Disrupt Magazine

Cereza Richeson: Using Fitness to Empower Others

[as originally publised on distruptmagazine.com]

Cereza Richeson is the founder and CEO of Motivate Studios, a Los Angeles-based fitness studio with its 11th location set to open this year.

Now a Lagree Fitness Master Trainer, Cereza originally discovered this specialized fitness method (with celebrity fans including Kim Kardashian and Sofia Vergara) when she was a young mother to her three small children. Struggling to keep up with the physical demands of mom life, she dove into Lagree and almost instantly felt stronger with an increase of both energy and confidence. In an effort share with others what she had gained for herself, Cereza decided to start her own fitness studio.

Emerging from the recession bruised and bankrupt, the timing for the endeavor was terrifying for her. With traditional financing out of reach, Cereza and her husband had to innovate to fund and launch their inaugural location—he handled the construction while she took care of everything from teaching to marketing.

Once Motivate launched, Cereza worked tirelessly to ensure her members felt welcome. She knew the challenge of trying a new gym and didn’t want anyone to feel that distress. Her mission was clear: shift the narrative and make inclusivity the norm.

With a firm belief that movement is, and always will be, essential for everyone, Cereza emphasizes the importance of finding the right workout. She sees Lagree Fitness as an exceptionally sustainable method, characterized by its gentleness on the joints while delivering both strength training and cardio benefits. The workout can also evolve with individuals and maintain its ability to challenge them as they grow stronger.

Cereza’s success in the industry reflects her unwavering dedication to empowering others through fitness. For more information on Cereza and Motivate Studios, please visit: motivatestudios.com.