum and as a daughter. I was hooked. Everyone at the studio was so lovely and the community made me feel supported and held in a way I hadn’t really felt before. I would rave to everyone about how incredible hot yoga was and I wished everybody had the tools it had given me to get through a really tough time in life.
What drew you specifically to Hotpod Yoga when you started exploring life beyond law?
When dad passed away, the owner of the studio I was attending suggested I look into training as a teacher. Like many of us do I replied ‘no, not me’ but the spark had been ignited! I found the perfect training and began the journey to find out more about the deeper layers of the practice. During this time a ‘Hotpod’ had opened in our town and everyone was buzzing about how amazing it was.
Then life took a turn for me and I found myself preparing for a relocation to Cambridge, but I was devastated to find that nowhere taught hot yoga as a vinyasa practice. It was all just ‘26 and 2’ Bikram style classes or room temperature flow classes. So, I arranged to go along to the Hotpod studio in Nottingham and meet with Sarah, the owner, for a chat. She couldn’t have been more welcoming and her love for the Hotpod business model was reassuring. She encouraged me to take the plunge and bring my very own Hotpod Yoga studio to Cambridge.
Looking back, what was the most challenging part of stepping away from a traditional profession and into something entirely different?
Being self employed is scary at first. Plus, I knew nothing about running a business. What started out as a love for yoga and a desire for everyone to be doing it, somehow morphed into me learning about marketing, finance, customer services, logistics, facilities management, IT systems and more! It’s a lot! What I loved most was that Hotpod HQ held my hand every step. I was never left to just figure it out on my own, if I needed help it was there.
My parents had run a franchise when I was a child and it had not been a positive experience, so I think I was always expecting Hotpod to try and trick me into something, somewhere along the line (plus you are trained to see the worst in everyone as a lawyer!) However, Max and Nick, and every member of the team that’s joined them since, has always been an incredible support along my journey and demonstrated time and time again that I need never have worried.
What’s one of your best memories/moments of being a studio owner?
There are so many over the last 9 years, but my favourite was during our Hotpod family reunion, when HQ took us all away for a couple of days to come together with other Hotpod studios from all over the country to share learnings and take part in workshops etc. At the end of the stay they gathered us all together for a little speech from Max, then he turned on the tv and played us all a montage of clips of our regular students talking about why they loved our classes and what Hotpod meant to them. It was so emotional, all of us were blubbing away! Seeing the faces of those who had put their faith in us to deliver great yoga classes, but who had left those classes time and time again with a sense of community, emotional support and often life changing benefits from a regular yoga practice was so moving. Each person’s story a reminder of how needed our studio spaces were for so many. It was a wonderful reminder of why we do it and is such a proud moment for me.
Meet Megs, Hotpod Yoga Putney Studio Owner.
Moving away from a career in marketing at L’Oréal, Megs has been running our Putney studio since January 2023.
What prompted you to step away from a fast-paced marketing career and look for something different?
After years in a fast-paced marketing environment, I realised I wanted to work on something that felt more tangible and meaningful. While I loved the creativity and strategy involved in corporate marketing, I craved a role where I could see the direct impact of my efforts and connect more closely with the people I was serving. I wanted to build something of my own where I could shape the culture, the experience, and the values from the ground up.
What surprised you most about the shift from working for a global brand to building something of your own?
The biggest surprise has been the sheer scope of responsibility and learning involved. In a global brand, you focus on a specific piece of the puzzle, but running your own venture means touching every aspect, from operations to marketing to customer experience. It is both challenging and incredibly rewarding. I was also pleasantly surprised by how much freedom there is to experiment and iterate quickly, which large organisations often cannot do. On a personal level, I realised I really enjoy the variety: one day I am focusing on social media, the next on outreach, and the next on teaching. I also get to combine all of this with my love of yoga, which makes every day different
What have been the biggest benefits – personally and professionally – of making the switch?
Personally, the biggest benefit has been autonomy and the ability to align my work with my values. Plus to teach yoga and be able to finish early on a Friday! Professionally, I have developed a much broader skill set, from financial and operational management to hands-on marketing and community-building. There is a real sense of ownership and satisfaction in seeing ideas come to life and make a tangible difference. It has also taught me resilience, adaptability, and how to prioritise. Plus ‘real life’ tasks like tiling!
What would you say to someone in a corporate marketing role who is thinking about moving into something more meaningful or hands-on?
I would say it is worth exploring, even if it feels daunting. The skills you have built in corporate marketing, such as strategic thinking, project management, and communication, are very valuable in a smaller, hands-on environment. Be prepared for challenges and uncertainty but also for a level of personal growth and satisfaction that is hard to replicate in a corporate role. You will learn a lot along the way and often have a much bigger impact than you might expect!
Meet Chris, owner of Hotpod Yoga Chesterfield.
After over two decades working for the NHS as a physio, Chris opened Hotpod Chesterfield in April 2024.
What prompted you to step away from your NHS career and look for something different?
After more than two decades in the NHS, I reached a point where I felt I needed a new challenge, something that allowed me to express different parts of myself. I loved my clinical work, but I was ready for more creativity, autonomy, and the chance to build something aligned with wellbeing in a different way. It wasn’t about leaving healthcare; it was about expanding how I could support people.
What surprised you most about the shift from working for the NHS to building something of your own?
Honestly, the level of responsibility—but in both directions. There’s an intensity to running your own space that you don’t always anticipate, but there’s also this huge amount of freedom. You get to shape the culture, the community, the feel of everything from the ground up. I’ve been surprised by how much personal growth comes with that. You learn a lot about yourself when you’re the one steering the ship.
What have been the biggest benefits—personally and professionally—of making the switch?
Personally, I’ve gained confidence in areas I never expected—operations, finance, marketing, community building. It’s pushed me to grow in ways I wouldn’t have in a traditional role.
Professionally, I’ve learnt so much about business and leadership, but also about how powerful consistent, accessible wellbeing spaces can be. Watching people arrive stressed and leave lighter, it reminds you why you’re doing it.
What would you say to someone thinking about a career change, who’s thinking about moving into something more meaningful or hands-on?
I’d say it’s essential to get clear on what you want your day-to-day life to actually feel like. If you’re craving something more meaningful, more relational, or more hands-on, then trust that instinct. Stepping into a wellbeing space, whether it’s teaching, running a studio or something else entirely, asks you to be brave, but it also gives so much back. Build support, stay curious, and be open to learning. The right move is the one that aligns with your values and helps you feel more connected to yourself and your community.
Curious about opening a Hotpod Yoga Studio of your own? Book a free 15 minute call with Misha to learn more, or visit our franchising webpage.