We had the good fortune of connecting with Natalie Grimsley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Natalie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Launching my own business allowed me to combine my passions and build upon my existing work in the health and wellness field. When creating my business, I envisioned a physical space in my neighborhood where my neighbors could easily gather and access a sense of community. My goal was to share my favorite offerings, including Lagree method classes and a variety of mindfulness practices, creating a welcoming environment for everyone just steps away from the beach.

How do you think about risk, what role has taking risks played in your life/career?
Risk is definitely the driving force behind my journey. I chose multiple times to deviate from the conventional route, leaving behind a comfortable job to pursue my passions in a brand new environment. There were often times where I thought it would be easier to go back to where I came from and do the same thing I had been doing because of the security and comfort, but I am so glad I stayed the course. These leaps of faith have ultimately paid off. I’ve come to realize that life operates on a much longer timeline than we often want or expect. While we all would love immediate rewards from the risks we take, they often require time to reveal their true value. Each risk I’ve embraced has ultimately served as a stepping stone, guiding me to where I stand today and I am really proud of the previous versions of myself that decided to take each step and each leap.

Other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
I believe the most important factor I have incorporated in order to get here stems from my ability to silence distractions and drown out the noise. Venturing beyond the confines of comfort zones and conventional paths often invites significant challenges and pushback from others. While some of these opinions may arise from genuine concern for your success, it’s important to recognize that many will voice their doubts about your choices. When I left my real estate career and relocated west, I faced skepticism about my future and was even made fun for my life coaching and TikTok videos. Despite the naysayers and those who mocked me, I persisted because I had an unwavering belief in my potential and in the life I am trying to build. To achieve success, it is essential to ignore the negativity from those who doubt you and to remain steadfast in your conviction that you can succeed, all while committing to a long-term vision.

What is the most important factor behind your success and the success of your brand?
What has significantly contributed to my success is my willingness to take risks. Stepping into the unknown and moving beyond my comfort zone can be daunting, yet I recognize that taking that initial leap is essential. Conditions may never be ideal, but without trying, I would never know what’s possible. I take pride in the fact that I have made the effort. Alongside this, I focus on what I can control—my actions and my presence. While I cannot dictate how others behave, I strive to present my best self consistently, appreciating the privilege of running my own business and ensuring I don’t take it for granted. I firmly believe that the energy we put into the world comes back to us, so I aim to embody that principle in my everyday life, hoping for positive returns.

How has your work life balance changed over time? How do you think about the balance?
At this moment, I’ll admit that I lack balance, but it’s a conscious choice. Launching a business is challenging, yet I find myself waking up at 4:45 AM most days filled with excitement because I have the opportunity to pursue this dream. I don’t see it as an obligation; rather, it’s a privilege I don’t take for granted. I get to do this. At a PlankHaus training I shared with my team the importance of valuing our time and the environments we are in, as life is too short and precious to spend in unfulfilling places. During my twenties and early thirties, I dedicated myself entirely to work, missing out on many life experiences with friends and family. With PlankHaus, my aim is to create an environment that fosters balance, as I firmly believe you cannot give your best when you’re running on fumes and you can’t pour from an empty cup. Prioritizing self-care allows us to show up more fully for others, and this is a principle I am eager to implement now that we are up and running.

Do you have a favorite quote or affirmation? What does it mean to you / what do you like about it?
It may seem simple but, “whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re probably right.” Through extensive work on my mindset, I’ve come to understand its profound impact on shaping our reality. In the past, my lack of confidence led me to think that opportunities were available to everyone but me, a limiting belief I had constructed that ultimately hindered my progress. We often fabricate these untrue stories that justify our inaction, and it’s these very stories we feed ourselves that keep us from moving forward. That is why I make a conscious effort to monitor my mindset, the information I consume, and the company I keep, ensuring they align with the life I aspire to lead.

What do you want your legacy to be? What do you want people to remember about you?
I hope people remember me as someone who truly embraced life. I want them to say that I pursued every dream with passion and kindness. I hope I am remembered for all of the things that make me unique and the quirks that make me, me. I sometimes reflect on the fact that at our funerals, no one will mention our social media followers or the most number of likes we received. Instead, they will recall the impact we had on their lives and the way we chose to live. That is the legacy I aim to create.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
PlankHaus means so much more to me than just being a fitness studio. It’s an integral part of my community, woven into the fabric of Main Street that I have walked down for years as a consumer, offering a sanctuary for my neighbors to step away from the pressures of daily life through transformative experiences like the Lagree method and mindfulness workshops. Establishing a fitness studio in one of the most competitive markets in the country has certainly been a challenge, but my aim has always been to create something unique, which I believe distinguishes us from others. Our core values center around community, strength, and confidence, guiding me to prioritize a people-first approach. The individuals who walk through our doors and those who work here are my main focus, with the methods and practices coming second.

My vision is to enhance the neighborhood by fostering a community that promotes both physical and mental wellness, leaving a positive mark on everyone who visits. What truly sets PlankHaus apart is our dedication to holistic wellness and personal growth. I take pride in the nurturing environment we’ve cultivated, where individuals feel empowered to evolve.

Creating PlankHaus has been a challenging journey, it is a blend of my passions coming together in a physical space that I can share with others. I am grateful to the past version of myself that wanted to move out west and relocated to a new city not knowing anyone, leaving behind friends, family, and the security of a traditional 9 to 5 job job in hopes of living a life I had dreamed about but didn’t know was possible. I have worked tirelessly and hustled to reach this point in the face of a lot of nos, rejection, and lack of results, and the only reason I am here is because I continued to show up for myself and believe in the unseen. One of the most significant lessons I’ve learned is that setbacks are inevitable, but what truly matters is the ability to get back up again. My hard times are some of the most transformative periods of my life so sometimes what we think is breaking us is actually shaping us. I have also learned to let go of some control in the preconceived notions about how I think things should unfold and surrender to a power greater than me. I’ve learned you have to embraced risk, no risk no reward, and concentrate on what I can control, by staying committed to showing up as my best self each day. Taking that initial leap into the unknown by leaving it all behind to move here was the toughest yet most fulfilling choice I’ve ever made. I encourage others to take that risk, to seek more from themselves and from life. If you feel the call more, more out of yourself, more out of life, I encourage you to answer it. It is sometimes not an easy one to answer, especially if it goes against the status quo, but we only get one life and when you get to the end of the road and you look back on your life, how do you want it to look? For me, I want to be able to say I tried.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This question is challenging to answer at the moment, as many of my favorite spots are either gone or difficult to reach due to the ongoing closure of the PCH after the fires. Being a true Westside girl, most of the itinerary would focus on this area. Whenever I have visitors, I always take them to hike at Point Dume in Malibu, where they can enjoy incredible views of the beautiful California coastline. I also take people to visit the dog-friendly Staircase Beach with my dog Dolly, a hidden gem of a beach in my opinion where you can often find yourself alone and find unique seashells.

After our hike, I’d treat them to a meal at one of Malibu’s fantastic restaurants, it is always a toss-up between Malibu Seafood, Broad Street Oyster, or Taverna Tony. These places are open and could really use our support right now as Malibu is so cut off from the rest of Los Angeles.

In Santa Monica, I’d kick off the day with a morning class at PlankHaus, followed by a latte at Groundwork and a walk-through Ocean View Park to the beach. Next, we’d wander down Abbot Kinney, making sure to stop at Burro for a little souvenir from their visit. A trip to Erewhon is also essential; everyone that visits absolutely must try the smoothies. It is a rite of passage. For dinner on the Westside, I’d take them to Dudley’s, which is one of my top two favorite restaurants in Los Angeles.

On Sunday, I’d plan another wellness day, starting with a cold plunge and hyperbaric oxygen session at Remedy Place. Then, we’d hike in Runyon Canyon, where they can’t miss the iconic Hollywood sign if they haven’t seen it yet. After freshening up, we’d enjoy a late brunch or lunch at the Santa Monica Proper, likely at Calabra on the rooftop. It’s one of my favorite spots in Los Angeles, with an amazing team and stunning design by Kelly Wearstler. To wrap up the day, we’d head to the beach to watch the sunset! Living by the ocean this is a luxury I always try to seize!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are many individuals that have contributed to my journey at specific moments in time, but three stand out prominently. At my lowest point, I discovered a transformative book called “You Can Heal Your Life” by Louise Hay. This book truly empowered me to take control of my narrative rather than feeling like a passenger on the ride of life, igniting my journey of self-improvement and opening my eyes to the potential for internal change and growth.

Second would be my life coach, Nancy Levin, who played a crucial role as a mentor during that tough time in my life. When I first met her, I was utterly broken, feeling defeated and deeply depressed, with no vision for my future if I am perfectly honest.. She equipped me with the tools to bring myself back to life and helped me emerge stronger than ever, helping me eliminate the limiting beliefs that had kept me feeling trapped. Nancy instilled in me a newfound belief in self and taught me the significance of setting boundaries, something I had been absolutely horrible at prior to her teaching me how to do so with love. Her influence inspired me to become a life coach myself, with the hope of maybe being able to help someone else in the way she helped me. This was a promise I made to myself when I was down, and one I hope to uphold for the rest of my life, to help anyone who feels broken know that is not permanent and that it can and it does get better.

Lastly, I wouldn’t be here without the unwavering support of my parents, who have always believed in me, often times more than I believed in myself. They have provided me with endless opportunities throughout my life, all of which have shaped me into the person I am. Over the past two years, as I have built PlankHaus, my relationship with them has been invaluable. Their encouragement to pursue my business aspirations and their support for my desire to forge a my own path in life is the only reason I am here right now.

Website: https://www.plankhaus.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plankhauscalifornia

Image Credits
Elsa Melero

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