Hiring in boutique fitness, Pilates, and private-pay physical therapy is harder than ever—and one of the most common mistakes studio owners make is confusing lack of readiness with lack of fit.

In this episode, Christa Gurka breaks down how to determine whether a new hire simply needs development or whether they’re truly the wrong fit for your business. You’ll learn why hiring for personality, values, and coachability matters more than hiring for technical perfection—and how a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding plan can eliminate guesswork, reduce turnover, and protect your brand standards.

Christa also walks through a real, step-by-step onboarding framework used successfully at Pilates in the Grove, including observation, co-teaching, mock sessions, performance rubrics, and clear benchmarks for advancement. If you’ve ever hired someone who looked great on paper but struggled on the floor, this episode will give you the clarity and structure you’ve been missing.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• The critical difference between “not ready” vs. “not the right fit”
• Why hiring for mission, vision, and values alignment beats hiring for technical skill alone
• How to evaluate new instructors and clinicians objectively (without emotion or panic)
• A proven 30-60-90 day onboarding structure for Pilates instructors and physical therapists
• How observation, co-teaching, and mock sessions build confidence and consistency
• Why skill can be taught—but professionalism, reliability, and coachability cannot
• How clear expectations and rubrics reduce turnover and protect your studio culture
• When to extend development time—and when to confidently part ways

Key Takeaways for Studio Owners

• Certification ≠ readiness
• Skill gaps are fixable; character gaps are not
• Most new hires fail due to lack of clarity, not lack of ability
• Systems create confidence—for you and your team
• Strong onboarding builds strong culture, consistency, and client experience

Resources & Mentions

• Fit Biz Monthly Membership
• Inner Circle Coaching Program
• Fit Biz Accelerator (Hiring & Onboarding Frameworks)
• Instagram: @christagurka

Perfect For:

• Pilates studio owners
• Boutique fitness and wellness owners
• Private-pay physical therapy practice owners
• Studio managers and lead instructors
• Owners actively hiring or rebuilding their team

Listen & Take Action

If you’re hiring—or planning to hire—this year, this episode will help you stop guessing, start leading, and build a team that actually supports your growth.

🎧 Listen now and DM Christa on Instagram with your biggest hiring takeaway or onboarding question.