When Oliv opens, the experience will begin before class even starts. Step inside, and you’ll be welcomed into a quiet lobby where the first thing you see is yourself in a mirror, a moment built on purpose. “We wanted a space without stereotypes or pressure, a place where people can reconnect with themselves, away from the noise of everyday life”, Paola explains. Past the front desk will sit Oliv Coffee, where a drink will be waiting before or after class. Pilates will be at the heart of the studio, but movement is the real focus. “We want everyone to find the style of movement that feels right for them”, she adds.
In the meantime, Matías and Paola aren’t waiting around for a lease to start building what Oliv is really about. Ahead of opening, they’ve been bringing people together through pilates and coffee meetups, planting the seed of a community before there’s even a space to hold it, and it’s already showing. Events have sold out, conversations keep happening after class, and messages come in from people who say they already feel seen. “Those moments mean more to us than any milestone”, Paola shares. Today they even have a team that believes in Oliv as deeply as they do. “We truly see them as part of our story”, she reflects.
Coffee isn’t a side detail in their story. It was one of the first industries both founders worked in after moving to the U.S., and it’s actually where they met. “For a long time, we thought we’d open a café together, but deep down, we knew we wanted to build something that felt even more meaningful”, Paola recalls. That missing piece was Pilates, which became something personal for her while adapting to a new country. Their personalities filled in the rest. “Paola is the dreamer. She’s the one who’s always convinced that anything is possible, while Matías brings a thoughtful, realistic perspective that helps turn those ideas into something tangible”, they notes.
Where you meet yourself again
That phrase is the closest thing Oliv has to a mission statement. “Somewhere between the pressure to achieve more and the constant comparison around us, it’s easy to lose touch with who we really are”, Paola reflects. Small class sizes, instructors from different nationalities and cultures, founders present every day so members feel seen, even a coffee prepared with care: all of it points to the same idea. “What people find at Oliv isn’t just a workout. They find a community built on genuine connection, where everyone is welcome and every detail is designed to make you feel like you belong”, she says.
Getting here wasn’t easy. “The biggest challenge has been believing in ourselves every single day”, Paola admits, recalling numbers that felt overwhelming, a space that seemed impossible to find, and moments when it was hard not to compare themselves to founders who looked like they had everything figured out. What kept them steady was refusing to chase what’s trending. “People can recreate a concept, but they can never recreate the heart behind it”, Matías adds..
As Oliv prepares to open its doors, this couple sees wellness shifting toward something less about chasing a certain body, and more about a healthier relationship with yourself. If there’s one thing he hopes changes, it’s the pressure to constantly compare. “Every person is living a different story. Movement should be a celebration of your own journey”, he concludes.
Want more? This is just the beginning. www.instagram.com/olivstudiofl
