Jon StojanMore than just a fitness studio, PlankHaus was designed to be a sanctuary where movement and mindfulness come together to support both physical and mental well-being. Located on Main Street in Santa Monica, the studio blends the transformative power of the Lagree method with intentional moments of reflection, offering individuals a space to challenge themselves, reset, and connect. At the heart of it all is its founder, Natalie Grimsley, whose personal journey through fitness and self-growth inspired the creation of a welcoming environment focused on strength, resilience, and community. In this interview, she shares the inspiration behind PlankHaus, the philosophy that drives it, and her vision for those who walk through its doors.
Credit: Elsa Melero
What inspired you to open Plankhaus, and what do you hope it brings to the community?
PlankHaus was designed to be a sanctuary where individuals can momentarily escape the stressors and demands of everyday life. Here, they can engage in some of the most transformative practices I’ve discovered, blending the Lagree method workout with various mindfulness techniques through classes and workshops. My hope in establishing PlankHaus was to cultivate a distinctive and unique environment dedicated to holistic wellness and personal growth, where everyone is embraced and encouraged to explore new experiences, whether that’s a Lagree class or a cacao ceremony. Being in my own neighborhood of Ocean Park and located on Main Street, I see PlankHaus as part of a broader conversation in the tapestry that is Main Street Santa Monica where clients can come take a class then grab a coffee and be steps from the beach. One thing I would love to contribute to the community is the hope that we at PlankHaus can help uplift our neighborhoods, leaving them in a better place than we found them by offering a supportive space where we encourage everyone to prioritize their physical and mental well-being.
Why did you choose Lagree as the foundation of Plankhaus, and what makes it such a transformative workout?
I chose Lagree because I experienced its profound impact on my life, both physically and mentally. For years, I have committed to Lagree, driven by the remarkable changes I noticed in my body. As a former athlete, I’ve tried numerous fitness programs, but none have compared to this one. Lagree has helped me achieve my strongest and leanest physique, fulfilling its promise to strengthen, lengthen, sculpt, and tone the body efficiently while minimizing the risk of injury. It offers a low-impact, anti-inflammatory workout that still delivers high intensity without spiking my cortisol. This is a “live method” that is dynamic and continually evolving, reflecting Sebastien Lagree’s innovative approach to fitness. What truly sold me on the Lagree method was not just the physical transformation I experienced but also the mental clarity it provided me. During a very challenging period in my life, I found myself attending Lagree classes nearly every day—not because my body needed it that often but because my mind did. After becoming certified, I discovered how much Lagree Fitness emphasizes mental fitness and inner-resilience, aligning perfectly with the mindset work I was already pursuing through Life Coaching making it synergistic to the path I was on. Sebastien Lagree underscores the connection between physical fitness and mental well-being, highlighting benefits like neurogenesis, mood enhancement, and the release of endorphins which are some of the many benefits people will experience from this method combined with the additional mindfulness component we intentionally combine at PlankHaus.
Can you describe the Plankhaus experience? What should clients expect from a typical class?
In our 50-minute sessions, we follow a unique 95/5 approach, dedicating 95% of our time to the Lagree method, which focuses on a total-body workout that enhances muscular endurance. The remaining 5% is a peaceful moment for participants to lower their heart rates, relax their bodies, and find mental calmness. I like to describe Lagree as the perfect blend of Pilates and bodybuilding; it’s rooted in bodybuilding principles, emphasizing strength through slow, controlled movements. What sets us apart is the intentional 2.5-minute pause at the end of each class, allowing everyone to take a moment to honor and celebrate their efforts and their bodies for the hard work they’ve put in.
Beyond fitness, you’re deeply involved in mindfulness and life coaching. What sparked your passion for these areas?
Our minds are incredibly powerful tools that can change not just our everyday experiences but our entire lives when we choose to focus on them. After spending eight years in the real estate industry, where I achieved impressive sales records and earned a cushy income, I found myself feeling unfulfilled, realizing I was sacrificing too much of my life for my job. During a particularly tough time, I felt a deep yearning for more from myself and my life, and I understood that I needed help and support to make that happen. I dove head first into the world of self-help consuming every well-known book and podcast eventually connecting with Nancy Levin, a well-known Life Coach and Author, who helped me break through the barriers that had been holding me back. I was drawn to Life Coaching because it involves actionable steps, keeping you accountable while helping you break free from the limiting beliefs and false narratives we create over time. During that difficult time that led me to getting a Life Coach, I made a promise to myself: once I got through that struggle, I would focus on helping others facing similar challenges get through it too. This commitment inspired me to launch a TikTok page for sharing motivational content, pursue a career as a life coach, and eventually create PlankHaus. If I can help even one person believe that it can and it does get better, I will do that for as long as I possibly can in whatever way I can.
How do you blend mindfulness into your Lagree instruction and studio experience?
We implement this in various ways. One way is dedicating the last two and a half minutes of each class to a mindful moment, thoughtfully designed by each instructor. This time is integrated into our classes, ensuring that clients have already factored it into their schedules. In a fast-paced world where we are always connected, this moment serves as a necessary pause. I introduced a concept with my coaching clients that is well-known as the “power of the pause,” which is a deliberate moment aimed at breaking the cycle of constant activity we experience daily, allowing individuals to step out of autopilot and engage with greater awareness, clarity, and discernment.
Additionally, we organize bi-monthly mindfulness events. Our inaugural event was a complimentary community heart healing meditation and cacao ceremony led by Michelle Boback in response to the recent devastating fires. Our next event will feature a transformational breathwork experience led by Lane Jaffe. The purpose of our mindfulness workshops is to provide clients with the chance to explore new modalities and discover alternative ways to support their physical and mental well-being.
Mindset plays a crucial role in fitness—how do you help clients build both physical and mental resilience?
Your mindset is everything and truly shapes your experience. The saying is true, whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re probably right. Believing in yourself can make all the difference which can be difficult when the human brain has a natural negativity bias. Developing a positive, growth-oriented mindset requires effort, commitment, and practice. In our classes, we emphasize the connection between the mind and body, which is a key aspect of the Lagree method. This approach to connecting the mind to the muscle helps clients become more attuned to their physical selves and enhances their overall bodily awareness.
Our instructors are skilled at challenging clients to push their limits while also reminding them of their inner strength. Whether it’s encouraging them to hold a position for just one more second or to transition more swiftly between exercises to keep their heart rates elevated, every class is an opportunity for growth. Each time a client participates, they are building their strength and resilience. Every time they come back, they are building on what they built the class prior. We also incorporate a mindful moment at the end of each session to reinforce this journey by building in intention to have our clients celebrate themselves and what their bodies just accomplished.
For those struggling with self-doubt or motivation, what’s one mindset shift that can make a lasting impact?
You are just one choice away from a completely different life. The narratives you create in your mind can hold you back, and the reasons you give yourself for not being able to achieve your dreams are merely that—stories, not truth or fact. You have the power to change that narrative whenever you wish. You are the creator, the director, and the storyteller of your own life, and you can choose to begin a new chapter or even a whole new book at any moment.
There will be many who may not recognize or believe in your potential, but don’t let that person be you. If you’ve spent years being hard on yourself, why not explore what could happen if you start believing in yourself and treating yourself with the same kindness you offer to those you care about? Real change begins within, in your thoughts, before it manifests in your life, so pay attention to your inner dialogue—this is where the real transformation occurs. Continue to show up for yourself and have faith in your abilities, even if it feels strange at first. Choosing to prioritize yourself in a world that often dictates who we should be is a powerful act of defiance. You deserve everything you desire simply because you are human. That’s the bottom line. You are inherently worthy, so believe it.
When new clients step into Plankhaus, what do you want them to feel and take away from the experience?
I prioritize a people-first approach, ensuring that everyone who enters feels welcomed and embraced as part of our community. To me, this space is more than just a studio; it’s a sanctuary where my neighbors can gather. It truly means the world to me that each person chooses to step through that door and into my studio, and I hope they sense that warmth. Every detail, from the colors of the space to the structure of our classes, is thoughtfully designed to provide an escape from reality. My hope is that people leave feeling motivated, empowered, and just a little bit better than when they arrived.
For more information, or to schedule a class at PlankHaus, visit plankhaus.co.